St Francis of Assisi The Franciscan Friary at Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, has marked 750 years of continuous service and presence.
It began with an historical drama for local 5th and 6th class children on Tuesday morning, telling the story of the years since 1268 to the present time; that evening there was a Novena to St Anthony of Padua preached by Fr Cletus Noone OFM who preached the first Novena in Multyfarnham in 1961. On Wednesday, there was an ecumenical celebration of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi with the homily being preached by Church of Ireland rector of Mullingar Union and Canon of Kildare Cathedral and Trim Cathedral, Rev Alastair Graham.
Feast
The feast of St Francis of Assisi was celebrated on Thursday with a Mass, the principal celebrant being the new Bishop of Meath, Dr Tom Deenihan with Fr Aidan McGrath OFM, Minister Provincial of the Franciscans in Ireland, concelebrating along with Fr John Hogan, parish priest of Multyfarnham.
The week was concluded with a celebration concert involving the Sweet Tunes choir from Mullingar and players from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.