Archbishop to celebrate Reek Sunday Mass
THE annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick is back to its traditional one-day format, with the Reek Sunday pilgrimage taking place this Sunday, July 31.
Mass will be celebrated on the summit on the hour every hour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 10 a.m. Mass will be as Gaeilge, celebrated by Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe. Pilgrims can attend confessions on the summit from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This Saturday at 6.30 p.m., Archbishop Francis Duffy will celebrate Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Westport, to mark the official beginning of the 2022 pilgrimage.
The annual local Garland Friday pilgrimage will see Mass celebrated on the summit at 10 a.m. by Fr. Tod Nolan. On Friday, at 7 p.m., Mass will be celebrated at the base of Croagh Patrick in the car park at Murrisk Community Café.
As part of Reek Sunday 2022, a modern version of Saint Patrick’s Confession will be made available to pilgrims. The word 'Confession' has been changed to 'Testimony', which more accurately reflects what St. Patrick meant in writing it.
Pilgrims are reminded that Croagh Patrick is physically demanding. They should make themselves aware in advance of health and safety information about the mountain, follow the instructions of stewards, mountain rescue teams, Order of Malta, and gardaí, and come prepared for changeable weather.
In a recent Westport parish newsletter, pilgrims were asked to support the preservation works taking place on the mountain:
Over the last few years Croagh Patrick stakeholders group have been responsible for monumental work in preserving and safeguarding the mountain. As the largest annual gathering on the Reek it is essential that Reek Sunday pilgrims and indeed all pilgrims play their part.
Croagh Patrick is an iconic feature of the Mayo landscape of significant natural, cultural and spiritual importance. While the National Pilgrimage Day on Croagh Patrick stretches back many generations, we are conscious of the obligation to support the conservation of the mountain for future generations.
The Church has actively engaged with other stakeholders to undertake the sustainable access and habitat restoration project currently underway on it which aims to provide a robust path for access and to restore the eroded parts of the mountain. As part of our support for the project, we have committed to minimising the impact of pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, the drinking water that comes from the mountain streams, the local community and other users of the mountain.
In order to do this, we ask each pilgrim to comply with the following:
If travelling by car, please park responsibly and follow the instructions of stewards on the day.
Stay on the defined path on the mountain (where in place) and do not encroach on the adjoining habitat which may be in the process of restoration.
The mountain streams provide drinking water for the local community. Be respectful of this while on the mountain.
We endorse the Leave no Trace principle. Please do not discard any litter on the mountain.
It should also be noted that there are no dogs allowed on the mountain. Please respect this requirement.