How our relationships help develop our own identity

German writer Daniel Kehlmann, who is now a popular read in Germany, writes in his novel 'Ruhm', or 'Fame' in English,  about different aspects of identity and how we are formed and influenced by those with whom we interact.

After evening Mass today in the Three Patrons in Rathgar two men came up to me and told me they had been to school in Nerwbridge, another man greeted me - we had been together in Synge Street and yet another man introduced himself by saying he was a classmate of Jim Roche,

Jim Roche joined the Dominicans circa 1962, probably the same year as John O'Gorman. John attended the North Monastery in Cork and Jim Roche probably Sullivan's Quay. John died in Limerick in November 2002.

Some weeks back this blog told the story of an Irish Dominican,who reminded the local bishop that he was not his barber. Well, the Dominican was Jim Roche.

Jim left priesthood and lived in the US and may now be living in Germany.

A fine fellow, one of those people the Dominicans could well do with today. Indeed, too, John O'Gorman is a terrible loss to the Irish Dominicans.

Kehlmann is saying something interesting.