Ordinariate Group Pilgrimage a great success

　The ordinariate group led by Fr. Stan de Ferme has had its first pilgrimage. The group being called after St. Cieran of Clonmacnoise, this great Irish site was the obvious destination.

They arrived a day or two after the annual Youth Pilgrimage so the site was still being cleared. Their journey from Westchester to Dublin was uneventful, the mid-morning flight allowing ample time for a leisurely trip across country to their hotel.

The two full days of pilgrimage were added to by their taking an evening flight back to Westchester from Dublin, in effect giving another half day at the site.

When asked what they had found most moving or helpful, several of the party remarked on the gracious and friendly hospitality they had received both at the hotel and at the pilgrimage site. "Of course," said Fr. Stan "the monuments were deeply interesting, especially the Celtic Crosses, notably the one with carved scenes of the Crucifixion, the Last Judgement, and Christ in the Tomb. It is under cover in the little museum and visitor centre. We had a good look at it during a heavy shower of rain."

Fr. Stan and his fellow pilgrims celebrated Mass each day by permission of the authorities. "It was quite emotional to be able to pray by the place where St. Cieran was buried." one of the ladies in the party commented adding "On the other hand seeing so many ruins got a little depressing I felt, relieved only by being in the open air. Picking a showery couple of days didn't help either."

Returned to St. Friedeswide-in-the-Marsh, the party agreed that the trip had been very worthwhile and was just the right length. All but a few of the ordinariate group had been able to attend.