The Knock Parish Church and Apparition Chapel reopen today Friday 18 May following extensive refurbishment carried out over several months. The first public Mass since the church’s closure last October will be celebrated tomorrow at 9.00am. All parishioners and friends of Knock Shrine are invited to the Mass, which will be celebrated by Fr Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest and Rector of Knock Shrine and Our Lady’s Basilica.
The Parish Church has a special place in the hearts of many. Its prayerful, peaceful atmosphere makes it not only the oldest, but also one of the most important places in Knock for parishioners and pilgrims alike. It is here that the 15 witnesses worshipped at Mass and where many of the early pilgrims to Knock gathered to pray and to see the sacred site of the Apparition.
All of the historic features, including windows, stained glass windows and altars have been professionally cleaned and restored, as well as the Stations of the Cross which have been in the church since the early 1900s. New seating, lighting and floors have been added to both chapels.
The renovation also included technological upgrades to allow for live streaming of Masses each day from both the Parish Church and the Apparition Chapel. The live stream can be viewed at www.knockshrine.ie/watch.
Father Richard Gibbons offered a special thank you to all parishioners and visitors to Knock Shrine for their patience, understanding and support over the past few months, and invited all who are able to join on the Saturday morning.
For more information on upcoming pilgrimages and events at Knock Shrine please see www.knockshrine.ie.