Ireland 'waking' up?

AH yes.

 

"A spinster aunt at a rave"

Best line ever

 

This could be me making this post. Oh blessed silence!
The guitar Masses are a sacrificial offering for me. I have to remind myself that it is sincere worship and may be very pleasing to God. And it is Mass and for that I am truly grateful!

 

I made the journey down with my wife and two of her friends to Slane today.

It started with the public recitation of the Rosary always powerful - led initially by Patrick McCrystal of Human Life International and the man responsible for the men's rosary movement in Ireland. There were a lot of prolife groups represented, which was good to see. The rain came on during the Mass but what do you expect outdoors in Ireland. The hymn choices were not always great but endurable - Dana was there to sing her new hymn about St Patrick and the Fire on the Hill of Slane. She finished by singing her hymn Lady of Knock.

Sister Briege McKenna was very powerful speaker and we had the Eucharist was brought in the monstrance to the congregation for healing.

Sister Briege asked us to pray for our priests, who are the Bridge to Heaven for without them we do not have the sacraments. She asked us to adopt a priest in prayer and to offer sacrifices for that priest because the laity have a responsibility for praying for priests. I think Robert Nugent was there too, the Catholic blogger.


Personally I thought it was a powerful reminder of our Christian heritage from the time of St Patrick down through the ages that our ancestors endured a lot to pass on the faith. My feeling too is that we will all soon be enduring persecution as the darkness deepens further and the world becomes a lunatic asylum.

 

Well for the hour before the rosary it was a pentecostal/ charismatic movement fest and then sporadically throughout. Like I said many people love this it is not for me personally. Still good to see faithful gathering in such numbers

 

I’m wondering about Sister Breige. Isn’t she a Holy Sister. I know she gives priest’s retreats.

 

I started off in charismatic renewal but this led me to Marian devotion so I too have gone of the clappy stuff.

But I absolutely love all Marian hymns.

 

Sr. Briege McKenna, O.S.C. was born in Ireland and entered the Sisters of St. Clare at the age of fifteen. Following her final vows and after suffering for more than three years with rheumatoid arthritis, she was transferred to her community in Tampa, Florida with the hope that the Florida sunshine would relieve her suffering. At the age of twenty-four, she was miraculously and instantaneously healed during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later received, in prayer, the gift of healing for which she has become so widely known. In 1974, again during prayer, she was given a deep spiritual insight into the mystery of the call to priesthood. Since then, bishops and priests in many parts of the world have invited her to speak and minister at their retreats and conferences. Sr. Briege ministered to priests in collaboration with Fr. Kevin Scallon, CM for over forty-two years until his death in June 2018.

http://www.sisterbriege.com/index.htm

 

It turned out well. Many graces.

 

I used to work in All Hallows College Dublin. I met Sister on a few occasions along with some great priests and other religious. Beautiful woman with such a beautiful soul.

 

I think she is considered a very very good sister indeed. She gives wonderful talks and absolutely emphasizes devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Me too Bobby. When I reverted to the Faith the only place I could find Catholics and priests who were real Catholics as I had know Catholics back in the day were the charismatics. . Much grace from priests and laity but like you Our Lady led me back to a more traditional expression of faith and a real devotion to the Rosary and holy hours of adoration. So I too went off the Clappy stuff.

 

I used to work in All Hallows too! What years were you there Malachi?

 

Ah, the Dear Lord brought me back from the path of self-absorption to Himself through the Charismatic Renewal. One of my mentors was a humble, marvelous friar by the name of Fr. Regis who had the gift of healing and discernment of spirits. I fell in love with Mary through a book entitled Mary and the New Pentecost that I obtained at prayer meetings. Geralyn and I taught together on a Life in the Spirit Seminar team and witnessed conversions. A group of families in which we participated called the Sabbath Group included the exercise of gifts and a setting for friendships that impacted our children positively. I participated on healing prayer teams after the last Sunday Mass at the parish church where Geralyn and I were wed, and God worked wonders. I miss very much the profound wisdom of lessons Ann Holland drew from the Scriptures (she has since gone home to the Lord). Were there inappropriate things done? At times, but not so frequently.

Worship should not be initiated for "emotional highs" but should emanate from a heart centered on the Lord.

My one reservation now would be: don't include Charismatic praise during Holy Mass. Contemplation is much more appropriate!

P.S. By the way, today was Geralyn's and my 40th wedding anniversary! The Feast of the Transfiguration!

 

Congratulations on your Anniversary. Also I always enjoy your posts.

 

A blessed anniversary to you and Geralyn.

 

Happy anniversary and blessings to you Mario & Geralyn and to your beautiful family. God has indeed blessed you abundantly.
I think the charismatic movement was a special blessing for the church at a particular time. It awakend joy in our hearts. Things had grown a little tired and the movement brought many young people to the church and broke some of the rigidity we felt at the time. Many of the great lay evangelists of the last 50 years came through this movement. Im thinking of Ralph Martin and others.
In the charismatic movement we were entering the outer court of the temple. As we progress deeper and advance to the Holy of Holies we grow silent and Holy Awe becomes our response. Like all things we can go OTT and get stuck in a spot and stop advancing. Overall I think the charismatic movement was a blessing to the church. It certainly helped me to find joy in my faith journey.