Virtual Pilgrimage to Knock
A message from our President about this and other matters.
I hope and pray that you, our members and benefactors, and all your families are keeping well and staying safe in these Covid-19 strange times.
Just a note to update you on a few matters.
Our Annual Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will not take place. However, a Virtual pilgrimage will take place instead on Sunday 28th June which will include Holy Rosary at 2.30 p.m. Holy Mass at 3.00 p.m. followed by Benediction. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the Knock website www.knockshrine.ie . Further details are attached and are self-explanatory.
Your prayers for vocations to the priesthood and Religious Life have never been more necessary so please ask our members and benefactors to keep up their efforts in this regard.
The financial support for Seminarians is also ongoing as we are helping to finance over 600 students towards the Priesthood annually.
I wish to encourage our members through their branches and our benefactors to continue with their generous support to this most worthy and necessary cause. This can now also be done through the medium of our new website.
The Society’s new website is due to come on stream on Monday 25th May 2020 and may be accessed at www.stjosephsyoungpriestssociety.ie . It can very soon also be opened on www.sjyps.ie . Please God the new website will be found to be more user friendly, informative and helpful in promoting the Society.
This year 2020, marks the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society by Olivia Mary Taaffe in the year 1895 when she financially assisted the education of one Seminarian towards the Priesthood. Since that first year the Society has assisted the education of thousands of men to the Priesthood. For example over the last 10 years we have financially assisted 7,320 Seminarians and 1,449 Priestly Ordinations. The Lord no doubt thanks you all for such a marvelous contribution to the continuation and spread of the one true faith.
Finally I wish you all health and protection during the current pandemic and please God we will all be united in prayer on Sunday 28th June on our virtual Knock Pilgrimage. Thank you all for your ongoing commitment and generosity.
God Bless,
John Murphy
President.
22nd May 2020