The annual pilgrimage to St Oliver Plunkett's Shrine in Drogheda takes place on Sunday under the theme 'Martyrdom for faith in our time'.Pilgrims will set out for Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 3pm and arrive at St Peter's Church for Solemn High Mass at 4pm.
The Mass will commemorate the death of Drogheda-born priest Fr Declan Collins SDB, who was murdered in South Africa in 2002.
It will be attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza and Cardinal Seán Brady.
The procession between the churches is led by a colour party which is drawn from the local scouting troop and is representative of local Catholic organisations as well as visiting pilgrim groups.
It has involved up to 200 people in the past and traditionally includes the Knights of Columbanus who carry the relics of St Oliver over the mile long route between the two churches. The Carlingford Pipe Band will lead the procession.
St Oliver's relics are venerated by thousands of pilgrims each year who visit his shrine and learn about his life story.
Pilgrims pray for the sick and troubled, for family and friends and turn to St Oliver, who was martyred for his faith in a time of political, religious and social turmoil, to pray for his intercession concerning conflict areas at home and abroad.
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