++++++ TULLOW CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION 2005 ++++

THANK YOU Corpus Christi 2005
Procession Group is very grateful to all who supported the procession last Saturday. We thank all who participated, the Choir, those who had banners and those from the surrounding parishes who joined us for the celebration. We thank those who decorated their streets, homes, premises and those who put up bunting, flags and flowers. Also for those who donated flowers. We thank the Colour Party, the stewards and the members of the Gardai for their cooperation and guidance. The whole celebration including the Mass and Benediction were a fitting tribute for the Bicentenary and the Year of the Eucharist. To our priests and Fr. McDonald who concelebrated and especially Bishop Moriarty who was chief Celebrant we say many thanks.

TULLOW CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION

1784 – 2005

Tullow is perhaps a unique parish, not just in the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin, but also in the country. Two religious congregations have been founded there, those of the Patricians Brothers and the Brigidine Sisters. Both congregations were founded by Bishop Daniel Delany in 1807 & 1808. Dr. Delany also had great devotion to the Eucharist. Whenever he had a major decision to make it was not uncommon for him to spend the night in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

In 1784, in spite of the penal laws of the day, Dr. Delany held a public procession in honour of the Blessed Sacrament on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Such a public display of religious devotion was most unusual at the time, but the occasion passed without incident and this inaugurated the annual Corpus Christi Procession in Tullow. In 1785 he established the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, a group of parishioners to honour the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist in special way, including around the clock vigil during all night exposition. The Corpus Christi procession has continued faithfully for some 221 years, except for a short spell around 1798.

2005 is another very special year for the parish of Tullow. This year it celebrates the bicentenary of the Church of the Most Holy Rosary. Redecoration has just been completed there, with a new lighting system, carpet and tiling, painting and a new stained glass window in honour of its founder, Dr. Delany. It is also the year of the Eucharist, when we are called to give thanks and celebrate the Christ’s presence among us in a very real and tangible way.

So this year Tullow are making their Corpus Christi procession something very special. In former days the procession went through the town and this year the organisers are going to do the same. On the 28th May 2005, after the 7.30 p.m. mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Moriarty, the procession will take place. The route will be down Old Chapel Lane, turn right onto Mill Street and again right unto the Square where the procession will go to the top of the town. It will then turn right onto the Shillelagh Road, right at Crosskeys, down The Course and left into Tullow Hill and finally right into the church car park and into the Convent grounds for Benediction at the Temple. The Temple in the Convent grounds was designed by Dr. Delany and indeed the entire garden is his own design and has not changed in 200 years. The Monstrance used in the procession belonged to Dr. Delany and it is kept in the safe keeping of the Brigidine Sisters.

Tullow extends a very warm welcome to all those who wish to join them on the night. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist and that is the theme for the night, “Let’s Celebrate”. It is our hope that the first communion children from the deanery and further a field will join in the procession. But not just the children, any group of organisation that wishes to join may do so, any parish that wishes to send representatives to carry their parish banner would also be most welcome. This is a historic occasion, let’s make the most of it!

There is so much that is not good in life today, but this is a chance to show our faith, our pride and belief in the Church to which we all belong.

If you wish to join in the Corpus Christi procession in Tullow on the 28th May 2005 please contact Tullow Parish Centre for further details on 059 91 51277 or e-mail Fr. Rory at rpmnolan@eircom.net.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in refreshments in the Parish Centre after the event.