We started our day heading from Westport to Ballina in County Mayo, home of the Davy relatives. On the way, we stopped in the village of Knock where there is a shrine to the Virgin Mary.
The history of the shrine is as follows:
We toured the grounds, visited the museum, said a prayer in the chapel, and filled containers with holy water from a font on the site. It was a little tricky getting the containers filled without water spraying everywhere. Will said he felt very blessed what with all the water that went spraying in his direction.
The car park for the shrine was located across the street and behind what can only be described as a shanty town of shops. The shops sold everything imaginable with a picture of Mary and/or the shrine. Seriously – there were ash trays, cigarette lighters, pens, pins, badges – you name it. Rosaries of every kind were displayed on hooks next to glasses, mugs, and plastic gallon jugs which could be filled with holy water at the shrine. Pictures and dish towels were next to prayer cards and votive candles. I have to say I came away feeling a bit disappointed - it seemed much too commercial. However, there is a beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Knock which I found very special.
The history of the shrine is as follows:
“On the evening of the 21st August, 1879, at about 8 o'clock, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared in a blaze of Heavenly light at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. Behind them and a little to the left of St. John was a plain altar. On the altar was a cross and a lamb with adoring angels. The Apparition was seen by fifteen people whose ages ranged from six years to seventy-five and included men, women and children.
The witnesses described the Blessed Virgin Mary as being clothed in white robes with a brilliant crown on her head. Over the forehead where the crown fitted the brow, she wore a beautiful full-bloom golden rose. She was in an attitude of prayer with her eyes and hands raised towards Heaven. St. Joseph stood on Our Lady's right. He was turned towards her in an attitude of respect. His robes were also white. St. John was on Our Lady's left. He was dressed in white vestments and resembled a bishop, with a small mitre. He appeared to be preaching and he held an open book in his left hand.
The witnesses watched the Apparition in pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated, not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or vision."
The Catholic Church has declared the visions trustworthy and Knock is designated as Ireland's National Marian Shrine. In 1979, Pope John Paul II made a personal pilgrimage to Knock and he presented a Golden Rose, a seldom bestowed token of papal honor and recognition. Mother Teresa also visited the shrine in 1993. Today, over one and a half million pilgrims visit the Knock Shrine every year.The witnesses described the Blessed Virgin Mary as being clothed in white robes with a brilliant crown on her head. Over the forehead where the crown fitted the brow, she wore a beautiful full-bloom golden rose. She was in an attitude of prayer with her eyes and hands raised towards Heaven. St. Joseph stood on Our Lady's right. He was turned towards her in an attitude of respect. His robes were also white. St. John was on Our Lady's left. He was dressed in white vestments and resembled a bishop, with a small mitre. He appeared to be preaching and he held an open book in his left hand.
The witnesses watched the Apparition in pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated, not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or vision."
We toured the grounds, visited the museum, said a prayer in the chapel, and filled containers with holy water from a font on the site. It was a little tricky getting the containers filled without water spraying everywhere. Will said he felt very blessed what with all the water that went spraying in his direction.
Prayer to Our Lady of Knock
We headed west to Ballina from Knock. The scenery was beautiful, but sometimes hard to see through the occasional downpours. This has been the rainiest day we've had thus far, but still warm and patches of sunshine from time to time. We met up with Molly and Tom in Ballina. This charming town lies along the River Moy. We were invited to spend the night with Mary, a relative on Will's mother's side who lives in Ballina. What a wonderfully friendly welcome we had waiting for us! Mary made us feel instantly at home and served us a delicious roast beef dinner. It was just wonderful talking with Mary and learning about the Irish culture from someone who has lived it first hand. This has to have been one of our favorite parts of the trip yet.
We headed out for Mass with Mary at 7:30PM and attended her home church - St. Muredach Cathedral in Ballina. The church was just beautiful - it was designed by the same architect who did the cathedral in Ennis which we had attended just one week ago. I had not heard of St. Muredach before and learned he was a disciple of St. Patrick and was appointed the first bishop of the Killala diocese in 441. History notes Muredach was an old man when he was appointed and probably resigned his office a few years later. He retired and lived the rest of his life on a lonely island in Donegal Bay, which bears his name – Innismurray. We stayed in for the evening and had a great time visiting with Mary.
We will be forever grateful for the kindness and hospitality we received today. Tomorrow we are off for Sligo and Donegal!
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