The Weeping Madonna of Győr, Hungary

One of the most beautiful jewels of Győr Cathedral, the icon of Our Lady of Tears, which was placed in Győr with the help of Irish Bishop Walter Lynch, who fled from Cromwell's campaign against Ireland and Scotland, is very popular among the Irish. Bishop János Püsky of Győr invited him to Győr, where he lived for the rest of his life and bequeathed the image known as the Weeping Madonna to the city in 1663.

In February 2013, three members of the Irish Alexian community,
Brother Dermot O'Leary, Brother Dominic Walsh and Brother Luke Polding,
visited Hungary and of course they also visited the image of the Weeping Madonna

Last year the Irish Alexian Brothers hosted the Lynch descendant Kathleen Lynch

 Brother Barry in front of the Irish Weeping Madonna
in the Győr Cathedral, Hungary (September, 2024)

Pilgrim Saint Alexius heads to the Holy Land

The painting depicts the moment in the life of the saint, when on his wedding day, Alexius leaves his beloved, dresses as a beggar and leaves for the Holy Land, where he will spend 17 years in the city of Edessa - Part of a series of frescoes depicting episodes in the life of Saint Alexius, C. Procaccini (1609-1612), Bobbio, Italy.

Wooden statue of Saint Alexius, 16th century, Heilsbronn, Germany.

Our Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this past week and the blessings it has brought us. Now that the weekend has arrived, please bless our rest. Grant us peace and tranquility so that we may recharge ourselves physically and spiritually. Help us to draw closer to you, away from the worries of everyday life. Bless our loved ones and give us strength to face the tasks of the week ahead.

Amen

He is a guest of the Irish Alexian Brothers, showing his own icons in the monastery's beautiful chapel.

Saint Alexius in his parents' house, 17th century, Salins-les-Bains, France

The painting depicts a rarely depicted episode in the life of the saint, when Alexius returns to Rome after 17 years in Edessa, where he lived incognito as a beggar in his parents' house until his death.

Our Heavenly Father,

We humbly turn to you to ask your intercession for the fulfillment of the prayer requests addressed to the Alexian Brothers. In particular, we ask that you hear our prayers for our sick relatives and loved ones. Give them strength and endurance in their illness, ease their suffering, fill their hearts with hope, and we ask that you grant them a complete healing.

Bless also all members of the Alexian Brothers with health of body and soul, that they may serve the sick and needy tirelessly. Give them strength and wisdom for their ministry and guide them in Your light.

Amen.

The Irish Alexian Brothers welcome visitors to their monastery and guest house (Madonna House) on a permanent basis. Due to the popularity of the Knock shrine, rooms are booked months in advance.

For more information click here. 

Saint Alexius,

patron of beggars, pilgrims, and the Alexian Brothers, we humbly come before you today to implore your intercession. You, who chose a life of hidden holiness and selfless service, inspire us to follow in your footsteps. We pray for a flourishing of vocations within the Alexian communities across the globe. Guide young men who are discerning their calling, illuminating their path and strengthening their resolve to answer God's call to serve Him through the Alexian Brothers.

Grant them the grace to embrace a life of poverty, humility, and compassionate service to the sick and the poor. May they find joy and fulfillment in living out the Alexian charism, bringing healing and hope to those in need. We ask for your blessing upon all Alexian Brothers, that they may continue their ministry with unwavering faith, tireless dedication, and boundless love. May their work bear abundant fruit, bringing glory to God and solace to those they serve.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The beautiful bronze sculpture of Saint Brendan by Timothy Schmalz is located next to the Knock basilica.

Our Heavenly Father,

With a grateful heart, we thank you for allowing us to experience the beginning of February. We thank you for the blessings of the past month and ask that you bless this new season as well, that we may spend it in peace and love. Give us the strength to carry out our daily tasks, patience to endure difficulties, wisdom to make the right choices and help us to look to the future with patience and hope this month. Bless our family, friends and loved ones and protect them from all harm. Bless this month and help us to be accompanied by your grace each day of the month.

Amen.

The chapel of St. Bernadette of the Alexian Mission in Hungary

The funeral of Saint Alexius - Part of a series of frescoes depicting episodes in the life of Saint Alexius, C. Procaccini (1609-1612), Bobbio, Italy.

Portrait of an Alexian Brother, 2nd half of the 17th century

In the painting by the anonymous Dutch master, the Alexian brother holds his hand on a skull, symbolising impermanence.

An Alexian Brother, colour woodcut after an illustration by M. Jacques Charles Bar, from the work "History of the Costumes of religious, civil and military orders" by Tiron Abbot, Librairie Historique-Artistique, Brussels, 1845. The two-volume publication shows the official habits, costumes of a total of 80 monastic orders (both male and female).

David van der Kellen (1827-1895) - Cellites (ancestors of the Alexian Brothers) in the cemetery