Knock Novena 2026 - Night Two: A Powerful Witness of Hope and Healing

Feast of the Assumption - Our Lady, Queen of Ireland On this second night of our Novena to Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, as we celebrate the great Feast of the Assumption, the Basilica at Knock Shrine was packed to capacity for what was a truly moving and memorable evening. It was very much a Capuchin night. Our main Celebrant for the Eucharist was one of our new Parish Chaplains in Knock, Br. Sean Kelly OFM Cap., and he was joined by his brothers in the Knock fraternity, Br. Matthew Clerkin and Br. Godfrey Pereira, as concelebrants. Our guest speaker tonight was Adrian Gallagher from Co. Louth, who gave a wonderful and deeply inspirational witness. Adrian spoke with remarkable honesty and courage about his past addiction to drugs at a relatively young age and how his life was spiraling out of control due to the hold that drugs had on him. He credited Knock Shrine itself for being instrumental in changing the direction of his life. It was here that he first found hope again. He spoke with great gratitude about the Cenacolo Community, just outside Knock village, for giving him the strength and courage to stop taking drugs through their beautiful methods of hard work and prayer. Adrian had a simple but powerful message for anyone who is battling the scourge of the drug culture that is now present in almost every town and city in Ireland today. You are not beyond help. Never give up hope. Just reach out and ask for help. His testimony was so honest, so raw, and so full of faith that the packed congregation were visibly moved, and at the end of his witness, they rose to give him a prolonged and heartfelt standing ovation. On this Feast of the Assumption, as we honour Our Lady who was assumed body and soul into Heaven, Adrian reminded us that no one is ever lost to the love of God and the intercession of Our Lady of Knock. Our thanks to Adrian for his courage in sharing his story, and to all who joined us in such great numbers tonight, both in the Basilica and online. Our Novena continues tomorrow night. All are welcome. Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, pray for us.