The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock takes place from Wednesday 13th to Thursday 21st August. In this special Jubilee Year, the theme of the Novena is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and throughout the nine days, inspiring guest speakers will reflect on how hope has revealed itself in their lives and work. The Novena ceremonies take place at 3pm & 8pm daily in the Basilica, with workshops at 12.45 in St. John’s Welcome Centre. The full list of guest speakers is as follows:
Wed. 13th August at 3pm & 8pm: Fr. Kevin Kiernan OFM Cap. & Director of the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless in Dublin speaks on “Life Without a Home– Restoring Hope”.
Thursday 14th at 3 & 8pm: Myriam Wijlens, Dutch theologian & Professor of Canon Law: “Synod-Hope for the Church?”
Friday 15th at 3pm & 8pm: Ita Lohan, prison chaplain: “By a lonely prison wall”.
Sat. 16th at 3pm: Msgr. Kevin Gillespie, Adm. Of Raphoe Diocese: “Mary, Mother of the Seeds of Hope”.
8pm: Rev. Julian Drapiewski, permanent deacon of the Tuam Archdiocese: “My journey of faith in the Church today”.
Sun. 17th, Family Day at 3pm: Bishop of Elphin & Achonry Kevin Doran: “Family: The first place of accompaniment”.
8pm: John Farrelly, Prayer Guidance Coordinator at Knock Shrine: “Prayer: A Silent Doorway to Hope”.
Monday 18th at 3pm & 8pm: Eileen Dunne, former RTE newsreader & journalist: “Beyond the Headlines”.
Tuesday 19th at 3pm & 8pm: Fr. Niall Leahy, SJ : “Our Place in the Garden: Living with Humility in Creation”.
Wed. 20th at 3pm & 8pm: Breda Casserly, former Chaplain in the Galway Hospice: “Be not afraid: Finding peace in illness”.
Thursday 21st at 3pm: Claire Kilroy of the Le Chéile Schools Trust: “Living Faith: How young people are shaping the future”.
8pm: Fr. Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest & Rector of Knock Shrine will lead this special evening to celebrate the anniversary of the Knock Apparition on 21st August 1879. The evening ceremony follows the Witness Walk, and Fr. Richard will speak on the topic “Hope is faith with its sleeves rolled up”.
Family Day takes place on Sunday 17th August, starting with a special blessing for families in the Apparition Chapel at 11am and continuing until 3pm in the Shrine gardens. Children of all ages can participate in fun activities, games & workshops.