Knock Youth Festival

Sr Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, is one of the speakers at the Knock Festival which opens tomorrow (Friday 25 June). The three day festival will be opened by Bishop Christy Jones, Bishop of Elphon. Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop Jones, will be taking part in the annual gathering at Knock Shrine in Co Mayo. Over the weekend there will be talks, workshops, prayer, reflection and music. The theme of this year's festival is Walk by Faith. The festival will run until Sunday 27 June when Archbishop Neary will preside at the closing Mass.
 
Commenting ahead of the festival Archbishop Neary said: "The Knock Youth Faith Festival is a most welcome development of recent years. It is an ideal opportunity for so many young people to come together in a faith context, to meet, to have a positive experience of Church, to pray, to celebrate and to have fun. Young people are the future of the Church and they deserve the best in presenting to them the wonderful treasures of our faith. I look forward to the event every year and am delighted and privileged to have the opportunity to celebrate Mass for the close of the festival of faith."
 
One of the speakers at this year's festival is Sr Helen Prejean, the author of the book Dead Man Walking, who is travelling from the USA to address this year's festival. Sr Helen has campaigned tirelessly against the death penalty and she will speak at the festival about human rights and the human dignity of all life. Sr Helen will also speak on the issue of environmental ethics. Other speakers at the festival will include: Fr Conall O Cuinn SJ, Dr Andrew O'Connell, Br Shawn O'Connor and Mr Brian McKee.
 
Looking forward to opening the festival Bishop Jones said: "The festival presents young people with the exciting opportunity of gathering with others to reflect on their Christian faith and the significance it has in our life journey. Special liturgies, speakers, music, song and dance will enhance the experience of those present at what promises to be a truly spirit-filled event. We pray that it will help many young people to discover in their lives a lively, loving relationship with Jesus Christ and His church."

A special web feature on the Knock Youth Festival, including the agenda and a promotional video, is now available on www.catholicbishops.ie