Press Release - 13 October 2006:  

The ad limina pilgrimage by Irish Bishops to the Holy See will take place between 
the 16th and 30th of October 2006.  All Bishops charged with the leadership of a 
diocese are required to make an ad limina pilgrimage normally every five years but 
due to the ill health of the late Pope John Paul II, the last such visit took place 
in 1999.  There are 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland and all diocesan bishops 
are taking part in this pilgrimage.  

The Bishops’ visit is known historically as the “ad limina Apostolorum” visit – or 
“to the threshold of the Apostles” – a reference to the pilgrimage to the tombs of 
Saints Peter and Paul that the bishops are required to make.  

The ad limina pilgrimage is designed to celebrate and strengthen the bishops’ communion
with the universal Church and with the successor of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. The visit
involves a series of meetings that combine prayer, pastoral planning and personal 
audiences with the Holy Father. On Saturday 28th October the bishops will have an 
audience with Pope Benedict XVI . 

During the pilgrimage the Bishops will celebrate Mass in the four basilicas of Rome: 
St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran’s, St. Mary Major’s and St Paul’s. Details as follows: 

Mass at the tomb of St Peter
Monday 16th October at 7.30am:
Principal Celebrant: Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and 
Primate of All Ireland. 

Mass in the Baptistry of the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Thursday 19th October at 6.30pm:
Principal Celebrant: Dr Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. 

Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major
Friday 20th October at 4.00pm: 
Principal Celebrant: Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and 
Primate of Ireland. 

Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls
Monday 23rd October 2006 at 5.00pm:
Principal Celebrant: Dr Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam. 

The bishops will also concelebrate Mass at the catacombs of Santa Priscilla, the 
Basilica of San Clemente (home to the Irish Dominicans in Rome) on Friday 27th 
October and the Bishop of Ossory, Dr Laurence Forristal will be Principal Celebrant. 

ends
13 October 2006