Although public Mass is currently banned by the Irish State, Catholics can still gather for the Rosary and for adoration.
A number of Catholics took advantage of this during the past weekend in both Wexford and in Dublin.
Gathering at 12 noon outside their church, those in Wexford spent some time outside their church in socially distant prayer, with permission from their priest, according to those present.
At Bride Street Church, the Catholics prayed the Angelus then the Rosary. Those present then ‘prayed with our intentions for the priests, bishops, the government, the conversion of Ireland and for the sick’.
Socially distanced, the Catholics gathered before the Penal Altar that was contained in the grounds of the church. This Altar was used for centuries during the Penal Times, when Mass had to be said in secret, for fear of the law.
Catholics also gathered in similarly socially distanced at St. Patrick’s Well in Finglas.
There are plans for similar events across the country this coming weekend.
With news that Northern Ireland will return to Mass, and analysis from Angelo Bottone pointing out that Ireland is by far and away the longest without public worship out of ANY country in Europe in the past year, it is high time for Catholics to pray publicly. These are not protests, they are not politically motivated, but rather by the necessity of the public worship of Our Lord and the communal celebration of faith, not to mention the inheritance of our penal faith. with forms an integral part of our identity and our daily lives.
It might be a good idea to do the same this coming weekend, it is not in contradiction with any Covid rules, since it is outside and people can distance and it will certainly be less cramped than what we’ve seen in parks, outside donut shops and outside primary schools in recent weeks.
