Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary at Knock Shrine.
File photograph: James Forde The example of the Mother of God should offer hope in the midst of the pandemic to people worried about the future, Archbishop Michael Neary has said.
Speaking at Knock Shrine on the Solemnity of the Assumption at the weekend, Fr Neary reflected on “the uncertainty which is brought about by Covid-19, the fear about employment and the economic situation”.
“Hopelessness is prevalent and powerful in so many areas. We have experienced a loss of the structured reliable world that gave meaning and coherence and we find ourselves in a context where the most treasured and trusted symbols of faith and hope are disregarded and trivialised,” he said.
Turning to the comfort that the feast offers, the archbishop urged the Faithful to trust in hope as “an anti-dote to this mentality”.
“All of us who are followers of Jesus and companions of Mary on our Faith journey share her destiny. The glimpse of future glory, which we get on this feast, should inspire within us a profound attitude of comfort and hope,” he said.
On the Marian feast, Dr Neary suggested that people turn to Mary as she “urges us not to abandon our ideals, as we struggle for consolation, meaning and hope”.
He said the commemoration of the Assumption is a reminder of the “significance of hope” as we cope with the challenges confronting society.