Knock set to welcome thousands to National Novena

THE National Novena to Our Lady of Knock gets underway tomorrow, Wednesday, August 14, and runs for nine days until Thursday, August 22. Around 100,000 pilgrims are expected to visit Knock Shrine and attend the ceremonies for what is always the busiest month of the year in Knock.
The theme of this year’s Novena ‘Whispering with God – How do you Pray?’ The nine-day programme will explore how prayer, in all its forms, is an integral part of our daily lives. This has been designated as the ‘Year of Prayer’ by Pope Francis who said it was dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world.”
Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, says all is in place to welcome pilgrims from all over the island of Ireland as well as some from overseas, to the Knock Novena.
“Here at Knock, we witness the many ways in which people pray on a daily basis – from people making the Sign of the Cross as they pass by the Shrine, the parishioners who call into the Apparition Chapel during the day for a silent prayer, the candles that are quietly lit and the one million pilgrims who visit the Shrine each year, all engaging in their own personal whispering with God.”
The guest speaker on the opening day, Wednesday, August 14, is Dr Austen Ivereigh, a writer and journalist, known for his two biographies of Pope Francis. He will discuss ‘Hope for a changing Church’.
Thursday will feature Fr Richard Leonard sj who has lectured on faith and culture all over the world. His theme is ‘Keeping Mary Close’.
Toni Pyke is the Justice, Peace and Ecology coordinator with AMRI. She has lived in Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia and will share insights into her work on issues of international development and education development during the Friday ceremonies.
Monsignor Kevin Gillespie will lead the Raphoe Diocesan Pilgrimage on Saturday, August 17. Later that evening, singer-songwriter Donna Taggart from Tyrone will talk about how her dedication to helping others has shaped the artist that she is today.
Sunday is Family Day at Knock Shrine, which takes place from 11am to 3pm in the grounds at Knock Shrine. Bishop Kevin Doran will lead the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage in the afternoon and will discuss the mysteries of Creation. The evening session will see Judith King explore the gifts of pilgrimage.
‘Everything starts from a prayer’ is the theme for talks by Sr Orla Treacy, a missionary Sister based in South Sudan, on Monday, August 19. Sr Orla has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award for Irish abroad.
Fr Michael McCullagh CM is a priest of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). He is currently based at Knock Shrine with his Vincentian colleague, Fr Aidan Galvin, CM. They provide ‘A Listening Heart Ministry’ – a support ministry to priests. (Tuesday, August 20).
Wednesday, August 21, is the anniversary of the 1879 Apparition and is always a special day at the Shrine. Dr Gráinne Doherty works in pastoral ministry, retreat leadership, adult faith formation and facilitation. Her talk on Wednesday afternoon will explore how prayer helps us to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine will lead the celebration of the anniversary of the Knock Apparition later that evening.
The National Novena will conclude on Thursday, August 22 with Fr Jos Moons sj, author and lecturer at KU Leuven (Belgium).
Novena ceremonies will take place at 3pm and 8pm daily, with Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm.
The evening candlelight processions around the grounds will also be held if weather conditions are favourable.
Novena Workshops with guest speakers will be held daily at 12.45pm in St John’s Welcome Centre. Themed guided prayer sessions take place daily in Knock Prayer Centre at 11.15am and 5.15pm. Historical guided tours by the Knock Museum team will focus on the Knock Apparition witnesses. These tours will be available each day at 11am.The full programme for the National Novena is available now at www.knockshrine.ie.