A County Carlow Parish Priest has confirmed that, for the third year
in a row, he will celebrate the country's largest Easter Sunday Dawn
Mass on one of Ireland's highest peaks.
Bagnalstown parish priest, Fr Paddy Byrne, will celebrate Easter
Sunday Mass at 6:00am on the summit of Mount Leinster.
Fr Bryne
admitted that he doesn't mind getting up for the early morning mass, “as
this mass is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resurrection in
breathtaking surroundings.”
He also compared climbing the mountain for the early morning mass as
being similar to life's journey.
He said, “Many people have huge
mountains to climb with unemployment, sickness, debt and uncertainty. This, for me personally, is an absolutely fantastic morning of prayer,
healing, hope and celebration.”
He said that perhaps it has now become the largest Easter Mass in the country in terms of the huge crowds that attend.
“Last year alone we had over 3,000 people attending.”
Writing in the Carlow Nationalist about what makes the mass
so popular he said, “Mountains resonate with our human journey through
life. For this reason Jesus in his ministry climbed and sat on many
mountains. We cannot fully enjoy the summit experience of Mount
Leinster until we appreciate the journey that brings us there.”
“Mountains, in terms of the climb, are always difficult, yet
mountains visit our story often in an involuntary manner. The mountains
of debt, sickness and uncertainty, anxiety, bereavement and burden,
resonate with so many at this time. Perhaps that is why Jesus spent so
much time on the mountain. Yes he is with us not just on the summit but
also on the climb. I think that is the why the dawn mass is so popular
on Mount Leinster. Jesus offers strength and solidarity to all who
gather.”