Our Heavenly Father,

At the beginning of the New Year, we humbly ask You to bless the Order of the Alexian Brothers. For eight centuries they have served those in need, spreading love and hope throughout the world. Please grant them the strength and wisdom to continue to carry out their mission faithfully and effectively. Bless the Brothers with health and spiritual strength to serve tirelessly the elderly, the sick, the poor and all those in need. Give them perseverance in the face of adversity and guide them on the right path. Help the Order to grow and develop, so that the message of love and healing may reach more people. Give them new vocations and strengthen existing communities. We ask that you bless their ministry and guide them in your light, so that they may continue to carry on the legacy of St. Alexius in a worthy way.

Amen.

Memories of the past: A visit to Glendalough 2.

Founded in the 6th century by the Irish monk St Kevin (died 618), Glendalough was one of Europe's most important religious centres. Set in a picturesque valley, it was a cultural centre and a popular destination for pilgrims. In its heyday, the monastery was surrounded by workshops, rooms for writing and copying manuscripts and codex books, guest rooms, a farm and other farm buildings and dwellings. One of the most beautiful ornaments of the site is a round tower which served a triple function. On the one hand, it marked the time for the inhabitants, and on the other, it served as a watchtower in times of war and as a signpost for pilgrims from far away lands. After the founder, St Kevin, St Patrick is perhaps the best known and most popular saint in Ireland. His legend of a little blackbird flying into his outstretched hand, laying eggs and not moving until the chicks hatched has inspired many artists, and depictions of this scene can be seen all over the country. The site in its present form has a visitor centre and hotel. A museum with a projection room (there's even a sensational LEGO miniature of the area) helps visitors learn about Glendalough's history and beautiful hiking trails with two lakes and a waterfall.

 

The statue of St Kevin by the Knock Basilica in the morning sunrise

Timeline with the most important moments in the history of the Alexian Order from the beginning to the end of the 18th century.

Bookmark with the Alexian coat of arms and a prayer found in the prayer book of St Teresa of Avila after the saint's death.

Memories of the past: A visit to Glendalough 1. - Dublin

Founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, Glendalough was one of Europe's most important religious centres. Brother Barry and Brother Alexius, a member of the Alexian community in Hungary, visited this beautiful place, which is still in ruins. It was quite a long drive, so we stopped halfway in Dublin and had time to visit "Saint Stephen's Green" park. It was named after Saint Stephen the Martyr. Opened to the public at the end of the 19th century, this beautiful park has been an important site for historical events in Ireland, such as the Easter Rising of 1916. It's a good idea to walk around the park, using signs and QR codes to read the full history of the place. The park is basically an open-air museum, with lots of sculptures commemorating important historical events (e.g. the Great Irish Famine has a monument) and Irish authors such as James Joyce have been given statues. We have selected some of the images taken here.

Saint Alexius (2001). Carbon copy, by Daniel Aleksej Djermanovic.