Mass to celebrate Pope Francis’ first year in Pro Cathedral
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin has said Pope Francis does not wish to be a superstar drawing attention to himself.
At Mass in Dublin this evening (Wednesday 19th 17:45pm) to celebrate the first anniversary of the inauguration of Pope Francis, Archbishop Martin said, “He wants to remain himself, a human being and a priest, who is driven in all his activity not by public relations gestures or by seeking popularity, but by responding authentically to the Joy of the Gospel.” The Mass, in Dublin’s Pro Cathedral was celebrated by The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin preaching the Homily.
On this special occasion, Our Lady’s Choral Society, sang “Misa Criolla” by the famous Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez. The Mass, composed by Pope Francis’ fellow countryman, included solo singing from tenor Andrew Bushell and boy soprano, Andrew Jones. “Misa Criolla” combines Spanish text with indigenous instruments and rhythms and included the harpsichord, guitar and percussion. This was one of the first Masses to be composed in a modern language following the Second Vatican Council. Ramírez wrote the piece in 1963–1964.It was first recorded in 1965.
Reflecting on the first year of this papacy, Archbishop Martin said, the success of Pope Francis’ agenda depends on the “missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, and how far we are willing to make his agenda truly and uncomfortably our own and bring it into the life the world around us, in family, at work, in society, in politics, in the fight to defend the poor, the exploited and the marginalised.”
He said, “When we come to analyse what Pope Francis has achieved in this year there are many keys of interpretation. The first temptation is to acclaim the things that we like and shy away from other aspects of his teaching.” The Archbishop added, “the Church needs renewal and that renewal will only be one which is marked by the joy of the Gospel. Pope Francis does not want Christians with sour faces!”
Notes to Editors
- Further information: Annette O Donnell, Director of Communications, 087 8143462
- Photos from this evening will be available from John Mc Elroy Photos 087 2416985
- A full copy of the Homily from this evening is attached and available on www.dublindiocese.ie
- Our Lady’s Choral Society (OLCS) was founded in Dublin in 1945, after the Dublin Archdiocese brought together the best singers from all the church choirs of Dublin for a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The 120 choristers chosen for membership are united by a passion for singing great choral music at a professional level.
- Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is President of Our Lady’s Choral Society.
