20,000 pilgrims ascend Croagh Patrick
July 26, 2010
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Continuing a tradition that dates back to 441, some 20,000 Irish Catholics ascended Croagh Patrick, the mountain where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
“The truth of past pain is certainly coming to the surface,” said Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam in his July 25 homily. “But this is good news. We should embrace the truth even though this can be a painful task. However, we should also be aware of the dangers contained in what some have called a ‘culture of blame.’”
He continued:
We seek out the negligence of doctors, the health service, bankers, the Church or the school. Maybe this makes it easier to deal with our own shortcomings, the neglect and indifference of others and the tyranny of blind chance. Yet, even in righteous anger, the temptations of the Pharisees present themselves again, as subtle and powerful as they were two thousand years ago. Christ did not encourage us to imprison people by their human failings. Instead he taught us the way of forgiveness.
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Further information:
- "The Pilgrim's Progress" (Vatican Radio)
- Poor visibility for pilgrims' climb (Belfast Telegraph)
- Homily of Archbishop Neary for Reek Sunday Mass on Croagh Patrick (Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference)
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