More than 6,000 people from across Ireland are expected to gather at Knock Shrine on Sunday 29 April to pray for the protection of the right to life of the unborn. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, will celebrate Mass and preach the homily in Knock Basilica at 3.00pm.
The pilgrimage to Knock on 29 April is organised by the national Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration, on the theme ‘The Family of Eucharistic Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration committees from 23 dioceses will be in attendance, joined by members from hundreds of parish committees across Ireland.
Speaking ahead of the event Bishop Cullinan said, ‘In many ways Knock is the spiritual centre of Ireland. It is fitting that people from all over the country will gather there before the referendum on 25 May on whether or not to remove the 8th Amendment from our constitution. We will gather in Knock to pray to our heavenly Mother for future mothers and their unborn children in our country. Those who are attending already commit to adoring the Lord Jesus day after day and week after week in parishes throughout our land. They now wish to gather around Mary to implore the All Powerful to scatter the darkness and confusion in so many minds which are unable to see the humanity of the unborn and their right to life which is the most basic of all rights.’
Priests, religious and lay people are invited to join at Knock and parish committees will be arranging transport on the day.
Pilgrims will be welcomed to Knock Shrine at 11.00am with tea available in Saint John’s Centre near the Basilica. Confessions will be held at 11.30am, as well as opportunities for personal prayer.
At 1.20pm, members of the national committee of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration, Bartle O Curraoin and John Howard will welcome all in attendance before a talk on ‘Adoration – For all the Family’ at 1.30pm.
Mass will be celebrated in Knock Basilica at 3.00pm by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan and joining clergy. Music at the Mass will be performed the Cathedral Choir from Waterford and Lismore.
Following the Mass a Eucharistic Procession will be lead from the Basilica, finishing in the Apparition Chapel for Benediction with a closing word from Brendan Cleary, a member of our National Apostolate. Those attending are invited to bring along county flags and Apostolate banners to make the procession as colourful and meaningful as possible.
Children are also welcome and a parallel programme will be facilitated on the day by the Children of the Eucharist team, led by Antoinette Moynihan.
For more information please see www.eucharisticadoration.ie.
ENDS
