Catholic Youth Movements in Ireland: Upcoming Events

As Summer approaches and examinations come to a close, many thousands of young Irish Catholics will turn their attention to the various Catholic youth festivals that take place during the summer months. Three of the largest Catholic festivals are promoted by different groups and will be very interesting and informative.

The season begins with the now annual Legion of Mary Youth Conference which will take place on Saturday and Sunday next June 12th and 13th 2010 in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. There is a very interesting panel of speakers at this conference which will be attended by around 300 young people. Speakers include John Lonergan, Governor of Mountjoy Prison; Dr Andrew O Connell, journalist and commentator; Professor Patricia Casey, psychiatrist; Dr John Murray, Mater Dei Institute; Fr John Harris OP, National Spiritual Director of Youth 2000 Ireland. For more information, take a look at the Legion of Mary website:http://www.legionofmary.ie/events/details/june-youth-conference/;

The weekend of June 25th to 27th sees the 9th annual Knock Youth Festival take place. Again, several hundred young people will flock to Ireland's national Marian Shrine to celebrate their faith in various ways. There is a varied programme of events that will cater to all types on interest and the festival has attracted several renowned speakers. This year Sr Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking will address the conference, as will Dr Andrew O Connell. A workshop will also be given by Irish Dominican Fr Donagh O' Shea OP. See the festival's website:http://www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival/

The biggest gathering of Catholic young people will take place at Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly on the weekend of August 12th to 15th. This event is the annual Youth 2000 (Irealnd) summer festival. Packed with inspiring talks, live music and a plethora of workshops, this event promises to be bigger than ever. The Youth 2000 ethos and policy of the centrality of the Eucharist, Sacrament of Reconciliation and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are the primary reason for the growing success of this annual event. See the Youth 2000 website about the festival: http://www.youth2000.ie/events/323-youth-2000-summer-festival-12th-15th-aug.html

The Irish Dominican friars strongly endorse the immense work being carried out by the above organisations and Irish Dominican Vocations hopes to visit all of these events during the summer months. Please pray for all involved - that through the celebration of these festivals that they may come to know the Lord more deeply in their lives.