Catherine Wiley, who lives in Mur-risk and is also a grandmother was responsible for the setting up of the first grandparents pilgrimage to Knock last year.

An overwhelming response has now led to an historic occasion where Catherine will read a prayer especially written for grandparents.

Catherine said: “The Pope has never done this before.

“There isn’t any prayer for grandparents.

“It is wonderful that he has written this. It will be revealed for the first time in the world in Knock, where it all began last year.

“And I am very honoured that I will get to read it.”

To coincide with the event, Catherine set about finding Ireland’s oldest grandparent to be part of it. Ireland’s oldest grandparent is from County Down and will have a signifigant part to play in launching the prayer.

Catherine added: “This prayer is very important.

“Grandparents have a huge role to play now in society. They are key care-givers in many homes and often they are also largely responsible for passing on the faith from one generation to another.

“It is clear that the Vatican is interested in looking at the needs of grandparents as they have a hugely important role to play now.

Many grandparents may feel they are taken for granted, and my pilgrimage sought to put that right, and also to honour grandparents for the part they play.”

The wording of the prayer remains a closely guarded secret. It will get its first reading in Knock on Sunday September 14.

Last year, over 4,000 grandparents from across Ireland attended the pilgrimage.

And such a momentous occasion occurring this year, this crowd is expected to be signifigantly larger.

The keynote speaker on the day will be David Quinn, a well known religious affairs writer.

He will be joined by singer Liam Lawton, who is no stranger to performing in Knock.

For anyone, who would like more information on the pilgrimage, they can log on to www.nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com.

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