A Few Individual Pilgrims Discover the Knock Capuchin Friary During Their Pilgrimage

Each year, pilgrims from many parts of the world come to Knock Shrine to honour Our Lady and deepen their faith. Among them, a few individuals have previously visited the great Franciscan places in Italy, including the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels (Portiuncula) in Assisi and the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo. Occasionally, when these individual pilgrims notice the presence of the Capuchin friars serving in Knock, they express a desire to visit the Knock Capuchin Friary to receive a blessing with the relic of St. Padre Pio, whose spirituality continues to inspire countless people throughout the world. This Special Franciscan Year, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, is also a reason for them to visit the friary for special blessings and prayer. We are grateful to be able to accompany these occasional individual pilgrims with prayer, a simple blessing with the relic of St. Padre Pio when requested, and the warm Franciscan spirit of welcome that has always been at the heart of our vocation.