Earlier I looked at Cardinal O’Malley’s Blog and notice he has included piece on his recent visit to Ireland, especially to Knock and Ballintubber Abbey. Was pleased to see, in his post, some photos I’d taken! More importantly I was pleased to see a link to a YouTube video of the Mass. I especially like the anointing of the Altar during the Mass.
Archbishop Neary spoke at the beginning of the Mass and he quoted Pope John Paull 11 who spoke at Knock in 1979. I liked the words but could not fully recall them. Take a few minutes to hear his words too. The piece I liked is around the 20 min mark and includes these words from Pope John Paul and he appeals to God to keep the Faith alive in the hearts of the people of Ireland;
“May prosperity never cause Irish men and women to forget God or abandon their faith. Keep them faithful in prosperity to the faith they would not surrender in poverty and persecution. Save them from greed, from envy, from seeking selfish or sectional interest. Help them to work together with a sense of Christian purpose and a common Christian goal, to build a just,, peaceful and loving society where the poor are never neglected and the rights of all, especially the weak, are respected.”
I was in Knock yesterday for the Re-dedication of the Basilica. An occasion worthy of the place and the “unspoken” message of Mary who stood with people, as she always does, when needed. Cardinal Seán O’Malley (Archbishop of Boston) was the Principal Celebrant and homilist at the Mass.
He spoke very well about Knock, its meaning for him personally and its place in the heart of the Church. During the ceremony he anointed the Altar and, I have to say, this was a highlight for me. There was something very moving in seeing him first pour oil on the four corners of the Altar and then in its centre. Then with sleeves rolled up (a man at work) he rubbed the oil into the surface of the Altar. It was a moment of offering something to God that God might make full use of it, in and through us all.
At Mass today, I shared a few words around this and about a local football event that took place in the parish yesterday, an annual event marking the life of a child who died eight years ago at age five. She is remembered each day of course by her family and those who knew her best and annually in this gathering known as the “Aoife Regan Shield”. Today she was remembered in our Parish Mass. I thought it appropriate that she be remembered so seamlessly in both settings within a day of each other. I believe that’s what parish life should be about, bringing what happens on the field of play to the Altar, anointed well over 100 years ago, in our Parish Church that, like yesterday’s rising incense, our prayers may be carried to the Heavenly Presence.
There may Mary, the silent but present Mary of Knock, whisper to Him afresh; “They have no wine” ….
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