Crystal Swing newlyweds to get blessing from Francis
CRYSTAL Swing star Derek Burke has secured an audience with a difference – as he and new wife Claire will receive a special marital blessing from Pope Francis this weekend.
The singer married his girlfriend of four years Claire McAuliffe last week in a ceremony in Ballintotis Church outside Midleton in east Co Cork.
In a romantic touch, Derek arranged for the wedding ceremony to take place on the fourth anniversar y of the pair’s first meeting.
His mother Mary admitted the family were absolutely thrilled when Derek and Claire were chosen along with other Irish newly weds to receive a special marital blessing from Pope Francis in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral on Saturday.
Up to 350 couples, 80 of whom are from Dublin, will fill the church for the blessing.
Fr Kieran McDermott, administrator of the cathedral, said Pope Francis would also take time during his visit to pray at the candle for sur vivors of abuse, which has been lit perpetually since a Liturg y of Repentance took place in February 2011 led by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Cardinal Sean O’Malley.
“It is my hope that this will be a helpful moment, hopefully one of many on this trip, to tr y and heal the wounds of sur vivors who were abused by priests and religious in our Church,” Fr McDermott said.
He said the Pope’s visit to St Mary’s was not private, however, all guests on the day have been personally invited and the church will be filled largely with engaged and recently married couples from each of Ireland’s 26 dioceses.
“That is the central focus of this part of his visit. I would like to thank him for his initiative to meet these young people, listen to their questions and to offer Gospel wisdom,” Fr McDermott said.
Mary Burke said her entire family was thrilled to have Derek and Claire involved.
“A friend told us about newly married couples being chosen to receive a blessing in person from Pope Francis.
“We asked that Derek and Claire be considered and were absolutely thrilled when they were chosen.
“It is such an honour – I cannot think of a finer way to start out on your married life than by receiving a personal blessing from the Pope.”
Cork-band Crystal Swing shot to fame thanks to an Internet music video which went viral in early 2010.
The Lisgoold group, composed of mum, Mary, and siblings Derek and Dervla (25), made headlines with their single ‘He Drinks Tequila’ eight years ago.
It earned them appearances on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres’ show in the US and ‘The Late Late Show’ in Ireland.