Mags Gargan
Thousands attend procession around Knock Shrine. Photo: Michael McLaughlin The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock once again attracted over 100,000 pilgrims this year for nine days of reflection and prayer.
Fr Richard Gibbons PP, Rector of Knock Shrine, said the novena is “about embracing our spiritual selves and in today’s world it is a valuable thing to take some time alone or with family and friends to experience the richness of our faith and to escape the material and fast-paced world”.
With the theme ‘Living Life to the Full’, the programme included a high quality line-up of guest speakers and workshops to help enrich and enliven faith. The novena opened on Monday, August 14 with Dr Mary Healy, international speaker on scripture and healing, followed by Redemptorists Fr Seamus Enright, CSsR and Fr Michael Cusack, CSsR on Tuesday.
Laughter
Sport was the topic on Wednesday with RTÉ sports commentator Marty Morrissey making his debut public appearance at Knock to a packed crowd and Fr Kevin O’Gorman, author of Saving Sport: Sport, Society and Spirituality, offering a workshop. There were many moments of laughter and amusement, particularly when Marty encouraged each person present to say “I love you” to their neighbour. Amongst all of the laughter and banter, there were genuine, thought-provoking and inspiring moments of sadness, humour, joy and pride when he talked about his personal life, the importance of friendship in our overall happiness, family life and appreciating every day as a beautiful gift.
There was a local flavour last Thursday, when Knock native Bernadette McNeive and professional motivational speaker Darren Cawley both delivered moving accounts of their own personal stories of organ donation.
To mark 500 years of the Reformation, Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Killala & Achonry Diocese, Rt Revd Patrick Rooke was welcomed for the ceremonies last Friday and conducted a workshop with Dr Salvador Ryan, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
Workshops
On Saturday Bishop Philip Boyce, retired Bishop of Raphoe, was joined by writer and theologian Fr Daniel O’Leary to facilitate workshops.
Then on Sunday Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin spoke during the ceremonies and workshops which were facilitated by Dr Aoife McGrath, lecturer in Pastoral Theology and Parish Placement Coordinator at the Pontifical University, Maynooth.
One of the main highlights of the Novena took place on Monday with the launch of the World Meeting of Families 2018 programme ‘Amoris: Let’s talk Family, Let’s be Family!’ with families representing each diocese arriving at Knock for this special day. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin gave a talk on ‘When Plates Fly! Pope Francis on the joys and challenges of family life’ and workshops were facilitated by Fr Tim Bartlett on how to make technology more family friendly.
The Novena came to a close on Tuesday with Maria Steen, spokesperson for the Iona Institute speaking at the ceremonies and workshops with Cora Sherlock, Deputy Chairperson of the Pro Life Campaign.