On Saturday 23rd September pilgrims from around the Diocese of Derry gathered in Knock at the invitation of Bishop Donal to celebrate our identity as a Diocesan family of God. As the various groups arrived in Knock from midday onwards, there was time to visit the site of the apparition at the 'gable wall' in the Shrine Chapel, go to Confessions, adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, register Mass intentions, visit the Knock Museum and Cafe, visit the Book Shop - all within the Shrine grounds. The Diocesan family gathered in the Basilica for 1:30pm where Bishop Donal led a short welcoming prayer to set the scene for the day ahead.
The Stations of the Cross were prayed at 2pm followed by meditation on the Rosary and Bishop Donal was the chief celebrant of the daily 3pm Mass in the Basilica. (For Bishop Donal's Homily Text click here.) The Sacrament of the Sick was celebrated within the Mass.
The Diocesan delegation was made up from different families, organisations and groups from a number of our parishes and represented a wide spectrum of age - from young children to the more mature in years!
Sr Perpetua McNulty (Thornhill Ministries) was the director of the Pilgrimage and led the choir who were from among the various delegations that had come on the Pilgrimage. Derry Diocesan priests Fr Pat O'Hagan (PP Moville), Fr Eamon Graham (PP Lavey & Greenlough), Fr Eddie Gallagher (PP Greencastle), Fr Daniel McFaul (CC Killyclogher), Fr Seán O'Donnell (CC Glendermott & Strathfoyle) and newly ordained Fr Malachy Gallagher (CC Glendermott & Strathfoyle) also accompanied the parish groups who came and concelebrated Mass with Bishop Donal.
A presentation was made by Bishop Donal to George Fitzpatrick from Cursillo in recognition of his work as a founder of the Cursillo Peace Walk to Knock which began 29 years ago as he steps aside and hands the role on to the next generation of Peace Walkers.
Bishop Donal also spent time meeting and chatting with those who had travelled down to Knock and by all accounts a great day was had by all and below there is a gallery of photos kindly taken by Damien Adams who was there with the Cursillo family.
