Relic of the True Cross
A promise in the words of Jesus Christ reported in St Matthews Gospel; “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Visitors to this year’s Solemn Novena, presently taking place at the 800-year-old Cistercian Abbey here in Holycross, Thurles Co.Tipperary, will have an opportunity to be blessed with a relic believed to be of the True Cross, latter which is presently situated in this ancient Abbey’s side altar.
A welcome swarm of helpers in the form of Stewards, Caterers, Musicians, Singers, Eucharistic Ministers, Gardaí, Clergy etc. have been drafted in to assist and organise this year’s enormous annual event, which will see over 60,000 people pass down the abbey’s much visited ancient isles, over the coming seven days.
The abbey’s much loved and respected parish priest, Rev.Fr. Tom Breen, stated yesterday, that contrary to popular belief our Christian faith remains very much alive here in Ireland, despite the negativity of recent years.
After some 35 years of this annual Novena, people are still bringing their own ‘personal crosses’ to Holycross Abbey. Christians currently burdened in various ways through personal health issues, finance issues, other personal problems including difficulties in personal relationships etc. are all still coming to the Novena, where they listen and they gain the necessary strength to continue their personal battles, while often realising, possibly for the first time, that there are many people who are much worse off than they themselves. “The man with no shoes very often meets the man with no feet.” stated Fr. Tom.
The Holycross Abbey Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help runs from today until Monday September16th next.
Devotions and Mass Times
- Weekdays: 7:00am, 10:30am, 4:30pm, 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
- Sundays: (8th and 15th September.) 7:00am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm.
Special Ceremonies:
- Anointing of the Sick will take place on Saturday 14th at 2:00pm.
- Blessing of Infants takes place on Sunday 15th at 2:30pm.
- Penitential Rite will take place on Friday 13th at the 7:30pm and 9:30pm ceremonies.
- A special Mass for young people will be celebrated on Saturday 14th at 7:30pm.
- Confessions will be held before, during and after each daily session of the Novena. There will be no confessions heard on Sundays 8th and 15th of September.
This year a special “Penitential Evening” for peace and reconciliation in war torn Syria will be held in this 800-year-old Cistercian Abbey on Friday, September 13th. This event is in response to a request to all Irish bishops from Pope Francis ahead of the annual Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Leave a Reply