Thousands gather at Knock for All Ireland Rosary Rally

By CathNews New Zealand

June 13th, 2025

Over 10,000 pilgrims joined together at the national Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland, to mark the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Rosary Rally on June 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally/CNA)

More than 10,000 pilgrims were at the Irish national Marian shrine in Knock this month to mark the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Rosary Rally. Source: CNA.

Since the rally began in 1985, it has attracted large crowds and attendance numbers are rising. This year’s rally included a youth conference and a prayer vigil in the basilica to welcome the feast of Pentecost. Hundreds of rally-goers joined together to create a large human rosary outside.

On the morning of June 8, attendees climbed Croagh Patrick holy mountain, where Mass was celebrated at noon at the summit.

“We are inspired in our efforts by the rallies of Fr Patrick Peyton, a [County] Mayo native who inspired millions around the globe,” event organiser Fr Marius O’Reilly told CNA. “We aim to spread Fr Peyton’s timeless message that a world at prayer is a world at peace.”

He added: “In today’s climate of conflict, people increasingly recognise the importance of this simple yet powerful message.”

Msgr Steve Rossetti, an exorcist and priest from New York, was in Ireland for the rally and echoed Fr O’Reilly’s message, warning the thousands of faithful gathered in Knock that the battle against evil and the forces of darkness in the world has never been clearer.

“I believe that the holy gathering at Knock will be a powerful force for good in Ireland and indeed the entire world,” he said.

In his homily during a Mass of healing at the rally, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry highlighted the Rosary as a transformative tool for profound spiritual renewal and missionary engagement in the modern world. He reflected on the challenges of contemporary life.

“We live in a frenetic age. Speed is of the essence. Attention spans are increasingly brief. Listening is in short supply.”

He urged the faithful to embrace the Rosary as an antidote to this cultural haste, describing it as “rooted in the wisdom of the ages that can free us to be, like Mary, open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit”.

Christine O’Hara, a teacher from County Cork, said that the atmosphere at the rally was amazing. “It was wonderful to see thousands of people in Knock,” she said.

FULL STORY

Ten thousand pilgrims at Knock for rosary rally (By Patrick Passmore/CNA)