Largest Single Gathering of Irish Catholics Since Pope’s Visit Sees 13,000 Attend Knock Rosary Rally
In the largest single gathering of Catholics in Ireland since Pope Francis’ visit in 2018, the All-Ireland Rosary brought over 13000 people to Knock Shrine on Saturday in a joint prayer for peace.
Busloads of people from the four corners of Ireland converged on Knock on Saturday for the 41st All Ireland Rosary, as the rain forecast cleared to make way for sunshine and blue skies. The crowds exceeded last year’s attendance by one-third, in excess of the ten thousand anticipated.
Speaking after the Rally, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “I felt a tremendous sense of joy and hope among the people who were gathered there. And it was especially gratifying to see many young people, including the children's rosary group, who made a very important and beautiful contribution to the day.”
“I really felt that Knock was alive, and it makes me realise that our Blessed Mother continues to speak into the troubled world in which we live, with many new problems and new challenges. From the point of view of Ireland, it's very important for us to have a gathering like this, to affirm the very many people who have remained strong and steadfast in their faith. and who need this kind of gathering in order to give them encouragement and a strong sense of mission.”
“That's a word that I went home with in my head. There is a wonderful mission involved in the Rosary Rally. It's about gathering people, but also about sending them back into their homes, parishes, and communities, to continue to make the beautiful graces of our Blessed Mother well known, to continue to pray for peace.”
Turning to the practical ways in which people can make a difference in parishes he said, “I personally would invite people to restore the practice of the first Saturday devotions. This would be in fulfilment of our Blessed Mother's own wish, but it would also provide a new and further structure for parishes to gather, to pray the rosary, to have adoration, to have the sacrament of reconciliation available.”
Archbishop Martin expressed hope that other countries might be inspired by the example of the All-Ireland Rosary Rally. “I do hope and pray that Father Marius will be encouraged to continue the Rosary rallies in Ireland, and perhaps that other countries will follow suit in the future.”
In his sermon during Mass at Knock, Archbishop Eamon Martin had encouraged the congregation of thousands to pray often, in union with Mary, for the protection of humanity in this technological age. Echoing the words of Pope Leo XIV in his recent encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ he said, “Artificial Intelligence is already shaping human life in homes, workplaces and communities, in hospitals, public services and economies. AI can do remarkable and helpful things. It can even mimic human behaviour and voices, but: it cannot love, suffer, forgive, pray or hope as humans can, nor can it be truly “wise”. AI does not have a conscience.”
Archbishop Martin led the Renewal of the Consecration of Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the culmination of the Rosary Procession.
The huge crowd also heard from an inspiring panel of international speakers.
• Bishop Oliver Doeme told the assembled throng of the power of the Rosary in strengthening the faith and courage of the people of his Diocese in Nigeria who live in daily fear of murder at the hands of Boko Haram terrorists.
• Nikki Kingsley shared her remarkable conversion journey from the Muslim faith in her native Pakistan to being received into the Catholic faith. Her moving and inspiring story focused on the power of the Rosary and her devotion to Our Lady.
• Other speakers included Fr Chris Alar, who talked of the importance of Marian devotion, and Sr Ângela de Fátima, who is Vice-Postulator for the cause of the three Fatima children.
Fr Chris Alar
Fr. Chris Alar is a writer, speaker and broadcaster known for his emphasis on the importance of hope and healing through Divine Mercy, reaching out to those in despair and guiding them towards faith and renewal in times of crisis. He is the Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and is based at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in the USA. He is the author of the bestselling books After Suicide: There's Hope for Them and for You and Understanding Divine Mercy, as well as his newest release, Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed.
Nikki Kingsley
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Nikki Kingsley was raised in a loving Muslim family that emphasised devotion to God. After years of practising Islam, her life changed through a series of powerful dreams and mystical encounters with Jesus and Mary. These experiences led her to seek truth beyond her upbringing, ultimately embracing the Catholic faith. Today, she shares her remarkable journey from Islam to Christianity as a speaker and author.
Dana
Dana Rosemary Scallon is an Irish singer, presenter, and former politician. A committed Catholic, she frequently speaks and sings at faith events around the world, sharing her love for the Rosary and encouraging prayer within families. She first came to international prominence after winning the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with All Kinds of Everything. She wrote the popular hymn Lady of Knock. Dana served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 and is an advocate for the protection of life and family values.
Fr John Keane
Fr. John Keane is recognised for his Eucharistic Healing Service, where he leads the faithful into profound encounters with Christ’s presence. His ministry emphasises the healing power of the Eucharist, reconciliation, and surrender to God’s mercy. Through preaching, prayer, and Eucharistic adoration, he guides people seeking spiritual, emotional, and physical restoration, helping them rediscover God’s love and the transformative grace flowing from the altar.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
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VIDEOS FROM LAST YEAR
THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS IN 2024 WERE
Bishop Phonsie Cullinan & Mother Adela Galindo
Bishop Oliver Dome
"The All Ireland Rosary Rally as l witnessed at our Lady of Knock Shrine last year, is like a powerful wind blowing across Ireland. For sure, this Rosary Rally will resurrect the spirit of devotion to Our Lady among many lrish people. And our Lady will in turn bring many of them back to her Son Jesus Christ."
SOME HISTORY
Knock, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine
Mary bestowed her particular favor on the Irish by appearing in the country in person. In August 1879, in the small Irish village of Knock in Mayo, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared to 15 villagers at the gable wall of the parish church. For an Irish people suffering despair through famine, poverty and emigration, this was a much-needed sign of hope, promising mercy, the Blessed Sacrament and the powerful intercession of the saints. Knock has since attracted millions of visitors from around the world, many seeking some relief and healing, including Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis and St. Teresa of Calcutta.
In 2019, the Church in Ireland acknowledged the healing at Knock 30 years ago of Marion Carroll who was gravely ill. During Mass on pilgrimage three decades ago, praying to Our Lady, she felt a “beautiful, magnificent feeling telling me that if the stretcher was opened, I could get up and walk.” She did get up and walked.
Watch live: https://www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live/
Father Peyton, Irish Rosary Priest
It was from Ireland, too, that one of the most famous proponents of the Rosary had come. Father Patrick Peyton built a vast media presence in the U.S. during the 1940s. He was born in 1909 in Ireland to a devout Catholic family in County Mayo, where the Rosary was part of their daily prayers and laid a strong foundation for his faith.
Father Peyton devoted his life to spreading the devotion to Mary and encouraging family prayer, especially the Rosary. He used radio, television and film, and 540 Rosary Rallies worldwide to accomplish his mission. Today, Father Peyton’s simple, devout messages that “The family that prays together stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace” are known worldwide.
Testimonials
The All Ireland Rosary Rally in Knock is a wonderful expression of people's faith. It is encouraging to see it grow year on year as more people are turning to Our Lady of Knock's powerful intercession with so much turmoil in society and in the world at large.
Father Marius O'Reilly
The All Ireland Rosary Rally as l witnessed at our Lady of Knock Shrine last year, is like a powerful wind blowing across Ireland. For sure, this Rosary Rally will resurrect the spirit of devotion to Our Lady among many lrish people. And our Lady will in turn bring many of them back to her Son Jesus Christ.
Bishop Oliver Doeme
I attended the Rosary Rally last year and it was an honour to be there with Our Blessed Mother. How absolutely heart lifting it was to see bus loads of people arriving and filling the basilica and praying. Our Holy Catholic faith in Ireland is as strong as ever.
Helena Killoughery
The Knock Rosary Rally 2023 was like a divine appointment where all Our Lady’s followers gathered, in my 40 or so years going to Knock there was never such grace.
Séamus Enright
©ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY.
e: allirelandrosaryrally@gmail.com t: +353 (0) 87 130 2763
In Association with Fr Patrick Peyton Centre, Totus Tuus Magazine, ACN Ireland & Marian Pilgrimages.
Website by: www.motherofmercymedia.com
