"When God calls a man to the altar he won’t intervene as dramatically as He did to Paul on the Road to Damascus, but will whisper through the family and people who nurtured him from the day of his baptism when the whole Christian adventure began" Reek Sunday – the day when pilgrims from all parts of Ireland and abroad come to climb St Patrick’s Mountain – Croagh Patrick.
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam began the pilgrimage on Saturday evening by celebrating the Vigil Mass at St Mary's Church, Westport.
At 7.00 am on Sunday morning, he began the pilgrimage climb from the car park at the mountain base in the village of Murrisk, about eight kilometres from Westport. .
Three hours later he celebrated Mass at the summit of Croagh Patrick for the hundreds of pilgrims who travelled with him, a number making the journey in their bare feet. This was also broadcast by RTÉ.
In his homily the Archbishop welcomed all those who travelled with him – “welcome to the summit of Croagh Patrick, nature’s Cathedral of the West”.
“Here,” he said, “man and mountain meet and we are enveloped in mystery.”
“We are on a holy mountain, made more holy by the men and women who have walked and prayed their way to the top one generation after another. On these slopes we discover our need of the support of others, the encouraging word and the outstretched hand to those with aching limbs and flagging spirit.”
Then he reminded his listeners that this is the Year of Vocation when we reflect upon and pray about the call or vocation we have received. – “that call to witness, service and love.”
“Through our baptism, we are all called to live out our lives in whatever vocation or ministry we find ourselves. We are given the mission of taking part in the endless work of Christ. Like the climbers on the mountain this day, we are conscious of how much we depend on each other.
“We all have our unique call in our families, in our work, in our monasteries, convents, presbyteries and communities. Some receive a call to marriage, others to single life, to religious life or priesthood.
“A Church bereft of a vibrant priesthood cannot proclaim the Gospel as effectively as it should. In bereavement and brokenness, in tragedy and trauma, sickness and separation the priest will be found standing shoulder to shoulder with his people in the gardens of their Gethsemane.
“In this year of St. Paul we are reminded that it takes a crucified Church to bring a crucified Christ to the world; it is not easy to stand on Calvary. The priest needs the supportive prayers of his people; he stands in need of forgiveness and understanding and, now and again, a word of encouragement.”
“Remember”, he explains, “that when God calls a man to the altar he won’t intervene as dramatically as He did to Paul on the Road to Damascus, but will whisper through the family and people who nurtured him from the day of his baptism when the whole Christian adventure began.”
He finished by asking two questions –“could God be calling me to life as a priest, as a religious sister or brother? “
“Are we supporting our young people as they try to find their vocation in life and thus deep inner happiness?
“Faith opens us in wonder and awe to God’s creation in this hallowed place; today we pray that this holy mountain will move faith.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer
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