THE dream of Monsignor James Horan to establish Knock Shrine as an Irish Mecca for Catholic pilgrims all over the world, could soon become a reality.According to comments made this week by Monsignor Joseph Quinn, administrator at Knock Shrine, operators of the Vatican’s airline, Mistral Air, are extremely interested in flying pilgrims to the Marian Shrine at Knock.
“We have been working with people in Rome in the hope of placing the Marian Shrine on the route of tour operators, Opera Romana, for the 2008 programme."
Contact has been made with officials of Mistral Air and we are hopeful of developments in the very near future on this,” said Mr Pat Lavelle, Assistant Manager of the Marian Shrine.
Mistral Air, a cargo airline based in Rome, is contracted by the Vatican to carry pilgrims to renowned Catholic shrines all over the world.
“If this comes to fruition it will be extremely positive for Knock and Mayo. We are currently looking at the type of spiritual programme we offer at the shrine and also viewing the possibility of broadening the experience and taking pilgrims to Christian sites around the county such as Croagh Patrick and Ballintubber Abbey,” added Mr Lavelle.
CEO of Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK), Mr Liam Scollan, told The Mayo News that contact had taken place between officials from IWAK and Mistral Air.
“We have contacted Mistral Air to express a genuine interest in facilitating inbound and outbound flights with pilgrims to the Marian Shrine. We are awaiting a response from the Italian airline as of yet and the project is in the exploratory stages. It is our intention to work with the Marian Shrine and to develop this region as a destination for pilgrims worldwide,” said Mr Scollan.
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