This year’s Reek Sunday falls on 27 July, and thousands of pilgrims of all ages – from across the island and from abroad – are expected to scale the 765 metres (2,520ft) of Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’, Croagh Patrick, situated just outside of Westport, Co Mayo, in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
The theme of Reek Sunday 2025 is ‘Christian Hope’, and this annual pilgrimage will continue the 1,600 year-old tradition of people scaling Croagh Patrick to gather as a community of faith, to pray and participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), and the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Mass) at the summit.
The late Pope Francis designated 2025 as a universal ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ and, for this year, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been identified by the Irish Bishops as national pilgrimage sites. These three well-known Irish sanctuaries have offered hope to pilgrims over generations and people can now obtain a ‘Pilgrim Passport’ for stamping when undertaking a pilgrimage to the three shrines during Jubilee Year 2025. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible to receive a special commemorative Jubilee Year medal.
Administrator of Westport parish, Father John Kenny, said, “I am delighted that the three-and-a-half year undertaking to restore the ‘Pilgrims Path’ section of Croagh Patrick has been completed since last year. Accordingly, and on behalf of the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders’ Group, I encourage everyone to attend our annual Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage starting on Garland Friday, 25 July, in Westport. The stakeholders’ group has been responsible for monumental work in preserving and safeguarding the mountain for the common good.
“As Reek Sunday is the largest annual gathering on the mountain, it is essential that Reek Sunday pilgrims – and indeed all pilgrims – play their part in respecting the mountain. In this context I am highlighting that we all have a responsibility to share in the protection of the mountain’s fragile ecosystem, and I encourage all climbers to stay on the Pilgrim’s Path. This request is made in the interest of the safety of climbers themselves, to preserve the mountains habitat, and to sustain this special pilgrimage for future generations.
“As in previous years, I strongly advise pilgrims to prepare fully for this challenging climb, and i invite priests to join with me to minister sacraments on Croagh Patrick during Reek Sunday,” Father Kenny said.
For more information, visit CatholicBishops.ie.
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