The All-Ireland Sacred Heart Crusade was launched last Sunday night, 2 February, by Dana at the Sacred Heart Concert in Abbeyleix, Co Laois. Responding in love to the call of the Sacred Heart, the faithful came from all over Ireland.
Four Sacred Heart statues, blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican, were on display. The statues will journey throughout Ireland accompanied by Father Shane Gallagher, Father John Mockler, Dom Basil Mary McCabe and Father Shane Sullivan.
Seperately, during the annual retreat of the Bishops of Ireland at the International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, also launched the initiative of promoting the Sacred Heart Devotion in the four provinces of the island as part of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
In Abbeyleix, Dana sang many of her greatest hits and her beautiful new release: Saint Brigid’s Song. An Chéad Ghlúin Eile (Étáin and Máire Ní Churraoin) and the Cullinane family also performed, with Aoife Casey accompanying on the harp.
In his welcome speech, Father John Mockler said, “The Sacred Heart has brought us all together in His love. My prayer is that the flames of love of the Sacred Heart will penetrate our country and the heart of every person.”
Commenting about the significance of the Sacred Heart, Dana said, “I was raised in a home where there was always a Sacred Heart picture with a red light in front of it. When Damien and I were married we were given a wedding gift of a picture of the Sacred Heart. The picture is in our kitchen and it’s amazing how the Sacred Heart is linking the generations.”
Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, attended and commended all those helping the Sacred Heart Crusade. He presented gifts to the Patrician Brothers and Brigidine Sisters in appreciation for their work.
Father Mockler concluded, “The music and songs were fabulous and the love and joy of the Sacred Heart made everyone feel His sweetness. The performers were spectacular, using their amazing God-given talents for His glory. All took it as a sign of the unity and bonding in love that the Sacred Heart of Jesus has already started to bring about in His crusade. The Sacred Heart is calling everyone to be part of His mission of love. Pope Francis tells us in his recent encyclical that ‘His love alone can bring about a new humanity’.”
The Crusade will start on 7 February in Saint Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, with Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart at 7.00pm celebrated by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Raphoe. All are welcome to attend.
On 22 June, Archbishop Eamon Martin will celebrate Mass in Knock to re-consecrate Ireland to the Sacred Heart.
For more information about the All-Ireland Sacred Heart Crusade visit https://www.sacredheartcrusade.ie/.
ENDS