Knock, West Ireland (Cnoc Mhuire - "Mary's Hill") was blessed on August 21, 1879 with an apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist carrying the book of Gospels, and the symbol of the Cross and the Lamb resting on an unadorned altar. Angels were observed adoring Jesus (represented by the Cross and the Lamb.) The village church - where the apparition occurred outside in the midst of a rainstorm - seemed to glow with a strange light. The heavenly figures appeared full-bodied, radiating a luminous light.
At the time, Knock was experiencing a major crop failure. The apparition gave hope to the Irish people.
Pilgrimages to Knock began in 1880. Many miraculous healings were reported. The Knock Shrine Society was created in August 21, 1935.
Decades after they witnessed the apparition, Mary Byrne O'Connell and Patrick Byrne confirmed what they saw to a commission set up to investigate the miraculous event.
During Marian Year 1954, Pope Pius XII recognized the Knock Shrine as an important Marian Shrine.
In 1976, the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, opened to the public. The church was designated a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1979. The first National Novena was held at Knock in 1977. In 1993, 50,000 people flooded the Shrine to see Mother Teresa.
Prayers to Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland
I.
Great Mary,
Greatest of Marys,
Greatest of Women,
Mother of Eternal Glory,
Mother of the Golden Light,
Honor of the Sky,
Temple of the Divinity,
Fountain of the gardens,
Serene as the Moon,
Bright as the Sun,
Garden Enclosed,
Temple of the Living God,
Light of Nazareth,
Beauty of the World,
Queen of Life,
Ladder of Heaven,
Mother of God.
Pray for us.
II.
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 this 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.
Have a Blessed Saint Patrick's Day. Honor your Irish roots. Pray for the Catholic Church.
Dawn Pisturino
March 16, 2020
Copyright 2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
