Mags GarganA new chaplain has been appointed to the annual National Traditional Pilgrimage to Knock, which is expected to draw a large crowd next month.
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has appointed Fr John Loftus PP, Binghamstown Belmullet as chaplain to the Latin Mass Pilgrimage.
A monthly Latin Mass was established by Archbishop Neary in 2011 for the second Sunday of the month in the parish church in Knock, in response to the concerns of those who prefer the earlier liturgies.
The monthly Mass draws a congregation of over 100 people, and organisers in the Latin Mass Society of Ireland (LMSI) said the only issue impeding more frequent celebration is the shortage of priests available.
The National Traditional Pilgrimage was established in the 1990s and was managed by the LMSI from 2002 on the first Saturday of September. This year the pilgrimage will be on September 6 commencing with a missa cantata, followed by Stations of the Cross and Traditional Benediction at the parish church of St John the Baptist.