A beacon of hope in troubled times

Taken from Clerical Whispers

Devotees of St Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, travelled from all over Ireland this week for the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the saint’s visit to Cahir in County Tipperary almost 50 years ago.

On August 18th 1959 the then Fr Escrirva visited the South Tipperary town on a tour of Ireland and passed through a number of other villages on route to Cork. This week a bronze plaque designed by Dublin based artist Dony MacManus was unveiled at the local library in the square in Cahir.

Speaking at the event Commemorative Committee chairperson Pat Maher claimed that Cahir is the only town in the country to mark the 50th anniversary of his coming to Ireland. Mr Maher added that Saint Josemaria was the ‘Saint of the century’ and, ‘a beacon of hope in these troubled times.’

Following the unveiling Mr Maher read a letter from Monsignor Javier Echevarria the current Opus Dei prelate based in Rome.

He was unable to attend the ceremony but said he was with them in spirit. He sent a collection of Opus Dei works to the Cahir Library.

He said that St Escriva’s visit to Cahir in 1959 left lasting memories and he hoped the new plaque would help people hear the message of St Josemaria as time goes by.