Cathedral hosts 2,000 for Loreto anniversary Mass

The Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar was awash with colour, as the parish welcomed over 2,000 people to the diocesan centre to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto religious congregation).The Loreto order, founded by Mary Ward in 1609, became heavily involved in providing a Catholic education for young girls in Ireland and across the world, and Loreto College, Mullingar - opened in 1881 - was one of the fruits of the order"s labours in Ireland.Of the total attendance at Saturday"s Mass - celebrated by His Eminence, Seán Cardinal Brady, Primate of All Ireland - over 1,700 are students of Loreto schools in Ireland, and they were joined by members of boards of management, teaching staff and past pupils, as well as Loreto teachers and pupils from 25 countries.Included among this roster of international representatives were teachers and pupils from the new Loreto school at Rumbeck, Sudan, and a representative from the school greeted the Cathedral congregation in her native language.Those in attendance were told how the Sudanese visitors had a week-long journey to Ireland via Europe after they were delayed in Amsterdam while attempting to clear immigration checks.Loreto College, Mullingar was among 33 Irish schools to be represented by pupils and staff, and they joined in full voice with their fellow students in singing hymns for the Mass. The sacred music for the Mass was composed by well-known Irish composer and Offaly native, Fr. Liam Lawton, who was specially commissioned to set the event to music.The chief celebrant was Cardinal Brady, with Most Rev. Dr. Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath presiding. Other local concelebrants included Fr. Joseph Gallagher (Adm., Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar), Fr. Paul Crosbie and Fr. Colm Browne, while a number of priests from across the country flocked to Mullingar to join in the celebrations.Cardinal Brady, speaking in his homily, explored the history of the Loreto Sisters, saying that while initially it had been persecuted during the Reformation and even by the Church authorities, it had grown to play a dominant role in Catholic education and missionary life.Sr. Marian Moriarty, Superior General of the Loreto congregation, also spoke prior to the Mass.