Still hoping to go to Lough Derg this weekend, July 24th, but struggling to arrange transport. prayers please.
It's on my mind and heart to do lough derg again ! I hope to go on Sunday Aug 8th. Most people go over the weekend so hopefully starting on a Sunday will reduce the numbers. Any of you guys are welcome to join me.
I always take it as a very good sign when a spiritual under taking experiences difficultly. Prayers going up
Lough Derg is a symbol of the physical and spiritual reality that we are going to be living with in the near future, hunger physically and reparation for the sins of this generation. I was taking to an old lady last week away down in the rural countryside of Armagh close to the Monaghan border. She is near 90 years old and her grandfather was born in 1828 before the Irish famine. She often heard the old people say the Famine was a punishment from God but that if they did not behave the famine would come back!! So it was engrained in the Irish psyche that there was a direct relationship between behaviour and blessing or punishment. I also believe there will be a famine again, a real physical famine that corresponds with the spiritual famine inflicted on this generation. Not Africa but in the so called civilized west. A priest made an interesting comment in his rather long and 'fairly boring' homily yesterday that God's justice is always restorative. Isn't that a gem of a statement? In other words, like a father he allows us to wallow in the in the filth of of our own sins and mistakes 'until we come to our senses and return to him'. We have entered the most dangerous times in the history of humanity. Souls are at stake indeed many souls are falling into hell at an unprecedented rate (Fatima first secret). I am reminded of our blessed Lord's words 'when I return will I find faith on the earth'?
In order to open ourselves to prophesy, we must open our eyes in prayer. Sadly this has not happened and so we enter this, stumbling, blind. I find when I try to raise a prophetic voice it is met with at best downright fear and at worse, ridicule. But this is the historic experience of scripture. First they mock, then they kill; what else is new?
This is so very true. I once read that Mother Theresa of Calcutta said that there was more famine (spiritual) on the faces of children in the so called prosperous west than she ever saw on the faces of the poorest of the poor. Our Lady of knock, please pray for the people of Ireland. Ask dear God to forgive our sinfulness, heal our brokenness and renew our hearts in the Faith, Hope, Peace and Joy of the Kingdom of God; that the Irish people may once again be one family under God as our Saviour Jesus Christ prayed. That we may all be one in Him. Amen.
In Waterford today we celebrate the feast day of St.Declan, one of the patrons of our diocese. I pray he will join you on your journey to Lough Derg, you'll need his help getting around those beds, the hunger and lack of sleep, have fun Bartimaeus!
Back home now, with calf muscles so sore i have to come down the stairs sideways! Some truly amazing people on the island - a little old woman with her spine so curved her head was lower than her shoulders, barely able to take a step longer than the length of her foot when she was walking normally, and she still did the beds! - a man in the 9th year of his pledge to do Lough Derg 9 times a year for 9 years (i.e. 81 times) for the holy souls in purgatory. - and so many Travellers, our indigenous version of gypsies. They had such faith, hugging and kissing the tabernacle on their last morning. Talk about the rejected stone becoming the corner stone - if we're looking for vocations to the priesthood maybe we should start with the Traveller community!
St. Declan was mentioned in our homily on the day - aparently he preceded St. Patrick! I'll have to find out more about him!
That's true, many travellers have more faith than settled people now and you can see it in them. Somehow they seem to have a livelier personality than some other people I know, atheism or semi atheism can seem to burn out a joie de vie in some.
For any of you guys who missed out this Thursday 13th Aug is the last day to do the 3 day lough derg pilgrimage.
Just back from had 3 prayerful days in Lough Derg and I have to say it was almost a doddle compared to last June with Padraig, Fergal and Scolaire Bocht for whatever reason. Perhaps doing it in reparation was why it was so hard then. It was great also to meet up with Julia from this site. We were blessed to have some wonderful visiting priests facilitating too. One of them told a true story of a blind seminarian who, as he neared his ordination day was asked what he would like most. He replied he would like a picture image of God's love. Shortly afterwards he was out for a walk with his white stick, and a tune and words came into his mind and he found himself singing this strange song. He rushed back to his room and typed it out. He sang it on his ordination day. Sorry I don't have to music to go with it! He loves me! He loves me! He loves me! He loves me as I am, Oh yes, he loves me! Yes he loved me yesterday And yes, he'll love me still tomorrow, For he loves me just today the way I am! He loves me! He loves me! And all he asks is that I let him love me! Let him love me as he chooses With no thoughts for wins or looses, Let him love me as I am is all he asks. He knows me! He knows me! Better than I know myself, Oh yes, he knows me! Who I was the other day, And who I will become tomorrow, But he loves me just the same the way I am! He calls me! He calls me! He calls me as I am to spread his love! Knowing well who I have been, who I will be, who I am, Yet he calls me just the same to spread his love! He frees me! He frees me! He frees me to say YES whenever he calls me! Showing me his own compassion, love and care and understanding, He frees me to say YES when he calls me! He loves me! He loves me! He loves me as I am, Oh yes, he loves me! Finding me wherever I am, He gently guides me by the hand, For he loves me as I am, Oh he loves me! For he loves me as I am, Oh he loves me!
I remember that priest from the Divine Mercy Conference a few years ago, he gave a talk and sang that song for us, which he wrote. He was lovely but I can't remember his name!
One of my intentions in lough derg was for a friend who had lapsed in his faith. I spoke to him before I went and told him he had unwanted company following him. He was inclined to dismiss me as usual. I called on him this aft, and found him praying the rosary in front of a statue of Our Lady! Thanks be to God.
Well done Border Collie, you are putting the rest of us to shame! What were the crowds like this time?
Thanks SB, but I realise Lough Derg is not for everyone. It can be tough. I don't know how to describe it other than that it tests the strength of one's stamina physically and mentally but at the same time gives tremendous strength to one's spirit. I have discovered in it a way of praying in God's will that assures me of results, both seen and unseen, and draws me ever deeper into His heart. The crowds were better but still on the low side, 66 there already when we arrived, but they went home the following day, and 120 of us to complete the pilgrimage.
Border Collie "I spoke to him before I went and told him he had unwanted company following him." Can you sense that sort of thing?
