Amongst the rolling hills of Ireland, spotted with pastures and crops and free-roaming sheep, the Blessed Mother appeared, in silence, 145 years ago in the small village of Knock, Ireland. This apparition is unique, as the Blessed Mother did not speak a word and appeared with both St. Joseph and St. John. In a world full of noise and hectic goings-on, a lesson can be learned from Our Lady’s quiet, steady presence. While not as well known as the apparitions in Fatima or Lourdes, Our Lady of Knock offers us a quiet reminder of the peace found within the sacrifice of the Lamb. A peace we can find to this day in the Blessed Sacrament.
Located in County Mayo in the Northeast of the Republic of Ireland, Knock is a small, quiet town. While many Marian apparitions tend to draw many people to see Our Lady and last for days, weeks, and sometimes months, Our Lady’s appearance at Knock was small and quiet, much like the town itself. She appeared on the evening of August 21, 1879, and was first seen by Mary McLoughlin. Ms. McLoughlin served as the housekeeper for the local parish priest and as she was heading home, she saw the outside wall of the church, covered in a bright, mysterious light. As she approached, she saw three figures standing in front of the wall – Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist. Mary rushed to her friend’s house to tell them of what she saw. After about thirty minutes, Ms. McLoughlin returned with her friend, Mary Byrne, and the figures were still there.
A small crowd gathered, numbering about fifteen in total. Their ages ranged from five years old to seventy-five years old. Our Lady appeared in a flowing white gown and was crowned with a large golden crown. St. Joseph, with his head inclined to her, was to her right and St. John stood to her left, wearing a miter and a book in hand. To St. John’s left was an altar and a lamb, with angels surrounding them. The onlookers began to pray the Rosary while kneeling in front of the Blessed Mother. As it so often happens in Ireland, it began to rain. While those praying were drenched, the ground in front of the wall where the figures stood, remained dry.
In 1879 and 1936, two commissions of Enquiry by the Church accepted the testimony of the witnesses as trust-worthy and satisfactory. Today, pilgrims flock to Knock to see the site and the three life sized statues of Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John that were placed in 1994. As recently as March 19, 2021, Pope Francis elevated the Knock Shrine to an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine.
As we continue the year of Eucharistic Revival, let us call on Our Lady of Knock to remind us of the quiet peace found in the presence of our Lord. How blessed we are to have Him here, waiting to comfort us and bring us peace. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us!
