Bishop Francis Lagan “understood the joys and struggles of his brother priests who often had to minister in the midst of great challenge, grief and community unrest”.

“People laughed when Archbishop Hughes began to plan a cathedral on what was then the remote 51st Street on 5th Avenue. They called it ‘Hughes’s Folly’, but time would show that ... Archbishop Hughes was ahead of the rest in anticipating the growth and future strategic importance of mid-Manhattan.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, among speakers at this year's novena.

Pilgrimage will be led by Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio and Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry.