Welcoming The Capuchin Community To Knock

WELCOMING THE CAPUCHIN COMMUNITY TO KNOCK

The 17th of September is the day Franciscans around the world celebrate the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis. This is a day of new beginnings for us Capuchins; traditionally Postulants are welcomed and Novices are recived on this day. Today we celebrated a new beginning of a different kind as the Capuchin Friars were officially welcomed to Knock by Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of the Shrine, on behalf of Archbishop Francis Duffy. This official welcome came as the culmination of the annual Padre Pio Prayergroup Retreat and Pilgrimage.

Pilgrims from all over Ireland travelled to Knock this weekend for the annual Padre Pio Retreat and Pilgrimage. The Basilica was full and crowds queued patiently outside St John’s Rest Centre to receive a blessing with the glove of St Pio. The annual Retreat and Pilgrimage is one of the biggest events on Knock Shrine’s calendar and has been running now for many years. Both the Prayeegroup Retreat and Pilgrimage are organised by the Irish Centre for Padre Pio in Church Street, Dublin. More information on the Centre can be found on their website: www.padrepio.ie

This was certainly a historic day for our Capuchin Province and it’s timely to offer our congratulations to all involved in making this such a very special weekend.

We wish our Brothers in Knock every blessing as they bring the Capuchin way of life to Knock Shrine.

Pictured are the Capuchin Friars outside the Friary in Knock. (L – R)

Brothers Patrick Flynn, Ternece Harrington, John Wright (Guardian), Seán Kelly (Provincial Minister), Fr Richard Gibbons (PP and Rector of Knock Shrine), Matthew Clerkin and Dermot Lynch.