Introducing some of the liturgical elements featuring during WMOF2018 is Fr Damien McNeice, head of the Liturgy Committee. This includes the vestments worn during Masses, chalices, ciboria, the processional cross and the penal cross that will be on the altar during the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park on August 26. Beside the new green…
Chai Brady
Chance for speed dating Catholic-style at WMOF
The search for love can be a tough one, so for some an event held just across the road from the RDS during the WMOF Pastoral Congress might be their chance to find romance. With thousands of people attending the WMOF Pastoral Congress from August 22-24 there will be a Catholic Speed Dating event held…
NI pro-lifers ‘squeezed’ by Westminister and RoI on abortion
Some Northern Irish Catholics are “upset” and “disappointed” that two pro-choice Government ministers from the Republic were given a platform to push for liberalised abortion laws at a prominent Catholic teaching college. According to Tracy Harkin of the Iona Institute it was inappropriate to allow two politicians who have been “actively vocal against Church teaching”…
WMOF urges pilgrims to ‘leave no trace’ in Europe’s biggest event of 2018
The papal Mass on August 26, which 500,000 people are expected to attend, will be the biggest event in Europe this year according to organisers. With such a huge influx of people, WMOF2018 has released a new animated video called ‘Leave no trace’ which aims to encourage pilgrims to reduce their environmental footprint during the…
Massive feat as pilgrims take on 220km trek to Pope’s Mass
A group of 20 people have joined together to take on a gruelling 220km pilgrimage from Clare to Dublin to welcome Pope Francis to Ireland. Beginning on August 15 after 11am Mass the walkers will set off from Nenagh Parish and eventually aim to arrive at the Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin, on August 26 for…
Campaigners urge Maria Steen to run for President
A campaign to get The Irish Catholic columnist Maria Steen to throw her hat into the ring and run for President is gaining momentum online. While the petition calling for the respected commentator to run for president has reached over 1,250 signatures, the flattering gesture may fall flat according to trusted sources. The page entitled…
Baroness O’Loan rejects Simon Harris’ conscientious objection definition
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has refuted the claims of Ireland’s Health Minister that conscientious objection is “for individuals, not institutions”, and that he should consider the need to protect hospitals from coercion. Before and since the Eighth Amendment was repealed the decision to opt out of providing abortion by way of conscientious objection, without repercussion, has…
Remembering St John Paul II, it’s time to ‘showcase Ireland’ for papal visit
WMOF 2018 The papal visit this month will be an opportunity to “showcase Ireland” with well over 15,000 people coming from abroad to attend the Word Meeting of Families, the Archbishop of Dublin said at the opening of an exhibition revealing the preparations made for St John Paul II’s visit. Although regretting not being…
Irish man joins US play depicting Elvis Presley’s Faith journey
A devout Irish man has joined the production team of a New York play which explores Elvis Presley’s Christian upbringing and struggle with faith. Louth native John Aidan Byrne says the story “made a deep impression with me as I examined my own positive Catholic upbringing and faith journey”. The King, the Final Hours, a new off-Broadway play, is…
Householders asked to invite elderly to watch Pope’s Mass
Homeowners are being encouraged to invite elderly people who may have mobility or other issues to their houses to watch the papal Mass in a group setting. Pope Francis’ Mass in the Phoenix Park on August 26 is set to be an historic event for all involved, but with many elderly people unable to attend,…