This photo won the overall award of Ireland’s Press Photographer of the year 2019
The photographer is by Tom Honan, a freelance photographer from Dublin and the winning photo is called ‘Eskimo Boy’. It was taken during a snow storm called ‘Storm Emma’
Thought on Monday – February – 18/02/2019
Thought For The Week
‘See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. You are continually before me.’ ~Isaiah 49:16
There are many holy wells to be found throughout Ireland. One that has frequent visitors is the well of St Gobnait at Ballyvourney, Co.Cork (Irl). Last Monday (Feb 11th) hundreds of people visited this holy place to mark the feast of St Gobnait. They came from near and far to be part of a special place. It is said that even on the quietest of days at St Gobnait’s, there is always someone present.
At the well you will find a collection of photographs, medals, rosary beads, prayer cards, memorial cards and lots of other personal stuff. To an outsider it may seem all a bit random. But every single item on display is a reflection of someone’s story. It is obvious that some of the stories are sad, but each item was placed with love, with hope and with a prayer. It is a beautiful deep spirituality that is touching.
St Gobnait’s at Ballyvourney is a place of quiet reflection that bubbles with the gentle presence of God. Many also do the rounds, by walking and praying. In the busy and hectic pace of life, these rounds bring a calm and peace that is difficult to find elsewhere. There are rocks everywhere with deep imprints of crosses as people rub the imprint with a sharp stone. It is a quiet ritual that touches something deep within.
We are told that each of us is carved in the hands of God. It means that everything we do matters to God. God has chosen us, we are loved, special and unique. God will never forget any of us. We will always be in God’s tender loving care. Even when life throws everything at us, God will never do so. We will be helped to find balance and calm as we journey through the fragility of life. Anne Costa puts it so well when she says that: “with a whisper, God can make us whole.” We may be off balance this weekend for different reasons. But we pray to God to help us to be open to those whispers of God’s gentle presence all around us. I recommend a visit to St Gobnait’s if you want to visit a place of peace and quiet. If you need a spiritual recharge, you will not be disappointed.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
