Confessions in the mall in Ireland

Confessional, Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Philippines [Wikipedia]

Catholic News Service has a video about twenty priests hearing confessions in a shopping mall in Ireland to mark the beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which began on 8 December.

For many years at least some shopping malls in Ireland have been seen as places for pastoral ministry, with some having pastoral centres as part of the set up. One with which I am very familiar is The Oratory, part of The Blanchardstown Centre, one of the biggest malls in Dublin. It is an initiative of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars in Ireland. Fr Dan Joe O'Mahony OFMCap is the person in charge, a man of unlimited energy, a familiar figure not only in the mall itself but in a number of the neighbouring parishes. One of his modes of transport is his bicycle. And he always wears his Capuchin habit.

Here in the Philippines, very sadly, the many shopping malls that we have now are not seen as places for pastoral ministry. But they are often seen as places for Masses of convenience for Sunday shoppers, despite the many churches in our cities and the many Sunday Masses celebrated in them. Here in the Diocese of Bacolod such Masses were stopped after our Diocesan Synod ten years ago.

The reporter in the video above doesn't seem to be aware of the fact that in Ireland for many years at least a number of malls have been serving not just the body but the soul. Apart from The Oratory in Blanchardstown another such is The St Peregrine Oratory in Rathfarnham Shopping Centre. Confessions are heard daily form 3 to 4:15 and there is a special ministry to persons and families affected by cancer. St Peregrine, a Servite Friar, was healed of a cancerous growth on his leg, is a patron saint of those with cancer.

Pope Francis goes to confession and hears confessions.

Pope Francis on Confession

General Audience, 19 February 2014

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation flows directly from the Paschal Mystery. In fact, on the evening of Easter the Lord appeared to the disciples, who were locked in the Upper Room, and after addressing them with the greeting, “Peace be with you!”, he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven” (Jn 20:21-23). This passage reveals to us the most profound dynamic contained in this Sacrament.

First, the fact that the forgiveness of our sins is not something we can give ourselves. I cannot say: I forgive my sins. Forgiveness is asked for, is asked of another, and in Confession we ask for forgiveness from Jesus. Forgiveness is not the fruit of our own efforts but rather a gift, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit who fills us with the the wellspring of mercy and of grace that flows unceasingly from the open heart of the Crucified and Risen Christ. Secondly, it reminds us that we can truly be at peace only if we allow ourselves to be reconciled, in the Lord Jesus, with the Father and with the brethren. And we have all felt this in our hearts, when we have gone to confession with a soul weighed down and with a little sadness; and when we receive Jesus’ forgiveness we feel at peace, with that peace of soul which is so beautiful, and which only Jesus can give, only Him.

SVD and Servite Jubilees in the Philippines

SVD and Servite Jubilees in the Philippines

Seven SVD deacons, plus one other, ordained at San Isidro, Abra, on 27 June by Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian SVD of Bangued, Abra.

Tomb of Fr Juan Scheiermann SVD

The photos are from Felmar's Missionary Journey, the blog of Fr Felmar C. Fiel SVD, who has written for Misyon.

Father Scheiermann was one of two SVD priests to arrive in the Philippines on 15 August 1909 and a week later went with Bishop James Carroll of Nueva Segovia to Bangued. Father Scheiermann died from typhoid fever less than five months later on 10 January 1910.

Today Archbishop Edward Adams, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, was the main celebrant at a Mass in Bangued to commemorate the centennial of the arrival of the first two SVD priests.

CBCPNEWS reports that Superior General Fr Antonio Pernia SVD, the first Filipino to head the congregation, will be the main celebrant at the culminating Mass of the Centennial Year at the first mission station of the SVDs in San Isidro, Abra, where Our Lady of the PIllar is the parish patron.

You can read more about the history of the SVDs in the Philippines in Hearts on Fire, 'The Home of the SVD-PHN'.

There are now three provinces of the SVDs in the Philippines and many Filipino priests and brothers on overseas mission.


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The Servites, whose full name in Latin is Ordo Fratrum Servorum Beatae Virginis Mariae, the Order of the Servant Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are celebrating the Silver Jubilee of their arrival in the Philippines today in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. They were founded in Florence, Italy, in 1233 by seven prosperous merchants who renounced their wealth and went to live at the top of a mountain in a life of prayer. It would be as if seven well-known businessmen from the financial heart of Makati City were to go to the mountains of Zambales today and do something similar.



St Peregrine (San Peregrino), 1265-1345, an Italian and a Servite friar, 'was regarded as a firebrand in his day' and took part in anti-papal demonstrations. He is the patron of those with cancer. Another patron of persons with cancer is St Ezekiel Moreno OAR, whose feast we celebrated on 19 August. Born in Spain, he was ordained priest in the Philippines and served in Mindoro, which later became an SVD mission, and then was appointed Bishop of Pasto, Colombia. In 1873 St Ezekiel spent some time in Talisay (now Talisay City) just north of Bacolod City, getting treatment. The Recoletos still run the parish there.


May God continue to bless the great missionary work of the SVDs and the Servites in the Philippines and elsewhere and may our Blessed Mother protect them all.