Hundreds of family members and relatives of deceased Columban Missionaries attended the yearly Cemetery Sunday Remembrance Mass and Blessing of the Graves in Dalgan on Pentecost Sunday.
The celebrant was Fr David Kenneally, Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland.
In his homily, Fr Kenneally reminded those gathered in the cemetery in Dalgan that this year “we are marking those who died violent deaths – acknowledging the sacrifice of those priests killed in Malate 80 years ago: Frs John Henaghan, Patrick Kelly, Joseph Monaghan, Peter Fallon and John D. Lalor.
They were also marking the 75th anniversaries of those killed in Korea: Frs Tony Collier, Jim Maginn, Patrick Reilly, Patrick Brennan, Tommie Cusack, Jack O’Brien and Frank Canavan along with Fr Tom Murphy killed in the Battle of Mandalay, Burma in 1945, and Fr Thomas Flynn killed in 1950 in the Philippines.
“They are members killed in their sacred duty and we share their stories as a sign of hope,” he said.
“We are remembering them along with your own relatives and friends.”
He suggested that those who had travelled to Dalgan from all over the country should see an exhibition on the lives of Columban Martyrs in Dalgan after they had had refreshments.
Fr Kenneally announced the Regional Council in Ireland’s plan to commemorate Columbans who died violent deaths by erecting a memorial in the graveyard to them. They are currently commemorated on the back wall of the community chapel in Dalgan.
The new memorial will feature an engraved picture of those who died a violent death and it will be unveiled later in the year.
Fr Kenneally suggested that people take time to read a special July/August edition of the Far East which commemorates the Malate and Korean martyrs and to pass it on.
“As I was reading accounts over the weekend, I was struck also by those who died from the effects of malnutrition after being imprisoned in China or the effects of malaria or hepatitis that they acquired on mission.”
“Every one of those buried here and beyond answered the call and commission of Jesus. The people they went out to, took them into their houses as their own. They gave their hearts to the people and the people gave their hearts to them.”