An Intercultural Environment

Mary, Our Mother by Clare Halvey rsm, Western Province

On the Feast of St. Joseph, 19th March, 2021, Pope Francis announced International Status for the Marian Shrine at Knock, Co Mayo.

In his message to mark the occasion Pope Francis spoke of:

An important moment in the life of the Shrine

Pope Francis links this moment to a Missionary Church and to her women and men who joined cultures and people in the Gospel Story, of a love without borders.  

You are a missionary people

The Arms of the Virgin, outstretched in prayer, reach out from Knock Shrine.

Mother of the Nations

The Silence of Mary … Pope Francis hears in the silence of Mary at Knock, a language, the most expressive language we have.

A Great Responsibility … We hear in the International focus that has been given to Knock Shrine a call to Fraternity, to Friendship, to Inter-Religious Dialogue.  

It is a Great Responsibility… You accept to always have your arms wide open as a sign of welcome to every pilgrim who may arrive from any part of the world.

The Eucharist …  We are One Bread, One Body, a Universal Communion

On the First Day of May 2021 we ask Mary our Mother to guide us, as we join hands and hearts across borders and boundaries to love, to share, to become the Communion.  Amen.

 

Communications