THE Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, will join parishioners in Downpatrick next week to mark the 150th anniversary of St Patrick's Church in the town.
Archbishop Martin will celebrate Mass on March 15 as part of a special St Patrick's novena hosted by the parish, which he says is a chance for renewal.
"During the season of Lent we pause to consider our own spiritual journeys, and to accept our own need for conversion," said Dr Martin.
"In this it is very helpful to reflect on St Patrick, who had a strong sense of his own sinfulness and unworthiness, but who was open to the great work that God was calling him to do.
"This novena is an opportunity for all of us to be open to renewal and a fresh start and to ask the Lord: 'What is it that you want of me by way of mission?'"
St Patrick's Church was built in 1872 on St Patrick's Avenue in Downpatrick and was the first post-reformation Catholic Church to be built in the town.
Among those already involved in the novena, which began on Tuesday, are Poor Clares Sr Martina Purdy and Sr Elaine Kelly.
The former Adoration Sisters, now based in Co Louth, pioneered St Patrick's camino walk in Downpatrick two years ago. They agreed to help launch the novena, at the invitation of parish priest Fr John Murray.
Sr Martina and Sr Elaine, a former BBC correspondent and a former barrister respectively, shared their faith story, entitled 'Our Friend Patrick'.
The Dean of Down, the Reverend Henry Hull took part in an ecumenical celebration yesterday while the Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor will celebrate Mass on Sunday March 13.
Fr Murray said the St Patrick's celebration would remember all the thousands of people who have attended Mass and celebrated the sacraments in the church on 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 was 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."
Fr Murray said all are welcome to join the novena in person or online via the Downpatrick Parish Facebook page. Services are also being streamed at 'St Patrick's Church Downpatrick' at iTech Media's churchmedia.tv website.
A representative of Koinonia, the community of John the Baptist, will speak about 'Jesus as Healer' today.
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, the Belfast-born Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
Sr Martina and Sr Elaine, who now live a contemplative life as Poor Clares at Faughart, Dundalk said it was an honour to return to St Patrick's Church and Downpatrick for the special occasion.
"We met unusual kindness from the Christians in Downpatrick when we came to live in the parish in 2019," said Sr Martina.
"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 an 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.
More information on the St Patrick's Parish novena and 150th anniversary celebrations at stpatricksdownpatrick.com.
