Wonderful sight as 150 priests join in Mass

The Mass held at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of the Most Reverend Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, was a joyous spectacle.Approximately 150 priests stood on the altar for the concelebration of the Eucharist.Along with the three bishops present - Bishop Smith, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, and Bishop Anthony Farquhar.It was a most striking sight: the priests robed in white or cream, each wearing a stole embroidered with gold; the Bishop himself in a chasuble of rich gold, wearing a mitre embossed with gold markings, while the Papal Nuncio and Bishop Farquhar were both in white vestments with red stoles.The Mass was said in front of a congregation of approximately 2,500 people, many of whom had travelled from parishes throughout Meath to join in the celebration.An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD was represented by his Aide-de-Camp Comdt Michael Treacy and also present was Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport.Lay people from various aspects of Church life took part in the liturgy. The Scripture readings were read by Mr Colm O"Rourke, Principal of St Patrick"s Classical School in Navan and Ms Agatha McPartland, Secretary of the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, to represent Bishop Smith"s commitment to Catholic education and to the care of the sick.Among those taking part was Ms Lucia Cully, who was the first child to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from the newly ordained Bishop on 5 March 1984 in Kildalkey.Speaking before the Mass, Lucia explained that: 'a lot of things have changed in my life since I was confirmed by Bishop Smith 25 years ago. But in all these changes my faith remains an important part of my life and I thank God for the blessings that have come my way.' Five years ago Lucia married Brian Moran and the couple now live in Rathcairn with their children Molly (2) and recently born twins Jack and Saoirse.The homily was preached by Bishop Anthony Farquhar from Belfast, who has been a close friend of Bishop Smith"s since their student days in Rome. He too recently marked the 25th anniversary of his own Episcopal Ordination.The Cathedral choir sang magnificently during the Mass, and there were immensely impressive instrumental performances by pupils from the Schola Cantorum at St. Finian"s College.