In the March/April 2026 issue of the Far East Columban Missionary Fr Maurice Hogan considers new scientific evidence on the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to the burial cloth of Jesus. He highlights how the injuries sustained by the body wrapped in the cloth corroborate Gospels accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Fr Maurice was ordained in 1965 and served on mission in Japan and Hong Kong. He taught Sacred Scripture at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and is a former Director of World Missions Ireland (Missio Ireland).
A fascinating read!
In ‘The Church of the Black Christ’, Fr John McEvoy writes about St Francis Xavier Parish in Fiji where the Gospel has been inculturated through the medium of art.
Elsewhere in this issue Alexah Mae Baladad recalls the economic challenges of her childhood and how the Columban Sisters’ Mosaic Centre Scholarship gave her “the gift of hope and the opportunity to pursue my dreams” of becoming a criminologist.
Fr Alo Connaughton attended the launch of a new album of Columban Missionary Fr PJ Kelly’s music. He recalls how the Far East magazine played a role in preserving some of Fr PJ’s traditional tunes.
In the second in our series on Biodiversity, Fr John Boles writes about a visit to the home of the Bishop of Salford with a group of Columbans where they learned how a 16th century saint presides over the resurrection of nature in this corner of Northwest England.
Josh Egan travelled to the Philippines are part of the Columbans’ Invitation to Mission programme. He explains how his experiences there challenged and deepened his faith.
Fr Alvaro Martínez and Cristina Coronado write about the Columban Migrant Ministry on the US-Mexico Border which is guided by the words: Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate.
Plus Elizabeth McArdle writes about the March Hare in the Nature section.
Plenty of interesting reading material in preparation for Easter. Please subscribe here and support Columban Missionaries: https://columbans.ie/far-east-magazine/