Knock Shrine will be closed next Saturday, 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, on what is generally one of its busiest days each year.
In a statement on Monday, Father Richard Gibbons, Rector at Knock, has appealed to people not to travel to Knock on 15th August as the Shrine and grounds will be closed in order to prevent large gatherings in the context of Covid-19.
It was previously announced that this year’s Knock Novena, which was scheduled to run from next Friday until August 22nd, had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Feast of the Assumption, would normally be the most highly attended day during the National Novena. In previous years the Shrine would be open from 5.00am for Confessions. The first Mass would take place at 6.00am for people who would traditionally walk to Knock during the previous night and early morning. Masses would continue practically every hour until evening for enormous numbers of people coming from all over the country and beyond. For that day alone over 20,000 people would usually visit the Shrine.
In his statement Father Gibbons said, “In the light of the current escalation of Covid-19 cases around the country together with the sheer impossibility of having the resources necessary to deal with the potential of large numbers of people gathering at the Shrine for the 15th August and being extremely conscious of our responsibility for the safety of our parishioners, pilgrims, visitors, staff, volunteers and priests, Knock Shrine has taken the unprecedented and heart-breaking decision to close the Shrine and grounds for the 15th August only. This decision was taken after detailed discussions with Church and State bodies. We are appealing to people therefore, not to travel to Knock for the 15th August as the Shrine and grounds will be closed off to everyone in order to prevent large gatherings.
“As can be appreciated, there would be no point in asking people not to come while the Shrine is
open, such a message would be ambiguous and cause confusion. The responsible course of action as a result, is to close the Shrine and grounds for the 15th August only. As the National Marian Shrine, we have been extra vigilant in living up to our responsibilities amid this pandemic in placing people’s physical and spiritual wellbeing to the fore. I would ask for your understanding and patience at this time. It is by trusting in God, looking out for one another and trusting our medical professionals that we will overcome this virus.”
The Shrine and grounds will be closed from 8.00pm on Friday 14 August to 7.00am on Sunday 16 August. Masses will be celebrated online only and behind closed doors at 12.00 noon, 3.00pm and 7.30pm.
Postponement of National Novena to Our Lady of Knock
Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, has announced that the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock is postponed until perhaps later this year, depending on latest Government guidance. The annual Novena began in 1977 and has continued in unbroken tradition since. The Novena is a national and international event that takes place every year from the 14–22 August and attracts as many as 150,000 pilgrims. It is a time of prayer that offers pilgrims a variety of guest speakers who reflect upon faith and contemporary society.
Commenting on the announcement, Fr Gibbons said: “Having discussed at length the logistics, health, and safety of organising the Novena, it is with heavy hearts that we have decided to postpone it. After careful assessment of all aspects in line with current government guidelines, we feel that this is the right thing to do. This has been a very difficult decision that will cause a great deal of disappointment to pilgrims, it also has economic consequences for the wider community and the Shrine itself. However, the health and safety of our parishioners, pilgrims, priests, staff and volunteers is of paramount importance to us at this worrying time. As the Shrine has gradually reopened for Mass in recent weeks, we have successfully and safely restricted capacity for Masses. Even though the Shrine grounds cover more than 100 acres, it would be impossible to control in a safe manner the large outdoor gathering which would undoubtedly come for the Novena.”
While the Novena is postponed, the Shrine will remain open to welcome individuals and family groups and will continue to offer daily Masses in Knock Basilica at 12.00 noon, 3.00pm and 7.30pm with restricted capacity and on a first-come, first-served basis. Pilgrims may avail of the sacrament of reconciliation. The parish church is also available for private prayer and pilgrims can light candles. In all these locations strict queueing and social distancing measures apply.
During lockdown Knock Shrine was at the forefront in reaching out to people online by the streaming of daily Masses via their website and Facebook page. Pilgrims were invited to place a petition or light a candle while they were unable to visit their local churches. Fr Gibbons said: “We realised the huge importance of our online services during lockdown and what it meant to people to be able to connect with us each day. Our online services will continue to play an important role in enabling us to stay connected with our pilgrims.”
“It is with great disappointment that we have to postpone the highlight of the annual pilgrimage season at Knock Shrine. I take this opportunity to encourage the people of Ireland and beyond to pray the Novena prayer in their own homes and parishes for the month of August so that we may be united in prayer. The Novena prayer can be found on our website. The proposed theme for this year’s Novena was ‘Faith in Changing Times’. Here at Knock Shrine as we respond to the present challenges of the coronavirus, we continue to pray with you and for you as we look forward with faith and hope to brighter days. We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation. May Our Lady of Knock keep you all safe.”
For more see www.knockshrine.ie