Discovering Ireland’s Sacred Past
Old St. Pat’s Young Adult Pilgrimage
This past August, 21 young adults from Old St. Patrick's Parish embarked on a transformative journey to Ireland, aptly named "The Spirit of St. Brigid Pilgrimage," to honor the 1500th anniversary of St. Brigid's passing. Brenda Chávez, Director of Young Adult Ministry and Neighborhood Engagement at Old St. Patrick's Parish, led the group, emphasizing that the pilgrimage was a powerful faith experience.
"The days were jampacked with activities, and we met incredible people," Chávez shared. "Learning Catholic history outside of what we knew was an incredible experience."
The group's first day of the pilgrimage was spent with the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare. They visited St. Brigid's holy well, a site where Catholics once secretly held Mass during times of persecution. "It was a powerful moment of prayer and healing for all of us," Chávez reflected. "Following St. Brigid's journey, you can feel her presence."
The pilgrimage was a catalyst for community. Chávez noted, "Some group members had traveled together before, but there were brand new faces too." Fr. Pat McGrath, Pastor at Old St. Patrick's, joined the group for the pilgrimage, further reinforcing his dedication to growing the young adult ministry at the parish. "It was wonderful for him to witness the fun and the silliness, but also the love of prayer in this ministry, and it was great for them to get to know our church leader," Chávez said. This sense of community is a testament to the inclusive nature of the pilgrimage and the parish.
It was particularly fascinating to learn about Catholicism's trials during times of oppression. Chávez explained, "Even for those who weren't of Irish descent, the history was thought provoking. Learning about St. Brigid's life, particularly her ability to bridge divided communities, felt incredibly relevant to today." Chavez emphasized, "She was a saint of the people, she was a peacemaker – we can learn from St. Brigid because she really saw the dignity of every single person."
One of the most powerful moments for the travelers came during their visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. "They feed 1,400 people a day," Chávez said. In addition to their day of service at the Centre, the group took a beautiful tour of the church and friary at St. Mary of the Angels. "The Franciscans made clear that their mission was to provide food and live out their faith by serving everyone, regardless of their religious background. That visit was a beautiful reminder to keep Mass and prayer at the heart of what we do."
This trip also fostered inclusivity. Chávez was moved by the presence of two young women with Down syndrome who joined the journey. "Bridget, one of the young women, was so proud of her Irish heritage. Everyone was enamored with her everywhere we went. It reminded us that our faith community is for everyone and reinforced radical inclusivity as one of Old St. Pat's greatest values."
Now that they've returned, the group plans to build on the spiritual growth they experienced. "We are planning a pilgrimage reunion," Chávez said." But I really believe in letting the young adults take the lead. It's important that they know this is their church and that they are all leaders of the church. I'm here to support them." The Spirit of St. Brigid Pilgrimage has sparked new ideas for Old St. Patrick's, from service projects to future pilgrimages and ideas to build and support the ministry. As Chávez looks ahead, she's confident that this experience will continue to influence the young adult ministry at Old St. Pat's.
Trip Highlights
- Guided Tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare
- Service Day at Capuchin Day Centre
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- Free Derry Museum & Tour
- Guinness Storehouse
