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. / Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary RallyDublin, Ireland, Jun 9, 2025 / 14:00 pm (CNA).This past weekend, 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.Since the rally began in 1985, it has attracted increasingly larger crowds. 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 huge human rosary outside. On Sunday morning, 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 Father Patrick Peyton, a [County] Mayo native who inspired millions around the globe," event organizer Father Marius O...
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. / Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally
Dublin, Ireland, Jun 9, 2025 / 14:00 pm (CNA).
This past weekend, 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.
Since the rally began in 1985, it has attracted increasingly larger crowds. 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 huge human rosary outside. On Sunday morning, 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 Father Patrick Peyton, a [County] Mayo native who inspired millions around the globe," event organizer Father Marius O'Reilly told CNA. "We aim to spread Father Peyton's timeless message that a world at prayer is a world at peace."
An aerial shot of a "human rosary" formed on the grounds of the national Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland, to mark the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Rosary Rally on June 8, 2025. Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally
He added: "In today's climate of conflict, people increasingly recognize the importance of this simple yet powerful message."
Monsignor Steve Rossetti, an exorcist and priest from Syracuse, New York, was in Ireland for the rally and echoed O'Reilly's message, warning the thousands of faithful gathered in Knock that the battle against evil and the forces of darkness in our 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.
Monsignor Steve Rosetti, an exorcist and priest from Syracuse, New York, was in Ireland for the rally and said: "I believe that the holy gathering at Knock will be a powerful force for good in Ireland and indeed the entire world." Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally
Stressing how prayer can help us to overcome evil in the world, he added: "God is by nature merciful; God cannot not be merciful; even hell is a mercy."
Rosetti went on to explain: "We see this in an exorcism. When we simply sprinkle a little holy water or hold up a crucifix, the demons scream in agony. Could you imagine the incredible torment it would be for demons or the unclean damned to be thrust into the direct all-presence of our infinite holy God? The radiance of God's holiness would be beyond suffering for them. Hell is the only place they can exist, and they have willingly chosen it."
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.
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. Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally
"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, shared her experience at the rally with CNA.
"I attended the rosary rally the past two years with a group of students from Coláiste Chríost Rí," she explained. "Students felt the presence of Christ at holy Mass in the basilica and in the Apparition Chapel. All the students got confession. The atmosphere was amazing. It was wonderful to see thousands of people in Knock."
Since the rally began in 1985, it has attracted increasingly larger crowds. This year's rally included a youth conference and a prayer vigil in the basilica to welcome the feast of Pentecost on June 8, 2025. Credit: Photo courtesy of the All Ireland Rosary Rally
O'Reilly reflected on the success of the rally. "There is a lot of anxiety and uncertainty in the world, and we believe this event and events like it can help people as they join together in solidarity and prayer and ultimately in hope," he said.
Venerable Enrique Shaw. / Credit: Acdeano, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsBuenos Aires, Argentina, Jun 21, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).The cause for canonization of Venerable Enrique Shaw, an Argentine husband, father, and businessman remembered for his vocation of service and his close ties to the working class, took another step forward at the Vatican this week.In January, the miracle attributed to his intercession passed a medical review of its authenticity, and on June 17 the commission of theologians also unanimously approved it, the vice postulator of the cause, Bishop Santiago Olivera, confirmed to the AICA news agency."The cause of Enrique Shaw has already passed the initial stage of medical consultation, and now the theological experts, who are studying the prayers addressed to the 'candidate' and their fruits, have expressed their unanimous opinion this Tuesday regarding the prayer asking for the grace of healing," the prelate explained, encouraging people to continue ...
The pope told the political leaders that "natural law, which is universally valid apart from and above other more debatable beliefs, constitutes the compass by which to take our bearings in legislating and acting." / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Jun 21, 2025 / 09:30 am (CNA).Pope Leo urged political leaders from around the world to promote the common good, warning especially of the threat to human dignity from artificial intelligence (AI). AI "will certainly be of great help to society, provided that its employment does not undermine the identity and dignity of the human person and his or her fundamental freedoms," the pope said on June 21 to legislators from 68 countries gathered at the Vatican for the Jubilee of Governments. "It must not be forgotten that artificial intelligence functions as a tool for the good of human beings, not to diminish them, not to replace them," Leo said, speaking in English to the international audience. &...
The outside of Guaranteed Rate Field, where the Chicago White Sox baseball team plays. / Credit: Spirit Juice StudiosCNA Staff, Jun 21, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).From popping a wheelie in front of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home to sitting in "the pope's chair" at a favorite local pizzeria, filmmaker Rob Kaczmark appeared to be enjoying every stop along a tour of Pope Leo's childhood stomping grounds in a new short film released by Spirit Juice, a Catholic production company.The film, which Kaczmark called "a tribute to a South Side kid who made it all the way to the Vatican," is now available on YouTube."I'm still in awe of the fact that Pope Leo is from here. He's one of us," Kaczmark says in the film. "No matter where you're from, God can use you. You just have to be open to his call." CEO and President of Spirit Juice Studios Rob Kaczmark films outside of St. Rita of Cascia High School, the high school were Pope Leo XIV taught math. Credit: Spirit Juice StudiosThe filmmaker,...
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. / Credit: Photo courtesy of All Ireland Rosary Rally
