Lough Derg in your living room - Pilgrimage inspires Day of Fast and Prayer in Derry Diocese during coronavirus lockdown

It is proposed that the time of prayer and penance take its shape from core elements of the 3-day Lough Derg pilgrimage.

Bishop McKeown told the Journal yesterday that this period of uncertainty was “a time when it is helpful to provide people with some focal point around which we can pray for an end to this pandemic, and comfort those who have been affected - many have suffered and have put their lives on the line. And we ask for wisdom on how we can best live and pick up the pieces after this pandemic”.

“I will do a 24 hour fast and prayers myself and if people want to join me we will take some elements of the Lough Derg practice,” he added.

Bishop McKeown said Lough Derg had a special place in the hearts of many people in the Diocese, and there were local people who walked the whole way to Lough Derg from Derry city each year, a pilgrimage which he himself has previously led on foot one year.

“Lough Derg actually comes within a couple of miles of this diocese and there is very much a local connection,” he said, adding that the ancient monastic site has been a pilgrimage site of global significance stretching back many centuries.

“Lough Derg was known in the Middle Ages and there is a fresco in Italy from the 1300s of Lough Derg. It has been a place of pilgrimage for a long, long time and this is also an opportunity to connect to the history of Celtic traditional spirituality and going into our roots.”

Bishop McKeown said at this time during the Covid-19 pandemic, in a world utterly changed, many were looking for answers and seeking truth and guidance in their lives and often people were finding comfort and solace in online services and prayer.

“A lot of the services on the webcam are being followed by a large number of people. At the moment nobody is speaking very much meaning into the crisis, there is a lot of data on cases, what to do, but people are wondering, ‘Is it all mad and meaningless or is there a God, does the cross and Resurrection mean anything?’ There are a lot of people looking for answers and I hope we can help them develop on their spiritual journey.”

Each person across the Diocese is invited to participate in whatever parts of the penitential pilgrimage that they feel able to adopt.

If anyone is suffering from weakness or ill health, they should not overexert themselves. At the heart of the full Lough Derg pilgrimage are the following elements:

Fasting:

To join with the Bishop you are invited, if you are physically able, to adopt the Lough Derg Fast from 12.00 midnight on Thursday night until after 7.00am on Saturday morning. The Lough Derg Fast consists of water or black tea or coffee (sugar is permitted) with dry bread, toast and oatcakes at one time during the day. You can drink water, tea or coffee anytime.

Praying the Lourg Derg Stations:

Throughout the first day, participants on Lough Derg would normally pray three ‘Stations’ outside. However, in this case, participants are invited to pray three Stations at home during the course of the day.

During the Night Vigil, four Stations are prayed. Bishop McKeown proposes to stay in the Cathedral during Friday night and lead the four Stations on the webcam – at 12 midnight, 1.30am, 3am and 4,30am.

The prayers normally said at the Stations on Long Derg are given below. They can be said standing, walking and kneeling – if that is possible. The prayers for each Station are:

Kneel down in front of a crucifix, and say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Creed; and finish by kissing the Cross. St Patrick pray for us.

Three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed. Standing with arms outstretched, say three times “I renounce the World, the Flesh and the Devil”. St Brigid pray for us.

Pray seven decades of the rosary and one Creed. This prayer can be said walking around the house.

Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed three times. St Brigid pray for us.

Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed four times. St Brendan pray for us.

Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed four times. St Catherine pray for us.

Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed four times. St Columba pray for us.

Pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one Creed four times. St Patrick pray for us.

Pray six Our Fathers, six Hail Marys and one Creed six times. St Davog and Molaise pray for us.

Stand and pray five Our Fathers, five Hail Marys and one Creed and then kneel repeating these prayers; after which they, make the Sign of the Cross with Holy water reminding us of our baptism.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Creed and recite Psalm 16 for the Pope’s intentions.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: You are my God. My happiness lies in you alone.

He has put into my heart a marvellous love for the faithful ones who dwell in his land. Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. Never will I offer their offerings of blood. Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize. The lot marked out for me is my delight: welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.

Give praise to the Father Almighty, to his Son Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts, both now and forever. Amen.

The Vigil will end with Mass at 6.00am. on Saturday May 2nd.