St Martin Magazine - St Martin Magazine - JUNE 2025

In this issue

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart, and in his Editorial Fr John Walsh reflects on the light from the Sacred Heart Picture Lamp, how it is a reminder that Heavenly light outlasts the temporary lights which the world offers us in many guises. Continuing the theme somewhat in ‘The Cloister Garden’, the gorgeous Dicentra Spectabilis, commonly called the Bleeding-Heart comes under the scrutiny of Frater Fiachra. There are many lovely traditions associated with this delightful flower and its charming shape never fails to captivate the onlooker. In a tribute article the life of the late Pope Francis is celebrated, and St Martin breathes his last in ‘The Life of Saint Martin’, but of course his story does not end there! Two remarkable women feature in ‘Treasure Ireland’ and ‘Married Saints’: Alice Curtayne and Margaret of Scotland respectively, the former a writer and biographer, the latter a Queen and reformer. Cologne Cathedral, a breathtaking Gothic masterpiece and one of Germany’s most beloved masterpieces is the destination for ‘Lesser-Known Pilgrimage Sites. In ‘Echoes’ Patricia Hope traces the history of how the treatment of mental illness has evolved from the fearful misunderstandings of ancient times, through the horrors of asylums such as Bedlam in London, to the growing enlightenment of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In ‘Friends of Saint Martin’ there is a reminder of the 40th All-Ireland Rosary Rally on Saturday 7 June in Knock and some information about the Rosary Confraternity. The Apostolate will have a stand there again this year and would love to see you. On page 40 you can read about our hopes for refurbishing the Moving Crib which turns 70 in 2026. There is a lot to do and we would be so grateful for your help!