Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick
Last July my friend, Father Michael, and I witnessed the annual pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick, ‘nature’s cathedral of the west’, as it is known. Some 25,000 people climbed the mountain, people from all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old – some very old. Many of the pilgrims climbed the mountain in their bare feet!
People were not at their computers this day. They were here at Croagh Patrick and one can say the rediscovery of mystery is surely one of the great challenges of our time. Croagh Patrick is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places in the world, where man and mountain meet, and are enveloped in mystery. This is a holy mountain; made more holy by the men and women over the generations who have walked and prayed all the way to the top. As one climbs the slopes he or she discovers the need of the support of others, the friendly word of encouragement and the hand held out to help those with aching limbs and flagging spirits.
As my friend and I stood there in wonder and amazement at the people climbing and praying – doing something wonderful for God – we realised that this holy mountain is a parable on life itself, and the great lesson to be learned from this pilgrim mountain is that in the Church we are a struggling, sinful people who stand in need of each other’s forgiveness.
As we came away we remembered Christ’s words about the faith which would move mountains and we prayed that this holy mountain will move faith.
‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where shall come my help?‘
In this Year of St Paul, we are reminded that it takes a crucified Church to bring a crucified Christ to the world. It is not easy to stand on Calvary and it is not easy to climb a mountain and do penance in bare feet!!
Fr John McKay
Croagh Patrick
The tradition of pilgrimage to this holy mountain stretches back over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day without interruption. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation. The Black Bell of Saint Patrick was a highly venerated relic on Croagh Patrick for many years.