Journey into the heart of mercy
‘Turas an Chroí – Journey of the Heart‘, an evening of music, reflection, poetry and prayer featuring renowned singer and songwriter Deirdre Ni Chinnéide, took place at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Gardiner Street on Thursday 28 April. Deirdre, who is also a psychotherapist an spiritual director, sang a beautiful selection of Celtic songs, hymns and chants drawing on the inspiration of Celtic Christian Spirituality from her native Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. The power of music, reflection, poetry and prayer was beautifully woven together to lead the audience on a journey – into their own hearts and into the very heart of Mercy.
Deirdre was accompanied for the evening by Orla Cunningham and Tony Hoban, both talented musicians in the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir and her performance was enhanced by a video presentation, poetry and reflections highlighting the majestic scenery of the Aran Islands; an oasis of natural beauty with its unique history and culture. She encouraged the audience to participate in the singing throughout, and before her rendition of ‘Oscail mo Chroí’ (Open my Heart) she explained the context of entering into the musical reflection, “it’s almost like as if we open to the journey of our heart, that we can open to the presence of Christ within our heart” she remarked.
As the event marked the midpoint of Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year of Mercy, Deirdre also lead the audience on a procession through the Door of Mercy and into the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Church, taking special note of the Vault of the Venerable Fr John Sullivan SJ, a timely celebration of the news that Fr John Sullivan is soon to be beatified.