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Blessed Fr. Maurice McKenraghty Father Maurice McKenraghty was born in Kilmallock. He became a priest and worked for many years there. He later became chaplain to Gerald, the 14th Earl of Desmond and when the latter rebelled, Maurice accompanied his army. In 1583 he was captured by Lord Roche at a site just a few metres from the Source of the Blackwater on foot of information of Murtagh Sweeney, an officer who had deserted Desmond. He was sent to Clonmel Jail where he remained for over a year. Whilst there, a prominent Clonmel citizen Victor White bribed a jailor to release Fr. McKenraghty on Easter Saturday to say mass for the people of Clonmel. The Jailor however, betrayed White and told the governor of the service
being conducted in White’s house. Father Enright had heard confessions of the faithful and was preparing for Mass when the soldiers raided the house. He escaped by hiding under straw in the countryard, but the chalice and sacred vestments were found. White was arrested and threatened
with death if he didn’t tell where the priest was hiding. He refused to betray Fr. McKenraghty, but when the latter heard of White’s danger, he gave himself up and was immediately imprisoned. He was offered his freedom if he renounced his Faith, but, he refused, and was condemned to death as a traitor to the Queen. The site of Fr. McKenraghty’s grave remained secret for almost 100 years in fear that it would be descreated by English soldiers. In 1647, when the Catholic party returned to power, Father McKenraghty’s body was exhumed and reburied with great ceremony and religious honours in the Franciscan Abbey at Askeaton. Fr. McKenraghty was beatified in 1992.
Easter is that time of year that we all look forward to so much. As well as the longer days and the expected better weather, it’s a time that fills us with hope and optimism. It’s a time for being happy and full of Easter joy. Apart from the Easter eggs, there are lots of things that help to keep us happy. This particular year, 2022, is a time of special rejoicing. It’s the first time in three years that we can be back in our churches again to celebrate this most important feast. Sure, we still need to be careful and cautious but, thanks to vaccines and self-responsibility and the care that we got from medical professionals and others, our
gatherings together, while not quite the normal of before, are definitely heading in that direction. The Christian faith is always expressed in community. It is when we gather together that we tell the great story of salvation. We hear and we listen to God’s nurturing and care for his people. We listen to the great story of the Exodus, we rejoice in the hope of the Prophets and we tell ourselves again the Easter story of Jesus’s death and especially his Resurrection. We had look forward to being back again sharing our faith with one another and be happy in our hope. We felt that when the Covid crisis had passed the world would be a better place a place where we could live our lives in fulfilment and peace. We could not have imagined the horrors of war that were waiting in the wings to play out before us. Emerging from one crisis, we found ourselves
confronting another. The sadness of death and displacement were unfolding before our eyes. It seemed like Good Friday had come again for the whole world and especially for those in Ukraine, millions of whom were asked to walk through the valley of darkness. We share with Pope Francs in condemning the “senseless massacre” in the besieged Ukraine. The Christian message is one of peace and will always be so. This Easter it seems we need to pray all the more earnestly that peace may descend upon our world so that we can all live in harmony together. My wish for you this Easter is for peace in your own hearts and in the hearts of all people. Never was it more urgent to pray for this peace. Despite all the darkness in our troubled world I wish that you and all of yours will have a Happy Easter. -Fr Toby.
Issue 61 April 8, 2022
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Easter 2022 Greetings
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