May 1^st 2011, a day on which a variety of celebrations jostle for position, their order of importance depending on one’s perspective. It is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Divine Mercy Sunday, the day of the Beatification of the late Pope John Paul II, International Workers’ Day or May Day which celebrates the international labour movement, and it is the day on which the recently elected Provincial Council of our Mother of Divine Love Province of the Society begins its term of office.

As I write this I am in Rome, a city already crowded with tourists who are being joined by pilgrims here to participate in the celebration of the Beatification. The media speak of over a million new arrivals. Many of the pilgrims are Polish of course, but people are coming from the four corners of the world to honour this man, our Pope for twenty six years, who meant so much to the Church and to many others besides. Some pilgrims readily share their stories of how they have reached Rome: long journeys by bus, train or car, or by national and international flights; some speak of sacrifices made, the common denominator being their desire to make this journey, this pilgrimage of faith.

Jesus said “I have every confidence in my friends, they will carry on my mission, I have no other plan but them.”

“When the song of the angels is stilled...the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others, to make music in the heart.” (Howard Thurman)

Early September each year we as Pallottines have our annual retreat in Thurles. Its a time of reflection and rest a time to meet our fellow Pallottines and of course the food is always top class

Fr. Seamus Stapleton SAC, Pallottine Fathers, Greenford, London attended the vigil in Hyde Park last Saturday. Here are his reflections on the visit of Pope Benedict XVI

One reporter at the papal mass in Glasgow commented that all the Papal Flags were flying in the direction of Benedict xvi, indicating not just the direction of the breeze but the energy of the crowd and perhaps the grace of the Holy Spirit which Benedict drew strength from.

SPEAK Lord to my heart when I fail to recognize you in other's and in myself.

 "Mystery also has another aspect, which we so often overlook as we focus on the incomprehensible. Mystery indicates the existence  and presence of a reality, an immense reality."

Talk given by Maria Domke, Canada at the General Congress of the UAC in Rome, April 2010.

‘He is the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house.’(1 Pet 2:4-5)