SAINT DAMIAN’S TODAY

Many changes have taken place in the surrounding area and the monastery now finds itself in the heart of the Royal Dublin Society show grounds and within earshot of many sport fields. All of this activity around us reminds us that we are indeed close to the world as we try to bring the needs, hopes and fears of all mankind to the Heart of Christ in prayer.

Saint Clare wished the sisters to consider themselves as co-workers of Christ and a support for the weak and failing members of His Body, the Church, so we try to enter ever more into the love of the Lord Himself of all His people. “Thou has made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee” (Saint Augustine). The contemplative life answers to the deep need and thirst for the Infinite in every human heart. It is as much at home in the twenty-first century as it was in the thirteenth, because basically human nature does not change.

We have daily Adoration of Blessed Sacrament. On First Fridays and Sundays afternoons we have public Exposition concluding with Evening Prayer and Benediction. People join us for this and also for morning Mass each day. Since new hotels opened locally our chapel is often used by various groups who are travelling or some for regular monthly Masses, which we also attend usually.

At present we are eight in community. Our hearts overflow with gratitude to God for our cherished vocation, and for the witness of our 40 deceased Sisters, who remain close to us in our little cemetery.

We will be eternally grateful to our wonderful friends and benefactors who look after us so well in spiritual and material spheres. They are always in our prayers. Our Heavenly Father alone can reward them.

We ask the Lord of the Harvest to send many more generous souls into His harvest, so that the praise of His glory may ever resound on Simmonscourt Road.