Hot hike for Cork Travellers praying for family

Members of the travelling community from Cork braved scorching temperatures to climb Croagh Patrick with family being the main focus of their pilgrimage.

In preparation for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in August, the Cloyne Diocese Chaplaincy to the Traveller Community led the pilgrimage on Wednesday July 4 with men from the North Cork Traveller community.

Accompanying the Traveller men were Fr Tom Naughton, Cloyne Diocese Chaplain to the Traveller Community, Jason Sheehan from Travellers of North Cork (TNC) and Cllr Ian Doyle, whose stamina impressed all present. Together they braved the climb in blistering 28C heat.

“People were praying not only for their own family but praying for families they might know within the Travelling community that may be going through particular difficulties and so forth. And to give thanks to God for the gift of family, because family is another one of the very strong aspects of Traveller life,” Fr Tom said.

Prayers at different points along the climb were offered. With pilgrims asking God to protect, heal and bless all families, and to leave on Croagh Patrick the various problems, troubles and needs that weighed on the pilgrims’ minds and hearts.

Speaking about the upcoming visit of Pope Francis and the WMOF in Dublin Fr Tom said the Travelling community was “absolutely” excited.

“One of the things about the Travelling community in Ireland is that they’re still very Catholic in the traditional sense and that’s a very important reality so really my ministry as a chaplain for the diocese to the Travelling community is really a response to that reality.”