IRELAND, April 27, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Irish Christians are calling for a global day of prayer and reparation for Ireland on May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, as the Emerald Isle prepares to vote on whether to legalize abortion.
“Through prayer, and in particular through reparation and repentance, we can do two things,” Patrick McCrystal, Executive Director of Human Life International’s (HLI) Ireland branch told LifeSiteNews. Prayers of reparation and repentance can “avert the major abortion crisis looming upon us, by God’s mercy” and “defeat the forces of evil that threaten our nation.”
The “Day of Reparation and Repentance,” held on a significant Marian feast day, will be “for the protection of the unborn and in reparation for the ways Ireland has turned away from God.”
There will be seven events across Ireland. All of the events will include Mass.
“The abortion issue we are facing is a symptom, a gruesome climax, of years of rejection of God and his teachings in this country,” explained McCrystal. “We have been witnessing a breakdown of morality and a slow slide into this ‘culture of death’ for years.”
Therefore Ireland needs to “call upon the power of God, get on our knees in repentance for the sins of our nation, and be ready to play our part in the great revival and re-ignition of the fire of faith in Ireland!”
On May 25, the Irish people will vote on repealing the Eighth Amendment, Ireland’s constitutional provision that guarantees pre-born humans the right to life. International pro-abortion groups connected to George Soros are advocating for the abolition of the life-saving law.
The ongoing “serious international political and financial interference in the affairs of our nation” and “a morally bankrupt government and media establishment” combined with “the effects of the horrendous sex abuse scandal within the Church” have all created a “‘perfect storm’ against God and His people,” said McCrystal.
But despite “widespread rejection of Church teaching,” God can still intervene.
HLI reports that Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin and primate of all Ireland, sent the pro-life group a letter saying he will be in Lourdes, France that day but will unite his prayers with all who are gathering in Ireland.
“There is little doubt that this is a spiritual battle of EPIC proportions,” McCrystal told LifeSiteNews via email. “We are fighting for the very soul of our nation. There is some anecdotal evidence of occult and witchcraft activity levelled against Ireland for some years. But God’s power is GREATER.”
McCrystal explained:
So many people have been swept up in a culture that seeks to obscure truth at every level: fundamental truths such as who we are, who made us, why we were created and our responsibilities to God and neighbour; scientific truths such as when life begins; medical truths such as the reality of abortion procedures, their effect on women, and their intention to end a life; and even social truths as to the unique and precious value of marriage in society.
“Nineveh repented and fasted – and disaster was averted,” said McCrystal. “Let’s seek His face, clear the decks, and make way for grace!”
Those unable to physically be at any of the prayer events in Ireland are asked to offer prayers of repentance and reparation that day at Mass, via the rosary, and via the Holy Face chaplet.
Last year was the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Fatima, Portugal, where she warned three peasant children – two of whom Pope Francis canonized – of the need for prayer and penance for “poor sinners.” She urged them to pray the rosary every day.
“More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason,” she said, and “Russia will spread her errors throughout the world” if not consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. The Bolshevik Revolution occurred later that year, in November 1917.
Appropriately, May 13 is also Mother’s Day in the U.S. this year.
The gatherings will be at the following locations:
Dublin: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. including Mass in Our Lady of Victories Church, Sallynoggin, south Dublin
Limerick: 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. including Mass in St. Saviour’s Dominican Church.
Donegal Town: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. including Mass in St. Patrick’s Church.
Cork City: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. including Mass in St. Joseph’s Church SMA Fathers, Wilton.
Knock, Co. Mayo: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. including Mass in Shanvaghera Church, 3 miles outside Knock village.
Belfast: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 pm including Mass in St. Mary’s Church Chapel Lane.
Waterford City: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. including Mass in the Cathedral.