Introduction. The Catholic Church has always been keen to distinguish itself from other faiths. Its insistence on pageantry, ritual, and grand symbolism is one of the most important ways to do so. Few major religions in the nineteenth century could compete with the Church of Rome’s talent for self-promotion, grand organisation, and colourful displays. The following extract describes the show of public piety that preceded the official opening of the Synod in the normally quiet market-town of Thurles—the zealous faith of the ordinary people, the huge influx of visitors, the elaborate preparations. The scenes of popular religious devotion witnessed at the Synod rivalled those of the Eucharistic Congress in 1932 and the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Source. The Freeman's Journal, August 1850.

… From the earliest dawn vast crowds of people began to arrive from all parts of the surrounding vicinity. Each succeeding train arriving at Thurles, either from the north or south, came fully laden with visitors, both clergy and laity. The hotels in the town were crowded from the day previous, and temporary accommodation was eagerly sought after. Even the private houses of the townspeople were put in requisition for the purpose of accommodating the crowds who could not obtain room in the hotels. The shops and warehouses were closed, and the aspect of the principal street indicated the observance which is usual on the occasion of the high festivals of the church, or at times of great public solemnity. The street-way leading through the town in the direction of the college presented during the morning a continuous tide of people coming in from the adjoining country parishes, and proceeding to the spot where it was known that the procession would pass on its way to the church. The weather was beautiful. The morning sun shone warmly and brightly on the scene, which even previous to the commencement of the procession wore an aspect of solemnity. The usual street noises, the loud laugh and the passing jest, so usual in the street of a country town, were all hushed, and the fine-looking peasantry, clad in their Sabbath costume, might be seen either proceeding with quiet and subdued demeanour, or standing in groups conversing in low and restrained voices about the coming ceremony. The Catholic Chapel as may be expected, was surrounded from the earliest hour with dense crowds of people. The gates of the chapel yard were kept closed, and a strong guard of constabulary were drawn up around them for the purpose of preserving order and preventing any confusion which might arise from the people’s anxiety to witness the procession. At the opposite side of the road, directly fronting the chapel, the gates of the college were seen, guarded in like manner by a body of police. From this gate stretches a smooth and tastefully kept carriageway, nearly a quarter of a mile in length, extending to the hall steps and vestibule of the collegiate edifice. This roadway divides equally the beautiful lawn which extends in front of the building. From the gate to the front door of the vestibule there were stationed, at a few paces distant from each other, privates of the constabulary force, armed and accoutred as for parade or duty, who were placed there to secure the line of procession from casual interruption. At a few minutes after ten o’clock the appearance of some of the attendant officials at the front of the vestibule gave indication that the procession was about to issue forth, and the gaze of the assembled thousands was eagerly fixed on the doorway. The great mass of people were congregated outside on the road between the college gates and the gate of the church, occupying also platforms temporarily erected so as to command a view of the line of procession. Every window in the neighbouring houses was crowded with spectators, and within the gates some groups of the gentry obtained permission to station themselves so as to enjoy uninterrupted sight of the prelates and clergy in their progress from the college. The large bell of the chapel and the chimes of the convent were now heard at intervals, and notwithstanding the immense crowds outside, so complete was the stillness and respectful silence that prevailed that even at a considerable distance within the college gates, the solemn pealing of the noble organ of the chapel could be heard. At length the glittering cross, borne aloft by the crucifer, was seen issuing from the college vestibule. From where we stood the view from without of the spacious hall inside was grand and solemn indeed. The entire vestibule was filled with priests in white surplices and crimson stoles, which flashing in the red light of the waxen tapers, as contrasting with the bright sunlight outside, presented as effect indescribably beautiful. Through the open valves of the great entrance a glimpse was afforded of the grand staircase, down which rank after rank in almost countless array, the body of white robed priests were seen descending, whilst long before the front rank of the procession issued from the vestibule the voices of the clerical choir could be heard chanting that glorious and soul-thrilling hymn Veni Creator spiritus. Then the procession issued forth.

Tomás O’Riordan