The ‘Picpus’ project, an annual spiritual and community dynamic, took shape this year under the name Rendez-Vous Picpus. A series of eight themed meetings led by a variety of speakers has been proposed, exploring various facets of Christian hope. The general theme of this first edition is ‘WHEN HOPE TAKES ON A FACE’.
On Saturday 16 November, the Mozart Picpus Room hosted the first meeting in this series, with a talk given by Sister Angela O'Toole sscc on the theme: ‘Hope, an anchor that keeps us connected to Christ: the experience of the Church in the turmoil in Ireland’.
Around 19 participants were present to listen to and discuss this rich and profound subject. Sister Angela offered a poignant account of the history of Christianity in Ireland, marked by a period of intense persecution especially during the 17-18th Centuries. During this dark period, the laity played an active and courageous role in keeping the faith alive. A key term from this period is ‘Mass Rock’, which refers to the clandestine Masses celebrated in the wilderness by outlawed priests, a symbol of resistance and Christian hope.
Sister Angela also highlighted the current situation of the Irish Church, which is facing a marked decline in the practice of Christian faith, as well as experiencing a significant drop in religious and priestly vocations. This observation calls for a further reflection on hope in times of transformation for the Church.