Reflections on XXVI Columbanus Day Celebrations 2025
As I file away memorabilia from a weekend full of wonderful moments celebrating the great Irish saint, Columbanus, having hailed from the Parish of Myshall traversed Europe founding monasteries and encouraging the idea of the countries of Europe coming together as a collaborative union.
Columbanus should be embraced today as the saint who can bring us back to the sacredness of creation and humanity.
Following the theme for our celebrations, Walking Together in Hope, the weekend had a number of standout and profound moments:
- The ‘Ireland and the Birth of Europe’ Exhibition, where we discovered how “Columbanus and his followers contributed to the shaping of a European heritage that endures today”. (Ireland and the Birth of Europe – booklet researched, written and curated by Dr Damian Bracken, University College Cork, and Dr Angela Byrne for the Department of Foreign Affairs).
- The Symposium in Carlow College where we heard from Fr Sean McDonagh and Sr Ann Gray how “Columbanus is telling us today that our Christianity must move from an exclusive concern for human salvation and include real concern for the Earth and God’s creation”.
- The Ecumenical Service and procession of the Relics of St Columbanus from the Adelaide Memorial Church of Christ the Redeemer to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was our theme, Walking Together in Hope, in action.
- The walk from the Nine Stones on Mt Leinster, on a section of the Columban Way, finishing in the heart of Myshall Parish where pilgrims shared a well-deserved lunch together.
- The address by former President Mary McAleese in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross reminded us of the frailty of our society and how we must embrace one another to really live our faith and be, like Columbanus, “A pilgrim for Christ”. The Man from Myshall received a good cradling, one to be proud of. From his grave in Bobbio, Columbanus speaks still to a world that needs to hear and heed his voice.
- The most uplifting “Praise Resounds” concert in the Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow where the combination of the various choirs, ensembles and soloists reminded us that through Echoes of the Past there is Hope for the Future.
- The celebration of Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow where, following the theme for the entire weekend we found ourselves joining together in liturgy through Gaeilge, English, French, Italian and German.
Too many moments that will forever live in my mind and remind me of the shared hope we should all carry with us, as we strive to protect the wonders of creation to safeguard them for future generations and to work together for the good of humanity if we are to live as one, we must hope as one – our shared vision is our shared future.
My most sincere thanks to all who made the XXVI Columbanus weekend possible, words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for all the ferocious effort and dedication by so many that made the whole weekend a resounding success.
My thanks go to:
- the many talented and generous members of our Diocesan Columbanus Committee;
- Carlow County Council, singling out its Director of Services, Michael Brennan;
- The team at Bishop’s House
- Carlow Tourism, especially Eileen O’Rourke & Michael Walsh;
- Deborah & Michael and all in Carlow Sports Partnership;
- Dermot Mulligan of Carlow County Museum and all staff members;
- Carlow College, in particular Fr Conn O Maoldhomhnaigh, President, Averil Lawler, Julie Lyons and all staff;
- The Cathedral Parish, Fr. Thomas O’Byrne and his team;
- Myshall Parish, Fr Pat Hughes and all parishioners ;
- All the local Myshall groups for making this a reality; ye worked together so brilliantly and can be very proud of your village and wider parish;
- The Knights of Columbanus for their support;
- The Columban fathers and sisters;
- The CCO team who support the Bishop’s Conference Communication;
- KCLR & the Carlow Nationalist
- Our many guests and clergy from abroad particulary the groups from Italy, France and Germany;
- and lastly every person who was present over the weekend supporting the celebrations in any way and taking part in the programme your presence was very much appreciated.
With Columbanus we pray:
May no trial,
no trouble,
no oppression,
no hunger,
no poverty,
no death,
nothing sad,
nothing joyful,
nothing just
or unjust
separate us
from Christ
so that he
may dwell
within us here,
and we may abide
with him for ever
and ever.
Amen.
To one and all many thanks,
+Denis
Recordings of the Praise Resounds Concert and the Celebration of Mass are available on the website of the Cathedral Parish by clicking on https://carlowcathedral.ie/webcam/ and selecting “Recordings”.
A selection of photographs
