Pope Francis will officially recognise the unique status of Knock as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine on Friday next, the 19th March, the Feast of St Joseph.
In December last year, Pope Francis declared 2021 as the year of Saint Joseph, a declaration that bears particular significance for Knock as St Joseph appeared, together with Our Lady, St John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God in the Apparition in 1879. Pope Francis visited Knock Shrine in 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families celebrations.
Pope Francis will deliver a special message via video link recognising Knock Shrine as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine during Mass at 7.30pm on Friday the 19th March. The Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam and concelebrated by Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine.
The 19thof March is also the day that Pope Francis will celebrate the 8th anniversary of his inauguration as Pope.
As part of three days of celebration to St Joseph in Knock, Pope Francis will speak at the 7.30pm Mass on the 19th March; Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, will speak at the 7.30pm Mass on the 20th March and to conclude the three days, Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam will speak at 12pm Mass on Sunday 21st March.
