“Suicide touches everybody regardless of whether you have faith or not. It is no respecter of age, gender, background, class or religious denomination,” said Fr Deery.
Route follows the ancient pilgrim path of St Kevin’s Way from St Kevin’s Church in Hollywood to the monastic city in Glendalough.
From a historical point of view it is the route that Irish pilgrims would have taken from the 1200s to the 1500s. The Mayor of Waterford walked the Camino twice in 1483 and 1493 and his tomb has the Camino shell sculptured into it.
The lessons we learn on this mountain need to be rooted in our everyday routine: great and unselfish teamwork when the person who finds the going tough is granted a helping hand; when the one who stumbles and falls is set on their feet again; when the climber who is confused is welcomed back.
“The notion of embracing the challenges of Lough Derg would appear to be nonsense. But it is glorious nonsense – it is the most wonderful witness to the most profound spiritual values.”
Keith Wheeler has been travelling around the world with his cross for over thirty years as a pilgrim of peace with a message of reconciliation and love.
All kinds of people, of all ages and all backgrounds, turn up to pray before the relics, seeking St Oliver’s intercession for whatever their own private intentions may be.
Pope will mark 100th anniversary of apparitions of Our Lady to shepherds of Fatima and canonise Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
Between 27 to 29 April, Bishops Donal McKeown and Ken Good will undertake a 30-mile walk together to promote reconciliation and highlight their shared Christian heritage.
Up to 25,000 expected to take part in the first Reek Sunday climb in two years following the cancellation of last year’s event due to bad weather.
"A pilgrim and a tourist may follow the same itinerary, but the pilgrim is on a sacred journey in which God is encountered through people, places and situations.”
In contrast to the “holiness, solitude and peacefulness” of the French Marian shrine, daily lives are typically drenched with stories and images from social media, newspapers, magazines, television and films.
“In keeping with the message of St Pope John Paul II, these young people are answering the call of Jesus to be the hope for the future.”
“I hope we can rediscover something of our great Celtic tradition of walking, with eyes and ears open for the God who is never far from us, greeting strangers, being welcomed by parish communities.”
Pilgrimage commences with prayers at the Memorial Wall at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin this morning and concludes at the Peace Park in Messines, Belgium.
“Migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger and exploitation, much like our forefathers at the time of the famine."
The full pilgrimage experience will be offered in separate two-day sections between June and September in order to facilitate those unable to do the nine days in one go.
Book aims to open up Lough Derg to a new generation of pilgrims and rekindle its importance for people who have been many times.
Near perfect conditions as Papal Cross group from Elphin led by Bishop Kevin Doran joins up with Tuam DYC in climbing Ireland's holiest mountain.
Catholic doctors and nurses, who know the truth, must help people recognise that babies with life limiting conditions are patients in need of care.
"Let it not be said of us that we were stingy or miserly in showing mercy to others in this Year of Mercy."
“This is why I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. They have much to teach us." Evangelii Gaudium [198]
Hundreds expected to cross the threshold of mercy on Sunday in St Patrick's Basilica at the launch of the 2016 pilgrimage season.
“Don’t just prepare your rucksacks and your banners – but your hearts and minds as well”.
Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns issues pastoral letter for Year of Mercy which will be distributed in parishes across the diocese this coming weekend.
“It is estimated that over 100,000 people take part in the journey on foot, bike or even on horseback, along the ancient paths each year.”
Jubilee pilgrimage will begin in Limerick on the evening of 4 April 2016 and the icon will then travel to every cathedral in the Irish Church's 26 dioceses.
A special Mass commemorating the Abbey's 800-year history has been commissioned from composer Fr Liam Lawton as part of the octocentenary celebrations.
"I pray that anyone who enters through the Holy Doors in our diocese will experience, in a profound way, the love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope.”
Seven modern 'dolors': abortion, neglect of the earth, displacement of refugees, trafficking, addiction, assisted suicide or euthanasia & indifference.
