A special ceremony of re-dedication took place at Knock Basilica on Saturday July 16^th at 3pm to mark 40 years of the original dedication of Knock Basilica on 18^th July 1976. The Mass was celebrated by His Eminence, Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston. The Cardinal, who was accompanied by over one hundred members of his Archdiocese, arrived into Knock Airport the morning previous to attend the special Mass and make a pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. The group also enjoyed a week-long break taking in the delights of the West of Ireland.

During his Homily, Cardinal O’Malley said the following:

[blockquote animation=”” author=”” ]I gave a book about the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock to the Holy Father Pope Francis.  I do hope he has the opportunity to visit this Holy Place.  I know that he will love Knock because so many of the themes that are dear to Pope Francis in his teaching and preaching are truly part of the fabric of the Marian apparitions and the special mystic of this shrine.  The Holy Father speaks so much about the culture of encounter, the art of accompaniment, tenderness, closeness, all of these things define the message of Knock, not expressed in words but in gestures.[/blockquote]

Read in full Cardinal Seán O’Malley – Homily at Knock 2016

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The Music from Saturday’s Rededication ceremony was composed by Director of Music at Knock Shrine, Úna Nolan with the ‘Sé do Bheatha Mhuire’ communion piece composed specially for the occasion by renowned composer, Odhrán O’Casaide. The choir was comprised of the combined choirs of Knock Parish, namely the Witness to Hope Gospel Choir, the Children’s Choir, Shanvaghera Choir and Knock Parish Choir.

Celebrant: Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston

Concelebrants: Papal Nuncio, Charles Brown; Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary; Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin; Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Kieran O’Reilly.

Watch Rededication Ceremony