Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe celebrated a televised Mass for World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victim on 21 November last.
November is the month of remembrance for the dead, and Bishop Monahan drew attention to the purpose of the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims and their loved ones.
Preaching his homily from the main RTE studios in Dublin, the senior prelate said, “The purpose of this occasion is to remember and pray for victims of fatal road traffic collisions and all affected. Between 20 and 30 thousand people have been killed and almost 100,000 have been seriously injured on Irish roads since recording began in 1959. By any account this represents an horrific amount of carnage and untold human suffering. We remember today and pray for the deceased and pray especially for the many relatives and friends left behind.
“The day of remembrance was set up in order to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and the plight of their loved ones who must cope with the emotional and practical consequences of their loss as a result of these events.
“Observation of this day provides an opportunity to draw the public’s attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them. The day also provides an opportunity to remind those in charge and all of us of our responsibility to make roads safer.
“Road safety awareness is the parable of the Good Samaritan in action within our communities today. I am thinking here of all road users: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, and every one of us has a role in helping others even if we are not known to each other personally.”
Bishop Monahan said, “I firmly believe that greater road safety awareness – along with prayer and reflection – can change our driving behaviour, calm our aggression, and remind us to take care of our spiritual, moral and physical dimensions.” The Bishop of Killaloe offered the following prayer for motorists:
17th century paidir as Gaeilge
In ainm an Athar le bua,
In ainm an Mhic a d’fhulaing an phian,
In ainm an Spiorad Naoimh le neart,
Muire is a Mac linn inár dtriall.
Go dtuga Dia slán abhaile thú agus tú ag taisteal ar an mbóthar!
Áiméan!
To read this homily in full, click here.
Ends
