Pilgrims reflect on their experience on the recent Kildare Ministries' Pilgrimage to Ireland

A Journey: Encountering and Imagining

Reflection by Stephanie Smyth

Over the recent term break, twenty-three pilgrims from across Kildare Ministries journeyed through the sacred landscapes of Ireland and into the heart of our shared story. We walked in the footsteps of our founders, Brigid, Nano, and Daniel, entering the places that shaped their faith and continue to speak to ours today.

At our opening liturgy, Brother Denis Gleeson invited us to still our hearts and listen for the voice of God within. His words set the rhythm for our days, reminding us that pilgrimage is less about movement and more about relationship — walking with God, one another, and the whisper of the Spirit in the ordinary. The hymn “Pilgrim, how you journey on the road you chose…” became our prayer, reminding us that every step, silence, and encounter reveals who we are and who we are called to become.

Finding God in the Ordinary

Each day offered moments of quiet revelation. In the soft light of Glendalough, we felt the hush of God reflected in still waters and the ruins of St Kevin’s monastery. The lakes mirrored not only the sky but the soul, and in their stillness God felt near, woven into the rhythm of the valley.

At Clonmacnoise, among ancient towers and Celtic crosses, the River Shannon flowed gently beside us, carrying the faith of those who had gone before. The stones seemed to speak, reminding us that faith, like the river, endures by flowing forward, renewing all it touches.

At Brigit’s Garden, alive with symbol and story, the spirit of St Brigid moved gently through every leaf and shaft of light. The garden invited us to slow down and rediscover what Brigid’s life teaches — that God speaks in the rhythm of creation and the turning of the seasons. Surrounded by oak, moss, and wildflower, we found ourselves not merely observing creation but belonging to it. In that stillness, the sacred felt close — tender, unhurried, wholly alive.

At the Mass Rock in Glenville, hidden deep within the forest, we encountered the raw faith of those who once gathered in secret to worship. As water rushed by and wind moved through the trees, we felt connected to a long line of believers who trusted in God even when hope was fragile. There, the boundaries between past and present, heaven and earth, seemed to dissolve.

Walking with Nano Nagle — A Lantern in the Darkness

In Ballygriffin, Nano’s birthplace, the soft green hills spoke of simplicity and trust. The landscape seemed to shape the heart of a woman who would one day light the way for others. In Cork, we walked the narrow streets where Nano carried her lantern at night, bringing hope to those who had been forgotten. Each step felt touched by her conviction that love must take form in action.

At the Nano Nagle Centre, standing by her tomb, we prayed in gratitude for a woman who refused to accept that poverty and ignorance were the final word. Nano’s legacy lives on in the motto of the Presentation Sisters, “Deeds not Words,” reminding us that faith is measured not by what we say but by what we do. Her lantern still shines wherever compassion is lived — in classrooms, communities, and hearts that choose to serve with courage and kindness.

Planting What Will One Day Grow

In Tullow, we gathered beneath the great oak planted by Bishop Daniel Delany in 1807, grown from a sapling of St Brigid’s original tree. Its wide branches reached toward the sky, a living symbol of faith that endures through time and change. Beneath its shade, we reflected on the courage of a man whose vision still shapes our story.

Daniel Delany was a leader of imagination and heart who dreamed of a community renewed through education, compassion, and justice — where the Gospel would take root in lives. Listening to Rosemary Copeland, Co-Chair of Kildare Ministries, we were reminded that his spirit continues to move through our ministries today, forming minds, nurturing hearts, and inspiring service.

As we stood in that sacred place, we recognised that the oak’s roots reach far beyond the soil of Tullow — into our classrooms, boardrooms, and communities. Like Daniel, we are called to plant what will one day grow: to lead with vision, to educate with love, and to nurture faith that will flourish in the hearts and hands of those who follow.

The Light of Brigid — Welcoming All

Our pilgrimage drew us finally to Kildare, home of St Brigid, where the Brigidine Sisters at Solas Bhríde welcomed us with warmth, wisdom, and quiet joy. Their hospitality reflected the heart of Brigid — a woman of courage, compassion, peace, and justice, who recognised God in every person and every created thing.

At Brigid’s Well, we offered prayers of gratitude and blessing for one another and for the communities we serve. The gentle flow of water and the steady flame of Brigid’s fire spoke of God’s constancy amid change, a reminder that chaos can give rise to beauty.

As we concluded our time at Solas Bhríde, we were invited to ponder the question at the heart of every pilgrimage: What light will I carry home? Brigid calls us to tend the flame entrusted to us: to live with courage, justice, and hospitality, and to be people of strength and kindliness, bearers of light for a world longing for renewal.

Gratitude and Grace

As we prepared to return home, our hearts were filled with gratitude for those who guided us on this sacred journey. We give thanks to Nicole Mangelsdorf, Jane Collopy, and Peter Houlahan, whose wisdom, care, and gentle leadership made this pilgrimage a true experience of grace. Their attentiveness created space for reflection and renewal, allowing each pilgrim to encounter the Spirit in their own way.

As we journeyed home, we carried with us the courage of Daniel Delany, the compassion of Nano Nagle, and the hope and hospitality of St Brigid. Each has gifted us a way of seeing — to find God in the ordinary, to respond with love in action, and to walk always one pace beyond.

May the light of Christ guide our steps,

the spirit of Brigid warm our hearts,

the courage of Daniel strengthen our resolve,

and the compassion of Nano shape our hands for service.

Let us continue to walk together, pilgrims of hope, bringing faith, justice, and love to life in our time.

Stephanie Smyth

Principal, Kilbreda College

"Pilgrimage is a sacred journey that brings us towards the Divine." Dr Noelia Molina

Indeed, there is something deeply sacred about the history and spirituality of Ireland—an enriching and sustaining element of our Brigidine and Presentation heritage within Kildare Ministries. The Spirit called us towards the Divine, inviting us into a sacred pause as we listened, prayed, observed, and became vulnerable and open... a pilgrim’s lot!

To gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of humans (Earthlings) and the hospitality of the Earth—such a small part of a vast cosmos—was both breathtaking and challenging.

The organising team — Nicole Mangelsdorf, Jane Collopy, and Peter Houlahan — created an environment of wellbeing as we journeyed through the activities and input sessions. Their thoughtful preparation was wonderful, and we are deeply grateful.

The pilgrims will undoubtedly be bearers of the flame for future Kildare Ministries communities. I hope each has recognised the Divine within themselves.

I am certainly enriched, and deeply grateful.

Rosemary Copeland

Co-Chair, Trustees of Kildare Ministries

The recent pilgrimage to Ireland was a deeply enriching and faith-filled experience. Climbing Croagh Patrick and visiting sacred sites such as Inismore and Mass Rock provided profound opportunities for reflection and spiritual renewal. A particular highlight was visiting Nano Nagle’s birthplace and meeting members of the Presentation and Brigidine congregations. These encounters were especially meaningful, as they reaffirmed the shared values, vision, and mission that underpin the work of Kildare Ministries schools.

Throughout the journey, the beauty of the Irish landscape and the hospitality of the communities we met served as powerful reminders of the strength that comes from faith, connection, and service. This pilgrimage has inspired a renewed commitment to living out the charism of our founders with integrity, compassion, and hope.

Onkar Chauhan

Finance Manager, Star of the Sea College

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