A miracle of Catholic faith in 1916 – and why truth cannot be changed
FURTHER to Michael Kelly’s comments (Irish Independent, November 2) regarding Catholicism, President Higgins and 1916, the reason Daniel O’Connell refused to take the anti-Catholic oath was he believed part of it not to be the truth, and the rest to be false.
To be educated is to be led out of ignorance into truth.
In 1916, Eva Burke (a nurse from Kildare), on hearing medical assistance was needed for casualties in the GPO, offered her services to the Red Cross. The first civilian arrived badly wounded in the stomach; he survived one hour after admission and received the Last Rites.
In the GPO, Rosary after Rosary was recited until the shelling of Hibernian Bank. Eva accompanied Commandant Thomas Weafer as they expected heavy casualties. On hearing the words “first aid quickly” from the upper landing, Eva found Cdt Weafer wounded.
While Eva closed his eyes, one young girl, not underestimating the power of their prayers, went through machine-gun fire from the GPO to the Cathedral to bring back a priest to hear a young chap’s confession.
The girl even waited for the priest while he attended a dying man as the bullets whistled through the streets. That priest remained in headquarters giving consolation to the wounded until they were ordered to evacuate.
Fire spread through the building – flames leaping higher and higher, all exits were being cut off as the priest’s voice rang out: “We’ll rush the flames, it’s our only chance. Let all follow me.” Dashing through the flames, the priest held the white flag with its distinctive Red Cross.
All rushed in single file after him as they took the wounded to Jervis Street Hospital amidst firing in all directions.
I believe his escape from the GPO was a miraculous answer to prayer, ie, a miracle – not even one singe! That was 1916.
Four years later, Eva Burke’s brother Frank, a scholar and a patriot, was a guardian of Patrick Pearse’s vision and legacy.
On November 21, 1920, Frank, while marking Mick Hogan in Croke Park, heard Hogan say: “I’m shot.”
Tom Ryan, a Wexford spectator, ran on to the pitch and whispered an ‘Act of Contrition’ in Hogan’s ear – while praying with Hogan, Ryan was also shot dead.
To conclude, ‘Chambers Dictionary’ defines yoga as a means of emancipation of the soul from union with God, attained by means of physical and mental discipline.
In the Catechism of Catholic Church teachers, the exercise of authority is measured morally in terms of divine origin – no one can command or establish what is contrary to the dignity of persons and the natural law (CC 2235).
Knowing Eva (RIP) and Frank (RIP), I agree with Michael Kelly’s comments as both were protected and motivated by their faith, ie. Catholicism.
Truth cannot be changed. M Malone Rosslare, Co Wexford