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Holy Souls Crusade . " It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins" (2 Mac 12:46) |
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Holy Souls Crusade . " It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins" (2 Mac 12:46) |
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Holy Souls?
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The Holy Souls Crusade was started in 2002 and
their first retreat was held in Athlone on November 2nd - All Souls day.
This led to the formation of an ad hoc committee to develop the work and
plan for its future growth. Retreats have been organised in various parts
of Ireland for November 2003. One of the plans for next year is to organise
a National Holy Souls Crusade in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.
Knock has miraculous links with the Holy Souls when, on the evening of 21st August, 1879, on the completion of 100 Masses for the Holy Souls by Archdeacon Cavanagh, over 70 local people witnessed an apparition on the gable wall of the Parish Church. This apparition has been formally recognised by the Church and Knock is now recognised as one of the world's famous Marian Shrines. In 1979 the Shrine was visited by Pope John Paul II, a Pope with great devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Because of its close links with the Holy Souls it is hoped that an Oratory can be developed in Knock dedicated to the Holy Souls. This 'Sacred Space' could have the Blessed Sacrament present, affording visitors the opportunity to spend some time in prayer for their dearly departed family, friends and relatives. Much prayer is covering this vision. Due to the success of the first annual retreat, the association is growing from strength to strength, so much so that hopefully there will be an association in every county in Ireland and in other parts of the world. The Holy Souls Crusade already has members in 29 other countries and the vision is for continual growth throughout Ireland and around the world. Knock is the ideal venue to meet and pray for the Holy Souls and since 2004 an Annual Holy Souls Crusade Day of Prayer has been held in this location which has such strong links to the Holy Souls. In fact, its growth as an International Marian Shrine can probably be attributed to the Holy Souls too, perhaps as a result of the local people of so long ago who faithfully attended Mass on their behalf for over three months without a break. In 2005 an additional time of Prayer for the Holy Souls was added to the calendar - a Night Vigil, held on the 2nd Saturday Night in May. See more details from the link. The Holy Souls Crusade would also like to see an annual Holy Souls Crusade retreat being held in every county in Ireland and other parts of the world within the week of the Feast of the Holy Souls (Nov. 2nd) from November 1st to the 8th. Work will soon begin to plan for this growth. We would ask you all to keep this vision for the Holy Souls Crusade in your prayers, as the more the needs of the Holy Souls can be promoted in Ireland and abroad, the greater the amount of Masses, prayers and sacrifices there will be for them. |
