Meet the volunteers behind the Galway novena that attracts 10,000 people a day

What’s the point? That’s the question that will attract up to 10,000 people a day to Galway Cathedral from 15-23 February for the annual solemn novena, bucking the trend of plummeting mass attendance – and giving traffic wardens a headache or two as they deal with the influx of people into the city.

A highlight of the religious calendar, the novena – which, unusually for the Galway diocese, takes place during Lent this year – will focus on Bible parables like The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan and look at their relevance in Ireland in 2016.

However, speaking to those behind the scenes, it’s clear that, no matter what the theme, the novena has a special place in their hearts.

Fr Martin Whelan grew up on a dairy farm in Ardrahan and is now curate and diocesan secretary at Galway Cathedral, as well as a beekeeper in his spare time.

While mass attendance figures have fallen, he attributes the popularity of the novena to an enduring devotion to Our Lady, as well as the almost festival-like atmosphere that is generated throughout the nine days.

“It is very different. For a lot of people, this is their religious observation for the year,” acknowledges Fr Martin.

“Galway Cathedral is a huge building and this is one of the very rare occasions when it is full. It generates an energy that people do find nourishing.”

For example, it’s not unusual to see students from NUI Galway at the candlelight meditation sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights.

“It has obviously tapped into something and that aspect of the novena is growing every year,” he explains.

Indeed, the theme of this year’s novena (What’s The Point?: Stories of God, Stories of You) seems to correspond with the current trend towards mindfulness, with messages like the importance of living in the moment and practising gratitude.

“Take, say, The Prodigal Son. People who even don’t have faith go through feelings of anxiety and guilt,” says Fr Martin. “So the story of The Prodigal Son, of unconditional forgiveness and welcoming back, strikes a chord with most people.

“They are insights into faith, into human life, into relationships and again they’re 2000 years old – but they’re very fresh and insightful.”

While the novena is facilitated by the Redemptorists, the diocesan staff and a team of volunteers make sure everything runs smoothly, with up to 120 ministers of the Eucharist and another 60 or so parishioners who help with everything from stewarding the car park to making tea.

One person who will be on call is minister of the Eucharist Aidan Carney, who works in sales and marketing support in Galway city, but also rears calves to beef on the family farm in Kiltimagh.

He first began attending the novena as a student over 20 years ago and believes its appeal is due to the quality of the speakers.

“It’s not ‘preaching’ at a high level,” he explains. “It’s based around the difficulties that, no matter what, every one of us is encountering – there isn’t a person who doesn’t have their own problems or difficulties or worries around money or whatever.”

Time to reflect

Aidan also sees the novena as an opportunity to take time out from work to reflect and give thanks for what he has. For example, one aspect that always hits home is when people’s petitions are read out as part of the service.

“The daily petitions make you realise the difficulties that are in people’s lives and what you take for granted as well,” he says.

“For that week, it gets you thinking genuinely about the things that are really important and what we should be focusing on.”

It’s a view shared by Louise Rooney, who is originally from Roscommon but has lived in Galway for 12 years and will also be volunteering as a minister of the Eucharist.

“In a way, it’s like getting your spiritual batteries recharged,” says Louise.

“I find it hard to stop – life is so hectic and there are so many distractions. The novena gives you that opportunity to pause and to reflect and just to let me have time to myself.”

For Louise, who works as parish secretary in Oranmore, the novena is also one of the rare occasions today where people gather in such large numbers to celebrate their faith.

“Faith has become more private in our modern society – it’s not at the forefront of conversation at the supermarket or at football sidelines,” she says.

“But when we attend events like the novena, we’re giving public witness to our faith and as people of God we’re gathering and we’re praying for each other and for ourselves.”

Though, when it comes to finding a car space near the cathedral with 10,000 people every day, you might need a little more than divine intervention if you are tempted to park illegally.

“Just because you’re attending a holy event does not mean you are going to get anywhere with the clampers,” laughs Louise.

The Galway solemn novena will run from Monday 15 February until Tuesday 23 February at Galway Cathedral. Weekday mass times are at 7:45am, 11am, 1:10pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm, 9pm and mass will be said at 9am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm and 8pm on Sunday. The candlelight meditation sessions will take place at 10pm on Wednesday 17 and Monday 22 February.

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