At the request of the Holy Father, the Secretariat responsible for the Universal Synod has invited the Church around the world to hold a moment of Marian Prayer on 31st May (the Feast of the Visitation and the last day of the Marian Month of May) to place the work of the Synod, especially the upcoming assembly in October, under the protection of Our Lady.
The Synodal Pathway of the Catholic Church in Ireland has organised a day of prayer at Knock Shrine, Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, and an open invitation is being extended to all to join in this special day. The programme for the day includes a prayer service in the Apparition Chapel, Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady, ongoing prayer throughout the day inviting pilgrims to place the work of the Synod under Our Lady’s protection, and the Rosary, followed by evening Mass in Knock Parish Church. The programme for the day is below:
| 11am – 11:45am | Prayer Service in the Apparition Chapel |
| 12:00pm – 1pm | Mass celebrated by Archbishop Francis Duffy in the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland |
| 1pm – 7pm | Pilgrims and visitors will be invited to pray for the work of the Synod |
| 7pm – 8pm | Rosary and Mass in Knock Parish Church |
Each liturgy will be livestreamed from Knock Shrine at www.knockshrine.ie
Resources for Parishes and Groups
As we continue to strengthen our communion, deepen our participation, and enlarge our mission, and conscious that many will not be able to travel to Knock on the Wednesday, a prayer resource “With Mary Towards the Synodal Assembly” has been prepared for parishes and groups. All are being encouraged to pray with the resource at the Angelus times of 12 noon and 6pm.
Please feel free to share this resource widely so as many people as possible can pray with us and seek the interceding presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, on the day.
Resources for Primary Schools
As this is a school day, we have prepared two prayer resources so our youngest Christians can also join us from in prayer from their classrooms. The first resource is for older classes which includes the Angelus, hymns, a reading from the Gospel of Luke about the Visitation, and a decade of the rosary. The second resource is for younger classes and includes hymns and a Hail Mary. Both resources include a moment of prayer to place the work of the Synod under the protection of Our Lady.
