This October, for the first time, the sacred relics of 7th century Irish martyr, Saint Kilian, will return to his home country and native county of Cavan from Würzburg in Germany. Maynooth has been chosen as a stopping point on the journey, with the relics open to the public for veneration in the College Chapel following Vespers at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 2 October.
While the event is open to all, Saint Patrick’s College is particularly interested in spreading the word among those sharing the Saint’s name and are putting a call out to all Kilians, Killians or Cillians to come and join the special evening on 2 October.
This major religious and civic event is being organised by the Diocese of Kilmore, the Parish of Mullagh and Cavan County Council. The historic pilgrimage will involve the visit of Saint Kilian’s relics, along with those of his martyred colleagues, Saints Totnan and Kolonat. The relics will be transported from their resting place in the Altar of Würzburg Cathedral, for five days from 2 to 6 October.
The relics inlaid with precious stones are contained in a specially preserved glass case and it will be the first time that they will have left Germany.
Monk-scholars like Kilian were schooled in great Irish monasteries. They built monasteries that became spiritual and cultural centres that served the religious and educational needs of the people where they settled, becoming catalysts for some of Europe’s cities and towns, like Würzburg and Salzburg, and many others across the continent.
They motivated wandering tribes to settle by teaching them agriculture, bee keeping and brewing beer. Therefore, they were the societal architects of Europe whose legacy can still be experienced today. In the estimation of some scholars, these monk-scholars contributed to the saving of Europe and the Christian civilisation which was coming close to extinction.
Commenting on the visit of the relics, Rev Prof Michael Mullaney, President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth said: “The visit of Saint Kilian will be a moment to remember the great contribution that many Irish monk-scholars like Colmcille, Columbanus, Aidan, Fergal, Gall and Kilian himself made in the cultural development and spiritual renewal of Europe in the Dark Ages.
“The visit to Saint Patrick’s College underlines the importance of the University as a centre of learning and faith and as the successor of the early Irish monasteries. The stories of Saint Kilian and the other Irish monk-scholars remind us of the importance of the mission and mandate of the College as the National Seminary and the Pontifical University to continue education and faith formation of those preparing for ministry in the future – both as priests, ministers, deacons and lay parish workers”, he added.
To register to attend the veneration of the relics, please click here.
Itinerary for the visit of the relics:
Wednesday 2 October – Relics arrive in Maynooth for procession from the gate of Saint Patrick’s College to the College Chapel for Vespers at 6.30 pm, followed by veneration open to the public.
Thursday 3 October – Relics arrive at Saint Kilian’s Well, procession to Saint Kilian’s Church including German pilgrims, prayer service and an all-night vigil.
Friday 4 October – Dawn mass, relics in church all day for visitors’ veneration, confirmation schools in the diocese to visit.
Saturday 5 October – High mass with dignitaries present, transfer of relics to Cavan Cathedral via Cross.
Sunday 6 October – Mass in Cavan Cathedral. Transfer of relics to Germany.
ENDS
