Our Lady Of Knock

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Knock.

On Thursday 21 August 1879 at 8pm Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist appeared in a blaze of light at the south gable of Saint John the Baptist Church, Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. They appeared to float about two feet above the ground, and each would occassionally move toward the visionaries, and then away from them. The Blessed Virgin Mary was clothed in white robes with a brilliant crown on her head. Where the crown fitted to her brow, she wore a beautiful full-bloom golden rose. She was praying with her eyes and hands raised towards Heaven. Saint Joseph wore white robes, stood on Our Lady's right, and was turned towards her in an attitude of respect. Saint John was dressed in white vestment, stood was on Mary's left, and resembled a bishop, with a small mitre. He appeared to be preaching and he held an open book in his left hand. Behind them and a little to the left of Saint John was a plain altar on which was a cross and a lamb with adoring angels. The apparition was witnessed by fifteen people. Miraculous healings reported soon after the area, and it is now a major pilgrimage destination.

The apparition was approved by Archbishop Gilmartin, diocese of Tuam in 1936.