"This has been an incredibly difficult year for so many grandparents around the world. The pilgrimage is a wonderful opportunity to make them feel cherished and valued,” says CGA founder Catherine Wiley.

“At times we are burdened and overwhelmed by the problems of the present moment and lose all sense of perspective, of the fact that we are on a journey,” said Archbishop Neary.

“With the renewal of this column, we symbolically subscribe to the spiritual values of Europe," said Jan Royt of the Marian Column Restoration Society.

“We desire the opening of our churches and access to the sacraments. Until then, we are continuing to pray and prepare," says Cardinal Vin Nichols and four other archbishops.

“Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course,” prays Pope Francis.

"The virtual pilgrimage will give us an opportunity to pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Knock for all our intentions.  Please God, we will be in a position to visit Knock again in person in the not too distant future," said Archbishop Martin.

"We can look to Mary with confidence and trust in times of sorrow and joy," say the Catholic and Anglican rectors of Wallsingham, England's national Marian shrine.

The theme of this year’s novena is ‘Mary as friend, sister and mother’ and the devotional observance is being directed by Meath diocesan priest Fr Shane Crombie.

“It’s safe to say that that was a pretty emotional thing that we’ve just done. It’s something I’ll never forget,” says TV vicar after Lourdes immersion.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella gave the keynote address at the Co Mayo shrine for the Feast of the Assumption.

“In the future when weekday and even Sunday Mass is not available, some of you might be formed to lead a period of guided adoration with prayers, praise and sharing of the Word of God.”

‘If a million children pray the Rosary together, then the world will change.’ - St Padre Pio.

“Our Lady loves the prayer of the Rosary. She wants to hear and grant our petitions and requests.” – Archbishop Eamon Martin

We will gather in Knock to pray to our heavenly Mother for future mothers and their unborn children in our country, says chief celebrant Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan.

New votive Mass will be celebrated annually on the Monday after Pentecost.

The 2017 concert sees the world premiere of ‘Beautiful Things’, an original composition by acclaimed Celtic harper Cormac de Barra of Dublin, which commemorates the apparition of Our Lady in Knock in 1879.

Very rarely in Ireland today would one see such a youthful and enthusiastic faith as you show, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin tells Dublin's Brazilian community.

We can all participate in the work of salvation by accepting a share of the yoke of suffering on our shoulders, and by uniting our sacrifices and sufferings with those of Christ.

These presumed apparitions don’t have a lot of value. This I say as a personal opinion – Pope Francis.

Pope will mark 100th anniversary of apparitions of Our Lady to shepherds of Fatima and canonise Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

At Fatima, one century ago, Our Lady called for reparation for sins committed against Her Immaculate Heart.

“We have regional meetings throughout the year and (this year) all past records have been broken in terms of numbers, which have just been huge."

“I can only hope you understand how much I love Ireland – love all of you – and thank you for this privilege of opening the novena at a shrine so dear to my heart.”

Parishes across Ireland urged to ring their bells for up to fifteen minutes and express solidarity with Christians suffering in the Middle East.

A dedicated day for grandparents would recognise that “grandparents are the anchor in families - they are anchored by faith.”

In his homily at the shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe, the Pope linked his admiration of Paraguayan women with his devotion to Our Lady.

“We are close to coming to a decision," the Pontiff told press on flight back to Rome from Sarajevo regarding the investigation into the alleged Marian apparitions at Medjugorje.

Since 1968, the agency has resulted in over 900 marriages.

Feast of the Assumption is one of the biggest days of the year in Knock.