POPE FRANCIS TO VISIT SHRINE OF KNOCK, IRELAND APPARITION

 

From the "IRISH INDEPENDENT":

Pope Francis hopes to begin his historic visit to Ireland in Knock, the Irish Independent understands.Organisers of the pontiff's trip are believed to be exploring the idea of having him fly directly to the west of Ireland rather than Dublin as anticipated.There has been much speculation about the type of welcome the Pope will receive - but sources say as many as 650,000 people will want to see him in the Phoenix Park on August 26. 

It has been confirmed that the first papal visit in nearly 40 years will take place to coincide with the World Meeting of Families in Dublin between August 21-26. Pope Francis (81) is scheduled to take part in a ceremony in Croke Park on August 25, before celebrating Mass in Phoenix Park the following day.

Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at Knock shrine during his visit in 1979. He described his time at the site where a group of local people saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879 as "the goal of my journey to Ireland". It is estimated 450,000 people attended an outdoor Mass that marked the centenary of that event. Pope Francis has prayed at a number of Marian shrines while on tours to other countries, including last year when he made a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal.

It is likely that if the Pope flies directly from Rome to Knock, he will then use air transport to get to Dublin in time for a ticketed event in Croke Park. His itinerary in the capital is also expected to include a visit to the Capuchin Day Centre, run by Brother Kevin Crowley. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has confirmed the Pope wants to visit a prison during his time here, most likely Mountjoy.

Some disappointment has been expressed that there is no suggestion at this point that the Pope will travel into Northern Ireland. Pope John Paul II was unable to cross the Border for safety reason in 1979. Many had hoped that the current head of the Catholic Church could make the journey, but it is not currently on the agenda. Archbishop Martin has noted that Pope Francis is 81 years old, "so the amount of things he can do is limited".

Irish Independent


 www.BookOfJoseph2017.wixsite.com/SaintJoseph

♔ VISION OF ST JOSEPH - KNOCK, IRELAND - AUG 21, 1879 ♔

"Be still and see that I am God" - Psalm 45:11 (Douay-Rheims)
 

At 8pm on August 21^st 1879, a diverse group of fifteen people (including men, women and children), beheld a silent vision of Our Lady – with hands and eyes raised toward Heaven, wearing a crown upon her head, St Joseph – robed in white with hands joined and head bowed and St John the Evangelist – wearing a Bishop’s mitre and holding a large Bible. They appeared at the south gable of the Knock Parish Church in a blaze of glorious light. Behind them, to the left of St John, was a simple altar with a Cross standing on it, with a Lamb (traditional symbol of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world) at the foot of the Cross. Adoring at the altar was a group of angels.

St Joseph appeared to be close to middle-age with hints of gray in his hair. He was clothed in white robes, standing bare-foot at the Virgin Mary’s right-hand side. His head was inclined forward and appeared to be paying his respects to his Blessed Spouse, and adoring the Lamb on the altar, his hands joined in prayer. He was the figure of humility and of a gentle disposition, in contemplation of the Holy Virgin and the Lamb of God. He is showing us to have reverence for the Mass and to honor the Mother of God. We must be like St Joseph in his humility ad prayerfulness, setting aside our trials and distractions to spend more time in contemplation of God and His works.