St Francis Xavier novena

There was a great turn-out for the annual Novena of Grace, taking place in many churches throughout Dublin, Galway, Limerick and the rest of the country.  Some parishes had guest Jesuit speakers for the nine days (March 4-12).

In St Francis Xavier’s Church in Gardiner St, Dublin, the Novena has been prayed annually since 1831.

This year Fr Joe Keaney SJ, now a missionary in Lusaka, Zambia, preached to a bigger than ever congregation.  Some 1,800 people attended the various sessions every day (up by 200 on last year) and that rose to 2,000 on the last day.  All age groups attend although the over 45s predominate.

One lady had been attending for the last 80 years - she went first as a child aged seven when people had to arrive early to get a seat as the crowds were so large that they would spill out onto the street and block the traffic.

Fr Donal Neary SJ, Parish Priest of Gardiner St, made a short video about the importance of the novena for people in his parish and around the country and it is available on the parish website.  He told ciNews that he was very pleased with the big turnout given the recent scandals in the church.

“I was delighted to see so many people here,” said Fr Neary. 

"People have a lot of faith.  For many it is like their annual retreat at Lent.  It is a novena that is traditional in format but contemporary in content.  During a period of recession we made a collection for Fr Joe Keaney’s parish in Zambia and it came to €21,500 - that was a huge collection."

Petitions are read every day and are often from people praying for others - they attend for others.

This year there were more people praying for issues related to the recession seeking jobs, people who have become unemployed or who have had to go abroad for work.  People also loved the five minutes quiet prayer at the end when candles were lit and they were able to reflect quietly.

by Ann Marie Foley