Visit of Pope Francis to Knock 26 Aug 2018

TICKETS TO ATTEND VISIT OF POPE FRANCIS TO KNOCK SHRINE ARE NOW BOOKED OUT

Please note the following changes to our schedule to facilitate the Papal Visit on 26th August:

Thursday 23rd August: 

 Masses in Parish Church at 9 a.m,  12 noon, 3 p.m., 7.30 p.m.

Mass in Blessed Sacramental Chapel at 11 a.m. (followed by Adoration)

Confessions 11 a.m to 5 p.m. (Access from Main road only)

Friday 24th August:

Masses in Parish Church at 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m

Mass in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 11 a.m

Please note there will be no 7.30 p.m Mass today.

Confessions 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Access from main road only)

Saturday 25th August:

Mass in Parish Church  at 9 a.m. ONLY. There will be no access to any of the churches or grounds after this Mass. This is to due to essential construction work for the Papal visit. We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Pilgrims are advised to study the official Traffic Plan (above) which is also available at www.garda.ie
Be prepared for extensive delays for parking.

Early arrival is strongly advised. The spiritual programme will begin at 8.30am and all attending are asked to arrive by 8am at the latest

Check the weather before you travel. It is advised to prepare for all weather and bring rain jackets / umbrellas as well as sunscreen, bottled water and essential medications if required

Everyone in attendance will require a ticket to access the Shrine on 26th August. Those that do not have tickets will not gain access

Pilgrims are strongly advised to car pool or travel by bus. Pilgrims are welcome to bring folding chairs to the event

Further information on additional bus services can be found at www.buseireann.ie/popeinireland and train services at www.irishrail.ie

Schedule of Events at Knock

Knock Shrine have released a detailed programme for the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Knock Shrine as part of the World Meeting of Families celebrations.

To make the most of this special occasion, Knock Shrine are encouraging everyone to arrive early for a ‘Gathering Event’ and to stay for the open-air celebration of the Sunday Eucharist after the Pope’s departure for Dublin.

At 8.25am on the morning of Sunday August 26^th, the bells of Knock Shine will ring out. All churches in the family of six dioceses that make up the ecclesiastical province of Tuam are invited to ring their bells at the same time to signal the beginning of the gathering at Knock and to extend a warm Céad Míle Fáilte to Pope Francis.

Starting from 8.30am, there will be an uplifting Gathering Event entitled Witness to Faith and Family. With video presentations, drama and music pilgrims will be led in prayer and reflection until the arrival of the Holy Father. Focus will be on the story of Knock through the testimony of the Apparition witnesses and Pope Francis’ invitation to witness to the joy of faith and family in our contemporary world. Music for the occasion will be provided by Knock Parish Choir with guest musicians and soloists Sibéal Ní Chasáide and Anne Marie Gibbons.

Upon arrival at the Shrine, the Holy Father will move through the assembly in the Pope Mobile arriving at the Apparition Gable towards 10am where he will be met by the Rector of the Shrine Father Richard Gibbons.

His Holiness will spend some time in silent prayer at the site of the Apparition before exiting the chapel to deliver a short address and lead pilgrims in the Angelus Prayer and imparting his Apostolic Blessing before departing for Ireland West Airport, Knock and returning to Dublin.

Directly after the Holy Father has departed the Shrine, there will be a concelebrated open-air Mass for the Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Father Richard Gibbons will be the main celebrant and the mass will be concluded by 12.30/1pm. This spiritual programme is part of the official ticketed event.

Angelus text, a hymn sheet and general guidance/information on the liturgical events will be available for download/printing in the days prior to the event. 

Media Section 

Important Information regarding Knock Shrine Visit Sunday 26 August 2018

Road closures in place from 6pm on Saturday evening, 25 August

From 6pm on Saturday the centre of Knock Village will be closed (except to residents). The N17 between Charlestown and Claremorris will be closed from 12 midnight on Saturday until at least 3pm on Sunday.

For those who live and work near Knock, a business and community liaison team is in place to handle queries, working closely with Claremorris Garda Station.

Get on a Private coach or carpool to and from the event

• Join a parish or community coach group or carpool where possible, as car park spaces are limited and may be some walking distance from the Shrine
• Coaches have a designated parking area on the N17. This will result in the shortest distance to walk to and from the Knock Shrine via a short walkway
• There is a considerable walk from the car parks due to the size, scale and location of the event and there will be no shuttle bus facility available between car parks and the event site. If cars are necessary, carpooling and car sharing is essential
• Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann will be providing public transport for this event. A bus shuttle service will operate from Claremorris train station to take people to Knock shrine.  For those who have a ticket for the event, the bus shuttle service will be free
• No public viewing opportunities at Knock Airport
• It will not be possible for the public to view Pope Francis arriving or departing due to security limitations
• Those flying into and out of Ireland West Airport Knock on Sunday will have some access with strict limitations.  Only those named on airline passenger lists and those transporting named passengers will be able to access the airport between 12 midnight on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday
• Outbound passengers in particular are advised to allow more travel time than usual as there will be a number of security checks on airport access routes

Information updated on a regular basis on www.gov.ie/popeinireland, which will direct you to all the main information website pages