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Rome trip described as ‘the experience of a lifetime’
The Kerryman
The Kerryman, a local newspaper in Ireland, published an article after the canonization with the different impressions and experiences of a few local businessmen from the area. Liam O'Connor and other friends recall the canonization and conclude that it was 'an experience of a lifetime'.
There was a sprinkling of Traleee people in the gathering of 300,000 who witnessed the canonisation in Rome last week of Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei.
Businessmen Liam Fenix and Liam O'Connor, vet John Hurley and retired Sergeant Con Kelly all agreed that it was 'the experience of a lifetime' to be in the global gathering in St Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II named the Spaniard the Church's latest saint.
The vast number of young people present made a huge impression on Liam O'Connor and he was astounded at the mix of cultures and colours - Nigerians, Kenyans, Chilians, Philipinos, Japanese and Kazakstanians.
"We had every nationality under the sun there," he said. "The vast numbers of young people moved me."
"They were joyful and respectful and their music gave the occasion a very cheerful and festive air. It was the same all over Rome where we witnessed young people in groups singing and playing music."
The youth participation in the celebrations also struck John Hurley.
"It was mostly young people who did the stewarding for the big occasion and they did it with calmness, patience and good humour," said John.
"It was particularly impressive to see how they immediately offered help to anybody in distress and how they cared for the elderly, young families and people in wheelchairs."
John said being at the canonisation was an indescribable experience - "not the sort of event you could encapsulate in a soundbite."
It was a joy to listen to the spontaneous singing of young people on crowded trams and in the streets.
John said he personally had a great devotion to St Josemaria. The saint's message is to seek God in your work, in family life and the ordinary events of the day. Or in the words of St Paul: 'In eating, in drinking, in everything you do, do all for the glory of God.'
Liam Fenix said he cried for joy at the moment of the canonisation.
"I really and truly wanted to be in Rome for that moment," he said, "as I have prayed to Josemaria and I have got lots of important favours through his intercession. He is a saint for all the people."
Liam said that another historical and emotional moment was when the Pope introduced Patriarch Teoctist of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the crowd.
"After a thousand years of division we were witnessing the new saint working for the unity of the Church," said Liam.
Con Kelly said it took some persuasion on the part of John Hurley to get him to travel to Rome.
"But I'm delighted he persisted because it was a great experience," he said.
"I had been there in 1982 with a Garda pilgrimage but this was a once in a lifetime experience. And I did not walk as much in years."
Businessmen Liam Fenix and Liam O'Connor, vet John Hurley and retired Sergeant Con Kelly all agreed that it was 'the experience of a lifetime' to be in the global gathering in St Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II named the Spaniard the Church's latest saint.
The vast number of young people present made a huge impression on Liam O'Connor and he was astounded at the mix of cultures and colours - Nigerians, Kenyans, Chilians, Philipinos, Japanese and Kazakstanians.
"We had every nationality under the sun there," he said. "The vast numbers of young people moved me."
"They were joyful and respectful and their music gave the occasion a very cheerful and festive air. It was the same all over Rome where we witnessed young people in groups singing and playing music."
The youth participation in the celebrations also struck John Hurley.
"It was mostly young people who did the stewarding for the big occasion and they did it with calmness, patience and good humour," said John.
"It was particularly impressive to see how they immediately offered help to anybody in distress and how they cared for the elderly, young families and people in wheelchairs."
John said being at the canonisation was an indescribable experience - "not the sort of event you could encapsulate in a soundbite."
It was a joy to listen to the spontaneous singing of young people on crowded trams and in the streets.
John said he personally had a great devotion to St Josemaria. The saint's message is to seek God in your work, in family life and the ordinary events of the day. Or in the words of St Paul: 'In eating, in drinking, in everything you do, do all for the glory of God.'
Liam Fenix said he cried for joy at the moment of the canonisation.
"I really and truly wanted to be in Rome for that moment," he said, "as I have prayed to Josemaria and I have got lots of important favours through his intercession. He is a saint for all the people."
Liam said that another historical and emotional moment was when the Pope introduced Patriarch Teoctist of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the crowd.
"After a thousand years of division we were witnessing the new saint working for the unity of the Church," said Liam.
Con Kelly said it took some persuasion on the part of John Hurley to get him to travel to Rome.
"But I'm delighted he persisted because it was a great experience," he said.
"I had been there in 1982 with a Garda pilgrimage but this was a once in a lifetime experience. And I did not walk as much in years."
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