Despair and the End Times: God Calls Us Home

Nov 16, 2022

We live in a world with chaos and despair (rumours of wars, pandemics, and unprecedented social changes), but God calls us home to the narrow path of knowing him, which brings peace and reconciliation to our hearts. While this message may be difficult to hear, it’s the only way to find true peace in this life, as well as to prepare us to meet our Maker. If you’re ready to hear more about how to be reunited with our Creator, see what God has to say in these stories of people who have experienced conversion and reconciliation with God in The Road to the Triumph.

Be Not Afraid

We are living in the end times (aka this is serious!) Regarding the end times, Jesus says “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come”.

Our world is steadily deteriorating due to the current global instability, and it may seem like the world is dying, with wars and rumours of wars, pandemics, inflation, and famines. Currently, we are witnessing the breaking down of society in the disguise of a new normal, where the politicians promise false peace and prosperity (Such as – Build Back Better/Great Reset). Likewise, many people appear to be lost, but of course, this does not mean the eternal love of God does not exist for them.

Along with this, heresy is quickly creeping into the Church. For example, the truth of our faith is not based on tolerance and inclusivity, as this only denies the long standing traditions of the Church, and is harmful to our eternal souls. Rather, truth has been revealed by Jesus through divine revelation, which at times, does hurt to hear, but eventually it sets us free from lies and confusion. Similarly, saints and mystics prophesied the coming ‘Illumination of Conscience,’ a call for mankind to see his soul’s condition as a mercy that enables us to return to God.

Our Lady has warned us of this for centuries (Our Lady of Good Success), and it seems that the time is almost here, as we witness in real time the great apostasy of the Church and the moral decline of society. In today’s modern world the concept of male and female has been obliterated – gender is seen as non binary, and women can even abort babies right up to full-term. Also, without parent’s consent, children can have their own body parts carved and replaced, rather than accepting what God has created for them; families are being torn apart. You cannot imagine how much God must be offended by our wicked ways.

The Road to the Triumph is an authentic story about depression, addiction, heartbreak, and how God can turn your life around when you allow him to. The story is told through seven real people’s life journeys, all of whom were striving for something that society could not provide. Rather, it took the intervention of God, whom they came to know when they sought refuge in His Immaculate Mother’s Heart. Their journeys are different, but one thing remains the same: they were seeking God’s love.

Healing and Mercy – My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph

By Her obedience and humility, Mary continues to do God’s Will.

The promise Our Immaculate Mother made to the world on July 13, 1917 when She said:

I shall come to the world to ask that Russia be consecrated to my Immaculate Heart, and I shall ask that on the First Saturday of every month Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world. If my wishes are fulfilled, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, then Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, bringing new wars and persecution of the Church; the good will be martyred and the Holy Father will have much to suffer; certain nations will be annihilated. But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and the world will enjoy a period of peace. In Portugal the faith will always be preserved…

How is conversion brought about by consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
Why through the heart?
And more specifically, the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

Mary the Immaculate Virgin, is rightfully asking for Russia to be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart, because it is the will of God. Mary has always fulfilled the perfect will of God because she is the humble “handmaiden of the Lord”. The perfect Daughter of God the Father, the Loving Mother to Jesus Her Son and the inseparable Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Mary obeys the Trinity without being prompted; her immaculate will is perfectly united to God’s will. When Our Lady speaks, she speaks as God wills her to speak and nothing more. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is the perfect reflection of God’s will, the perfect reflection of God’s light, and the perfect reflection of God’s love.

God says in Genesis 3:15,

“I will put enmities between thee [the serpent] and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.”

Therefore, Mary led Her children, in The Road to the Triumph, back to the Mercy of Her Son and set an example for all those seeking faith in Him. There is a profound and powerful story of faith, hope, and love in The Road to the Triumph. The prophecies of the Saints and Prophets continue to be fulfilled through Jesus and His Mother Mary. Now that the stage has been set for the final battle, some two thousand years in the making, it is vital that we accept the graces and mercy that Our Lord Jesus pours out to us before our final judgement. Although it is a narrow path, it leads directly to Heaven.

Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Jesus taught us only one prayer in the Gospel: The Lord’s Prayer,

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” …

But what is this kingdom where God’s Will will be done on Earth as it is in heaven?

In the Garden of Eden, God created mankind in order to know Him, love Him, serve Him and be happy with Him for all eternity. (Lesson 1-4 Catechism). Many theologians and scholars believe God’s original intention will be realised, one day, when the new heavens and the new earth are established. Humanity will once again interact with God in his Divine Will, with an exalted sense of spiritual intimacy, similar to what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden. We will walk and talk with Him just as we do with our friends. However, at present, Original Sin (The sin of Adam and Eve) and personal sin, separate us from this exalted and intimate union with God.

The new Adam and the new Eve

To undo the sin and the subsequent damage committed by Adam and Eve, Jesus became the New Adam, and The Immaculate Virgin Mary became the New Eve. However, Jesus did not come to restore humanity’s place in the Garden of Eden. Rather, Jesus came to conquer sin and death completely. Jesus came for our eternal salvation and to open ‘Heaven’s Gates’ to us, which is an infinitely greater existence than Eden was. (It is not possible to fall from heaven, but it was possible to fall from Eden).

The earth will be restored to God’s original plan for humanity, where sin, disease and death shall be no more, and every tear shall be wiped away… All we have to do is Pray, Pray, Pray.

Road to the Triumph will premiere on YouTube 18th December 2022!

38 Years of Faith on the Move: A Record Breaking Year

This year marked the 38th annual Walk to Knock, also known as the Cursillo Peace Walk, and the response was nothing short of miraculous. For the first time in its history, pilgrims from Limerick and Galway joined forces with established walk groups from Derry, Belfast and Dublin.

The Road to the Triumph was used as the central place where people could register for the walks, and it was wonderful to hear that this 38th year was record breaking for registration and participation. It proves that the spiritual harvest in Ireland is not only alive, but actively growing.

“If faith does not arrive through interior conversion, it has not arrived anywhere.” Robert Nugent

The Origins and Spiritual History of the Walk

To understand why thousands walk this path today, we must look at where it began. The walk was first conceived as a response to both historical suffering and spiritual calling.

Thomas Gallagher recalls the early days of the initiative and a crucial piece of advice that shaped its identity:

“It came about of an idea to have a sponsored walk for the 10th anniversary of Cursillo. That would have been around 1987. Billy Doherty said, ‘Listen Thomas, forget about money. Forget about doing anything for the 10th anniversary, because money only destroys things.’ He said, ‘Therefore do the walk for peace.’ The peace that we are walking for is an individual peace.”

Thomas goes on to reflect on the deep historical roots of Knock itself, pointing back to the Great Famine and Archdeacon Cavanagh, who offered 100 Masses over 100 days for the Holy Souls prior to the famous 1879 apparition:

“Knock is a response to that pain, and that suffering… Our Lady came to comfort the people… This is what Knock is all about, it is what the hidden factor is, never mind the apparition, is the amount of souls that went to Heaven. So in many ways I think what is really happening here on the walk… people are discovering Christ on the walk, because He is literally here with us. And that is when they accept Christ in their heart, and they find the peace that the world cannot give.”

“The walk to Knock is special because it is a spiritual event. It is deeply rooted in prayer. It is deeply rooted in the Mass, because we are making God the centre of it… You have already said ‘Yes’ just by taking the first step, and allowing God to reveal Himself along the way.”

Muscular Catholicism in Action

Bishop Donal McKeown once remarked that Derry Catholics practise a kind of “muscular Catholicism”. They do not just travel to holy sites; they physically walk the distance, embracing penance, summer heat, sore feet and hard floors along the way.

Starting out from locations such as Maynooth College, which provided fantastic hospitality and accommodation for the Dublin walk, pilgrims traversed miles of Irish countryside. They slept in local GAA and sports halls, blew up air mattresses and shared simple meals together. This journey mirrors the very way Christ and His apostles evangelised by setting out on foot, relying on hospitality and meeting people exactly where they are.

Reaching Outside the Comfort Zone: Special Shout Out to John Connors

Why are these walks attracting so many people, including young men, first time pilgrims and those who have never stepped foot in Knock before?

Grassroots Catholic Leadership & Social Media Witness: A massive shout out goes to the Irish actor John Connors, who boldly used his online presence to inspire and drive people to register for this year’s walk. You can watch his powerful call to action on Facebook. Alongside his wife Danielle, John runs an incredible ministry and YouTube channel dedicated to reviving the faith. We highly recommend that you subscribe to their channel, Reclaim the Faith. Leaders like John and Aaron Gallagher, who led the Dublin route, stepped up to get the word out, proving that the Holy Spirit is actively using digital platforms to reach people who feel alienated from traditional parish structures.
An Authentic Encounter: People are not looking for polite, watered down religion. They are seeking a lived, tangible encounter with Christ, authentic community and shared prayer.

Get Involved: Registration and Information

The movement is spreading rapidly, and there is a place for you on the journey. Whether you want to register for next year’s pilgrimage, deepen your prayer life or connect with a local group, here is how you can take part:

Register for Walk to Knock 2027: If you wish to register for next year’s walk, please visit Road to the Triumph Walk to Knock.
Cursillo in Ireland: Discover more about local Cursillo weekend events and how to get involved at Termon Bacca Cursillo.
Cursillo in England: If you are based in England and want to connect with a local Cursillo group, please fill out our Contact Us form on the website, and we will pass your details on to the correct people.

Images from this year’s record breaking walk to Knock will be added below.

If you would like to see how pilgrims arrive at the shrine after their long journey, you can watch The Cursillo walkers arrive to Knock. This video captures the joyous culmination of the pilgrimage as walkers gather at Knock Shrine.