27.04.2018
Heart of St Laurence O’Toole Has Joyful Homecoming at Christ Church Cathedral
The heart of St Laurence O’Toole was officially returned to Christ Church Cathedral yesterday evening (April 26). Amid scenes of jubilation the 800 year old preserved heart of the former Archbishop of Dublin was presented to the current Archbishop, the Most Revd Michael Jackson, by Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy.
The presentation was accompanied by the full cathedral choir, organ and brass section at a special service of Choral Evensong which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donnacha. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Diarmuid Martin, was represented by Fr Damien McNiece who read the first lesson. The service was also attended by Eamon and Nabla Kane from Castledermot, where Laurence is reputed to have been born.
The heart was stolen from the cathedral in March 2012 and following a long running Garda investigation was recovered undamaged in Dublin two weeks ago.
Speaking during the service the cathedral’s Dean, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, expressed his gratitude to all who were involved in the recovery of the precious part of the cathedral’s foundation. He paid particular tribute to An Garda Síochána for their efforts in finding and returning the heart.
“Forgive us if our celebration appears somewhat triumphal,” he said “This service expresses in some way the emotion and feelings felt by all of us on the return of such a precious object. I feel the heart has come back into this cathedral.”
He continued: “The heart of Dublin’s patron saint has been on display in Christ Church Cathedral for generations and is held in special regard by Dubliners, visitors and pilgrims alike. It has survived within the cathedral through turbulent times in the cathedral’s and indeed the city of Dublin’s history. A tangible link with our shared past and our hope for continued unity and peace between all traditions and beliefs, we are delighted as a cathedral community that this special piece of our history and story has been returned to its original home”.
The Dean told the full cathedral that it is planned to house the heart in an area of the cathedral specifically designed in a way that the people of Dublin and pilgrims from across the world can come and experience the heart in its rightful place. He hoped that this would be dedicated on St Laurence’s Day, November 14.
Speaking before the service, Archbishop Jackson said the return of the heart is of huge significance to the people of Dublin.
“For those of us associated with the life of the dioceses, it brings again to the fore the close relationship between Glendalough and Dublin, a relationship of more than 800 years. Laurence left the monastic city of Glendalough of which he was Abbot to become Archbishop of Dublin, hence cementing a vibrant relationship that continues unabated to this day,” he stated. “Our deep thanks and warm appreciation go to all who have worked tirelessly to make this day of restoration possible, particularly the Garda Síochána.”
Speaking to the large crowd of journalists and photographers in the Chapter House before the service, Assistant Commissioner Leahy confirmed that the Gardaí had conducted forensic tests on the heart. Speculating on why the heart was stolen six years ago he said that people see value in all sorts of unique items and the heart of St Laurence O’Toole was a very unique item. He said they were delighted it had not been sold on and were very happy to be able to return it to its home.
Laurence was Abbot of Glendalough before being consecrated Archbishop of Dublin in 1162 in Christ Church. He is closely associated with the early years of the cathedral although it is now thought that it was his successor, Archbishop John Cumin, who was responsible for the rebuilding of the cathedral, the remains of which can still be seen today in the cathedral grounds.
Laurence died in the northern French town of Eu on November 14 1180. In accordance with his final wishes his heart was returned to Dublin and had been on display in the Chapel of St Laud in Christ Church Cathedral until it was stolen in March 2012.
Watch this short video from the service.
The Return of the Heart of St Laurence O’Toole to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin from Dublin & Glendalough on Vimeo.
The Anthem to St Laurence O’Toole in the video was sung by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral during the service. The Anthem was written by David Bednall having been commissioned by the choir in 2016 to mark the 800th anniversary of the union of the dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough. The text is taken from the 13th century Vita of St Laurence O’Toole.