What is the Suffering Irish?
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church." --Col. 1:24
Suffering Irish is a prayer apostolate for the University of Notre Dame that was founded by Tom O'Toole well over a decade ago. Most would agree that today there is a strong need to pray both for Notre Dame (and for the country). A little of how Suffering Irish got its beginnings follows:
When Mother Teresa started the Missionaries of Charity, she included an important component unique to her order. Whereas the regular sisters would lead a life of contemplation combined with active service to the poor on the streets of Calcutta and elsewhere, the Sick and Suffering Co-Workers, those religious and lay people who were too sick or disabled to serve in the field, would still be allowed to join the order. Their job would be to pray for the spiritual success of the sisters' mission, as well as the souls of those they served. It was from Mother Teresa's inspiration that the idea of the Suffering Irish was born. Although there are many sectors of the Notre Dame family that pray for University needs (and certainly several that care for its hurting members), the Suffering Irish is the first group totally dedicated to using its more unfortunate members' most powerful weapon, that of offering up their prayer and suffering for the University's needs.
Please look over the following divisions, select one you'd like to pray/suffer for, and join today! We will add you to the Suffering Irish prayer apostolate.
Football/Sports Division
- Popular among young and subway alumni sufferers
- Will offer up prayer/suffering for Fighting Irish players/coaches "that they perform in a way that will make Our Lady proud
- Offer up prayer/suffering on your own time as well as specific times (i.e. a decade of the Rosary before the game or at half time)
- Adopting a specific player/coach to pray/suffer for is a possible option as well
Global Mission Division
- Prayer/suffering "that Our Lady's mission for the University be accomplished in the world at large
- Prayer/suffering for Fr. Jenkins, his administration, and the Board of Trustees
