Knock Shrine is my national shrine, and I love it there. When you visit your national shrine – if you’re fortunate enough to have one – you take pride in it, don’t you?
It’s like a beacon of light to the rest of your country, right?
Going there helps to spiritually refresh and uplift you, helps you face life. God replenishes the soul with His grace.
Or that’s how it should be.
But what if you go and your experience leaves you angry, saddened, and confused when you should leave comforted and uplifted? And especially during the Covid 19 crisis.
Well, I left hurt and bemused. Read on and see why.
Knock Shrine Lockdown – a ghost town
Every practicing Catholic can understand the pain and frustration of not getting the sacraments over the past year or so. For many of us, there were long periods of lockdowns where we were denied Mass and confession.
Even baptisms were postponed in many places and numbers at funerals were severely restricted.
I don’t want to get into the politics of the situation. But suffice it to say, from a Catholic’s perspective, our bishops woefully represented us. They rolled over and allowed the government to have their way.
The whole symbolism of the bishop’s crozier is that shepherds are meant to drive off the wolves with it. But instead, they allowed the governments to tell us Catholics that Jesus is not essential, to the extent that even churches were locked.
And the Eternal City fared no better. The Vatican City itself even imposed its own lockdown.
Even Pope Francis told us: Jesus isn’t essential, the Eucharist isn’t essential!
And all the while, Knock was like a ghost town. Ireland’s National Shrine was left to languish by the nation’s hierarchy, especially by its own Archbishop Michael Neary.
And it would be laughable except for the sad irony of the Archbishop asking for Knock’s status to be raised to an international shrine by the pope!
And even more bemusing, Pope Francis declared Knock an International Eucharistic Shrine!
What on earth was the point of that if you deem the place non-essential to those starving for the Eucharist?
Knock Shrine – more warmth at a funeral
All the churches were locked during the lockdown at the shrine except for the Apparition Chapel or the old parish church. One or the other seemed to be open, depending on…I don’t know what.
It was heartbreaking looking at those sacred buildings empty of their congregations. There were very few people there at all. The grounds had a mere spattering of humanity and a lot of the time they kept more than the social distancing. And anywhere near me, the masks were on good and tight, sometimes suspicion in their eyes.
There was more warmth at an in-law’s funeral than at Knock, the national – I stand corrected – the International Eucharistic Shrine of Ireland.
Knock Shrine begins to reopen: it was eerie
As the government eased restrictions, the hierarchy followed suit. Slowly Knock began to re-open. The church bells let out a tentative ring as though not sure another unwarranted lockdown would occur before a full awakening.
People started to return in time for the season. The shops began to open a few at a time. Hope was in the air. When public Mass began to be said again, hope garnered pace.
It was as though the soul of Knock Shrine was saying: I’m back!
But I won’t consider it back until all that tape ensuring social distancing is removed, and when there are no ushers standing guard to make sure the church doesn’t go over the number imposed by a godless government.
And while we still have hand sanitizer fonts instead of holy water fonts we know we’ve not fully switched our focus on the essentiality of Jesus.
Knock Shrine – a post lockdown experience
As you can imagine, I was delighted to return to Knock and go to Mass. I set out one rainy day in May but had forgotten the congregation limit of 50. And to add to my anxiety, I was running late.
When I got to the church I was greeted not only with locked doors but a long barrier telling the onlooker the Church had reached its full capacity.
There was no attempt made to allow people outside to join in by looking through the doorway, and there were no loudspeakers to that effect either. I didn’t let it deter me though. I decided to go to confession and come back for Holy Communion.
On the way to the confession chapel, I asked a few ushers what was the best time to wait for communion. None of them seemed to know if Holy Communion would be distributed to those waiting outside.
When I asked the priest in the confessional, I received a rather curt answer:
You’ll just have to wait till the next Mass.
So, I’d have to wait another 3 hours. I had my kids to collect from school, so that wasn’t possible.
The priest never stopped to consider what my circumstances might be. Mmmm.
After saying my penance (I never thought ill of the priest, honest!) I returned to the church and waited in the rain.
Rain -ah, how refreshing!
It occurred to me, too, that the weather was such during the Knock apparition. The visionaries were standing and kneeling in the rain. Their discomfort must have melted as they were captivated by the heavenly visitation. Their hearts must have swelled with love.
I wish I could say the same, but I certainly felt out in the cold.
And Time Passed
As time ticked by, I realized there’d be no communion. And I was very saddened and shocked. With restrictions lifting the clergy could have easily obliged.
But nothing, nada.
Tick tock!
When the side door opened at the end of Mass, I approached an usher. Would she ask the priest to give me Holy Communion, please? She didn’t look very happy, but I watched her go up to the sacristy.
On her return, she didn’t come back to me. She saw me waiting and waved me off.
I felt like I was a dog begging only to be kicked in the teeth.
Before Covid-19, I’d have made excuses for the priest. But I don’t do that anymore. I’m over cognitive dissonance.
The truth is the priest couldn’t be bothered, just as the usher couldn’t be bothered to come back to me with a reason.
The clergy need to reflect on who they are – big time!
It was a reflection of the actions of the majority of the hierarchy and clergy during the lockdown. They couldn’t be bothered to fight with the government on behalf of their flock to keep churches open and keep the sacraments and grace of God flowing.
And on further reflection, the clergy don’t seem to realize the importance of their vocation in God’s plan of salvation. Without them, the wells of grace run slow.
Is it also a lack of supernatural faith? Only they can answer that and it’s not up to me to judge them. I’ll continue to pray and fast for priests. They need it so much. They’re under constant attack by the devil and whatever he uses to discourage them.
Returning to my experience and being refused Holy Communion, I thought, what if I had been someone:
- who had lapsed for years and was newly back to the church?
- Depressed or suicidal?
- Who had just lost their job?
- Who had lost a relative and to Covid 19?
What if…
The clergy know the devastation the lockdowns have had on people’s health and wellbeing. They know how much God’s people were suffering. Surely they had suffered themselves.
They had denied us the sacraments for so long. And when one could have given Holy Communion to me that day, given Christ in His fullness, that priest failed the test.
Thank God for the priests who spoke out and who tried their best to serve and feed God’s people during these dark and uncertain times.
At least they were a beacon of hope for the Irish Church as were others who spoke out, particularly in America.
But as for the so-called Internation Shrine of Knock – you are woefully lacking!
You can take God’s people’s money, rake it in over the years, but deny the sacraments without cause.
There is absolutely no excuse for what happened to me that day and God alone knows what has happened to others.
Who’s in charge of Knock Shrine? – Or is that a stupid question?
My above experience and the confusion of the ushers beg the following questions:
- How come there’s no help given to pilgrims outside who can’t attend Mass because of the number restriction?
- Why is there no Holy Communion provided for those waiting outside or those who ask after the Mass is over?
- Why don’t the ushers know the answers to these basic questions?
So, what’s going on?
Is feeding God’s people not such a big deal? Is that what the Covid-19 crisis has unveiled?
I doubt 4 Non Blondes would know either!
The whole matter is puzzling, to say the least. But putting all that aside, let’s consider who’s in charge of Knock.
When Our Lady visited Knock, it was a very troubled time in Ireland’s history. Many had died from starvation in the famine, while poverty and unemployment were rife. Many people couldn’t pay their rent and were facing eviction.
At the time of the apparition Knock’s parish priest was Fr. Bartholomew Cavanagh. He helped solace his parishioners, helped the poor and those facing homelessness. He was known for his austere, charitable and prayerful life, too.
It’s important to note that many people of Knock and the surrounding area believed it was the sanctity of this priest that was partly responsible for Our Lady’s visitation.
Likewise, Fr. Cavanagh had also finished a hundred-day novena of Masses for the Holy Souls in Purgatory only a few days previous to that.
But today, who’s in charge?
Do we have pastors as holy and devoted as Fr. Cavanagh?
Ultimately, only God can answer that but as the Gospel says:
By their fruits you shall know them (Mt 7.16).
Knock Shrine an example of leaving the sheep to the wolves?
Since Knock was a ghost town for a year there wasn’t much fruit happening then.
Of course, you could argue the pastors were only following orders, the archbishop’s orders. Again, who knows. I’m not privy to those kinds of discussions.
But by and large, the laity fended for themselves, as they did in most other parishes throughout Ireland.
And if the National Shrine stands still and God’s people are deprived of the Eucharist and not able to get to confession, when they could be in a state of mortal sin, then shame on those pastors.
I was also told in Knock during the last lockdown I wasn’t permitted to go to the parish house to get confession.
How many scandals, hurts, and indifference must the laity endure? We who have been a lot more faithful to the clergy than they have to us?
The last thoughts leave me with the following question:
when the wolves come to tear at the sheep, and every indication is that they’re preparing to do just that, will the shepherds of Ireland stand to defend us?
From the way the lockdowns have been handled, and previous clerical scandals, I have to say I doubt it.
Though there might be a few brave souls.
What did Our Lady say at Knock and is it still relevant?
I’m not going to describe the apparition here. Many have already done so.
Suffice it to say, Mary appeared with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist. A cross and lamb stood on top of an altar, signifying the Holy Eucharist and the sacrifice of the Mass. And a host of adoring angels surrounded the altar.
The apparition conveyed so much, though Our Lady or anyone else appearing never spoke a word.
The message conveyed:
- The importance of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.
- The everlasting importance of the Holy Mass and the Eucharist.
- Mother Mary’s compassion and help for her suffering children
- The reality of the supernatural, our last end, and our eternal destiny.
- The importance of the Word of God (as evidenced by St. John carrying a book of the Gospels).
- St. Joseph’s presence shows the importance of the family and his role as protector of the Church
And notice how all of this is every bit as important today as back then.
In fact, it’s more important as we see the family under attack by godless governments and the philosophy of our day.
Likewise, there’s a crisis in faith with dwindling numbers practicing their faith. And those who do, many no longer believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
And many who’ve abandoned the faith no longer see the relevance of God in their lives.
When you consider that, is it any wonder I was refused Holy Communion? Jesus is no longer held in complete awe and wonder. The need for Him has somewhat dimmed, both with the clergy and laity.
Wrapping it up…
I’ve said enough about what I experienced at Knock Shrine and the failure of the hierarchy.
Where do we go from here? That’s what’s more important.
At the end of the day, who is the most offended by religious indifference, whether it’s by clerics or the laity?
And let’s not forget rolling over to governmental tyranny.
It’s Jesus Christ who gave us the gift of His saving grace in the sacraments who’s most offended.
And if we as a Church don’t see the importance, the essentiality of Holy Mass and Holy Communion, we need to repent.
We need to look deep in our hearts and repent of our indifference and cowardice. We need to step up and declare Jesus and our faith not as something optional but essential.
Otherwise, how will we cope with real persecution if we or any priest are frightened of a €500 fine for saying/attending Mass against the government’s wishes?
And persecution is coming!
Novena Video to Our Lady of Knock
Novena to Our Lady of Knock
August 14th- August 22nd
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.
Finish with the following prayers
St. Joseph
Chosen by God to be The Husband of Mary,
The Protector of the Holy Family,
The Guardian of the Church.
Protect our families
In their work and recreation
And Guard us on our journey through life.
(Repeat – Lamb of God, etc.)
St. John
Beloved Disciple of the Lord,
Faithful priest,
Teacher of the Word of God.
Help us to hunger for the Word.
To be loyal to the Mass
And to love one another.
(Repeat – Lamb of God, etc.)
Our Lady of Knock Pray for us
Refuge of Sinners Pray for us
Queen Assumed into Heaven Pray for us
Mother of Nazareth Pray for us
Queen of Virgins Pray for us
Help of Christians Pray for us
Health of the Sick Pray for us
Queen of Peace Pray for us
Our Lady, Queen and Mother Pray for us
Our Lady, Mother of the Church Pray for us
(Here mention your own special intentions)
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.
It’s good to accompany the Rosary or Mass with this novena.