Multyfarnham Franciscans launch stream of live Masses

The Friars at the Franciscan Friary in Multyfarnham have just begun broadcasting Masses and other religious ceremonies live over the internet.

Webcam technology has been installed in both the main church and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and through the portal churchservices.tv, the faithful can view the daily 9am Masses; the 7pm Vigil on Saturdays and the Sunday 10.30am Mass.

The Friars hold a special place in the hearts of the many who also participate in their weekly Novena to St Anthony – which in normal times sees a packed church throughout the year – or events such as the annual Portiuncula in August, all of this were put on hold due to the pandemic restrictions.

In 2018, the Friars at Multyfarnham celebrated 750 years of service and presence in the village and during those celebrations, the manner and dedication with which the Friars have met the needs of those to whom they minister over the centuries since the Friary was founded in 1268 was recalled with gratitude.

As with so many places of worship, the doors have been closed for most of the last 15 months and the welcome to people from far and near has been curtailed, prompting the friars to look at ways of continuing to share the celebration of the faith with those who would normally attend in person.

Says Fr Kieran Cronin OFM: “We’re delighted to introduce this new service to the Friary. Tony and the team at Church Services TV made it all very easy. We’re thrilled with the response already and it marks yet another step on the evolving journey and ministry of the Friars at Multyfarnham, 752 years on from when we first set foot here.”

The webcam has already introduced some newcomers to the weekly Novena, which has been running continuously since the 1960s every Tuesday evening. Before the restrictions, it attracted people from as far away as Cavan, Longford and all points in-between, as well as Tyrrellspass, Kinnegad and Enfield.