Large attendance takes part in national Catholic procession through Athlone
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The Eucharist was carried in a monstrance by members of the clergy.Image 2 of 4
Fr Oliver Devine, PP Ballymore and Drumraney, carrying the monstrance bearing the Eucharist, as the procession crosssed the bridge of Athlone.Image 3 of 4
Banners honouring the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin were on display.Image 4 of 4
The procession started fron St Mary’s Church and after crossing the Shannon, made its way back there again, following which Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s.Promoting the revival of the Catholic faith in Ireland, a large gathering of participants walked in a Eucharistic procession along the streets of Athlone on the eve of St Patrick's Day.
Hosted by the 'Walk The Cross' pilgrim group, participants descended on Athlone for a procession on Sunday, March 16, which started with prayer at St Mary's Church.
Participants then proceeded through the heart of Athlone crossing the bridge and looping back to St Mary's Church via the west side of the town.
Central to the organisation of the procession Brian Brady, from Dublin, said the idea for the procession came to him during a trip to Medugorje in October.
"Given its central location, Athlone was the obvious choice for the hosting of this Eucharistic procession enabling participants to have an ideal opportunity to travel to the Midlands for the occasion. We were extremely pleased to witness the large number of procession participants, close to 2,000 walking through the heart of Ireland in adoration and prayer," Brian said.
Brian hopes that such a public showing will lead to a revival of the Catholic faith throughout the country.
"Those who participated in the procession are living the Catholic faith and it was great to speak with like minded people during the course of the day. The presence of Jesus was very much felt during the procession as we prayed for the future of Catholicism," Brian said.
As the procession crossed the pedestrian bridge on its return to St Mary's Church it paused momentarily for a blessing given by Fr Basil McCabe, a member of the Benedictine order.
"This blessing, for the people of Ireland, was a very moving and powerful experience, as participants paused to reflect and express their faith in prayer. A children's rosary was also offered on the pedestrian bridge and this too was a peaceful moment of the procession," Brian added.
The procession was notable for the presence of a Sacred Heart statue, one of four in Ireland to be blessed by Pope Francis.
"This year marks the 350th anniversary of our devotion to the Sacred Heart so it was an honour to carry a statue blessed in Rome by Pope Francis as an integral part of the procession," Brian stated.
On its return St Mary's Church the procession culminated with Adoration, Brian expressing his gratitude to all those who helped to make the occasion a "fulfilling" experience.
"The parish of St Mary's was very obliging with the use of their church, while the Gardai enabled curtailed traffic to enable the procession walk through Athlone.
“The dioceses must also be commended as they spread word of the procession in the weekly mass newsletters," Brian said.
Fr Oliver Devine, Parish Priest of Ballymore and Drumraney, was one of a number of priests who participated in the procession having met with Brian and his wife Karen in Medjugorje.