Our Lady of Knock 1879, LaSallette 1846, and Fatima - A Hidden Mystery in the Unfolding of History!

                                   Knock 1879                                            LaSallette 1846

Knock and LaSallette Were 33 Years Apart 

the Age of Our Lord When He Died

                                                                   Fatima, 1917
                             “Do not offend Our Lord and God anymore,

                     because He is already so much offended!'                                

How loving a complaint, how tender a request!

Who will grant me to make it echo through the whole world"… Sr. Lucia

For two years now I wanted to put a post out on Our Lady of Knock on the anniversary of the apparition. This year again, I was overwhelmed with little duties so that it made it impossible for me to finish the post I was working on till now! I refuse to wait another year! So for better or worse here is my little contribution on the message of Our Lady at Knock. Placing these reflections on the Heavenly Vision that took place in 1879, in County Mayo, Ireland in the light of the messages of Our Lady at Fatima.

Using the same principal set forth in a previous post: From Guadelupe to Fatima A Prophetic Mystery. Fatima is undoubtedly the most prophetic of all the modern apparitions over the past 500 years. If we understand the implications of this statement then it will lead us to meditate on each of our Lady's appearances in the light of the Fatima Message.

   OUR LADY OF KNOCK  

A CONNECTION with the

HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

According to Susan Tassone author of several books about the Holy Souls, including major novenas, the marvelous appearance on the gable of the Knock Church came on the day when the parish priest, Archdeacon Cavanagh, finished offering, his 100th consecutive Mass for the suffering souls in purgatory! She wrote that a secret organization resorting to violence had threatened the pastor by letter for preaching against their tactics. They resented his condemnation of violence, which prevented them from gaining recruits in the Knock parish. In his distress, he turned to the suffering souls and called on his parishioners to fill the church for 100 days of these offered Masses. And what an answer he was given from Heaven!" As word spread of the apparitions of Knock miraculous healings also took place (the parish priest recorded 300 in the first three years).

Throughout the church’s history there have been supernatural apparitions and signs which, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of human history. There is a deep significance in each Church approved apparition in its historical context and a deeper hidden significance that may only be discovered through prayer and meditation. Rev. Gallagher wrote in the Knock Shrine Annual in 1938. “The apparition itself explains its own significance, declares its own meaning.”

Over time the church, with the help of the Holy Spirit, reflects on these appearances of Our Lady uncovering the hidden mysteries. Mysteries to be revealed at a latter time when they will be better understood after reflecting on them in the unfolding of history. They are not coincidences! God has a purpose in everything he does. There are mysteries in the timing of the appearances as well as within the historical context of the time religious persecution and famine. Further mysteries are gleaned in the providence of God as history unfolds. And the church looks back and reflects. All things; past, present and future lay open before the eternal gaze of God over man.

Remember that our Lord said to the Apostles: “The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.” (John:14: 26) “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth”. (John 16.13). Through the guidance of this same Holy Spirit the church also discovers the finger of God in the events and symbols contained within each church approved Marian apparition.

SIMILARITIES OF KNOCK 
AND FATIMA

On the night of the apparition, those witnessing the apparition knelt for two hours in the pouring rain and prayed the rosary as they watched the vision unfold for over two hours. At Knock the entire area and the witnesses were also soaked from the rain, but the ground around the vision was dry! Fourteen witnesses from 6 years of age to 75 saw the apparition. One other person is documented as having observed the bright light over the church from half a mile away, but did not come to investigate.

Here how I could not help but think of another the similarity with Fatima. All the people who came and prayed the Rosary in the pouring rain as they were waiting for the promised miracle to take place on October 13, 1917. Men and women af all ages and faith experiences witnessed the Miracle. After the Great Miracle of the Sun the people and the ground drenched in rain were completely dry! Also at Fatima the miracle of the Sun was seen from a distance by people up to 70 miles away!

THE GREAT SILENCE OF KNOCK.

There is a deep meaning in silence. There is not enough time to relate all the aspects that surround the silence of Knock. Two people who love each other can sit together for hours and no words are said yet each knows what the other needs or is thinking. We leave to your meditation with the help of the Holy Spirit to uncover the deeper aspects of the Silence of Knock.

But for our purposes, truly here the silence has spoken! I wish to apply the following words from St. Augustine in his Confessions to the silence of the vision of Knock: “You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.”

Another example to help explain this line of thought is gleaned from the apparition of Our Lady at LaSallet in 1846. Here there was a very lengthy message given to the seers together and individually. Our Lady at one point seated on a rock representing the church and papacy. Her face buried in her hands, she was weeping. Weeping for the people and the sins of the time. But, is it possible that she also weeping for us? At one point the children noted that as she stood up to leave she turned her face sorrowfully in silence towards Rome. Silence, no further words can be said, they are too painful to be spoken. The silence of the heart of a Mother who sees all the troubles and anxieties that are going to befall the people and the church over the centuries.

Could it be that Our Lady at Knock who already gave a lengthy message at LaSallette just 33 years previous came again in silence with a similar message for a future time in the symbols of the vision? Our Lady was in deep prayer throughout the length of the apparition at Knock. Was she peering for us once more into the future? Pondering all these things and keeping them in her heart? Pondering the past, present and future contemplated by her in the mind of God, yet hidden from us until the proper time. The Message of LaSallette had been given in 1846 and for all aspects understandably not accepted by the church at that time. The reasons are beyond the scope this post and must be left to another time if God wills. The message was ignored because the context was too hard to accept for the times that they were first given. But today looking back sadly….we can see the possible applications for our time.

Maybe our unwillingness to listen to what God has already spoken through the scriptures and his prophets. In previous approved messages from Heaven. God has decided to speak to those who will heed his voice. Those to whom today God wishes to revel his secrets. “I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. Matthew: 11:25 These little ones who are given the gift to hear his voice in the silence because upon hearing they will obey.

               
                    THE INSTITUTION OF 

THE FEAST OF THE    
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

The date of the apparition of Knock occurred, August 21, 1879. In 1944, August 21 became the vigil of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Pius XII placed August 22 on the calendar as the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in response to the requests of Sr. Lucia of Fatima. The feast was moved in the new calendar to follow the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Our Lady told Sr. Lucia that God wished to establish in the world devotion to her Immaculate Heart to save souls from hell.” If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.”

THE APPARITION OF KNOCK TOOK PLACE NINE YEARS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PAPAL INFALLIBILITY APPROXIMATELY 100 YEARS BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. 

Could the apparition of Knock also be an announcement for the upcoming Second Vatican Council? When the Holy Mass and the Blessed Sacraments the greatest treasure of the church came under attack! The Angels who surround the lamb on the altar protecting and defending the assaults that would take place by the powers of Hell on the Holy Mass and the Real Presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament!

PROVIDENTIAL DATES LINKING 

KNOCK TO FATIMA

In previous posts we have already indicated that the drama of Fatima could be pointing in time to the upcoming attacks on the papacy, the Holy Mass, and the Blessed Sacrament following the Second Vatican Council. See: The 3rd Secret of Fatima, 1960 and the Crisis in the Priesthood  1960 being the focal point when the secret was to be opened and read. Not earlier Sr. Lucia said it would be better understood then. Looking back we see many Historical Events that took place in the 1960s with regards to the Catholic Church, Fatima and the Conversion of Russia. The escalation of the Vietnam War to stop the spread of Communism; the Civil Rights Movement; the change in culture and the creation of a new counterculture that changed the world. The second Vatican Council opened and closed in the early 1960s and the Berlin Wall was built.

At Knock, the Angels hovered protectively around the lamb on the altar. Adoring what men would no longer adore! No sweet Angelic hymns were heard yet one can hear the thrice Angelic Hymn echoing powerfully throughout the vision ---“Sanctus! Sanctus! Sanctus! Dominus Deus Sabaoth! Holy, Lord God of Power and Might! Pleni Sunt Caeli et terra Gloria tua! Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory! Benedictus que venit in nomine Domini! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Saints have written much better than I meditations on the Angelic Hymn that is recited at every Holy Mass—The Lord God of Power and Might becomes the lamb that was slain! Later at Fatima an Angel taught the children and through them the church to make Eucharistic reparation for all the outrages sacrileges and indifferences by which he is offended in this august Sacrament

St. John was dressed in a bishop’s robe and miter. He had with an open book and was depicted as preaching yet one could not hear what was being said. He represented all bishops who remain faithful to Peter. This thought is especially striking, considering the rich symbolism of the Lamb, the altar, and the cross in this vision, all pointing to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! It would seem that the vision of Knock was to instill an increase of love and reverence for the Holy Mass! "Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 Much can be said in the meditation of this verse from Psalm 46 in regards to the lamb on the altar!

In the silence of Knock Heaven was giving us an example on how to survive spiritually intact the upcoming upheavals in the wake of the council and attacks on the church. As the time grew closer Our Lord would once more send his Mother to Fatima with an Angel, verbal warnings and instructions and A Great Miracle the greatest supernatural event since Biblical times does not belong to Faith or Science it is an Historical event! This it seems has also has gone unheeded. Prayer of the Rosary everyday and Consecration to her Immaculate Heart with the wearing of the brown scapular as a sign of that consecration. Our Lady's motherly solicitude to the church over the centuries comforts and teaches us that the Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Obedience to the bishops in union with the Pope are the means for us to live through and survive the assaults of hell on the church in the Holy Mass and the Eucharist. Her presence lets us know she is walking with us to help us if we place ourselves under her protection. Fullfilling the requests of Our Lady at Fatima is the means given by God for the Final Triumph of Good over Evil!

Through the years, the number of pilgrims visiting Our Lady of Knock Shrine has grown. In 1957, the Apparition Church at Knock became an affiliated with the church of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Shrine. Three million pilgrims from all over the world visited the Shrine during the 100th Anniversary of the apparition in 1979. Pope John Paul II also came on pilgrimage to Knock Shrine to commemorate the centenary of the Apparitions on September 30, 1979, presenting the Golden Rose to this Shrine. His opening words at Knock were: ‘Here I am at the goal of my journey to Ireland: the Shrine of Our Lady at Knock...I am here then as a pilgrim, a sign of the pilgrim church throughout the world.”

Almost half a million pilgrims gathered at Knock on that day. On this occasion he presented a Golden Rose, to the Shrine of Knock which ranks among the world’s major Marian shrines with the full approval of the Church. Pope Paul VI and Pope Benedict XVI each presented a Golden Rose to the Shrine of Fatima.

The Golden Rosary presented to Marian Shrines is a gift of graritude from the Popes to Our Lady.  https://zenit.org/articles/golden-roses-and-the-gratitude-of-popes-to-our-lady-of-fatima/

                                      Photo © Designed by Speramus-We Hope                                                  

                                                                                                                      

Golden Rose Queen of Ireland

Music and Lyrics Dana (Rosemary Scallon)
See: End of Post for Video

There were people of all ages
gathered ‘round the gable wall
poor and humble men and women,
little children that you called
We are gathered here before you,
and our hearts are just the same
filled with joy at such a vision,
as we praise your holy name

Refrain:

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,

all my cares  and troubles cease

as we kneel with love before you,

              Lady of Knock, my Queen of peace!             

                            

  Photo © Designed by Speramus-We Hope 

  Though your message was unspoken,

still the truth in silence lies

as we gaze upon your vision,

and the truth I try to find

Here I stand with John the teacher,

and with Joseph at your side

and I see the Lamb of God,

on the Altar glorified

Refrain: Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,

all my cares and troubles cease

as we kneel with love before you,

Lady of Knock, my Queen of peace!

                  

  Photo © Designed by Speramus-We Hope 

                                                And the woman clothed in the sun,

will shine Her light on everyone

and the lamb will conquer!

And the woman clothed in the sun,

will shine Her light on everyone

and the lamb will conquer!

                                                      Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,

all my cares and troubles cease

as we kneel with love before you,

Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace!

Pope Benedict XVI Farewell Procession @ Fatima on 93rd Anniversary Our Lady’s Appearance!

93rd Anniversary Our Lady’s Appearance

10th Anniversary Beatification

Bl. Jacinta and Francisco!

          

The Lord, our great hope

Offers a Future to His People!

Our Lady, Mother of all men and women, I come before you as a son visiting his Mother, and I do so in company with a multitude of brothers and sisters. As the Successor of Peter, to whom was entrusted the mission of presiding in the service of charity in the Church of Christ and of confirming all in faith and in hope, I wish to present to your Immaculate Heart the joys and hopes as well as the problems and sufferings of each one of these sons and daughters of yours who are gathered in the Cova di Iria or who are praying with us from afar. Mother most gentle, you know each one by name, you know each one’s face and personal history, and you love them all with maternal benevolence that wells up from the very heart of Divine Love. I entrust and consecrate them all to you, Mary Most Holy, Mother

"You are Crowned not only with

The Silver and Gold of our Joys

But also with the 'Bullet' of

All our Anxieties and Sufferings!"

The Venerable Pope John Paul II, who visited you three times here in Fatima and thanked the "unseen hand" that rescued him from death in the assassination attempt on 13 May in Saint Peter’s Square almost thirty years ago, wanted to offer to the Shrine of Fatima a bullet which gravely wounded him and was placed in the crown of the Queen of Peace. It is a profound consolation to know that you are crowned not only with the silver and gold of our joys and hopes, but also with the "bullet" of our anxieties and sufferings.

Pope Consigns the Golden Rose

Entrusting all God's People to Her!

The Popes Prayer of Thanksgiving

I thank you, beloved Mother, for the prayers and sacrifices that the shepherd-children of Fatima offered for the Pope, led by the sentiments that you inspired in them in the apparitions. I also thank all those who, every day, pray for the Successor of Peter and for his intentions, that the Pope may be strong in faith, bold in hope and zealous in love. Beloved Mother of us all, here in your Shrine at Fatima I consign the Golden Rose that I have brought from Rome I am sure that the shepherd-children of Fatima, Blessed Francisco and Jacinta and the Servant of God Lucia of Jesus, are united with us at this hour of prayer and jubilation.

Excerpts from Pope's Homily

Mass on the 13th of May

In God I embrace all their sons and daughters, particularly the afflicted or outcast, with the desire of bringing them that great hope which burns in my own heart, and which here, in Fatima, can be palpably felt. May our great hope sink roots in the lives of each of you, dear pilgrims, and of all those who join us through the communications media. Yes! The Lord, our great hope, is with us. In his merciful love, he offers a future to his people: a future of communion with himself.

This holy place is the proof of it. In seven years you will return here to celebrate the centenary of the first visit made by the Lady “come from heaven”, the Teacher who introduced the little seers to a deep knowledge of the Love of the Blessed Trinity and led them to savour God himself as the most beautiful reality of human existence. This experience of grace made them fall in love with God in Jesus, so much so that Jacinta could cry out: “How much I delight in telling Jesus that I love him! When I tell him this often, I feel as if I have a fire in my breast, yet it does not burn me”. And Francisco could say: “What I liked most of all was seeing Our Lord in that light which Our Mother put into our hearts. I love God so much!” (Memoirs of Sister Lúcia, I, 42 and 126).

We would be Mistaken to Think   

Fatima’s Prophetic Mission is Complete

We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete. Here there takes on new life the plan of God which asks humanity from the beginning: “Where is your brother Abel […] Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (Gen 4:9). Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end… In sacred Scripture we often find that God seeks righteous men and women in order to save the city of man and he does the same here, in Fatima, when Our Lady asks: “Do you want to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings which he will send you, in an act of reparation for the sins by which he is offended and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?”


At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart. At that time it was only to three children, yet the example of their lives spread and multiplied, especially as a result of the travels of the Pilgrim Virgin, in countless groups throughout the world dedicated to the cause of fraternal solidarity. May the seven years which separate us from the centenary of the apparitions hasten the fulfilment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

On Fatima’s Prophetic Mission

Interview on Vatican Radio with Fr. Federico Lombardi May 13, 2010

Pope Benedict said that we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete, how should we interpret this statement?


“The Pope is telling us that Fatima is a place in which Our Lady and seers, their tradition, help us read the story of our times, the great difficulties of our times, in the light of Faith. There is the action of God, there is His Providence, in the goodness of the Virgin Mother but then there is also the responsibility of humanity, which often closes in on itself and because of sin we then have wars, difficulties and suffering. In the midst of all this there is the key of prayer, penitence and conversion to open up the path to good. This is the prophetic message of Fatima, it helps us to read history, even the history of today and tomorrow, in the light of God.