The Eucharistic Congress 2012 in Dublin has come and gone.  A highlight for me was a service at University Church in Steven’s Green organised by Vocations Ireland on Thursday night.  It seemed that everything was against a large attendance: football and some atrocious weather which made it difficult even to hold on to my plastic, Congress-issue rain mac.  But a faithful cohort of religious men and women made it into the beautiful chapel and was rewarded with some wonderful music.

In the silent, prayerful intervals, another kind of music from a nearby club penetrated the old walls, reverberating softly in our ears, it’s rhythm felt as well as heard.   But somehow this contrast was not distracting, just a reminder of youthful energy and exuberance.  We had all been there and are mostly now in quieter mode, aware of connections rather than divisions.  As Daniel O’Leary writes:  ‘Creation, our earth, our bodies, our death, all we mean by the “natural”, the “secular”, are…. all already graced, and carefully fashioned in the divine image.’ ('The Tablet', 26 May '12)

The Congress itself reflected some of this re-integration at times, particularly in the cultural displays and the liturgies.  The ancient rigid lines between sacred and profane are blurring for today’s generations.

If you would like to respond please send an e-mail to:  kskeane@eircom.net