Our Lady of Knock
On a wet dark evening on August 21, 1879, the villagers of Knock had spent the day doing the usual work of the harvest time of the year – gathering winter fuel and fodder. As evening approached, the heavy mist that had been persistent throughout the day, turned to a steady downpour. The villagers gathered around the turf fires in their homes, taking comfort and shelter on a terrible night.
Suddenly word spread throughout the village that something extraordinary was happening at the Church and so they hurried to the windswept gable where they witnessed a heavenly vision surrounded in a brilliant white light. Men, women and children gathered in prayer at the gable wall of the parish church.
The Vision
The witnesses clearly saw the Blessed Virgin Mary dressed in white robes, her hands and eyes turned towards heaven in prayer. On her head was a gold crown and where the crown fitted the brow, a single golden rose. On her right, bowed respectfully towards her, was St. Joseph. He appeared older, his beard and hair were grey and, like Our Lady, he was barefoot.
To Our Lady’s left stood John the Evangelist vested as a bishop, wearing a small mitre. He held an open book in his left hand and in its pages the lines and letters could clearly be seen. He appeared to be preaching but no voice was heard. He stood so that his back was neither turned to the Virgin or to the Lamb that stood upon a simple plain altar. Behind the Lamb was a Cross. The witnesses watched and prayed for over 2 hours and though they were wet, they noticed that no rain fell on upon the Apparition or on the gable.
International Eucharistic & Marian Shrine
Many have reflected on the rich symbolism of the Apparition. Those who saw it were immediately drawn to Our Lady’s presence, a reflection of the deep Marian devotion of all those present. And for many years after, it was the presence of Our Lady that people were instinctively drawn to.
Devotion to St. Joseph has always emphasized his role as the protector of the Holy Family and he appears at Knock as a secure gentle presence beside his wife, head bowed reverently toward her acknowledging and reminding us of her unique place in the history of the Church.
St. John the Evangelist stands between Our Lady and the altar and Lamb. It is his Gospel that refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God. He appears to be preaching on the Eucharistic altar, cross and Lamb that is at the very center of the Apparition.
Unique to the Apparition is the presence of the Lamb of God upon the altar, a visual presentation of the gift and mystery of the Eucharist. This central element is not to be found in any other recognized Marian Apparition. Knock Shrine is honored to have been officially recognized as an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine by Pope Francis, through the Pontifical Council for New Evangelization in March 2021.
Knock Shrine has been honored by two Papal visits – Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Francis in 2018.
The above information comes directly from The Knock shrine website – https://www.knockshrine.ie/about-knock-shrine/
The Basilica construction began in 1974 and was overseen by Monsignor James Horan, parish priest of Knock from 1967 until his death in 1986. It was completed in 1976. This church was constructed in honor of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland and dedicated on July 18, 1976 to provide for the thousands of pilgrims who visit Knock Shrine each year. It can hold up to 10,000 people.
The church was elevated to the status of Basilica on July 18, 1979 when Pope John Paul II issued the papal bull “Abunde constat” formally conferring the church the dignity of Minor basilica which he announced on his visit to the Shrine on September 30, 1979. The Basilica was extensively redeveloped in 2015. The window frames that divide each chapel are replicas from ancient churches and abbeys in each of the four provinces in Ireland and pay homage to Ireland’s rich ecclesiastical heritage.
Knock Basilica forms a serene backdrop for ceremonies throughout the pilgrimage season, most notably the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock which continues unbroken since 1977.
The new award-winning interior radiates an atmosphere of warmth and welcome in a space that is sacred and peaceful. Every detail has been developed with the comfort of pilgrims in mind, from the beautiful ash wood seating to the atmospheric lighting.
Statue of Our Lady of Knock and apparition mosaic.
The artistic highlight of Knock Basilica is this spectacular mosaic depicting the Knock Apparition scene of 1879. The mosaic is the largest of its kind in Europe, comprising 1.5 million pieces of individual mosaic tiles. It was crafted in Spilimbergo, Italy by Travisanutto, Artisan Mosaic makers and was designed here in Ireland by the renowned illustrator, P.J. Lynch.
This is the cross of the Altar made for the celebration of Mass by Pope John Paul II on his visit to the Shrine in 1979 on 100th Anniversary of the apparition.
The Cross, modeled on the ancient Celtic Cross of Ahenny, remains in grateful remembrance of the greatest event in Irish history since the coming of Saint Patrick. Standing at the foot of this Cross, the Holy Father “as a Pilgrim” addressed 450,000 other pilgrims and said, “Here I am at the goal of my journey to Ireland, the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock.”
The interior of St. John the Baptist, Knock’s parish church. Built in 1828. The apparition occurred on the outside back wall of this church.
The beautiful high altar was made in the studio of Mr. P. J Scannell of Cork and was presented as a gift during a pilgrimage in 1880.
