Dr Nicola Brady, Chair of the Synodal Steering Group, will present at this year’s Knock Shrine Novena. Returning to its normal format for the first time in three years, the national novena will run from Sunday 14 August until Monday 22 August. The novena to Our Lady provides pilgrims with time and space to reflect, pray, and a chance to reaffirm their faith in the special and holy setting of Knock Shrine. On Tuesday 16 August at 3.00pm and 8.00pm, Dr Brady will speak during Mass about ‘The Synodal Pathway: What have we learned and what will we do?’
Dr Brady’s presentation follows the National Pre-Synodal Assembly on 18 June last, which the Synodal Steering Committee organised in Athlone and Clonmanoise. At this gathering, all dioceses contributed to the Synodal process.
At this year’s novena, pilgrims will be welcome to the brand new ‘Synod Tent’. In this brand new feature, pilgrims can learn more about the Synod and what it means for us. It will also provide an opportunity for pilgrims to listen to the ideas of others and what the Synodal Pathway has to offer at this critical juncture in our history.
Other keynote speakers each day present during the 2022 novena will include Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin, Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath, Father Richard Gibbons PP, Father Terence Harrington OFM Cap and Father Michael McKeever. A special feature of this year’s schedule in Knock will celebrate Ukrainian families and host Irish families.
The story of Knock as a pilgrimage site goes back to 1879. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the Church at Knock, County Mayo, on August 21, that year. Fifteen witnesses, both young and old, beheld this remarkable apparition. On 19 March 2021, Pope Francis officially recognised Knock as an International Marian Shrine through the Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation. Saint Pope John Paul II visited the Novena during his 1979 apostolic pilgrimage, as did Pope Francis in 2018 as part of the celebrations for the IX World Meeting of Families in Ireland.
To access the full schedule of the 2022 Knock National Novena click here
