Monthly Archives: April 2020

Beannacht na Cásca Oraibh!

Beannacht na Cásca Oraibh!

A Happy Easter to Every One from St Michael’s Parish, Inchcicore

O give me faith,
That I may be
Alive when April’s
Ecstasy
Dances in every
Whitethorn tree.

By Patrick Kavanagh

Mac na hÓige Slán – The Son of the Virgin is Safe

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Mac na hÓige Slán – The Son of the Virgin is Safe A popular tradition in Ireland is that when the cock crows on Easter Sunday morning it says; Mac na hÓige Slán – The Son of the Virgin is … Continue reading

Sun-dancing in the Sky: Easter Sunday Morning

Sun-dancing in the Sky: Easter Sunday Morning

It was widely held in the Gaelic tradition that the Sun danced in the sky Easter Sunday morning. Various methods were employed to experience it. A 19th century account collected from Barbara Mc Phie of Dreimsdale Scotland by antiquarian Alexander Carmichael tells of her experience; ‘The glorious gold-bright sun was after rising on the crests of the great hills, and it was changing colour- green, purple, red, blood red, white, intense-white, and gold-white like the glory of the God of the elements to the children of men. It was dancing up and down in exultation at the joyous resurrection of the beloved Saviour of victory. To be thus privileged, a person must ascend to the top of the highest hill before sunrise, and believe that the God who makes the small blade of grass to grow is the same God who makes the large massive sun to move’ ( trans. From Scots Gallic).

“All in the April Evening” by Irish writer Katherine Tynan

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All in the April Evening By Katherine Tynan All in the April evening April airs were abroad; The sheep with their little lambs Passed me by on the road. The sheep with their little lambs Passed me by on the … Continue reading

Poems for Good Friday

SOME POEMS FROM IRELAND FOR GOOD FRIDAY

A Rí na hAoine
A Rí na hAoinedo shín do ghéaga ar an gcrois,
A Thiarna, ó dfhulaing tú na mílte ‘s na céadta loit,
Sínimid síos faoin dhídean do scéithe anocht;
Go scara tú orainn toradh an chrainn ar ar do chéasadh do Chorp
( Traditional Irish)
O KING of FRIDAY
O King of Friday who lay spread-eagled on the cross
O Lord who suffered uncountable wounds
We lay ourselves under your protection today/tonight;
May you let us share in the fruits of the tree of your Passion.

I SEE HIS BLOOD UPON THE ROSE
I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice-and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
(by Joseph Mary Plunkett)

CRANN OÍCHE SHEACA.
Géag Uaigneach gach crann
Scartha leis an uile,
Íbirtchrot gach crann anocht
I bhfianise na cruinne
Ís é a dhínit a loime.
Samhail a bheirim do gach crann
Páischrann an chéasta,
Fior ar gach crann a chím,
Géadscartha clíréabhta
Tréighthe ag an duine.
( le Máirtín Ó Direáin)

TREES ON A FROSTY NIGHT
Bare-branched each tree
Cut off from the universe,
Each tree like a victim tonight,
The round world in witness,
It’s nakedness is its exaltation.
I imagine each tree
Is the passion-tree of the crucifixion,
I see a figure on each tree,
Spread-eagled and pierced in the side,
Abandoned by man.

Morning Prayer for Good Friday

 

Knock Shrine Morning Prayer for Good Friday

Good Friday in the Gaelic Tradition

Good Friday always struck me forcibly in my local church on árainn (Inis Mór) as grown men who tend to spend the liturgical year at the back of the church come forward, form a line in front of the altar and in an act of humility, one after the other, venerate the cross.

Please read or download this short piece by Pádraigín Clancy.

Good Friday in the Gaelic Tradition


Caoineadh na dTrí Mhuire – The Lament of the Three Marys

Video: Morning Prayer every day with the Oblate Family

Join Pádraigín Clancy, Parish Pastoral Worker at the Oblate Parish of St Michael’s in Inchicore, for a short time of prayer, reflection and community, for today’s feast day, the Annunciation – where Mary said Yes to God’s plan for her. You are not alone in this time, our community is here to pray with you and for you, to support you and to accompany you through these uncertain days.

Morning Prayer with Pádraigín

 

Morning Prayer for Holy Thursday from Knock Shrine

Knock Shrine Morning Prayer for Holy Thursday

Solas Chríost Linn

Solas Chríost Linn