ACN points out that 80 per cent of people persecuted throughout the world are Christians. This amounts to 245 million Christians who face extreme persecution for their faith.

The icon, which was written by Mihai Cucu, will be accompanied by petition boxes, and contemplative communities around Ireland have agreed to take petitions collected from families and to pray for them during the coming year.

Composed by Dubliner Willie Hughes, 'The Story of Love' will be watched by a global audience over the weekend of 15-16 October.

Relics of the 'Saint of Lost Things' will visit eight locations in Ireland between 9 and 17 June before travelling on to Britain.

The refurbishment has seen the Basilica's successful transformation into a warm, meditative space to the benefit of both celebrant and congregation.

“We still have a large amount of undocumented Irish immigrants in New York," US cardinal explains.

Starting with a shrine in Siberia, 84 Marian shrines all the over the world will host thousands of people reciting relays of the rosary over a 24-hour period.

There is no scarcity of martyrs in the Church of our time - Bishop Michael Smith of Meath.