Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry and Award Patron led the National Pope John Paul II Award Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Tuesday, 22 March 2022.
Over 500 young people traveled from across Ireland, to participate in the third National Pope John Paul II Award Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. The theme of the pilgrimage was You are the ‘Now’ of God. Dream great things!
The young people in attendance took part in prayers, readings, dance performance and activities all with the message of encouragement to become involved in your parish and grow your faith.
The pilgrimage to Knock Shrine in pictures
Young people from the dioceses of Cloyne, Elphin, Derry, Kildare & Leighlin, Limerick and Tuam took part in the pilgrimage along with school and parish leaders.
Photographs by Sinead Mallee
Guest speaker Fr Peter McVerry of the Peter McVerry Trust
Father Peter spoke of his work with the homeless in Dublin over the last 40 years. Fr Peter congratulatated the young people on achieving the Award and “on your service to the community and to the church. You have made a contribution to the lives of others in small ways. But small does not mean insignificant. You have made contribution to the lives of others in different ways and I hope that they have made a contribution to your life also”. Read Fr Peters presentation from the day >
Bishop Donal McKeown’s message to the Award participants
“Jesus wants you to develop into the great person that he knows you can become. Jesus shows us the example of his own life where he gave himself and everything he had for people.” Read Bishop McKeowns Homily from the day >
