FEAST DAY HONORING FOUNDING SAINT IN KILLEEDY, IRELAND

I grew up in the parish of Killeedy (‘Church of Ita’) in Limerick County in Ireland. The parish took its name from the sixth century saint, Ita, and her name means ‘thirst for God’. Churches, schools and many social associations and institutions are named in her honor. Her patronal feast day is observed each year to honor her and invoke her continuing blessings on January 15.

Her feast day and inspiration grew from her holiness and missionary work , from her establishment of a monastic type settlement for education, evangelization and spirituality. The name Ita has been given as a baptismal name to many girls, and many schools and churches bear her name.

Each year on her feast day, the parish and wider community gather to honor her. Her feast day is marked with a festal celebration of Mass presided over by the bishop of the diocese of Limerick, attracting many who are spiritually connected to the saint who live elsewhere.

The spirit of St. Ita has been remembered and nurtured from generation to generation by the sacred observance of her feast each year on January 15th. Schools of the surrounded community are closed in her honor; all day prayer and visits to the local cemetery is normative; and a community wide dinner and social is arranged; and reunions of individuals and families from all parts of Ireland and many countries throughout the world gather to memorialize her spiritual legacy.

Her lasting impact on the people of the area is traceable to her service to needy people and especially children; to her devotion to the Holy Trinity; her tender love for the Christ child; and her dedication to the spread of the gospel. For those who gather to honor St. Ita, it is an opportunity of remembering loved ones and family members who are deceased. Natives of the parish who are missionary sisters, brothers and priests are fondly remembered and all images of St. Ita depict her in statues and paintings as ‘holding up’ the church.

The central Mass celebration is in St. Ita Church, Raheenagh, and an evening Mass is schedule for St. Ita Church. The 11:00 am Mass will be heard on internet transmission. The link is; Https://WWW.youtube.com/watch?v=mdgLBbJ32Ps

May the blessings of St. Ita be always with Killeedy.

[Submitted by Father David O’Connor, who is experiencing a snow-covered part of Ireland these days. EMAIL: doconnor.natchez@gmail.com]

Father David O'Connor 10 Morgantown Road Natchez, MS 39120-2788