The annual Solemn Novena, which take place at Galway Cathedral from February 8 to 16, will bring a message of hope and consolation to people disspirited by growing problems.
That’s according to its director Fr Michael Cusack who is expecting “even bigger crowds” than usual for the nine day event which is presented by the Redemptorists and has been running for 30 years.
He days people are “truly struggling” today and “need support”.
“This has been a very difficult year for so many people and more that ever before we need to know that we are not alone. What a year it has been: bank bailouts, horrific abuse reports, flooding of homes and land, unemployment, recession and increasing hardship in the lives of so many. If there was ever a time for an injection of hope it is now. Lord that I may see!”
The most important message that the novena should bring is one of hope and consolation, he says. Seeking “a vision for our day” is the theme of this year’s event.
“This novena is always a time of great solidarity and really ignites the community spirit in the people of Galway and the surrounding towns and villages. For the past 30 years people have attended this great church event in Galway Cathedral and brought to it their joys and worries, their successes and failures, their pains and hopes and somehow have found consolation and support by the very fact that so many others share the same journey in life.”
Monaghan-born Fr Cusack has strong Galway connections. His mother is from Williamstown and most of his family now live in the west. He moved to St Patrick’s Monastery in Esker, Athenry, in October 2008.
He relishes the challenge which the famous novena presents. Widely experienced in this area, he has been involved with many novenas over the years in Galway and throughout the country.
”Our doors are open to all and all will be welcome,” he stresses. “The novena is only possible because of the hard work and effort of so many dedicated women and men. There are six daily sessions on the weekdays - 7.45am, 11am, 1.10pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm.
“Some special events have been planned throughout the nine days such as the candlelight prayertime at 9.30pm on Tuesday 9 (remembering survivors of abuse ), on Friday 12 (praying for students and youth ) and on Monday 15 (praying for families and relationships ). There will be a special celebration with anointing of the sick and aged at 11am on Saturday 13 February. The Sunday novena times are 9am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.15pm. The 4.30pm session on Sunday is the Novena of all Nations, a true celebration of our cultural identity and a time of special prayer for the people of Haiti.”
