Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomes first visit to Ireland of Saint Bernadette’s relics

The opportunity to venerate Saint Bernadette’s relics in Ireland “will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration” – Archbishop Martin

Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “During September and October, the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will undertake a pilgrimage, journeying from Lourdes, France – for the first time – to cathedrals and churches across Ireland.  The visit of the relics will be a fitting prelude to the launch of the Jubilee Year 2025 with its theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
 
“The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint Bernadette’s relics will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level.  Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons, and is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.
 
“The relics of Saint Bernadette remind us of Lourdes as a place of prayer and compassion for the sick and vulnerable.  Over generations, Irish people of all ages have volunteered to help in various ways in Lourdes and have been uplifted themselves by the experience of serving and caring.  In welcoming the relics, faith communities around the country will pray in the ‘spirit of Lourdes’ and come to know the message of Our Lady, a message of enduring relevance for us today.
 
“Saint Bernadette once wrote:  ‘One who loves does not notice her trials; or perhaps more accurately, she is able to love them.  I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home.  There I shall find my Mother in all the splendour of her glory.  I shall delight with her in the joy of Jesus himself in perfect safety.’
 
“Together with my brother Bishops in Ireland, I look forward to welcoming the relics of Saint Bernadette to all parts of the island.  I encourage you to take the opportunity to encounter the beautiful and inspiring person that Saint Bernadette was, and to hear the powerful message she was able to convey to the world from Our Lady.
 
“Please pray also that many gifts and graces will be granted during this pilgrimage,” Archbishop Martin said.

+ Archbishop Eamon Martin

Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland 

Resources For Parishes, Families and Schools

Resources for Parishes, families and Schools as they prepare for the visit of St. Bernadette’s Relic. 

Click Image to Access Resource Booklet

Embracing the Season of Creation 2024: The First fruits of Hope

Video from the Young Persons Resource from Season of Creation

Listening to Creation’s Cry

Paul’s imagery of a groaning Earth highlights the suffering caused by our exploitation of natural resources and the environment. We see this in the effects of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and environmental destruction. The Earth, along with communities losing their homes and species facing extinction, is crying out due to our unsustainable practices.

Biblical hope is not passive waiting; it calls for active involvement. Like the process of childbirth, which involves pain but leads to new life, hope in the face of environmental destruction requires action. The Season of Creation 2024 theme, “To hope and act with Creation,” urges us to be proactive. Hope is not just about wishing for change; it drives us to work for justice and transformation.

The First fruits of Hope: Building a Better Future

The symbol for this year, “The First fruits of Hope,” signifies that through hope, we can overcome the damage and decay threatening our world. This hope is a gift from God, enabling us to act responsibly. It encourages us to move beyond selfish goals towards a more profound sense of duty to care for our planet. By nurturing hope, we participate in the renewal of our world, working together to create harmony within creation.

Hopeful actions can take many forms, such as supporting sustainability initiatives, advocating for policies like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and educating ourselves and others about the importance of caring for the Earth. These actions are the seeds of hope that, when nurtured, can lead to meaningful change.

Our Role as Stewards of Creation

According to Pauline theology, humanity and creation are deeply connected, both conceived in Christ. As stewards of the Earth, we are called to care for creation, reflecting God’s love and respect. The Earth awaits the actions of those who recognise their role as caretakers of creation. We are not separate from nature; we are part of a cosmic family that includes all living beings.

This understanding urges us to act. We must recognise that the harm we do to the Earth affects us all. Our ecological sins—our neglect and selfishness—bring pain not only to the planet but also to ourselves. We should channel our frustration into positive actions that promote justice and healing. As Saint Augustine famously said, “Hope has two beautiful daughters: Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” Let this anger and courage inspire us to work towards a better world.

Moving Forward: Patience and Endurance in Hope

Creating a hopeful future is a gradual process. Change takes time, and true ecological conversion requires patience and persistence. We may not always see immediate results, but hope reminds us that every effort counts. By taking small steps towards sustainability and justice, we contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

As we embrace the Season of Creation 2024, let us commit to cultivating the first fruits of hope. Let us listen to the cries of the Earth and respond with compassion and action. Let us stand with those suffering from the effects of climate change and work together for a future where peace, justice, and harmony thrive.

A Call to Hope and Action

The Season of Creation 2024 invites us to a deeper spiritual awareness. It challenges us to see the Earth not just as a resource but as a sacred gift to be cherished. It calls us to active hope, engaging with the struggles of our time to build a better future. By nurturing the first fruits of hope, we take part in the divine work of healing and renewal. Let our actions reflect our hope, and may we witness a world where creation flourishes and all beings live in harmony!

Season of Creation Resources: 

To support this, resources have been developed to help parishes, schools, and groups across the Archdiocese of Armagh engage in building hope. Inspired by St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, these materials encourage reflection on our role in God’s creation and our environmental responsibility.

The Young Persons resource is particularly engaging and includes a video featuring audio from the Apollo 8 space mission. During their lunar orbit in December 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts broadcast a live message to Earth, reading the first ten verses of Genesis, the biblical creation story. The Season of Creation invites reflection on our relationship with the Earth, with the Apollo 8 message serving as a poignant reminder of our world’s beauty and the need to care for it.

• Season of Creation Website
• Celebration Guide
• Biblical Theme and Symbol Guide
• Community Invitation to Get Involved 

Young People and Season of Creation

• Guide to Accompanying Young People during Season of Creation
• PowerPoint link to accompany young persons guide

Saint Patrick’s Pontifical College Maynooth are accepting applications for their Diploma in Church Music.  The programme is suitable for those already involved in the ministry of church music in the Christian tradition, whether as organists, singers or choir directors.

Programme is suitable for those already involved in the ministry of church music in the Christian tradition, whether as organists, singers or choir directors.

Course Duration:  2 year part-time with classes scheduled on Friday evenings /Saturday mornings – 12 sessions per year.

Click Here for Further Details 

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH
EFFECTIVE 7 SEPTEMBER 2024

Archbishop Eamon Martin announces the following clergy appointments for the Archdiocese of Armagh, effective 7 September 2024.

Archbishop Eamon thanks the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese for their continued ministry and service, and wishes well those who are taking up these new appointments.  He also thanks the people of the Archdiocese of Armagh for their ongoing prayers and support of their clergy.  He encourages them to welcome their new pastors in the coming weeks.

Rev Callum Young, CC, to conclude his role as Assistant to the Rector of the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, Dundalk, and while exercising pastoral responsibilities for the Missio ad Gentes community in Dundalk, to continue as CC, St Patrick’s, Holy Redeemer, and Holy Family Parishes, Dundalk.

Rev Stephen Wilson, CC, St Patrick’s and Holy Redeemer Parishes, Dundalk, also to be CC, Holy Family Parish, Dundalk.

Rev Francesco Campiello, newly-ordained, continuing licentiate studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome, also to be CC, Ardee & Collon Parish.

Rev Davis Haberkorn, newly-ordained, to be Assistant to the Rector, Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, Dundalk, and to provide Sunday supply cover in Lower Killeavy Parish.

Rev James Adawai, SMMM, on loan from the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Congregation, Nigeria, to be CC, St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Armagh.

Rev Kingsley Idoghor, SMMM, on loan from the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Congregation, Nigeria, to serve in the Diocese of Dromore.

30 July 2024

Celebrating the Contribution of Women to the Archdiocese of Armagh: Mass for the Feast of St Mary Magdalene

On the evening of July 22nd, 2024,  the Archdiocese of Armagh gathered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. This special celebration was part of the yearlong celebrations marking the 1500th anniversary of the life and legacy of St. Brigid, a woman whose legacy of faith, strength, and compassion continues to inspire today. The evening was filled with warmth, gratitude, and joy, as women from across the Archdiocese of Armagh and the Diocese of Dromore came together to honor their significant contributions to the life and mission of the Church.

The Mass, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin and concelebrated by Bishop Michael Router, was a testament to the enduring impact of women in the Church. Archbishop Martin’s words were filled with appreciation and admiration: “We are grateful to God for women who, like Our Blessed Mother, St. Brigid, and St. Mary Magdalene, have said ‘yes’ to God’s will and God’s gifts in their lives and who have witnessed so strongly and so unselfishly to the faith.” His message resonated deeply with all who attended, highlighting the pivotal role women play in nurturing and spreading the faith.

The cathedral’s choir, under the direction of Colm Murphy, Director of Music for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, led the congregation in beautiful hymns that elevated the spirit of the celebration. Following communion, the Portmore Comhaltas Group performed a reflective piece, adding a touch of traditional Irish culture to the sacred proceedings. The music continued to flow as the group entertained everyone in the Synod Hall afterward, creating an atmosphere of community and celebration.

Sr. Briege O’Hare, OSC, offered a poignant reflection during the Mass, drawing on the symbolism of the three Marys: Mary, the Mother of God; Mary of the Gael, St. Brigid; and Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles. Her words captured the essence of the evening: “We are mothers of Christ when we carry him in our heart and body through love and a pure and sincere conscience. We give birth to Christ through His holy manner of working in us, which should shine before others as an example.” This reflection reminded all present of the deep spiritual connection and responsibility shared by women in the Church.

Archbishop Eamon’s concluding remarks were filled with heartfelt gratitude: “Thank you: women of the Archdiocese of Armagh, the Diocese of Dromore, and beyond. May God continue to bless and reward you for all you do for the Church, for society, and for the world.” His words echoed the sentiment of the entire congregation, acknowledging the selfless dedication and unwavering faith of the women who are the backbone of the Church.

The Mass not only celebrated the contributions of women but also served as a powerful reminder of the legacy of St. Brigid. Throughout the year, numerous events have been held to honor her memory, from the opening celebration in Faughart to the St. Brigid’s Camino for children and teenagers. Each event has underscored the enduring influence of this remarkable saint, who championed the causes of the voiceless and brought light to the injustices of her time.

In this 1500th anniversary year of St. Brigid, the Mass on July 22nd was a fitting tribute to the countless women who have followed in her footsteps. It was an evening of celebration, reflection, and community, bringing together the faithful in a shared acknowledgment of the vital role women play in the life of the Church. As Archbishop Eamon aptly stated, “Like St. Brigid and her community of sisters who kept a fire lit at Kildare to symbolize Christ the Light of the World, it has been you and other women of Ireland who have played the greater part in keeping the flame of faith alive in our families and parishes.”

Link to Sr. Briege O’Hare’s Reflection

Link to Archbishop Eamon Martin’s Closing Remarks

Statement on Human Trafficking by the Bishops of Ireland

Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery and is an assault on our human dignity. 

Ireland – north and south – is far from immune from human trafficking, as recent reports have shown.  Women account for 67% of people trafficked into Ireland, and trafficking for sexual exploitation is the most common form of this crime, accounting for 55% of victims, followed by labour at 38% (IHREC Report, September 2023).  The most recent Trafficking in Persons Report from the US State Department (published on 24 June 2024) notes Ireland’s ‘overall increasing efforts’ in addressing the seriousness of this question. However, as the report points out, the fact remains that Ireland is still a Tier 2 country in this regard, meaning that it “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so”.

The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomes the holding of a Senior Leadership Summit on collectively Combatting Human Trafficking, to be held in University College Cork on 26 – 27 June and that is jointly hosted by An Garda Síochána and the Santa Marta Group.  The Santa Marta Group, under the patronage of Pope Francis, was established in 2014 to ‘act as a catalyst to bring systematic change to end human trafficking, together with law enforcement, civil society and the Church.’  Members of the Bishops’ Conference will be in attendance.

We welcome recent legislation to put the National Referral Mechanism on a statutory footing, along with other measures.  But legislation is only as good as the resources in place to implement it and to root out this awful crime. 

Human trafficking is wrong, it is illegal and it is sinful.  The State has a duty to empower people working in this area and, in the area of prevention and the prosecution of traffickers.  In this regard, there needs to be greater cooperation between the governments north and south on the island.  This is now even more urgent due the increased numbers of immigrants forced to come here from the UK. Clear lines of responsibility are necessary for countering trafficking and for the protection of victims and survivors.  We all have a responsibility to transform this situation; to end exploitation in our midst.  

Trafficking often goes unseen.  It is often said that human trafficking is hidden in plain sight.  Therefore, we have a responsibility as a society to heighten our awareness of it.  Many groups, including Catholic-based groups such as APT (Act to Prevent Trafficking), and Stella Maris Apostleship of the Sea, are already working to counter human trafficking in Ireland.  Their work involves hands-on assistance of victims and includes awareness raising in the education, healthcare and hospitality sectors, and with security services and airport staff. 

But parishes, too, can play their part.  By becoming more informed, by learning the tell-tale signs of trafficking, by increasing awareness of the available support services for victims in place and finding out what to do if you suspect someone in your local area has been trafficked here.  As Pope Francis says: ‘We know that the fight against trafficking can be won, but it is necessary to get to the root of the problem and eliminate its causes.’

In wishing the Santa Marta gathering every blessing for its success, we commit ourselves and our local Churches to support those who work to combat this modern slavery.  We urge leaders in the spheres of business, politics and social affairs, and all of us as consumers, to put human dignity ahead of profit and gain.  If we close our eyes and ears, if we do nothing, we are guilty of complicity.

We also ask people to pray for those suffering as a result of trafficking and to bring that prayer to action by becoming the eyes and ears – and the voice – that victims need in our midst.  It is never too late to take action.

Notes for Readers:

• The Santa Marta Group was established in 2014.  Its President is Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, UK.  Cardinal Nichols will be attending the Summit in Cork.
• Further information on the work of Santa Marta Group can be found at Santa Marta Group | We are a catalyst to combatting human trafficking.
• The US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report is available on this link 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of StateWebsite