Spiritfest 2011: Three day festival of prayer in the Archdiocese of Armagh

30 Jun 2011

Spiritfest 2011: Three day festival of prayer in the Archdiocese of Armagh

Special prayer and sacred music evening with The Priests

“I hope that Spiritfest can offer an opportunity, a pause on the journey towards next year’s International Eucharistic Congress, for prayer and reflection.” – Cardinal Brady

The Archdiocese of Armagh will host a three day festival of prayer called Spiritfest 2011 from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 July 2011.  International keynote speakers such as Fr Lawrence Freeman and Monica Brown have been invited and they will be joined by Bishop Richard Clarke, Rev Ruth Patterson, Fr Paschal McDonnell and Professor Eamon Conway.

The Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Seán Brady will formally open Spiritfest 2011 following Morning Prayer, tomorrow, Friday 1 July 2011, in St Catherine’s College, Armagh at 10.25am.

On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July there will be a variety of workshops on different forms of prayer. On Friday evening there will be Taizé prayer in St Catherine’s College at 7.30 pm. The acclaimed group The Priests will conduct an evening of prayer and sacred music in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Saturday evening at 7.30pm.  The Priests will perform a new hymn, specially commissioned by the Armagh diocese from Sr. Briege O’Hare OSC, called Lord Teach us to Pray which sums up the theme of the Conference.   Sunday will be a special family day with a range of programmes offered to children, young people and adults.

Spiritfest will conclude with Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Dean Colum Curry from Dungannon will be the Principal Celebrant. The homily will be preached by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, Spiritual Director of the Christian Meditation Movement.

Commenting on Spiritfest 2011 Cardinal Brady said: “The Church has a wonderful tradition of prayer which takes many forms. Spiritfest aims to highlight and share as many of these forms of prayer as possible from praying the scriptures to Taizé prayer.

“Spiritfest is part of the Archdiocese’s preparations for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place next year and for World Youth Day in Madrid in August. Prayer has been an important part of the programme of preparation which our young people have undertaken for World Youth Day in Madrid and their presence at Spiritfest this coming weekend will hopefully contribute further to their preparations for Madrid.

“I hope that Spiritfest can contribute to the ongoing preparations for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Dublin from 10-17 June next year. Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and attendance at Mass are all important parts of our lives as Catholics and are essential for us we prepare for the Eucharistic Congress next year. I hope that Spiritfest can offer an opportunity, a pause on the journey towards next year’s Congress, for prayer and reflection.”

Notes to Editors:
Spiritfest runs from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 July in the Archdiocese of Armagh For booking and venue information please call 00353 (0) 42 9336649 or email [email protected] A video interview with Cardinal Brady on Spiritfest 2011 is available on www.catholicbishops.ie

Further information:

Mr Martin Long, Catholic Communications Office 00 353 (0) 86 172 7678
Mr Tony Hanna, Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry 00 353 (0) 42 9336649.