Every August, Knock beckons and my friends and I hit the road for County Mayo and the annual Novena to Our Lady of Knock. The forecast was for sun – a treat as I often joke that even Our Blessed Mother went to Knock in rain. Family day at Knock was a scorcher. When it comes to faith and mission, we Catholics sometimes forget about the fun.
But from the green patch of grass, behind the Basilica, we soon heard the Sunday sound of children’s laughter – boys and girls skipping and jumping and flying kites. During our visit, a little girl zipped through Knock on a brand new pair of roller stakes. “The only way to travel,” joked one pilgrim.
My friend finds pure joy at Knock: “Disneyland for Catholics!” she declared. “Only it’s all real!”
Inside the Basilica, the Bishop of Achonry and Elphin, Kevin Doran, spoke of hope as a gift, a gift that parents and grandparents should not be afraid to give, a grace that springs from faith.
How wonderful it was to see people of all ages, and especially children gathered round the altar. During the offertory, a little girl, no more than three or four, dressed in a bright pink dress was holding tight to her mother when Bishop Doran bent down and extended his hand in peace – and hope. The child, after a moment’s hesitation, did not disappoint – and held out her hand for this sign of peace.
***
On the last evening of the Novena, hundreds gathered for the Witness Walk, one of the many innovations at Knock in recent years. Inspired by the director of music Una Nolan and led by director of pastoral development Nichola Mitchell, the walk reminded us of the wonder of that night in August 21, 1879 when a portal of Heaven opened on the gable wall for all to see. Along the way we met 15 official witnesses, dressed in shawls, or flat caps, boys and girls, men and women.
Fr Richard Gibbons joined the walk at the Archdeacon’s House. Marvelling at the summer sunshine, he declared this a record year for weather and could not recall another year when they were able to get outside for all the rosary processions. He is already planning celebrations for upcoming anniversaries. The 150th anniversary of the apparition will be marked in 2029. Next year is also the 50th anniversary of the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland.
It was Pope Francis who declared Knock an official Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in 2021. “The Eucharist is what binds us,” said Fr Richard, “ keeps us together, as the old annals of our mass said, even in the darkest times of the penal days, that it was the mass that mattered for the Irish.”
Officially there were 15 witnesses to the vision at Knock – but I felt throughout the ceremonies at Knock, that we are all witnesses now.
***
ONE of my favourite things about Knock is the “pop up” mass, when visiting priests with pilgrims arrive at the Apparition Chapel for an unscheduled celebration of the Eucharist. “I’m Fr Michael Fitzpatrick,” said the priest as he entered the sanctuary. In anticipation of our thoughts, he quickly added in an American accent. “It’s a long story.”
Fr Michael Fitzpatrick was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted aged 7 months by an American couple. “My dad is Irish,” he told me afterwards. “Both his parents were originally from Ireland. My grandfather on his side is from Galway and my grandmother from Roscommon.”
Fr Fitzpatrick was named for his father and grandfather. He was ordained in 2021 and serves at St John Neumann in Orange County, California.
I was struck by his story, and his homily when he spoke of the silence of Knock, and an apparition that “validated” the faith of the Irish people at a time of great suffering. “I think God wants us to reflect upon and contemplate that image.”
“Sometimes we encounter something so difficult and challenging, maybe the loss of a loved one, and words aren’t always needed. To say something would be to ruin the moment.”
“I think God wants us to know he is present with us. He is giving us a sign, ‘I am here, I am real and I care about you and I want you to experience my love and my joy’.”
***
Knock has become a more colourful place in recent years, not just the new mosaic but the people who visit: pilgrims from Nigeria, India, Poland and the Philippines. Some are just visiting Ireland; others are the new Irish. Among them is the Reverend Julian Drapiewski, a native of Poland, a chartered engineer and entrepreneur, who settled in Athenry with his wife about twenty years ago. He is now a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Tuam. He shared his faith journey, how he felt called to do more to serve God.
His wife’s initial reaction was one of panic. “Have you missed your vocation? Do you think you should have been a priest?”
“No, no, honey,” he assured her. “You are the most important person in my life.”
Although he felt called to be a deacon, there was no programme for deacons in his diocese for another six years. When he finally embarked on his journey to ordination, he asked Jesus for a little sign of his love. Nine months later, their new baby, number 5 arrived! Be careful what you pray for, he joked.
I feel blessed to have been given the gift of faith– and nothing or no-one will ever separate me from that”
Knock at a time of Faith, fun and mission
Every August, Knock beckons and my friends and I hit the road for County Mayo and the annual Novena to Our Lady of Knock. The forecast was for sun – a treat as I often joke that even Our Blessed Mother went to Knock in rain. Family day at Knock was a scorcher. When it comes to faith and mission, we Catholics sometimes forget about the fun.
But from the green patch of grass, behind the Basilica, we soon heard the Sunday sound of children’s laughter – boys and girls skipping and jumping and flying kites. During our visit, a little girl zipped through Knock on a brand new pair of roller stakes. “The only way to travel,” joked one pilgrim.
My friend finds pure joy at Knock: “Disneyland for Catholics!” she declared. “Only it’s all real!”
Inside the Basilica, the Bishop of Achonry and Elphin, Kevin Doran, spoke of hope as a gift, a gift that parents and grandparents should not be afraid to give, a grace that springs from faith.
How wonderful it was to see people of all ages, and especially children gathered round the altar. During the offertory, a little girl, no more than three or four, dressed in a bright pink dress was holding tight to her mother when Bishop Doran bent down and extended his hand in peace – and hope. The child, after a moment’s hesitation, did not disappoint – and held out her hand for this sign of peace.
***
On the last evening of the Novena, hundreds gathered for the Witness Walk, one of the many innovations at Knock in recent years. Inspired by the director of music Una Nolan and led by director of pastoral development Nichola Mitchell, the walk reminded us of the wonder of that night in August 21, 1879 when a portal of Heaven opened on the gable wall for all to see. Along the way we met 15 official witnesses, dressed in shawls, or flat caps, boys and girls, men and women.
Fr Richard Gibbons joined the walk at the Archdeacon’s House. Marvelling at the summer sunshine, he declared this a record year for weather and could not recall another year when they were able to get outside for all the rosary processions. He is already planning celebrations for upcoming anniversaries. The 150th anniversary of the apparition will be marked in 2029. Next year is also the 50th anniversary of the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland.
It was Pope Francis who declared Knock an official Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in 2021. “The Eucharist is what binds us,” said Fr Richard, “ keeps us together, as the old annals of our mass said, even in the darkest times of the penal days, that it was the mass that mattered for the Irish.”
Officially there were 15 witnesses to the vision at Knock – but I felt throughout the ceremonies at Knock, that we are all witnesses now.
***
ONE of my favourite things about Knock is the “pop up” mass, when visiting priests with pilgrims arrive at the Apparition Chapel for an unscheduled celebration of the Eucharist. “I’m Fr Michael Fitzpatrick,” said the priest as he entered the sanctuary. In anticipation of our thoughts, he quickly added in an American accent. “It’s a long story.”
Fr Michael Fitzpatrick was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted aged 7 months by an American couple. “My dad is Irish,” he told me afterwards. “Both his parents were originally from Ireland. My grandfather on his side is from Galway and my grandmother from Roscommon.”
Fr Fitzpatrick was named for his father and grandfather. He was ordained in 2021 and serves at St John Neumann in Orange County, California.
I was struck by his story, and his homily when he spoke of the silence of Knock, and an apparition that “validated” the faith of the Irish people at a time of great suffering. “I think God wants us to reflect upon and contemplate that image.”
“Sometimes we encounter something so difficult and challenging, maybe the loss of a loved one, and words aren’t always needed. To say something would be to ruin the moment.”
“I think God wants us to know he is present with us. He is giving us a sign, ‘I am here, I am real and I care about you and I want you to experience my love and my joy’.”
***
Knock has become a more colourful place in recent years, not just the new mosaic but the people who visit: pilgrims from Nigeria, India, Poland and the Philippines. Some are just visiting Ireland; others are the new Irish. Among them is the Reverend Julian Drapiewski, a native of Poland, a chartered engineer and entrepreneur, who settled in Athenry with his wife about twenty years ago. He is now a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Tuam. He shared his faith journey, how he felt called to do more to serve God.
His wife’s initial reaction was one of panic. “Have you missed your vocation? Do you think you should have been a priest?”
“No, no, honey,” he assured her. “You are the most important person in my life.”
Although he felt called to be a deacon, there was no programme for deacons in his diocese for another six years. When he finally embarked on his journey to ordination, he asked Jesus for a little sign of his love. Nine months later, their new baby, number 5 arrived! Be careful what you pray for, he joked.
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