Please find below the pope's homily during his visit to Clonmacnois.
Thanks,
Karen.
Many thanks to Karen Downey from the free paper Offaly Independent .The paper this week has two pages commemorating
the visit of Pope John Paul to Clonmacnois 30 years ago. Karen forwarded a copy of the Papal address at Clonmacnois.
You can read the paper at www.offalyindependent.ie
Many thanks to Karen Downey from the free paper Offaly Independent .The paper this week has two pages commemorating
the visit of Pope John Paul to Clonmacnois 30 years ago. Karen forwarded a copy of the Papal address at Clonmacnois.
You can read the paper at www.offalyindependent.ie
“Dear brothers and sisters, this visit to Clonmacnois gives me the opportunity to render homage to the traditions of faith and Christian living in Ireland. In particular, I wish to recall and honour the great monastic contribution to Ireland that was made here on this revered spot for 1,000 years and whose influence was carried all over Europe by missionary monks and by students of this monastic school of Clonmacnois.
When we look at the works of faith we must give thanks to God. Thanks to God for the origins of this apostolic faith in Ireland. Thanks to God for saints and apostles and all who were the instruments for implanting and keeping alive this faith and who have done God’s work throughout the ages.
Thanks to God for the continuity of the message of the apostles handed down intact to this day. Never forget the wonderful boasts and commitment made by St Columban to Bonafice IV in Rome: 'We Irish ... are disciples of Saints Peter and Paul ... we hold unbroken that Catholic faith which we first received from you.’
Clonmacnois was long the centre of a renowned school of sacred art. The Shrine of St Manchan standing on the altar today is one outstanding example of its work.
This is, therefore, a fitting place for me to express my gratitude for the work of Irish sacred art, several pieces of which have been presented to me on the occasion of my visit.
Irish art embodies in many instances the deep faith and devotion of the Irish people as expressed in the personal sensitivity of its artistes. Every piece of art, be it religious or secular, be it a painting, a sculpture, a poem or any form of handicraft, made by loving skill, is a sign and a symbol of the inscrutable secret of human nature, of man’s origin and destiny, of the meaning of his life and work. It speaks to us of the meaning of the birth and death, of the greatness of the man. Praised be Christ.”
When we look at the works of faith we must give thanks to God. Thanks to God for the origins of this apostolic faith in Ireland. Thanks to God for saints and apostles and all who were the instruments for implanting and keeping alive this faith and who have done God’s work throughout the ages.
Thanks to God for the continuity of the message of the apostles handed down intact to this day. Never forget the wonderful boasts and commitment made by St Columban to Bonafice IV in Rome: 'We Irish ... are disciples of Saints Peter and Paul ... we hold unbroken that Catholic faith which we first received from you.’
Clonmacnois was long the centre of a renowned school of sacred art. The Shrine of St Manchan standing on the altar today is one outstanding example of its work.
This is, therefore, a fitting place for me to express my gratitude for the work of Irish sacred art, several pieces of which have been presented to me on the occasion of my visit.
Irish art embodies in many instances the deep faith and devotion of the Irish people as expressed in the personal sensitivity of its artistes. Every piece of art, be it religious or secular, be it a painting, a sculpture, a poem or any form of handicraft, made by loving skill, is a sign and a symbol of the inscrutable secret of human nature, of man’s origin and destiny, of the meaning of his life and work. It speaks to us of the meaning of the birth and death, of the greatness of the man. Praised be Christ.”
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