The Bronx’s Woodlawn neighborhood will once again echo with the Irish language as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Gaelic societies, and local parishioners gather for the 8th annual Irish Language Mass at St. Barnabas on Sunday, September 14. Celebrated by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald, the Mass honors the resilience of Irish culture, from the outlawed Mass Rocks of history to today’s thriving Irish American community.
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions will join with Gaelic Societies, Irish community groups and St. Barnabas parishioners in the strongly Irish Woodlawn-McLean area for the 8th annual Irish language Mass on Sunday, September 14th, at 2:30pm.
Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald, will celebrate the Gaelic Mass, which is dedicated to all those who have kept the Irish language and culture alive. To symbolize this theme, the AOH flyer depicts a Mass Rock where Gaelic speakers gathered in secret to hear outlawed Masses said by outlawed priests in defiance of English penal laws.
The Bronx AOH Irish language Mass has become a national AOH event viewed by Hibernians across the United States and in Ireland via the St. Barnabas Facebook and AOH YouTube. In addition to those attending in person, thousands of viewers have watched the Mass remotely, many who had never before seen the Mass said in the language of our ancestors.
The public can watched the Mass live on St. Barnabas' Facebook page (here)
or on the AOH's YouTube (here).
Bronx County AOH President Martin Galvin noted "The Irish language is an important and indestructible part of our Irish heritage. Measures to wipe out the Irish language began even before penal laws to wipe out the Catholic religion in Ireland. Ireland's cherished landmarks include Mass Rocks, where Gaelic speakers risked death or imprisonment simply to worship. Even today simple Irish language street signs are bitterly opposed.
“As an organization formed to promote Irish ideals, culture, history and national freedom, we can think of no more fitting way for AOH members to honor Irish heritage than an Irish Mass embodying all of these themes.
"There has been a great response each year from AOH officers, Gaelic clubs, community groups and individuals who would just like to hear the Mass said in the language of our ancestors. St. Barnabas is fortunate enough to have a pastor like Fr. Fitzgerald who can say the Mass in Gaelic."
Irish-English translations of the liturgy will be made available, so that anyone can read the prayers in English as they hear the Mass said in Irish. However a surprising number of parishioners, and Irish speakers attend without need of translation booklets.
Among those doing readings in Irish will be Deputy Consul General Roisin Leonard from the New York Irish Consulate, Eugene Collum from the Heritage, members of the Pearl River Irish Language Group, and local community groups Emerald Isle and Aisling.
A special musical program will be provided by the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish music and the Kerry Pipers will lead in the procession.
The Mass will be held in the Main Church on Martha Avenue near East 241st Street, near the Bronx River Parkway, Deegan Expressway or Metro-North Railroad Woodlawn Station, on Sunday September 14th at 2:30pm. Following the Mass, refreshments will be provided at the Heritage, 960 McLean Avenue, directly across the road from St. Barnabas.
