Road safety theme for Reek Sunday pilgrimage
ROAD safety is the theme for this year's Reek Sunday pilgrimage, with road users being asked to offer up a special prayer.
Reek Sunday falls on July 26, and thousands of pilgrims are again expected to scale Croagh Patrick to pray and participate in Mass and confessions on the summit.
Fr. John Kenny, Administrator of Westport Parish, has encouraged in a special way pilgrims travelling by road to participate in the climb to do so safely. Fr. Kenny has dedicated road safety as the theme for this year's pilgrimage, and has asked all road users on the island of Ireland to pray:
“Arise with me in the morning,
travel with me through the day.
Welcome me on my arrival.
God be with me all the way.
Amen.”
“Éirigh liom, a Dhia, Fan liom i rith an lae,
Sa bhaile agus ar gach turas, Ná lig dom dul ar strae.
Áiméan.”
Pilgrims are also encouraged to respect the mountain during their climb and stay on the pilgrim path.
Said Fr. Kenny: "I am delighted that the three-and-a-half year undertaking to restore the Pilgrim's Path on Croagh Patrick was completed in 2024.
"Accordingly, and on behalf of the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders' Group, I welcome everyone to our annual Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage that will start on Garland Friday, July 24.
“The stakeholders' group has been responsible for monumental work in preserving and safeguarding this holy mountain. As it is the largest annual gathering on the Reek, 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."
Fr. Kenny is also asking priests from around Ireland to contact him if they are in a position to assist with the celebration of Mass and the hearing of Confessions on the summit on (098) 28871 or (087) 2401533.
The full Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage schedule is as follows:
* On Garland Friday, July 24, the local pilgrimage will begin with a 10 a.m. Mass on the summit of Croagh Patrick celebrated by Westport native Father Tod Nolan, P.P. Newport. A 7.30 p.m. Mass will celebrated at Murrisk Community Café in the Croagh Patrick carpark.
* On Reek Saturday, July 25, at 8.15 a.m., the Tochar Phádraigh Pilgrimage will begin at Ballintubber Abbey. For details, contact (094) 9030934 or see ballintubberabbey.ie.
At 6.30 p.m. a Vigil Mass will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, Westport, by Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Killala.
* Reek Sunday Masses will be celebrated hourly on the summit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Confessions will take place from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit Westportparish.ie.