THE annual pilgrimage to the top of St Patrick’s Mountain, or Slieve Patrick as it is also known, between Saul and Raholp outside Downpatrick was attended by more than 300 parishioners from across the Diocese of Down and Connor.
The Saul area has a profound connection with the life of St Patrick and his ministry in Ireland. It was here that he landed in 432, when his boat was swept up Strangford Lough and ended up at Ringbane at the mouth of the Slaney River. And later, on March 17 461, he died in the monastery established in Saul, being buried in Downpatrick.
This year’s pilgrimage in memory of the great saint was held on Sunday and led by Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ along with clergy from the area.
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Bishop McGuckian celebrated Mass on the mountain for the Feast of Corpus Christi. In his homily he recalled how generations of Christians had come on pilgrimage to the very same spot to reflect on the legacy of St Patrick and his ministry in Ireland.
The pilgrimage coincided with a diocesan-wide novena entitled ‘Renew our Hearts’ which continues until Friday June 7.
“The heart of Jesus wants to renew the heart of each one of us and prepare us to walk our pathway to the future,” said Bishop McGuckian.
“Together we turn to him in trust that he will bring the healing and renewal that each one of us needs.”
He concluded the celebration by encouraging those attending to pass on the memory and tradition of St Patrick in order to encourage and strengthen the Christian faith for future generations.
The statue of St Patrick on top of the mountain is regarded as the national memorial to the patron saint. It was unveiled on June 12 1938, six years after Bishop Daniel Mageean had blessed the site.
That 1932 celebration took place during the International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin that June – an honour given to Ireland because that year marked the 1,500th anniversary of St Patrick in Ireland.
