The 2026 Knock National Novena, which begins August 13, is expected to draw thousands to Knock Basilica as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Ahead of the nine-day National Novena, Fr Richard Gibbons, parish priest and rector of Knock Shrine, said: “Each year the National Novena offers people an opportunity to pause, pray and experience the peace that Knock has offered pilgrims for generations. 

“This year’s theme, ‘Sheltered in God’s Love,’ reminds us that, whatever challenges we carry, God remains our refuge and our hope.  As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Knock Basilica, we look forward to welcoming pilgrims from every parish and every walk of life to share in these special nine days.”

The National Novena has drawn pilgrims from around the world since 1977, becoming one of the main events of the pilgrimage season at Knock Shrine. This year, guest speakers include Mary Kennedy, Bishop Niall Coll of Raphoe; Bishop Kevin Doran of Achonry and Elphin.

Also speaking this year is Fr Paul Murphy, who last year forgave a then-16-year-old boy who almost severed his arm in an ISIS-inspired attack. Speaking directly to his assailant during the sentencing hearing, Fr Murphy had said: “As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer to you, the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person.”

Each day, the National Novena will host the Anointing of the Sick and workshops, concluding with the traditional candlelight procession through the Shrine grounds.

On Sunday, August 16, families are invited to Family Day, a celebration on the grounds of Knock Shrine. Beginning with a Blessing of Families at 11am in the Parish Church, the day will include free activities including arts and crafts, games and interactive workshops.

The Novena concludes on August 21, the anniversary of the Apparition at Knock in 1879.  Closing celebrations include the annual Witness Walk, retracing the footsteps of the original witnesses to the Apparition, followed by the final evening ceremony in Knock Basilica.

The devotion to Our Lady of Knock dates to the evening of August 21, 1879, when the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the Church at Knock, Co Mayo. Beside them was an altar with a cross and the figure of a lamb, around which angels hovered. 

Fifteen official witnesses experienced the apparition for two hours in pouring rain and recited the Rosary. In 1879 and in 1936 two Commissions of Inquiry accepted their testimony as trustworthy and satisfactory. 

On March 19, 2021, Pope Francis officially recognised Knock as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine through the Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation. The Marian Shrine has been visited by Pope St John Paul II during his 1979 apostolic pilgrimage, and in 2018 by Pope Francis as part of the celebrations for the IX World Meeting of Families in Ireland.