When Catholics stand up for the faith, the opposition is often forced to retreat and even apologize.
This is what just happened in Ireland. On May 29, Mayo Pride posted a Facebook post of a blasphemous “drag” portrayal of the Infant Jesus of Prague. The pro-homosexual group also announced a “pilgrimage” climbing Croagh Patrick, a traditional and sacred site associated with Saint Patrick.
Catholics from the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, an autonomous TFP sister organization, mobilized. A Rosary rally of reparation was scheduled at Croagh Patrick. By May 31, presumably facing mounting reaction, Mayo Pride deleted all pictures of the blasphemous “Child of Drag” and canceled their mocking June 2 pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick due to “high winds.”
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In addition, Mayo Pride has “apologized” for the Child of Drag. Its apology was grudgingly given, acknowledging the opposition and showing that the reaction was a factor in taking down the image.
Some fifty participants prayed the Rosary and sang hymns to Our Lady and Our Lord in Westport on June 1. Every so often, ISFCC member Damien Murphy played stirring music on the bagpipes, and after each decade, the participants shouted, “Reparation! Reparation! Reparation!”
A handful of passersby used foul words or tried to mock the participants. Such affronts only prompted the Catholics to pray even louder and more fervently. The rally lasted just over an hour with minimal disruption, and many participants stayed on afterward talking.
The Joy of the Participants
A striking aspect of the Rosary Rally was the joy of the participants. Although some had traveled far and others had sacrificed a restful day to attend, defending Our Lord in the face of His enemies is a joyful thing. Sin and vice can only give so much fleeting pleasure. Only virtue and serving Our Lord will provide authentic joy, and that joy was palpable at the Rally.
The participant had the further joy of hearing that the pilgrimage scheduled the next day had been canceled.
The Importance of Reparation
Regardless of the intentions of the perpetrators, a horrendous blasphemy was committed. In other words, Our Lord was publicly offended, despised and hated. Catholics must make reparation for such offenses. The Church and the saints have done this throughout history, which should be no different today. This public Rosary rally did just that. While remaining peaceful and calm, the Rosary rally clearly showed the indignation and rejection of Catholics for such a grotesque blasphemy. And the other side was forced to retreat.
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