150th anniversary of Downpatrick church

150th anniversary of Downpatrick church

2 March 2022

THE Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh is to speak in Downpatrick to mark the 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Church in the town.

Archbishop Eamon Martin will celebrate mass on March 15th as part of a special St Patrick’s Novena — nine days of prayer — in the church where generations of Catholics have worshipped since 1872.

Poor Clares Sr Martina Purdy and Sr Elaine Kelly — who pioneered St Patrick’s Camino walk in Downpatrick two years ago — will help launch the Novena at the invitation of parish priest Fr John Murray.

On March 8, Sr Martina and Sr Elaine, a former BBC correspondent and a former barrister respectively, will share their faith story, entitled ‘Our Friend Patrick’.

The Dean of Down, the Very Henry Hull is also to take part in an ecumenical celebration on March 9 while the Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Rev Noel Treanor, will celebrate Sunday mass on March 13.

Fr John Murray, PP, said the St Patrick’s celebration would remember all the thousands of people who have attended mass and celebrated the sacraments in the church in St Patrick’s Avenue since its foundation.

“It is an occasion to give thanks for those countless lives of witness and faith and to look forward to the future with confidence and hope in Christ,” he said.

“In 1872, Fr Patrick O’Kane and the parishioners of St Patrick’s could not have imagined the events of two world wars and the rise and fall of Communism, the Second Vatican Council and the many other huge milestones that have come to dominate the landscape that is the  20th century.

“They could not have imagined that 150 years after the church was built that we are just emerging from a pandemic. We pray for peace in the world, especially the tragic war being waged by Russia in the Ukraine.

“Whatever is happening or has happened in our lives we all need the mercy and healing touch of God. All are welcome to join our Novena in person or online at our Downpatrick parish facebook page. Services are also being streamed on St Patrick’s Parish at Itech Media.”

A representative of Koinonia, the community of John the Baptist, will speak about Jesus as healer on March 10. 

The Novena will include a ‘Slemish Day’ of prayer and fasting on March 14 in imitation of Patrick. Mass will be celebrated that evening by Bishop Paul McAleenan.

Sr Martina and Sr Elaine, who now live a contemplative life as Poor Clares in County Louth, said it was an honour to return to St Patrick’s for this special occasion. 

Just like St Paul, we met unusual kindness from the Christians in Downpatrick when we came to live in the parish in 2019,” Sr Martina said. 

“St Patrick’s spirit is very much alive and active and his impact cannot be underestimated. The power of his message — that only in Christ Jesus are we truly free — is as relevant today as it was in 1872 when St Patrick’s was built and 432AD when Ireland’s great apostle arrived on our shores. Patrick remains our friend in the Lord.”

“During lockdown we as a community have experienced many challenges including isolation and this is a chance to reclaim the joy of community and strengthen our faith, the faith that our ancestors clung tightly to and which sustained them with hope and love.”

Sr Elaine added: “This is an amazing time to rebuild on the old foundations through St Patrick’s Novena. It is in unison with God’s perfect timing, when Downpatrick and the world begins to open up after two years of lockdown.

“It is a clear sign of St Patrick’s influence in our present time, working through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The nave of St Patrick’s Church was built in 1872 and since then the parish has flourished with a new extension built in 1993.

It features the largest shrine to St Patrick in Ireland, with mosaics telling the story of his life, augmented by stained glass windows featuring his life and the life of other Irish saints inspired by his Christian mission.

The church spire was added in 1895 and pilgrim walkers on St Patrick’s Way have been visiting the church to explore its rich history.