It was a privilege for St Patrick’s College, Maynooth to receive the relics of Saints Kilian, Colonat and Totnan yesterday evening on their journey to Co Cavan this week. Over 100 pilgrims from Würzburg in Germany accompanied by Bishop Franz Jung joined with the Maynooth community in a procession through St Joseph’s Square to the College Chapel for vespers and veneration of the relics. This is the first time the relics have left Germany and is part of a larger St Kilian pilgrimage to the saints’ birthplace in Mullagh, Co. Cavan. Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore welcomed the relics to Ireland.
There was a large attendance in the College Chapel for a solemn and respectful evening of song and prayer, presided over by Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell. The choirs included, Würzburg Cathedral Choir, Schola Gregoriana Maynooth, and the Choir of the National Seminary, under the direction of Dr John O’Keeffe.
Many thanks also to Aer Lingus who marked the occasion by ensuring the Würzburg travelling party were flown to Ireland on board St Kilian.
For information on the full programme of events in Co Cavan, visit kilmorediocese.ie
VIDEO: The visit of St Kilian to Ireland