2023-05-18 09:40:53
Knock ∙ Ireland Syro-Malabar Church’s National Knock Pilgrimage became devotional. Devotees from various parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland offered Holy Communion at the Basilica of the International Marian Pilgrimage Center of Knock. Bishop Mar Stephen Chirapanath, European Apostolic Visitor of the Syro-Malabar Church, presided over the Holy Mass at Knock Basilica, which was overflowing with believers after the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ireland Syro Malabar Church National Coordinator Fr. Joseph Mathew Oliakattil, Pilgrimage Coordinator Fr. Roy Wattakat, Regional Coordinator Fr. Jose Bharnikulangara, Fr. Paul Morelli, Fr. Jilson Kokandathil and Fr. Babu Parathepathikakal, Fr. Bijo Njalur, Fr. Jane Mathew Munnattakaran, Fr. In Regi Cheruvankala, Fr. Jomon Kakanat, Fr. Joshi Parokaran, Fr. Joe Pareparampil, Fr. Shinto, Fr. Ignatius Biju, Fr. Shoji Puthenpurakkal, Fr. Mathew Chandrakunnel, Fr. Binoj Mulavarikal were also collaborators.
Chris Paul Shinto (Swords – 1st Rank), Rion Xavier, Augustus Benedict (Swords – 2nd Rank) and Thomasine Chungat (Swords – 3rd Rank) in Class 4 who were ranked in the All Ireland Catechism Scholarship Examination and Frances Rajesh who was ranked 1st in Class 7 Lucan), Rhea Ranjith (Galway) who won the second rank and Shawn Sathish (Blanchardstown) who got the third rank were also given prizes. Arlene Santhosh (Blackrock – 1st Rank), Allan Soni (Tala – 2nd Rank), Alina Manjuran Tojo (Tala – 3rd Rank), Joseph Johnson (Swords – 1st Rank), 12th Class Joseph Johnson (Swords – 1st Rank), Christy Maria Benn (Ninth – 2nd Rank), Irene Rani Kurian (Bell Fast – 3rd Rank) was also gifted to the children.
Bishop Stephen Chirapanath presented the awards to students who achieved the highest achievement in Ireland’s Junior Cert and Leaving Cert examinations and Northern Ireland’s GCSC and A-level examinations in previous years. Below are the awardees:
GCSC: Anu Marie Joseph (Portadown)
A- Level: Anne Marie Joseph (Derry)
Junior Cert: George C. Kurian (Blanchardstown)
Leaving Cert: Joseph Shibbie, Hannah Marie Mathew (Athai), Misha Merrin Mathew (Dun Dalk), Rose Raine (Inchicore), Kathleen Maria Milan (Blanchardstown)
The families of five children were honored: Rajan Pinedath Tharian & Celeti Varghese of Dublin, Mathew Joseph & Bindu Mathew, Sijo Jordi & Binta Sijo of Waterford, Ginny Jose & Josie Jose of Clonamel and Varghese Paul & Benzie Varghese Paul of Letterkenny.
After the Holy Mass, thousands of devotees lined up in a procession with flags, gold and silver crosses and hundreds of beads. The parade was enhanced by the unique Kerala Chenda Mela organized by Lucan Kurbana Center. Young people wearing SMYM t-shirts and carrying flags, Mathruvedi workers with setu sarees and Marian flags, children with flags, child missionaries with small flowers and Mission League flags, Pitruvedi workers with pearl umbrellas in Kerala Tanima, altar servers from various Mass centers in Ireland and children dressed as First Holy Communion made the parade colorful. The procession started from the Basilica of Nok and concluded at the shrine where the Mother appeared, carrying the holy image of the Mother of Nok along with the relics of all the saints of the Kerala Church.
The Syro Malabar Youth Movement children presented a flash mob announcing the Syro Malabar Youth Summit and the World Youth Summit to be held in Lisbon in the months of July and August. Divine Mercy Adoration, Rosary, celebratory Thirunnal Divine Sacrifice, messages invoking motherly love, beautiful and orderly procession of devotees with worship hymns was a new experience for the pilgrims.
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