Join us for A National Festal Shout of victory over our land— Saturday 23 May 2026
A Proposal
It is pretty obvious that we are living in uncertain and even dangerous times. We are threatened by the prospect of widening war. Arguably, it is due to the worldly values, beliefs, attitudes and choices of human beings. From a Christian point of view there is good reason to believe that “the prince of this world” (Jn 14:30) is manipulating events by means of the largely unwitting cooperation of human beings.
Needless to say, the prophetic signs of the times call for a multi-faceted response by believers, e.g., by means of repentance, intercession, evangelisation and spiritual warfare. As St Paul said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” (Eph 6:12), and that, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” One way of doing this is to rely on the festal shout of victory in order to declare Christ’s victory over the powers of evil at work in our world.
The members of The New Springtime Community in Dublin and Cork, are inviting Protestant and Catholic believers, including the members The Army of Praise to gather in Emmanuel House, on the eve of Pentecost the 23rd May. There we intend to declare in high praises, both in English and the gift of praying and singing in tongues, that Jesus as the light of the world will be triumphant over the powers of darkness at work within it. We will have more to say about our plans in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we can pray with Pope Francis, “Holy Trinity, Almighty God, Blood of Christ, destroy the devil, disable and paralyze the traps of those who are manipulating the whole world.”
The New Springtime Community, have revised a booklet entitled, The Festal Shout of Victory Over Cities, Towns & Localities which was originally published in 2017. It is available for free download from this website. A word about the booklet. Firstly, it has an introduction which explains how and why we came to espouse the notion of festal shouts of victory. Secondly, it includes a biblical exploration of this neglected aspect of spiritual warfare in the Old and New Testaments. Thirdly, it concludes with practical guidance about how to run a festal shout of victory event.
Fr. Pat Collins, C.M.
National Festal Shout of Victory over Our Land
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National Festal Shout of Victory over Our Land *
A festal shout is a powerful, joyful cry of praise and victory raised to God by His people, celebrating His triumphs, faithfulness, and presence, often during sacred feasts or battles against evil. This shout was not just noise—it was a public declaration that God is King, that He has overcome darkness, and that His people stand secure in His covenant love. In moments of battle, worship, or celebration, Israel would raise this cry as a sign of confidence in the Lord’s saving power.
We see this powerfully in Joshua 6, when the Israelites lifted a great shout at God’s command and the walls of Jericho collapsed — a sign that the Lord Himself overthrows every stronghold of darkness.
The Festal Shout in Ireland began as a simple but powerful act of united praise, prayer, and proclamation. Christians from many traditions first gathered in August 2017 on the hill of Howth, overlooking Dublin, to declare the Lord’s victory over the city and its surrounding regions. That moment of shared worship became a seed of unity and spiritual courage. From that first coastal gathering, the vision has steadily widened. Over the past year especially, believers across the island have risen to proclaim a Festal Shout of Victory in their own localities — in Lurgan, Newry, Carlingford/Omeath, Drogheda, Howth, Donnybrook, Bray, Galway, Clare (Tulla), Tralee, Killarney, Cork (Millstreet), and Cork (Drimoleague). The movement crossed borders, with gatherings in Wales, Canada, and other parts of the United Kingdom, expressing a shared international desire to proclaim God’s triumph.
Some of these gatherings have been large; others small and intimate, meeting in homes, gardens, churches, and open spaces. Yet each one has carried the same heart: to lift a united cry of praise, to stand in faith for God’s renewing work, and to proclaim that Jesus has already won the victory over sin, evil, and every form of spiritual darkness. Together they remind us that even the smallest group, faithfully gathered, plays a vital part in the Lord’s ongoing work of renewal and revival.
We now invite you to join us for a National Festal Shout of Victory over our land on Saturday, 23 May 2026 when we will gather outdoors on the grounds of Emmanuel House of Providence in Clonfert, Co. Galway, to echo this united proclamation once more — declaring Christ’s victory and welcoming the renewing fire of the Holy Spirit over Ireland today.
In our "National Festal Shout of Victory over our Land," we echo these ancient cries on the eve of Pentecost 2026, boldly proclaiming that Jesus has already won the victory over sin, evil, and every spiritual darkness, and that the Holy Spirit continues to renew and revive His people.
“Come into his presence with songs of joy!”
Ps 100 (99): 2