Large Group of Young Catholics Campaign Throughout Ireland Defending the Right to Life and Promoting Fatima

By Paul Victory

Last July, twenty-two young men of Irish Society for Christian Civilisation (ISFCC) campaigned throughout Ireland in defence of the unborn. The caravan was the largest in Ireland to date and travelled across the country, spreading its message. The four-vehicle convoy visited the major cities of Dublin, Galway, and Cork, as well as smaller towns dotted along the way. Thanks be to Our Lady, the caravan was also able to spend two days in Co. Donegal.  

A new addition to the street campaigns were local rosary rallies which were supported and appreciated by the local Catholic communities. Also, after fighting abortion in the street, another type of campaign was adopted. The volunteers went from door to door, spreading devotion to Our Lady of Fatima as a solution to the societal problems that Ireland and the world face. This campaign complemented the Pro-Life message perfectly as the Fatima message shows the way to repair the collapse in civilisation. The volunteers distributed the book, Meet the Witnesses, a real-life account of the Miracle of the Sun as seen by eyewitnesses.  

Starting in Dublin 

The reactions to the campaigns were mostly incredibly supportive. In Dublin, multiple groups of students expressed their support by taking the pro-life leaflets titled 7 Reasons to Reject Abortion. A priest spoke with one of the young men. He was happy about the campaign and gave the volunteer a blessing. While going door to door in Balbriggan, a lady said that she had seen us earlier in front of the Spire and was happy to see us again. But no campaign passes without some upset snowflakes. On Dublin’s O’Connell’s Street, a man voiced his disapproval by throwing a cup of beer at the volunteers. Thankfully, he missed the group entirely. 

The group also made quick stops in Cavan and Navan. Cavan had a good reception of the campaign. In Navan, however, one of the volunteers was attacked by a pro-abort, who ripped the leaflets from the volunteer’s hands. The volunteer reacted calmly and moved away from the aggressor while continuing to hand out leaflets. The same attacker then undertook to do the same to another volunteer but failed. The caravanners remained undaunted, continued around the town, and were even joined by some local lads who helped hand out leaflets. 

To Donegal 

In Co. Donegal, the reactions were extremely pro-life. At the honk campaigns in Letterkenny the sounds of the cars were constant. The caravan also held Rosary Rallies in both Letterkenny and Donegal in reparation for the sin of abortion, which were both well attended. Some people walking by joined the rally spontaneously. During the rosary, leaflets were distributed around the rally, which prompted debates. A group of teens contended with the young ISFCC volunteers over human rights and the right to life of unborn babies. When the pro-death side ran out of arguments, they resorted to foul language and obscene gestures. Despite this, the rally was unflustered and the Catholics present continued the rosary in a loud voice. 

The caravan also did several honk campaigns at a roundabout in Letterkenny, which certainly helped spread the pro-life message. While going house to house in Letterkenny later, several people who answered their doors remarked that they had seen us at the roundabout earlier. 

Reparation in Galway 

After Donegal, the caravan continued to Galway. There the volunteers reinforced a rosary procession that cut its way right through the Galway Arts Festival. Afterwards, Ireland Needs Fatima member Damien Murphy invited those who attended the procession to a rosary rally of reparation for the blasphemous opera Testament, which was hosted by the Arts Festival, and was being performed the same day. The rally of reparation was well attended, and though some anti-Catholic protesters attempted to disrupt the rally, the young volunteers proclaimed the Hail Mary with such fervour that the malignant party was forced to retreat. The rosary in Galway was a beautiful sign of fidelity to God in such an evil time. 

The next day, ISFCC campaigned in Galway’s Eyre Square. There were several unhappy reactions. One woman continued to chant, “Galway city is pro-choice!” to which the young Catholics responded with slogans such as, “If you love Galway, defend innocent life!” A group of young women also shouted their disapproval from the safety of a restaurant, but their cries were drowned out by Marian hymns played by the band. 

Our Lady of Fatima in Cork 

As Galway slipped out of view, the young Catholics set their sights on Cork. The rosary rally held in Cork was exceptionally successful. The reactions were vastly mixed. Multiple people came in front of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima to make signs of devotion and join in a few Hail Mary’s. Others reacted conversely; with their conscience pricked by the public show of devotion. Many heckled from afar, while others argued with members of the caravan directly in front of the rally. Another angered individual ripped up a leaflet and threw the pieces in one of the members’ faces. But the rosary continued, undaunted. The faithful’s zeal outmatched the hatred of the opposition. 

After the rosary rally, the caravan visited a nearby housing estate. Good reactions to the young men in red capes were everywhere. Among those delighted to see the group were some local children who accepted rosaries with joy. They then brought out their parents to see the campaign. More than half of the books distributed on the caravan were given out at this single campaign. There was even a fallen away Catholic who loved the work being done and followed the volunteers until the end of the campaign. He said that he wanted to return to the Faith one day. The reception of the Fatima message in Cork gave much hope for the future of Ireland. 

A Few Takeaways 

As the largest ISFCC caravan to date, (beating last year by two more volunteers), it was also an extremely successful one. While putting into practice two new types of campaigns, door to door book distribution and honk campaigns, the caravan tried new techniques, and had much recourse to Our Lady, which aided greatly in the apostolate. The number of good reactions and thoughts that resulted from seeing the campaigns were innumerable. The combined aspects of pro-life campaigns during the day and Fatima devotion in the evening produced an epic fight against moral issues Ireland and the world face today.  

By the grace of God and the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, young Catholics will continue to fight for the moral values that were the pillars of society and bring the order Ireland cherished in her Catholic Age. 

This year, it is more crucial than ever that we turn to prayer and intercession to increase devotion to Our Lady across our country. That’s why you’re invited to join us in the Three Hail Marys Pledge, a powerful devotion that can bring personal spiritual benefits and national transformation. By reciting three Hail Marys daily, you honour the Immaculate Heart of Mary and seek her intercession for the conversion of sinners, the salvation of souls and the restoration of Ireland’s Catholic Faith. This ancient devotion, revealed to Saint Mechtilde, promises spiritual benefits including protection from mortal sin and the assurance of a good death. Your daily prayers will contribute to an increase in devotion to Our Lady, the conversion of sinners and the moral renewal of our country. Let us commit to this powerful devotion and seek the guidance and protection of Our Lady.

Sign the Three Hail Mary Pledge