Pilgrimage_To_Knock

On SATURDAY, 22nd MAY, 2004 our 24th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock was held. About 2,500 pilgrims from all parts of Ireland were joined by a group from Stopsley, Luton and a small group from the USA.

The Pilgrimage was led by the Provincial Superior, Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll SMA. He was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Mass and was joined at the altar by Fr Tom Wright SMA, Provincial Superior of the American Province of SMA, Fr John Brown SMA who led the group from the SMA Parish in Luton, Fr Jude MSP (a Nigerian Missionary of St Paul who is currently studying in Ireland) and Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA who preached the homily. More than 50 priests concelebrated. Most were SMA but were joined by priests from Dublin (Esker), Tipperary, Ardagh & Clonmacnoise and the USA.

The weather was glorious and that enabled the Procession and Way of the Cross to be held outdoors. Fr Sean Hayes SMA and Sr Margaret Cummins OLA led the prayers for the Procession. Brother Jim Redmond SMA was at the organ and Fr Angelo Lafferty SMA led the singing for the Procession and the Mass.

The Pilgrimage also marked the closing of the Annual Novena of Prayer to Our Blessed Lady.