The first was Whitefriar Steet Carmelite Church that has the 12th century statue of Our Lady of Dublin. This is the same order of Carmelites that we have serving in our diocese. I then visited two medieval churches that our both cathedrals.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Dublin in Whitefriar Street Carmelite ChurchThe first was St. Patrick's which was built in 1191. It is said that St. Patrick baptized converts to Christianity at a pagan well that once existed beside were the cathedral stands. The next stop was Christchurch Cathedral. This church is even older than St. Patrick's and was built in the early 12th century with some parts dating to the 11th century. It has one of the largest medieval crypts and this crypt is considered one of the oldest structures in Dublin. After the reformation the monasteries were dissolved and of these churches became part of the Anglican Church (Church of Ireland) and remain so to this day.
The 4th church that I visited was built by Blessed John Henry Newman when he was rector of the Catholic University in Dublin. Cardinal Newman came to Dublin to establish a Catholic university and in 1855-56 built this beautiful church to serve as its chapel.
Church of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom (Newman's University Church), Dublin
I enjoyed walking around the city which is easy to navigate, very clean city and has many wonderful parks and canals. I still hope to visit the Catholic cathedral another day.
In the afternoon I was back at the RDS for the various events of the congress that focused on the theme Communion in Marriage and the Family. The Mass was at 4 pm and there were many families with young children present. Most of the talks and workshops focused on marriage and family life.
I walked quite a bit today so I am looking forward to my comfortable bed.
Please be assured of my continued prayers.
+ Bishop Gerard Bergie