‘Do Lough Derg from wherever you are’ - Derry pilgrims urged

Derry pilgrims have been encouraged to join the Prior of Lough Derg, Father La Flynn, and take part in the ancient three-day pilgrimage, from their own homes.
The Prior of Lough Derg Monsignor La Flynn has moved to the island alone to keep a prayerful vigil until pilgrims are able to return.The Prior of Lough Derg Monsignor La Flynn has moved to the island alone to keep a prayerful vigil until pilgrims are able to return.
The Prior of Lough Derg Monsignor La Flynn has moved to the island alone to keep a prayerful vigil until pilgrims are able to return.

Normally Lough Derg would have by now begun its season, and would be busy with hundreds of pilgrims crossing over to take off their shoes and begin their first ‘Station’.

However with the current Covid-19 lockdown, Monsignor Flynn has moved to the island alone, to keep a prayerful vigil until pilgrims are able to return. Fr La is inviting pilgrims who will not be able to come to the Island this season to ‘do Lough Derg’ from wherever they are, over three days from 27th to 29th June, joining him and some members of the island’s pastoral team who will take their shoes off to do the full pilgrimage.

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He explained: “Lough Derg is still here. At this time of year for many centuries now, pilgrims have come to this place apart to find peace, spiritual nourishment and new direction on their journey of life.

“At this extraordinary moment in history, the challenge for us who are entrusted with the tradition of Lough Derg is to ask ourselves: How can we be faithful to its tradition and show solidarity with those faithful pilgrims who would normally be here but are currently prevented from making the pilgrimage?”

He clarifies that this time will not be a virtual pilgrimage, but it will involve the full pilgrimage exercises, wherever the pilgrim may be.

Each year Lough Derg welcomes faithful pilgrims from Derry, and many have already joined with Bishop Donal McKeown who has led the Diocese in two virtual Lough Derg pilgrimages since the lockdown began.

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Lough Derg is hoping to welcome pilgrims later in the summer when present restrictions have been eased and people can return with confidence.

Fr La said: “We have begun our preparations for reopening and once we have assessed the public health requirements and the Church guidelines we will be in a stronger position to make an announcement on the date the programmes will resume.”

Registration for the three-day pilgrimage at the end of June is now open at www.loughderg.org

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