IRELAND IS A MISSIONARY NATION

Christianity first came to Ireland between the 3rd and 5th centuries through the missionary work of great saints like Patrick, Brigid, Ita, Brendan, Kevin, Carthage and Ciaran. Thereafter Christianity flourished in the form of Celtic monasticism with its famous schools being attended by students all over Europe earning her the title of the "Island of Saints and Scholars". It was Ireland's missionary work especially from centres like Clonmacnois in fact that brought Europe back to the Catholic faith and civilisation after the decline of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. Her great fidelity through the centuries won Ireland perseverance in the Catholic faith for 700 years of British occupation until her independence in 1922 when she emerged more Catholic than ever!

THE SECULARISATION OF IRELAND

So what has happened to Catholic Ireland in recent decades? She has definitely been experiencing a spiritual and moral downturn with a gradual wearing away of Irish culture and family values. She also seems to be losing her rights as a sovereign nation and giving up her ability to make and apply her own morals laws for her people. But more disturbingly she is now promoting a society which is not centered upon God and Christian morality. And all of this after 700 years of struggle to remain faithful to Christianity without even a shot being fired...

THE MISSIONARY FUTURE OF IRELAND

But all is not lost. Just as Ireland rescued a dying Roman civilisation from the sword of barbarism in the 5th century, so she is destined to recover her spiritual roots and re-evangelise a morally decaying modern Europe. We know this from the words of Ireland's own great St. Malachy who prophesied in the 12th Century that there would come a time when Ireland would persevere in the faith during seven centuries of foreign occupation, regain her missionary spirit and even bring the English back to the faith! More recently Blessed Pope John Paul II indicated something similar about the future history of Ireland during his visit to Clonmacois the ancient 6th century missionary centre of Ireland in 1979 when he said "These ruins are still charged with a great mission". We can only presume that the pope's silent prayer on bended knee that followed included the future faith of this land…

THE SOLUTION: THE RECOVERY OF PORTUGAL IN 1931

But how will this happen? Well precisely 80 years ago Portugal was in a similar spiritual and moral mess like Ireland. So after Our Lady's apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917 the Bishops of Portugal decided to consecrate the country to Mary's Immaculate Heart. This was done at a critical time in its history when Portugal was threatened by the influx of foreign powers and ideas and World War II. Because of this consecration Portugal was miraculously put back on the right tracks and the country was protected from these dangers. A magnificent Catholic renewal followed the consecration consisting of a doubling of priestly vocations, a quadrupling of religious vocations, the flourishing of religious communities and a vast renewal of Christian life in the Catholic press, radio, pilgrimages, spiritual retreats and Catholic Action at the diocesan level. Because of it Portugal was also marvellously protected from communism and the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) and the Second World War (1939 -1945).

NATIONAL ROSARY RALLY FOR THE CONSECRATION OF
IRELAND TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

With your prayerful support you can help us duplicate this in Ireland and bring about the solemn consecration of this great land to Mary's Immaculate Heart by the Bishop's of Ireland. All you have to do is to pledge to offer up your daily rosary for this intention for the next year. (You do not need to say an extra rosary and you can still pray for your other intentions). By praying for the consecration of Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in your daily rosary you will be helping to:

• Place Irelands spiritual and political leaders into the hands of Our Lady.
• Bring about immense graces for families and individuals living in this land.
• Foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
• Help Ireland fulfil its historic calling to being "a light to the nations" as Blessed Pope John Paul II called for at Knock in 1979.

Will you join the thousands of Catholics in Ireland and around the world in
offering up their daily Rosary to restore Ireland to her Christian faith?

Please sign your Rosary commitment now!

SIGN UP TODAY!