“Hello from Lough Derg and welcome as we begin the pilgrimage we call Lent.

If you have done the Three Day Pilgrimage, this cross will be familiar to you. It is the cross at the centre of each of the penitential beds.

At the beginning of his message for Lent this year, Pope Francis encourages us: ‘Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified.’ And he adds, ‘The experience of mercy is only possible in a “face to face” relationship with the crucified and risen Lord “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20), in a heartfelt dialogue between friends.’

As a support for your prayer dialogue with the Lord over the coming weeks, we offer a twice weekly prayer-space based on the Lough Derg Way of the Cross, with the beautiful images of the Harry Clarke Stations in the Basilica windows.

We begin today by taking some quiet moments to fix our eyes on “the outstretched arms of Christ Crucified….”

Save us, Saviour of the world for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.”

Monsignor La Flynn, 

Prior of Lough Derg