Pope gives Gaelic blessing 16/9/10
Pope Benedict XVI concluded his homily with a blessing in Gaelic to a 65,000-strong
crowd at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow today.
The Pontiff said: “I am happy to assure you of my prayers in the ancient language
of your country.
He said: “Sìth agus beannachd Dhe dhuibh uile; Dia bhi timcheall oirbh; agus gum
beannaicheadh Dia Alba. (God’s peace and blessing to you all; God surround you; and
may God bless (the people of) Scotland).
The Gaelic language was embraced during different parts of the Mass with pilgrims
from the Western Isles playing a prominent role.
It reflected the desire of the Catholic church to reflect its Scottish and Celtic
spirituality and reinforces the fact that Scotland owns a special, distinct culture.
With a massive crowd in the park and many millions watching on TV, it raised awareness
of the language while the switching between Latin, Gaelic and English gave the event
added multicultural linguistic interest.
Speaking after the Pope’s arrival in Scotland, Bishop Joe Toal, Bishop of Argyle
and the Isles, said: "I'm delighted to have him here and to make him feel that this
is a country which appreciates his presence, appreciates the effort he has made as
an elderly man to come to us and to be and to give us such a an opportunity to celebrate
together our Catholic faith and our Christian heritage.”