Axel Foley remembered in son's #8Masses4no8 campaign

by Denise O'Donoghue

Today marks the day Anthony Foley would have turned 43.

To mark the day and remember his dad, his son, Tony, has asked members of the public to attend eight masses every Sunday in the run up to Christmas to remember their deceased loved ones, starting today.

Tony, 11, was inspired by the recent show of support at Munster’s emotional victory over Glasgow, and, in a statement on the Axel Foley Memorial Facebook page, called on people to attend Mass on each of the next 8 Sundays to pray for people who have died and, while there, to offer a prayer for his Dad also.

"The Number 8 is, of course, a special number for Tony and his family but the 8 Sundays also bring us up to that special family time of year, Christmas.

"So, Tony has asked if you would, in his Dad's memory, Like and Share this page. As you do that, Tag 8 Facebook friends to go to Mass over the next 8 Sundays and, at that Mass, light a candle for a loved one or, indeed, for Anthony, take a photo of that lit candle and post it to this page using #8masses4no8"

The campaign began today and it has proven popular in churches across the country.

Candle lit today for Axel #8masses4no8 Thinking of the Foley family on his birthday. pic.twitter.com/daycCOO93w

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 30, 2016

#8masses4no8 Killaloe Diocese Pilgrims remember Axel in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/XFv9Ine3sr

— Brendan Quinlivan (@QQuinlivan) October 30, 2016

Seán & baby Joan lighting a candle to pray for Anthony and the Foley family. #8masses4no8 pic.twitter.com/mNou8UMWXr

— Aileen Aherne (@aileenaherne) October 30, 2016

Remembering Axel on his birthday happy birthday legend #8masses4no8 @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/IURBucMYkZ

— Selena #MoreGAACoverage (@SelenaG86x) October 30, 2016