For the second year in a row the national novena at Knock Shrine, Co Mayo, is being postponed due to the pandemic.

Parish Priest and Knock rector Fr Richard Gibbons made the announcement on Monday that the novena, scheduled to take place from August 14th to 22nd, will be postponed until later this year.

“We have taken this decision in the interest of the health and safety of our pilgrims and staff here at the shrine. Given the recent concern from both Government and health agencies regarding the Delta variant of the virus, the responsible course of action is to postpone the national novena at this time,” he said.

“It is vital that we allow the national vaccination programme to proceed across all age groups. Once we can safely gather again at Knock Shrine, a full programme will be announced for the novena later in the year,” he said.

Knock remains open, however, with restricted attendance at daily Masses in the Basilica and confessions available daily also, while the Mass enrolment office, Knock Museum and Knock Counselling Centre are open.