Monday, 7th October, Our Lady of the Rosary. Today’s celebration, which is the Feast Day of the Patron of the Church in Midleton, urges all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was in a special manner associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.
Wednesday, 9th October, St John Henry Newman, was received into the Catholic Church on 9th October 1845. The Church in Ireland is deeply aware of his gentle scholarship, deep human wisdom and profound love for the Lord. It also recalls his connections with Ireland. Though his project on the establishment of the Catholic University of Ireland was not a great success, his reflection on education was written in part when he lived in Dublin and has remained a vital contribution to an understanding of Christian education. Invited to Ireland in 1850, he became Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854 until his resignation in 1858.
Friday, 11th October, Pope St. John XXIII, born in Sotto di Monte, diocese of Bergamo, 1881, taught in the seminary, worked as a military chaplain in World War I, Apostolic Delegate in Bulgaria, later in Turkey and Greece, nuncio in Paris, Patriarch of Vence in 1953, elected Pope 28th October 1958. Called the Second Vatican Council, which began on 11th October 1962. He died on 3rd June 1963.