Racecourse Mass will evoke spirit of Pope’s visit to Ballybrit – 35 years on

Pope John Paul II’s visit to Galway will be remembered in April when a Mass will be held on the grounds of Ballybrit Racecourse. The Mass is part of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora’s plan to celebrate the canonisation of Pope John Paul ll and Pope John XXlll on April 27.

In September 1979, almost a quarter of a million people were in Ballybrit when Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass. In fact, it is one of the most celebrated events of the Papal visit, one that is still talked about and remembered by those who were there on the day.

An organising committee made up of Diocesan personnel and the Galway Race Committee will coordinate the event in April.

On the morning of April 27, the canonisation ceremony in Rome will be screened outdoors at Ballybrit Racecourse and a concelebrated mass will follow.

The joint hosts of the event continue to cherish the memory of the 1979 Papal visit and they very much wanted to be associated with the celebrations in Rome when Pope Francis declares the two Popes saints of the Catholic Church. It will be a mass of thanksgiving starting at noon.

Thousands are expected to attend the open air mass, many of them wishing to relive that day 35 years ago, while many more who missed it will also want to attend.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune