THE WIND blew, the rain fell and, instead of melting away discreetly as normal, the hail held its ground defiantly as the stout-hearted faithful gathered in declining night for an ecumenical "Sonrise" service to celebrate that original Easter rising, writes PATSY MCGARRYReligious Affairs Correspondent, at the Papal Cross, Phoenix Park.
And still they came, hardy Christians from parishes in west Dublin, led by their pastors, including Fr Martin Cosgrove, parish priest of Mourne Road in Drimnagh; Rev Andrew Orr, rector in Castleknock; Rev Elaine Dunne, priest in Clonsilla; and Fr Denis Robinson, curate in Drimnagh.
And still their number grew around a blazing brazier, carrying umbrellas bearing witness to a profane world beyond. With messages of Ericsson, Irish League of Credit Unions, Postshop, and Roadstone, they provided temporary shelter from eternal elements.
"Nice and fresh," observed one man, with Irish irony. "A huge drop fell on me from the top of that cross," replied another.
"We are gathered here as Christians from different traditions and backgrounds to celebrate the challenge of Easter, to be a people of life and hope and encouragement," began Fr Cosgrove. They read from Peter's and John's accounts of the resurrection.
And they sang halleluiahs at how He had risen and they recited together the Nicene Creed, their common testament of a common faith, and that uncommon, common prayer, the Our Father.
By then the gloom had lifted and the cloud which was rolling back over the Dublin mountains, revealing city cranes below. And to the east the sun was emerging at last from behind a disappearing veil to show his bashful face. A welcome if tardy concelebrant, his presence changed all. Utterly.
• During the service, Fr Cosgrove prayed for Pawel Kalite (29) and Marius Szwajkos (27), who were killed on Benbulben Road in his parish on February 23rd last. He prayed for their families, their friends, their fellow countrymen and women, "that all may have comfort and consolation".