Friday, 14 July is the feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of traditional ecology, Indigenous Peoples, and care for creation.
Born into the Mohawk in Upstate New York in the middle of the 17th Century, she lost her family when she was a small child and experienced a violent and turbulent period in the history of the Mohawk people. As a young woman, she chose to be baptized despite the resistance of her family and her people, and to commit her life to God. Read more of her life story here.
St Kateri was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012, thus becoming the first female Native American and First Nations saint.
The relevance of her life and witness to our modern world has grown in recent years rather than diminished. In her recognition of the inherent dignity of all people, she offers a bridge of peace between European and other immigrants and the Indigenous Peoples; between people and all of creation, and between people and God. Her identification as the patron of traditional ecology and care for creation highlights the need for a more harmonious and interdependent relationship with the earth, and an appreciation of the preciousness of all earth’s resources.
Throughout Laudato Si’ Pope Francis emphasises our interdependence on and interconnectedness with the earth and each other. That perspective, which is central to the lifestyle and spirituality of indigenous peoples, can benefit all of us: “We should listen more to indigenous peoples and learn from their way of life to properly understand that we cannot continue to greedily devour natural resources, because ‘the Earth was entrusted to us in order that it be mother for us, capable of giving to each one what is necessary to live’. Therefore, the contribution of indigenous peoples is essential in the fight against climate change.” Pope Francis, February 2023
Placing the people and land of Canada under the protection of St Kateri in July 2022, Pope Francis acknowledged that her holiness and faith derived not only from her prayer life and virtue, but “were also made possible by certain noble and virtuous traits inherited from her community and the indigenous environment in which she grew up.” At that same event, Pope Francis pointed to the determination of holy women like Mary and St Kateri not to be bound by convention, tradition or expectation but rather to follow their own path, whatever the odds. “Our Lady and Saint Kateri, received from God a plan for their lives, and, without asking any man, courageously assented to it. Those two women could have responded irately to anyone who opposed that plan, or simply submitted to the patriarchal rules of the time and given up, without battling for the dreams that God himself had inspired in them. They chose not to do that, but instead, with meekness and determination, with prophetic words and decisive gestures, they blazed a trail and accomplished what they had been called to do.” Pope Francis, Canada, 29 July 2022.
More and more data is being made available to indicate that women and girls feel the impact of climate change most acutely and that the climate crisis is a major contribution to gender inequality, particularly in the global south. Read more here
St Kateri’s convictions and courage might empower and inspire a greater sense of female solidarity with women who are struggling, and encourage us to advocate and challenge inaction on their behalf.
On her feast day, as we remember St Kateri and the legacy of her short life, may we open our hearts to God’s invitation to reconnect with the earth, receive the wisdom and courage to care authentically for creation, and actively work to safeguard the people and livelihoods jeopardised by our unwillingness to recognise that we are all one. St Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we’re reminded of his remarkable journey, filled with challenges that still resonate today. From captivity to freedom, his story teaches us about resilience and faith. Just as Patrick shared hope in a land unfamiliar with Christianity, we’re encouraged to…
10 year Anniversary of the Margaret Aylward Centre: This special occasion coincided with the feast of St Brigid. Brigid became a woman of special significance to Margaret Aylward and the Holy Faith sisters, bringing light and hope to many in darkness and dedicating her…
Today, on the feast of St. Brigid, we reflect on the legacy of this renowned female saint who passed away 1500 years ago. Born near Faughart in Co Louth, Brigid’s deep commitment to her Christian faith is closely tied to her association with Kildare, where…
Click on the link below to view some of the events coming up this Autumn at the Margaret Aylward Centre. 2024 Spring – Summer Brochure You can book here on our website – or call us on 01 7979364 or email info@macfd.ie Share this
Wishing each one Hope, Peace and Joy. Read our Newsletter – Awakening 10 here Events at the centre click here Share this
“We can do but little but we will strive to do that little, trusting in God for a better future.” Margaret Aylward. 23rd November is the 213th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Aylward, (1810-1889) foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Faith and…
October 4th marks the end of the Season of Creation but this year, it also marks the publication by Pope Francis of a sequel to Laudato Si’, the title of which is Laudate Deum. The timing of this publication might be interpreted as a signal…
Theme: “Glasnevin – Looking Back, Looking Forward.” Experience a brief visit to Glasnevin House, a guided walk in the grounds, music from St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School and some Telescope Time with the Irish Astronomical Society. 22.09.2023 | Session 1: 5.15 – 7.00pm | Session…
The Margaret Aylward Centre will be hosting our annual Christmas Craft Fair in the Centre on Saturday, 18th November 2023 | 10am-1pm. To book a table at the craft fair, please email info@macfd.ie or call the Centre on 017979364. Share this
Friday, 14 July is the feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of traditional ecology, Indigenous Peoples, and care for creation. Born into the Mohawk in Upstate New York in the middle of the 17th Century, she lost her family when she was…
Laudato Si’ Week 2023 runs from Sunday, 21 – 28 May and this year the theme is “Hope for the Earth, Hope for Humanity.” In the past week it has been widely reported that we will reach the critical tipping point of 1.5⁰C increase in…
Grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the latest edition of Awakening – Issue 5, available for you to read here (Click the page turner on bottom right corner of cover) Click on an image of a flyer to…
Image: `Earthrise` was taken on Christmas Eve 1968 from Apollo 8 by William Anders. Saturday, 22 April is World Earth Day – a day when we especially reflect on the precious gift of the Creator and on our call to be stewards of it. We…
A time for celebration, reflection, and gratitude marking the end of and the beginning of a new month. Appreciate blessings and pray for those who are less fortunate. May this Eid bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to all. #eidmubarak #Ramadan Share this
As April arrives, we feel the arrival of Spring. Life is re-emerging and it’s hard not to feel the positive effects of this season. Be inspired to embrace the energy, beauty, sounds and colour around us! Read our Newsletter “Awakening – Issue 4” here Share…
Wednesday, 8 March is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. Most people have some understanding and awareness of the issue of gender equality, of the various forms of discrimination which can disadvantage women in terms of their social, economic, political, educational and…
The Margaret Aylward Centre is proud to share a new addition to our Centre in the form of “A Spiritual Journey”. This beautiful piece of artwork is on long-term loan to the Centre from Josette Vasallo, a Maltese artist who has been living in Ireland…
Today is the feast of our most famous female saint, Brigid who died 1500 years ago. Born around Faughart in Co Louth and the daughter of a chieftain, Brigid was deeply committed to her Christian faith and is most closely associated with Kildare where she…
The Holocaust was a horrific event in history in which six million Jews and millions of others were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime during World War II. By remembering the Holocaust we honor the victims and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. The…
Happy New Year to all our friends and collaborators. We hope you had a peaceful and restful break over Christmas and are looking towards 2023 with real hope. It has been a remarkably mild winter so far, apart from a few days of frost and…
Promotor of Young Ireland, organiser of famine relief in Wicklow, co-founder of the Holy Faith Sisters, Irish speaker, pilgrim, and a mean handball player: this was John Gowan, Skerries-born, Dublin diocesan, and then Vincentian priest who made such an impact in inner-city Dublin in the mid…
May your hearts and homes be filled with the Light of God With Us this Christmas. May you and yours be blessed with peace, love and hope. Read more here Events at the centre click here Share this
Happy Hanukkah – Wishing abundant blessings of this special season to the Jewish community. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Rededication, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. Although it is a late addition to the Jewish liturgical…
Another liturgical year has ended. Advent and the month of December are all that stands between us and the celebration of Christmas and the end of the calendar year. Click here to read our Newsletter – Awakening 9 Events at the centre click here…
Today we celebrate the 112th anniversary of Margaret Aylward’s birthday. The foundress of the Holy Faith Sisters demonstrated a lifelong commitment to social justice and advocating for those on the margins of society, with a special care for women and children. Living and working throughout…
We are excited to be hosting our first ever Christmas Craft fair in the Centre on Saturday 12th November from 10am-1pm. Ideas for gifts or items to bring some festive spirit to your homes can be found in the selection of crafts such as knitwear,…
As we celebrate the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, we take time to reflect on those who have gone before us. We remember their lives and their part in our lives and we entrust them to God. We hold those whose hearts are…
Today is the beginning of Diwali, the Festival of Lights which is traditionally celebrated by the Hindu religion, but also by Sikhs and Jains. It is a festival which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali…
It was an honour and a privilege to participate in the event on Monday, 17th October to mark UN Eradication of Poverty Day 2022 at the Poverty Stone, and to hear so many people of courage share their stories of struggle and hope with such…
As we mark another International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we are proud to support @ATDIreland and the work they are doing to #EndPoverty – more vital now than ever. Click on the image below to view a short powerful film released…
