Hero's welcome home for St Kilian’s relics

The flicker of torches cast a warm glow against the cool darkness as, from atop Mullagh Hill, a primordial Om rumbled down invoking the return “home” of the scared relics of St Kilian - a saint, scholar, warrior, hero, and herald of the Gospel.

Dozens gathered by St Kilian's Well, at the furthest edge of parish, where 'Wir rufen and der teuren Mann' met 'Cead mile failte romhat Naomh Cillian', a moment of “deep exchange”, said local parish priest, Fr Paul Prior.

Last Thursday night, October 3, was no ordinary night. People from Mullagh and Würzburg gathered together in quiet reverence, a poignant reminder of a shared history, community, and faith.

Cllr Shane P. O'Reilly, chair of the Diocesan Organising Committee, had been with the relics of St Kilian and his martyred colleagues - Totnan and Kolonat - from when they first landed on Irish soil via Rosslare days earlier.

He, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council TP O'Reilly, Ruairi Lynch, Chair of the St Kilian Heritage Trust, and René Wohlfart, Mayor of Kürnach, were among the first to carry the relics on their shoulders.

Cllr O'Reilly found it a “deeply emotional” experience. The weight of the moment pressed heavily upon him.

“We've been working on this for so, so long, to see the crowds here tonight, all these young people, it's just important to us,” he says of the major religious and civic event organised between the Diocese of Kilmore, the Parish of Mullagh, and Cavan County Council.

Chief Executive Eoin Doyle said it had been a massive “collaborative” undertaking to bring the relics to Ireland, the first time they've left Germany in over 1,300 years.

He said the partnership between Cavan and Würzburg had been fostered over many years, and that this was moment of “great poignancy”.

From St Kilian's Well, the majority walked to Mullagh Lake where more faces, illuminated by soft light, joined to bear witness to an enactment of solemnity and joy, a chorus of song filling the air with palpable devotion.

John Murphy from Kells is a Supreme Knight with the Knights of Columbanus. He described being there as “unique and amazing”.

“I think this is the sort of thing that will bring back faith in Ireland. Just look at all the people here,” he marvelled.

“You can see it happening right here. This is reaching out to young people, to everyone really.”

He accepts that there might be an element of Tik Tok generation interest in the pageantry of three ancient bejewelled ancient skulls being paraded by firelight late at night, but considers what unfolds as “something more than that. More significant”.

“When we're in bad form we think the young people aren't interested but they are. Who knows what might follow from this. This is someone, a story, a person to admire. What he did, what he was willing to do, fearlessly stating what he believed. It's inspiring.”

Matthias Fleckenstein, chair of the German-Irish Society agrees. He admits to a slight sense of Bavarian indifference to the initial visit proposal.

But he quickly came to realise its wider significance.

Matthias was among the choir who sang at St Kilian's well, which also comprised of members of a youth pilgrimage from Germany.

“I thought it very strange to bring relics nowadays to a different place, but seeing it happen here, it touches me and it moves me. It's bringing them to a place, his home, and it has very much to say about his journey and the link between our two communities.”

From the lakeside the procession continued onwards past Teampaill Ceallaigh, the oldest known church in the parish, and a school and heritage centre dedicated to St Kilian.

This moving vigil was not merely a remembrance it was an affirmation of faith and an unbreakable bond that unifies them with the broader church community.

The carrying of the reliquary, beautifully crafted in gold, was shared by supporters of CLG Cúchulainn - Terry Farrelly, Micheal Farrelly, Barry Smith, and Ronan Carolan; followed by Senior Men Adrian Taite, Christopher Tully, Evan Doughty, and Ruairi O'Connell; then by Senior Ladies Aoife Murtagh, Rose Smith, Rachel Lynch, and Bronagh Flanagan; and club coaches Angela Gaffney, Evelyn Briody, Barry Fitzsimons, and Richie McCartney.

Members of the local St Kilian’s Heritage Trust - Caitriona Monaghan, Madeline Ui Mhealoid, Charlie O'Reilly and Ruairi Lynch, chairperson - helped carry the relics into the church itself.

Emma Garvey is a teacher at St Kilian's National School. She speaks of the excitement in the build up to the relics arrival in Mullagh. “It's been really moving,” says Emma. “We're really proud because we've always been teaching about St Kilian down through the years so to be able to bring the story to life in this way with the kids has been lovely. Really exciting. It's been a real celebration.”

When Fr Prior took to the pulpit after the relics had been secured at the table of their Sunday Eucharist, he admitted to those present that his heart was “thumping”.

“I can only imagine the depth of feeling and emotion reverberating in the hearts and souls of so many of you here this evening.”

To add to the significance of the occasion Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes and Bishop Jung lit a candle to symbolise the “light of their leadership” in their respective faith communities and the “bonds of friendship” that tie their dioceses together.

Madeline Ui Mhealoid, who in the past was honoured for her own legacy in promoting the history of St Kilian, later spoke of the “historic significance” of the homecoming.

“It's the culmination of many years of work, building that close association with the Diocese of Würzburg.

It was, understandably, “emotional, very emotional” watching as the relics were carried into Mullagh.

“It was very special.”

Bishop Franz Jung of Würzburg, as successors to St Kilian and his martyred colleagues, said that those in attenance were there to bear witness to the “seed of faith” planted generations before and is “still flourishing”.

Whether as pilgrims from Würzburg or faithful from Mullagh he went on to state: “Brought together from different countries, cultures and social backgrounds, we are united in the veneration of our patron saints.”