Susan Gately
Thousands of people defied arctic temperatures on Sunday to pray the rosary at Mass rocks for ‘Life and Faith’, organisers have said.
“On the east coast, the crowds were decimated,” Kathy Sinnott told The Irish Catholic, adding that most gatherings went ahead elsewhere. In Dublin, a small number gathered at the Papal cross, while others prayed in local churches.
In Newry, “four car loads” of people travelled to Ballyholland Mass Rock. “We buried Miraculous medals in the snow,” said Marguerite O’Kane, adding: “A lot of parishioners were united in prayer with us but couldn’t travel.”
About fifty people gathered at St John’s Holy Well at Analeentha, Mournabbey in Cork, and despite heavy snow over 100 people attended Mass at the Carmelite Church in Kildare Town, with 100 more gathered in Kilcrea, friary in Cork.
At Haggardstown Mass Rock in Dundalk, 22 were at prayer, with 70 more at the Mass rock in Rasharkin, Co. Antrim.
The largest gathering was at Emmanuel House Clonfert, with over 700 people. In the US two bishops, Bishop James Conley of Nebraska and Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver, appealed to parishes to pray for the referendum until May, while at Lincoln, Nebraska, 80 prayed the rosary after Mass. Rosaries postponed from sites in Laois and Wexford will take place next week.
For information see: www.coastalrosaryireland.ie/