Sacraments - St. Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy

Celebrating the sacraments is at the core of our parish life. Our big moments in life are marked in a solemn way from womb to tomb.

On this page we will provide all the details for the celebration of the sacraments and there is a link to more information on each sacrament.

Baptism

Baptisms take place on the first and third Sunday of each month. Two weeks notice is required. To book a baptism please call into the parish office to complete the necessary form.

‘Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gif. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship’.

St Gregory of Naziansus.

Eucharist

Not only is it an important year in the life of your child, it is also an important year for their class, their teachers, and also for you the parents/guardians. It is also a special time too for the parish community. Your child’s faith journey began the day you brought your child to the Church to be baptised. And what a special day that was for you and the family. Now, that child has grown, they are about to take another step in their faith journey, as they prepare for First Holy Communion. And we all have a part to play.

Reconciliation

Confessions take place on Friday & Saturday after 10am Mass and on Saturday at 6:30pm.

There will be a Reconciliation Service on Wednesday 27th March at 7.30pm and on Saturday 30th March at 12 noon.

“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation. Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection, restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1468).

Confirmation

Any baptised Catholic wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme.

For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

Marriage

We would be delighted to host your wedding in St Aidan’s Cathedral.

Notice:
Six months notice is preferable with a minimum notice of three months. If you would like to book the Cathedral for your wedding you can email or telephone the parish to a make preliminary.

Requirements when booking.

The name, address and telephone number of both parties.
What time you would like to have your Ceremony at.

Upon booking you will be advised of the following:

Church Fees. The fee covers all related costs and should be paid in advance of the wedding. A suggested time is when the pre-nuptial enquiry forms are complete, i.e. Three months before the wedding.
Pre-Marriage Course. It is highly recommended that couples would attend a Pre-Marriage seminar. Details and dates of these courses may be had by logging on to www.accord.ie or by telephone to (053) 912 3086.
Papers. Please note that both parties need to complete a pre-nuptial enquiry form. This form is typically completed with the Celebrant of the wedding or the Parish Priest or Curate of the Party’s home parish not later than three months before the wedding date. For this process you will need to present a recent copy (6 Months) of your Baptismal and Confirmation certificates. Where necessary you may be requested to supply a Letter of Freedom.
Assistance. The parish staff will help you in any way possible. We will be delighted to assist your chosen Florist, Photographer or Musician(s). It might be helpful especially for the musicians, if they are not familiar with St Aidan’s, to contact the Office regarding practical guidelines around liturgical music.
Celebrant. A Celebrant will be allocated to conduct your wedding ceremony. Please contact him early to arrange an appointment for the completion of the pre-nuptial enquiry forms and to discuss any questions that you might have. If you have any queries you may also contact the parish office on our telephone number or email.
This is a very special time for both of you and we hope that your wedding will be a meaningful and memorable experience for you.

St. John Chrysostom on Marriage: ‘Husbands should say to their wives: I have taken you in my arms, and I love you, and I prefer you to my life itself. For the present life is nothing, and my most ardent dream is to spend it with you in such a way that we may be assured of not being separated in the life reserved for us. . . . I place your love above all things, and nothing would be more bitter or painful to me than to be of a different mind than you’.

Holy Orders

The ongoing life of the church depends on vocations to the priesthood. Our diocese has a director of vocations and we’d be delighted to make an introduction for any interested candidates. Talk to any of the priests to get more information. The Diocesan website may also have useful information about Vocations in our diocese.

Anointing of the Sick

We are anxious to visit those who cannot celebrate Mass with us because of illness, handicap or age. Arrangements to receive the sacraments at home can be made by calling the parish office. Kindly notify us of any parishioners who are housebound or hospitalised so they can be visited.

‘Lastly, I would like to offer a word of warm gratitude and encouragement to Catholic health care institutions and to civil society, to Dioceses and Christian communities, to religious congregations engaged in the pastoral care of the sick, to health care workers’ associations and to volunteers. May all realize ever more fully that “the Church today lives a fundamental aspect of her mission in lovingly and generously accepting every human being, especially those who are weak and sick’, (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of the Sick, 2013, 5).

House Visitation / Blessing

If you would like the priest to visit or bless your home, please contact the Parish Office on (053) 923 5777.