The pilgrimage of the Mother of Perpetual Help Icon, to all 26 Roman Catholic Cathedrals, will arrive in Carlow Cathedral 12th of April. The Pilgrim Icon was blessed by Pope Francis in Rome on the 23rd of March and taken back to Ireland by the Irish Redemptorists the following day.
This pilgrimage is being organised by the Redemptorists in conjunction with all 26 Cathedrals and will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the devotion to our Mother of Perpetual Help and its custodianship by the Redemptorists during this time. (Full pilgrimage details on www.followtheicon.ie )
The Icon will arrive in Carlow on Tuesday 12th April for Mass at 7.30p.m., which is the concluding Mass of the Parish Novena. Bishop Denis Nulty will be the celebrant. At 9.30 p.m. there will be a Healing Service in the Cathedral for the people of Carlow and the surrounding area. The Cathedral will remain open for prayer and Adoration all night, with Confessions until 2.a.m.
On Wednesday April 13th there will be morning Mass at 7.30 a.m. and at 10.00a.m. A Prayer Service for Primary School children will take place at 12 noon. The Icon will depart from the Cathedral shortly afterwards and move on to St. Mary’s Cathedral Kilkenny. Similar ceremonies are being held all around the country. Full details are on: www.followtheicon.ie
Fr John Cummins Adm., Carlow Cathedral said today that “the visit of the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady is an historic occasion for the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow. There is tremendous devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ireland, with novenas currently taking place or shortly to take place in Carlow, Graiguecullen, Newbridge, Monasterevin, Portlaoise and other places. This visit gives all of us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the Blessed Mother and offers the possibility of introducing more people to this devotion. The annual Redemptorist Novenas in Limerick, Galway and Clonard in Belfast are well known throughout the country and tell us year after year that many people in Ireland still value an opportunity to meet and pray together.”
Full Programme as follows:
Tuesday 12th April 2016
Arrival of Icon 7.30 p.m.
Service of Healing 9.30 p.m.
Cathedral open all night for prayer and Adoration, with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday April 13th
Mass 7.30 a.m.
Mass 10.00 a.m.
Prayer Service for Primary School Children 12.00 noon.
Departure of Icon shortly afterwards.