Pilgrimage to Lough Derg

Discussion in 'Ireland' started by Adoremus, Jun 3, 2015.

  1. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    Congratulations. Did it rain while you were there? I was all set to go next week but the forecast isn't great. Sugar baby that I am, I want to avoid getting wet so I'm checking the Donegal weather forecast for three consecutive rain free days.

    Also, the blurb they gave me when I did my dry run says that electronic devices are prohibited, which means I can't bring my kindle. Do they have prayer books available or should I buy one to bring with me?
     
  2. It rained a little and only for a short time and not enough to make one uncomfortable, it did rain heavily on the 2nd night but we were all safely tucked up in bed by then:sleep:.

    Yes electronic devices are prohibited, there are lots of reading material available in the island shop though if you have time and are able to stay awake to read:).

    One thing I did struggle with was the midges, and only for some kind-hearted soul gave me a net (which are available in the island shop) for my head and face I wonder would I have stuck it out!! Of course the midges only pick on certain souls... isn't that right SB!
     
  3. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    It's good to know that they have a shop. I wasn't thinking of light reading but something that will help me with pray during the vigil since I won't be able to do some bible reading on my kindle.

    I had been warned about the midges and am prepared to douse myself in insect repellent. I bought a hoodie today because my scalp is a midge magnet. Was it very cold at night? Someone told me to wear jogging pants (a trip to M&S on Monday) and bring leggings and an extra warm fleece for the all night vigil.
     
  4. The night part of the vigil is quite intensive and not geared for much personal prayer, however the following day on can avail of visits to the blessed sacrament chapel to sleep oops I mean pray! There is a bible available in this chapel if one so wished to read it. One would think only one bible between a room full of people would not be adequate but I had it all to myself whenever I wanted it! The vigil ends at 10pm on the 2nd day.
    It wasn't cold at night although other times I have been there at same time it has been very cold. It is a good idea to bring some extra warm clothing, and waterproofs too in case it rains.
     
  5. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    I'm glad to hear that there's plenty going on during the night because it will keep me from nodding off. I'm the type who can stay awake all night except when I need to be awake so anything that keeps me focused is good.
     
    Border collie likes this.
  6. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus Archangels

    In my experience waterproof trousers are great for helping to keep warm overnight. Because you are not eating your metabolism isn't able to keep you as warm as usual.
    A transparent A4 plastic pocket is very handy for keeping dry the handout with the prayers and format for doing the pilgrimage if its wet and you aren't familiar with what you're supposed to be doing.
    The first time i went i had great intentions of prayerful reading duringthe quiet times. Boy was I in for a surprise! By the time i got to the quiet i could barely function let alone read. It was a real experience of only the grace of God sustaining me coz all the prayrful good intentions went out the window when exhaustion and hunger set in.
    Expect the unexpected coz this is more like labour delivering a child that an overnight break!
    Thanks guys for doing it for Ireland. We need it.
     
    Border collie likes this.
  7. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus Archangels

    Also i think its good to talk to other pilgrims rather than getting isolated behind reading material... not everyones cup of tea though!
     
  8. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    I'm hoping I won't need the waterproof trousers. According to the online weather forecast, Thurday, Friday and Saturday are looking good, with just one shower on Friday. A few people I know have done it but not for a good few years and their memory of the details is sketchy but they all remember feeling great for having done it and all were repeat pilgrims. There wouldn't be much point in going if there were no hardship involved. That said, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew on my first pilgrimage so I'll keep checking the forecast during the week.

    Chatting to other pilgrims should help to keep me awake. Most likely I will need their advice anyway so mine won't be a silent pilgrimage.

    Thanks to everyone for the advice.
     
  9. I will hopefully be going with another group I am involved with towards the end of the month, perhaps some more of you guys could join us:). As Bartimaeus says, Ireland needs it!
     
  10. padraig

    padraig Powers

    I admire you all for doing this. I think last year was enough for another 50 years or so for me. If I go again God will have to give me a few bucket loads of courage, for I found it very hard going indeed, though there were great graces.

    One unusual grace though .When I do retreats or times of intense prayer I like verry much to be on my own. I am a naturally solitary person anyway. For a while in Lough Derg I did this naturally anway. But one of the great graces of Lough Derg is that you get to meet otehr people and hear their stories, their journeys to Christ. For instance I met one young girl from England who had travelled all the way to Lough Derg on her own. She had such huge Faith especially for one so young. It fairly shone. I listened in wonderment to her estimate of the State of the Church and to the state of the Wolrd, she sounded like a very young wise old Mother Angelica.

    The priest during a sermon mentioned that this meeting others is a great grace of Lough Derg and it is quite true, it surprised and elgihted me. I suppose it it was not hard it would not be worth doing.

    A little tip Vicks Vapour rub is very good for chasing away the midgies. Rub some on your hands and face, it will probably chase your fellow pilgrims away too.

    [​IMG]
     
    Border collie likes this.
  11. Scolaire Bocht

    Scolaire Bocht Archangels

    You know Border on the midges I found a large number of small red dots on my feet and hands, the parts exposed at that time, which I think are midge bites but luckily I didn't feel anything!

    But also its important to note that there is a Year of Mercy Holy Door on the island. To clarify again what the procedure is at such an entrance:

    1) You pass through the door and say at least one prayer for the Pope's intentions, so say an Our Father and Hail Mary maybe for that intention.

    2) You say a number of prayers for yourself which must include a Creed, so say an Our Father, Hail Mary and the Apostles Creed.

    3) You receive Holy Communion before or after going through the door (about 10-20 days either side) and dedicate that Communion for the purposes of meeting the requirements of the Holy Door/Year of Mercy. You have to have this intention when receiving the Communion, this must be done, just saying that 'ah well I went to Communion at such and such a time and that is sufficient' isn't enough, you must have consciously dedicated that Eucharist to this intention when you recieve it. It is one Eucharist per passage through the door.

    4) You must have gone to confession around that time (say 20 days again) and will be hopefully free from even important venial sins when going through the door. Thats not easy obviously so its useful having confession available on that day and even if you are stuck you could ask the Man above to forgive you your sins before you go through the door.

    And if you have successfuly done it the indulgence is that you can either personally avoid purgatory or get a soul out of purgatory (you can specify which but you cannot dedicate it to any other living person), one for each time you successfully do it.

    If you make some mistake, or you go through the door and fulfil the requirements more than once a day - the full indulgence is only available at a maximum of once per day - you can still get a partial indulgence which could still be quite important.

    The truth is that a lot of people out there don't believe in indulgences anymore (and you thought only Protestants went with Luther!) but respected mystics that this writer was listening to are saying that this is really really important. Unfortunately it seems to be the attitude on the island too because while they talk generally about the Year of Mercy they don't explain the indulgence to the pilgrims.

    Anyway this should swing your decision on whether to go to Lough Derg or not, the Year of Mercy Door is a really big deal and you could decide to try and meet the requirements and go through the door everytime you complete a station (because you do get that partial indulgence for multiple visits on the one day).

    So you must go this year!
     
    Bartimaeus likes this.
  12. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    Where did you hear that the full indulgence is only available once per day? If this is true it has really burst my bubble. I had the feet walked off me going through Holy Doors in Rome trying to pack in as many indulgences as I could. I even did a Holy Door and the Santa Scala on the same day. Now I don't know whether the people I was praying for only got a partial indulgence instead of a plenary. I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I remember the bruises on my knees after climbing those stairs for a partial indulgence when I could have had the same partial indulgence had I just gone through the Holy Door twice.
     
  13. Scolaire Bocht

    Scolaire Bocht Archangels

    I think thats the case alright, otherwise you could just go in and out like a revolving door!
     
  14. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    Thanks. I probably only managed partial indulgences anyway because we need to be free of all attachment to sin to gain the plenary and I'm not sure I can say that about myself.
     
  15. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus Archangels

    And I'd say getting some Vicks in the eye might keep me awake!

    With the help of God, I'll be off to Lough Derg on Monday. Please pray for me, and feel free to put your prayer intentions on me, so even if you never do Lough Derg you'll know that prayer intention has been carried there.
    God bless all here.
     
    PotatoSack, Sam and maryrose like this.
  16. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    I thought you were going in July? Something came up at home that prevented me going last week. Depending on how things work out, I should be able to go in July. Please say a prayer that everything works out ok so I can go soon.
     
    Bartimaeus, Katfalls and Sam like this.
  17. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus Archangels

    I had the chance of a lift tomorrow, and when i was reminded that there will be a lot less people on the island mid week - therefore we should be able to do the beds quicker, and be more likely to get some sleep before the vigil, and better chance of making it to the soft kneeler at the altar during the night vigil, I was convinced to go.
    ...so as you can see my version of total self-sacrifice doesn't quite stretch as far as martyrdom just yet. A soft kneeler and half an hour sleep and i'm anyones!
    Remembering you all in my prayers, and please keep me in yours.
    p.s. i am sitting here scoffing a lasr bowl of cereal at 11.33 before the fast starts at midnight!
     
    PotatoSack and Sam like this.
  18. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    Yes, I have been told that midweek is best. I didn't know about the soft kneeler. I'll keep that in mind because my bony knees don't do well on penance kneelers.

    I had just bought jogging pants and a knapsack (was afraid that arriving with a case would make me look like a wuss) when I got the call that scuppered my plans. Now it looks like all of July and part of August could be doubtful for me. When does the season finish?

    Please God it won't rain while you're there.
     
  19. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus Archangels

    It ends on the feast of the Assumption, so i think the last date to get onto the island is Aug 15.
    After a day of doing the beds all knees are bony!
    Can't imagine the rain will be worse than west Virginia! God help them.
     
  20. Dolours

    Dolours Guest

    Thanks for the info. Any prayers you can spare would really be appreciated.

    My heart goes out to the poor people in Virginia. One disaster on top of another these days. More and more signs that we need to get ourselves right with God.

    My your pilgrimage yield great spiritual rewards for you.
     

Share This Page