‘Christian Hope’ theme of annual pilgrimage to Mayo's holy mountain
THOUSANDS of pilgrims of all ages are expected to scale Ireland's 'holy mountain, 2,520ft Croagh Patrick, on Reek Sunday, which falls on July 27 this year.
The theme of Reek Sunday 2025 is ‘Christian Hope’, and the annual pilgrimage will continue the 1,600 year-old tradition of people scaling the mountain to pray and participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation and the celebration of Mass at the summit.
The late Pope Francis designated 2025 as a universal Jubilee Year of Hope and, for this year, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been identified by the Irish bishops as national pilgrimage sites.
The three well-known Irish sanctuaries have offered hope to pilgrims over generations and people can now obtain a Pilgrim Passport for stamping when undertaking a pilgrimage to the three shrines during Jubilee Year 2025. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible to receive a special commemorative Jubilee Year medal.
Administrator of Westport parish, Fr. John Kenny, said: “I am delighted that the three-and-a-half year undertaking to restore the Pilgrim's Path section of Croagh Patrick has been completed since last year. Accordingly, and on behalf of the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders’ Group, I encourage everyone to attend our annual Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage, starting on Garland Friday, July 25, in Westport.
“The stakeholders’ group has been responsible for monumental work in preserving and safeguarding the mountain for the common good.
“As Reek Sunday is the largest annual gathering on the mountain, it is essential that Reek Sunday pilgrims - and indeed all pilgrims - play their part in respecting the mountain. In this context I am highlighting that we all have a responsibility to share in the protection of the mountain’s fragile ecosystem, and I encourage all climbers to stay on the Pilgrim’s Path.
“This request is made in the interest of the safety of climbers themselves, to preserve the mountain's habitat, and to sustain this special pilgrimage for future generations.”
As in previous years, Fr. Kenny also invited priests to join with him to minister sacraments on Croagh Patrick during Reek Sunday.
On Reek Sunday, July 27, Mass will be celebrated on the hour at the summit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and confessions will be heard from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Garland Friday, July 25, the local pilgrimage will begin with 10 a.m. Mass on the summit of Croagh Patrick will be celebrated by Westport native Father Tod Nolan, P.P. of Newport. At 7.30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at Murrisk Community Café, Croagh Patrick carpark.
On Reek Saturday, July 26, at 8.30 a.m., the Tochar Phádraigh Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Pilgrimage begins at Ballintubber Abbey. For details, contact (094) 9030934. At 6.30 p.m. on Saturday the vigil Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, Westport, will be celebrated by Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam.
When a pilgrim completes their pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, they can get their Pilgrim Passport stamped at the Presbytery office in Westport (F28 TN28) or at 'The Hut at the Foot' or Murrisk Community Café, both of which are located in the carpark at Murrisk.