'Builds a connection' - Pilgrims from many countries attend Knock Novena

There were large crowds at Knock Shrine over the weekend for the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock, which began on Wednesday last, August 14th, and continues until August 22nd.

Fr Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest and Rector at Knock Shrine, said Family Day, which took place last Sunday, drew a huge crowd to the Marian Shrine.

“We were very happy with the Family Day, we were blessed with the weather. The numbers attending have been great, and it’s going well for us. We had family blessings on Sunday in the Apparition Chapel and it was jam-packed. We will have to move it into the Basilica next year which is a great complaint to have.”

The Novena has seen several guest speakers from near and far as well as attendees from the United States, Italy and Asia.

“There is something for everybody during the nine-day event,” explained Fr Gibbons. “We welcomed a group from East Timor last Sunday, as well as many from our country and beyond. Some have travelled from America - they came for the Novena last year and came back for this year’s event so it has been very encouraging. There was another couple I met from Messina (Sicily, Italy). People not only come to Knock but they also join in online which builds a connection with us.”

Fr Gibbons will speak at the Novena on Wednesday, August 21st, during the evening session (8pm) before Fr Jos Moons will speak on the last day (Thursday, August 22). Fr Moons is a Jesuit priest who works as a lecturer at KU Leuven (Belgium) and he will speak during the 3pm and 8pm ceremonies.

Fr Gibbons said the Novena has been keeping the family element in place and remarked that there is a safe space for children thanks to the youth ministry.

The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock takes place every year and coincides with the anniversary of the Knock Apparition - August 21, 1879.