(Lough Derg, County Donegal, Ireland)

One hundred and thirty-nine years ago today, Our Lady appeared at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. She appeared with St. Joseph and St. John, the two men who always remained faithful to her, like the Irish. The image above, though Irish, shows her with Saints Patrick and Brigid. It makes me think of Our Lady of Knock because she held her hands like that when she appeared, and seemed to be praying.

At Guadalupe, Our Lady asked that a church be built. At Rue du Bac, she asked that a medal be made. At La Salette, she asked that people stop offending God by abuse of His Name and His Sabbath. At Lourdes, she asked for prayer, penance, and processions. At Fatima, she asked for the rosary, sacrifices, prayer for poor sinners, the consecration of Russia, and offering our daily duties and trials to God. At Knock, she didn't speak. The Irish were already praying, were already suffering with love, were already devoted to the Mass and the rosary. She came to comfort and encourage her faithful children.

"Our Lady of Lourdes, of Fatima, of Knock, Ireland, Mother of men, Queen of the Universe, look down with love and mercy upon this willful, sinful world. Pour forth the abundance of God's grace promised and predicted in so many places, so many times. Sweet Mother of God give to each of us all that Thy motherly heart sees we need. Amen."

~ Rev. William J. Smith, S.J., Novena to Our Lady of Knock, Paulist Press, 1954.