Archbishop’s Homilies

    14th Sunday of the Year 2016 OPENING OF SAINT ANTHONY’S ROOM AND GROTTO Homily Notes of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Saint Fergal’s Ballywaltrim, 19th June 2016 “Who do the crowd say that I am”?  The question about ‘who Jesus is’ is still a vital question today. The answers that […]

 STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN  ON ORLANDO SHOOTINGS            “People all around the world are shocked with the news of the terrible loss of life at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. I have asked  that in the Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses in the Archdiocese of Dublin on […]

    Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua   RECEPTION OF THE RELICS OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA   Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin     Pro-Cathedral, 13th June 2016     In our Gospel reading we heard Saint Luke tells the story of a […]

    ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE OF BROTHER JAMES EIVERS, O.CARM.   Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin,Archbishop of Dublin Carmelite Terenure College, 12th June 2016 “For centuries, in the minds of ordinary Catholics, the office of deacon was understood simply as the final step on the road to priestly […]

Feast of Saint Kevin ORDINATION OF EIGHT DEACONS FOR SERVICE IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin ————————- Pro-Cathedral, Saturday 4th June 2016 11.00am One of the significant achievements of the Vatican Council’s reflection on the Church was the restoration in the […]

Pentecost 2016 FESTIVAL OF PEOPLES Homily Notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin 15th May 2016 “The Preface of the Mass of Pentecost sums up the meaning of our celebration today as a “Festival of Peoples”, the celebration of the diversity of ethnic identity gathered within the one […]

Icon of Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 2016 Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Pro-Cathedral, 30th April 2016 “The readings of today’s Mass, especially the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel reading from Saint John, show that […]

 STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN ON FURTHER VIOLENCE IN DUBLIN  26th April 2016 Pope Francis recently quoted Martin Luther King on the theme of putting an end to violence.  King had said that in the face of senseless violence in the end: “somewhere somebody must have a little sense”.  And […]

 1916 STATE COMMEMORATION CEREMONY Arbour Hill  Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin   Church of the Sacred Heart, Arbour Hill, 24th April 2016 I am very grateful to the Parish of James’ Street here in Dublin for providing some very significant heirlooms of their parish for use […]

    EASTER VIGIL 2016   Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin       “The authors of the 1916 Proclamation were men of faith who dreamed dreams of hope for Ireland for the Irish people”     “Why are you seeking the living among the […]

  WAY OF THE CROSS 2016 Through Phoenix Park Dublin THE WAY OF THE CROSS IN THE YEAR OF MERCY Elements for reflections of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Good Friday, 25th March 2016 FIRST REFLECTION “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial”.  Jesus […]

PALM SUNDAY 2016 Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin —————- Pro-Cathedral, 20th March 2016 (after First Gospel Reading) “We have heard the Gospel account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Later we will hear the Gospel of the Passion of Jesus. There appears to be […]

CONCLUDING WORDS OF ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN   St Mary’s Pro Cathedral – March 17th 2016 I am grateful to Father Brian Shorthall for his stimulating homily.  I thank him for his reference to the place of this Pro-Cathedral in the events of 1916.  The priests from this Cathedral provided spiritual […]

Regina Mundi College Cork  WHO REALLY IS POPE FRANCIS?  The relevance of his message to Ireland as we celebrate and commemorate 1916  Speaking notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin   Regina Mundi College, Cork, 14th March 2016 “I have chosen a difficult topic.  Perhaps I am trying […]

 Fifth Sunday of Lent 2016  NOVENA OF GRACE DONAGHMEDE, CLONGRIFFEN, BALGRIFFIN Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin   Holy Trinity Church, Donaghmede, 12th March 2016     “It is interesting how everyone likes Pope Francis but they like him best when he seems to be saying […]

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN ON VIOLENCE IN DUBLIN   I wish to repeat what I said on Saturday last condemning the extraordinary examples of violence which have marked our city again in recent days. “Violence is to be condemned whatever its roots are.  Dismembering bodies as some sort of […]

PILGRIMAGE OF THE IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP Words of introduction of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin Redemptoristine Convent, Saint Alphonsus Road, Drumcondra , Dublin 18th January 2016 “I wish to commend the Redemptorist Congregations here in Ireland for organizing this jubilee pilgrimage, which undoubtedly will have the support of people on all parts of this island. The partnership with […]

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE of Br Patrick Desmond OP and Br Kevin O’Reilly OP Homily Notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Saint Saviour’s Dominick Street, 6th January 2016   “I am particularly happy to celebrate the Ordination to the Diaconate of two Dominican Friars – Br Patrick […]

MIDNIGHT MASS – CHRISTMAS 2015 Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin Pro-Cathedral, 24th December 2015 10pm “No matter how many times we hear these Christmas readings we remain each year deeply struck by them again and again.  There is something about the atmosphere of this holy […]

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2015 OPENING OF THE DOOR OF MERCY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Pro-Cathedral, 20th December 2015   “Over the past weeks the liturgy has focussed on our hope for the coming of Jesus Christ and the cry […]

Second Sunday of Advent 2015 FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARISH OF SAINT JUDE THE APOSTLE Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin Church of Saint Jude the Apostle, 5th December 2015 “When I visit a school to celebrate the anniversary of its opening, I usually try to […]

First Sunday of Advent 2015 ANNUAL MASS FOR THE CO-WORKERS OF ACCORD DUBLIN Homily notes of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin All Hallows College, Dublin, 28th November 2015   “The Gospel that we have just heard was written by Saint Luke for the early Church where – just one generation after the […]

  Feast of Christ the King 2015 MASS TO CELEBRATE THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE  CHURCH OF SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, CONFEY  Homily Notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Church of Saint Charles Borromeo, Confey, 22nd November 2015 “We celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, Jesus Christ King […]

FEAST OF SAINT LAURENCE O’TOOLE 2015   Homily Notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin   Pro-Cathedral, 14th November 2015 “Saint Laurence O’Toole was Archbishop of Dublin at an unusual time.  He was the first Irish Bishop in Dublin.  His predecessors were of Viking extraction and the diocese was […]

MASS WITH THE DEAF COMMUNITY            Homily Notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin Emmaus Chapel, Deaf Village, Dublin, 8th November 2015   “I am always very happy to celebrate Mass here in this Emmaus Chapel with the Deaf community.  I know the work of the Chaplaincy in supporting […]

MASS FOR DECEASED PRIESTS 2015 Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin     Pro-Cathedral, 7th November 2015   Introduction   In this month of November when the Church remembers those who have travelled the path of faith before us, we have come this morning to remember in our […]

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS 2015 Homily Notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 1st November 2015 “We celebrate the Feast of All Saints.  At this time in autumn when the harvest has been collected, the Church celebrates and reminds us of another harvest, the great harvest […]

  Intervention of the Archbishop of Dublin,  Diarmuid Martin at the Synod of Bishops in Rome on “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World”. XIV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS  “I wish to speak about the social culture of marriage as […]

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS’ REVIEW 2015   Speaking notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Saint Paul’s Church, Arran Quay, 17th September 2015   “First of all this evening I would like to say thank you to all of you present and to those who of you embarked ten years ago […]

DUBLIN DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2015 Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin Opening Mass at the Grotto at Lourdes, 8th September 2015   “We gather once again this year on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary to begin our 2015 Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage […]

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF CREATION Reflection of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Church of the Holy Cross, Clonliffe, Dublin, 1st September 2015   “We gather this evening as Christians of various denominations. Our gathering in this context of reflection on protecting creation puts into focus, however, not our […]

TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 2015 Family Mass and dedication of Frank Duff Room  Homily Notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin Church of Saint Peter, Phibsborough, 23rd August 2015   “Today’s Gospel reading from the sixth chapter of Saint John’s Gospel comes at the end of a […]

 Twelfth Sunday of the Year 2015 MASS OF REMEMBRANCE AND PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF LAST WEEK’S TRAGEDY IN BERKELEY Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, 20th June 2015 (6pm)   “The tragic events which took place in Berkeley this week have […]

Corpus Christi 2015 Mass for the 175th Anniversary of “The Tablet” Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 7th June 2015   Introduction   “We celebrate today the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  The Eucharist […]

Pentecost Sunday Beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero Pro-Cathedral 24th May 2015   Homily from Fr. Richard Sheehy “In St. Luke’s account of that first Pentecost Sunday, there is a wonderful sense of excitement at the effect of the Holy Spirit coming down on the apostles. The people in Jerusalem, who […]

Pastoral reflections of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for use at all Masses on 16th and 17th May Feast of the Ascension of the Lord   “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I write on the subject of marriage and the family in the light of the upcoming referendum.  I have asked […]

MASS ON THE OCCASION OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF BACKLANE HOSTEL Homily Notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin ———————- Back Lane Hostel, Dublin, 9th May 2015 ​My mother’s family lived for generations in New Row, just a few hundred yards from here and I myself was born […]

 MASS TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE DECLARATION ON THE HEROIC VIRTUES OF THE VENERABLE MARY AIKENHEAD  Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin  Church of the Holy Family, Aughrim Street, 26th April 2015  Introduction “We join this afternoon with the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of Charity […]

EASTER VIGIL 2015 Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin, 4th April 2015 “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain”.  Saint Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, reminds us […]

WAY OF THE CROSS 2015 through Phoenix Park Dublin elements for reflections of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Good Friday, 3rd April 2015   FIRST REFLECTION   “Pray with me that you may not come into the time of trial”.  Jesus knows that his hour has come and that he would […]

Press Statement March 24th There has been much commentary, some inaccurate, in mainstream and social media in recent days, concerning responses given by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to a question at a public meeting which he addressed in Dublin last week, in particular in relation to freedom of conscience. Please see […]

THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH ON MARRIAGE TODAY  Speaking notes of   Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin  Archbishop of Dublin  Iona Institute Lecture   “I am grateful to the Iona Institute for this invitation to come and speak to the Institute on the theme of The Teaching of the Church on Marriage […]

  ORDINATION TO THE DEACONATE OF SIX DOMINICAN FRIARS Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Saint Saviour’s Priory, Dominick Street, 15th March 2015 “We come now to ordain these six men as Deacons of the Church of Jesus Christ, within the Order of Preachers.  I join with […]

  Reading the Signs of the Times – Urgent Questions for our Church Today  The Synod on the Family – what can we expect?   Speaking notes of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin All Hallows College, Dublin, 4th March 2015 “I was surprised to find myself one of a small […]

Journeying in Hope — THE CHURCH IN IRELAND – SIGNS OF HOPE – NEW CHALLENGES  Speaking notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin  Saint John’s Parish, Tralee, 24th February 2015    “On Sunday last I presided at a ceremony in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin during which I welcomed over […]

 DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE 2015  Homily notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin RDS Ballsbridge, 21st February 2015              “After a long day of reflection and activities, we gather as the day comes to a close for this special moment of prayer as we […]

  MASS TO CELEBRATE THE RECOGNITION OF FATHER JOHN SULLIVAN S.J. AS VENERABLE SERVANT OF GOD  Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin  Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Gardner Street, 21st February 2015  “The Gospel reading we have just heard reminds us of how central the care of the […]

MASS ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF DON LUIGI GIUSSANI AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE RECOGNITION OF THE FRATERNITY OF COMUNIONE E LIBERAZIONE Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Milltown Park, 17th February 2015 “Our Gospel reading this evening is an unusual one in […]

Sixth Sunday of the Year 2015 CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME BEECHWOOD AVENUE Homily notes of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Church of the Holy Name, Beechwood Avenue, 15th February 2015 “An anniversary celebration is always an occasion both to look back and to look forward. We look back […]

World Day of the Sick 2015 MASS WITH THE CONFERRAL OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Homily notes of Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Church of Saint Canice, Finglas, 8th February 2015 “There is something that is quite striking about the Gospel reading that we have just heard. […]

World Day of the Sick 2015 Seminar FACILITATING THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK  Speaking notes of  Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin      Bewley’s Dublin Airport Hotel, 7th February 2015              “The pastoral care of the sick is an essential part of the pastoral outreach […]