Preview of the August edition of The Messenger

The sterling work of Jesuit agencies in war-torn countries across the Middle East makes sombre, yet inspiring, reading in the August Messenger. Michael Zammit SJ outlines how the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) provides emergency relief, food and medical support in Syria, as well as providing education and psycho-social accompaniment to refugees in Lebanon. Joe Munnelly gives an example of how Irish Jesuits International (IJI) are sheltering and accompanying displaced families from Sudan and Lebanon experiencing unimaginable pain and loss as a result of airstrikes and attacks in their countries. We also read of an ongoing project in rural Zimbabwe, the Sketimpilo Centre, founded by Sr Ludbirga Schumacher CPS, which supports poor and vulnerable children and adults impacted by the HIV and AIDS epidemic of the late 1990s. 

On a smaller scale, John Cullen details an encounter with a homeless man in London which brought to mind the quotation from Hebrews: ‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it’ (13:2). All these are examples of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical in action. Magnifica Humanitas, as Gerard Condon writes, highlights the importance of simple acts of human kindness as building blocks for the City of God. Peter McVerry SJ echoes this, quoting James (2:15), ‘faith without good deeds is dead’.

We read about the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, where the Holy Father’s prayer intentions each month draw our attention to the great challenges facing humanity and the Church’s mission. Bishop Martin Hayes praises the Heritage Council for working with the Laudato Si Working Group (LSWG) of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the production of Havens for Nature, which offers detailed guidance on the care of church grounds to ensure biodiversity. And Andrea Hayes considers if the act of writing unsent letters can be a form of Ignatian discernment.

Just a flavour of the August Messenger, which, of course, includes all our regular popular features of reflection, Scripture, children’s pages, crosswords and cookery to keep us occupied during the summer months.

The Sacred Heart Messenger magazine

A modern message in a much-loved tradition.

With the best writing on Spirituality, Prayer, Care for the Earth, Modern life, Scripture as well as RE:LINK, our supplement for young people that follows the RE Junior Cycle PA in schools.

Subscribe nowto the best-selling religious publication produced in Ireland today! 
From only €45 per annum or €15 for the digital issue.

Messenger Publications
Milltown Park
Dublin D06 W9Y7


IRELAND
T: +353 1 6767 491
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
www.messenger.ie

Similar Posts

Join the Discussion

Keep the following in mind when writing a comment

  • Your comment must include your full name, and email. (email will not be published). You may be contacted by email, and it is possible you might be requested to supply your postal address to verify your identity.
  • Be respectful. Do not attack the writer. Take on the idea, not the messenger. Comments containing vulgarities, personalised insults, slanders or accusations shall be deleted.
  • Keep to the point. Deliberate digressions don't aid the discussion.
  • Including multiple links or coding in your comment will increase the chances of it being automati cally marked as spam.
  • Posts that are merely links to other sites or lengthy quotes may not be published.
  • Brevity. Like homilies keep you comments as short as possible; continued repetitions of a point over various threads will not be published.
  • The decision to publish or not publish a comment is made by the site editor. It will not be possible to reply individually to those whose comments are not published.