Q: How do you define summer in Ireland?
A: Two consecutive days of sunshine!
If this is the case, the Americans in the Folk Choir have brought the French Riviera to the Republic of Ireland. Or, at least that's what they're saying about us. We've had five days of jaw-dropping sunshine.
On Saturday, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Choir had a full day: a music workshop for the diocese in the morning, followed by a mini retreat experience, a pilgrim's rosary, on Our Lady's Island, Oileán Mhuire.
We had been working hard those first few days. On Tuesday and Wednesday, our first days overseas, we performed for two Catholic grade schools, Dublin's National Concert Hall, and a parish concert. The whole week was one of great giving, and much patience was demanded of the ensemble.
But Saturday we had time for ourselves, and we walked this sacred pilgrim's way, in groups of a half-dozen or so. Along the way, you could hear small collections of our singers praying the rosary, offering up intentions for those back home, talking about things close to the heart.
It was a much needed respite on the eve of Pentecost.
Sometimes, the best way to straighten things out inside you is to go around in circles — whether it be the repetitive prayer of the rosary, or the holy ground of a peninsula that has been witnessing the prayers of people like us for centuries.
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