Dubliners recall Pope's 1979 visit
Worshippers in Dublin today recalled the personal touch of Pope John Paul during his historic visit to Ireland in 1979.
As thousands gathered at Knock to remember the Pope hundreds of people packed into Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral to join in a solemn and moving celebration of the pontiff.
Local parishioners joined tourists, students from home and abroad and people on their way to work to mark the passing of one of the Catholic Church’s greatest ever leaders.
As worshippers flooded into the Pro-cathedral many stopped to sign a book of remembrance.
Visitors from across the world including Nigeria, Canada and America and from around the Ireland including Down, Armagh, Donegal, and Wicklow left messages and short prayers as a mark of their respect.
One message from a family-of-six read, “Pope John Paul may you rest in peace”. Other notes of love and respect simply read, “God bless you”.
With thousands of people returning to Knock, the scene of a powerful service during the papal visit, worshippers in Dublin recalled being in the crowds during the historic trip.
Dubliner Jim Reid noted the visit, “I wouldn’t say that I have deep faith but at that time I really felt something, something beyond this and that is why I came here today,” he said.
Other visitors remarked on the pontiff’s enormous strength, warmth and how it touched them.
Many in the crowd, drawn from countries around the world, lit candles for the pontiff.
Deirdre Kavanagh, a mother-of-three from the capital, said the Pope had offered a personal touch in the way he spoke and acted.
“I think many people came because of the impact they felt he had personally,” she said.
“From the visit to Ireland all those years ago I remember that he passed on a real sense of love to everyone, he felt he was talking to everybody, even though we were behind about one million others.”
Hymns and prayers sounded across the church as the congregation of hundreds packed the church to hear Cardinal Desmond Connell, Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin and Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazarotto, celebrate the life of John Paul.
Archbishop Martin said, “He pushed the Church’s teaching in peace way beyond any other of his predecessors, both in terms of rejecting violence and protecting victims.
“He worked unceasingly for the Christian Unity. His relations with Jews and with Israel were remarkable.”
A series of masses were held at the Pro-Cathedral where the congregation heard how Pope John Paul II was a freedom fighter who had left behind a legacy of unity.
“It was Pope John Paul himself who decided that this Second Sunday of the Easter period would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday,” Archbishop Martin said.
“We pray that Pope John Paul will be received by the Lord who is rich in mercy.”
A Solemn Mass of Remembrance for the Pontiff will be concelebrated in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin by Archbishop Martin and Archbishop Lazarotto on Tuesday.
The Vatican said the Pope’s body was expected to be brought to St Peter’s Basilica no earlier than Monday afternoon.
The date for his funeral will be announced on Monday by the College of Cardinals. It is expected to be held between Wednesday and Friday, the Vatican said.
A successor will be chosen by the cardinals later this month in a secret election at the Sistine Chapel.
