I know there has been a LOT, such a heart rendering lot of negative news for Catholics in Ireland of late but I want to open a thread to celebrate the remaining, wonderful Catholics and Catholic culture in Ireland. I think it's important to remind ourselves that the Catholic Church in Ireland may be shrinking in the the numbers of faithful but we WILL be here, in this country, worshipping God and following His law until the last day., despite what certain groups may wish upon us. For example, I'm on holiday at the moment and in the newsletter of the little rural parish church I attended this morning for Mass was a paragraph from the priest saying that some of the parishioners had asked him to reinstate the Communion rail to facilitate kneeling and the reverent reception of Communion and he was seriously considering it. How my heart lifted to read it!!
For those who have decided to remain in the Catholic Church come what may, I believe the only way to persevere is by making Jesus the absolute centre of our lives, especially in the Mass and Adoration as well as the Rosary. Only when anchored in and centred on Jesus in this way will we have the strength and courage to press on. We lay people are limited in many ways it is true. However many of the greatest lights in the Church throughout history have been among the ranks of the laity. St. Benedict, St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Sienna to name but a few. Prayer is our greatest tool and weapon. Especially prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is no accident that the book “ In Sine Jesu” has appeared at this time. The Church is being pruned and gradually purified. The dead wood, those branches that have borne no fruit are being lopped off. The day will come when this dry, good for nothing wood is cast into the fire forever. Stay anchored to Jesus, grafted onto Him. Pray and stay close to the Sacraments. It’s best to do this in a low key, unshowy, hidden manner. Find like minded people to support and to gain support from. God is in control and His ways and His timing are mysterious. Times will in all likelihood become ever more trying and dark and indeed a time may come when all seems lost but Jesus assures us that “ he who perseveres to the end will be saved”.
Thank you bridget for starting this thread. Since the bishops attempt to consecrate Ireland to blessed Mary at Knock a few years ago, we have seen Ireland spiral out of all spiritual control. I am at a loss as to how to rein in a secular and atheist society who have a hatred for all things Catholic spearheaded by an evil media. It has to be noted that the Church in its different guises (Magdalene laundries, Christian Brothers) are at fault here. But like a wise man said to me once, your relationship is with God so do not leave your faith because of the failings of man. So again thank you.
How beautifully put David! I agree entirely. Yesterday I passed a Mass Rock on the side of the road and was reminded how the Irish people and their priests once risked their very lives to hear Holy Mass. The day before that I visited an ancient monastic site on an island in what would have been a very remote and inaccessible part of the country back in those days and thought about how those holy men held on to the Gospel message in adverse conditions and created wonderful illuminated books, high crosses, etc, to spread the Good News. We have the sacraments, the rosary and God's Word to see us through this particular time of hardship and we will persevere.
Hi Brigid. I try to remain positive and optimistic and agree that we have the rosary and the scriptures to see us through and the Sacraments at least for the time being. I must admit I do worry about access to the Sacraments particularly the Mass. I rely heavily on the mass as I imagine most of us do and draw whatever strength I have from the Eucharist. I dread to think how I would manage if I could not access the mass and Eucharistic Adoration. I do not trust myself to remain in a state of grace without frequent reception of the Eucharist and ability to draw strength from the Lord at adoration. The same goes for confession. I am weak you see and depend totally on the Eucharistic Lord. What if I could not find a mass? What if the mass were to be altered so that the Eucharist wasn’t properly confected? So I am not totally at peace because of these worries and because I know just how very weak I am.
Different reactions to the above. On the one hand, I wholeheartedly agree with you Brigid. There is still so, so much beauty and piety in rural Ireland, especially. Having lived in numerous countries including US, UK, France, Spain, Germany, etc - I can say the strength of Irish piety remains exceptional. And I think we need to be ever grateful in our hearts for what you point out here. On the other hand, I very much also resonate with what you write, David Healy You are hardly alone in your weakness. I need the Sacraments as frequently as possible and think we all do. And now millions of young people in Ireland are growing up without them in a toxic culture that denies them all knowledge of this. For older people like myself, nearly 55 I know that I can get to the Sacraments I need. But what of the young? Pray for the young. Pray for Ireland.
I am enjoying this thread very much. This quote by Grimisocks really struck home with me, “But like a wise man said to me once, your relationship is with God so do not leave your faith because of the failings of man.” That’s exactly how I feel.
