Frs. Steve and Manny Return from Ireland Pilgrimage

By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB

(Marrero, LA – July 30) – Frs. Steve Ryan and Manny Gallo, SDBs, just returned from a 9-day pilgrimage in Ireland. They, along with 39 other pilgrims, traveled the entire periphery of the country. They visited landmarks and sacred sites, including, but not limited to, the grave of Sts. Patrick, Brigid, and Columba at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, the Cliffs of Moher and Ring of Kerry, and St. Kevin's ecclesiastic community in Glendalough.

Each day Frs. Steve and Manny concelebrated Mass for the pilgrims at beautiful local churches and cathedrals, including St. Mary's in Dingle, where Fr. Steve's grandmother and other Irish relatives received their sacraments.

The group also visited designated pilgrimage sites for the 2025 Jubilee Year, such as Knock Shrine in County Mayo, where our Blessed Mother appeared in 1879, and Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick's Holy Mountain, where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. Seven of the pilgrims even climbed to its summit!