 Deacon Martin reflects on...
GPS and Pilgrimage When we travel in unfamiliar territory we are inclined to use a GPS system to plot the route to our destination. Most times when I set out on an unknown path I wander off thinking that my choice seems to be most attractive and best way to go. Then after a while I receive the warning message 'Recalculating your route' flashing in front of me on the navigation panel. Having lost count of the number of times in my life that I have strayed off course either by accident or by choice I realise I need to pause and study the bigger plan or route map. Each time I go on 3 day pilgrimage or 1 day retreat to Lough Derg, God becomes my GPS and He recalibrates my life's journey to the path which leads to inner freedom and peace. I take comfort from the words of the prophet Isaiah (42:16) some 500 years before the birth of Christ. ' I will lead you on a new path and guide you along ways you do not know.' So let us trust Jesus to be our perfect GPS, after all He is the Way the Truth and the Life.
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July 2024 'Early Bird' Sellers Draw Fr. La recently picked the four winners of €200 from tickets that were returned by 26th July 2024: Carberry, Letterkenny, County Donegal Palmer, Mallow, County Cork Boyce, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal Doherty, Ballina, County Mayo The next Sellers Draw, for 4 prizes of €100, will be for returns received by 30th August 2024. Final Draw, with 1st Prize of €10,000 - 25th October 2024 (Tickets to be returned by 18th October 2024) Tickets can be purchased online: Book of 6 Tickets (€50) www.loughderg.live/product/annual-draw-book-of-tickets/ Single Tickets (€10) www.loughderg.live/product/annual-draw-ticket/  Connor Lynch, a Seminarian for the Diocese of Des Moines , in the state of Iowa in the United States, spent three weeks on Lough Derg as part of his summer placement from the Pontifical North American College in Rome where he is studying for the Priesthood. Here Connor, reflects on his time spent volunteering on Station Island and undertaking the Three Day PIlgrimage: During my time volunteering and participating in the pilgrimage at Lough Derg, I came to realise how special of a place it really is and its importance in the modern world. Lough Derg was often said by both frequenting pilgrims and staff alike that it is a "thin" place. What does this "thinness" mean? Lough Derg is a place where grace and the works of God are particularly revealed - essentially, the veil is lifted just that much more. During my time at Lough Derg I encountered many pilgrims and, in talking with them, noticed how "thin" of a place it really is. There were many instances where the words that God wanted to tell me flowed out of the mouths of these pilgrims. As a volunteer, I had ample time to pray and read. During one of these times, I read in a book a short quote by St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasising that those who are fortunate enough to experience consolation should do all they can to lower themselves. I think the Lough Derg pilgrimage is a great example of living out this insightful quote by a wise and holy saint. Upon reflection, one realises how grace-filled life is and how magnificent of a gift it is from God. To have friends, a family, even to exist at the present moment. All of these consolations and gifts we often, and quite regrettably, take for granted. What the Lough Derg pilgrimage does is that it helps the pilgrim forgo some simple consolations in life (food, water, and sleep to name a few) for the spiritual health of themselves or for others. In this way, I found Lough Derg to play an important role in the modern world. I believe, and have seen, that many people don't realise the significance of their sins and that a certain purification process needs to be undergone before they enter the gates of Heaven. In this light, Lough Derg for centuries has been a place of great hope. People can go to Lough Derg and participate in the pilgrimage to renew their relationship with God. In denying bodily desires, the penitent on pilgrimage realises how precious these gifts of life are. In this "thin" and low place, God lifts the veil of the penitent's sight to reveal to them how merciful He really is and how much grace he desires to infuse into their life if only they give him just a seed of their time and desires. At Lough Derg I surrendered to God comfortability and in return our relationship was renewed and deepened. Entering this upcoming Jubilee year, Pope Francis has called for it to be a year of Hope. In the eyes of the world, Lough Derg seems to be a place of punishment and sadness. Oh how far this is from the truth! Lough Derg is a place of Hope for the Lord desires to renew our burdened spirits. All we must do is give him our "Yes". "Yes Lord, I will go on pilgrimage because I need your mercy. I need your peace". I encourage all to go to Lough Derg to experience a renewed vision and relationship with the Lord and to experience authentic rest.
 Deacon Martin Reflects
Gifts we receive from our Pilgrimage Unconditional Love A deeper understanding of God’s love for us personally. Identity A belief in our true identity as a truly loved child of God. Forgiveness The ability to forgive ourselves and others in ways and in places we never thought we could. Friendship An intimate relationship with Jesus our Saviour. Confidence A deep knowledge and understanding that we are not alone and that God is always with us. Courage The strength to say “yes” to what God is inviting us to do in life and embracing how to share our gifts. Freedom The freedom to 'let go and let God' and to accept the plan He has for us. Hope That at the end of our pilgrim journey we will have everlasting life. Father John Harris OP, following his Three Day Pilgrimage wrote a lovely reflection piece in his regular column in the Irish Catholic.  June 2024 'Early Bird' Sellers Draw Fr. La recently picked the four winners of €300 from tickets that were returned by 28th June 2024: McCartan, Banbridge Kieran, Cootehill Fennell, D16 Neary, Navan The next Sellers Draw, for 4 prizes of €200, will be for returns received by 26th July 2024. Tickets can be purchased online: Book of 6 Tickets (€50) www.loughderg.live/product/annual-draw-book-of-tickets/ Single Tickets (€10) www.loughderg.live/product/annual-draw-ticket/ Deacon Martin Donnelly reflects...
Yet another Pilgrimage! People often say the more familiar you are with a task or a journey the easier it becomes. This is a reasonable assumption to make however having just completed my Lough Derg pilgrimage 2024 I found it just as challenging - perhaps a little more challenging than my first encounter over 40 years ago. True pilgrimage involves more than clearing one's mind from routine. As a pilgrim on St Patrick's Purgatory, one has to silence one's thoughts and concentrate on the physical senses. The well-trodden ancient stones create an energy due to the countless prayers made on each step which is quite unique. When I stand in the humble beauty of the Basilica, I feel privileged to be where many people's lives have been transformed through a mantra of prayer, life giving sharing of the Word of God, the healing of reconciliation and the nourishment of the Eucharist. I feel that in a mystical way I am participating in an exhilarating experience and a challenge of physical endurance. When I look across the lake and hills and valleys from the spot where St Davog was deployed by St Patrick to set up a place of prayer I am folded into that time — a time in which the faith was moving through communities influencing life in Ireland, often in subtle ways. A striking aspect of Lough Derg pilgrimage is a person’s emotional and intuitive response to it. Something in me responds to the Penitential Beds where people paradoxically make the painful journey to find healing. The endurance of cold uneven stones is a reminder of the suffering of Christ whose passion and death brought forgiveness and healing to humanity. Pilgrimage reveals not only knowledge and wisdom about the remote island itself, but also knowledge and wisdom about the pilgrim who completes each station. God has designed history, geography, prayer, tradition, to share faith in places where there is a sacred space to allow Him to find each person where they are at on their life's journey and renew a living relationship. This is how this marvellous world was designed — to present all sorts of connections and resonances to anyone who will pay attention. We make pilgrimages all the time — to see family or visit an ancestral hometown; to tour the house of a favourite author or artist or spiritual teacher; to revisit a place that touched us profoundly, either with joy or pain. Pilgrimage is an event which is grace filled restores faith and fill our hearts with hope. I wonder what journey will you make in the next month or year? Where can you linger with your mind, memory, emotions, gifts, and sense and connect with the graces God has hidden there just for you? The best answer I can give is to come away to an out of the way corner of God's creation to where even the most troubles soul can find true peace. Many have the pilgrimage pencilled in on their calendar year and look forward to the experience- thankfully, I don't have to wait that long to return and receive such grace even if for most of the season I have my shoes on. Deacon Martin Donnelly |
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Lough Derg
Sanctuary of Saint Patrick Pettigo County Donegal F94 PC60 |
Phone: +353 (0) 71 9861518
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Email: [email protected]
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