Menu
.png)
Let the Oppressed go free!
- Home
- /
- Let the Oppressed go free!
Menu
A six foot model of a sculpture by renowned Canadian sculptor Tim Schmalz will be on display in St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh from Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 March. The piece is called ‘Let the Oppressed Go Free’. It features St Josephine Bakhita releasing a host of human trafficking victims from the ‘underground’ thus letting them be seen and to be free.
Background
Timothy Schmalz is a Canadian sculptor whose bronze sculpture ‘Angels Unawares’ was installed in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican in 2019. That 20ft sculpture depicts a group of migrants and refugees on a boat from diverse cultures and historical moments. The title is a reference to Hebrews 13:2 which says ‘Remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.’ He is also well known through his piece ‘Homeless Jesus’ which has been reproduced in many cities around the world, including Dublin.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, who was key to the commissioning of both ‘Angels Unawares’ and ‘Let the Oppressed Go Free’ has stated that – “If you do not take care of the people in the first sculpture (i.e. the migrants/refugees) they will end up in the other sculpture (as trafficking victims).”
One full size (20ft) bronze of ‘Let the Oppressed Go Free’ will be installed / unveiled this June where St Bakhita is buried in Italy. Other full bronzes of the piece have been created for America and Canada. The hope is that with the help of a Patron in US, a full size bronze (20ft) of ‘Let the Oppressed Go Free’ will come to Ireland. A six foot bronze is being installed for St Patrick’s Day in St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
St Josephine Bakhita
St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. As a young girl in Sudan, St. Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery. She was tortured by her various owners who branded her, beat and cut her. In 1883 she was sold to the Italian consul in Khartoum and was trafficked to Italy. It was there that she came to know the Canossian Sisters and gained her freedom.
Having made her profession in 1896, St. Bakhita spent the rest of her life in the Canossian Convent near Venice witnessing God’s love through cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the door. Her constant smile won people’s hearts, as did her humility and simplicity.
During her last days she relived the painful days of her slavery and more than once begged: ‘Please, loosen the chains… they are heavy!’. She died on 8 February 1947. St. Josephine was beatified in 1992 and canonized shortly after on October 2000 by Pope John Paul II. She is the first person to be canonized from Sudan and is the patron saint of the country.
Her feast day – 8th February – is now a special day of prayer for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and the people that volunteer and work to eradicate this crime.
St Patrick
St. Patrick tells us about being taken from his own lands in his ‘Confessio’:
“I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time. At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland, along with thousands of others.”
“After I arrived in Ireland, I tended sheep every day, and I prayed frequently during the day. More and more the love of God increased, and my sense of awe before God.”
“I ran away then, and left the man with whom I had been for six years. It was in the strength of God that I went – God who turned the direction of my life to good”
When he returned to Ireland, St. Patrick strongly condemned the killing and kidnapping of the members of the ‘flock’ in his Letter to Coroticus –
“I do not know what to say, or how I can say any more, about the children of God who are dead, whom the sword has touched so cruelly. All I can do is what is written: ‘Weep with those who weep’; and again: ‘If one member suffers pain, let all the members suffer the pain with it’.
This is why the church mourns and weeps for its sons and daughters whom the sword has not yet slain, but who were taken away and exported to far distant lands, where grave sin openly flourishes without shame, where freeborn people have been sold off, Christians reduced to slavery.”
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception marks the end of…
Pubished 28/11/0202
Read More
During the month of November, people are invited to do…
Pubished 7/10/2022
Read More
Mass Times Vigil on Wednesday 7th in St Malachy’s Church at…
Pubished 3/11/2022
Read More
Christmas at the Cathedral – An evening of Festive Music and…
Pubished 3/11/2022
Read More
Pubished 15/11/2022
Read More
A Carol Service in preparation for Christmas will take place in St…
Pubished 18/11/2022
Read More
Monday 19 – Friday 23 December (after the 10am Mass)…
Pubished 18/11/2022
Read More
Pubished 18/11/2022
Read More
A Carol Service in preparation for Christmas will take place…
Pubished 20/11/2022
Read More
Knockaconey Cemetery Friday 9 June 7.30pm Tullysaran New Cemetery …
Pubished 5/01/2023
Read More
From Sunday 22 January – Saturday 28 January, we will…
Pubished 11/01/2023
Read More
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take p[ace…
Pubished 11/01/2023
Read More
As we enter into this special year of celebrating the…
Pubished 12/01/2023
Read More
The Workshop will take place in The Synod Hall on Monday…
Pubished 18/01/2023
Read More
Feast of St Brigid: Wednesday 1 February…
Pubished 18/01/2023
Read More
Armagh Parish Holy Spirit Prayer Group – New Life in…
Pubished 20/01/2023
Read More
Our Parish Lourdes Committee will take up their annual Church…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
Sunday 19 February is Temperance Sunday and it’s also the…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
Prayer Heavenly Father, who loves and cares for…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
Thursday 2nd February is World Day of Consecrated Life. On…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
Fr Emmanuel is hosting a number of gatherings in the…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
The renowned Palestrina Choir from the Pro Cathedral, Dublin will…
Pubished 24/01/2023
Read More
The launch took place on Wednesday 25th January of a…
Pubished 25/01/2023
Read More
Thanks to our parishioners and the pupils from St. Patrick’s…
Pubished 30/01/2023
Read More
On Thursday 2nd February, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of…
Pubished 31/01/2023
Read More
The Sisters of St Elizabeth will visit our parish in…
Pubished 2/02/2023
Read More
Ash Wednesday: Wednesday 22 February The beginning of…
Pubished 2/02/2023
Read More
As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Dedication of…
Pubished 2/02/2023
Read More
Armagh Cathedrals Partnership invite you to a special evening of…
Pubished 3/02/2023
Read More
A wonderful celebration in St Patrick’s Cathedral, as the community…
Pubished 6/02/2023
Read More
On Friday 24th February, Archbishop Martin and Archbishop McDowell will…
Pubished 14/02/2023
Read More
As we celebrate the 150th year since the Dedication of…
Pubished 15/02/2023
Read More
This event has become a popular activity during the city’s…
Pubished 16/02/2023
Read More
The annual 24 hours with the Lord will take place…
Pubished 21/02/2023
Read More
The earthquakes have had a devastating impact on millions of…
Pubished 22/02/2023
Read More
First Penance 2023 St Patrick’s Primary School Wednesday 8th March…
Pubished 23/02/2023
Read More
All are invited to walk and pray the Stations of…
Pubished 23/02/2023
Read More
On Tuesday 28 March at 7.30pm, some members of Koinonia…
Pubished 23/02/2023
Read More
God of grace and love, in thankfulness for…
Pubished 2/03/2023
Read More
A six foot model of a sculpture by renowned Canadian sculptor Tim Schmalz…
Pubished 6/03/2023
Read More
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh 1873…
Pubished 9/03/2023
Read More
A first class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit…
Pubished 9/03/2023
Read More
Mass on St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated at…
Pubished 15/03/2023
Read More
Archbishop Martin and Archbishop McDowell will lead a period of…
Pubished 28/03/2023
Read More
Holy Week is a week to be savoured and all…
Pubished 28/03/2023
Read More
On Saturday 17 June, the people of the Archdiocese of…
Pubished 30/03/2023
Read More
Sunday 30th April is World Day of Prayer for Vocations…
Pubished 4/04/2023
Read More
Divine Mercy Sunday takes place on Sunday 16 April. An…
Pubished 4/04/2023
Read More
St Joseph’s Young Priests Society Congress, Saturday, 22 April beginning…
Pubished 13/04/2023
Read More
The Armagh Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on…
Pubished 24/04/2023
Read More
The Ceremony of Light for Primary Seven Pupils in Mount…
Pubished 25/04/2023
Read More
This years outing is to Belfast on 20th June. It…
Pubished 26/05/2023
Read More
Three Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate arrive in Armagh for…
Pubished 2/06/2023
Read More
The Archdiocese of Armagh has launched a special Fundraising Campaign…
Pubished 2/06/2023
Read More
As we continue to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the…
Pubished 6/06/2023
Read More
Pubished 7/06/2023
Read More
Pubished 31/07/2023
Read More
Archbishop Eamon Martin gathered with pupils and teachers from St.
Pubished 14/09/2023
Read More
We congratulate the students from our parish who received the…
Pubished 15/09/2023
Read More
We were recently joined by Dr Orla Walsh who offered…
Pubished 28/09/2023
Read More
Join Malachi Cush, Karl Mc Guckin, Andrea Delaney and the…
Pubished 20/10/2023
Read More
In association with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Saint…
Pubished 19/12/2023
Read More
A wonderful gathering for our St Brigid Cross Making Workshop.
Pubished 31/01/2024
Read More
Holy Week in Armagh Parish Palm Sunday: Palms will be…
Pubished 22/03/2024
Read More
St. Colmcille’s Church – 9th June after 10am Mass …
Pubished 14/05/2024
Read More
Embark on a captivating journey through St Patrick’s Roman Catholic…
Pubished 4/09/2024
Read More
We are delighted to welcome the relics of St Bernadette…
Pubished 8/10/2024
Read More
Archbishop Eamon Martin launched the Jubilee of Hope for the…
Pubished 29/12/2024
Read More
“Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when…
Pubished 8/01/2025
Read More
Blessing of the Graves 2025 Knockaconey – 15th June at…
Pubished 20/05/2025
Read More
Gaza: “Words are not enough!” – Irish Bishops call for…
Pubished 13/06/2025
Read More
Dear Parishioner Nestled in the heart of our parish and…
Pubished 22/07/2025
Read More
A letter from Fr Carlos Ferrero, the Provincial Superior of…
Pubished 27/08/2025
Read More
Pubished 27/08/2025
Read More
Dear Friends, As a faith community, the upcoming Week of…
Pubished 16/09/2025
Read More