Day One – A Brief Description - Our Lady of Knock Apparition 

Today, August 17, is the new Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock, recently moved by the Vatican. May we especially invoke the Queen of Peace for healing all those who are suffering from illness, as well as from the effects of violence in the world. 

During a heavy, cold rain on August 21, 1879, in Knock, Ireland, men, women and children from the village gathered in prayer at the gable wall of the parish church to witness a heavenly vision, surrounded in an extraordinary bright light.

According to Knock’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, “The witnesses clearly saw the Blessed Virgin Mary dressed in white robes, her hands and eyes turned towards heaven in prayer. On her head was a gold crown and where the crown fitted the brow, a single golden rose. On her right, bowed respectfully towards her, was St. Joseph. He appeared older, his beard and hair were grey and, like Our Lady, he was barefoot.”

“To Our Lady’s left stood John the Evangelist vested as a bishop, wearing a small mitre. He held an open book in his left hand and in its pages the lines and letters could clearly be seen. He appeared to be preaching but no voice was heard. He stood so that his back was neither turned to the Virgin or to the Lamb that stood upon a simple plain altar. Behind the Lamb was a Cross. The witnesses watched and prayed for over 2 hours and though they were wet, they noticed that no rain fell upon the Apparition or on the gable.”

Now let us seek Our Lady’s intercession, for our own needs and especially that Cardinal Burke will receive an abundance of grace:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Give praise to the Father Almighty, To His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, To the Spirit who lives in our hearts, Both now and forever Amen.

Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find."

Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Grant us peace.

St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the Husband of Mary, the Protector of the Holy Family, the Guardian of the Church, protect all families in their work and recreation and guard us on our journey through life.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Grant us peace.

St John, beloved disciple of the Lord, faithful priest, teacher of the Word of God. Help us to hunger for the Word, be loyal to the Mass and to love one another.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Grant us peace.

(Now mention your own special intentions and pray especially that Cardinal Burke will receive an abundance of grace.)

With the Angels and Saints let us pray: Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts, both now and forever. Amen.