Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore in Ireland spent Ash Wednesday on the streets of Waterford City administering ashes to the city’s Catholic population.
In doing so, he continued a ministry for which he has become well known.
When asked on Shrove Tuesday evening if he was intending to continue his Ash Wednesday ministry of distributing ashes in the streets, Cullinan told EWTN News: “Weather permitting, yes indeed.”
And today, as promised, the 65-year-old bishop braved the bitter cold and wet weather conditions in Waterford and continued what has now become an annual tradition in his episcopacy.
“I think that we have to bring Christ out into the street. He does not want to remain only in the tabernacle,” Cullinan said.
“I am always humbled by the response from young and old. The wearing of ashes in the sign of the cross touches something deep within, impossible to explain fully. We remind ourselves of our mortality,” he said.
Cullinan spoke of the worry etched on people’s faces but said he believes he is doing what the Church needs to do in going to the margins to proclaim Christ’s healing in a very public way.
“But Jesus is the victor, and by his cross we can defeat death and enter with him in eternal happiness.”
He added: “Ash Wednesday is such a wonderful start to the 40 days of preparation for the Resurrection at Easter. As St. Paul says, ‘If we die with him we shall rise with him.’”
Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore in Ireland spent Ash Wednesday on the streets of Waterford City administering ashes. He is also known for carrying a cross through the city on Good Friday. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan
In the past, in addition to administering ashes outside in Waterford on Ash Wednesday, Cullinan has carried a cross through the city streets on Good Friday and has said openly that the Church has to go where people are.
In his role as chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations this month he launched a new vocations monstrance blessed by Pope Leo XIV to be used to gather the faithful for prayerful Eucharistic adoration for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The bishop also recently published a book, “The Priesthood in Ireland,” which includes 16 reflections on the priesthood in Ireland today.