Knock Shrine will host their 36th annual Mercy Sunday celebrations this Divine Mercy Sunday, 8 April. His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, will serve as chief celebrant and homilist at the 3.00pm Mass in Knock Basilica on the day.
Divine Mercy Sunday ceremonies will begin at 12.45pm with Divine Mercy Devotions led by Father Mark Byrne SOLT. Music during the celebrations will be provided by Una Nolan of Knock Shrine organist and musical director, joined by soloist James Kilbane and Saint Peter’s Choir from Milford in Letterkenny.
This year’s celebrations will also place a special focus on celebrating the World Meeting of Families which will take place in Dublin this August 21–26 on the theme The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church. For more information, please see www.worldmeeting2018.ie.
The Divine Mercy Devotion is inspired by the experiences of Saint Faustina Kowalska. The Feast of Divine Mercy was formally established by St John Paul II in April 2000. Celebrations for Divine Mercy Sunday will take place in dioceses across Ireland this weekend. Details can be found on diocesan and parish websites.
Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations at Knock Shrine will be live-streamed on the day on www.knockshrine.ie.