Ireland Spotlight

On Sunday, September 20, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, celebrated the Opening Mass at Ave Maria University's Mount Melleray Abbey campus, ushering in the University's new chapter in Ireland. 

As AMU's second campus, Mount Melleray Abbey brings the University's Catholic mission to Ireland, where students are now spending the semester in study, prayer, and formation. 

Among those gathered for the historic occasion were Ave Maria University Chancellor Tom Monaghan and President Mark Middendorf, along with students, staff, faculty, alumni, members of the Cistercian order, and residents and dignitaries from County Waterford and across Ireland. 

Reflecting on the University's mission in Ireland, Daniel Schreck, chief strategy and mission advancement officer, said: "We are called to form the intellect and direct the will, but only in broadening the imagination of our students can they truly discover God's abundant calling. This is why we venture to Ireland." 

In his homily, Bishop Cullinan recalled the words from the last Mass celebrated at Mount Melleray in January 2025: "We do not know what the future brings, but God does." 

"Those words have come true," Bishop Cullinan said. "God has done something wonderful here, and how fortunate we are to witness it. This beloved place is open again, and a new chapter begins for Mount Melleray." 

That new chapter builds upon the legacy of the Cistercian monks who arrived at Mount Melleray in 1832 and spent 193 years in prayer, work, and service to the people of the region. 

Bishop Cullinan encouraged those gathered to embrace the new beginning by submitting to God's wisdom and seeking the beauty of His truth in the Cistercian tradition that shaped the Abbey. 

"What we are beginning here is a school of Christian living, at the center of which is the relationship with a person: Jesus," he said. 

He reminded the students that a Catholic university is called to evangelize, first by helping its students grow in love for Christ and then by sending them into the world to share that love with others. 

As the Mass concluded, Bishop Cullinan prayed for God's blessing upon Ave Maria University, Mount Melleray Abbey, the students and staff beginning this new chapter, the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, and the people of West Waterford. 

As Ave Maria begins this new chapter at Mount Melleray, we are grateful to the benefactors whose prayers and generosity have helped make this expansion possible. 

Watch the full Opening Mass here.