'Pilgrims of Hope' theme for Knock Novena

The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock will take place this year from tomorrow (Wednesday) to Thursday, August 21, at Knock Shrine. 

As part of the Jubilee Year, the theme for this year’s Novena is 'Pilgrims of Hope', drawing on the enduring message of hope that lies at the heart of the Knock Apparition of 1879. This theme will guide a nine-day programme of prayer, worship, guided reflection, guest speakers, family events, and pilgrimage.

Daily Novena ceremonies will be held in Knock Basilica at 3pm and 8pm. Each day will also include themed guided prayer at 11.15am and 5.15pm in the Prayer Centre. A series of in-depth workshops will take place daily at 12.45pm in St John’s Welcome Centre, offering participants an opportunity to explore the day’s theme more fully. These workshops will be led by a mix of speakers, pastoral staff and guides, and will touch on themes ranging from spiritual accompaniment and ecology to embodied prayer and storytelling in faith formation.

Guest speakers for this year’s Novena represent a wide range of backgrounds and experience. Tomorrow (Wednesday), Fr Kevin Kiernan OFM Cap will reflect on life without a home and how hope is restored through compassion and support. Fr Kiernan is Director of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and a trained psychotherapist with a long history of pastoral and refugee support. 

On Thursday, Augsut 14, Myriam Wijlens, Dutch theologian and professor of Canon Law at the University of Erfurt, will address the topic of synodality and its potential to bring hope to the Church. She served on the Coordinating Committee of the Synod on Synodality in Rome and has participated in its sessions in 2023 and 2024.

On Friday, August 15, Ita Lohan will speak about her work as a prison chaplain in Castlerea and Loughan House and how she finds faith and human dignity within the prison walls. On Saturday, August 16, the afternoon ceremony will feature reflections from Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Raphoe, alongside Elaine Patton, who is involved in youth ministry in the same diocese. That evening, Julian Drapiewski, a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Tuam and father of five, will share his personal journey of faith as an engineer, entrepreneur, and family man living in Ireland since 2004.

Sunday, August 17, will be celebrated as Family Day, beginning with a special blessing for families at 11am in the Apparition Chapel. Family activities will then take place on the Basilica Green, including kite making, face painting, arts and crafts, drumming, dance, puppetry, games, tea and coffee, snacks, ice cream and crepes. All events and activities are free of charge and open to families of all ages. 

That afternoon’s Novena speaker will be Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry, who will speak on the family as the first place of accompaniment. In the evening, John Farrelly, Prayer Guidance Coordinator at Knock Shrine, will reflect on prayer as a silent doorway to hope. He also leads the Shrine’s Spiritual Direction Ministry and writes the Weekly Witness, a contemplative scripture-based reflection.

On Monday, August 18, journalist and former RTÉ news anchor Eileen Dunne will present on finding truth and hope beyond the headlines. She worked at RTÉ for over 40 years and has covered major religious and political events, including the Eucharistic Congress in 2012 and Pope Francis’s visit to Knock in 2018. 

On Tuesday, August 19, Fr Niall Leahy SJ will speak on living with humility in creation. A native of County Louth and Advocate for Localism at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, he will explore environmental and economic justice through the lens of faith. 

On Wednesday, August 20, former healthcare chaplain Breda Casserly will offer insights from her ministry in Galway Hospice, reflecting on how peace and spiritual resilience are found in illness and end-of-life care.

The Novena will conclude on Thursday, August 21, the anniversary of the Knock Apparition. At 3pm, Claire Kilroy will speak on how young people are shaping the future of faith. She is currently serving as Head of School Services with the Le Chéile Schools Trust and has been appointed CEO of the Association of Patrons and Trustees of Catholic Schools from September 2025. 

Later that evening, at 6.45pm, the annual Witness Walk will begin at the Chapel of Reconciliation. Participants will journey in the footsteps of the 15 local villagers who witnessed the Apparition on August 21, 1879, walking from their homes to the gable wall of the Parish Church where the vision appeared. At 8pm, Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector and Parish Priest of Knock Shrine, will lead the closing Novena ceremony with a reflection titled 'Hope is Faith with its Sleeves Rolled Up'. 

Each day during the Novena, guided tours focusing on the original Knock Apparition will take place at 11am, beginning at the Information Office beside the Basilica. These 45-minute walks will introduce pilgrims to the stories of the witnesses and the significance of that evening in August 1879.

Workshops will also take place each day and the themes can be viewed on www.knockshrine.ie.

This year's workshop themes have also been confirmed. On Wednesday, August 13, Fr Kevin Kiernan and Brian Friel will lead a workshop on food poverty and solidarity titled 'No-one Goes Hungry'. On Thursday, August 14, Julieann Moran will explore synodality as a source of renewal. On Friday, August 15, Ita and Daniel Lohan will reflect on human struggle in a session titled 'Beauty in the Broken'. Saturday, August 16, will focus on physicality in prayer, led by the Knock Prayer Guides. On Sunday, August 17, the focus will turn to creative faith education through storytelling and play. Monday, August 18, will look at spiritual accompaniment. Tuesday, August 19, will revisit Laudato Si and the spirituality of creation. On Wednesday, August 20, the Knock Prayer Guides will explore healing prayer in times of illness. The final workshop on Thursday, August 21, will be led by Claire Kilroy on the future role of young people in faith communities.

In addition to the spiritual programme, Knock Shrine has announced the launch of the Pilgrim Passport, a Jubilee Year initiative in collaboration with Croagh Patrick and Lough Derg. The passport invites pilgrims to visit all three national pilgrimage sites during 2025. Visitors can collect a stamp at each site, and those who complete the journey will receive a specially commissioned commemorative lapel pin. More information is available at pilgrimpassport.ie and on the Knock Shrine website.

Fr Richard Gibbons, who has served as Rector of Knock Shrine since 2012, has extended an open invitation to all who wish to take part in this time of faith and renewal. He noted that the Jubilee theme of hope is particularly relevant, and the Novena is a chance for people to rediscover hope through worship, reflection, and community.

Further information on the full programme, speakers, and workshops is available at www.knockshrine.ie or by contacting the Shrine Office on 094-9388 100.