Pilgrimages begin in rainy Lady’s Island
MORE THAN 2,500 people attended the official opening of the pilgrimage season in Our Lady’s Island, which began in sunshine and ended under a rain cloud for the traditional procession that took place around the island, just as it has done for hundreds of years.
‘There was a bigger than usual crowd judging by the car park numbers and we had about 15 buses,’ reported parish priest Fr Jim Cogley, who welcomed Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan, pictured right, to the historic village along with pilgrims from all over the diocese and further afield and approximately 40 clerics.
‘The rain didn’t dampen the event too much because the weather stayed reasonable until the end. We had pilgrims from Cork, Waterford, Tipperary and Kilkenny including many people we haven’t seen before. That may be due to recent coverage in the Ireland’s Own magazine and we’ve also been trying to promote the pilgrimage through gentle reminders like putting up small signs around the roads,’ he said.
The opening Mass was celebrated under a canopy outdoors by Bishop Brennan, who also led the procession with banners around the historic island.
Fr Jim Fegan, parish priest in Ballindaggin, who is the Ferns diocesan liasion for the World Meeting of Families taking place in the RDS this week, introduced special guest speaker Damien Quigley, a teacher from Rathnure, who gave a talk in which he spoke about faith and the family. Mr Quigley was accompanied by his wife Avril and children Danny and Millie. On Sunday last, there was a Mass and a blessing of the sick at which pilgrims were treated to a singing performance by Fr Ray Kelly, the priest who was a semi-finalist in Britain’s Got Talent on ITV.
Next Sunday, August 26, the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park will be relayed live outdoors on a big screen in Our Lady’s Island at 3 p.m. as a special pilgrimage event which everyone is invited to attend. On Monday, August 27, an ecumenical service will be held at 8 p.m.
The well-known author Francesca Browne who has written bestselling books about angels will be the speaker at a ‘Ministry with the Angels’ service at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, while during Mass on Sunday, September at 3 p.m, Claudia Koll, a guide from Medjugorje, will speak about her experiences working at the shrine over the past 35 years.
A healing service will be held on Wednesday, September 5, followed on Sunday, September 9, by a Mass at 7 p.m. to mark the Birthday of Our Lady, celebrated by Bishop Brennan and followed by a torchlight procession to close the pilgrimage.
Daily Mass is held at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the pilgrimage season and healing with oils takes place after the 3 p.m. Mass with the Sacrament of Reconciliation usually conducted after 8 p.m. Mass.
A short talk on the history of Our Lady’s Island is held on Mondays at 7.45 p.m. before Mass.