Medjugorje Weekend Retreat in Knock

What to Expect

The Medjugorje Council of Ireland brings its annual weekend retreat to Knock Shrine from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, based in St John’s Rest and Day Care Centre in the shrine grounds. It is a full residential-style programme rather than a single ceremony, opening on the Friday evening and running to lunchtime on the Sunday. The structure follows the pattern of Medjugorje itself: rosary, Holy Mass, veneration of the Holy Cross, a Holy Hour of adoration, and blocks of testimony and teaching between the liturgies.

Four speakers are listed. Fr Jason Lewis MIC, chaplain to English-speaking pilgrims in Medjugorje, is joined by Milona Von Hapsburg, Fr Stuart McGovern and Fr Ruairi O Domhnaill. The Friday session runs from 7pm to 9pm. Saturday is the long day, 9.30am to 9pm, which is where most of the teaching and adoration sits. Sunday runs 9am to 12.30pm and closes the retreat. Booking is essential and is handled through Eventbrite. The organisers note that no refunds are given. Anyone staying at St Mary’s or Knock House Hotel pays for their accommodation at hotel check-in rather than through the retreat booking.

Good to Know

• Friday 23 October 7pm to 9pm, Saturday 24 October 9.30am to 9pm, Sunday 25 October 9am to 12.30pm.
• Venue is St John’s Rest and Day Care Centre, Knock Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo, F12 Y226.
• Booking is essential through Eventbrite. No refunds.
• Accommodation at St Mary’s or Knock House Hotel is paid separately at check-in.
• Contacts are Nicola Blendell on 087 962 2800 and Bronach Butler on +44 7752 940987.
• Late October is outside the main pilgrimage season, so the grounds are quiet and parking is easy.

Getting There

Knock is on the N17 in east Mayo, about 15km north of Claremorris and roughly 30 minutes from Castlebar. Free parking is signposted at the shrine, and St John’s is a short walk from the main car parks. Ireland West Airport Knock is 20 minutes north near Charlestown, which makes this one of the easier Irish retreats to reach for anyone flying in. Bus Eireann services between Galway and Sligo stop in Knock village.