Irish Society for Christian Civilisation was privileged to be invited to participate in the annual parade to celebrate the life and virtues of St. Oliver Plunkett, bishop and martyr. The parade took place in Drogheda on Sunday, 1st July. Led by the Apostolic Nuncio and including the Knights of St. Columbanus, the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and a large number of priests and laity, the procession assembled at the Holy Family Church, on the south side of Drogheda. While crossing the Boyne and passing through the streets of Drogheda towards the St. Peter’s Church the Rosary was prayed; some scenes from the life of St. Oliver were recalled; and hymns were played on the bagpipes — by volunteers from Irish Society for Christian Civilisation. The Papal Nuncio and others expressed appreciation for our valiant pipers.
On the same weekend there was also a parade of a very different type. Called “Dublin Pride,” its object was to celebrate the homosexual lifestyle. In contrast to the St. Oliver Plunkett parade, the Dublin Pride parade received massive support and sponsorship from the government and public bodies, banks, big business, unions and celebrities. Even the scouts were there.
The two parades represent two different visions for the future of Ireland. One of them, Dublin Pride, represents a rejection of Catholic Ireland, and looks towards a future in which the Church is no longer relevant.
The other parade, that in honour of St. Oliver Plunkett, was small but full of confidence in the indefectibility of the Holy Catholic Church, as promised by Our Lord Himself. And just like the victors in the historic battles of Covadonga and Lepanto, a small but determined group of Catholics can still overcome great odds, and could even become the seed of a re-flourishing of the Catholic Faith in Ireland. The parade in Drogheda gives us hope in the promise of Our Lady of Fatima: “Finally my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
