Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin and Bishop Burrows, Bishop of Leighlin have extended an invitation to join them as the Relic of Saint Willibrord, Patron Saint of Luxembourg is walked between Carlow’s two cathedrals via the Barrow Way.
Saint Willibrord is one of the most important Saints in Europe and he has appeal across the many Christian communities particularly for Catholics, Anglican and Old Catholics. Through the mists of time his Carlow connection, for the most part would have been forgotten, but through academic research by Professor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Department of History, NUI Galway over the past thirty years this connection has been re-established. In 2009 President Mary McAleese as part of her state visit to Luxembourg visited the town of Echternach and spoke of the connection.
On 5 June, while in Echternach, a group led by Bishop Nulty and Bishop Burrows was presented with a ‘Relic of Saint Willibrord’ for display in Carlow. The Relic (a piece of his bone) is contained in a statue of St Willibrord holding a replica of the present day Basilica in Echternach which stands on a piece of stone from his original abbey in Echternach.
A group of thirty will travel from Echternach to Carlow and on Saturday 24 June they will join in the ‘Walk with Willibrord’ as the relic will be walked in a public procession along the Barrow Way from St Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin to the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow where it will be permanently housed.
Schedule/Timings for Saturday 24 June:
Times are approximate – except for start and finish. The walk is approximately 13km in length from start to finish. People are invited to join and leave the walk at different points.
- 9.45am Meet at the Holy Well and St Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin for ‘Eucharist of the Saints’ service.
- 11.15am Walk Part 1: St Laserian’s Cathedral to Leighlinbridge Parish Centre.
- 12.00pm Arrive at the Leighlinbridge Parish Centre – break for tea/ coffee and toilets. Prayers and Reflection.
- 12.30pm Walk Part 2: At Leighlinbridge enter onto the Barrow Way and walk to Milford.
- 1.45pm Milford Carpark – break for tea/ coffee refreshments and toilets. Prayers and Reflection.
- 2.15pm Walk Part 3: Walk from Milford to Clogrennan/ Lanigan’s Lock;
- 3.15pm Clogrennane – break for tea/ coffee & refreshments and toilets. Prayers and Reflection.
- 3.45pm Walk Part 4: Walk from Clogrennan/ Lanigan’s Lock to St. Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen
- 4.45pm Walk Part 5: Relic received into St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen. Prayers and Reflection. St Clare’s Parish Hall – tea/ coffee & refreshments and toilets.
- 5.20pm Walk Part 6: St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen to St Mary’s Church, for prayers and reflection and then proceed to the Cathedral of the Assumption.
- 6.15pm The Relic arrives for Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption.
A mini bus will be operating to return participants to start of each section, e.g. Leighlinbridge Parish centre to St. Laserian’s Cathedral car park.
Booking bus transport:
People from Carlow town area wishing to participate in the full walk can book a seat on a free bus link from Carlow town to Old Leighlin. Departs Carlow town at 9.15am. Pre booking required by contacting the Cathedral Parish Centre, 059-9164087. Bus will only operate subject to demand.
People from Leighlinbridge/ Old Leighlin area to participate in the full walk can book a seat on a free bus link from Carlow town to Leighlinbridge/ Old Leighlin. Departs from Carlow town at 7.15pm. Pre-booking required by contacting the Leighlinbridge Parish Centre, 059-9722607. Bus will only operate subject to demand.
For more see www.kandle.ie.
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