Ireland (Friday, February 15, 2019, Gaudium Press) Over 300 volunteers, a Redemptorist team of 12 along with the cathedral staff, 62 hymns and 10,000 people will make up this year’s Galway Novena, according to the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The Galway Solemn Novena makes its annual return from Monday, February 18 and will run until Tuesday, February 26 at Galway Cathedral. Now in its 38th year, this year’s Novena will reflect on the Joy of Love and Family Life Today. The early morning weekday Masses will begin at 7:30 am for the early risers and those that wish to take in the Novena before beginning their day.

Preachers for the Novena will include Fr. Tony Rice from Belfast, Fr. Denis Luddy from Cork, Fr Gerry O’Connor from Limerick City and Environmental scientist Neil Foley from Wexford. Neil’s latest collaborations are on the Hook of Faith digital evangelization project and with The Mustard Seeds contemporary worship group. Married to Helen he has a certificate in Pastoral Theology and works as an environmental scientist.

Weekday Mass times are at 7:30 am, 11 am, 1:10 pm, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 9 pm and Mass will be said at 9 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 8 pm on Sunday. Children will be blessed after all the sessions on Sunday. Mass and Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated on Saturday 23 at 11 am.

Candle-light meditation sessions will take place at 10.00 pm on Wednesday 20th and Monday 25th and last about an hour.

Thursday, February 21, is a day on which there will be a special focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This beautiful ceremony will take place at three sessions: 7.30 am, 1.10 pm, and 9.00 pm.

All collections from the Thursday 21st February Masses (11 am, 3.30pm and 7.30pm) will be donated to Galway Hospice, Irish Guide Dogs and SERVE.

Source Zenit