Calling all Cillians, Killians and Kilians: Relics of Saint Kilian to visit Ireland for the first time
St Patrick’s College are inviting anyone sharing the 7th century saint's name to join them for a special veneration in October
This October, for the first time, the sacred relics of 7th century Irish martyr, Saint Kilian, will return to his home country and native county of Cavan from Würzburg in Germany, as well as stopping off in Kildare.
Maynooth has been chosen as a stopping point on the journey, with the relics open to the public for veneration in the College Chapel following Vespers at 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 2.
While the event is open to all, St Patrick’s College is particularly interested in spreading the word among those sharing the Saint’s name and are putting a call out to all Kilians, Killians or Cillians to come and join the special evening on October 2.
This major religious and civic event is being organised by the Diocese of Kilmore, the Parish of Mullagh and Cavan County Council.
The historic pilgrimage will involve the visit of Saint Kilian’s relics, along with those of his martyred colleagues, Saints Totnan and Kolonat. The relics will be transported from their resting place in the Altar of Würzburg Cathedral, for five days from 2 to 6 next month.
The relics inlaid with precious stones are contained in a specially preserved glass case and it will be the first time that they will have left Germany.
Monk-scholars like Kilian were schooled in great Irish monasteries. They built monasteries that became spiritual and cultural centres that served the religious and educational needs of the people where they settled, becoming catalysts for some of Europe’s cities and towns, like Würzburg and Salzburg, and many others across the continent.
They motivated wandering tribes to settle by teaching them agriculture, bee keeping and brewing beer. Therefore, they were the societal architects of Europe whose legacy can still be experienced today.
In the estimation of some scholars, these monk-scholars contributed to the saving of Europe and the Christian civilization which was coming close to extinction.
Rev Prof Michael Mullaney, President of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth said: “The visit of St Kilian will be a moment to remember the great contribution that many Irish monk-scholars like Colmcille, Columbanus, Aidan, Fergal, Gall and Kilian himself made in the cultural development and spiritual renewal of Europe in the Dark Ages.
“The visit to St Patrick’s College underlines the importance of the University as a centre of learning and faith and as the successor of the early Irish monasteries. The stories of St Kilian and the other Irish monk-scholars remind us of the importance of the mission and mandate of the College as the National Seminary and the Pontifical University to continue education and faith formation of those preparing for ministry in the future – both as priests, ministers, deacons and lay parish workers”, he added.
To register to attend the veneration of the relics, please click here.