The Feast of St. Joseph, Saturday 19th March

On Saturday 19th March, we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph.

This special Feast Day also marked the 1st Anniversary of Knock as an International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine.

On Friday 19th March 2021, the Feast of St. Joseph, Knock Shrine was honoured to have been officially recognised as an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine by Pope Francis, through the Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation.

On this day last year, a special message was broadcast via video link worldwide.

During this message, Pope Francis explained the significance behind this recognition of Knock Shrine;

“My dear brothers and sisters present at Knock, and all of you who may be watching from afar, the elevation of the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock to an International Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic and Marian Devotion is a great responsibility. You accept to always have your arms wide open as a sign of welcome to every pilgrim who may arrive from any part of the world, asking nothing in return but only recognizing him as a brother or a sister who desires to share the same experience of fraternal prayer. May this welcome be joined with charity and become an effective witness to a heart which is open to receiving the Word of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit which gives us strength.”

One year later, we remember these important words which have become so central to our ministry, as we work to make Knock Shrine a special place of welcome for all who come here.