Deacon Don Deavaney blessing people with the Blessed Sacrament. Photos: John McElroy Thousands gathered at the RDS this past weekend for the 35th Divine Mercy Conference, as pilgrims and faithful from across Ireland and abroad came together for prayer, worship and reflection on this year’s theme – ‘This is my Body… this is my Blood, given up for you’.
The annual gathering brought together families, young people and longtime devotees for a weekend of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, music and talks focused on the message of Divine Mercy and renewal in faith.
Many attendees spoke of encouragement at seeing large crowds and a wide mix of generations present. Maura, volunteering for the first time, described “a mixture of age groups… from very young to very elderly,” adding that her hope was for people to discover “the peace and happiness in knowing Jesus.”
Ciarán, a volunteer from Celbridge, said the steady flow of pilgrims was a hopeful sign for the Church in Ireland. “Rumours of the death of Christianity are slightly in error,” he said. “There’s a resurgence starting.”
For Barry, from Guardians of the Faith, the devotion responds to a deep spiritual need today. “People struggle to believe in our Lord’s mercy,” he said, “but that’s the heart of the message: His mercy is unfathomable.”
International visitors also highlighted the welcoming atmosphere. Maria, originally from Brazil but now living in Ireland, said it was “beautiful to see people of all ages and from all over,” praising the worship and the uplifting testimonies shared throughout the weekend.
In his closing homily, Archbishop Dermot Farrell reminded participants that moments of grace must lead to renewed Christian witness in daily life, urging them to “come down from that mountain… to live life in the real world.”
For many attendees, the conference offered both encouragement and renewal. Deirdre, attending for the first time from Kerry, said she hoped simply to “go home a little lighter” after the Spirit-filled conference.