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A special mass has been held at the Knock Basilica to remember all those who have died from Covid-19 on the island of Ireland, with 2,945 candles lit to honor the victims.
In celebrating Mass, Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary said that the coronavirus has “exploded in our world and has spread like shrapnel throughout the world.”
“We remember and pray for all those who died without the consoling presence of the family and could not be with them to hold their hand and whisper words of thanks and reassure them with our prayers as they passed from this world,” Archbishop Neary said. in his homily.
Archbishop Neary said it had been “a particularly difficult and lonely time” for those who had to put a family member to rest.
“Grieving the consequences of the death of a loved one is necessary, important and healthy,” he said.
Throughout the pandemic, he said, we also witnessed “kindness, kindness and solidarity” and people who made what he called “heroic sacrifices.”
Knock Shrine Rector Fr. Richard Gibbons encouraged people to place petitions online in the weeks leading up to Mass.
These were placed in the sanctuary and prayers were offered for them.
The mass will be broadcast on the RTÉ News channel at 2:15 p.m.
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