Our Lady of Knock

'Our Lady of Knock' is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after the apparition that took place in the village of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland on 21 August 1879. Our Lady appeared along-with Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist and the Lamb of God to a group of villagers. The apparition lasted for two hours and was distinct from the other visitations of Our Lady because it was the first time that a lamb depicting the Lamb of God had appeared in a apparition. Also there were no messages during the apparition as Our Lady appeared to be in prayer, looking towards Heaven. Ten days after the apparition, the first miracle was reported at the site. The Basilica of Our Lady of Knock was built on the site of the apparition and today is a renowned pilgrim site where millions of pilgrims make their annual pilgrimage and pray for the intercession of Our Lady. Several thousands of miracles and healings have been reported from the site till date.

Background:

The apparition took place at a time when the people of Ireland were suffering several hardships. The crop failure of 1878 and 1879 led to a period of famine, forced immigrations and deaths from malnutrition. People suffered at the hands of landlords who mercilessly extracted rent and taxes from an already suffering population. Yet, amidst all the sufferings, the people held on to their faith.

Apparition:

The apparition took place in the evening of 21 August 1879 in the quiet village of Knock, County Mayo in Ireland. It was raining heavily in the evening with strong winds that carried a thick mist against the parish church wall. Two women, Mary McLoughlin and Mary Beirne were walking towards their home around 8’ o’clock and passed by the village church. Suddenly they saw a radiant light and some figures. They thought the figures to be some statues but on looking closely they cried out in joy “Its the Blessed Virgin”. They ran to notify their families and villagers who quickly gathered around the church wall and gazed at the apparition.

Our Lady was accompanied by Saint Joseph who stood to her right with his head inclined to her. On her left stood Saint John the Evangelist who appeared to be clothed as a bishop, holding a book in his left hand. His right hand was raised as though he were preaching. To the left of Saint John there was an altar on which stood a cross and a lamb. Angels too appeared to be moving around the apparition. The vision lasted for two hours during which time the villagers knelt in prayer, praying the rosary.

The vision was different from other apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mother who usually appeared on her own. This time she was accompanied by Saint Joseph, Saint John and the Lamb of God. Secondly, she did not have a message. It was a silent apparition where she appeared to be praying. Thirdly, a large number of people saw the apparition and it lasted for two hours. This is also the only apparition where a lamb depicting the Lamb of God has ever appeared.

Testimonies:

After the apparition, fifteen of the eye witnesses gave depositions before the Archbishop and various dignitaries of the Church. Some of the testimonies given were as follows: According to the testimony given by Patrick Hill who was on his way home when he heard of the vision and ran to the church. In his own words he describes it “I immediately beheld the lights, a clear white light covering most of the gable from the ground up to the window and higher. It was a bright light, going sometimes up high and again not so high. We saw the figures, the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph and Saint John, and an altar with a lamb on the altar and a cross behind the lamb...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 toward the gable. I distinctly beheld the Blessed Virgin Mary, life size, standing about two feet or so above the ground clothed in white robes which were fastened at the neck, her hands were raised to the height of her shoulders as if in prayer, with the palms facing one another and slanting inwards towards the face...she appeared to be praying; her eyes were turned as I saw towards Heaven; she wore a brilliant crown on her head and over the forehead where the crown fitted her brow, a beautiful rose; the crown appeared brilliant and of a golden brightness...the upper parts of the crown appeared to be a series of sparkles, or glittering crosses. I saw her eyes, the balls, the pupils and the iris of each...Her robes came only as far as the ankles; I saw the feet and the ankles; one foot, the right, was slightly in advance of the other. I saw them move, but she did not speak...I saw Saint Joseph...his head was bent and he appeared to be paying his respects to the Blessed Virgin. His hands were joined like a person in prayer.

Saint John the Evangelist stood erect at the Gospel side of the little altar and at an angle so that his back was not turned to the altar nor to the Mother of God. He was dressed like a bishop preaching; he wore a small mitre of his head; he held a Mass book in his left hand; the right hand was raised to the elevation of the head while he kept the index finger and the middle finger of the right hand raised, the other three fingers of the same hand were shut. He appeared as if he were preaching, but I heard no voice. I went near and looked into the book he held. I saw the lines and the letters...the altar on his left was plain without any ornaments. On it stood a lamb which was facing the west and looking in the direction of the figures. 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. 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...”

The depositions of all the fifteen witnesses agreed on all points. Mary McLoughlin added “ Behind the lamb appeared the cross, it was away a bit from the lamb, while the latter stood in front of it...Around the lamb a number of gold like stars appeared in the form of a halo...I parted from the gathering at eight and a half’o’clock...I saw the sight for fully an hour.”

Mary Beirne said “the altar had no special ornamentations; it was only a plain altar. Above the altar and resting on it was a lamb...On the body of the lamb, and around it, I saw golden stars, or small brilliant lights, glittering like jets or glass balls reflecting the light”

Bridget Trench said “it was raining very heavily at the time, but no rain fell where the figures were. I felt the ground carefully with my hands and it was perfectly dry. They appeared to me so full and so lifelike and so life-sized that I could not understand why I could not feel them with my hands such as I beheld them with my eyes. I felt great delight and pleasure in looking at the Blessed Virgin. I could think of nothing else while there but giving thanks to God and repeating my prayers.”

Healing and miracles:

Ten days after the apparition, the first miracle was reported. Delia Gordon, a deaf 12 year old child who suffered from severe pain in her left ear was miraculously cured when she visited the place where the apparition took place. Her mother reportedly, took a piece of cement from the gable wall and put it on her daughter’s ear. She was instantly healed. Since then, several healings and miracles were reported from the site.

Pilgrim Center:

Church officials investigated the apparition at Knock in 1879 and again in 1936. The reports and testimonies of the witnesses were found to be reliable and in line with the faith. Pope Pius XII blessed the banner of Knock at St. Peter’s Basilica and decorated it with a special medal in 1945. Pope John XXIII presented a special candle to Knock on Candlemas Day in 1960. Pope Paul VI blessed the foundation stone for the Basilica of Our Lady of Knock on 06 June 1974 and Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to the shrine on September 30, 1979 to observe the centennial of the apparition. He presented a candle and the Golden Rose to the shrine. The Holy Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II was attended by an estimated 450,000 people. Pope Francis too visited the shrine on 26 August 2018.Today the shrine is a world renowned pilgrim site. An estimated 1.5 million people visit the shrine to pray and seek Our Lady’s intercession in their needs. Saint Teresa of Calcutta too visited the Shrine in June 1993.