Cardinal Seán Brady said the only true inheritors of the Easter Rising are those who are fully committed to the will of the Irish people and the Good Friday Agreement.
He also called on people to do more voluntary work in their community.
Cardinal Brady was speaking at the annual State commemoration of the 1916 rising, which was held at Arbour Hill in Dublin this morning.
Those who died for Irish freedom during the Easter Rising are honoured each year at Arbour Hill where the leaders of the rebellion are buried.
This morning, President McAleese inspected a military Guard of Honour and laid a wreath in memory of those who died.
During Mass, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen read a lesson in Irish.
The ceremony was attended by several cabinet ministers, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Opposition deputies as well as senior Judges and civil servants.
Three former Taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave,Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds, were present.
Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lt Gen Dermot Earley, top level gardaí and relatives of those who died in 1916 also attended.
Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces Monsignor Eoin Thynne was among the concelebrants.
The Church of Ireland was represented by the Rev John Marsden.
