This year our celebration of our Mother and Patroness, Mary Queen of Apostles, will be a unique celebration, there is no doubting that with the current restrictions in place on movement and communal activities and gatherings.
The National Coordination Council of the UAC in Ireland has planned a celebration of the Feast Day which will be live-streamed from St Anne’s Parish, Shankill, from 15.00 to 16.30 on Saturday 30th, and we invite you to link-in to the celebration with whatever means of communication that is available to you and in this way, we will celebrate in heart and mind and soul as a Pallottine Family, even if we are not physically present to one another.
The celebration will consist of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, hymns and music, prayers, Scripture readings, a reflection on Mary Queen of Apostles, recitation of the Holy Rosary, time of intercessory prayer and the Divine Mercy chaplet.
Our annual Pallottine Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady at Knock cannot take place this year, but Knock Shrine offers virtual pilgrimages and we have received the following message: “Knock has always been a place of welcome, sanctuary and sacredness. Its role as Ireland’s National Marian Shrine makes it a symbol of unity, family and togetherness. Since 1880, pilgrimage groups have made their way to Knock, bringing with them their prayers and petitions. Special pilgrimage Sundays have long been a central part of the annual calendar at Knock Shrine and the season traditionally begins on the last Sunday in April.
This year, as we find ourselves in unique and challenging times, pilgrimage Masses will be broadcast online from Knock Basilica every Sunday at 3pm. Each weekend, there will be a special welcome for the pilgrimage groups that traditionally travel to our National Marian Shrine for their own celebrations. And, this year Fr Richard Gibbons, the Rector of the Shrine, will read out a short message of welcome to our Pallottine Family and to the other pilgrim groups who had planned to be there this coming weekend. The Mass will be streamed live on www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live , commencing with Rosary at 2.30pm and Mass at 3pm.
Daily Masses continue to be broadcast on the Knock Shrine website and Facebook page at 12 Noon and 7.30pm, with Rosary at 7pm. Sunday Mass is broadcast at 12 noon, Rosary at 2.30pm and Mass at 3pm. For further details, please see www.knockshrine.ie.
