I and my husband have just returned from Derry, Northern Ireland.We went to visit the grave of Sr Clare Crockett, Servant of God, to pray for my husband's nephew who has been in a coma for the past five weeks following a random attack from a group of people on the street late in the evening. Our visit to Derry was lovely and I am so grateful to Jack a forum member who gave me all the information on where to go and places to stay. It really helped to make our visit stress free. I got a great feeling in Derry about the faith in that corner of Ireland. It was a really beautiful experience. We spent a lot of time at Sr Clare's grave and at her parish church, St Columba's at Longtower. It is really one of the most beautiful churches I have ever visited. It has the most beautiful icons and statues.The altar rails are still intact. It's like Vatican 2 passed it out. The presence of the Lord in the church is overwhelming. I think there are many saints associated with Derry. It's such a gem. I have great hope for Ireland and I feel Sr Clare will bring many back to the Lord.. Jack sent me some really interesting information on Our Lady of Good Success connection to Longtower & Sr Clare.
The Long Tower Church is special. It feels full of angels. https://www.colmcille.org/en/map-marker/7-6-hill-of-the-angels/ “How a great number of holy angels were seen, coming down from heaven to confer with St Columba. Likewise, on another occasion, when St Columba was living in Iona, he addressed the assembled brethren, making his point with great emphasis, saying: ‘Today I shall go to the machair on the west coast of our island, and I wish to go alone. No one is to follow me therefore.’ They obeyed and he set out alone as he desired. But one of the brethren, who was an artful scout, took a different route and his himself on top of a little hill that overlooks the machair, for he was eager to find out why the saint had gone out alone. From his vantage point, he could see St Columba standing on a knoll among the fields and praying with his arms spread out towards heaven and his eyes gazing upwards… For holy angels, the citizens of the heavenly kingdom, were flying down with amazing speed, dressed in white robes, and began to gather around the holy man as he prayed. After they had conversed a little with St Columba, the heavenly crowd – as though they could feel that they were being spied on – quickly returned to the heights of heaven… Hence today the knoll where St Columba conferred with angels affirms by its very name what took place there, for it is called Cnoc nan Aingel, that is, the angels’ knoll.” Life of St Columba by Adomnán of Iona, Book III Story 16
A part of Sr Clare's case for canonisation took place last week, in Spain. Many Derry people travelled over to Madrid. But little known is that our local cinema screened it live - and many people went to the cinema to watch it. Those of us that couldn't get, watched it live on YouTube.
This is a beautiful church (or chapel as we call it). I was baptised, made my first communion and my confirmation there. I went to St Columba's primary school - on its grounds. And lived the first 10 years of my life in its shadow - just 100 yards from it. As you walk up the isle to receive communion, you walk over a great stone that marks the site of the old altar - which was set in place in the year 546 ( - not 1546 but '546'). I never step on that stone, I always walk around it. You can feel the holy history of the place; and a peace descends upon you when you enter under its roof (I defy anyone not to feel this upon entering). It truly is a very ancient and holy and place. If you come to Derry; it is a must-visit.
She was so bright and bubbly that she had auditioned for - and got, a big job as a TV presenter. But she turned the bright lights down...
Padraig Thanks for posting the pictures. Yes the sense of peace that descends on the soul on entering that holy church is phenomenal . There is a beautiful statue of Our Lady of the Trinity on a side altar. I have never seen such a statue. So beautiful. I'm not able to upload the file.
The Mass there was said with such reverence by a very holy priest. It was the Novus Ordo but as it should be. I was at a funeral Mass there yesterday morning. Same thing, complete reverence and a different priest. There was no eulogy except what the priest said in his homily. No procession of gifts other than bread and wine.Its like this place has been preserved from all the errors of post Vat2 church. We were blown away by the presence of holiness and the consequent reverence.
How is your husband’s nephew? I hope doing better. I was reading about a young man who had been in a coma for years who recovered and is now married and a father of children. He said he could hear. He was locked in, though. It’s a great grace that you were able to visit the grave and pray such holy Masses. May God heal your nephew soon through the intercession of Sr Clare Crockett. Please continue to keep us posted. God give you strength.
Still in a coma but taken off meds. Everybody praying for a miracle. Thank you for your prayers. I feel very positive since visiting Sr Clare. I felt the presence of family members who have passed when at her grave and they are also interceding I'm sure.
Praying! Breaks my heart your hubby's nephew was attacked so severely he ended up in a coma. Was this just a random attack?
Yes random. He was on his way home walking past a hotel. There was a girl who was an employee of his company being attacked by a group outside the hotel. He intervened and he was knocked to the ground and viciously assaulted particularly on the head. So shocking
Ghastly. Just horrific. The way I see it he gave himself up to save the girl. This is a holy thing to do. I am asking Sister Claire to join forces with Our Lady on his behalf. I sincerely hope those thugs got the full force of the law on them.
