The Diocese of Kerry and the Diocese of Limerick joined forces and were delighted to sponsor a bus to the Fr Mike Schmitz’ Parable Tour which took place on Monday the 20th of July 2026 in the National Arena in Dublin. Before the main event, everyone was invited to attend a special Mass which was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin from the Diocese of Cork and Ross at which Fr Mike Schmitz gave the homily.
After a short walk after Mass, the evening continued with 1,600 people filling the National Stadium, with young adults making up the vast majority of those attending. Many travelled from across Ireland as part of parish groups, university chaplaincies, youth ministries and ecclesial movements.
Addressing those who may be uncertain in their faith, Father Schmitz encouraged people to take the next step without waiting for complete certainty.
“To anyone standing on the edge of faith – uncertain, hesitant, or searching – the invitation is not to have all the answers before you begin,” he said. “God always gives us enough light and enough information to take the next step, and we can trust Him with that next step.”
Drawing on the example of the Virgin Mary, Father Schmitz said that “obedience often comes before understanding,” noting that God does not always provide “a plan” or “a roadmap” before calling people to act.
Welcoming the audience at the National Stadium, Bishop Gavin said the scale of the attendance reflected something deeper than the popularity of a well-known speaker.
“There is something remarkable about this gathering,” he said. “It is seven o’clock on a Monday evening, in the middle of July, and more than 1,600 people have filled this stadium for a sold-out event.”
He added that the full church earlier in the evening and the large crowd at the stadium pointed to “a real hunger for faith, for meaning, for belonging and, above all, for an encounter with Jesus Christ.”
Reflecting on the place of faith in contemporary Ireland, Bishop Gavin acknowledged that belief can no longer be taken for granted but said the gathering offered a hopeful sign for the future.
“Many people, particularly our young people, can feel isolated in trying to live their faith,” h
e said. “Tonight says very clearly: you are not alone. You belong here. You have a part to play in what is emerging. Perhaps what we are witnessing tonight is not simply the loss of what once was, but the birth of something new.” Click HERE to listen to Fr Mike’s talk.
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- Video produced by iCatholic with thanks for additional footage from Patrick Leonard