The Events of the Congress

Monday, 20 June 1932

• On Monday, 20 June, Cardinal Lauri, the Papal Legate, arrived at Dún Laoghaire harbour at 3 p.m. He had travelled by boat from Holyhead, having passed through Paris and London.
• The sun shone as thousands of people lined the streets of Dublin to catch a glimpse of the Pope's representative. President Éamon de Valera and other government dignitaries welcomed him.
• As Cardinal Lauri disembarked, Air Corps planes flew overhead in the shape of a crucifix, and the army fired a 19-gun salute.
• Cardinal Lauri then travelled in an open-top car, escorted by the Blue Hussars cavalry, into the city to the Pro-Cathedral. Thousands of people lined the nine-mile route to welcome him. Upon his arrival, Cardinal Lauri was formally greeted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alfie Byrne, as he passed through the 'city gates' on Merrion Road.

Tuesday, 21 June 1932

• Over 14,000 people, including Cardinal Lauri, attended a garden party in Blackrock College organised by its president, John Charles McQuaid. McQuaid carefully managed the event to avoid any embarrassing encounters between de Valera and the Governor General, James McNeill.
• That evening, de Valera officially welcomed Cardinal Lauri with a trilingual speech (Latin, Irish, and English) at an official state banquet in Dublin Castle.
• De Valera spoke about the special relationship between the Vatican and the Irish people. In response, Cardinal Lauri informed the audience that the Pope had instructed him to "go to Ireland in my name and say to the good people assembled there that the Holy Father loves Ireland and sends to Ireland and its inhabitants and visitors not the usual Apostolic blessing but a very special all-embracing one." This formal exchange set the tone for the rest of the Congress.

Wednesday, 22 June 1932 to Saturday, 25 June 1932

• The official religious activities began on the afternoon of Wednesday, 22 June. Cardinal Lauri visited Scoil Éanna, Pearse's Gaelscoil in Rathfarnham, before proceeding to the Pro-Cathedral for the opening Mass at 2:30 p.m.
• On the opening night, Midnight Mass was celebrated in most churches nationwide. Crowds were so large that many could not get into the church. On the opening night, the words Laudamus, Glorificamus, and Adoramus ("We praise, we glorify, and we adore") were projected onto the night sky over Dublin.
• A special Mass was celebrated each day during the Congress. On Thursday, 23 June, 250,000 attended the Men's Mass, and then they proceeded past the Cardinal to receive his blessing.
• On Friday, June 24, the Women's Mass was held, with over 200,000 women in attendance. On Saturday, June 25, the Children's Mass saw 100,000 children gather.
• Throughout the week, informative lectures on the Eucharist were held in various locations around Dublin.
• The UCD (University College Dublin), then in Earlsfort Place, hosted meetings for many nationalities and groups worldwide to discuss the link between their country and Ireland.
• Exhibitions on Irish Catholic history and missionary work were held. The number of Irish missionary priests increased after the event, as the Congress inspired some. A single-issue newspaper, The Congress News, and a 230-page programme were published.
• Masses and open-air benedictions and processions took place all over Ireland. Attendance at local level was as strong as in Dublin, with thousands gathering at open altars in provincial towns, including 10,000 in Sligo and 8,000 in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Sunday, 26 June: Mass in the Phoenix Park

• The week's climax arrived on Sunday, with the Mass in Phoenix Park. Newspapers reported daily on the preparations, heightening excitement and anticipation.
• Catering tents, first-aid stations, toilets, and a direct water supply were all set up in the park. Over 500 loudspeakers, a novelty at the time, were used to reach the expected large crowd. The Mass was also broadcast on radio, reaching the entire country via the Athlone transmitter.
• On Saturday night and Sunday morning, people travelled from all over Ireland to Dublin for the Mass in Phoenix Park. Over 130 extra trains were run to accommodate the crowds and T_he Irish Times_ reported under the headline "The mighty invasion".
• "The multitude, which invaded Dublin yesterday, reached the city by road, rail, and sea. Every available passenger-carrying vehicle was brought into commission. The number travelling by rail alone numbered 142,000. An exceptionally large number also arrived by omnibus. A very big proportion of country visitors reached the city on Friday night and yesterday morning. Dublin had seen such a varied collection of travelling conveyances at one time. There were all makes and all ages." (Irish Times, 27 June 1932)
• More than one million people attended the High Mass in Phoenix Park. Over 20,000 volunteers and 4,000 Boy Scouts were involved in helping to marshal the crowds.
• The Mass was celebrated on a special altar. The purple robes of the bishops and the scarlet of the cardinals, the flowers, and the music created an atmosphere of awe and worship, making it a memorable experience for those present.
• Three highlights in particular were remembered:
  • The hymn "Panis Angelicus" ("Bread of Angels") was sung by Ireland's famous tenor, John McCormack, during the offertory.
  • From Athlone, McCormack was a devoted Catholic who was created a papal count in 1928. His participation added to the sense of pride in the Irish people.
  • Using the largest and most modern public address system ensured that his enthralling rendition reached every ear in the park.
  • At the consecration, the host was held up in complete silence, broken only by the sound of trumpets, followed by the ancient clang of St. Patrick's Bell. Almost 1,000 years old, the bell was on loan from the National Museum of Ireland.
  • Perhaps the greatest highlight for those listening was hearing Pope Pius XI's voice from the Vatican. This was inspiring for devout Catholics who had never heard the Pope speak.
  • The loudspeakers carried the Pope's words not just through the city centre and Phoenix Park but also along the quays and in various locations around the country. Modern technology allowed the Pope to communicate with the millions gathered in Ireland as if he were in Rome.
• From his private library in Rome, Pope Pius XI remarked on the success of the Congress, the exceptional piety of the Irish people, and the unique relationship between the Vatican and Ireland.
• After the Mass, there was a 30-minute refreshment break. Then, the Eucharist was carried in procession from the Park to O'Connell Bridge, where benediction was given from a special altar.
• The procession from the Phoenix Park to O'Connell Bridge was a massive logistical achievement. It was the final act of a memorable week.
• After the Congress had officially concluded, Cardinal Lauri travelled around Ireland for a further week. He visited Cardinal Joseph MacRory, the Primate of all Ireland, in Armagh City.
• Large crowds gathered in towns such as Dundalk and Newry along the way. He also visited tourist spots in Kerry before leaving Dublin on 3 July.

Key Terms to Revise and Study

• Cardinal Lauri: A high-ranking official of the Catholic Church, sent as the Papal Legate to represent Pope Pius XI at the Eucharistic Congress.
• Éamon de Valera: A prominent Irish political leader and President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State during the Eucharistic Congress.
• Blue Hussars cavalry: A ceremonial unit of the Irish Defence Forces, known for their distinctive blue uniforms, who escorted dignitaries during the Congress.
• Alfie Byrne: The Lord Mayor of Dublin during the Eucharistic Congress, who played a significant role in welcoming international guests.
• John Charles McQuaid: A leading Irish clergyman who organised significant events during the Congress and later became Archbishop of Dublin.
• James McNeill: The Governor General of the Irish Free State at the time of the Congress, representing the British monarch in Ireland.
• Benediction: A religious service involving the congregation's blessing with the Eucharist.
• Phoenix Park: Served as the main venue for the Eucharistic Congress's closing Mass.
• John McCormack: An internationally renowned Irish tenor who performed during the Eucharistic Congress.
• St. Patrick's Bell: An ancient Irish bell, believed to date back to the time of St. Patrick, used during the Eucharistic Congress.
• Pope Pius XI: The Pope who oversaw the Catholic Church during the Eucharistic Congress, delivering a speech to the Irish faithful from the Vatican.