Dominican Pilgrimage to Knock
The year the National Dominican Pilgrimage to Knock took place on Sunday the 8th of October. Each year on the second Sunday of October all branches of the Dominican Family travel to the Shrine and lead the liturgical celebrations. As always pilgrims travelled from all the various Dominicans foundations throughout the island of Ireland. Especially noted were the youth coming from the Friary Youth Club in Dundalk and the prefects from Newbridge College.
The official program began at 14:30 with the Anointing of the Sick, followed by Mass at 15:00. After the Mass there was Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the blessing of the sick followed by the Rosary. Knock is the National Marian Shrine of Ireland. On the 21st August, 1879, fifteen people from the village of Knock witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church. The witnesses while reciting the Rosary, watched the Apparition in the pouring rain for two hours. Although they themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or the apparition.
Please find below a few pictures.
