Tuam Herald 2nd July 1859 p.3
Corpus Christi in Kinvarra
Not the least amongst the gratifying results which the mission of the Jesuit Fathers has felt after it in Kinvarra, was the scene which our chapel presented on the evening of the great festival of Corpus Christi. At half-past six o’clock p.m. the people assembled in the chapel in great numbers. The Rev Mr Arthur, P.P. commenced the devotions by reciting the Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary, after which a short exhortation was addressed to the multitude by the Rev Mr McDonough C.C. which seemed to excite amongst them the most lively feeling of pious enthusiasm. Immediately after the exhortation a long train of young girls and boys to the number of 90 entered the sanctuary and were arranged in processional order by the Rev. Mr McDonough. The young girls (who formed the majority of the procession) were tastefully arrayed in white dresses with wreaths on their heads, and carrying in their hands bouquets of flowers. The processional banners were carried by four of the children – two of them by the young girls, and two of the boys. The procession moved several times about the interior of the chapel, through passages made amongst the crowd of adorers, the choir all the time chanting that almost inspired hymn, the ‘Lauda Sion’ composed by the ‘Angel of the schools,’ and read in the mass of Corpus Christi. The procession entered the sanctuary while the choir concluded the hymn. When the remonstrance was deposited on the alter, the choir entoned the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. After which they chanted the entire of the ‘Pange Lingua,’ which, together with the ‘Laudate,’ after benediction, they executed in a highly creditable manner. The ceremonies occupied little more than an hour, and were conducted all through with rubrical exactness and order. – Galway Vindicator.
The Burren and Beyond 