Eighty years ago, when Dublin last hosted a Eucharistic Congress, the overwhelming majority of the nation pledged its everlasting loyalty to the Holy See.During those fervent celebrations, it was difficult to separate nationality and religion.
For many, there was virtually no distinction.
Nobody expected a repetition of those scenes at the congress which has just ended.
There have been magnificent ceremonies, inspiring words, sincere reassurances; but the mood of the country, and its relationship with the Catholic Church, has changed radically and, by every indication, permanently.
That was inevitable after half-a-century of enormous social, political and economic change, during which old beliefs, old prejudices and old practices were turned on their heads.
Formal religious practice suffered everywhere in Europe.
But in Ireland there was a special reason for a dramatic change in attitude.
The clerical sex abuse scandals revealed a catalogue of appalling crimes.
In the classic phrase, however, the crimes mattered less than the cover-ups.
The church stood accused of hypocrisy and of deliberately dragging its feet when it attempted to rectify its methods. And in an unfair world, those accused included some of the best, the most deeply concerned, even the saintly.
Those in authority in the church, at every level up to the Vatican itself, who exerted themselves in the cause of disclosure and reform, deserve full credit.
But many others concealed the truth and put obstacles in the way of those who tried to expose it.
So that, inevitably, formed the most salient part of the background to this Eucharistic Congress.
And for all the laudable words, and all the deep religious meditation, it has to be said that the congress did not overcome it.
Certainly Christian love and justice were preached.
The Papal Legate, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, told pilgrims at Knock Shrine: "Let us be confident there is light beyond this present darkness and that our faith is stronger than the evil of this world and our own failures."
But it can hardly be said that the cardinal or the congress showed the way, or how far the church, clerical and lay, in Ireland and world-wide, has to go in learning the virtues taught by Jesus of Nazareth.
So much has changed since 1932, but the church has not changed sufficiently.
It still exercises power in the secular sphere, as in health and education.
And its love of power is not confined to clerics.
Some of the laity are equally determined to quell all dissent.
Now the church must adapt itself to the 21st century.
Only time will tell whether the congress has helped in that gigantic task.