Knock Apparition |
Our Lady of Knock
Knock, County Mayo
(Irish Cnoc Mhuire, 'Hill of the Virgin
Mary')
Located in County Mayo in the Western Ireland
My prior knowledge of Knock has been nearly non-existent,
though my father was born in Derry Londonderry (it is known as Derry now),
Ireland, I was not familiar with this wondrous event. I would like to share what I have discovered
with you and hopes of spreading the news of this miraculous event to all.
The Irish people have known more than their share of
suffering from the religious suppression by the English and the devastating
effects of the potato famine. Many of
the Irish died or suffered greatly during these years of strife and many
immigrated but they kept their faith in Christ and His Mother. It is to these faithful people that the Lord
sent His Beloved Mother as a beacon of hope to them in the apparition at Knock,
Ireland.
“The Apparition at
Knock took place in 1879, eight years after Pontmain in 1871. The two
apparitions are broadly similar, in that they both took place in the evening
and only lasted for three hours or so, and similarly, in both, no words were
spoken.” [12]
HOW IT CAME ABOUT…
On August 21, 1879, walking back to their homes on a rainy
evening, two women Mary McLoughlin and Mary Beirne noticed something that they
could not believe, there by the wall of the Church. There in a bright light was an apparition of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and who they believed was St. John the
Evangelist, as well as, an altar with a lamb and a cross—hovering overhead of
the apparitions were angels—they all appeared as in 3D image and were moving! Immediately the women called other people from
the village to come and witness this beautiful sight. In all fifteen people, young and old were blessed
to witness what many of the faithful including myself would be jubilant to see.
WHAT DID THE
APPARITIONS LOOK LIKE?
All fifteen witnesses tell a very similar description as to what they saw that night, here is a short rendition and actual quotes from the official witnesses of what they experienced.
All fifteen witnesses tell a very similar description as to what they saw that night, here is a short rendition and actual quotes from the official witnesses of what they experienced.
Our Lady of Knock |
They all saw a life-size beautiful woman dressed in white
with a large brilliant crown. Her hands
were folded in prayer and her eyes raised to heaven.
“The Virgin stood erect, with eyes raised to heaven, her hands elevated
to the shoulders or a little higher, the palms inclined slightly towards the
shoulders or bosom. She wore a large cloak of a white colour, hanging in full
folds and somewhat loosely around her shoulders, and fastened to the neck. She
wore a crown on the head, rather a large crown, and it appeared to me somewhat
yellower than the dress or robes worn by Our Blessed Lady. “ Mary Byrne [5]
St. Joseph and Our Lady of Knock |
St. Joseph’s head was
bent and inclined towards the Virgin Mary.
“In the figure of St. Joseph the head was
slightly bent, and inclined towards the Blessed Virgin, as if paying her
respect. It represented the saint as
somewhat aged, with grey whiskers and greyish hair.” Mary Byrne [5]
St. Joseph (left) Our Lady (center) St. John (right) |
“…he (St. John)
appeared as if he were preaching, but I heard no voice; I came so near that I
looked into the book. I saw the lines
and the letters. St. John did not wear any sandals.” Official witness,
Patrick Hill [5]
Of the altar and the lamb apparitions “On the
altar stood a lamb, the size of a lamb eight weeks old – the face of the lamb
was fronting the west, and looking in the direction of the Blessed Virgin and
St. Joseph. Behind the lamb a large
cross was placed erect or perpendicular on the altar. Around the Lamb I saw angels hovering during
the whole time, for the space of one hour and a half or longer; I saw their
wings fluttering, but I did not perceive their heads or faces, which were not
turned to me.” Patrick Hill [5]
“For the space of an
hour and a half we were under the pouring rain; at this time I was very
wet; I noticed that the rain did not wet
the figures which appeared before me, although I was wet myself. I went away then.” Patrick Hill [5]
“I beheld, on this
occasion, not only the three figures, but an altar further on to the left of
the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the left of the bishop and above
the altar a lamb about the size of that which is five weeks old. Behind the lamb appeared the cross; it was
away a bit from the lamb, while the latter stood in front from it, and not
resting on the wood of the cross. Around
the lamb a number of gold–like stars appeared in the form of a halo. This altar was placed right under the window
of the gable and more to the east of the figures, all, of course, outside the
church at Knock. I parted from the company or gathering at eight and a half
o’clock… Although it was pouring rain
the wall had a bright, dry appearance, while the rest of the building appeared
to be dark. I did not return to behold the visions again
after that, remaining at my house. I saw the sight for fully an hour.” Official
witness, Mary McLoughlin [5]
“After we prayed a while I thought it right to
go across the wall and into the chapel yard. I brought little Curry with me; I went then up
closer; I saw everything distinctly. The figures were full and round as if they
had a body and life; they said nothing; but as we approached they seemed to go
back a little towards the gable.” Official witness Patrick Hill [5]
The images did not speak.
The witnesses watched the Apparition in pouring rain for two hours,
reciting the Rosary. Although they
themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or
vision.
Mary McLouglin went to the parish priest Very Reverend Rev.
B. Cavanagh, but she was not believed.
“I went to the
priest’s house and told what I had beheld, and spoke of the beautiful things
that were to be seen at the gable of the chapel. I asked him or said, rather,
it would be worth his while to go to witness them. He appeared to make nothing of what I said, and
consequently he did not go… Very Rev. B. Cavanagh heard the next day all about
the apparition from the others who had beheld it; and then it came to his
recollection that I had told him the previous evening about it, and asked him
to see it.” [5]
“I went out
immediately and went to the spot indicated. When I arrived there I saw
distinctly the three figures, I threw myself on my knees and exclaimed “ ‘A hundred thousands thanks to God and to
the glorious Virgin that has given us this manifestation’... I went in
immediately to kiss, as I thought, the feet of the Blessed Virgin, but I felt
nothing in the embrace but the wall, and I wondered why I could not feel with
my hands the figures which I had so plainly and so distinctly seen.”
Official witness, Bridget Trench [5]
There were no similar or consequential apparitions, only
this one time—this lead to some doubt as to their authenticity as other
apparitions where Our Lady has appeared had more than one visit and seen
usually by one to no more than five people.
This apparition appeared to 15 people, how much more would show the
truth!!!
Journalists visiting Knock in the years following the
Apparition were impressed by the witnesses. P.C.D. Warren in his booklet
published in 1880 wrote of them: “The
persons who tell of those appearances and who solemnly declare the truth of
what they assert, are numerous, respectable, and respected by their neighbours.
Their answers are frank and civil, equally free from boldness and evasion, and
their united testimonies constitute a mass of evidence which few impartial men
will seek to discredit.” [8]
“I am clear about everything I have said
and I make this statement
knowing
I am going before my God”
Mary
Byrne. [1] Mary died six weeks later.
THE 15 OFFICIAL
WITNESSES WERE: [5]
1. Dominick Byrne
(senior), Drum, Knock, aged thirty-six years
2. Dominick
Byrne (junior), Drum, Knock, aged twenty years
approximately
3. Margaret
Byrne, Drum, Knock, aged twenty-one years
4. Mary
Byrne, Drum, Knock, aged twenty-nine years
approximately
5. Mrs.
Margaret Byrne (widow), Drum, Knock, aged sixty-eight
years
6. Patrick
Byrne, Carrowmore, Knock, aged sixteen years
7. Judith
Campbell, Carrowmore, Knock, aged twenty-two years
8. John
Curry, Lecarrow, Knock, aged five years
9. John
Durkan, Casual Labourer, aged twenty-four years
approximately
10. Mrs.
Hugh Flatley, Cloonlee, Knock, aged forty-four years
11. Patrick
Hill, Claremorris, aged eleven years
12. Mary
McLoughlin, Archdeacon Cavanagh’s housekeeper,
Knock, aged forty-five years
13.
Catherine Murray, Lisaniskea, Bekan, aged eight years
14. Bridget
Trench, Carrowmore, Knock, aged seventy-four years
approximately
15. Patrick
Walsh, Ballindorris, Knock, aged sixty-five years
approximately
CURES AT KNOCK
Crutches left by those cured at Knock |
As the news
spread of the apparition pilgrims by the thousands arrive with their sick. A large number of unusual cures were
reported. Crutches and canes were left
at the site.
Newspaper article 1879 |
"Marion Carroll from Athlone, Ireland was diagnosed with M.S. in 1978 after several years of illness. She gradually lost the use of her legs. When she became incontinent she had a catheter inserted and she had no bowel control. The muscles in her throat were affected by the disease so she could barely talk and all her food had to be liquified. By 1989 she was racked by kidney infections and almost blind. She was bedridden and needed to be washed, fed, moved and changed. Although her doctors had tried every drug they knew, Marion's condition was steadily deteriorating."
MARION'S STORY
MARION'S STORY
"Sunday September 3, 1989- Marion's diocese was making their annual pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, the Order of Malta took Marion by ambulance to Knock. Marion recalls " I felt too ill to go but went to Knock because I didn't want to make a fuss" She was wheeled on a stretcher into the Basilica for Mass and Marion said that "I was in terrible pain, I received Holy Communion but I was too weak to pray. I looked at the statue of Our Lady of Knock and I felt she would understand. I said to her "You are a mother too, You know how I feel".
"It was then that I got this beautiful feeling - like a whispering breeze and I felt that if I opened the stretcher I would be able to walk. I didn't say anything in case I looked stupid. When I got back to St. John's-the rest home for the sick at Knock, I asked for the stretcher to be opened and I was able to stand up and I even drank a cup of tea unaided. There was no stiffness and no pain, it was like experiencing every bit of happiness you have ever dreamed of".
Marion's doctor came to the conclusion that no drugs he gave her could have effected such a transformation. He was baffled yet certain that Marion was not in remission. His detailed report to the Church Commission confirms that she Is now free of the disease.
Marion continues to go from strength to strength with no symptoms of her illness for the past 10 years. She travels to Knock Shrine once a month volunteering as a handmaid assisting with the million plus people who visit Knock Shrine each year. She also travels throughout Ireland, England and Europe for Healing Masses at Churches where she talks about her cure." [7]
More cures or healings are listed and are still being submitted. Check out the website Cures of the present day http://www.knock-shrine.com/cures_at_knock_shrine.htm
THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE TO THE APPARITION
Although the
apparition was seen by his housekeeper the Archdeacon himself was not a
witness. He said: “When my housekeeper returned home that night she said she had seen the
Blessed Virgin at the chapel. At first, I gave no serious attention to her
words….Ever since this has been a cause of the deepest mortification. But I
console myself with the reflection that it was the will of God that the
apparition should be shown to the people, not to the priest. If I had seen it
and been the first to speak of it, many things would have been said that cannot
now be advanced with any shadow of reason or probability on their side”.[13]
As the pilgrims
came, daily masses and confessions also grew, Archdeacon Cavanagh was a
tireless servant of Our Lady. Among his numerous tasks, he
received many letters regarding the apparitions which he himself
answered. He was astute enough to keep
a diary listing the cures that had taken place.
And for the media gave many interviews.
One
correspondent wrote: “We drove to the
cottage of the Parish Priest and found him in his garden. Archdeacon Cavanagh is reputed along all the
countryside as a man of simple piety, gentle manners and a modest retiring
disposition. This character is justified
by his appearance. Heat once makes a
favourable impression.” Daily
Telegraph Correspondent 1880 [14]
'It is said
that the people of a parish soon come to reflect their pastor and it is certain
that the people of Knock lived the full Catholic life under the influence of
Archdeacon Cavanagh. The only word of blame or disapproval expressed against
him was that he was too devout to the Blessed Virgin, not practical enough and
never took a holiday. He always addressed the congregation from Our Lady’s
altar and inspired his parishioners with the sincerity of his love for
her.' [13]
CHURCH COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY
'The happening at Knock was thoroughly
investigated and it was proved that it could not have been produced by luminous
paint or a "magic lantern." A commission of inquiry was set up by the
aged Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. McHale, but although it considered the witnesses
reliable and trustworthy, the Archbishop made no definitive statement for or
against the apparition.
'An
ecclesiastical Commission of inquiry was established by the Archbishop of Tuam,
Most Rev. Dr. John MacHale, on October 8, 1879. The Commission consisted of
Irish scholar and historian, Canon Ulick Bourke, Canon James Waldron, as well
as the parish priest of Ballyhaunis and Archdeacon Bartholomew Aloyisius
Cavanagh. Depositions of witnesses were taken in the ensuing months. The
deliberations of the Commission, referred only to the occurrence on August 21,
1879, which omitted "subsequent phenomena," and as a result, there
exists no official record for events that occurred after that date.
The evidence
which was the Commission's duty to record, satisfied all the members and was
deemed trustworthy. Among the considerations were whether the apparition emanated
from natural causes, and whether there was any positive fraud. In the first
cited particular, it was reported that no solution as from natural causes could
be offered; and in the second consideration, that such a suggestion had never,
even remotely, been entertained.
The
Commission's final verdict was that the testimony of all the witnesses taken as
a whole is trustworthy and satisfactory. At a second Commission of inquiry in
1936, the surviving witnesses confirmed the evidence they gave to the first
Commission.' [11]
"...Knock gradually gained official support from the Church, culminating in the Papal visit of 1979. The symbolism of the lamb, cross and altar has been seen as pointing to the sacrificial death of Christ and the Mass, and yet these were behind Mary in the apparition at Knock, suggesting that the focus was on her and her role as a mediator." [12]
POPES THAT ACKNOWLEDGED KNOCK AS AN APPARITION SITE
FOUR POPES have honored Knock:
Pope Pius XII |
Pope Pius
XII
Blessed the Banner of Knock at St. Peter's and decorated it with a special
medal on All Saint's Day in 1945
Blessed Pope John XXIII |
Pope John
XXIII
Who always regarded Knock as one of the outstanding shines devoted to
Our Lady presented a special candle to Knock on Candelmas Day in 1960
Pope Paul VI |
Pope Paul VI
Blessed the fountain stone for the basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland on
June 6, 1974
Pope John Paul II
Made a special pilgrimage to the Shrine on Sept
30, 1979 to commemorate the
centenary of the Apparition.
His opening
words at Knock were: ‘Here I am at the
goal of my journey to
Ireland: the
Shrine of Our Lady at Knock... I am here
then as a pilgrim, a sign of the pilgrim church throughout the world...’ [10]
Pope John Paul II addressed the sick and the
nursing staff and celebrated Mass, and established the church there as a
basilica, he also presented a candle and the golden rose to the shrine, also knelt in prayer at the apparition
wall. [5] Almost half a million pilgrims gathered at
Knock on that day [10]
ANOTHER VISITOR
In June
1993, Mother Teresa came on pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. In her Basilica address to the sick, she
said: ‘Jesus came to give us the good
news that God loves us, and that he wants us to love one another as he loves
each one of us’. More than fifty thousand pilgrims gathered at Knock that day.[10]
PILGRIMAGES TO KNOCK
As news of
the Apparition spread, pilgrims converged on Knock from all parts of
Ireland.The first organised pilgrimage came from Limerick in March 1880 and
consisted of fifty members of the Confraternity of the Holy Family.They
travelled by train to Tuam and onwards to Knock in nine horse-drawn side-cars.
1940–1945
Despite
wartime hardships, pilgrims continued to come. Buses and trains to Knock were
discontinued until 1948 and many pilgrims walked and cycled to Knock. Others
came on horseback or made use of lorries, bread vans, carts and traps.” [10]
If you are interested in visiting Knock go to this website:
http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/Knock/Knock.htm
If you are interested in visiting Knock go to this website:
http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/Knock/Knock.htm
Our Lady of Knock |
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF KNOCK
Our Lady of
Knock, Queen of Ireland,
you gave
hope to our people
in a time of distress and comforted them in sorrow.
You have
inspired countless pilgrims to pray
with confidence to your Divine Son,
remembering
His promise:
“Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find.”
Help me to
remember that
we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven.
Fill me with
love and concern for
my brothers and sisters in Christ,
especially
those who live with me.
Comfort me
when I am sick or lonely or depressed.
Teach me how
to take part ever
more reverently in the Holy Mass.
Pray for me
now, and at the hour of my death.
Amen. [5]
MORE ABOUT ARCHDEACON CAVANAGH…
THE VENERABLE ARCHDEACON
BARTHOLOMEW ALOYSIUS CAVANAGH
A HOLY MAN
“Whatever
the view of the worldly and the puzzled there can be no doubt that the
Archdeacon was a very spiritual and holy man, one who followed severe
penitential exercises, down even to the hair shirt, was deeply devoted to his
holy office, to his people and to the souls in purgatory, and he had an every
consuming desire to promote Our Lady’s Cause. His favourite title for her was
“The Ever Immaculate Mother of God.”
'It was, and
indeed still is, freely accepted in the Parish of Knock that the Archdeacon was
favoured himself with visits of Our Lady to his own little cottage. It is recounted that he was told by her that
he should not worry that he had not seen the apparition because he was about
God’s work.' [13]
Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh at his cottage |
'Those were
difficult times with much persecution and sometimes young men, on the run, went
to the Archdeacon late at night for the sacraments. One of these, who left the country, wrote
back home that one night he, with others, called at the Archdeacon’s house. It was
necessary to move by night as they were marked for arrest under the Coercion
Acts. When they arrived the Archdeacon
was not there. The door was opened by a
stranger who seemed to know of their mission without being told. The stranger spoke to them, told them to come
back the next day and gave them some instructions for their journey.
The
following morning they had an interview with the Archdeacon and told him of
what had happened the night before and of their peace and joy that filled them
when the stranger was speaking to them. The Archdeacon asked them not to speak
of it until after his death and they kept that promise. It was then freely
accepted that the stranger was some heavenly visitor. '[13]
'As his death approached he was moved from his
own home to the building which is now the St Mary’s Hostel run by the Sisters
of Charity. If you go to Knock you can visit there the rooms in which he died.
They now make up the chapel on the second floor of the building and you can
attend Mass there if you wish to do so with the nuns in the morning. '[13]
'For thirty
years this devoted priest preached the Blessed Virgin – the ever Immaculate
Mother of God – at Knock and what could be a more fitting end to his life than
to die on the day when he went to eternal life – the 8th of December 1897, the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Archdeacon
Cavanagh is the patron of the Friends of the Suffering Souls and it is our
earnest desire that his name should be elevated to the list of canonised
saints. We should pray therefore to see this take place and below is set out a
prayer that can be used to ask for this grace from God, a grace that could be
an inspiration to so many to take up the work of the Archdeacon in praying and
caring for the holy souls in Purgatory. '[13]
Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh |
PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION
OF VENERABLE
ARCHDEACON CAVANAGH
Dear God in
Heaven, through the appearance at Knock of the Lamb of God on the sacrificial
altar - accompanied by Our Blessed Lady, St Joseph and St John – You showed to
the whole world your love for the work of the Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh in
his efforts on behalf of the holy souls. To mark with your eternal seal his
life and work we beseech You to raise him to the altar of your Church and to
grant through his intercession the grace which I now ask for: (make your own
petition). Amen
Lamb of God stained glass window |
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them eternal rest.
Our Lady of
Knock. Pray for us.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them eternal rest.
St Joseph .
Pray for us.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them eternal rest.
St John .
Pray for us.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them rest.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world. Grant them eternal rest.
[13]
WEBSITES USED FOR
THIS ARTICLE:
[5] Witness accounts http://www.knock-shrine.ie/witnesses-accounts
[6] Modern day miracle
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/miracle-at-knock-woman-reveals-all-99091009-237706551.html
[7]Cures of the
present day http://www.knock-shrine.com/cures_at_knock_shrine.htm
[8] Commisions enquiry http://www.knock-shrine.ie/commissions-enquiry
[9]PARISH PRIEST http://www.knock-shrine.ie/archdeacon-cavanagh
[10]GUIDEBOOK TO KNOCK http://www.knock-shrine.ie/uploads/documents/Knock-Guidebook.pdf
[11] CHURCH’S RESPONSE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_Shrine#Church_Commissions_of_inquiry
[12] More on Knock http://www.theotokos.org.uk/pages/approved/appariti/knock.html
[13]Archdeacon Cavangh parish priest http://www.knocknovena.com/cavanagh.htm#THE%20APPARITION
[14] Archdeacon Cavangh
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/archdeacon-cavanagh
Thanks to all the above for the enlightening and useful information. God bless you all.
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