The 44th Annual Eucharistic All-Night Vigil will take place in Knock Shrine on the night of Wednesday 7 December through to the morning of Thursday 8 December  to celebrate and honour of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The first annual Eucharistic vigil took place in 1973. In recent years, upwards of 5,000 pilgrims have gathered at Knock Shrine to attend the all-night vigil.

The vigil is inspired by the spirituality of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen, an American archbishop well-known for his television and radio evangelisation who was declared ‘Venerable’ by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2012.

The intentions for the all-night vigil are ‘For the protection of the unborn from Conception to Natural Death, Family Life, Church Unity and World Peace’.

The Vigil will begin with Confessions from 10pm-12 Midnight in the Chapel of Reconciliation (Confessional), followed by Vigil in the Basilica with Rosary, Candlelight Procession, Stations of the Cross and Holy Hour with Fr Brendan Walsh.

Concelebrated Mass will take place at 4am with Fr Freddy Warner, SMA, and Fr Brendan Walsh, SCA. Music on the night will be provided by music director and organist Una Nolan, with soloists James Kilbane and Deirdre Parle.

For more information on the all-night Vigil, please visit www.knockshrine.ie.