Historic Tipperary abbey set to welcome thousands of pilgrims to its annual novena

Holycross Ballycahill parish is preparing to welcome thousands of pilgrims to renowned and historic Holycross Abbey for the annual Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Novena begins as usual on the birthday of Our Lady, September 8. This year there will be two weekends over which the Novena will be celebrated, culminating on September 16.

The Novena is run with the help of many priests from the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and local volunteers.

Fr Celsus Tierney, PP, of Holycross and Ballycahill, oversees the event and assisted by his team, they ensure that the Novena runs smoothly each day.

Boxes will be located throughout the Abbey for people to place petitions at the shrine of Our Lady, and these petitions will be included in the prayers over the nine days.

A new addition this year are Remembrance Slips so people can include their deceased loved ones to be remembered at each session. Pilgrims are encouraged to fill up the slips and drop them into the boxes.

Petitions can also be emailed to Holycross parish office at hbparishoffice@gmail.com

Weekday sessions at the abbey will be celebrated at 7am, 10.30am, 4.30pm and 7.30pm (there is a 12.30pm session on Sunday, but no 4.30 pm).

Blessing of infants takes place on Sunday, September 10, at 2.30pm; Penitential Service on September 15 at 7.30pm and Anointing of the Sick on September 16 at 2p.m. Confessions will be heard before, during and after each session every day except Sunday.

For further information, contact 0504- 43124 or email the parish office.

All sessions will be streamed live on the Holycross Abbey Church Services TV channel. Tipperary Mid West radio will also broadcast sessions live each day.