THE KNOCK APPARITIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 379, 23 July 1880, Page 7

THE KNOCK APPARITIONS.

(From the Nation.) [We have received from » reliable source the following narrative related by a member of the Order of Christian Brothers regarding his wonderful experiences at Knock : — ] I proceed to give an account of the apparitions which I have witnessed at the chapel of Knock. I arrived at this now famous sanctuary on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation ; but, owing to the vast concourse of pilgrims gathered there from all parts of the country, I failed to get admission till the following day. TowaTds the evening of Holy Thursday I succeeded in obtaining a Eeat quite close to our Lady's altar. This was within the sanctuary, and here I had resolved on remaining during the night. The little edifice, which is of cruciform shape, was crowded to excess, and the fervour and devotion of the whole congregation surpassed immeasurably anything I had ever witnessed in public. So far as 1 know, the first vision seen during Holy Week was on the night of Holy Thursday, or, strictly speaking, on Good Friday morning, for it was past midnight. It was a representation of the Crucifixion manifest on the side wall of the sanctuary, and was witnessed by three or four of those stationed within the rails. Though I repeatedly directed my eyes to this wall I could not at any time discern such a representation. Being then an invalid, I was sitting up, doubtful if such a manifestation were really apparent. Soon afterwards, and whilst thinking of the mystery of the Crucifixion, 1 saw a beautiful, steady light, somewhat resembling a star, glide slowly from the canopy of the high altar towards the arch of a ■window on the sanctuary wall, and then vanish. This light, or star, continued visible for about six seconds ; it was exceedingly beautiful, and altogether unlike anything I had ever seen before. At this time I saw a large, bright cross, which continued visible for fully half an hour. I could discern no figure on this cross. When I saw the star, I kDelt down, and after a quarter of an hour spent in prayer I beheld distinctly a second star, exactly similar to the first, and moving apparently in the same direction. There was no mistaking the supernatural character of these stars. After seeing the second star I became slightly agitated, and begged that I might see no more, lest I should give public expression to my feelings. I remained kneeling for an hour and a half, experiencing the whole time a fervour and a happiness which would be difficult here to describe. I must here digress a little and state that 1 had been suffering for twelve months from an aggravated form of disease (for the removal or mitigation of which I underwent three unsuccessful operations, and a fourth was to have been attempted), and during all this time I could not walk without the aid of a stick ; but, above all, | I found it exceedingly painful to kneel — even for a few moments. After seeing the stars (as related above) on Good Friday morning, I knelt for an hour and a half without experiencing the least pain or uneasiness from the affected part. 1 then concluded that I had been miraculously cured. Next day I discarded the services of the stick, and can walk ever 6ince with perfect freedom, and can kneel during the whole time of Mass without the slightest pain or uneasiness. For this my cure, which dates from Good Friday morning, I feel I cannot , ever be sufficiently devout to the " Comfortress of the Afflicted," the Blessed Mother of God, to whose intercession I attribute this favour. The representation of the Crucifixion became manifest about one o'clock a.m. on Good Friday morning, and the firat star about half an hour afterwards. About half-past two a lady who had been contemplating the vision of the Crucifixion, gave public expression to her feelings, and directed fervent aspirations to our Lord on the cross, who, she said, was bleeding. She continued her aspirations aloud about ten minutes, and during this time and for an hour afterwards the intense religious fervour of the whole congregation was simply indescribable. Almost all were moved to tears — some striking their breasts in sorrow for sin ; others giving vent to the most burning aspirations of love, or pathetically appealing to our Lord for mercy. During the night some one pointed out to me the figure of a lamb, with a cross on its back. The outline of the lamb seemed well defined ; the cross, however was hardly distinguishable. Later on, a vision of which I could only distinguish the heads became visible on the side wall of the sanctuary (it was on this wall the vision of the Crucifixion was said to have been seen). Others also saw the figures of theso beads ; but it was not until the following night that I could understand their signification. On Good Friday, at about ten o'clock p.m., I took up a position — as on the previous night — close to the Virgin's altar, I remained in the church during the night. The representation of the heads above referred to was still visible ; but its signification was yet involved in mystery, At the Gospel side of the sanctuary a girl was kneeling, evidently comtemplating something supernatural. Some one asked me to beg of her not to distress herself, adding that she had been kneeling for s«?ral hours. I approached the girl with the intention of requesting ■^r to sit up ; but before I could speak to her she fainted, and was removed from the church. Whilst at the Gospel side, I saw on the wall — near where the vision appeared cf which the heads only were distinguishable — a magnificent red light. I then returned to my place, and immediately the full representation of the " Taking down from the Cross " became manifest on the sanctuary wall ; one of the heads representing that of our Lord, the other that of a man — Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus, as I thought — taking Him down from the Cross. I then saw distinctly the representation of our Lord's head, shoulders, and sacred body. A remarkably distinct wound was visible on His left side ; it was about an inch and a half long, and half an inch wide. The aides of the wound were even, as if it had been caused by a sharp instrument. Over the wound were black marks resembling drops of blood. Our Lord's body exhibited marks of intense suffering ; and

the limbs fell helplessly, as one would expect of the members of a dead body. At first 1 did not see our Lord's right hand ; but a female near me having exclaimed, "Oh! He has His right hand on His heart I" I at once saw the right hand of the Redeemer laid on His sacred breast. At our Lord's feet there appeared a beautiful figure of a woman, which 1 believe to have been that of the Blessed Virgin. Her looks indicated sorrow and anxiety ; her arms being outstretched as if to receive the sacred body of her Divine Son. The Virgin's right side was turneel towards the centre of the church. Our Lord's head hung slightly down. His face was to the altar, as also that of the man taking Him down from the Cross. Of these representations our Lord's body was the most distinct ; next in the order of distinctness was that of the Blessed Virgin ; whilst only the head, neck, and parts of the shoulders and arms of the figure representing Nicodemus were visible, the rest of his body being shaded by that of our Blessed Lord. At one time the figures of this representation appeared in very striking relief ; I lost sight of the wall on which, till then, they appeared to rest ; and now the vision made a vivid impression on me — bo much so that I imagine I could scarcely have been moie impressed had I seen the great mystery enacted on Calvary. Naturally I compassionated our Blessed Lord, reduced to this helpless condition through His love for man.