Three generations of Mayo women receive symbolic flame of faith

THREE generations of Mayo women received a symbolic flame of faith at Ballintubber Abbey this weekend.

Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy lit the fire in the same place where St Patrick is said to have lit the Fire of faith centuries ago.

With the flames, the Archbishop lit a candle which was passed on to Mary Kelly, who in turn passed it to her daughter Angela Connor who passed it to her granddaughter, Erin, age 6, of Castlebar, a symbol of the faith passing down the generations.

Erin's father, Declan Connor, who also brought his daughter Alliyah, 7, said he was ‘delighted’ to attend despite the wet weather. 

The Archbishop led the prayer of consecration of Ireland to the Holy Trinity. 

“Light the Fire of the Holy Spirit in our land today, as you did so powerfully in St Patrick’s time, so that Ireland will once again be renewed in faith, hope and love,” he prayed.

_{Dana Rosemary Scallon onstage at Ballintubber Abbey}

Damien Scallon, who helped organise the event along with his wife, former Eurovision winner and MEP, Dana Rosemary Scallon, led the litany of Irish Saints.

He called the day ‘blessed and joyful’, despite the disappointing weather that had led to cancellation of a number of buses.

“It felt like we were being baptised with the rain, just as St Patrick had baptised people here all those centuries ago,” he said.

The former Eurovision winner, who performed ‘Light the Fire’, ‘Hail Glorious Saint Patrick’, ‘How Great Thou Art’, and ‘Our Lady of Knock’, agreed.

She said: “I certainly felt in communion with the visionaries of Knock, and we’ve received many beautiful messages saying that, as in Knock, heaven was raining blessings on us and on all Ireland.”

Both paid tribute to the community in Ballintubber Abbey for their ‘amazing efforts’ in making the day possible. 

They also thanked the Apostles of Love Community in Collon, and members of Slane parish who assisted, as well as the Knights of Malta. 

Speaking at the second annual Light the Fire event, Archbishop Francis Duffy spoke of the importance of faith as a flame which feeds the hungry soul.

He spoke of the importance of the Abbey as a holy place, calling it an ‘oasis of faith’ where St Patrick had baptised the first Christians in the fifth century.

The Archbishop was speaking during heavy rain as he concelebrated Mass outdoors along with Fr Michael Farragher, parish priest at the Abbey, and deacons James McLoughlin, from Tuam Diocese; John Taaffe, and Pat Butterly from Armagh Diocese.

A yellow weather warning had diminished numbers at the Abbey, however, pilgrims still gathered from around Ireland for Mass, rosary and a Eucharistic healing service.

The event also had a wider audience, as it was streamed live at home and abroad.

The Archbishop welcomed ‘all those watching from around the world’, stating: “As we gather under the banner Light the Fire, the fire of faith, the fire of hope and the fire of love, we gather in His name, the Lord’s name.”

Pilgrim guide Elaine Kelly, who led 30 pilgrims from the heart of west Belfast, mostly from St Michael the Archangel Parish, said it was a ‘great adventure’.

“It was well worth the nine-hour round trip to be there. The pilgrims on the bus were asking when the next one was. It was beautiful, uplifting and deeply moving. Everyone was so glad they went. A sincere thanks to our parish priest Fr Ciaran Feeney who made it all possible,” concluded Ms Kelly.