August 2023

The 2023 National Novena will take place from the 14th to the 22nd of August, inclusive, at Our Lady of Knock.

This year's theme will be: “Caring for Creation”.

Novena Ceremonies will take place at 3 pm and 8 pm in the Basilica.

New this year is the ‘Novena Village’, a special space on the grounds where participants are invited to attend workshops each day at 12 noon.

There will be daily screenings of “The Letter – A Message for Our Earth”, a powerful film which tells the story of five changemakers people and how they care deeply about the Earth, our common home.

Also, teams from Knock Museum will lead Historical Guided Walking Tours of Knock Shrine and Museum. They will unfold the story of the Apparition while focusing on the fifteen witnesses.

Each day there will be Guest Speakers & Homilists who will deliver speeches about the 2023 theme.

Monday 14th August

“Caring for Others” by Fr John Joe Duffy

Tuesday 15th August

The Feast of Assumption.

“Mary our Mother” by Archbishop Montemayor, Papal Nuncio to Ireland.

Wednesday 16th August

“The Gift of Service”by Sean O’Rourke.

Thursday 17th August

Feast of Our Lady of Knock.

“Working Together for A Better World” by Nóirin Lynch.

Friday 18th August

“From a Site of Sadness Blooms Hope” by Geraldine Mullan

Saturday 19th August

“Faith and Hope in a Sea of Change” by Bishop Alan McGuckian.

Sunday 20th August

Family Day

Monday 21st August

The Anniversary of the Apparition of Knock.

“Vocation: Why Risk it?” by Fr Shane Costello

Monday 21st August

Witnesses’ Walk

Tuesday 22nd August

“Finding God in the Service of Others” by Fr Tony O’Riordan SJ.