Two high-ranking prelates visited Dalgan this week as the Society in Ireland and worldwide celebrated the Feast of St Columbanus.
On Monday, 24th November the Columbans in Dalgan gathered in the College Chapel to celebrate the Feast of St Columban. Due to the fact that 23rd November fell on the feast of Christ the King, the celebration for St Columban took place a day later.
In his homily, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin said St Columbanus and his companions arrived on the shores of Continental Europe “at a time that was anything but favourable for Christianity. They were very much the Dark Ages. Columbanus was a glimmer of hope in those dark times.”
All photos courtesy: Fr Pat Raleigh
The day before, Bishop Nulty presided when the relic of St Columbanus was formally installed in Myshall Parish Church in a ceremony which he said was “completing the circle of celebrations” that began with the hosting of the XXVI Columbanus Weekend last July in Carlow.
“Columbanus is back where he belongs, among the people who nurtured him, formed him and loved him. Columbanus is back among his own.”
Bishop Nulty was the main celebrant for Monday’s celebration for St Columbanus in Dalgan.
The Bishop’s uncle was the late Fr Michael Balfe who ministered in Japan. According to Fr Pat Raleigh, Fr Balfe was, in his role as Columban Vocations Director, “instrumental in encouraging a number of young men to join the Missionary Society of St Columban, including myself.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Fr David Kenneally, Regional Director in Ireland.
In his homily, Bishop Nulty said that Columbanus’ message was “uncompromising”.
“He didn’t hold back. For Columbanus Christ was always the anchor and centre-point of his mission. He offered an extreme example of humility, penance, modesty and charity. This example attracted many and monasteries were established in the years that followed.”
Referring to the Feast of Christ the King, he not that this “title doesn’t really cut it for the Christ who washed the feet of the disciples, who called down the low sized tax collector from the sycamore tree, who forgave the good thief by promising him: ‘I promise you, today you will be with me I’m paradise’. In suffering there is no distinction, no hierarchy, no privilege. Columbanus knew that as he suffered because of the faith he believed in, a faith born in Myshall.”
At the end of the celebration Fr David Kenneally together with Fr Tony Cavanagh presented Bishop Denis with a banner made in Pakistan.
On Tuesday, 25th November, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, retired Archbishop of Karachi visited Dalgan and met with Columbans who had worked in Pakistan.
According to Fr Pat Raleigh, who served in Pakistan, “When the Columbans first went to Pakistan, Cardinal Joseph was a priest in the Archdiocese of Lahore. He was extremely welcoming. His visit was brief but it gave us the opportunity to share many stories as well as getting an update on the Church in Pakistan.”
Cardinal Joseph was very involved in promoting Education, Interfaith Dialogue as well as JPIC.
[With thanks to Fr Pat Raleigh for text and photos.]
