Matthew Carlson joined thousands of pilgrims on Croagh Patrick to experience a living, breathing Faith
The homily given by Tuam’s archbishop Michael Neary related the hardships of climbing Croagh Patrick to the difficulty faced by Catholics in a country that is becoming less Faith focused. As many as 5,000 pilgrims made the journey up Ireland’s holiest mountain on Sunday, taking part in a tradition dating back over 1,500 years. Pilgrims began hiking up the mountain at first light, with the first Mass being celebrated at 8am. Mass continued to be celebrated every hour until 2pm.
Pilgrims described the weather as the best that they’ve had on the mountain in several years. Although the weather helped, several people required assistance from the rescue teams present. One man was airlifted from the mountain due to chest pains.
The rocky terrain proved difficult for pilgrims, not unlike the lives led by Catholics.
Archbishop Neary described religious life like walking up a steep, dangerous mountain. “The rugged, jagged edges of the slopes of Croagh Patrick challenge and question us. We are very conscious of the slow, silent decline of Faith in Ireland,” said Archbishop Neary. “Many feel they are ‘strangers in a strange land’.”
Reasons for hiking the mountain vary from person to person, some describe it as a time to remember St Patrick and what kind of a Faith he had. Others remain in prayer up the mountain, making their requests to God. Others still have pleasant memories associated with the mountain.
Even though Reek Sunday is the day that draws the most pilgrims to the mountain, hikers embark on the journey all through the year. A man named Michael said that he will often come to the mountain and climb. “I do it a lot for health reasons. We even rang in the millennium at the top of the mountain back in 2000,” said Michael.
Archbishop Neary continued that although like the Croagh Patrick climb, the life of a Catholic is difficult, it is what Catholics are called to. “It would be easy, as Church, to avoid the long, hard personal journey…the truth is that we must ensure before talking that we have something to say,” said Archbishop Neary. He continued to say that often in our culture, there is a temptation to fight to be the loudest voice, to be heard. But in order to hear God speak, comfort and familiarity must be forsaken.
Although many pilgrims embarked on the journey with shoes, a number of people followed with tradition and did the hike barefoot.
John Commins holds the title of ‘Guardian of the Reek’. This year marked 50 years since Commins has been looking after the small oratory at the top of the summit. Over the years, Commins has spent a great amount of time on the holy mountain.
According to Commins, during the summer, he will make his way to the summit about five times a week to maintain and repair the chapel. Commins was even married to his wife at the chapel at the top of the mountain.
With weather better than previous years, at least 5,000 pilgrims took part in the event this year, with organisers estimating a much higher number.