“St Maximilian Mary Kolbe reminds us that the Word of God is within us and that we have a call to be witnesses to the Faith,” said the Primate of Ireland.
Newsroom (September 13, 2021, 10:25 PM, Gaudium Press) On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the death of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, presided over a Solemn Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Church in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Father Maximilian McKeown of the Conventual Franciscan Order of Dublin, and other priests from the parish of Clonallon. In his homily, Bishop Martin highlighted the figure of St. Maximilian Kolbe as a great witness for all.
St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, the martyr of love
“Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI described him as a martyr of love, someone who dedicated his entire priesthood to proclaiming the Word of God, without fear and with courage, despite all the horrible context of the time.”
According to the prelate, “St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe teaches each of us to remember that the Word of God is within us and that each of us has a call, in our own Baptism, to be witnesses to the Faith.”
Procession with the relics of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe
“He also reminds us that even if things are difficult, if we cling to God’s love, we can move forward. And I think that today this is a very important message for all Catholics and, in fact, for all Christians,” he stressed.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Eamon Martin unveiled a plaque dedicated to the saint in a nearby garden. Afterward, a procession of the faithful began, led by the Archbishop, who carried the relics of the Polish Saint through the city, blessing houses, streets, residents, and tourists. (EPC)
Compiled by Sarah Gangl
