Thousands prepare for return of ‘highly anticipated’ novena in Limerick
LIMERICK’S Redemptorist community is preparing for the highly anticipated annual solemn novena, a significant religious event in the Mid-West region.
Taking place from June 16 to 24, the organisers expect a daily attendance of over five thousand people.
This year's novena, titled ‘A New Vision of Church,’ will look ahead to the upcoming synod in Rome, scheduled for October.
The synod, called by Pope Francis, aims to address the major challenges facing the Church in the 21st century.
Novena director, Fr Brian Nolan, emphasised the significance of the synod, calling it “one of the biggest developments in the Church in the last 60 years.”
After more than two years of discussion and preparations in dioceses worldwide, the synod will introduce a groundbreaking change: women and lay men will have the right to vote, bringing inclusivity to the event.
During the novena, various topics that will arise at the synod will be explored to raise awareness about the synod.
Fr Nolan expressed the desire to inform as many people as possible about the synod's importance.
He highlighted the significance of writing out prayers of petition and thanksgiving, saying: “We are praying not just for ourselves, but for the local community.”
The novena will feature six sessions daily, between 7.30am and 9pm, and individuals from all over the world can also join online via the novena website and share their prayers of petition and thanksgiving.
Apart from the traditional novena highlights, such as the special session for the sick and elderly on Saturday, June 24, the blessing of babies and children during each session on Sunday, June 18, and a celebration for First Communion classes on Monday, June 19 at 11.30am, additional services will be available.
These include confession, a free walk-in counselling service, and language-specific sessions for the Ukrainian and Brazilian communities.
There will also be sessions in Limerick prison.