The Latin School, Moyne

The Door opened at 5am before the dawn chorus. It is a strange feeling to have the birds sing to you so early.What do they sing and why so early. I know that if they expected me to answer so in like manner……it was not forthcoming. I was one of 700 people in the garden of the Poor Clares who took  delight in the silence save the birds and the trample of feet. We arrived at a large tree which acted as an umbrella for a makeshift Altar. Artificial light revealed 3 figures clad in the Franciscan colours preparing the Liturgy. You will know them as Mother Angela ,Sr Judith and Sr Dominic and not very far away the 3 Mercy Sisters…..Joseph,Mary,Helen. These special women reminded me of the Gospel when holy women went to the tomb in the early morning and were the first to learn of the Resurrection. Women are good to relate to the risen Christ and it seems the earlier the better. Their place is assured in the kingdom and they are the first among the Easter people. It is because they went to the tomb that they rest of us have come to believe.It is certainly true that because of Mother Angela we have come to hear Mass.Their garden has hosted both the stations of the cross and the Easter Mass.Should anyone of you be in Multyfarnham visit the Franciscan Church and pray the way outdoors as well as confess your sins. The scene had all the imagery of penal days when to the Irish the Mass is all that matters.Filing through in the dark we too searched for the risen lord as we heard his word and received the gift of himself in the Eucharist. Buoichas le Dia agus Muire.Darkness gave way to light as we received holy Communion and met the risen lord in each other. Fr Peter Burke spoke of a Easter people and welcomed all who came on a special pilgrimage and then left with their Easter eggs.