Photo: Conor McKeown The iconic Knock novena set for August will not now go ahead, the second year it has been affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
The event – which brings upwards of 150,000 people to the Co. Mayo shrine every year – had been due to take place from August 14-22.
Fr Richard Gibbons, parish priest of Knock and rector of the shrine said the event will be “postponed until later this year”.
He said: “We have taken this decision in the interest of the health and safety of our pilgrims and staff here at the shrine. Given the recent concern from both Government and health agencies regarding the Delta variant of the virus, the responsible course of action is to postpone the national novena at this time.”
He expressed disappointment that the novena will not go ahead as planned for a second year running due to coronavirus-related restrictions, but expressed hope that it will go ahead later in the year.
Vaccination
“It is vital that we allow the national vaccination programme to proceed across all age groups. Once we can safely gather again at Knock Shrine, a full programme will be announced for the novena later in the year”, he said.
Knock continues to be open to the public and is welcoming pilgrims for the celebration of daily Mass with restricted capacity in the basilica. Confessions are available daily as well as other services including the Mass Enrolment office, Knock Museum and Knock Counselling Centre.
Fr Gibbons said: “We continue to welcome pilgrims to the shrine. They can rest assured that it is a very safe place to visit with every precaution in place to ensure the safety of all visitors.
“There are queueing systems in place at all public buildings in the shrine grounds and ushers and staff are present to ensure everything is done correctly and in line with Government guidelines,” he said.
Throughout the month of August, additional Masses will be available.
Full details are available on the Knock Shrine website www.knockshrine.ie