He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Knock, Ireland in 1845-1849 suffered a Great Famine. Disease and starvation devastated the Irish people. Potato crops failed, food was exported away and many lost their homes. Their ability to provide food and shelter for their family was failing, but love bonded them. It was a time of desperation and despair for the Irish people. More than one million people died and one million emigrated to the UK and the US. It took incredible courage and strength to make the journey by boat. While on the boat, a daughter weak and very ill asked her mother, Mother what is it like in America? The mother replied, It is a place where there is sun and warmth and plenty of food. It is a place where we will have a beautiful home. Tears gently covered the mother’s cheeks as she wiped her daughter’s feverish forehead. The daughter was unable to survive the journey. The parents deeply grieved and torn, had to journey on.
Knock needed a miracle. In August, 1879 in the village of Knock, next to a church, an apparition of Mother Mary, St. Joseph and St. John appeared beside an altar with the Lamb of God, the risen Christ. As people gathered in awe, many began to pray the Rosary, the apparition remained silent. It is believed that the silence of Mary with hands of grace pointed to heaven sends a message stronger than words, for words in the midst of suffering go unheard. Ten days later miracles began to happen, a deaf young girl and her mother approached the place of apparition beside the church, they prayed and her mother placed a piece of stone from this place, in her daughter’s ear. Shortly after they attended a Mass and during the Mass a sudden great pain filled her ear then she was able to hear. Within a year 679 healings were documented in Knock.
To mark this holy place, a shrine, a chapel and a Basilica were erected for the Irish people and pilgrims to come and share in the experience of Lady of Knock. A Reconciliation Chapel which holds over 50 spaces for people to have confession with a priest. They receive over 4,000 people a day wanting to experience the healing power of confession. The people of Ireland and pilgrims around the world have and are experiencing a great healing in Knock.
This powerful true story deeply moved me. With Coronavirus, suffering, health care professionals working selflessly; faith, hope and love are powerful. Healing can come if we see with the eyes of God and with the heart of Mary we place our hope in Him. We may pray, Gracious ever-loving Lord you healed the leper, made the lame walk, made the blind see, heal our world, give us a heart of faith, hope and love. Mother Mary lead us to Jesus with your heart. Amen.
Peace,
Claudia