The name Lough Derg, or Saint Patrick’s Purgatory as it is also
known, conjures up images of bare feet and silence.
Lough Derg has been recognised as a place of pilgrimage for generations
as thousands of people have experienced the three-day sojourn and
fast. However, more enticing retreats have been added to attract
people who perhaps are not so willing to give up all the luxuries
of modern life.
Lough Derg is about four miles from the village of Pettigo in
Co. Donegal — three-day pilgrimages take place between June 1 and
August 15. One-day retreats begin on May 1 for that month and are
set to resume at the end of August and will continue for the month
of September.
Lough Derg’s picture-postcard scenery gives the retreat a special
feeling of tranquillity. Unfortunately, people who have never attended
Lough Derg associate the site with its harsh three-day pilgrimage
rather than by the spiritual fulfilment it instills. This pilgrimage
consists of a fast and prayer sequences, called stations that are
carried out in bare feet and with physical exercise. Nine Stations
are completed in Lough Derg over the three-day period in various
locations on the island.
The main exercise of the pilgrimage is the vigil — each pilgrim
must stay awake for 24 hours, starting at 10am of the first day.
Morning and evening Mass is celebrated daily as well as other liturgies
throughout the second day when there is also time for personal reflection.
Pilgrims get one meal a day, which consists of dry toast or an oatcake
with black tea or coffee.
People would be forgiven for insisting that this pilgrimage is
too demanding, but thousands have said that they have gained great
spiritual satisfaction while they were there. However, since 1992
Lough Derg has offered a less taxing one-day retreat where visitors
are not asked to fast and go bare foot, but take part in exercises,
personal prayer and the ‘reconciliation and healing of memories’
service.
Specialised retreats, including group or individual pilgrimages,
are also available. The Prior at Lough Derg can organise individual
one-day retreats or even three-day pilgrimages.
Lough Derg has developed these new services to ensure that they
have something for everyone. By doing this people caught up in the
stress of life may be attracted to the sense of holiness and peace
that so many people have gained.
n For more details on St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg contact
Mgr Richard Mohan at 00 353 72 61518 or by e-mail at info@loughderg.org
