Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Big rise in pilgrims to Lough Derg

There has been an upsurge in visitors to Lough Derg, with 8,500 people taking part in the traditional three-day pilgrimage – a 10 per cent increase on last year’s figure.

The three-day pilgrimages began this year at the end of May and the final group arrived last Thursday.

Other events such as one-day retreats, family days, quiet days, workshops and special events are continuing into next month.

The Prior of Lough Derg, Monsignor Richard Mohan, said there had been a particularly significant increase in the number of first-time visitors, as well as those who had returned after a long absence of 20 or 30 years.

‘‘First-timers constitute approximately 18 per cent of all pilgrims,” he said.

‘‘Their presence gives us great hope for the future of both the Church and Lough Derg. I feel that people need a place where they can reflect on the busyness of their lives; to give themselves time and space.”

Located just outside Pettigo in Co Donegal, in the diocese of Clogher, Lough Derg is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage sites in western Europe.

The Bishop of Clogher, Joseph Duffy, welcomed the increase in pilgrims, who fast and pray while walking barefoot.

He said that the first televised mass from Lough Derg, which was broadcast on RTE on July 29, had led to an increase in pilgrims.

He said this ‘‘positive development’’ reflected Pope Benedict XVI’s view that new media technologies should be used to promote the gospel.
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