More than 40 young people from the Neocatechumenal Way from the Diocese of Cork and Ross went on pilgrimage from Cork to Ardmore and then on to Mount Melleray to celebrate the opening of St Declan’s Way.
Since 2013 hundreds of young people from the Neocatechumenal Way in Ireland have been following the lives and journeys of the Irish saints around the country and across Europe.
It started with St Colmcille in Garton, Co. Donegal, and young people travelled to the island of Iona where Colmcille founded a monastic settlement.
In 2015 more than 200 young people travelled through France to Luxeuil to the first monastery founded by St Columbanus. After three days they set out for Bobbio to be present for the 1400th anniversary of his death. Since then, the pilgrimages have followed the paths of St Patrick to Croagh Patrick and Lough Derg, and also St Ciaran to Clonmacnoise.
This year the group set out on Sunday from Cork to arrive in Ardmore for the celebration of the Liturgy of the House at 10am. After, participants broke up into groups for about 90 minutes discussing different aspects of the last 18 months, what the future holds for them; fears, health and how the proclaimation of the Gospel has helped them through these difficult times.
After lunch the pilgrims travelled to Mount Melleray stopping on the way and walking Knockmealdown Mountains reciting the Rosary. The day-long pilgrimage culminated with Mass celebrated by Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan.