Speakers announced for Knock novena
Saturday, July 31st, 2010

One of the country's biggest novenas this week announced its line up of guest speakers for its annual novena. 

The National Public novena in Honour of Our Lady of Knock attracts over 130,000 people each year from all parts of the country.  The theme of the novena, which runs which from August 14 to August 22, is The Path to Repentance Healing and Renewal. 

The guest speaker at the opening ceremony on August 14 is Bishop Philip Boyce from the Diocese of Raphoe while his neighbouring Bishop from the Diocese of Elphin Dr Christopher Jones will preach on the following day August 15, which is traditionally the busiest day at the novena. 

A number of speakers from outside the country and from religious orders will also speak at the novena. 

On Monday August 16 Rev Michael Gallagher SJ, Rector Bellinmarino College in Rome will speak and the following day Rev Donal O'Cuinn SJ, vocations promoter for the Irish Jesuits will address the gathering. 

As well as the religious members, a number of members of the laity are also on the guest list. 

Dr Suzanne Mulligan, lecturer in Moral Theology at the Milltown Institute in Dublin will speak on The Moral Journey while Helen Toner who is a Youth Director at Knock Shrine will speak on Youth and the church. 

John Morgan, National Board Chairman for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church will also speak on Child safeguarding and Support for Victims of Abuse while David Quinn from the Iona Institute has been lined up for August 20. 

The final two days of the novena will see the Bishop of Ossory Dr Seamus Freeman speak on Priesthood Today while on the final day of the novena Rev Eamon Conway from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick City will speak on the novena's theme The path to Renewal.

by Sean Ryan