Recently our Olympic athletes received a very warm and well deserved welcome home following their great achievements in France. However they are not the first Irish women and men to have done great things on French soil! Centuries ago women and men carrying the flame of faith set out from these shores on fire with the Holy Spirit bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to evangelise or re-evangelise that country as well as parts of Germany, Italy, Switzerland to name a few others. Their presence and mission has left an indelible mark on the people and places of Europe in faith, learning and culture Here is St Patrick's Parish this weekend we are proud to celebrate one of these great missionaries to France as we begin our celebration of the annual Novena in honour of St Fiacre who followed the star of mission from this area to just outside of the town of Meaux near Paris. For centuries he has been honoured by the French and it is of great credit to the St Fiacre's Well committee that they continue a great tradition keeping the memory of Fiacre alive in these parts. Recently the Crucifix overlooking the Altar and Well has been replaced and as always they have the environs of the Well in great shape ready to welcome pilgrims. None of this would be possible without the permission of the landowner Andy Fleming whose cooperation is greatly appreciated. You are encouraged during the coming days to go on pilgrimage to St Fiacre's Well and to join in praying the Novena. Perhaps this year we might make it the intention of the Novena that the enthusiasm of the saints such as Fiacre for the Gospel would be reignited in all our hearts once again.
The Novena concludes on Sunday 25th August with Mass celebrated at St Fiacre's Well by Bishop Niall Coll.
Novena Prayers 3 pm - Mass 3.30 pm
Saint Fiacre was born in Ireland at the end of the sixth century. He was raised in a monastery where he became a monk and imbibed knowledge of herbal medicine. In time he had his own hermitage and perhaps a monastery, possibly near St. Fiachra’s Well at Cill Fiachra (Kilferagh), Sheastown, As crowds flocked to him because of his reputation for his holiness and cures, he sailed to France in search of greater solitude.
When he arrived at Meaux in 628, the bishop St Faro, granted him a site.
Fiacre cleared the ground of trees and briers, made a cell for himself, a garden for herbs and vegetables, a chapel and a hospice for travellers. All this developed into the village of Saint-Fiacre. Again in time the crowds flocked to him in search of cures. He died around 670.
He has become the patron saint of gardeners. In 1999 a garden in his honour was made at the National Stud in Kildare. It has become a major tourist attraction.
Fiacre is also the patron of taxi-drivers.
