Thursday, January 17, 2008

Cardinal Brady celebrates first Mass in titular church

Cardinal Sean Brady has celebrated his first Mass in his titular Church of Saints Cyricus and Julitta in Rome. He used the occasion to focus on vocations in Ireland in 2008.

Pope Benedict assigned the titular church to the Archbishop of Armagh following his elevation to cardinal on November 24
last year.

The new cardinal said he was delighted when the church was assigned to him, as the Irish College had at one time been based in the same parish as the church.

The church contains the tombs of some Irish College students including Andrew Plunkett, a student of the diocese of Meath and cousin of St Oliver Plunkett.

“I am particularly pleased that the church is at the heart of classical Rome – within sight of the Roman Forum, the Coliseum the Arch of Titus, and the Mamertine Prison – as it will be a constant reminder to me of the enjoyable time that I spent as a teacher of Latin and the history of Roman art and architecture in St Patrick’s College, Cavan.

“Today, Irish seminarian students and postgraduate priests pass by this church as they make their way from places like the Irish
College to Roman universities.”

Cardinal Brady said the closeness of the church to the Irish College brought to mind “the beautiful gift of vocation”.

“Happily, in 2008, the Church in Ireland will focus, in a special way, on the vocation of all Christians,” he said.

“For the 12 months between Vocations Sunday this year (April 13) to Vocations Sunday on May 3, 2009, various projects and
initiatives will be organised to highlight the special dignity of each of the specific vocations: married and family life; ordained priesthood; religious life; and, the single life.”

The Mass in Rome was concelebrated by Mgr Liam Bergin and Fr Albert McDonnell, rector and vice-rector respectively of the Irish College in Rome.

Also concelebrating were representatives of Irish religious houses in Rome and Irish priests living and studying in Rome.

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