I spent my birthday last year at Knock. It was my first time going and I didn’t know what to expect. On the bus ride we prayed the rosary and there was a great feeling of peace and gentle anticipation. It was the celebration of 800 years of the Dominicans in Ireland, and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP was to say Mass and give a speech. When we arrived, I spent some time taking it all in, visiting the various monuments and shrines, I was particularly moved by the little garden that contains a statue of Jesus on the cross with the three Marys and surrounded by the stations of the cross.
I then made my way to the centre of reconciliation, with the throngs of pilgrims there to confess and be renewed in the spirit of Christ. After Mass there was a powerful Rosary procession around the site, finally Archbishop Fisher gave a little speech and a blessing, and we were back on the bus praying our rosaries again and sharing songs and stories all the way home.
Welcoming
As a newly baptised Catholic a Pilgrimage to a holy site like Knock can be slightly overwhelming, strange or confusing. So much culture and context, history and knowledge are required to fully appreciate the work of the Lord through Marian Apparitions and their significance. What was of great value to me in this case what my attending an adult Catechesis course at St Saviour’s Priory in Dublin.
I can’t imagine navigating the world as a Catholic without the blessing of in-depth Catechesis I’ve received at St Saviours”
Probably the single most effective tool in my development of understanding in the faith. The Catechism of The Catholic Church can be an intimidating read, attempting to contain and explain two millennia of Church teaching and tradition, and so the regular group setting has been the perfect place to not only motivate oneself to keep up the reading, but a welcoming environment to ask questions and discuss the various intricacies of the faith. From deepening my understanding of the Sacraments, to Catholic social teaching and justice, politics, tax, capital punishment, war, morality, the commandments and so much more.
All these topics and more are covered with great clarity and always with quotes and references to scripture, the Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church and the Saints, bringing everything back to Christ and what he asks of us.
I can’t imagine navigating the world as a Catholic without the blessing of in-depth Catechesis I’ve received at St Saviours, led by the Dominican brothers there, it’s like seeing the world in colour after living in black and white. And I’d encourage everyone, cradle Catholic and convert, young and old, to seek out such a group in your local area; the sense of discovery, community, friendship and shared adventure is invaluable and brings totally new depth and perspective to your Catholic faith and understanding.
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Rohan Healy writes from Dublin and is currently on the last term of the Catechism Studies for Adults.
