Marian Apparitions: Knock
Knock, Ireland; 1879
Witness
15 Residents of Knock
Summary
In the early evening of August 21, 1879, Margaret and Mary Beirne saw a
saw an unusual brightness coming from the local church which they soon discovered was a living tableau on the gabled wall.
Mary, recognized as Queen of Angels was praying with uplifted arms with St. Joseph to her right and St. John the Evangelist to her left (in Bishop's garb seemingly preaching). Further to the left of
St. John was an altar with the Lamb and a cross surrounded by angels. The vision lasted two hours and was completely silent. Those gathered prayed the Rosary.
As word spread of the apparition, miraculous healings began to occur with some who visited the church (the parish priest recorded 300 in the first three years). Today, over one million pilgrims visit the Shrine of Knock each year and experience the emphasis on
traditional Catholic practices and devotions, particularly Confession, making the Shrine a
"journey through the basic elements of our faith."
Messages/Prophecies
The symbols in the tableau summarize the Catholic Faith:
Mary Crowned and praying: doing herself what she has urged in all of her apparitions. A golden rose above her forehead recalls the Rosary, the greatest of all prayers.
St. Joseph: the Patron of the Universal Church and workers clothed in the white of purity and reverencing the Blessed Virgin.
St. John: preaching from an open book (likely the Bible) and clothed as a Bishop, symbolizing the Apostolic Church and it foremost mission of preaching the Gospel.
The Lamb: the Lamb and Cross on an Altar, an unmistakable symbol of the sacrifice of the Mass.
The Date: the date of the event foreshadowed Pope Pius XII's declaration of August 23 as the Feast of
Immaculate Heart of Mary, making the date of the apparition the Vigil night.
But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith. JAMES 2:18
Additional Online Resources
Official Shrine Site
Books About Marian Apparitions
(After entering the site, click on 'Subject Listing' and then 'Apparitions')
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