Place of Pilgrimage - Knock Basilica

Knock Basilica

Knock Basilica

Knock Basilica 

Photograph by Catherine Nicolette

Knock Museum

Archdeacon Cavanagh with his house and Knock Church, 1879

Knock Museum
The wonderful Knock Museum gives the history of Our Lady of Knock and the Apparition.
The witnesses to the Apparition lived in small cottages, comprising a kitchen with an open fire, and a bedroom.
Most people worked on the land, and survived on produce.
The main crops around Knock were potatoes and oats.
Most people had a cow or two, a few pigs and some chickens.

Farm work varied according to the season.
In spring, crops were sown.
Turf was cut in summer, and hay saved.
Crops were harvested in autumn.
Tools were mended in winter, and animals tended.

Prayer was central to family and village life.
To this rural way of life, Our Lady of Knock came with her inspiration message of peace and wisdom.

At prayer 

Spinning wheel

Why not visit the Museum?
See
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/museum

Refreshments are available at the Museum -
See
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/cafe

Photographs taken by Catherine Nicolette and used with gracious permission of Museum curators
With thanks to Knock Museum

Mary of Knock - Golden Rose

Mary of Nazareth appeared at Knock

Her affectionate title is 'Golden Rose'

Eucharistic Congress Bell in Knock

The beautiful Eucharistic Congress Bell in Knock

One of the glorious icons on the Bell


Photographs taken by Catherine Nicolette

Knock Basilica - First Annual Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage

In the Basilica

Holy Bible
Pilgrimage is an ancient tradition and custom of Ireland.
At an inspirational talk given in the Our Lady Queen of Ireland Basilica in Knock, County Mayo, the Holy Bible was held up and pilgrims were given the guidance to read, reflect and study the Sacred Scriptures.
The massive Basilica held crowds of pilgrims who listened with deep reverence.

Basilica - place of beauty
The Basilica itself was a place of beauty.
Preparations had been made - flowers cascaded in arrangements of white.

Candles flickered light gracefully, and the atmosphere was one of joy and prayer.
Little children were enchanted by the beauty that was the Basilica


Eucharistic Congress Bell
The Eucharistic Congress Bell with its distinctive 'Ave Maria' engraving was ceremonially brought in and placed before the altar at the beginning of the day of prayer and pilgrimage.
Serene icons glowed around the frame of the Bell.

Day of prayer
The Chapel of the Apparition was crowded with people deep in reverent prayer.
Pilgrims prayed in the grounds; attended workshops and spiritual exercises.
Children enjoyed spiritual programmes.
Adoration of the Eucharist and Eucharistic Celebration honouring Jesus the Son of God was the highlight of the day.
The First Annual Pilgrimage was a wonderful occasion - with one pilgrim excitedly telling all of us in the vicinity, "I want to see everything!" as she set off to explore the wonderful Shrine of Our Lady of Knock.

Contemplating a pilgrimage?
Needing some time to reflect on where your life is going?
Why not visit Knock ...

At the Gable Wall

Gable Wall

Site of the Church of the Apparition

Photographs by Catherine Nicolette

A candle was lit in remembrance of all Marian Praise readers in Knock

A candle was lit in remembrance of all Marian Praise readers in Knock 

at the first Annual Apostolate of Perpetual Adoration

Pilgrimage held today

Photograph by Catherine Nicolette at Knock Church

next to the Gable Wall