Main events of the Eucharistic Congress and how it contributed to Irish cultural Identity Flashcards
Intro
Arrival of cardinal Lauri
First main event of the Congress.
Cardinal was popes chosen representative or legate.
Accompanied by mission, which consisted of several members of the Vatican,
like Archbishop Francis Spellman who would later become Cardinal of New York.
Mission arrived on SS Cambria from Holyhead.
A crowd of 5,000 people awaited their arrival.
The Army fired a 19 Artillery- Gun salute which was followed by the Army No.1 band playing the anthem “Inno Pontificio”.
DeValera met with the Cardinal and accompanied him in his open-too car followed by escorts and a convoy of 60 vehicles.
The Legate finally stopped at the Pro - Cathedral with the song “Behold the Great Priest”
Enthusiasm of the people made it such a big events and showed how much religion and the Congress contributed to Irish Cultural Identify.
Reception for the Cardinal
21st June.
To welcome Cardinal Lauri.
Day started off with a General Communion for Children Throughout Ireland.
An estimated 700,000 children received communion.
To continue welcome, garden party held.
Leading bishops from around the world.
Bishops from USA, Toronto, Poland, Sydney.
This party hosted 200,000 people.
Later, DeValera hosted State Reception, St. Patrick’s hall in Dublin Castle.
4,000 people attended.
As one of the main events of the Congress, it showed that Ireland Cultural Identify revolved around Catholicism and that the Congress helped spread its importance.
Mass meetings and children’s mass
Approx. 100,000 children attended mass in the Phoenix Park.
2,700 children from Primary and Secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Dublin provided music and songs.
After the Children’s mass the men’s and women’s mass were held in the Phoenix Park.
200,000 women attended and 250,000 men attended.
Hymns and prayers were sang followed by an address in Irish and English.
It’s clear that the Congress contributed to Irish Cultural Identity by the amount of people who attended.
High mass at Phoenix Park
The highlight of the Congress was the high mass on the 20th of June in the Phoenix Park.
20,000 volunteers and 4,000 members of the Catholic Boy Scouts were out in place to Marshall the crowd.
More than 1 million people gathered at the park to attend the mass.
One of the most memorable aspects was the message from Pope Pius XI.
“We wish you joy and we impart with the most special affection Our Apostolic Benediction”
Benediction at O’Connell Bridge.
One of the last main events of the Congress was the benediction at O’Connels bridge after the High mass.
A specially built altar was put in place for the ceremony.
The benediction was given by Cardinal Lauri.
“I shall never forget the unforgettably glorious days of the Eucharistic Congress.
The crowd sung songs like “faith of our fathers” and “God Bless the Pope”
Congress ends
Cardinal Lauri stayed in Ireland for a week after the Congress. This was the last main events of the event.
He visited places like Ramagh to meet cardinal MacRoy and attended Maynooth College.
He traveled to Killarney by train and was greeted by the Archbishop of Cashel and the towns urban council.
He returned to Dublin and departed on the 3rd of July 1932.
“Priests, men, woman and, children have all United to makes this Congress a plebiscite of love.”
decorating the streets
Contributed to Irish Cultural Identity by remaining people how important Catholicism is to the Irish culture.
In the weeks leading up to the Congress, catholic organisations raised money to play for the clean up and decoration of Irish towns and villages.
Families decorated their houses with yellow and white bunting - the Vatican colours - and erected pictures of the sacred heart and other religious symbols.
The ‘city Decorations Committee’ was established to offer advice on how to decorate local areas.
“ It used to be called Dirty Dublin……it is now a spotless and cleaned city……for the Eucharistic Congress”
Grafton street was decorated with “ropes of greenery supporting bronze replicas of St. Patrick’s’ Bust”
The amount of preparations shows how much the Congress meant to people’s faith and culture in Ireland.
Eucharistic Congress act 1932
The ECA of 1932 helped emphasis the importance of Catholicism as a feature of Irish cultural nationalism.
In preparations for the Congress, the government passed the Eucharistic Congress (Miscellaneous provisions) Act 1932.
This act provided fore:
- special traffic restrictions and driving regulations in Dublin City during the vents so people could drive various vehicles without licenses.
- The Sale of Alcohol was restricted during certain hours on the 26th of June and,
- The act provided for the use of ships as hotels in Dublin Bay.
“All expenses of carrying this act into effect shall be paid……by the Oireachtas”
Act helped emphasis how important religion was to the Irish people and their culture. The fact that the government passed an act meant that the congress was important to Irish Culture.
Divison between North and South highlighted
The Congress demonstrated the power of the Catholic Faith in Ireland at the time and brought together people from the North and south together to celebrate their culture.
However, the unity of Irish Catholics received heavy backlash from Protestants and highlighted the social and religious divide in Ireland.
There were accounts of the 100,000 pilgrims being attacked as they travelled to and from the Congress.
“From both sides of the tracks came the attack, smashing the windows or the cars and severely cutting several passengers”.
To the Protestants, the Congress seemed to confirm their beliefs that a country that is 77% Catholic may discriminate against them.
“Home rule is Rome rule”
Revival of Arts and Irish National
The Congress helped stimulate an interest in traditional Irish music, arts and culture. The use of Irish choirs and musical groups at the Congress sparked a cultural revival.
The Congress showcased Irish musical traditions which encouraged people to break away from the censorship of Irish culture left behind from British Colonialism.
The Dublin Choral Society performed with over 2,500 members making it a huge performance.
25% of Irelands population was there and those who attended went home feeling inspired to revive Irish Culture.
The revival of Irish culture afterwards gave Ireland its unique cultural Identity we see today.
Outro
