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Ireland pilgrimage to highlight the Eucharist

By Roxanne King

It’s just 19 weeks until Bishop James Conley, apostolic administrator of the Denver Archdiocese, leads a pilgrimage from Denver to Dublin to visit sacred sites in Ireland and attend the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress.

The June 9-18 pilgrimage will include five days of touring holy and historic places on the beautiful Emerald Isle, and three days of the congress, including the closing outdoor Mass, which is expected to draw 80,000 faithful from across the globe.

Throughout the trip—from visiting a Marian apparition site with uniquely “eucharistic” characteristics to participating in the closing Mass, the statio orbis (“high point”) of the congress—pilgrims will have the chance to be renewed in their faith as they deepen their reverence for the Eucharist and build communion with their fellow Christians.

“For those considering the journey, there is still room on the pilgrimage and still time to sign up,” said Tess Stone, archdiocesan events coordinator.

Knock Shrine
Among the sacred sites to be visited is the renowned Marian shrine at Knock (from the Gaelic Cnock for “hill”), where Mary appeared to 15 people in 1879. Local legend says that in the fifth century, the great missionary St. Patrick blessed the site and foretold that it would someday draw multitudes of pilgrims. Today, the shrine attracts some 1.5 million people a year.

The Marian apparition at Knock is exceptional for several reasons: Mary didn’t speak, she did not appear alone and she was seen by several people of all ages.

Although Mary was silent, the message of the Knock apparition is clear—and it is particularly fitting for pilgrims going to the Eucharistic Congress.

“The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a large group of villagers along with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist,” explained Bishop Conley, who has visited all the sites pilgrims will take in. “There were no words spoken. To the left of St. Joseph was an altar with a lamb standing on the altar, symbolizing Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God in the Mass. So the Marian apparition is very much focused on the Eucharist, which will complement the purpose of our pilgrimage, the Eucharistic Congress.”

Dublin priest Father Kevin Doran, secretary general for the congress, agreed.

“Knock is often referred to as a eucharistic shrine,” he told the Denver Catholic Register. “It is as if Mary says to us, ‘Behold the Lamb of God.’”

50th International Eucharistic Congress
The purpose of the International Eucharistic Congress is to promote awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.

Usually held every four years, these universal gatherings include dynamic daily celebrations of the Eucharist, catecheses and workshops led by bishops and theologians, inspiring testimonies and lively cultural events.

The 2012 congress is themed, “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and With One Another.”

“There will be a wide range of workshops and cultural events designed not only to help people explore the meaning of the Eucharist but which also (inspire a desire) to live as the people of the Eucharist,” Father Doran said. 

Exclusive to this year’s congress is that it is marking a double anniversary—it’s both the 50th International Eucharistic Congress and the gathering is taking place on the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which proclaimed the Eucharist to be the “source and summit” of our faith.

Vatican II also promoted ecumenism. Last week, as Christians began observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18-25), organizers launched the congress’ ecumenical program.

“One of the rather unique elements of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress is the extent of the involvement of Christians of other traditions,” Father Doran said, referring to the ecumenical program, which focuses on the communion Christians share through baptism.

“I hope that these concrete expressions of our communion can help to place more focus on the unity which we already have as Christians,” Father Doran said.
St. Patrick Cathedral

In the spirit of ecumenism, pilgrims will visit Ireland’s national cathedral, St. Patrick’s. Founded in 1191 as a Catholic church, after the Reformation St. Patrick’s became an Anglican church.

“The cathedral stands adjacent to the ancient well where St. Patrick baptized so many new Christians,” Bishop Conley said. “St. Patrick was known for his life of prayer and penance. He reminds us that we, too, must lead a life of prayer and penance.”

The largest church in Ireland, St. Patrick’s plays an important role in Irish life historically and with national ceremonies taking place there yet today.

“Jonathan Swift, political satirist and author of ‘Gulliver’s Travels,’ was dean of St. Patrick’s in the 18th century,” Father Doran said.

Tour details
Other historic sites pilgrims will visit or view include the medieval ruins of the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland; Trinity College, which houses the Book of Kells; Dublin Castle and the homes of authors Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker.

Pilgrims will also see the diverse Irish landscape, ranging from charming villages along the Irish Sea to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast.

Pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Msgr. Thomas Fryar, a seasoned pilgrim to Ireland, will help Bishop Conley lead the 10-day pilgrimage, which is sponsored by the Denver Catholic Register. The tour company conducting the trip is Faith Journeys.

The cost of the pilgrimage including airfare is $3,095 per person (land only price is $2,085).

Full payment must be received by March 10. For more information, call Tess Stone at 303-715-3207 or email tess.stone@archden.org. For full details, visit www.archden.org/ireland2012.