Apparitions and Miracles of Knock

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1. Apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Knock chapel gable

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

   On the evening of 21 August 1879, during a torrential rainstorm, a soft white light appeared on the gable wall of the sacristy of Knock chapel, illuminating figures of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist, along with an altar, lamb, and crucifix. About twenty witnesses remained watching the apparition from 7:30 to 10 p.m. despite being drenched by rain.

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   venerable archdeacon of the diocese - the Very Reverend Bartholomew Cavanagh. The chapel is of cruciform shape. The sacristy occupies the upper and smaller shaft, and is immediately behind the high altar. In the gable of the sacristy there is a Gothic window, about five feet by two broad; its lowest part is about twelve feet from the ground. The remainder of the gable is plain, and covered outside by a good substantial coating of cement to protect the wall from the rains, which beat with great violence, especially upon that side. On this gable wall of the sacristy were seen the extraordinary lights, in the midst of which the Blessed Virgin, accompanied by Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, appeared. On Thursday, the 21st of August last, the eve of the octave day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was accompanied by a blinding drizzle of rain, which continued till the next day. As some persons were hurriedly going along the road which leads to the chapel, at about 7:30 p.m., they perceived the wall beautifully illuminated by a soft, white, flickering light, through which could be perceived brilliant stars twinkling as on a fine frosty night. The first person who saw it passed on, but others soon came and remained, and these saw, covering a large portion of the gable end of the sacristy, an altar, and to its Gospel side the figures of Saint John the Evangelist, the Blessed Virgin, and Saint Joseph. On the altar, which stood about eight feet from the ground, and immediately under the window, a lamb stood, and rising up behind the lamb was a crucifix with the figure of our Lord upon it. The altar was surrounded by a brilliant golden light, through which up and down angels seemed to be flitting. Near the altar, and immediately to its Gospel side, but nearer to the ground, was Saint John, having a mitre on his head, and holding the book of the Gospels open in his left hand as if reading from it. He held his right hand raised, and in the act of blessing, the index and middle fingers being extended after the manner adopted by bishops. To Saint John's right stood the Blessed Virgin, having her hands extended and raised towards her shoulders, the palms of her hands turned towards the people, and her eyes raised up towards heaven. To the Blessed Virgin's right was St; Joseph, turned towards her, and in an inclining posture. These figures remained visible from 7:30 to 10 o'clock p.m., witnessed during that time by about twenty persons, who forgot all about the heavy rain that was then falling and drenched them through. The light at the chapel was seen by people who lived near the place. On Monday evening, the eve of the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible and from n p.m. until 2 o'clock A.M. was seen by a very large number, of whom two were members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who were on their patrol duty that evening. One of them said that up to that time he did not believe in it, but he was really startled by the brightness of the light which he saw. Many cures have been worked through the intercession of the

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Knock in Mayo is where, on the evening of Thursday the 21st of August 1879, something extraordinary was seen on the gable wall of the chapel's sacristy. That night brought a blinding drizzle of rain that did not let up until the next day. It was the eve of the octave day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some people were going along the road that leads to the chapel at about 7:30 in the evening when they saw the wall beautifully illuminated by a soft, white, flickering light, through which brilliant stars could be seen twinkling as on a fine frosty night. The first person who saw it passed on, but others came and stayed. What they saw covered a large portion of the gable end of the sacristy. There was an altar, standing about eight feet from the ground, under the Gothic window. On the altar a lamb stood, and rising behind the lamb was a crucifix with the figure of the Lord upon it. The altar was surrounded by a brilliant golden light, through which angels seemed to be flitting up and down. Saint John the Evangelist stood to the Gospel side of the altar, nearer to the ground. He wore a mitre and held the book of the Gospels open in his left hand as if reading from it. His right hand was raised in blessing, the index and middle fingers extended after the manner of bishops. To Saint John's right stood the Blessed Virgin, hands raised towards her shoulders, palms turned towards the people, eyes raised towards heaven. To her right was Saint Joseph, turned towards her and in an inclining posture. These figures remained visible from 7:30 to 10 in the evening, witnessed by about twenty persons, who forgot all about the heavy rain drenching them through.

2. The Apparition at Knock Church

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

   The Church of Knock in County Mayo was the scene of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and, as the witnesses believed, Saint John the Evangelist. The event occurred on 21 August 1879 and created widespread religious excitement across Ireland and beyond.

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   The Church of Knock, the scene of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin, of Saint Joseph, and, as the witnesses believe, of Saint John the Evangelist, is adjacent to a village of the same name, situate in the diocese of Tuam, in the south-east of the county Mayo, and in the baronial district known as Costello. This barony borders on the county Roscommon, along a line of some twenty-five miles, embracing within its extent the rising towns of Ballaghaderin and Ballyhaunis. Knock lies on the western boundary of the barony of Costello, adjoining that of Clanmorris and Gallen. To those who feel an interest in poor-law unions or territorial divisions, it may be interesting to state that the village lies within the Claremorris Union. Knock-druim-Calry, as the spot was once called, is said by Lewis, the writer of the "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," to be five miles north-east from Clare, as Claremorris had been called some forty-five years ago. Standing on the line of railway that extends from Claremorris to Ballyhaunis, and looking northwards, Knock stands at the vertex of an irregular triangle, the base of which is the longest side, and that drawn from Claremorris to Knock the shortest, namely, five miles, while the third side to the right, from Ballyhaunis to Knock, is six miles and a half.

   In Gaelic, the name "Knock" signifies a hill. The village is surrounded by elevated knolls, which are known by the term "knock," or "druim," or "sliabh," in the language of the Irish people. If one stands on the tower of the small church, and views the country around, he will see these elevations arise around him like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. Looking, for instance, to the south-west, he beholds Cnoc-ban, or fair hill; and to the north, "druim," i. e., a ridge, an elevated slope; and to the south-east, the wild and bleak mountain-land, called "sliabh na mbreitheamh," or the mountain district of the judges. The village, which rests embosomed amidst these elevations, is very appropriately called "Knock," because, like Hebron, it is in the heart of a hilly country. The view of the region surrounding Knock is not at all inviting; the country district is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or Erance, the region is like one through which a desolating army has passed, no sign of trees or of comfortable

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Knock, in County Mayo, gives its name to the church where, on the 21st of August 1879, people gathered and saw what they believed was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist. The church stands in the diocese of Tuam, in the barony of Costello, a district that borders County Roscommon for some 25 miles and includes the rising towns of Ballaghaderin and Ballyhaunis. The old name for the place was Knock-druim-Calry. Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, placed it 5 miles north-east of Claremorris. The railway runs from Claremorris to Ballyhaunis, and Knock sits at the vertex of an irregular triangle, 5 miles from Claremorris and 6 and a half miles from Ballyhaunis. In Gaelic, the name Knock means a hill. The village rests among raised knolls, the kind the Irish call knock, or druim, or sliabh. From the tower of the small church, the country rises around like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. To the south-west lies Cnoc-ban, the fair hill. To the north, a ridge, an elevated slope. To the south-east, the wild and bleak mountain land called sliabh na mbreitheamh, the mountain district of the judges. The village sits embosomed among these elevations, and like Hebron, it lies in the heart of a hilly country. The view of the region is not inviting. The country is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or France, it looks as though a desolating army has passed through, with no sign of trees or of comfort.

3. Knock apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph and the Redeemer

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879–1880

   A series of supernatural apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and the Redeemer were seen by natives at the Catholic chapel in the village of Knock, County Mayo. The village, surrounded by little hills, became known among locals as the 'village of the hills' and drew comparisons to Lourdes.

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   The eyes of all in England, and of friends and foes to the cause of the people at home and abroad, have been turned to the west of Ireland. It is there a flame of political and social excitement has been fanned which is spreading at present all over the entire land, embracing, it may be said, the four provinces. The west at the present moment presents an extraordinary attraction of a higher kind to not alone natives in Ireland, but to all Catholics in these kingdoms, as well as to their brethren on the continents of Europe and America. The Catholic world has heard of the name and fame of Lourdes, once a wild spot, but now frequented by all the world, far away in the mountainous region to the south of France. A second Lourdes has arisen at Knock, a small village surrounded by little hills, from which, as expressive of the natural character of the locality, it is known to the natives as the "village of the hills." It is distant about five miles from Claremorris, which is favourably situate on the Great North-Western Railway.

   All this, it is useful to state, for the sake of those who are now coming in numbers to visit at Knock, the scene of the various apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, and of Saint Joseph and the Redeemer, which have been seen by the natives of that unpretending Nazareth. The multitudes who flock to the chapel, or Catholic Church at Knock, from the surrounding districts are quite as numerous as those that formed the monster meetings which for the past nine months have been held in the counties Mayo, Galway, and Sligo. As the people of the neighbouring towns, and of districts and counties more remote, and the Catholics of England and America, take a great interest in the events that have lately transpired, and which at present are spoken of by everybody in this country - Protestant as well as Catholic - relative to the supernatural apparitions seen at the chapel of Knock, it is right to tell the public all the well-authenticated facts regarding the multitudes, the miracles, and the many and repeated manifestations that appear now to be seen each successive week.

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Knock in County Mayo has drawn the eyes of all Ireland, and far beyond. A small village surrounded by little hills, it is known to the natives as the village of the hills. The Catholic world had already heard the name and fame of Lourdes, that wild spot far away in the mountainous region of the south of France, now frequented by all the world. A second Lourdes, the book says, has arisen at Knock. The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, and of Saint Joseph and the Redeemer, have been seen by the natives of that place. The multitudes who flock to the Catholic chapel at Knock, from the surrounding districts, are quite as numerous as those that formed the monster meetings which for the past 9 months have been held in the counties Mayo, Galway, and Sligo. People of the neighbouring towns, and of districts and counties more remote, and the Catholics of England and America, have taken a great interest in the events that have lately transpired. These events are spoken of by everybody in the country, Protestant as well as Catholic. The book calls it an unpretending Nazareth. Well-authenticated facts are told regarding the multitudes, the miracles, and the many and repeated manifestations that appear to be seen each successive week at the chapel of Knock. The eyes of friends and foes, at home and abroad, have been turned to the west of Ireland.

4. Patrick Hill describes the August Apparition at Knock

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

   Patrick Hill, a boy of about fourteen, told the Daily Telegraph correspondent how on the evening of the August Apparition he ran to Knock chapel and saw the Blessed Virgin standing like a statue on the gable, with Saint Joseph and Saint John beside her, and an altar with a Lamb and angels' wings above. The figures stood out from the wall like statues and the rain did not wet the illuminated wall.

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   This was a boy of about fourteen years of age, named Patrick Hill - a bright, intelligent little fellow, who told his tale clearly and simply. I shall put Hill's statement in the first person, without pledging myself, however, to literal exactness, and premising that the narrative was not continuous, but frequently interrupted by questions needless to repeat here: "I sometimes go out to the bog for turf, and did so on the day of the August Apparition, taking my little brother with me. When night came on, I went into the house of a relative, not far from Knock chapel. It was raining hard and very dark. While there someone (naming him), ran in and said: ' Oh, come up to the chapel, and see the Blessed Virgin against the wall!' We all ran up, and saw the end of the chapel covered with light; at first we stood against the wall of the yard, but presently we got over and went up close to the gable. Then we saw the Blessed Virgin standing like a statue so (lifting his hands and eyes); on her right was Saint Joseph, bending towards her, and on her left Saint John, dressed like a bishop, his left hand holding a book, his right raised, with two fingers pointing upwards. Above, and to the left of Saint John, was an altar with a Lamb on it, round which moved what seemed to be the wings of angels, whose heads and bodies I could not see. We stood and looked at the figures a long time, and my little brother cried out that he wanted to take them home; they did not move, but lights kept playing about the wall. Presently there were ten or eleven of us looking, and we all knelt down and said Our Father, and Hail Mary; then, as the rain kept on, and we were very wet, we went away. I did not look behind me when standing in front of the figures, and cannot say whether any light was to be seen except on the wall." Having told this story in the manner already described, Hill departed, and presently a lad was brought in who witnessed the appearance in his company. The new-comer's statement did not agree in every detail with that of his predecessor, but substantially both were

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Knock in Mayo is where, in 1879, a boy named Patrick Hill gave his account of what he saw one August evening. He was about fourteen. He had gone out to the bog for turf that day, taking his little brother with him. When night came on, he went into the house of a relative, not far from Knock chapel. It was raining hard and very dark. Someone ran in and said to come up to the chapel and see the Blessed Virgin against the wall. They all ran up and saw the end of the chapel covered with light. At first they stood against the wall of the yard, but then they got over it and went up close to the gable. There they saw the Blessed Virgin standing like a statue. On her right was Saint Joseph, bending towards her. On her left was Saint John, dressed like a bishop, his left hand holding a book, his right hand raised with two fingers pointing upwards. Above and to the left of Saint John was an altar with a Lamb on it, and round it moved what seemed to be the wings of angels, whose heads and bodies Patrick could not see. They stood and looked at the figures a long time. His little brother cried out that he wanted to take them home. The figures did not move, but lights kept playing about the wall. Presently there were ten or eleven of them looking, and they all knelt down and said Our Father and Hail Mary. The rain kept on and they were very wet, so they went away. The rain did not wet the illuminated wall. The figures stood out from it like statues. Patrick said he did not look behind him when standing in front of the figures, and could not say whether any light was to be seen except on the wall.

5. Miraculous cures and crutches left at Knock

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879–1880

   Numerous accounts of miraculous cures were reported at Knock, including a man who had been unable to walk for years due to accidental causes. He was reportedly so greatly cured that he left his crutches behind and bounded home giving thanks to God.

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   The variety of individual character was co-extensive with the greatness of the numbers that composed the gathering. There, one could behold the blind, the lame, the crippled, the deformed, the deaf, the paralytic - all seeking to be cured, like those whom the Redeemer found at the Pool of Bethsaida, in Jerusalem. Accounts without number have come to our ears of cures effected before Christmas last, and, above all, since that period; and on last Thursday week it is stated that two remarkable miracles were performed on two persons who for years had, from the result of accidental causes, been unable to walk. The man found himself so greatly cured, that he left, it is said, his crutches, and bounded home like the lame man cured before the Golden Gate of the temple of Jerusalem by Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist, "walking and bounding along, and all the while giving thanks to God and blessing God's holy name." Thursday and Monday are the days now set apart for visiting this place; This conclusion has been arrived at because the Blessed Mother of our Lord appeared first on a Thursday, and again on the first day of the New Year - a Thursday; and on Mondays not a few miracles have been performed on devotees who came to manifest their devotion for Our Blessed Lady.

   The Miracles.

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   Knock in Mayo became a place where people came in great numbers, seeking cures. Among the crowds were the blind, the lame, the crippled, the deformed, the deaf, and the paralytic. The book of accounts describes them as like those the Redeemer found at the Pool of Bethsaida in Jerusalem. Stories of cures spread without number, and by the end of 1879, reports had grown. On a Thursday, two people who had been unable to walk for years, because of accidents, were said to be healed. The man felt himself so greatly cured that he left his crutches behind and bounded home. The book compares him to the lame man cured at the Golden Gate of the temple of Jerusalem by Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist, and keeps the words from the account: he was walking and bounding along, and all the while giving thanks to God and blessing God's holy name. Thursday and Monday became the days set apart for visiting Knock. Thursday because the Blessed Mother appeared first on a Thursday, and again on the first day of the new year, which was also a Thursday. Monday because miracles were performed on devotees who came to show their devotion.

6. Pilgrim multitudes flock to Knock chapel seeking cures

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879–1880

   Vast numbers of pilgrims from surrounding towns within a twenty-mile circuit travelled to Knock, some departing before dawn guided by starlight. The gatherings included the blind, lame, crippled, deaf, and paralytic, all seeking miraculous cures at the chapel where the apparitions occurred.

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   And first as to the multitudes. A vast gathering of people from all the border towns within a circuit of twenty miles assembled those few weeks past at this unpretending little village; some of the pilgrim travellers started before day, guided by the light of the stars alone, and urged onward by the fervour of their own faith. Some were seen wending their way on foot, others on horseback, while whole families of peasants proceeded on their pilgrimage, journeying on the ordinary country vehicle known as a cart; the better class indulged in the luxury of side-cars, or, as they are known in Dublin by the name, "outsiders;" not a few families from the different towns cut a dash by a tandem drive with the highest available vehicle in these parts, known by the unpretending and not agreeably-sounding name of "drag;" a "hansom" would be quite a novel vehicle in that district. The gathering had, certainly, been enormous, exhibiting, at the same time, an agreeable diversity in the mixed character of the crowd assembled.

   The diversity and variety of the Multitudes.

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Knock, in Mayo, drew vast gatherings in the weeks after the apparitions of 1879. People came from all the border towns within a circuit of twenty miles. Some pilgrim travellers started before day, guided by the light of the stars alone, urged onward by the fervour of their own faith. Some were seen wending their way on foot, others on horseback. Whole families of peasants proceeded on the ordinary country vehicle known as a cart. The better class indulged in the luxury of side-cars, or as they are known in Dublin by the name outsiders. Not a few families from the different towns cut a dash by a tandem drive with the highest available vehicle in those parts, known by the unpretending and not agreeably-sounding name of drag. A hansom would be quite a novel vehicle in that district. The gathering had been enormous, exhibiting an agreeable diversity in the mixed character of the crowd assembled.

7. Patrick Hill witnesses the Knock Apparition

   Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

   On the evening of 21 August 1879, Patrick Hill, a boy of about thirteen from Claremorris, saw figures of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John, along with an altar, Lamb, and cross, at the gable of the Catholic Church of Knock. He observed minute details including a rose on the Virgin's forehead, angels fluttering around the Lamb, and lettering in Saint John's book, and noted the figures appeared to move and were not wetted by the pouring rain.

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   before me; some of them were praying, some not; all were looking at the vision; they were leaning over the wall or ditch, with their arms resting on the top. I saw the figures and brightness; the boy, John Curry, from behind the wall, could not see them; but I did; and he asked me to lift him up till he could see the grand babies, as he called the figures; it was raining; some - amongst them Mary M'Loughlin - who beheld what I now saw, had gone away; others were coming. After we prayed awhile I thought it right to go across the wall and into the chapel yard. I brought little Curry with me; I went then up closer; I saw everything distinctly. The figures were full and round, as if they had a body and life; they said nothing, but as we approached they seemed to go back a little towards the gable. I distinctly beheld the Blessed Virgin Mary, life size, standing about two feet or so above the ground, clothed in white robes, which were fastened at the neck; her hands were raised to the height of the shoulders, as if in prayer, with the palms facing one another, but slanting inwards towards the face; the palms were not turned towards the people, but facing each other as I have described; she appeared to be praying; her eyes were turned, as I saw, to wards heaven; she wore a brilliant crown on her head, and over the forehead, where the crown fitted the brow, a beautiful rose; the crown appeared brilliant, and of a golden brightness, of a deeper hue, inclined to a mellow yellow, than the striking whiteness of the robes she wore; the upper parts of the crown appeared to be a series of sparkles, or glittering crosses. I saw her eyes, the balls, the pupils, and the iris of each - [the boy did not know those special names of those parts of the eye, but he pointed to them, and described them in his own way] -1 noticed her hands especially, and face; her appearance; the robes came only as far as the ankles; I saw the feet and the ankles; one foot, the right, was slightly in advance of the other; at times she appeared, and all the;figures appeared to move out and again to go backwards; I saw them move; she did not speak; I went up very near; one old woman went up and embraced the Virgin's feet, and she found nothing in her arms or hands; they receded, she said, from her; I saw Saint Joseph to the Blessed Virgin's right hand; his head was bent, from the shoulders, forward; he appeared to be paying his respects; I noticed his whiskers; they appeared slightly gray; there was a line or dark mearing between the figure of the Blessed Virgin and that of Saint Joseph, so that one could know Saint Joseph, and the place where his figure appeared distinctly from that of the Blessed Virgin and the spot where she stood. I saw the feet of Saint Joseph, too; his hands were joined like a person at prayer. The third figure that stood before me was that of Saint John the Evangelist; he stood erect to the Gospel side of the altar, and at an angle with the figure of the Blessed Virgin, so that his back was not turned to the altar, nor to the Mother of God; his right arm was at an angle with a line drawn across from

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   Knock, in Mayo, is a town the road passes through. On the evening of 21 August 1879, a boy of about thirteen, Patrick Hill, from Claremorris, saw figures at the gable of the Catholic church here. People were leaning over a wall, some praying, some not, all looking. A younger boy, John Curry, could not see and asked to be lifted up to see what he called the grand babies. It was raining. Some who had seen it, among them Mary M'Loughlin, had gone away. Others were coming. Patrick climbed over the wall into the chapel yard, bringing Curry with him, and went closer. The figures were full and round, as if they had a body and life. They said nothing, but as people approached they seemed to go back towards the gable. He saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, life size, standing about two feet above ground, clothed in white robes fastened at the neck. Her hands were raised to the height of her shoulders, palms facing each other, as if in prayer. Her eyes were turned towards heaven. She wore a brilliant golden crown, and over her forehead a beautiful rose. The crown's upper part appeared as sparkles, or glittering crosses. Her robes came only to her ankles, and her right foot was slightly in advance of the other. At times the figures appeared to move out and then go backwards. One old woman embraced the Virgin's feet but found nothing in her arms. They receded from her, she said. Patrick saw Saint Joseph to the Virgin's right, his head bent forward, paying his respects. His whiskers were slightly gray, his hands joined in prayer. The third figure was Saint John the Evangelist, standing erect to the Gospel side of the altar, at an angle to the Virgin.

8. Bright light at Knock chapel on the eve of Epiphany

   Knock · town · Mayo

   On the evening before the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible at the Knock chapel gable from late evening until 2 a.m., witnessed by a very large crowd including two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary on patrol duty, one of whom said he had not previously believed in the apparition but was startled by the brightness.

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   venerable archdeacon of the diocese - the Very Reverend Bartholomew Cavanagh. The chapel is of cruciform shape. The sacristy occupies the upper and smaller shaft, and is immediately behind the high altar. In the gable of the sacristy there is a Gothic window, about five feet by two broad; its lowest part is about twelve feet from the ground. The remainder of the gable is plain, and covered outside by a good substantial coating of cement to protect the wall from the rains, which beat with great violence, especially upon that side. On this gable wall of the sacristy were seen the extraordinary lights, in the midst of which the Blessed Virgin, accompanied by Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, appeared. On Thursday, the 21st of August last, the eve of the octave day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was accompanied by a blinding drizzle of rain, which continued till the next day. As some persons were hurriedly going along the road which leads to the chapel, at about 7:30 p.m., they perceived the wall beautifully illuminated by a soft, white, flickering light, through which could be perceived brilliant stars twinkling as on a fine frosty night. The first person who saw it passed on, but others soon came and remained, and these saw, covering a large portion of the gable end of the sacristy, an altar, and to its Gospel side the figures of Saint John the Evangelist, the Blessed Virgin, and Saint Joseph. On the altar, which stood about eight feet from the ground, and immediately under the window, a lamb stood, and rising up behind the lamb was a crucifix with the figure of our Lord upon it. The altar was surrounded by a brilliant golden light, through which up and down angels seemed to be flitting. Near the altar, and immediately to its Gospel side, but nearer to the ground, was Saint John, having a mitre on his head, and holding the book of the Gospels open in his left hand as if reading from it. He held his right hand raised, and in the act of blessing, the index and middle fingers being extended after the manner adopted by bishops. To Saint John's right stood the Blessed Virgin, having her hands extended and raised towards her shoulders, the palms of her hands turned towards the people, and her eyes raised up towards heaven. To the Blessed Virgin's right was St; Joseph, turned towards her, and in an inclining posture. These figures remained visible from 7:30 to 10 o'clock p.m., witnessed during that time by about twenty persons, who forgot all about the heavy rain that was then falling and drenched them through. The light at the chapel was seen by people who lived near the place. On Monday evening, the eve of the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible and from n p.m. until 2 o'clock A.M. was seen by a very large number, of whom two were members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who were on their patrol duty that evening. One of them said that up to that time he did not believe in it, but he was really startled by the brightness of the light which he saw. Many cures have been worked through the intercession of the

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   Knock is a place the road passes through in Mayo. The chapel there is cruciform in shape, with a sacristy behind the high altar. In the gable of that sacristy there is a Gothic window, about five feet by two, its lowest part about twelve feet from the ground. The rest of the gable is plain, covered with cement against the rain. On the 21st of August, the eve of the octave day of the Assumption, a blinding drizzle fell and continued till the next day. Around 7:30 in the evening, people going along the road to the chapel saw the wall illuminated by a soft white flickering light, through which brilliant stars appeared to twinkle. Then figures became visible covering a large portion of the gable. An altar stood about eight feet from the ground, and upon it a lamb, with a crucifix rising behind it. Angels seemed to flit up and down through golden light. Saint John stood to the Gospel side, wearing a mitre, holding the book of the Gospels open, his right hand raised in blessing. The Blessed Virgin stood with her hands raised towards her shoulders, palms turned to the people, eyes raised to heaven. Saint Joseph stood inclined towards her. About twenty persons witnessed this from 7:30 to 10 o'clock, forgetting the rain that drenched them. Then on the eve of the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible at the gable, from late evening until 2 in the morning. A very large crowd saw it. Two of them were members of the Royal Irish Constabulary on patrol duty. One of those men said he had not believed in the apparition until then, but he was really startled by the brightness of the light he saw.

9. Man cured of bleeding with mortar from Knock chapel gable

   Knock · town · Mayo

   Archdeacon Cavanagh administered water sprinkled with mortar from the Knock chapel gable wall to a young man vomiting blood and near death. The man immediately began to recover and was subsequently well.

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   Questioned as to miracles, the archdeacon said: "I will show you along list of cures effected by the divine interposition, and can tell you of one in which I was an agent. Some little while ago I received a 'sick-call' late at night to a man who was said to be vomiting blood, and in extreme danger. Hastening to the house, attended by a boy with a lantern, I met the father of the patient coming to hurry me, in distress lest I should be too late. On reaching the cottage, I found the young man covered, so to speak, with blood, and apparently very near death, but conscious. After ministering to him, I called for a glass of water, sprinkled on it a few particles of the mortar from the gable wall of the chapel, and bade him drink. He did so; at once he began to recover, and is now well. I can speak of other cases, but especially of a man who came from Cork afflicted with a polypus, which extended into his windpipe, and so, said the surgeons, required a dangerous operation. He was here performing his devotions for several days, and then, to his astonishment and joy, expelled the abnormal growth -1 saw it - and he returned cured." The archdeacon next showed me his list of "miracles," from which I quote a few special cases: Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for seventeen years, can see; Maria Conolly, a cripple for thirteen years, is now able to walk; John O'Brien, who was born blind, has the use of his eyes; Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for six years, has recovered the power of speech; Patrick Boyle, of Glasgow, came to Knock afflicted with heart disease, and returned cured; Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, visited the shrine, and is now free from their attacks; the daughter of R. Walsh of Clifden, regained sight after bathing her eyes in water containing a piece of plaster from the chapel wall; John Roache of Roosky, Roscommon, stone blind for seventeen years, went away able to see; John O'Connor of Ardagh, came to Knock with a bent leg, supported by an iron crutch, and returned home, leaving the crutch as a memorial of cure; Owen Halpen, of Meg, Drogheda, troubled with deafness, placed a bit of the mortar in his ears, and had the sense fully restored to him. I might continue these extracts from the archdeacon's records, but space would fail for a complete setting forth of the alleged cases of miraculous hearing.

   Magic Lantern light not possible in the situation.

   Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   The road passes through Knock in Mayo. Here, after apparitions at the chapel, cures were reported through mortar from the gable wall. Archdeacon Cavanagh told of one cure in which he was the agent. He received a sick call late at night to a man said to be vomiting blood and in extreme danger. He hastened to the house, attended by a boy with a lantern, and met the father of the patient coming to hurry him, in distress lest he should be too late. On reaching the cottage, he found the young man covered with blood, apparently very near death, but conscious. After ministering to him, the archdeacon called for a glass of water, sprinkled on it a few particles of the mortar from the gable wall of the chapel, and bade him drink. The young man did so, at once began to recover, and is now well. The archdeacon kept a list of further cures. A man from Cork afflicted with a polypus extending into his windpipe was told by surgeons he needed a dangerous operation. He performed his devotions at Knock for several days, then expelled the growth, which the archdeacon saw, and returned cured. From his records: Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for 17 years, can see. Maria Conolly, a cripple for 13 years, can walk. John O'Brien, born blind, has the use of his eyes. Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for 6 years, recovered speech. Patrick Boyle of Glasgow came with heart disease and returned cured. Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, is free from attacks. The daughter of R. Walsh of Clifden regained sight bathing her eyes in water with plaster from the chapel wall. John Roache of Roosky, Roscommon, blind for 17 years, went away able to see.

10. Bridget French kisses the wall and finds it dry at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Bridget French, aged 75, gave her testimony in Irish. She went to the chapel gable at Knock on 21 August and saw three life-size figures. She kissed what she thought were the Virgin's feet but felt only the wall. Despite heavy rain and wind, the ground and gable where the figures appeared remained perfectly dry, with an extraordinary brightness about the whole gable.

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    went out immediately and came to the spot indicated. When I arrived there I saw distinctly the three figures. I threw myself on my knees and exclaimed: "A hundred thousand thanks to God and to the glorious Virgin that has given us this manifestation." I went in immediately to kiss, as I thought, the feet of the Blessed Virgin; but I felt nothing in the embrace but the wall, and I wondered why I could not feel with my hands the figures which I had so plainly and so distinctly seen. The three figures appeared motionless, statue-like; they were standing by the gable of the church in the background, and seemed raised about two feet above the ground. The Blessed Virgin was in the centre; she was clothed in white, and covered with what appeared one white garment; her hands were raised to the same position as that in which a priest holds his hands when praying at holy Mass. I remarked distinctly the lower portions of her feet, and kissed them three times; she had on her head something resembling a crown, and her eyes were turned up heavenwards. I was so taken with the Blessed Virgin, that I did not pay much attention to any other; yet I saw also the two other figures - Saint Joseph standing to the right of the Blessed Virgin, or to the left, as I looked at him, his head bent towards her and his hands joined; and the other figure, which I took to be Saint John the Evangelist, was standing at her left. I heard those around me say that the image was Saint John. It was raining very heavily at the time, but no rain fell where the figures were. I felt the ground carefully with my hands, and it was perfectly dry. The wind was blowing from the south, right against the gable of the chapel, but no rain fell on that portion of the gable or chapel in which the figures were. There was no movement or active sign of life about the figures, and I could not say whether they were what living beings would in their place appear to be or not; but they appeared to me so full and so life-like and so life-size that I could not understand why I could not feel them with my hands such as I beheld them with my eyes. There was an extraordinary brightness about the whole gable of the chapel, and it was observed by several who were passing along the road at the time. I remained there altogether about an hour, and when I came there first I thought I would never leave it. I would not have gone so soon as I did, but that I considered that the figures and that brightness would continue there always, and that on coming back I would again behold them. I continued to repeat the rosary on my beads while there, and I felt great delight and pleasure in looking at the Blessed Virgin. I could think of nothing else while there but giving thanks to God and repeating my prayers.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The road takes you through Knock in Mayo. In 1879, a woman named Bridget French, seventy-five years old, gave her testimony in Irish about what she saw here. She came to the chapel gable on the 21st of August and saw three life-size figures standing by the gable of the church, raised about two feet above the ground. The Blessed Virgin was in the centre, clothed in white, her hands raised as a priest holds his when praying at holy Mass. She had on her head something resembling a crown, and her eyes were turned up heavenwards. Saint Joseph stood to her right, his head bent towards her, his hands joined. The other figure she took to be Saint John the Evangelist, standing at her left. Bridget French threw herself on her knees and said, "A hundred thousand thanks to God and to the glorious Virgin that has given us this manifestation." She went to kiss the feet of the Blessed Virgin and kissed them three times, but felt nothing in the embrace but the wall. She could not understand why she could not feel with her hands the figures she had so plainly seen with her eyes. The three figures appeared motionless, statue-like, so full and life-like that she could not say whether they were living beings or not. It was raining very heavily, and the wind was blowing from the south, right against the gable of the chapel. But no rain fell where the figures were. She felt the ground carefully with her hands and it was perfectly dry. There was an extraordinary brightness about the whole gable, observed by several passing along the road. She remained about an hour, repeating the rosary on her beads, and could think of nothing else but giving thanks to God and repeating her prayers.

11. Pilgrims and reported cures at Knock chapel

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879–1880

    On a Wednesday at Knock, thousands of pilgrims filled the chapel and surrounding yard. Discarded crutches and sticks were deposited in a small pen near the gable, and several pilgrims professed cures, including a paralytic who felt warmth in his limbs and a woman who had crawled for years sitting upright.

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    crutches deposit them before leaving. Scores of these discarded props to tottering feet were lying there; and a few others, besides two very battered umbrellas, were suspended from the boards that protect the sacred wall. It is needless to say that the wall itself, boarded though it be, excites the utmost reverence. I saw a score of people kneeling before it repeating prayers, some of them knowing the spot on which they believe the Virgin appeared; while others had brought sick children, upon whom they lavished attention in the intervals of devotion. Others, again, wandered round and round the chapel, telling their beads as they went - an act of faith, so I was assured, altogether self-imposed. Yet others, mostly afflicted with diseases, stood about in the road, or enclosure, waiting, like some at the Pool of Bethesda long ago, "for the moving of the waters." Night and day they wait, filling the chapel during the dark hours, and praying there so as that the sound of their voices can be heard far down the road. At least two hundred persons were in the sacred edifice when I entered. The interior is poor of aspect. Beyond the unpretending altar, and two or three small windows filled with stained glass, there are no attempts at decorations, and very ineffective ones at convenience, since all the" benches in the place would not seat more than thirty people. The floor is roughly flagged and full of holes made by devotees who, in their eagerness to possess some blessed substance, have dug be neath the level of the stones. But, holes or no holes, the pilgrims covered almost the entire area, from the altar rails to the western door and from side to side of the transept, their muttered petitions making a continuous and solemn hum. Many sick have been brought there, and some professed to have gained much benefit. A poor paralytic, seated in a wheeled chair, rejoiced at a feeling of warmth in his lower limbs; a woman, who had crawled for years on her hands and knees, was found sitting upright, and delightedly showing how she could use her feet a very little. Such sights were visible more or less on every hand, and as the archdeacon went about among the people one and another would go to him and tell of the benefits received by themselves or their friends, and get for answer: "Thank God and his Blessed Mother."

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo, saw thousands gather at its chapel in 1879 and 1880. They came on a Wednesday, filling the chapel and the yard around it. Scores of discarded crutches and sticks lay in a small pen near the gable wall. Two battered umbrellas hung from the boards that protect the wall. People knelt before it, repeating prayers, some believing they knew the exact spot where the Virgin appeared. Others brought sick children, tending to them between their devotions. Some wandered round and round the chapel, telling their beads as they went, an act of faith they were told was altogether self-imposed. The afflicted stood about in the road and enclosure, waiting, as the writer put it, "for the moving of the waters." They waited night and day, filling the chapel during the dark hours, their prayers audible far down the road. At least 200 people were inside the chapel at one point. The interior was poor. Beyond a plain altar and a few small stained-glass windows, there were no decorations. The benches would not seat more than 30. The floor was roughly flagged, full of holes dug by devotees eager to possess some blessed substance from beneath the stones. Pilgrims covered almost the entire area, from the altar rails to the western door, their muttered petitions a continuous and solemn hum. Many sick had been brought there. A poor paralytic, seated in a wheeled chair, rejoiced at a feeling of warmth in his lower limbs. A woman who had crawled for years on her hands and knees was found sitting upright, showing how she could use her feet a very little. As the archdeacon went among the people, one and another would tell him of benefits received by themselves or their friends, and he would answer: "Thank God and his Blessed Mother."

12. Apparition of Virgin Mary at Knock Chapel gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    On the evening of 21 August 1879, multiple witnesses including Mary McLoughlin and Mary Beirne saw figures of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist appear at the gable of the chapel in Knock, accompanied by an altar, a Lamb, and a cross surrounded by golden stars. The apparition lasted from about 8pm to 9:30pm despite heavy rain.

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    accompanied by Miss Mary Beirne, and as we approached the chapel, she cried out, "Look at the beautiful figures." We gazed on them for a little, and then I told her to go for her mother, Widow Beirne, and her brother, and her sister, and her niece, who were still in the house which she and I had left. I remained looking at the sight before me until the mother, sister, and brother of Miss Mary Beirne came; at the time I was outside the ditch and to the south -west of the schoolhouse near the road, about thirty yards or so from the church; I leaned across the wall in order to see, as well as I could, the whole scene. I remained now for the space of at least a quarter of an hour, perhaps longer; I told Miss Beirne then to go for her uncle, Bryan Beirne, and her aunt, Mrs. Bryan Beirne, or any of the neighbours whom she should see, in order that they might witness the sight that they were then enjoying. It was now about a quarter past eight o'clock, and beginning to be quite dark. The sun had set; it was raining at the time. I beheld, on this occasion, not only the three figures, but an altar further on to the left of the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the left of the bishop and above the altar a Lamb about the size of that which is five weeks old.

    Behind the Lamb appeared the cross; it was away a bit from the Lamb, while the latter stood in front from it, and not resting on the wood of the cross. Around the Lamb a number of gold-like stars appeared in the form of a halo. This altar was placed right under the window of the gable and more to the east of the figures, all, of course, outside the church at Knock. I parted from the company or gathering at eight and a half o'clock. I went to the priest's house and told what I had beheld, and spoke of the beautiful things that were to be seen at the gable of the chapel; I asked him, or said, rather, it would be worth his while to go to witness them. He appeared to make nothing of what I said, and consequently he did not go. Although it was pouring rain the wall had a bright, dry appearance, while the rest of the building appeared to be dark. I did not return to behold the visions again after that, remaining at my house. I saw the sight for fully an hour. Very Reverend B. Cavanagh heard the next day all about the Apparition from the others who had beheld it; and then it came to his recollection that I had told him the previous evening about it, and asked him to see it.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo. In 1879, on the evening of 21 August, Mary McLoughlin was walking with Mary Beirne near the chapel. Mary Beirne cried out, "Look at the beautiful figures." At the gable wall of the chapel they saw figures of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist. An altar stood further to the left, and above it a Lamb, about the size of one five weeks old. Behind the Lamb appeared a cross, set apart from it, and around the Lamb a number of gold-like stars in the form of a halo. It was about a quarter past eight, the sun had set, and it was raining. Mary McLoughlin told Mary Beirne to go for her mother, Widow Beirne, her brother, her sister, and her niece. She sent her again for her uncle Bryan Beirne, her aunt Mrs. Bryan Beirne, and any neighbours who might see it. The rain was pouring, but the wall of the gable had a bright, dry appearance, while the rest of the building was dark. Mary McLoughlin stayed watching for fully an hour. At half past eight she went to the priest's house and told him what she had beheld. She said it would be worth his while to go and see. He made nothing of it and did not go. The next day, Very Reverend B. Cavanagh heard from the others who had seen it, and then recalled what she had told him the night before. The apparition lasted from about 8 to half past nine.

13. Knock apparition gable boarded against relic-seekers

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879–1880

    The famous gable of the sacristy at Knock chapel, where figures were said to have appeared, had been boarded over for half its height because pilgrims stripped the plaster and picked mortar from between the stones. The author inspected the site and ruled out a magic-lantern explanation by examining the schoolhouse and low wall.

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    up the road towards the chapel, having the famous gable before us the whole way. I saw that, for full half its height, it had been boarded over - a measure necessary, the archdeacon told me, to protect the wall, since the people, after having removed the covering of plaster, began to pick the mortar from between the stones, as, indeed, they are now doing round the corners, where nothing prevents. My first business was, of course, to take, as Jack Bunsby would say, "the bearings" of the place. The chapel is a plain cruciform building, having a tall, square tower at its west end, and at the opposite extremity a sacristy. It is on the gable of the sacristy, at the far east of the building, that the figures are said to have appeared. The chapel stands in a rather extensive yard, which is bounded, opposite the gable, and distant from it some twenty-five paces, by a dilapidated wall about four feet high. Beyond this is a large field and the open country. Within the yard, a little to the north of a line drawn from the north angle of the gable to the low wall, stands a schoolhouse, its gable directly facing towards the east. Obviously, therefore, if the appearances alleged to have been seen on the chapel wall were due to a magic lantern, the operator, supposing he could have focussed his picture at such a distance, must have taken post behind the low wall; or, if stationed in the school, must have thrown the image on the "screen" at a very considerable angle. The wall theory may be dismissed, because over its tumbled stones the first witnesses passed to get a nearer view, and the glare of the lantern would at once have been detected by the observant policemen. There remains the notion of a manipulator stationed in the schoolhouse. I gave my best attention to the windowless gable of that building, and could find no sign of hole or crack from chimney to foundation. Going inside among the children, to look at the wall from that point of view, the plaster appeared untouched, and the roof too much open to admit of a man working between its apex and what there was of ceiling. In the result, and despite a wish to explain the wonder naturally, I was obliged to conclude that the reported Apparitions, however caused, could not have been, and, therefore, were not, due to a magic lantern. With any theory not determinable by a reference to considerations absolutely positive, such as those just touched upon, I have nothing now to do.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock

    As the companion tells it

    Knock in Mayo is the town the road brings you through or near. In 1879 it became known for what was said to have appeared on the gable of the sacristy at the chapel there. The chapel is a plain cruciform building, with a tall square tower at its west end and a sacristy at the opposite end. It is on the gable of that sacristy, at the far east of the building, that the figures are said to have appeared. By the following year, the lower half of that gable had been boarded over. The archdeacon told the author this was necessary to protect the wall, because people had removed the plaster coating and then began picking mortar from between the stones, and were still doing so around the corners where nothing prevented it. The chapel stands in a rather extensive yard. Opposite the gable, about twenty-five paces away, a dilapidated wall about four feet high bounds the yard. Beyond it lies a large field and open country. Within the yard, a schoolhouse stands, its gable facing east. The author came to take, as he put it, the bearings of the place. His first business was to test whether the appearances could have been produced by a magic lantern. An operator behind the low wall would have been detected, because the first witnesses crossed over its tumbled stones to get a nearer view, and observant policemen were present. That theory was dismissed. As for the schoolhouse, its gable was windowless, and the author could find no sign of hole or crack from chimney to foundation. Going inside among the children, he found the plaster untouched, and the roof too open to allow a man to work between its apex and what there was of ceiling. Despite wishing to explain the wonder naturally, he was obliged to conclude that the reported apparitions, however caused, could not have been, and therefore were not, due to a magic lantern.

14. Supernatural lights at Knock church on Epiphany night

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    On the night of 5-6 January 1880, the feast of the Epiphany, supernatural lights in the form of stars and globes of flame appeared on the gable of Knock church. Two policemen on patrol, Collins from Galway and Fraher from Tipperary, inspected the surroundings and found no natural source of light anywhere except the extraordinary lights on the church gable.

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    Lights of a supernatural kind were beheld on the night of the 5th, or rather on the morning of the sixth, the feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 1880. They were seen by several, and especially by the police, who live convenient to the little church. Those guardians of peace went out at 12 o'clock at night on patrol through the country to see that all was quiet, and came as far as Knock church, where they heard the hum of prayer arising from those who, at that midnight hour, had been assembled there in the hope of seeing the Apparition. The testimony of these sensible men, who took every precaution not to be deceived, who looked around the church and school, and hill and vale, mound and mearing, and saw no light, or reflection of light anywhere, but these extraordinary stars and globes of flame on the church gable before them, ought not readily to be discredited. The names of these servants of the Government are Collins and Fraher, one a native of Galway, the other of Tipperary.

    Another remarkable Apparition appeared on the morning of the 10th of February. It was seen by several, especially by three young men from Claremorris, namely, John P. MacCloskey, Simon Conway, and Thomas MacGeoghegan, and by Martin Hession of Tuam, an intelligent assistant at Mrs. Murphy's establishment.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo, was the scene of something strange on the night of the fifth of January, 1880, or rather the morning of the sixth, the feast of the Epiphany. Lights of a supernatural kind appeared on the gable of the little church there. They were seen by several people, and especially by the police, who lived convenient to the church. Two policemen went out at 12 o'clock at night on patrol through the country to see that all was quiet. They came as far as Knock church, and they heard the hum of prayer arising from people who had assembled there at that midnight hour in the hope of seeing the Apparition. These were sensible men, who took every precaution not to be deceived. They looked around the church and the school, the hill and the vale, the mound and the boundary, and they saw no light, or reflection of light, anywhere, except the extraordinary stars and globes of flame on the church gable before them. Their names were Collins and Fraher. Collins was a native of Galway, and Fraher was a native of Tipperary. The testimony of these servants of the Government ought not readily to be discredited. They found no natural source of light anywhere around Knock, only those lights on the gable.

15. Jeremiah Sullivan cured of windpipe polypus at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    Jeremiah Sullivan from Rathharry, Clonakility, County Cork, suffered from a dangerous polypus in his windpipe that doctors could not safely operate on. After visiting Knock on February 1st, he coughed off the polypus on the morning of February 4th.

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    Jeremiah Sullivan, parish of Rathharry, Clonakilty, county Cork; polypus, or flesh growth in the windpipe. He came to Knock with his father on Sunday, the 1st of February, and got rid of his disease on the 4th. The following is his statement to Archdeacon Cavanagh: "I have been suffering from a hoarseness for the last eighteen months. I consulted four of the neighbouring doctors, one after the other, and to no avail, as none of them were able to ascertain the nature of the disease. Finding myself daily getting worse I came to the city of Cork, and consulted the most eminent doctor there. On the third day he found my ailment proceeded from a flesh growth or polypus in the windpipe. The conclusion the doctor came to was that there should be an operation, either externally or internally, either of which would be very dangerous. Hearing of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Knock, I decided on visiting the place. I arrived on Sunday morning, February 1st. Thanks be to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I coughed off the polypus on the morning of the 4th February after my third day's visit here."

    Pat Scott of Ballymoe, has made the following declaration: "I, Pat Scott, parish of Ballintubber, county Roscommon, do hereby solemnly declare that it is at Knock I received power in my leg, which was not of the least use to me for upwards of eight and a-half years, being entirely powerless. I could not move or walk without a crutch. I can now walk firmly on it, but it is still short. Ballintubber, 31 January 1880." The following is an extract from a letter lately written by Pat Scott to the Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh:

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes near the town of Knock in Mayo. In 1880, people were coming here because of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jeremiah Sullivan, from the parish of Rathharry in Clonakilty, County Cork, had suffered from hoarseness for eighteen months. He consulted four neighbouring doctors, one after the other, to no avail. None could ascertain the nature of the disease. He went to the city of Cork and consulted the most eminent doctor there. On the third day, that doctor found the ailment came from a flesh growth, a polypus, in the windpipe. The doctor concluded there should be an operation, either externally or internally, either of which would be very dangerous. Hearing of the apparition at Knock, Sullivan decided to visit. He arrived with his father on Sunday morning, the 1st of February. He made his statement to Archdeacon Cavanagh: "Thanks be to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I coughed off the polypus on the morning of the 4th February after my third day's visit here." Pat Scott of Ballymoe, parish of Ballintubber, County Roscommon, made a declaration. His leg had been entirely powerless for over eight and a half years. He could not walk without a crutch. He said it was at Knock he received power in his leg. He can now walk firmly on it, though it is still short. His declaration is dated 31 January 1880.

16. Tuam News first gave credible account of Knock apparitions

    Tuam · town · Galway · 1879–1880

    The Knock apparitions were discussed among laity and religious for six months before the Tuam News published a summary that lent credibility to the supernatural events. Prior to that publication, the facts had been incorrectly narrated.

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    The children of the faith see nothing wonderful at all in these manifestations. It is to them something that they expected, or, if they did not actually expect their coming at this time and place, they see nothing incongruous in the fact that they have occurred. The spiritual world is to them like a land with which they are familiar from that knowledge which their holy faith supplies, pretty much, as they are not put out of sorts with anything they hear or see from America (a far off land); because, in this instance, American life and habits are something with which they are familiar, owing to the fact that their relatives in that country commune with their friends in Ireland, and tell them all regarding themselves and American life and manners in that great republic to the west of the Atlantic. In this way our Catholic people are not at all put about by the narration of miracles or of miraculous apparitions at Knock. They are, by faith, aware beforehand that such things happened before, happen now, and will take place as long as the Church of God is on earth. The angels appeared to Abraham, and walked with him, and talked to him, and directed "him in ah his ways." They appeared and spoke to, and brought to a foreign country and back, the grandson of Abraham, Isaac, the father of all the Israelites. The same is true of Tobias and Daniel, the prophets; and of Saint Peter, the head of the Apostles, and of numerous saints in the Catholic Church in Africa, in Rome, and in this island during the golden age of sanctity in Ireland. What happened once, why not happen again? It is the same God who ruled and governed mankind then as now; it is the same Church that points out to her children the way to heaven; the Irish faithful, like those in the time of Saint Columkille, or at a later period, are the brothers of the Redeemer, purchased by his sacred Blood. He loves us as He loved them, and sends his angels to take charge of us, as they took charge of them in days past. These points have been spoken of and canvassed in conversation amongst laity and amongst religious for the past six months. It was only when the matter was described in a former issue of the Tuam News that the faithful began to attach any degree of credibility to the facts before that time incorrectly narrated. The Tuam News gave a summary of the events that had occurred up to that time, stamped with the appearance of the supernatural. The Apparition of the 21st of August last cannot well be understood without having some notion of the position and form of the little Catholic church in the village of Knock.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Tuam played a quiet but decisive part in the story of the Knock apparitions. For six months after the apparition on the 21st of August 1879, the events at the little Catholic church in the village of Knock had been spoken of and canvassed in conversation among laity and among religious. But the facts had been incorrectly narrated. It was only when the Tuam News published a summary of the events that had occurred up to that time that the faithful began to attach any degree of credibility to what had happened. The Tuam News gave a summary stamped with the appearance of the supernatural. Before that publication, people had heard the story, but not in a form they could trust. To the Catholic people of the time, apparitions were not something strange. They were, by faith, aware beforehand that such things had happened before, happened now, and would take place as long as the Church of God was on earth. The angels appeared to Abraham, and walked with him, and talked with him. They appeared and spoke to Isaac, the father of all the Israelites, and brought him to a foreign country and back. The same was true of Tobias and Daniel, the prophets, and of Saint Peter, the head of the Apostles, and of numerous saints in the Catholic Church in Africa, in Rome, and in this island during the golden age of sanctity in Ireland. "What happened once, why not happen again?" It is the same God who ruled mankind then as now. The Irish faithful, like those in the time of Saint Columkille, are the brothers of the Redeemer. He sends his angels to take charge of us, as they took charge of them in days past.

17. Cures worked through cement from Knock chapel wall

    Knock · town · Mayo

    Nearly a dozen cures were reported through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and by application of cement taken from the Knock chapel wall, with accounts given by trustworthy eye-witnesses.

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    venerable archdeacon of the diocese - the Very Reverend Bartholomew Cavanagh. The chapel is of cruciform shape. The sacristy occupies the upper and smaller shaft, and is immediately behind the high altar. In the gable of the sacristy there is a Gothic window, about five feet by two broad; its lowest part is about twelve feet from the ground. The remainder of the gable is plain, and covered outside by a good substantial coating of cement to protect the wall from the rains, which beat with great violence, especially upon that side. On this gable wall of the sacristy were seen the extraordinary lights, in the midst of which the Blessed Virgin, accompanied by Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, appeared. On Thursday, the 21st of August last, the eve of the octave day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was accompanied by a blinding drizzle of rain, which continued till the next day. As some persons were hurriedly going along the road which leads to the chapel, at about 7:30 p.m., they perceived the wall beautifully illuminated by a soft, white, flickering light, through which could be perceived brilliant stars twinkling as on a fine frosty night. The first person who saw it passed on, but others soon came and remained, and these saw, covering a large portion of the gable end of the sacristy, an altar, and to its Gospel side the figures of Saint John the Evangelist, the Blessed Virgin, and Saint Joseph. On the altar, which stood about eight feet from the ground, and immediately under the window, a lamb stood, and rising up behind the lamb was a crucifix with the figure of our Lord upon it. The altar was surrounded by a brilliant golden light, through which up and down angels seemed to be flitting. Near the altar, and immediately to its Gospel side, but nearer to the ground, was Saint John, having a mitre on his head, and holding the book of the Gospels open in his left hand as if reading from it. He held his right hand raised, and in the act of blessing, the index and middle fingers being extended after the manner adopted by bishops. To Saint John's right stood the Blessed Virgin, having her hands extended and raised towards her shoulders, the palms of her hands turned towards the people, and her eyes raised up towards heaven. To the Blessed Virgin's right was St; Joseph, turned towards her, and in an inclining posture. These figures remained visible from 7:30 to 10 o'clock p.m., witnessed during that time by about twenty persons, who forgot all about the heavy rain that was then falling and drenched them through. The light at the chapel was seen by people who lived near the place. On Monday evening, the eve of the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible and from n p.m. until 2 o'clock A.M. was seen by a very large number, of whom two were members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who were on their patrol duty that evening. One of them said that up to that time he did not believe in it, but he was really startled by the brightness of the light which he saw. Many cures have been worked through the intercession of the

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock is a town in Mayo where, on the evening of the 21st of August, the eve of the octave day of the Assumption, people going along the road to the chapel saw the gable wall of the sacristy beautifully illuminated by a soft, white, flickering light, through which brilliant stars could be seen twinkling as on a fine frosty night. The first person who saw it passed on, but others came and remained. They saw an altar standing about eight feet from the ground, immediately under the Gothic window, and on the altar a lamb, with a crucifix rising behind it bearing the figure of our Lord. The altar was surrounded by brilliant golden light, through which angels seemed to flit up and down. To the Gospel side of the altar stood Saint John the Evangelist, wearing a mitre, holding the book of the Gospels open in his left hand as if reading, his right hand raised in blessing. To his right stood the Blessed Virgin, her hands extended and raised towards her shoulders, palms turned towards the people, her eyes raised towards heaven. To her right was Saint Joseph, turned towards her in an inclining posture. These figures remained visible from 7:30 to 10 o'clock, witnessed by about twenty persons, who forgot the heavy rain drenching them through. The archdeacon of the diocese was the Very Reverend Bartholomew Cavanagh. On Monday evening, the eve of the Epiphany, a bright light was again visible, and from 11 p.m. until 2 in the morning was seen by a very large number, among them two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary on patrol duty. One of them said that until then he did not believe in it, but was startled by the brightness of the light. Many cures have been worked through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and through application of cement taken from the Knock chapel wall, with accounts given by trustworthy eye-witnesses.

18. Dominick Beirne sees apparition at Knock south gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Dominick Beirne, called to the south gable of Knock chapel on the evening of 21 August 1879, saw the Blessed Virgin with uplifted hands, Saint Joseph to her right, and Saint John to her left, along with an altar bearing carved figures. Despite pitch dark and heavy rain, the images appeared in bright light and no rain fell near them.

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    I live at Knock; I remember the evening of the 21st of August; my cousin, Dominick Beirne, came to see us at about eight o'clock, p.m., and called me to see the vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints at the south gable of the chapel. I went with him. When I reached the south side of the chapel, we saw the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, having her hands uplifted, and her eyes turned up towards heaven, as if in prayer, and she was dressed in a white cloak. To her right I saw Saint Joseph, and on her left Saint John, just as the other persons had told me before I came. I saw an altar there, and figures representing saints and angels traced or carved on the lower part of it. The night was dark and raining, and yet these images, in the dark night, appeared with bright lights as plain as under the noon-day sun. At the time it was pitch dark and raining heavily, and yet there was not one drop of rain near the images. There was a mitre on Saint John's head, nearly like to that which a bishop wears. I was there

    only for one quarter of an hour; at the time I was there, five other persons were in it with me, looking on at the Apparition. All the figures appeared clothed in white; the whiskers on Saint Joseph were an iron gray; the Blessed Virgin had on a white cloak. The reason I had for calling the third figure Saint John is because some saw his statue or his likeness at Lekanvey parish chapel.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    On the evening of 21 August 1879, in the town of Knock, a man named Dominick Beirne called at his cousin's house at about eight o'clock. He said to come and see the vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints at the south gable of the chapel. His cousin went with him. When they reached the south side of the chapel, they saw the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her hands were uplifted, her eyes turned up toward heaven, as if in prayer, and she was dressed in a white cloak. To her right stood Saint Joseph, and to her left Saint John. There was an altar there, with figures of saints and angels carved on its lower part. The night was dark and raining heavily, yet these images appeared in bright light, as plain as under the noon-day sun. Not one drop of rain fell near the images. Saint John had a mitre on his head, nearly like that which a bishop wears. The cousin stayed for one quarter of an hour, and five other persons stood there looking on at the apparition. All the figures appeared clothed in white. The whiskers on Saint Joseph were an iron gray. The third figure was called Saint John because some had seen his statue or likeness at Lekanvey parish chapel.

19. MacCloskey sees Virgin Mary at Knock chapel gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    John P. MacCloskey, a native of Claremorris, travelled to Knock and at about 3:30 a.m. on 10 February saw a bright cloud descend over the gable of Knock chapel, revealing the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary in white satin with stars of emerald green twinkling about the gable. Red tongues of flame shot down from the heavens at intervals, illuminating the figure.

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    I, John P. MacCloskey, a native of Claremorris, remember the night of the 9th of February, and the morning of the 10th. Simon Conway, MacGeoghegan, and I left Clare morris at 10 o'clock, p.m. We arrived at Knock sometime after midnight; our desire was to behold the Apparition. After we had arrived, we continued to pray for some time. At about three and a half o'clock on the morning of the 10th of February, while I was praying before the gable of the

    Knock chapel, I saw a light, like a white silvery cloud, move in a slanting direction over from where the cross stands, on the apex, and overspread the gable. In this bright cloud I saw distinctly the figure and form of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so clearly and fully that I perceived the fleshy colour of the feet. Her dress resembled that made of white satin, and it contained numerous folds. The light had hardly settled on the gable when it began to grow less bright, and to seem to fade or darken in colour, leaving a wreath of its own brightness still around the head of the Blessed Virgin, while the rest of the gable became the colour of white paper stained with pencil strokes. Every now and then a red tongue of flame used to shoot down from the heavens and cross the gable.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock is a town in Mayo that people came to in the dark, hoping for something. One of them was John P. MacCloskey, a native of Claremorris. On the night of the 9th of February 1880, he set out with Simon Conway and MacGeoghegan, leaving Claremorris at 10 o'clock. They arrived at Knock sometime after midnight, their desire to behold the Apparition. After they arrived, they continued to pray for some time. At about half past three on the morning of the 10th of February, while MacCloskey was praying before the gable of the Knock chapel, he saw a light like a white silvery cloud move in a slanting direction over from where the cross stands on the apex, and overspread the gable. In that bright cloud he saw distinctly the figure and form of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so clearly and fully that he perceived the fleshy colour of the feet. Her dress resembled that made of white satin, and it contained numerous folds. The light had hardly settled on the gable when it began to grow less bright, to fade and darken in colour, leaving a wreath of its own brightness around the head of the Blessed Virgin, while the rest of the gable became the colour of white paper stained with pencil strokes. Every now and then a red tongue of flame used to shoot down from the heavens and cross the gable.

20. Margaret Beirne witnesses vision at Knock chapel gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    On the night of 21 August 1879, Margaret Beirne locked Knock chapel and noticed a luminous brightness at the south gable. Returning at her niece's urging, she beheld the Blessed Virgin with a crown, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist holding a Gospel book, all surrounded by sparkling light, with an altar also visible.

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    I, Margaret Beirne, live near Knock chapel; I am sister to Mary Beirne, who has seen the vision; I remember the night of the 21st of August; I left my own house at half-past seven o'clock, and went to the chapel and locked it; I came out to return home; I saw something luminous or bright at the south gable, but it never entered my head that it was necessary to see or inquire what it was; I passed by and went home. Shortly after, about eight o'clock, my niece, Catherine Murray, called me out to see the Blessed Virgin and the other saints that were standing at the south gable of the chapel. I went out then, and ran up to see what was to be seen. I there beheld the Blessed Virgin with a bright crown on her head, and Saint Joseph to her right, his head inclined a little towards Our Blessed Lady, and Saint John the Evangelist to her left, eastward, holding in his left hand a book of the Gospels, and his right hand raised the while, as if in the attitude of preaching to the people who stood before him at the ditch. The Virgin appeared with hands uplifted as if in prayer, with eyes turned towards heaven, and wearing a lustrous crown. I saw an altar there; it was surrounded with a bright light, nay, with a light at times sparkling, and so too were the other figures, which were similarly surrounded.

    Fourteenth Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock, in Mayo, is a town the road passes through. On the night of 21 August 1879, something happened here that people still talk about. Margaret Beirne lived near the chapel. That evening she left her house at half past seven, went to the chapel, and locked it. As she came out to return home, she saw something luminous, something bright, at the south gable. She thought nothing of it. She passed by and went home. Shortly after, about eight o'clock, her niece Catherine Murray called her out again, to come and see the Blessed Virgin and the other saints standing at the south gable of the chapel. Margaret ran up to see what was to be seen. She beheld the Blessed Virgin with a bright crown on her head, her hands uplifted as if in prayer, her eyes turned towards heaven. Saint Joseph stood to her right, his head inclined a little towards her. Saint John the Evangelist stood to her left, eastward, holding in his left hand a book of the Gospels, his right hand raised as if preaching to the people who stood before him at the ditch. Margaret saw an altar there too. Everything was surrounded with a bright light, at times sparkling, and so were the figures themselves.

21. Martin Session of Tuam witnesses lights at Knock chapel

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    Martin Session arrived at Knock chapel on the evening of 9 February and saw multi-coloured lights, stars, and three dark arches with a figure of a lady at the south gable throughout the night. He returned on 12 February and again saw three brilliant figures, and a beautiful star that the Archdeacon also witnessed.

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    I arrived about 6 o'clock, p.m., on Monday, the 9th of February, at Knock chapel. There was a large number of persons present. The evening was very wet and cold. I remained in the chapel for a considerable time. At 8 o'clock on that evening, at the south gable of the chapel I saw beautiful lights of many colours. They were at times exceedingly bright. Stars appeared both inside and outside the chapel. The lights continued coming and going until about half-past 6 o'clock next morning. At a quarter past 12 that night I saw a silvery cloud all over the gable of the chapel. After about five minutes it cleared off, and then immediately appeared three dark arches, and in the central one was the figure of a lady, which I took to be the Blessed Virgin. The figure was very beautiful. A mantle covered the figure all over: the mantle was white like satin, not a brilliant white. I saw two other figures, one on each side of the Blessed Virgin, but they were not quite

    distinct. A star of three different colours appeared under one of the figures: it was green, red, and white. The gable was, in fact, covered with stars. These appearances continued until about half-past six in the morning. I remained up all night looking at the figures and lights. I went in three times to the chapel to tell the people there to come out and see the lights. At about s o'clock in the morning three circles of stars appeared, as I thought, a half a mile over the top of the chapel. The circles of stars swayed to and fro in the air. There appeared at the same time over the cross on the gable of the chapel a row of stars which moved to the east of the gable and reached one of the figures which was said to be Saint John. At about half-past 6 in the morning a shower of hail and rain came, and all who had been outside with myself went into the chapel, and at 7 o'clock, when I went out again, there was nothing to be seen of the beautiful lights.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo. On the evening of 9 February 1880, Martin Session of Tuam arrived at the chapel here. A large crowd had gathered in the wet and cold. He stayed inside for a long time. At 8 o'clock that night, at the south gable of the chapel, he saw beautiful lights of many colours, at times exceedingly bright. Stars appeared inside and outside the chapel. The lights came and went until half-past 6 the next morning. At quarter past midnight he saw a silvery cloud cover the whole gable. After about 5 minutes it cleared, and three dark arches appeared. In the central arch stood the figure of a lady, which he took to be the Blessed Virgin. The figure was very beautiful. A mantle covered it, white like satin, not a brilliant white. Two other figures stood on either side, but they were not quite distinct. A star of three colours, green, red, and white, appeared under one of them. The gable was covered with stars. He stayed up all night watching. Three times he went into the chapel to call people out to see the lights. Around 5 in the morning, three circles of stars appeared, as he thought, half a mile over the top of the chapel, swaying to and fro. Over the cross on the gable, a row of stars moved east and reached the figure said to be Saint John. At half-past 6, hail and rain drove everyone inside. When he went out again at 7 o'clock, the lights were gone.

22. Gaelic hill-names surrounding Knock village

    Knock · town · Mayo

    The landscape around Knock features elevated knolls known by Gaelic terms such as 'knock,' 'druim,' and 'sliabh.' To the south-west lies Cnoc-ban (fair hill), and to the south-east the bleak mountain-land called sliabh na mbreitheamh, the mountain district of the judges.

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    In Gaelic, the name "Knock" signifies a hill. The village is surrounded by elevated knolls, which are known by the term "knock," or "druim," or "sliabh," in the language of the Irish people. If one stands on the tower of the small church, and views the country around, he will see these elevations arise around him like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. Looking, for instance, to the south-west, he beholds Cnoc-ban, or fair hill; and to the north, "druim," i. e., a ridge, an elevated slope; and to the south-east, the wild and bleak mountain-land, called "sliabh na mbreitheamh," or the mountain district of the judges. The village, which rests embosomed amidst these elevations, is very appropriately called "Knock," because, like Hebron, it is in the heart of a hilly country. The view of the region surrounding Knock is not at all inviting; the country district is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or Erance, the region is like one through which a desolating army has passed, no sign of trees or of comfortable

    farmsteads is to be seen; no rich cultivated meadows or fertile agricultural or even well-tilled tracts. The view to the east and west, as one approaches the village from the south, is bleak and un inviting in the extreme, presenting here and there patches of cultivated farms, and for the rest nothing but bog-land, marshes, or badly-tilled upland potato or corn fields.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The road brings you near Knock, a village in Mayo whose name carries the landscape. In Gaelic, Knock signifies a hill. The village sits embosomed among elevated knolls, and the Irish people know these rises by three terms: knock, druim, or sliabh. From the tower of the small church, the country around rises like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. To the south-west stands Cnoc-ban, the fair hill. To the north lies a druim, a ridge, an elevated slope. To the south-east stretches the wild and bleak mountain-land called sliabh na mbreitheamh, the mountain district of the judges. The village is appropriately called Knock, because, like Hebron, it rests in the heart of a hilly country. The surrounding country is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or France, the region looks as though a desolating army has passed through. No sign of trees or comfortable farmsteads is to be seen, no rich cultivated meadows or fertile agricultural or even well-tilled tracts. The view east and west as one approaches the village from the south is bleak and uninviting in the extreme, presenting here and there patches of cultivated farms, and for the rest nothing but bog-land, marshes, or badly-tilled upland potato or corn fields.

23. Policeman witnesses light on Knock chapel gable

    Knock · town · Mayo

    On the night of Epiphany (January 5-6), a policeman on patrol near Knock chapel saw the east gable covered with a rosy brightness through which stars appeared, though he saw no figures. He could not explain the source of the light.

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    'There's the light,' and then both I and my comrade saw the end of the church covered with a rosy sort of brightness, through which what seemed to be stars appeared. I saw no figures, nor did my comrade; but some women, who were praying there, declared that they beheld the Blessed Virgin, and one went nearly frantic in consequence. We stood and watched the light for some time before starting again on our rounds." "How do you explain the light?" "I can't explain it." "Did you look around to see where it came from?" "I did; but everything was dark. There was no light anywhere, except on the gable." Thus the policeman, who offered to produce his comrade in corroboration.

    The Parish Priest.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Knock, there is a story told about its chapel. On the night of Epiphany, a policeman on patrol saw the east gable covered with a rosy brightness, through which what seemed to be stars appeared. He saw no figures, nor did his comrade who stood beside him. But some women praying there declared they beheld the Blessed Virgin, and one went nearly frantic. The two policemen stood and watched the light for some time before starting again on their rounds. When asked how he explained it, he said, "I can't explain it." He had looked around to see where it came from, but everything was dark. There was no light anywhere except on the gable. He offered to produce his comrade to corroborate what he had seen.

24. Cork man cured of polypus at Knock shrine

    Knock · town · Mayo

    A man from Cork afflicted with a polypus extending into his windpipe performed devotions at Knock for several days, then expelled the abnormal growth without surgery. The archdeacon personally saw the expelled growth.

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    Questioned as to miracles, the archdeacon said: "I will show you along list of cures effected by the divine interposition, and can tell you of one in which I was an agent. Some little while ago I received a 'sick-call' late at night to a man who was said to be vomiting blood, and in extreme danger. Hastening to the house, attended by a boy with a lantern, I met the father of the patient coming to hurry me, in distress lest I should be too late. On reaching the cottage, I found the young man covered, so to speak, with blood, and apparently very near death, but conscious. After ministering to him, I called for a glass of water, sprinkled on it a few particles of the mortar from the gable wall of the chapel, and bade him drink. He did so; at once he began to recover, and is now well. I can speak of other cases, but especially of a man who came from Cork afflicted with a polypus, which extended into his windpipe, and so, said the surgeons, required a dangerous operation. He was here performing his devotions for several days, and then, to his astonishment and joy, expelled the abnormal growth -1 saw it - and he returned cured." The archdeacon next showed me his list of "miracles," from which I quote a few special cases: Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for seventeen years, can see; Maria Conolly, a cripple for thirteen years, is now able to walk; John O'Brien, who was born blind, has the use of his eyes; Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for six years, has recovered the power of speech; Patrick Boyle, of Glasgow, came to Knock afflicted with heart disease, and returned cured; Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, visited the shrine, and is now free from their attacks; the daughter of R. Walsh of Clifden, regained sight after bathing her eyes in water containing a piece of plaster from the chapel wall; John Roache of Roosky, Roscommon, stone blind for seventeen years, went away able to see; John O'Connor of Ardagh, came to Knock with a bent leg, supported by an iron crutch, and returned home, leaving the crutch as a memorial of cure; Owen Halpen, of Meg, Drogheda, troubled with deafness, placed a bit of the mortar in his ears, and had the sense fully restored to him. I might continue these extracts from the archdeacon's records, but space would fail for a complete setting forth of the alleged cases of miraculous hearing.

    Magic Lantern light not possible in the situation.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    This is Knock, a town in Mayo. An archdeacon kept a long list of cures he said were effected by divine interposition. He told of one case himself. A man came from Cork afflicted with a polypus, a growth that extended into his windpipe. The surgeons said it required a dangerous operation. He stayed performing his devotions for several days. Then, to his astonishment and joy, he expelled the abnormal growth. The archdeacon said he saw it himself, and the man returned cured. The archdeacon showed his list of what he called miracles. Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for 17 years, could see. Maria Conolly, a cripple for 13 years, could walk. John O'Brien, born blind, had the use of his eyes. Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for 6 years, recovered the power of speech. Patrick Boyle of Glasgow came with heart disease and returned cured. Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, visited the shrine and was free from their attacks. The daughter of R. Walsh of Clifden regained sight after bathing her eyes in water containing a piece of plaster from the chapel wall. John Roache of Roosky in Roscommon, stone blind for 17 years, went away able to see. John O'Connor of Ardagh came with a bent leg, supported by an iron crutch, and returned home, leaving the crutch behind as a memorial of his cure. Owen Halpen of Drogheda, troubled with deafness, placed a bit of the mortar in his ears and had his sense fully restored.

25. Dominick Beirne witnesses the Knock apparition and weeps

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Dominick Beirne, aged twenty and living near the chapel of Knock, was summoned by his sister on the evening of 21 August. He saw three figures at the gable wall south of the schoolhouse—the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and a bishop-like figure preaching. He was so affected he shed tears and stayed an hour before leaving to visit the dying Mrs. Campbell.

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    me all she was after seeing; I then went with her, and by this time some ten or twelve people had been collected around the place, namely, around the ditch or wall fronting the gable, where the vision was being seen, and to the south of the schoolhouse; then I beheld the three likenesses or figures that have been already described - the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, Saint John, as my sister called the bishop, who was like one preaching, with his hands raised towards the shoulder, and the fore finger and middle finger pointedly set; the other two fingers compressed by the thumb; in his left he held a book; he was so turned that he looked half towards the altar and half towards the people; the eyes of the images could be seen: they were like figures, inasmuch as they did not speak. I was filled with wonder at the sight I saw; I was so affected that I shed tears; I continued looking on for fully an hour, and then I went away to visit Mrs. Campbell, who was in a dying state; when we returned the Vision had disappeared.

    Eighth Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock in Mayo is where, in 1879, Dominick Beirne saw what his sister had come to tell him about. He was twenty and lived near the chapel. On the evening of 21 August, his sister summoned him and told him all she was after seeing. He went with her. By then ten or twelve people had gathered around the wall fronting the gable, south of the schoolhouse. He beheld three figures. The Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and a bishop-like figure his sister called Saint John. This figure was like one preaching, hands raised towards the shoulder, forefinger and middle finger pointedly set, the other two fingers compressed by the thumb. In his left hand he held a book. He was turned half towards the altar and half towards the people. The eyes of the images could be seen. They were like figures in that they did not speak. Dominick was filled with wonder and shed tears. He stayed looking on for fully an hour. Then he went away to visit Mrs. Campbell, who was in a dying state. When he returned, the vision had disappeared. He was the eighth witness.

26. Judith Campbell recalls former chapel statues at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Judith Campbell of Knock was called by Mary Beirne on the evening of 21 August and saw three figures at the gable of the sacristy facing south, along with an altar and Lamb with a cross. She noted that the figures were believed to be Saint Joseph and Saint John because statues of those saints had formerly been in the chapel at Knock, and observed that despite rain the place where the figures appeared was quite dry.

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    I live at Knock; I remember the evening and night of the 21st of August last. Mary Beirne called at my house about eight o'clock on that evening, and asked me to come to see the great sight at the chapel; I ran up with her to the place, and I saw outside the chapel, at the gable of the sacristy facing the south, three figures representing Saint Joseph, Saint John, and the Blessed Virgin Mary; also an altar, and the likeness of a Lamb on it, with a cross at the back of the Lamb. I saw a most beautiful crown on the brow or head of the Blessed Virgin. Our Lady was in the centre of the group, a small height above the other two; Saint Joseph to her right, and bent towards the Virgin; Saint John, as we were led to call the third figure, was to the left of the Virgin, and in his left hand he held a book; his right was raised with the first and second fingers closed, and the fore finger and middle finger extended as if he were teaching. The night came on, and it was very wet and dark; there was a beautiful light shining around the figures or likenesses that we saw. I went within a foot of them; none of us spoke to them; we believed they were Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, because some years ago statues of Saint Joseph and of the Evangelist were in the chapel at Knock. All the figures were in white, or in a robe of silver-like whiteness; Saint John wore a small mitre. Though it was raining, the place in which the figures appeared was quite dry.

    Thirteenth Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock, in Mayo. On the evening of 21 August 1879, Judith Campbell lived here, and she remembered that night. Mary Beirne called at her house about eight o'clock and asked her to come and see the great sight at the chapel. She ran up with her to the place. Outside the chapel, at the gable of the sacristy facing south, she saw three figures representing Saint Joseph, Saint John, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also saw an altar and the likeness of a Lamb on it, with a cross at the back of the Lamb. She saw a most beautiful crown on the head of the Blessed Virgin. Our Lady was in the centre of the group, a small height above the other two. Saint Joseph was to her right and bent towards her. Saint John, as they were led to call the third figure, was to the left of the Virgin. In his left hand he held a book. His right hand was raised with the first and second fingers closed and the forefinger and middle finger extended, as if he were teaching. The night came on, and it was very wet and dark. There was a beautiful light shining around the figures. She went within a foot of them. None of them spoke to the figures. They believed they were Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, because some years before, statues of Saint Joseph and of the Evangelist had been in the chapel at Knock. All the figures were in white, or in a robe of silver-like whiteness. Saint John wore a small mitre. Though it was raining, the place where the figures appeared was quite dry.

27. Sarah Morrisroe cured of paralysis after Knock visit

    Woods · townland · Mayo · 1879–1880

    Sarah Morrisroe of Woods, parish of Ballaghy, was paralyzed but walked seven miles after visiting Knock. Ignatius O'Donel of Swinford testified to seeing her without the use of her limbs in December and later completely recovered.

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    Mr. Ignatius O'Donel of Swinford bears testimony to her case in the following terms: "I saw her myself on or about the 22nd December, when she had not the use of her limbs, and on seeing her yesterday, after she had walked seven miles, she did not seem to be a bit tired. - Ignatius O'Donel, Swinford, February 5th, 1880."

    Jeremiah Sullivan, parish of Rathharry, Clonakilty, county Cork; polypus, or flesh growth in the windpipe. He came to Knock with his father on Sunday, the 1st of February, and got rid of his disease on the 4th. The following is his statement to Archdeacon Cavanagh: "I have been suffering from a hoarseness for the last eighteen months. I consulted four of the neighbouring doctors, one after the other, and to no avail, as none of them were able to ascertain the nature of the disease. Finding myself daily getting worse I came to the city of Cork, and consulted the most eminent doctor there. On the third day he found my ailment proceeded from a flesh growth or polypus in the windpipe. The conclusion the doctor came to was that there should be an operation, either externally or internally, either of which would be very dangerous. Hearing of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Knock, I decided on visiting the place. I arrived on Sunday morning, February 1st. Thanks be to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I coughed off the polypus on the morning of the 4th February after my third day's visit here."

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Woods, Sarah Morrisroe was paralyzed. Ignatius O'Donel of Swinford saw her on or about December 22, when she had not the use of her limbs. She visited Knock. After that visit she walked seven miles. On February 5, 1880, O'Donel saw her again, and she did not seem to be a bit tired. The same passage from the book tells of Jeremiah Sullivan, from the parish of Rathharry, Clonakilty, county Cork. He had a polypus, a flesh growth in the windpipe. He had been suffering from hoarseness for eighteen months. He consulted four neighbouring doctors, one after the other, and none could ascertain the nature of the disease. Finding himself daily getting worse, he went to the city of Cork and consulted the most eminent doctor there. On the third day the doctor found the ailment proceeded from a flesh growth or polypus in the windpipe. The doctor concluded there should be an operation, either externally or internally, and either would be very dangerous. Hearing of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Knock, Sullivan decided to visit the place. He arrived on Sunday morning, February 1. He coughed off the polypus on the morning of February 4, after his third day there.

28. Sight restored to two girls at Knock apparition site

    Knock · town · Mayo

    Two remarkable miracles were performed at the Knock apparition site, witnessed by hundreds: sight was restored to two young girls, one of whom had been blind from birth despite multiple visits to physicians in Dublin. The girl received her sight after visiting the spot three times and praying three times.

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    In addition to what we have already written regarding the visions seen at the chapel of Knock, two remarkable miracles, witnessed by hundreds of persons, were performed yesterday, namely, sight restored to two young girls, one of whom had, on the testimony of her mother, not seen from her birth. She had been several times with physicians in Dublin, but all to no purpose. Yesterday, in the presence of hundreds, she received the use of sight, having visited three times the spot where the Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, and after praying three times in honour of the Mother of God."

    Even since these words just quoted have been written, other miracles, as we have stated in the first part of this article, have come under the testimony and cognizance of numbers who have frequented the hallowed spot. His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam ordered the depositions of the several witnesses to be taken by a commission of learned priests and dignitaries deputed for that purpose; and they have reported officially that the testimony of all, taken as a whole, is trust worthy and satisfactory.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock in Mayo is where 2 remarkable miracles were witnessed by hundreds of people. Sight was restored to 2 young girls. One of them, on the testimony of her mother, had not seen from her birth. She had been taken several times to physicians in Dublin, but all to no purpose. Then, in the presence of hundreds, she received the use of sight, having visited 3 times the spot where the Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, and after praying 3 times in honour of the Mother of God. Other miracles have come under the testimony of numbers who have frequented the spot. His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam ordered the depositions of the several witnesses to be taken by a commission of learned priests and dignitaries deputed for that purpose. They have reported officially that the testimony of all, taken as a whole, is trustworthy and satisfactory.

29. The Knock Apparition at the church gable

    Knock · town · Mayo

    Fifteen witnesses at Knock reported seeing luminous apparitions at the gable of the church for over two hours in pouring rain. The figures appeared statue-like yet had the living eyes of real beings, and their silvery glow remained undiminished despite the deluge.

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    says, not only the eyes, but the iris and the pupil. Although some of the witnesses have described the figures as statues, yet they assert that those they saw were like living beings, as their eyes, and the brightness of their eyes, ever showed. They were statue-like only in this respect, that the figures did not speak. It is in that respect the witnesses bear testimony to their statue or ghost-like appearance. Phosphoric light is ever fitful and fluctuating, like the light of a reflected moon on the disturbed surface of a rippling lake. It is never even, nor at rest. But in the Apparition there was no rippling, or ever and constant changing of light. The figures and likenesses that were seen were settled; they presented an accurate outline, and were constant and continuous in their pose for two hours and a half. Add to all this that the lights were beheld at a distance of over half a mile; phosphoric lights cannot be seen thirty yards off - above all, they cannot be seen in daylight. But this is certain, that while water is being poured on a surface on which phosphorus is being rubbed, no light from it is seen. Now, according to the testimony of the witnesses, it was, during the whole period, pouring torrents of rain on the gable end of the church, so much so, that all of them say what they wondered at most, like Moses looking at the bush burning and yet not consumed, was, that the "bodies" before them were deluged with rain, and all the while they were not wet, nor the silvery glow that surrounded them in any way lessened.

    The glowing light of phosphor is yellowish; this seen on the night of the apparition was white.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock in Mayo was the place where fifteen witnesses reported seeing luminous figures at the gable of the church. They described what they saw as figures that did not speak, and in that respect they were like statues. But they were like living beings, because their eyes showed the iris and the pupil, and the brightness of their eyes was ever visible. The figures held a settled, constant pose for two hours and a half, presenting an accurate outline that never shifted. The light on the night of the apparition was white, not the yellowish glow of phosphor. It was even and at rest, not the fitful, fluctuating light that moves like moonlight on the rippling surface of a disturbed lake. Phosphoric light can never be seen thirty yards off, and not in daylight at all. But this was beheld at a distance of over half a mile. During the whole period, rain poured in torrents on the gable end of the church. The witnesses said what they wondered at most, like Moses looking at the bush burning and not consumed, was that the bodies before them were deluged with rain, and all the while they were not wet, nor the silvery glow that surrounded them in any way lessened. Water poured on phosphorus shows no light. But these figures shone on through the downpour, white and unwavering.

30. Margaret Beirne sees the Virgin and saints at Knock gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Margaret Beirne, widow of Dominick Beirne, living near the chapel at Knock, was called out by her daughter on the evening of 21 August to see a vision at the gable end of the little church. She distinctly saw images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer with a crown, Saint Joseph inclined towards her, and Saint John the Evangelist, as well as an altar with a Lamb on it.

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    I, Margaret Beirne, nee Bourke, widow of Dominick Beirne, deceased, live near the chapel at Knock. I remember the evening of the 21st of August. I was called out at about a quarter past eight o'clock by my daughter Margaret to see the Vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the saints who appeared at the end of the little church; it was getting dark; it was raining. I came with others to the wall opposite the gable; I saw then and there distinctly the three images - one of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of Saint Joseph, and the third, as I learned, that of Saint John the Evangelist. I saw an altar, too, and a Lamb on it, somewhat whiter than the altar; I did not see the cross on the altar. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in the attitude of prayer, with her eyes turned up towards heaven, a crown on her head, and an outer garment thrown round her shoulders. I saw her feet. Saint Joseph appeared turned towards the Blessed Virgin, with head inclined I remained looking on for fully fifteen or twenty minutes; then I left, and returned to my own house.

    Seventh Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock in Mayo is a town the road passes through. On the evening of the 21st of August 1879, Margaret Beirne, widow of Dominick Beirne, was at home near the chapel when her daughter Margaret called her out. It was a quarter past eight, getting dark, and raining. She came with others to the wall opposite the gable of the little church and saw what she described as three images. One was the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the attitude of prayer, her eyes turned up towards heaven, a crown on her head, an outer garment thrown round her shoulders. She could see her feet. Saint Joseph stood turned towards the Virgin, his head inclined. The third image, as she learned, was Saint John the Evangelist. She saw an altar too, and a Lamb on it, somewhat whiter than the altar. She did not see a cross on the altar. She stayed watching for fully fifteen or twenty minutes, then left and returned to her own house. She was the seventh witness to give her account.

31. Mary McLoughlin sees figures at Knock chapel gable

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Mary McLoughlin, housekeeper to Reverend Archdeacon Cavanagh and resident of Knock, saw strange figures resembling the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and a bishop at the gable of the chapel on the evening of 21 August 1879 while passing by on her way to a neighbour's house.

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    I, Mary McLoughlin, live in Knock; I am housekeeper to the Reverend Archdeacon Cavanagh; I remember the evening of the 21st of August; at the hour of seven or so, or a little later, while it was yet bright day, I passed from the Reverend the Archdeacon's house on by the chapel, towards the house of a Mrs. Beirne, widow. On passing by the chapel, and at a little distance from it, I saw a wonderful number of strange figures or appearances at the gable, one like the Blessed Virgin Mary, and one like Saint Joseph, another a bishop; I saw an altar;

    I was wondering to see there such an extraordinary group; yet I passed on and said nothing, thinking that possibly the Archdeacon had been supplied with these beautiful figures from Dublin or somewhere else, and that he said nothing about them, but had left them in the open air; I saw a white lig.it about them; I thought the whole thing strange; after looking at them I passed on to the house of Mrs. Beirne's in the village; after reaching Widow Beirne's house I stayed there half an hour at least; I returned then homewards to the Archdeacon's house,

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo. On the evening of the 21st of August 1879, Mary McLoughlin was walking past the chapel in the village. She was housekeeper to the Reverend Archdeacon Cavanagh, and she lived there. It was around seven o'clock or a little later, and the day was still bright. She was on her way to the house of Mrs. Beirne, a widow. At a little distance from the chapel, she saw a wonderful number of strange figures at the gable. One was like the Blessed Virgin Mary. One was like Saint Joseph. Another was a bishop. She saw an altar as well, and a white light about them all. She thought the whole thing strange but said nothing. She believed the Archdeacon might have had the figures sent from Dublin or somewhere, and left them in the open air without mentioning it. She looked at them, then passed on to Mrs. Beirne's house. She stayed at least half an hour before returning homeward to the Archdeacon's house.

32. Anthony Cavanagh cured of lameness at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    A young man named Anthony Cavanagh from Brabazon Street, Dublin, declared that after eleven years of needing crutches, he regained the ability to walk at Knock. His right leg remained short but had regained its natural strength.

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    On Thursday, 11th March, the writer saw at Knock a young man named Anthony Cavanagh, from 15 Brabazon Street, Dublin, who declared, in the presence of clergymen and gentlemen of the highest position and literary standing, that for eleven years he could not stir one foot without the aid of crutches, walk as well as anyone can walk, except that the right leg was still short, although it had regained its natural strength.

    On the same day the writer, and the witnesses with him, saw at Knock chapel a woman, aged about twenty-eight, who had been deaf since she was six years old, receive the power of hearing. The writer spoke to her, and she heard as well as anyone gifted with the faculty of hearing.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    On the 11th of March, 1880, a writer visiting Knock saw a young man named Anthony Cavanagh. He came from 15 Brabazon Street in Dublin. He told clergymen and gentlemen of the highest position that for 11 years he could not move one foot without crutches. Now he could walk as well as anyone can walk. His right leg was still short, but it had regained its natural strength. On the same day at the chapel there, the writer and his witnesses saw a woman about 28 years old who had been deaf since she was 6. She received the power of hearing. The writer spoke to her, and she heard as well as anyone gifted with the faculty of hearing.

33. Daily Telegraph correspondent interviews witnesses at Claremorris

    Claremorris · town · Mayo · 1880

    A correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph, travelling on a mission connected with Irish distress, arrived at Claremorris and sought an interview with Canon Bourke, parish priest and Canon of Tuam. Within an hour he was speaking with Patrick Hill, one of the August Apparition witnesses, and then a second boy who corroborated the account substantially.

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    connected with the Irish distress, I found myself at Claremorris, a little town about six miles from the much-talked-of village. It became my duty there to seek an interview with the parish priest - the Very Reverend Ulick J. Bourke, Canon of Tuam, and late President of Saint Jarlath's College - a gentleman well known to philologists as the author of a learned work on the Aryan origin of the Gaelic race. Canon Bourke, having acted on a Commission appointed by the Archbishop of Tuam to take the evidence of those who asserted that they had seen the Apparitions, was well able to put me in the way of ascertaining particulars for myself, and within an hour of my introduction to him, I was face to face with one of the persons who deposed to the August vision.

    One of the Witnesses.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Claremorris, a little town in Mayo, is where a correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph arrived in 1880 on a mission connected with Irish distress. He sought an interview with the parish priest, the Very Reverend Ulick J. Bourke, Canon of Tuam and late President of Saint Jarlath's College, known to philologists as the author of a learned work on the Aryan origin of the Gaelic race. Canon Bourke had served on a Commission appointed by the Archbishop of Tuam to take evidence from those who claimed to have seen the Apparitions, and within an hour of the correspondent's introduction to him, he was face to face with Patrick Hill, one of the August Apparition witnesses, and then a second boy who corroborated the account substantially.

34. Supernatural lights and visions at Knock after New Year 1880

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    Since the first day of 1880, further visions and supernatural lights were witnessed at Knock, though no official testimony had yet been recorded. These followed the original apparition of August 1879.

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    The official testimony of those who witnessed the first Apparition is here given, in order to give the reader the best reliable and authentic evidence. Other visions have been witnessed, and lights of a supernatural kind, since the first day of the present year, but of these there is no official testimony yet given.

    - Tuam, Lady Day, 25th March, 1880

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock is a town in Mayo. The first apparition here was in August 1879, and people gave official testimony about what they saw. Since the first day of 1880, other visions have been witnessed, and lights of a supernatural kind. But there is no official testimony about those yet. The record is dated Tuam, Lady Day, the 25th of March, 1880.

35. Archdeacon sees brilliant star flash along Knock gable

    Knock · town · Mayo

    Though he never witnessed the full apparition, Archdeacon Cavanagh saw a brilliant star flash along the Knock chapel gable, leaving a train of radiance, while standing at a distance from the chapel with companions.

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    Leaving him, we drove to the cottage of the parish priest and found him in his garden, whither he had gone, perhaps, for relaxation after getting through the multitude of letters that reach him by every post. Archdeacon Cavanagh is reputed along all the country side as a man of simple piety, gentle manners, and a modest and retiring disposition. This character is justified by his appearance; he at once makes a favourable impression, and is about the last man in the world whom a stranger would look upon and suspect of anything but straightforward, honest conduct. The very reverend gentleman gave his visitors a cordial welcome, and soon, in the little parlour of the cottage, I heard all that he could tell about the visions and miracles, in which he believes with unquestioning and reverent faith. As to the visions, the Archdeacon said, in effect: "On the night of the first Apparition my housekeeper asked leave to visit a friend, and remained out unusually late. While wondering what had become of her, she made her appearance in a very excited state, exclaiming: 'Oh! your reverence, the wonderful and beautiful sight! The Blessed Virgin has appeared up at the chapel, with Saint Joseph and Saint John, and we have stood looking at them this long time. Oh! the wonderful sight!' Inferring that the vision had disappeared, and omitting to question my housekeeper on that point, I did not go up, and I have regretted ever since that I omitted to do so. On another occasion a messenger was sent down to fetch me: I was in bed after a fatiguing day, and, having a prospect of hard work on the morrow, did not rise." - This manifestly appears as a triumph of the flesh over the spirit. - "I shall ever feel sorry that a sight of the Apparitions has been denied me, but God may will that the testimony to his Blessed Mother's presence should come from the simple faithful and not through the priests. Though I have not witnessed the divine manifestation I have seen the light, and once, when standing at some distance from the chapel, in company with others, a most brilliant star flashed along the gable, leaving a train of

    radiance."

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock in Mayo is where Archdeacon Cavanagh served as parish priest. He was known across the countryside as a man of simple piety, gentle manners, and a modest, retiring nature. Visitors who met him said he made a favourable impression at once, and was about the last man a stranger would suspect of anything but straightforward, honest conduct. On the night of the first Apparition, his housekeeper came back in a very excited state. She said, 'Oh! your reverence, the wonderful and beautiful sight! The Blessed Virgin has appeared up at the chapel, with Saint Joseph and Saint John, and we have stood looking at them this long time.' He did not go up to the chapel. He had not questioned his housekeeper about whether the vision had already disappeared, and he regretted it ever since. On another occasion a messenger was sent down to fetch him, but he was in bed after a fatiguing day, with hard work ahead, and he did not rise. He said he would ever feel sorry that a sight of the Apparitions had been denied him, but that God may will that the testimony to his Blessed Mother's presence should come from the simple faithful and not through the priests. Though he never witnessed the divine manifestation, he had seen the light. Once, standing at some distance from the chapel in company with others, a most brilliant star flashed along the gable, leaving a train of radiance.

36. Housekeeper sees Blessed Virgin at Knock chapel

    Knock · town · Mayo

    The parish priest's housekeeper reported seeing the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, and Saint John at the Knock chapel gable, returning home in an excited state to tell the archdeacon about the wonderful sight.

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    Leaving him, we drove to the cottage of the parish priest and found him in his garden, whither he had gone, perhaps, for relaxation after getting through the multitude of letters that reach him by every post. Archdeacon Cavanagh is reputed along all the country side as a man of simple piety, gentle manners, and a modest and retiring disposition. This character is justified by his appearance; he at once makes a favourable impression, and is about the last man in the world whom a stranger would look upon and suspect of anything but straightforward, honest conduct. The very reverend gentleman gave his visitors a cordial welcome, and soon, in the little parlour of the cottage, I heard all that he could tell about the visions and miracles, in which he believes with unquestioning and reverent faith. As to the visions, the Archdeacon said, in effect: "On the night of the first Apparition my housekeeper asked leave to visit a friend, and remained out unusually late. While wondering what had become of her, she made her appearance in a very excited state, exclaiming: 'Oh! your reverence, the wonderful and beautiful sight! The Blessed Virgin has appeared up at the chapel, with Saint Joseph and Saint John, and we have stood looking at them this long time. Oh! the wonderful sight!' Inferring that the vision had disappeared, and omitting to question my housekeeper on that point, I did not go up, and I have regretted ever since that I omitted to do so. On another occasion a messenger was sent down to fetch me: I was in bed after a fatiguing day, and, having a prospect of hard work on the morrow, did not rise." - This manifestly appears as a triumph of the flesh over the spirit. - "I shall ever feel sorry that a sight of the Apparitions has been denied me, but God may will that the testimony to his Blessed Mother's presence should come from the simple faithful and not through the priests. Though I have not witnessed the divine manifestation I have seen the light, and once, when standing at some distance from the chapel, in company with others, a most brilliant star flashed along the gable, leaving a train of

    radiance."

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock in Mayo is the place where, one night, the parish priest's housekeeper came home in a state the archdeacon had never seen before. Archdeacon Cavanagh was a man known across the countryside for his simple piety and gentle manners, modest and retiring in disposition. He was in his cottage that night when his housekeeper, who had asked leave to visit a friend and stayed out unusually late, returned in a very excited state. She exclaimed, "Oh, your reverence, the wonderful and beautiful sight. The Blessed Virgin has appeared up at the chapel, with Saint Joseph and Saint John, and we have stood looking at them this long time. Oh, the wonderful sight." The archdeacon inferred that the vision had already disappeared, and he did not question his housekeeper on that point. He did not go up to the chapel, and he regretted it ever since. On another occasion a messenger was sent down to fetch him, but he was in bed after a fatiguing day, with hard work ahead on the morrow, and he did not rise. He said he would ever feel sorry that a sight of the Apparitions had been denied him, but God may will that the testimony to his Blessed Mother's presence should come from the simple faithful and not through the priests. Though he had not witnessed the divine manifestation, he had seen the light. Once, when standing at some distance from the chapel in company with others, a most brilliant star flashed along the gable, leaving a train of radiance.

37. Pat Scott cured of lameness at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    Pat Scott of Ballymoe, parish of Ballintubber, County Roscommon, declared he received power in his leg at Knock after eight and a half years of it being powerless. He left his crutch behind and was able to walk firmly on both heels and toes.

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    Pat Scott of Ballymoe, has made the following declaration: "I, Pat Scott, parish of Ballintubber, county Roscommon, do hereby solemnly declare that it is at Knock I received power in my leg, which was not of the least use to me for upwards of eight and a-half years, being entirely powerless. I could not move or walk without a crutch. I can now walk firmly on it, but it is still short. Ballintubber, 31 January 1880." The following is an extract from a letter lately written by Pat Scott to the Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh:

    "Dear Father Cavanagh, -

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock is a town in Mayo. In 1880, Pat Scott of Ballymoe, in the parish of Ballintubber, County Roscommon, made a solemn declaration. He said it was at Knock he received power in his leg, which had been entirely powerless for upwards of eight and a half years. He could not move or walk without a crutch. He could now walk firmly on it, though the leg was still short. He signed his declaration at Ballintubber on the 31st of January 1880. He also wrote a letter to the Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh.

38. Archdeacon's register of miraculous cures at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo

    The Archdeacon of Knock kept a list of miraculous cures attributed to the chapel, including the blind seeing, the dumb speaking, cripples walking, and epileptic fits ceasing. Pilgrims came from across Ireland seeking healing at the shrine.

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    Questioned as to miracles, the archdeacon said: "I will show you along list of cures effected by the divine interposition, and can tell you of one in which I was an agent. Some little while ago I received a 'sick-call' late at night to a man who was said to be vomiting blood, and in extreme danger. Hastening to the house, attended by a boy with a lantern, I met the father of the patient coming to hurry me, in distress lest I should be too late. On reaching the cottage, I found the young man covered, so to speak, with blood, and apparently very near death, but conscious. After ministering to him, I called for a glass of water, sprinkled on it a few particles of the mortar from the gable wall of the chapel, and bade him drink. He did so; at once he began to recover, and is now well. I can speak of other cases, but especially of a man who came from Cork afflicted with a polypus, which extended into his windpipe, and so, said the surgeons, required a dangerous operation. He was here performing his devotions for several days, and then, to his astonishment and joy, expelled the abnormal growth -1 saw it - and he returned cured." The archdeacon next showed me his list of "miracles," from which I quote a few special cases: Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for seventeen years, can see; Maria Conolly, a cripple for thirteen years, is now able to walk; John O'Brien, who was born blind, has the use of his eyes; Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for six years, has recovered the power of speech; Patrick Boyle, of Glasgow, came to Knock afflicted with heart disease, and returned cured; Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, visited the shrine, and is now free from their attacks; the daughter of R. Walsh of Clifden, regained sight after bathing her eyes in water containing a piece of plaster from the chapel wall; John Roache of Roosky, Roscommon, stone blind for seventeen years, went away able to see; John O'Connor of Ardagh, came to Knock with a bent leg, supported by an iron crutch, and returned home, leaving the crutch as a memorial of cure; Owen Halpen, of Meg, Drogheda, troubled with deafness, placed a bit of the mortar in his ears, and had the sense fully restored to him. I might continue these extracts from the archdeacon's records, but space would fail for a complete setting forth of the alleged cases of miraculous hearing.

    Magic Lantern light not possible in the situation.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock is a town in Mayo where pilgrims came from across Ireland seeking healing at the chapel. The archdeacon kept a list of cures he attributed to divine interposition. He spoke of one case where he was the agent. Called late at night to a young man vomiting blood, in extreme danger, he found him covered in blood, near death, but conscious. After ministering to him, the archdeacon called for a glass of water, sprinkled in particles of mortar from the gable wall of the chapel, and bade him drink. The young man recovered and is now well. A man from Cork had a polypus extending into his windpipe. Surgeons said it required a dangerous operation. He spent several days in devotion at the shrine and then expelled the growth. The archdeacon saw it. The man returned cured. His list recorded more. Bridget Nearney of Strokestown, blind for 17 years, can see. Maria Conolly, a cripple for 13 years, can walk. John O'Brien, born blind, has the use of his eyes. Belinda Mash of Ballina, dumb for 6 years, recovered speech. Patrick Boyle of Glasgow came with heart disease and returned cured. Michael Marin of Lisakullen, subject to epileptic fits, is free from them after visiting the shrine. The daughter of R Walsh of Clifden regained sight after bathing her eyes in water containing plaster from the chapel wall. John Roache of Roosky in Roscommon, stone blind for 17 years, went away able to see. John O'Connor of Ardagh came with a bent leg supported by an iron crutch and left the crutch behind as a memorial of cure. Owen Halpen of Meg, Drogheda, troubled with deafness, placed mortar in his ears and had his hearing fully restored.

39. Apparition seen at Knock by men from Claremorris and Tuam

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    On the morning of 10 February 1880, another remarkable apparition was seen at Knock by several witnesses, including three young men from Claremorris—John P. MacCloskey, Simon Conway, and Thomas MacGeoghegan—and Martin Hession of Tuam. MacCloskey, aged about eighteen, provided written testimony confirmed by the separate attestations of his two companions.

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    Another remarkable Apparition appeared on the morning of the 10th of February. It was seen by several, especially by three young men from Claremorris, namely, John P. MacCloskey, Simon Conway, and Thomas MacGeoghegan, and by Martin Hession of Tuam, an intelligent assistant at Mrs. Murphy's establishment.

    Young MacCloskey and the other two gave their spoken evidence in the presence of Joseph Bennett, Esq., special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, London. The annexed is the written testimony of John P. MacCloskey, penned by himself, to which he signed his name. Young MacCloskey has been remarkable from his childhood for his guileless, honest, and pious course of life. He is now about eighteen years. His testimony is confirmed by the separate attestation of the other two, MacGeoghegan and Conway:

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock

    As the companion tells it

    Knock was the site of another remarkable apparition on the morning of 10 February 1880. Several witnesses saw it, among them three young men from Claremorris—John P. MacCloskey, Simon Conway, and Thomas MacGeoghegan—and Martin Hession of Tuam, described as an intelligent assistant at Mrs. Murphy's establishment. MacCloskey and his two companions gave their spoken evidence in the presence of Joseph Bennett, special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph of London. MacCloskey wrote down his own testimony and signed his name to it. He was about 18 years old, noted from childhood for his guileless, honest, and pious life. His written account was confirmed by the separate attestation of MacGeoghegan and Conway.

40. Augustinian friars of Ballyhaunis persecuted and driven into hiding

    Ballyhaunis · town · Mayo · 1641

    An Augustinian monastery founded at Ballyhaunis in 1312 by the Costello family was repeatedly targeted during periods of religious persecution. After regaining possession of their ruined home in 1641, the friars were soon forced to flee again, hiding among the people and moving between houses to avoid detection by government officials while continuing to celebrate Mass in the ruined cloisters.

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    Ballyhaunis, as well as Claremorris, is favourably situated on the line of the North-Western Railway. It is a rising town. It has two hotels. A growing rivalry exists at present between its inhabitants and those of Claremorris in the marked attention which they pay to visitors going to Knock, and to all tourists and strangers that pass by that way. According to Lewis, it is a market town, situate in the parish of Annagh, diocese of Tuam, barony of Costello. Mayo is divided into nine baronial districts, two of which - Clanmorris and Costello - lie at the south-eastern boundary bordering on Roscommon county. A monastery of Augustinian Friars was founded here in the year 1312, and largely endowed by the family of Nagle, who took the name of Costello, or MacCostello. It nourished till the reign of James I. In the year 1641, the friars gained possession of their old home, and rebuilt portions of the ruined edifice. Again, after a score of years, they were obliged to fly. They continued to dwell amongst the people, for priests in Ireland at that period were obliged to hide from the view of any Government official, and to abide for three months or twelve months in one house, and then to seek a change of habitation, lest their presence in a town or village should become publicly known. The friars administered to the spiritual wants of the faithful, celebrating Mass, whenever possible, in the ruined cloisters of their monastery. Some fifty-five years ago they began again to rebuild the broken walls of their church and convent. They possessed by right over one hundred and fifty acres of land, bestowed by the Barons MacCostellos, in times

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Ballyhaunis is a town in the parish of Annagh, in the diocese of Tuam, in the barony of Costello. A monastery of Augustinian friars was founded here in 1312, largely endowed by the family of Nagle, who took the name of Costello, or MacCostello. It flourished until the reign of James I. In 1641 the friars gained possession of their old home and rebuilt portions of the ruined edifice. Again, after a score of years, they were obliged to fly. They continued to dwell amongst the people, for priests in Ireland at that period were obliged to hide from the view of any government official, and to abide for three months or twelve months in one house, and then to seek a change of habitation, lest their presence in a town or village should become publicly known. The friars administered to the spiritual wants of the faithful, celebrating Mass, whenever possible, in the ruined cloisters of their monastery. Some 55 years ago they began again to rebuild the broken walls of their church and convent. They possessed by right over 150 acres of land, bestowed by the Barons MacCostellos, in times gone by. The barony of Costello lies at the south-eastern boundary of Mayo, bordering on Roscommon. The land and the walls were theirs, and then they were not, and then they were again.

41. Mrs. Hugh Flatley mistakes Knock vision for church decorations

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Mrs. Hugh Flatley, widow, was passing by the chapel of Knock around eight o'clock on 21 August when she beheld the figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John standing at the gable end on the south side. She initially thought the parish priest had been ornamenting the church with beautiful likenesses moved outside.

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    I was passing by the chapel of Knock on the evening of the 21st of August, about eight o'clock, and I beheld most clearly and distinctly the figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and that of Saint John the Evangelist, standing erect at the gable-end of the chapel, towards the south side; I thought that the parish priest had been ornamenting the church, and got some beautiful likenesses removed outside.

    Ninth Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock, in Mayo, is a town on your road. On the evening of 21 August 1879, Mrs. Hugh Flatley, a widow, was passing by the chapel about eight o'clock. She beheld clearly the figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist standing erect at the gable-end, towards the south side. She thought the parish priest had been ornamenting the church, and had some beautiful likenesses removed outside.

42. Fifteen witnesses attest to the Apparition at Knock, 1879

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    On 21 August 1879, the eve of the octave of the Feast of the Assumption, at least fifteen persons of different ages and conditions reportedly witnessed an apparition at Knock. Some observed the vision for one hour, others for up to two hours.

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    The village of Knock is now spoken of not only in Ireland, in England, in Scotland, but in America. Letters from the most distant districts in the far-off United States of the American Continent have been received, in which detailed questions have been put respecting the "apparitions and the miracles" at Knock. It is quite impossible to answer all the inquiries made on the several points proposed, regarding the general subject and the detailed events that have been narrated, and which, it is stated, have actually taken place. The events can well be grouped under two headings, namely, those respecting the Apparition seen on 21 August 1879, the eve of the octave of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and those that tell of the "miracles" that have been wrought since Christmas last. It is easy enough to deal with the question of the first Apparition, be cause the proofs regarding it rest on the evidence of the witnesses who assert, and even swear, that they beheld it. These are at least fifteen in number.

    Reasoning on this point.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo, is a place whose name traveled far beyond Ireland by the late nineteenth century. It was spoken of in England, in Scotland, and in America, and letters arrived from distant districts of the United States asking detailed questions about the apparitions and the miracles said to have occurred there. The events fall into two kinds. The first is the Apparition seen on 21 August 1879, the eve of the octave of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The second concerns miracles reported since Christmas of that year. The Apparition is the easier matter to address, because the proofs rest on the evidence of witnesses who assert, and even swear, that they beheld it. These witnesses are at least fifteen in number. The book from which this account comes notes that it is "quite impossible to answer all the inquiries made on the several points proposed" regarding what was narrated to have taken place.

43. Deaf woman receives hearing at Knock Chapel

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1880

    A woman around twenty-eight years old who had been deaf since the age of six received the power of hearing while at Knock chapel. The writer spoke to her and confirmed that she could hear as well as anyone with the faculty of hearing.

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    On the same day the writer, and the witnesses with him, saw at Knock chapel a woman, aged about twenty-eight, who had been deaf since she was six years old, receive the power of hearing. The writer spoke to her, and she heard as well as anyone gifted with the faculty of hearing.

    Miss Glynn, Kilkerrin, housekeeper to Rev. John M'Greal, C.C., Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis; pains and general debility.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Knock, in Mayo. In 1880, a woman about 28 years old came to the chapel here. She had been deaf since she was six. That day, she received the power of hearing. The writer spoke to her himself, and found she could hear as well as anyone with the faculty of hearing.

44. Knock-druim-Calry: the old name of Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo

    The spot now called Knock was once known by the Gaelic name Knock-druim-Calry. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland records it as five miles north-east of Claremorris (then called Clare).

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    The Church of Knock, the scene of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin, of Saint Joseph, and, as the witnesses believe, of Saint John the Evangelist, is adjacent to a village of the same name, situate in the diocese of Tuam, in the south-east of the county Mayo, and in the baronial district known as Costello. This barony borders on the county Roscommon, along a line of some twenty-five miles, embracing within its extent the rising towns of Ballaghaderin and Ballyhaunis. Knock lies on the western boundary of the barony of Costello, adjoining that of Clanmorris and Gallen. To those who feel an interest in poor-law unions or territorial divisions, it may be interesting to state that the village lies within the Claremorris Union. Knock-druim-Calry, as the spot was once called, is said by Lewis, the writer of the "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," to be five miles north-east from Clare, as Claremorris had been called some forty-five years ago. Standing on the line of railway that extends from Claremorris to Ballyhaunis, and looking northwards, Knock stands at the vertex of an irregular triangle, the base of which is the longest side, and that drawn from Claremorris to Knock the shortest, namely, five miles, while the third side to the right, from Ballyhaunis to Knock, is six miles and a half.

    In Gaelic, the name "Knock" signifies a hill. The village is surrounded by elevated knolls, which are known by the term "knock," or "druim," or "sliabh," in the language of the Irish people. If one stands on the tower of the small church, and views the country around, he will see these elevations arise around him like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. Looking, for instance, to the south-west, he beholds Cnoc-ban, or fair hill; and to the north, "druim," i. e., a ridge, an elevated slope; and to the south-east, the wild and bleak mountain-land, called "sliabh na mbreitheamh," or the mountain district of the judges. The village, which rests embosomed amidst these elevations, is very appropriately called "Knock," because, like Hebron, it is in the heart of a hilly country. The view of the region surrounding Knock is not at all inviting; the country district is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or Erance, the region is like one through which a desolating army has passed, no sign of trees or of comfortable

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    The town you are passing through was once called Knock-druim-Calry. Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, recorded it as 5 miles north-east of Clare, as Claremorris was called about 45 years ago. Knock lies in the diocese of Tuam, in the south-east of county Mayo, in the barony of Costello. That barony borders county Roscommon along a line of some 25 miles, and takes in the rising towns of Ballaghaderin and Ballyhaunis. Knock stands on the western boundary of Costello, adjoining the baronies of Clanmorris and Gallen, and falls within the Claremorris Union. The church of Knock is the scene of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin, of Saint Joseph, and, as the witnesses believe, of Saint John the Evangelist. In Gaelic, the name Knock signifies a hill. The village sits surrounded by elevated knolls, known by the term knock, or druim, or sliabh, in the language of the Irish people. If one stood on the tower of the small church and viewed the country around, these elevations would arise like huge billows in a deep and boisterous sea. Looking to the south-west, there is Cnoc-ban, or fair hill. To the north, there is druim, a ridge, an elevated slope. To the south-east, there is the wild and bleak mountain-land called sliabh na mbreitheamh, the mountain district of the judges. The village rests embosomed among these elevations and is very appropriately called Knock, because, like Hebron, it is in the heart of a hilly country. The view of the region surrounding Knock is not at all inviting. The country district is bare of trees. To strangers coming from England or France, the region is like one through which a desolating army has passed, no sign of trees or of comfortable dwelling.

45. Child Catherine Murray sees the Knock apparition

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    Catherine Murray, a girl of about eight and a half years and granddaughter of Mrs. Beirne, was living at Knock. She followed her aunt and uncle to the chapel and saw the likenesses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John for fully twenty to thirty minutes.

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    I am living at Knock; I was staying at my grandmother's. I followed my aunt and uncle to the chapel; I then saw the likeness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and that of Saint Joseph and Saint John, as I learned from those that were around about where I was; I saw them all for fully twenty minutes or thirty minutes.

    Eleventh Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    In 1879, Knock in Mayo was where Catherine Murray, a girl of about eight and a half, was staying with her grandmother. She followed her aunt and uncle to the chapel. There she saw the likenesses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John, and watched them for fully twenty to thirty minutes.

46. Young John Curry sees lights and images at Knock

    Knock · town · Mayo · 1879

    John Curry, a boy of about six years old from Knock, saw beautiful images of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph at the chapel gable. He climbed upon the wall to see the lights and fine images, and heard the people talking of them, though he could state no more detail than that.

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    The child says he saw the images - beautiful images - the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph. He could state no more than that he saw the fine images and the light, and heard the people talk of them, and went upon the wall to see the nice things and the lights.

    Twelfth Witness.

    Internet Archive apparitions-and-miracles-of-knock, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Knock, in Mayo. In 1879, a boy of about six, John Curry, saw beautiful images of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph at the chapel gable. He climbed on the wall to see the lights and the fine images. He heard the people talking of them, but could say no more than that.