"Bless our
homes and each one of us, Lord Jesus. Make yourself at home with us all
our days."
Blessing
of Galway Bay
On a Sunday in
mid-August near the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, crowds come to
the Claddagh for the age-old blessing of Galway Bay. About this date, the herring season opens, and most probably the
ceremonial blessing of the bay originated in the wish of Claddagh
fishing folk to get God's blessing on their work, and his help in
bringing their light hookers and currachs safely home after each voyage. Only a few boats now remain of the once famous Claddagh fishing fleet.
In mid-August they are joined by the motor-trawlers that have replaced
them, and with an escort of yachts and smaller pleasure craft, they sail
out into Galway Bay. There the ringing of a bell is a signal to form a wide circle around the
boat that carries the altar boys and choir from the Claddagh Church, St.
Mary on the Hill, and a Dominican priest whose Order has been associated
with the Claddagh fishing village for over 500 years. The beauty of the ceremony that follows is its' stark simplicity. A
passage from St. John's Gospel recalls the scene on the sea of Galilee
when Jesus went fishing with the apostles and told them " cast the net
on the right side of the ship and you shall find". For a moment, those who follow the ceremony may feel that they are no
longer in Galway Bay but on the Sea of Galilee with Jesus and the
fishermen who were his friends. Meanwhile, as he stands at the mast of the boat in the centre of that
circle of ships, the Dominican priest has prayed: "Increase, we beseech
you, O Lord God, your mercy towards us and even as you multiplied five
loaves and two fish to satisfy the hunger of five thousand, so now
please multiply for our use the fish that are generated in these waters,
so that we, experiencing your goodness, may give you thanks and praise
your holy name." At the end, almost unexpectedly, he calls on Mary, Queen of the Sea, to
plead for her children. The Magnificat is sung and the sea is sprinkled
with holy water. The last action of the dramatic ceremony is a sign of
the Cross over the fishing fields, an appeal to God to bless them and
the men who fish them, their boats, their tackle and all their labours. The blessing over, the boats usually make a short trip around the bay
before turning for home. Today, one may feel a touch of nostalgia as one stands outside the
Church of St. Mary on the Hill and looks across at the few remaining
Claddagh boats in the 'basin'. They are a link with great days that have
passed. However, although the external pattern of the blessing of the bay may
change, even though brown-sailed hookers have been replaced by
motor-driven trawlers, Galway fishermen still feel the need to ask God's
blessing on themselves and on their work.
Two genuine writings of Saint Patrick are in existence today.
These writings have become public only during the 19th
century.
One is "The
Confession", an autobiography of Saint Patrick near the end of
his life. Another is "A
letter to Coroticus", containing a fierce complaint against
Coroticus who had raided a number of Patrick’s converts.
Other Early Writings
A third writing, not from Patrick's hand, but closely connected with
him, is "The
Hymn," written in ancient Irish, and also known as "The
Breastplate". Another old hymn on St Patrick is written by a certain
Secundicus. All we know historically and accurately must come from
these sources!
There are
three sayings attributed to Saint Patrick, but Scholars doubt
whether any or all are really from Patrick. An other interesting source
about Saint Patrick comes to us from the 17th century: the
Annals of the Four Masters
What About The Snakes?
It is a folk tale that Patrick drove the snakes off the “Emerald
Isle.” Snakes being commonly associated with Satan, sin and evil since
the Garden of Eden, this tale may have arisen as a metaphor of his
single-handed effort to drive the idol-worshiping Druid cult out of
Ireland.
When was Patrick born?
Patrick was born about the end of the 4th century. We cannot
determine the date of his birth or death any more certain.
However, tradition has him born in the year 385.
The
Annals of the Four Master have him die (on March 17th) 493, being
122 years old. They thought that Patrick must have been born in the year
371.
What was the extend of his ministry?
His mission was during the years 432-461. During his 29 years as a
missionary, it is said that Patrick baptized over 120,000 Irishmen, and
established at least 300 churches (the
Four Annals
say 600 Churches) in which the Saviour God was owned,
the Word of God was preached and the triune God was worshiped.
Was Patrick Irish?
It is a myth that Patrick was Irish. He was a Briton, born in
Bannavem Taburniæ according to his Confession, (although it could have
been spelled as Bannaventa Berniae) but we do not know where that is,
except that it must have been on the west coast of Britain.
At 16, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave to a Druid
chieftain in Ireland. While herding pigs, he had much time to ponder the
many Bible verses his Christian father taught him. They led him to trust
Christ as his Saviour. In his
Confessions he wrote, “At 16 ... in a strange land the Lord opened
my unbelieving eyes and I was converted.”
During his six years of slavery, he was known as “Holy Boy” because
he was always praying and talking about his Saviour.
Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” He alluded
to this verse in his
Confessions when he wrote, “Whatever happens to me, whether pleasant
or distasteful, I accept, giving thanks to God who never disappoints.”
Is Patrick A Saint?
That Patrick is a saint is no myth, although he has never been
canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. When the Roman Catholic Church
established the first list of Saints, Patrick was already on it.
But is that how one becomes a saint? According to the Bible,
sainthood is not attained by what others think of us, but by who we own
as our Saviour. At least six New Testament epistles are addressed
directly “to the saints.” The authors were not writing to dead people,
but to all those who believe this: “By grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians
2:8).
Patrick did not become a saint because of his good deeds in Ireland,
but because of what he came to believe while still a slave boy in that
country. After his salvation, he was called by God to return to Ireland,
“to dwell in the midst of barbarians ... for the love of God.” He went,
not to obtain salvation, but because he was already saved and wanted to
share his faith out of love for his Saviour.
Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick means Patrick's Mountain, the holiest mountain in
Ireland, it's on coast of Mayo in the west. Sometime around 800 AD the
name of Patrick was imposed on Croagh Patrick - a Christianization of an
old pagan festival. The pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick takes place on the
last Sunday (Reek Sunday) in July. In pre-Christian times, that was when
there was a great harvest festival in honour of the god Lug.
ST MARTHA: O St Martha, I resort to thee
and to thy petition and faith, I offer up thee this light which I
shall burn every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays. Comfort me in all my
difficulties through the great favour thou didst enjoy when Our
Saviour lodged in thy house. I beseech thee to have infinite pity
in regard to the favour I ask (mention favour). Intercede for my
family that we may always be provided for in all our necessities.
I ask thee St Martha to overcome the dragon which thou didst cast
at thy feet. 1 Our Father and 3 Hail Marys and a lighted candle
every Tuesday and the above prayer made known spreading devotion
to St Martha. N Brown.
THE MIRACULOUS Prayer. Dear Heart of
Jesus, in the past I have asked You for many favours, but today I
ask You this special one (mention request). Take it dear Heart of
Jesus, place it in Your own broken heart, where Your Father sees
it, then in His merciful eyes it will become in His eyes, Your
prayer, not mine. Amen. Say 3 times for 3 days and promise
publication. MC.
PUBLICATION PROMISED to Sacred Heart, Blessed
Virgin and St Jude. Thank you. MM.
THANKSGIVING TO the Sacred Heart for favours
received. NR.
PRAYER TO the Blessed Virgin (Never known to
fail). O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful in
splendour to Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate
Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea help me, and
show me herein, you are my mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of
my heart to succour me in the necessity (Make request). There are
none that can withstand your power. O show me herein, you are my
mother, Sweet Mother. I place this course in your hands (3 times).
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee (3 times). Publication must be promised in return for favour.
MC.
MOST holy apostle, St Jude, faithful
servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honours and invokes you
universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost
despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Make use I
implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring
visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to
my assistance in this great need that I may receive the
consolation and help of Heaven in all my necessities,
tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (here make your
request) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect
forever. I promise, O Blessed St Jude, to be ever mindful of this
great favour to always honour you as my special and powerful
patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen. This
prayer must be said for 9 consecutive days and published
immediately and in three days favour will be granted. Thank you to
St Jude and Mary Magdalene for favour received. MC.
GRATEFUL THANKS to the Sacred Heart, Our
Lady, St Jude, St Anthony, St Theresa, for wonderful favours
received. NB.
THE MIRACULOUS Prayer. Dear Heart of
Jesus, in the past I have asked You for many favours, but today I
ask You this special one (mention request). Take it dear Heart of
Jesus, place it in Your own broken heart, where Your Father sees
it, then in His merciful eyes it will become in His eyes, Your
prayer, not mine. Amen. Say 3 times for 3 days and promise
publication. LF.
NOVENA TO St Clare. Ask St Clare for 3
favours, one business, two impossible and say 9 Hail Marys for 9
days with lighted candle. Pray whether you believe or not. Publish
on ninth day. Powerful Novena. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be
praised, adored, glorified and loved today and everyday throughout
the world forever. Amen. Your request will be granted no matter
how impossible it may seem. Favour publication must be promised.
MC.
