Road safety the key message of Archbishop's Croagh Patrick pilgrimage homily
The Archbishop of Tuam Archdiocese and Bishop of Killala Francis Duffy has delivered his homily marking the 2026 national Croagh Patrick pilgrimage.
He stated: "This weekend we recall the tradition that Saint Patrick spent forty days and forty nights fasting and praying on Croagh Patrick, the “Reek."
"It is clear from the many holy wells and other places associated with Saint Patrick that he walked many tracks and pathways around this country and travelled a long road to reach the West.
"No doubt the dangers of his time taught him to be cautious, and caused him to invoke God’s protection as he made his way around fifth-century Ireland.
"Road Safety is the theme chosen for this Reek Sunday.
"Every day, hundreds of thousands of people are on the move, and many will travel here by car for this special weekend.
"Indeed, also this weekend, there will be a great number travelling to the east of the country; may they do so safely and return joyfully.
"Over the years, whenever I changed my car, I noticed new safety features — new beeps and buzzes warning of possible dangers.
"Sometimes a message tells me I have been driving for too long without a break. Coloured lines appear to guide me when reversing; there are beeps when I come too close to something, and advance warnings of changes in the speed limit. All of these are there for our safety.
"Car manufacturers are simply answering our own desire for safety on the road, and hard-hitting road safety advertisements play their part too, keeping that awareness alive.
"Safe journey. Be careful on the road.
"These and other words of blessing, caution and advice are spoken whenever we set out by car. They carry a hope that all will be well, that all will be safe, and that every road-user will be respected.
"They also carry a quiet awareness that danger is never far away. Many people have their car blessed, carry a religious emblem, bless themselves, or say a short prayer before starting a journey.
"It is a way of calling on God to be with us, to guard us — in the same spirit as the prayer known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left…”
"There is, in other words, a consciousness that God travels with us, to protect us. Today we honour the man remembered as the composer of that prayer, our national patron, Saint Patrick.
"Some might ask what road safety has to do with faith, and what it has to do with Saint Patrick and the Reek Sunday pilgrimage.
" Good road safety calls on qualities we all possess and directs them toward travelling safely: acting responsibly, taking charge of ourselves, self-discipline, patience.
"Taking care on the road is an essential part of respect — respect for ourselves and for others: our passengers, and every driver, cyclist and pedestrian who shares the road with us.
"Seen this way, caring for ourselves and for one another falls squarely within our Christian obligations and practices.
"Today’s Gospel speaks of treasure.
"One treasure is Christ, the Son of God, who came among us and never left: “And know that I am with you always, yes, until the end of time,” (Mt. 28:20) Jesus said.
"The other treasure is human life itself, in all its stages — living it, enjoying it, and helping others to enjoy it; bringing out the best in ourselves and in one another.
"Remember what Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Protecting human life is the first condition for that fullness. Being attentive to road safety is one way of living out, protecting and enhancing that gift.
"Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe and a former priest of this diocese, writes regularly on road safety.
"Ahead of the May bank holiday he wrote that our road use can be modelled on the Parable of the Good Samaritan: we need to respect and be kind to the other — the stranger — whom we meet on the road.
"The car, the motorbike, the e-scooter, is a kind of liberation.
"It brings enjoyment, convenience, and for many people it is essential. There are many, many careful and responsible drivers that help make the road a safer place for everyone, and who are a good example to us all.
" But a vehicle of any kind is also dangerous, and it demands responsible handling. We know the terrible statistics of road traffic collisions, and behind every statistic lies trauma, heartache, sadness, regret and remorse — lives and families changed in a single moment.
"Accidents happen. But carelessness, distraction, speed, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are contributory factors that are entirely preventable.
"Slowing down, leaving in good time, resting when needed, staying sober and staying focused, obeying the rules of the road — these are not accidentals either.
"They are the essentials. They are the fruit of a deliberate decision to be more careful and to respect others.
"For many years I bought petrol at the same filling station, and the owner always sent his customers off with a cheerful “happy motoring”.
"May Saint Patrick — that great traveller, that great missionary pilgrim to Ireland who treasured God and treasured the lives of his fellow human beings, who knew the pathways of this country so well — guide, inspire and protect us.
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left.”