A revolution of love
Francis charms couples starting out on married life with words of wisdom
POPE Francis has told young Irish couples that the world needs a revolution of love. The Pontiff was speaking to a packed congregation of around 400 young people at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.
Some 150 of the couples have married recently while others are engaged and hoping to marry.
The ceremony, which was attended by Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and a number of other bishops, was a joyous occasion with music from Our Lady of Victories choir from Glasnevin.
Before the Pope arrived, attendees were treated to a playful variant on the popular Mr & Mrs TV show with some couples asked to share their stories with the congregation. Some couples brought their young children and, as tradition dictates, one – a baby – cried gently during the service.
The Pope spoke in Italian with instantaneous translation provided via headsets for the congregation.
Francis was welcomed to the cathedral by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and other members of the church.
One of the sweetest stories of the day came from 52-year-old Hubert O’Connor and 50-year-old Dee O’Halloran from Cork who married in February. Although they are not Mass-goers, they were delighted to have their marriage blessed by the Pope. The couple were teenage sweethearts but went their separate ways and didn’t set eyes on each other for 20 years, during which time Dee, a PA, lived in London and Dublin. Meanwhile, Hubert, a schoolteacher, had married but was widowed by the time they met once more in 2016.
‘We bumped into each other at an All-Ireland final and – bang! That was it,’ said Dee. ‘We’re very happy to be here. We like this Pope. We don’t know a lot about him but he seems like a good guy.’
Also enjoying the occasion from the gallery were Pro Cathedral volunteers Margaret Earlwood and Marie O’Faolain. Today, Marie will be one of thousands of volunteers giving Communion to attendees at the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park. ‘I’m told I’ll be giving communion in sub chapel 4 which I think is a tent,’ she said happily.
Teachers Julian Moruzzi from Wales and Lisa Kelly from Kerry live in Essex and got married on August 4. They were asked by the priest who married them if they would like to attend the event in the Pro Cathedral in Dublin.
‘We’re heading back to the UK next week and said yes, we’d go along,’ said Lisa. ‘Whether or not you’re a practising Catholic, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How many couples will this happen to? We do think it’s a special day.’
Lisa’s childhood friend Jean also attended with her husband Hugh Purcell who hails from Clare. The librarian and software engineer, who live in Dublin, were married by the same priest who married Lisa and Julian.
‘The priest asked us after we got married if we’d like to come along to this service and we said: “Go on, sure,”’ said Jean. ‘It’s very important for our mothers that we’re getting a Papal blessing – they’re absolutely delighted.’
Both couples were heading to the Festival of Families at Croke Park after the blessing ceremony to continue the day’s celebrations.
Jean even wore a white jacket in an echo of her wedding day.
‘We’re very happy to be here – we like this Pope’
Peadar and Ciara Kelly, from Co. Roscommon and Tralee respectively, got married two months ago.
Ciara described how the ‘special service’ in the Marlborough street place of worship meant a lot to the couple, and she shared the piece of advice that the Pontiff passed on to them. ‘He said not to go to bed on an argument, which I think is very true,’ she said.
‘He stood very close to us and it was a great privilege and honour to be part of it.’
Meanwhile, Peadar added: ‘I thought he was very down to earth. He spoke about faith and keeping our faith and kept stressing that it all starts in the home. He also said that if we have kids, to make sure we bring faith and courage into their lives.’
As the Pope left the cathedral, he shook hands with those who had gathered for the event.