"No ifs, No buts, No maybes; Total Faith." Tyrone's mantra in 2003, when they first won the All Ireland, has remained Marke Harte's philosophy in life.

Brother of Michaela McAreavey who was murdered while on honeymoon with her husband John in January 2011, Mark was the first guest speaker at the Graan Novena of Hope.

In its 24th year, the Novena continues to draw huge crowds who particularly love to support the Rector of the Graan, Fr. Brian D'Arcy, in his ever-successful venture. It began last Sunday and continues until this Monday.

The Harte family has always lived by the idea that "a family who prays together stays together," Mark told the 1,000-strong congregation on Monday night. His early memories include saying the rossary each night and making St. Brigid's crosses. His father Mickey Harte still blesses each bedroom door with holy water each night; an age old tradition in their home. Prayer and faith has been a great source of strength in living with the loss of Michaela, Mark said.

Reading from Michaela's memorial card, he shared one of her favourite prayers - the Prayer for Strength - with the congregation. "Lord, every day I need you but especially this day � And so dear Lord, hold my trembling hand � so that I may know your guiding hand at work in everything and know your guiding presence with me always." To those who doubt God's presence, particularly when sadness or tragedy comes to their door, Mark points to the support they received from family, friends, the GAA community, and people from every walk of life and faith.

"People wonder about the presence of God and about faith. It's in these acts of kindness, love and support that we see and feel God's presence in our lives." Revealing the phone call that broke the tragic news "that changed our lives forever", Mark - who works as a teacher in St. Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh - said: "I knew by Daddy's voice that something was up. He said he wanted to come and meet me but I told him that I felt okay to handle whatever he was going to tell me over the phone. I believed I'd be able to handle it, I just didn't expect to have to handle what I was going to hear." While waiting for his mother Marian and father Mickey to pick him up, Mark walked outside and knew he needed to wait in St. Patrick's Cathedral. "It just spoke to me and I got some comfort from sitting in there," he said.

He recalls two tourists casually walking around taking photos. "I just thought I would love to swap places with them. We were in the same building but for two very different reasons. Even as we meet people on a day-to-day basis it's impossible by their body language or to look at them to know what's going on in their mind. Even a small word of comfort can go a long way." As the oldest, Mark decided he would go to Mauritius to "get John and Michaela home to people who loved them".

During "such a rare time of anguish and pain" as he travelled with John's brother Brian, Mark says their friend and neighbour Barry McElduff "was a blessing in disguise". The Sinn F�in MLA was "a man of action" who "normalised what was a totally abnormal situation".

The controversial four-month trial was very difficult and exhausting for the family, Mark said. However they have decided "whatever the outcome of the trial, the one thing we wanted to do, we wouldn't have been able to do; that was to get Michaela back".

He said: "On a worldly level we left it to the authorities to sort it out as best they could. We know there will be an ultimate justice. We are happy to leave it in God's hands and to God's justice." The family have gradually began to "take baby steps and branch out." Mark explains: "Michaela was the type of person who lived a very full life. If the roles had been reversed I've no doubt that she would have attacked life again." "If ever there was a sign of God's presence in our lives" it came on the night of Michaela's first anniversary mass when baby Liam Peter Harte was born to Mark's brother Michael and his wife Josephine. "He has been a ray of sunshine in our lives and we are very grateful to have him." The Michaela Foundation, set up to promote and honour Michaela's values, has been a great source of comfort for the family.

Instead of focusing on the grief and pain of the last two years, Mark prefers "to remember Michaela as the lovely sister as she was (a girly girl and Gaelgoir)," adding: "I've enough memories of our 27 years together to keep me going for the rest of my life." He relates to the lyrics by 'Florence and the Machine': "It's always darkest before the dawn", saying: "We've been to a very dark place but I can see the light coming in the form of my young nephew, the Michaela Foundation and summer camp, my friends, family and wife. I see the dawn is coming." The Novena continued on Tuesday with contributions from Fr Bryan Shortall (Parish Priest and Guardian at the Capuchin Friary, on Dublin's Church Street) whose down to earth style was perfectly suited to putting us in touch with God's reconciliation.

Wednesday saw Fr. Kevin Hegarty (co-Pastor of Kilmore-Erris, County Mayo, and former editor of Intercom and Ceide magazines) share his hopeful vision for the Church, inspired by the election of Pope Francis.

The Novena continues until Monday, May 6 see Graan website www.thegraan.com or contact the Monastery on 02866322272 for furthe rdetails.