The Syro-Malabar Catholic community in Ireland is preparing for its annual national pilgrimage to the Knock Shrine on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This significant event will bring together faithful from across the Republic and Northern Ireland at the revered Marian pilgrimage center in County Mayo. 

The day's proceedings will commence at 10:00 AM with a solemn Mass at the Knock Basilica, followed by a vibrant procession through the shrine's grounds. Bishop Mar Stephen Chirappanath, the Apostolic Visitor for Syro-Malabar Catholics in Europe, will preside over the liturgical celebrations, joined by clergy from all 37 Syro-Malabar Mass centers across Ireland.  

In addition to spiritual observances, the pilgrimage will honor students who have excelled in catechism scholarship exams, national-level Bible quizzes, and the 2024 Leaving Certificate and A-Level examinations. Families with five or more children will also be recognized for their commitment to faith and family values.

The Knock Shrine holds profound significance for the Syro-Malabar community. On August 21, 1879, villagers reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist at the site. This event, witnessed by over fifteen individuals, has since made Knock a focal point for Marian devotion.  

The annual pilgrimage coincides with "Vanakkamasam," a month-long period in May during which families engage in daily rosary prayers, seeking the intercession of Mother Mary. The pilgrimage serves as a culmination of these devotions, reinforcing communal bonds and spiritual commitment.  

As the Syro-Malabar faithful gather in Knock, the event stands as a testament to their enduring faith and cultural heritage, fostering unity and spiritual renewal within the community.