THE priest who organised the visit of a rare relic of Mother Theresa to Donegal at the weekend has asked anybody who feels they have encountered a miracle to contact Bishop Philip Boyce’s office.
Fr.Eamonn McLaughlin of St.Bridget’s Church in Leitirmacaward was speaking after more than 1,000 people turned up to be blessed by the sacred relic of the missionary.
Huge crowds travelled the length of the country from as far away as Cork for the occasion on Saturday evening.
The relic, a piece of the beloved missionary’s hair, was the centre piece of a day of devotion to Mother Theresa who has been beatified but not yet sainted.
Fr McLaughlin said he was left speechless by the number of people who turned up for the event and the love shown by all.
“I was hit by a tsunami of prayer. I have never felt anything like it in my years as a priest. It was just incredible.
“People travelled from as far as Cork and Galway as well as Roscommon, Armagh, Sligo and Leitrim just to be blessed by the relic. It was truly as amazing experience,” he said.
Fr.McLaughlin said he witnessed men and women crying after watching a DVD of Mother Theresa performing two miracles.
It took more than two hours for everyone to receive a blessing from the relic.
Many brought various religious objects including rosary beads and crucifixes to touch of Mother Theresa’s relic making them third class relics.
Many also go the chance to speak openly with the Sisters of Charity, some of whom worked directly with Mother Theresa.
The cleric also revealed how many people who had been house-bound in wheelchairs made the journey to be blessed by the relic.
“It’s a sad thing to say but these people have probably not been outside of their houses for a long time and many may not be again. That is the love that Mother Theresa has inspired,” he revealed.
Fr.McLaughlin said that on a personal level he witnessed a family who had not spoken for over 20 years patch up their differences during the mass for Mother Theresa.
“That in my book is a miracle in itself,” he said.
The relic will now remain at St.Bridget’s Church in Leitirmacaward and the public can seek a blessing from it.
Meanwhile Fr.McLaughlin has said that anyone who feels they may have experienced a miracle as a result of touching the relic should contact the Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce’s office.
“Because so many people turned up I did not get the chance to speak to everyone. But if anyone does feel they were particularly touched by the occasion or feel that something special happened to them, then they should contact the Bishop’s office.
“We are certainly not pushing a miracle or anybody but we are interested to hear if anyone does have an experience to share with us,” he said.
Ends
