National Novena to Our Lady of Knock

Mary Kennedy is one of Ireland’s best-known broadcasters, presenting programmes including Open House and Nationwide. She has covered major national and international events and she is the author of six books. Beyond broadcasting, she is committed to charitable fundraising, travelling across Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe to support awareness, development and aid initiatives.

Aidan is a member of the Cenacolo Community, an international Catholic community founded to help people rediscover hope, purpose, and freedom through a life of prayer, friendship, and shared work. The community welcomes those seeking healing from addiction, loneliness, or personal struggles, offering support through simple daily living, faith, and strong relationships rather than professional treatment programmes.

Living within the community in Knock, Aidan embraces a way of life centred on prayer, mutual support, hard work, and trust in God. Through this journey, they have experienced personal growth and renewal while helping others discover the possibility of a new beginning. Dedicated to the values of compassion, simplicity, and service, Aidan is committed to sharing a message of hope and transformation through community life.

Bishop Niall Coll is the Bishop of Raphoe. Ordained to the priesthood in 1988, he has combined parish ministry with a distinguished academic career in theology and religious education. He previously served as Bishop of Ossory and is widely recognised for his commitment to faith formation, education and pastoral leadership in the Irish Church.

Raphoe Diocesan Pilgrimage at 3pm

After losing her son C.J. to brain cancer at 21 months old in 2023, Niamh McCann helped establish CJ’s Rainbow Charity Cycle, raising over €280,000 for childhood cancer charities. She shares her family’s journey through grief and resilience, inspired by C.J.’s enduring message to “never stop living.”

Bishop Kevin Doran is Bishop of Achonry and Elphin and Chairperson of the Council for Life of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. He also chairs the Committee for Theology, serves on several national councils, represents the Conference at the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, and liaises with Irish pro-life groups.

Achonry and Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage at 3pm

Family Day at Knock Shrine from 11am to 3pm

Dr Sandra Cullen is Associate Professor of Religious Education at Dublin City University. With over 25 years in initial teacher education, she has worked with RE teachers, chaplains, deacons and parish pastoral workers and supervised doctoral research. She has both a national and international profile in RE policy, research networks and conferences.

Sheila Murphy, Mayo County Council Biodiversity Officer, is an experienced ecologist with over 15 years’ experience in the field of ecology and community engagement. She is passionate about how we can positively contribute towards the management, restoration and protection of our habitats and ecosystems. Sheila works closely with local authority staff, community groups and stakeholders towards positive outcomes for biodiversity.

Originally from Dublin, Mario is currently studying at UCD. His faith plays a central role in his life and is reflected in his involvement with the Legion of Mary, Shalom and FOCUS. He has also volunteered at Knock Shrine through the VAKS Programme, where he discovered a deep appreciation for serving others and supporting those in need.

David Wells is a conference speaker across the English-speaking world, having addressed over 2000 gatherings of teachers, catechists and volunteers. He has written four books, including The Reluctant Disciple, and works in diocesan and national ministry. He has a passion for teaching and for making theology accessible and attractive.

Deacon Mark Paine is a Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, serving the Catholic Church with a focus on inclusive, welcoming communities. He is part of the Catholic Stream disability theology network and advocates for neurodivergence. He is autistic and a father of autistic children, he has 28 years’ experience in primary education and special educational needs.

Fr Paul F. Murphy is a priest of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore and has served as chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces for 12 years, based at Mellows’ Barracks, Galway, including six overseas deployments to Syria, Lebanon and Israel. In 2024 he survived an attempted murder and publicly offered forgiveness to his attacker.

As the National Novena at Knock draws to a close on August 21st, Fr. Richard Gibbons leads the evening ceremony as we mark the anniversary of the Apparition. We gather in prayer and thanksgiving, reflecting on the enduring message of faith, hope and devotion that continues to inspire generations at Knock today.

Witness Walk takes place at 6.45pm, beginning at the Chapel of Reconciliation and concluding at the Apparition Chapel at 7.45pm.