One of the great successes of the Irish church in the past number of years has been the rise of the Irish Men's Rosary.
An idea adopted from a similarly successful campaign in Poland, it has seen thousands of Irish men take to the streets (often in the pouring rain) to pray and give public witness.
A women’s public Rosary is to be started soon.
It has been a pity that the Synod Synthesis Report for Ireland failed to acknowledge this genuine lay led movement, seeking instead to promote those laity who simply wish to be delegated areas of convenient power and honour, without due rationale for its contribution to the people of God.
Today, Rosaries took place in Ireland North and South.
In Cork City, the crowd braved the wind and rain.
Meanwhile in Portadown, a significant crowd assembled to do the same.
The Rosary has a deep historical connection to the Irish people, the more that it is promoted, the greater the chance of the church's renewal.