Life

St Patrick’s pilgrims: Saul tradition reflects on patron saint’s legacy

Almost 1,600 years after St Patrick arrived in Ireland, hundreds joined a pilgrimage in his honour in Saul, outside Downpatrick

More than 300 people made the pilgrimage to Saul, where Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated
More than 300 people made the pilgrimage to St Patrick's Mountain, Saul (Bill Smyth)

THE annual pilgrimage to the top of St Patrick’s Mountain, or Slieve Patrick as it is also known, between Saul and Raholp outside Downpatrick was attended by more than 300 parishioners from across the Diocese of Down and Connor.

The Saul area has a profound connection with the life of St Patrick and his ministry in Ireland. It was here that he landed in 432, when his boat was swept up Strangford Lough and ended up at Ringbane at the mouth of the Slaney River. And later, on March 17 461, he died in the monastery established in Saul, being buried in Downpatrick.

Lucia Rose Smyth from Saintfield with Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ's crozier
Lucia Rose Smyth from Saintfield with Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ's crozier (Bill Smyth)

This year’s pilgrimage in memory of the great saint was held on Sunday and led by Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ along with clergy from the area.



Bishop McGuckian celebrated Mass on the mountain for the Feast of Corpus Christi. In his homily he recalled how generations of Christians had come on pilgrimage to the very same spot to reflect on the legacy of St Patrick and his ministry in Ireland.

Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ with Moira Laverty from Saul
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ with Moira Laverty from Saul (Bill Smyth)

The pilgrimage coincided with a diocesan-wide novena entitled ‘Renew our Hearts’ which continues until Friday June 7.

“The heart of Jesus wants to renew the heart of each one of us and prepare us to walk our pathway to the future,” said Bishop McGuckian.

Children from St Patrick's primary school, Saul – Cormac Hanna, Issabelle Farrell, Darcie Mullen, Maria Byrne and Harry McMullan – and Lucia Rose Smyth from St Caolan's primary school, Darragh Cross, following the celebration of Mass on St Patrick's Mountain
Children from St Patrick's primary school, Saul – Cormac Hanna, Issabelle Farrell, Darcie Mullen, Maria Byrne and Harry McMullan – and Lucia Rose Smyth from St Caolan's primary school, Darragh Cross, following the celebration of Mass on St Patrick's Mountain (Bill Smyth)
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ with Shauna Jamison, Martina Purdy, Elaine Kelly and sisters Denise and Anne Jamison
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ with Shauna Jamison, Martina Purdy, Elaine Kelly and sisters Denise and Anne Jamison (Bill Smyth)

“Together we turn to him in trust that he will bring the healing and renewal that each one of us needs.”

He concluded the celebration by encouraging those attending to pass on the memory and tradition of St Patrick in order to encourage and strengthen the Christian faith for future generations.

Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ and Canon John Murray with the Knights of St Columbanus from Downpatrick and Newcastle
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ and Canon John Murray with the Knights of St Columbanus from Downpatrick and Newcastle (Bill Smyth)

The statue of St Patrick on top of the mountain is regarded as the national memorial to the patron saint. It was unveiled on June 12 1938, six years after Bishop Daniel Mageean had blessed the site.

That 1932 celebration took place during the International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin that June – an honour given to Ireland because that year marked the 1,500th anniversary of St Patrick in Ireland.

Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ, Canon John Murray PP of St Patrick's, Downpatick, Fr Robert McMahon, PP of Saul and Ballee, and Deacon Jackie Breen after the celebration of Mass on St Patrick’s Mountain, Saul
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ, Canon John Murray PP of St Patrick's, Downpatick, Fr Robert McMahon, PP of Saul and Ballee, and Deacon Jackie Breen after the celebration of Mass on St Patrick’s Mountain, Saul (Bill Smyth)
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ and Fr Robert McMahon, PP of Saul and Ballee, celebrating outdoor Mass on St Patrick’s Mountain, Saul, Co Down, where the world's largest statue of St Patrick stands. More than 300 people made the pilgrimage on Sunday
Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian SJ and Fr Robert McMahon, PP of Saul and Ballee, celebrating outdoor Mass on St Patrick’s Mountain, Saul, Co Down, where the world's largest statue of St Patrick stands. More than 300 people made the pilgrimage on Sunday (Bill Smyth)