Renata Milán Morales
More than 10,000 pilgrims from across Ireland gathered at the National Marian Shrine in Knock recently to mark the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Rosary Rally.
The rally, rooted in the legacy of Fr Patrick Peyton, whose motto was, “The family that prays together stays together,” was designed as a celebration of prayer and community. It is said he spoke to over 35 million people live at his rallies.
Held on the first Saturday of June, the rally was organised to coincide with a traditional day of Marian devotion, emphasising four key spiritual practices: going to Confession, praying the Rosary, receiving the Eucharist, and meditating for 15 minutes in the company of Our Lady, as Fr Marius O’Reilly said addressing the faithful. The priest described the event, as well as the devotion, as a “monthly retreat,” inspired by the call of our Lady to go to confession, pray the Rosary, receive the Eucharist and “keep me company for 15 minutes.”
Fr Marius O’Reilly encourage the attendants to make reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Reflecting on this theme, Fr O’Reilly cited Pope Pius XII’s words that the two greatest gifts Jesus gave the world were “the Eucharist and His Mother,” adding that “when we abuse those gifts, reparation must be made.”
The event started at 9:30am with talks given by Archbishop Francis Duffy, Fr John Harris OP and Christine O’Hara, teacher from Co. Cork. At 10am a workshop where attendants could make their own Rosary and Scapular took place.
Programme
The day’s programme also featured a showcase of over 20 apostolates from all over Ireland followed by the filming of the “human living Rosary.” Hundreds of Rally-goers joined together to create a huge human rosary.
At the event there was also a space for the youngest generations. At 12:30pm children attended a guided Adoration at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
United States based Exorcist Monsignor Steve Rosetti was the keynote speaker at the 40th Annual Rosary Rally in Knock. The exorcist said, “I believe that the holy gathering at Knock will be a powerful force for good in Ireland and indeed the entire world.” He also highlighted how prayer can help us to overcome evil in the world. This part of the day included healing prayers.
He described the rosary as ‘rooted in the wisdom of the ages that can free us’”
After the talk, the faithful gathered outdoors to pray the stations of the Cross guided by Fr Rory Brady. Afterwards a Rosary Procession took place.
“We live in a frenetic age. Speed is of the essence. Attention spans are increasingly brief. Listening is in short supply,” said Bishop Donal Mckeown of Derry in his homily during a Mass of healing at the event. He described the rosary as “rooted in the wisdom of the ages that can free us to be, like Mary, open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”
The Rally introduced this year a youth conference, and a Prayer Vigil in the Basilica to bring in the feast of Pentecost. Then on Sunday morning hundreds of Rally attendees climbed Croagh Patrick where noon Mass was celebrated at the event.