The dates for this year’s youth festival in Knock has been changed to June 25 to 27. Organisers hope that bringing the event forward to June will enable more young people to attend this year’s festival.
The festival has been running for the past eight years and has seen up to 1,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 35 flock to Knock to question, ignite, explore, and celebrate their Catholic faith. The festival is a three-day event and over the three days festival-goers can expect talks by top theologians and inspiring speakers both on a national and international level. Talks will be on topics such as ‘What does it mean to be Catholic?’ and ‘who is Jesus?’. They will have the opportunity to drum to the heartbeat of God in a drumming workshop, and participate in a hip hop dancing workshop with Don King, who was inspired by the Psalm 149:3, ‘They shall dance in praise of His name’. There will also be music throughout the weekend with Christian band Elation.
In planning the event, the organisers say they pay a lot of attention to ensuring that lighting, music, and presentation are in keeping with youth culture. But the event manages to combine this with faith. Example of this is daily Masses with digital liturgies.
Festival-goers are asked to bring one thing and that’s their sleeping bag as they will be asked to camp in marquees over the weekend. The cost of the weekend is €70 including all meals and accommodation.
For more information contact the youth ministry in Knock on 094 938 8100 or 087 692 7850.
Visit their website on www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival
