In the Footsteps of St. Patrick: AMU Students Experience Ireland’s Catholic Heritage

This past month, a group of Ave Maria University students traded Florida’s palm trees for Ireland’s shamrocks, immersing themselves in the Emerald Isle where the Catholic faith has flourished since the fifth century.

Led by AMU’s Irishman, Professor Mattie Harte, the pilgrims journeyed through Dublin, Galway, Derry, the Cliffs of Moher, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg, Glendalough, and Knock—each site revealing new dimensions of Ireland’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

For pilgrim Ann Marie G., the journey up Croagh Patrick—the mountain where St. Patrick fasted and prayed for 40 days—became the pinnacle of her trip (quite literally). For Ann Marie, the trek allowed her “to meditate more fully on Christ’s Passion and the burning love that moved Him to willingly undergo His Passion for our sake.” Afterwards, the group squeezed into St. Patrick’s Chapel at the top of the mountain and celebrated Mass.  

Throughout their journey, Professor Harte served as both spiritual guide and cultural translator, introducing students to the “craic”—that Irish blend of fun, meaningful conversation, and memorable experiences. As these AMU pilgrims discovered, walking in the footsteps of St. Patrick not only created one-of-a-kind memories, but also deepened their Catholic faith—something that they will carry with them long after their return to American shores.