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St. Patrick's Day, 17th March is Ireland's national holiday and is celebrated with events and parades worldwide. Here you can join in the fun and find out all about Saint Patrick, the Irish people and Saint Patricks day
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Lough Derg - A penitential retreat
by Ed Micheau
The Lough Derg Pilgrimage is a penitential retreat on an island in Co Donegal.
The pilgrimage is also referred to as St Patrick's Purgatory - it is believed
that St Patrick stayed in a cave there. Legend has it that St Patrick was
subjected to many temptations and was also given a vision of hell, hence
the title St Patrick's Purgatory.
In recent decades, the pilgrimage has become popular with hundreds of thousands
of people making the trip to Donegal. The pilgrimage is based on the theme
of Purgatory. Pilgrims undertake a three-day fast for the period of the
retreat. No food is taken except for black tea/coffee and dry toast. On
arrival at the island, pilgrims remove their footwear and complete the pilgrimage
bare-footed.
The Pilgrimage Exercises consist of a prayer sequence called a `Station'.
It is a familiar form of prayer in the Celtic tradition and involves moving
around from Station to Station accompanied by mantra-like prayers. Over
the three-day period, a total of nine Stations are completed - five in the
open air on the Pentitential Beds and four inside the Basilica. Each Station
outside is dedicated to a saint - Brigid, Brendan, Catherine, Columba, Patrick,
Davog and Molaiste.
Pilgrims arrive on the island between 11am and 3pm, having fasted from midnight
previously. No sleep is permitted on the first night to allow an all-night
vigil to take place. On leaving the island on the third day, people must
fast until midnight to complete the pilgrimage.
The pilgrimages only take place between June and August each year due to
harsh weather conditions on the island. Even still, the island can be a
damp, cold and uncomfortable location during the summer months. The pilgrimage
is therefore not suitable for everyone. But for those who complete it, there
is certainly a sense of achievement.
** Pilgrims may begin the Pilgrimage on any day from Friday, June 1 until
Monday, August 15 inclusive. No advance booking is necessary. A fee of £25
is charged and includes boat fare. Pilgrims are advised to bring warm and
waterproof clothing.
For information: www.loughderg.org
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