Patrick Muldoon

One of the best discoveries I have made over the past few years is going on a winter sun holiday. It is such a restorative experience going to Lanzorate during winter time and having guaranteed sun, I feel it was well worth it and it lifted my mood immeasurably. Practicing my faith is one of the reasons why I am drawn back to Lanzarote. Being in the sun gives me physical, emotional and psychological healing, and these benefits are very important, but sitting in the church in adoration is spiritually soothing and like sun for the soul.

Earlier this year American singer Katie Nichole released a new song Learning How To Love Myself. As I learned the lyrics they became more ingrained in my mind and soothed my heart, helping me to accept myself in the light of the unconditional love which Jesus has for each of us. Learning Katy Nichole’s song reminded me that I need to love and care for myself first, before I can love others.

The unprecedented busyness and pace of modern life is well documented by authors, commentators and mental health practitioners alike. I believe that religion and sport have a very important role to play in countering the demands and expectations of today’s culture. When I have been able to cultivate quiet moments in my day through prayer and exercise, it has helped me immensely in the art of slowing down.

I recently went on a four day pilgrimage to Lourdes. 19 years after my last visit, it was such a joy for me to go to the grotto, worship with international pilgrims, participate in the candlelight procession, and immerse myself in the miraculous waters of Lourdes at the piscines [baths], where I experienced the interior peace of God.

The words “Put out into the deep” [Latin translation “Duc in Altum”] resonate with me as I like to spend a lot of time around water. Since making a ‘Duc in Altum’ in my own life, God has led me on some amazing adventures.