Bishop Duffy welcomes first televised Mass from Lough Derg
The first ever live broadcast of Mass from Lough Derg will be aired by RTÉ television at 11.15am this coming Sunday, 2 August 2009. Lough Derg lies four miles north of the village of Pettigo in County Donegal, in the Diocese of Clogher. Station Island, the location of the pilgrimage, is often referred to as St Patrick’s Purgatory.
- Bishop Duffy is Chair of the Communications Commission of the Irish Bishops’ Conference
- The Principal Celebrant for the Mass will be Fr Peter Raftery CSSp and concelebrants will be Monsignor Richard Mohan, Prior of Lough Derg and Fr Cathal Deery. Fr Cathal Deery will preach the homily and the music will be led by the Pilgrims Choir.
- A special feature on Lough Derg, including a video interview with Bishop Joseph Duffy is available on: http://www.catholicbishops.ie/features/features-archive/1352-lough-derg-place-of-pilgimage
- Dating back to the sixth century, Lough Derg is among the oldest centres of Christian Pilgrimage in Western Europe.
- The three-day pilgrimage attracts people of all ages and walks of life, from different cultures and social backgrounds. Stepping outside their ordinary lives and routine, they leave behind many of the trappings of the modern world. Pilgrims will have begun their commitment by fasting from the previous midnight; they follow a set routine of prayers and actions, hallowed by 1,500 years of practice, all the while fasting and walking barefooted.
- Pilgrims make nine “Stations” during their time on the island. The challenging nature of the fasting, vigil and Stations is complemented by excellent communal celebrations in the Basilica. One of the great experiences of Lough Derg is the warm and friendly communal relations that develop among the pilgrims. Another interesting experience is the challenge to think differently about one’s faith and to begin to develop new and fresh insights into one’s life.