C&SI - Knock Novena 2025 Series - "By a lonely prison wall" - 24 Aug 2025 (S05 E37)

On this weeks podcast/radio programme we are beginning our 2025 series of sharing the daily talks from the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock 2025. The first talk we are sharing this week is "By a lonely prison wall" which was given by Ita Lohan on 15th August. 

In part one we have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends of the coming week including the saints of the week. We also share the call from Archbishop Eamon Martin for a Day of Prayer for Gaza for 24 hours this Sunday, 24 August across Ireland (Archbishops call for prayer on the 24th was made before Pope Leo's call for prayers on the 22nd which is why the dates are slightly different.) Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick sent a letter to all the parishes of the diocese while on pilgrimage in Rome at the start of August to encourage people to take part also. 

In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is from Luke 13:22-30 where Jesus reminds us that to enter the Kingdom of God is to go through a narrow door. 

Knock Novena 2025 Series - By a lonely prison wall - Ita Lohan

In this special Jubilee Year, the theme of the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock (August 13th to 22nd) was Pilgrims of Hope. Hope is at the very heart of the Knock Apparition, and throughout this year’s Novena, various speakers explored how hope can shine through in the most unexpected places.

This weeks talk that we are sharing is from Ita Lohan who is a prison chaplain. After working for 5 years in Bath and then London with people who were homeless and active in addiction, Ita Lohan moved back to Ireland in November 2004. On her return she studied Theology and the Catechism of the Catholic Church which lead her to her work as a chaplain, firstly in Castlerea prison and currently  in Loughan House open centre.