Catch up on all of the latest news from Knock Shrine

Knock Novena – 40 Year Celebrations

[new_royalslider id=”26″]

The National Novena at Knock Shrine got off to a great start as thousands descended last Monday 14^th for the opening day celebrations. The Novena opened with Dr Mary Healy, international speaker on Scripture, healing and evangelisation.

Tuesday 15^th August, was the Feast of the Assumption which is traditionally known as one of the largest pilgrimage days in Knock. Hundreds of people walked to attend the dawn Mass at 6am in the Parish Church. A number of those had come all the way from Balla on the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, setting out on foot in the very early hours of Tuesday morning. The Parish Church was full to capacity with all who had made the sacred pilgrimage to Knock, including the walkers from Bekan, who came in remembrance of Catherine Murray who was the second youngest person to witness the Apparition at Knock.

Walkers from Mary’s Meals, Letterkenny ended their 9-day journey to Knock on foot on the 15^th and arrived in Knock to celebrate Mass at 12 noon in the Shrine. Redemptorists Fr Seamus Enright CSsR and Fr Michael Cusack, CSsR brought a large following with them for workshops and ceremonies. Singer, John McNicol gave a stunning performance during the evening ceremony on the 15^th accompanied by the Basilica Schola choir. Led by Úna Nolan, Director of Music at Knock Shrine.

Marty Morrissey made his debut public appearance at the National Novena in Knock on Wednesday 16th August as part of the Novena 40 year celebrations at Knock Shrine. The Chief Celebrant at the Mass was Fr Conal Eustace, PP of Castlebar joined by Fr Richard Gibbons, PP,  and Rector of Knock Shrine and Fr Nigel Woollen, Curate at Knock. Marty talked about his personal life, the importance of friendship in our overall happiness, family life and appreciating every day as a beautiful gift.

Thursday 17th was a very special day in Knock as the importance of organ donation was highlighted by Darren Cawley, inspirational motivational speaker who gave his own personal testimony of receiving a life-saving kidney donation. Darren facilitated the workshops at noon and 6pm which were both very well attended and allowed others to share their experience of organ donation. Knock native Bernadette McNeive spoke at the Novena ceremonies and delivered a powerful and moving testimony, highlighting the importance of organ donation and the impact it had on his son’s life.

On Friday 18th August we welcomed Bishop Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry Diocese, Church of Ireland. The focus on this day was on remembering the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation. Dr Salvador Ryan was the speaker at the workshops entitled ‘Was the Reformation a Great Misunderstanding?’

WMOF 2018 Programme launched at Knock

The launch of the one-year countdown for the World Meeting of Families 2018 took place at Knock on Monday 21st August.
There were enormous crowds at Knock Shrine to celebrate the launch of the WMOF 2018 programme ‘Amoris, Let’s Talk Family! Lets Be Family’ which took place at Knock Shrine on 21st August. The launch marked a historic day and saw the gathering of all the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Joining in the celebrations were Cardinal Seán Brady, Most Rev Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev Michael Neary.

Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin was the main celebrant for ceremony, which also marked a very special day at Knock, the 21st August which is the anniversary of the Apparition and the Feast of Our Lady of Knock. The choir present on the day were The Lords Choir, led by Sharon Lyons.

The newly commissioned Icon of the Holy Family was unveiled and anointed by the Archbishop during the Mass and there was much anticipation to see the stunning artwork, which is a triptych style representing the Holy Family in the centre. The icon was written by the Redemptoristine Contemplative Community in Drumcondra as part of their ongoing prayer for families. The icon is meant to encourage both reflection and prayer as part of the journey of preparations to World Meeting of Families 2018. Petition boxes were also carried in from each diocese which will accompany the Icon as it travels around the country.

The Archbishop delivered his homily ‘When Plates Fly! Pope Francis on the joys and challenges of family life’ to a packed Basilica of 7,000 pilgrims from all over the country. Over 50,000 people watched the ceremony which was streamed live on Knock Shrine’s facebook page.
Speaking about family life in modern Ireland, the Archbishop said “There is no family that is ideal. Plates fly in every family! There are however great families who struggle, at times heroically. The celebration of a World Meeting of Families would be hypocritical were it to be a celebration that ignored this struggle.”

The World Meeting of Families will take place in Dublin from 21st – 26th August 2018. Find more more here.

Watch Novena Ceremonies below or see the Knock Shrine YouTube Channel

[one_third]

Monday 14th August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Tuesday 15th August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Wednesday 16 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Thursday 17 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Friday 18 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Saturday 19 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Sunday 20 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Monday 21 August

[/one_third]

[one_third]

Tuesday 22 August

[/one_third]