“The Eucharist is not meant to be shared with no one. It’s meant to be shared with everyone present. But we do it online and you are most welcome to join us, wherever you are,” said parish priest of Knock, Fr Richard Gibbons.

The completion of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is just in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the basilica’s foundation stone in 1820.

More than 2,000 extra pilgrims were at the Marian Shrine, following teenager’s claim that Our Lady would appear at 3 pm.

“It is aimed at giving the students a sense of hope and encouragement but also a sense of calm and control over their exam process ... and to remind them of the idea that God is with them,” said Andrea Lynch, a youth minister at Knock.

Those gathered came to “salute, to pray for and to remember the men and women of 1916” – Bishop Brendan Kelly.

Speaking as the son of a Knock Shrine steward and handmaid, Archbishop Neary said he was “very conscious of the dedication which they bring to their work”.

“Similar to how 'One Million Dubliners' offered an exploration of Irish attitudes towards death, so Knock the Film will explore Irish attitudes towards religion.”

Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin joins Armagh diocesan pilgrims as they journey through Knock with the Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin.

Hundreds of thousands of devotees of popular Italian saint invited to participate in feast day devotions via a live internet broadcast of Mass from the Basilica in Padua on 13 June.

Online prayer and candle service is similar to that operating in Lourdes and St Patrick's Cathedral New York.