Knock – The Great Eucharistic Shrine

By TOM DENNEHY

Knock Shrine is a very special place as it is both a Marian and a Eucharistic Shrine. It is the Mass portrayed in all its glory. It all took place at a time in our history when despair covered our country especially in the West of Ireland where as a result of severe famine and emigration the population was reduced to one third. The Apparition of Knock took place in 1879 and brought hope at a very important time. The month of August is associated with Knock as we celebrate the feast day on August 17th and the Novena begins on August 13th and ends on August 21st the anniversary of the Apparition.

The Story of Knock

At about 8 o clock on Thursday the 21st August, 1879, The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the Church at Knock. Beside them and a little to the right was an altar with a cross and the figure of a lamb, around which angels hovered. There were fifteen official witnesses to the apparition, both young and old, who watched for two hours in the pouring rain and recited the Rosary. Two Commissions of Enquiry accepted their testimony as trustworthy and satisfactory in 1879 and 1936. Today, Knock is one of the world’s major shrines. It has received many Papal honours including the distinction of two Papal visits, Saint Pope John Paul 11 in 1979 and Pope Francis in 2018.

The image of the Lamb of God on the altar is a central element not found in other Marian Apparitions and this holds a unique significance in making Knock a special place and recognized as an International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine.

The apparition at Knock cries out to us at a time when many are not attending Mass and receiving the Bread of Life and listening to the word of God. All graces flow from here and give us the strength to live our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest gift God has given us is the Mass- the gift of Himself truly present in the Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving and we go in thanksgiving to a God who gives us all things in abundance. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to pray for as we join our offering with Jesus, who is offering Himself to The Father in atonement for the sins of the world. When we go to Mass we can pray for both the living and the dead. The time to pray for our intentions at the Offertory of the Mass is when the priest pours water into the chalice. We can put all our petitions and requests into the chalice. This is the power of the mass which is of infinite value. St. John Vianny known as the Cure of Ars said “If we knew how much we are loved by Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we would die of joy.”

The Knock Novena, a nine day celebration, will begin on August 13th and conclude on August 21st. The theme for this year is “Whispering with God. How do you pray?” The daily schedule includes novena ceremonies at 3pm and 8pm,workshops each day at 12 45pm in St. John’s Welcome Centre and themed prayer sessions in the Prayer Centre at 11.15am and 5.15pm.

There will be a rosary procession after 3pm Mass and a candle light procession after 8pm Mass. Each day will feature guest speakers. All ceremonies will be broadcast live from Knock.

Novena Prayer.

Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your 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, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world grant us peace.