Away from home at Easter

(Vatican Radio) As we head into Holy Week, Catholics are preparing for ceremonies which will culminate with Mass on Easter Sunday. Many people will be celebrating the Lord’s resurrection with family and friends. But for others such as soldiers on duty away from home Easter will be a time spent apart from their loved ones. Fr Robert McCabe is Chaplain to the Irish forces, who participate in overseas missions with the UN in the cause of peace. He spoke to Lydia O’Kane about the comfort faith can give serving members especially at this time of year.

“We’ve soldiers overseas right through the year sometimes, yes, on occasions like Christmas and Easter which are very key moments for family, very key moments for parish communities in prayer.” Father McCabe goes on to say, “The chaplain is someone who gathers people regardless of rank, that’s an important benefit that we bring to our role” At present Irish forces maintain a presence in countries including the Congo, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Uganda. Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Fr Robert McCabe: