THE KNOCK APPARITIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 382, 13 August 1880, Page 17

THE KNOCK APPARITIONS.

The Christian brother's narrative (continued).

Towards one o'clock a.m. on Holy Saturday morning I heard many in the church say they beheld a vision on the window of the transept gable (corresponding to the Epistle side of the sanctuary). Again the whole congregation prayed with the most intense fervour. I scrutinised this window closely, but failed to discern anything of a supernatural character upon it. I therefore turned to contemplate the vision of the " Taking down from the Cross," which was still visible on the side wall of the sanctuary. Some time afterwards, I again scrutinised the window, towards which the people were gazing intently, but saw nothing then nor at any time have I seen anything extraordinary on this window. But under this window some short time afterwards there* appeared a representation of our Lord in the tomb. I could see our Lord's head, shoulders, and part of the breast. That part of the tomb at our Lord's head seemed two feet thick, and the exterior of the head of the tomb had a round appearance — some what resembling the shape of a lamb's back. Our Lord appeared as much in a sitting as a recumbent position. At the foot of the tomb I saw a figure of the Blessed Virgin standing pensively, with her head turned slightly away from the tomb. Her appearance was the same as in the representation of " The taking down fiom the Cross," but on this occasion her looks manifested no indication of anxiety. At the head of the tomb, though some little distance away, I saw a figure kneeling, which I concluded was that of St. John. Where this figure appeared I afterwards saw a number of pillars, as if the saint had been kneeling in a magnificent church. The pillars were rather indistinct, and I could not see their tops. I continued to see the

representation of our Lord in the tomb for a considerable time, say half an hour, after which the figure of this vision gradually became indistinct. Later on, Holy Saturday morning, I distinctly beheld the representation of a bishop on the sanctuary wall. His arms were raised as in prayer. I could see only hie bust. Ihe figure of the bishop became manifest where the representation of the " Taking down from the Cross" had appeared. (At this time the latter vision had entirely vanished.) After remaining two whole nights in the church I felt considerably fatigued ; at about noon, therefore, on Holy Saturday I repaired to my compartment to rest. I slept soundly for about five hours, and on awaking felt as refreshed as though I had slept the preceding nights. Soon after awaking I saw a figure of the Sacred Heart, with flames rising from the top. This representation was distinct— the outline and shading being as perfect as possible. I looked around to see if this was not a reflection from some picture of a heart on the wall ; but there was no such print in the room, the doois of which were closed. Whilst dressing I saw this representation in four different places in the room ; and the idea that came into my mind was that a magnificent church to the Sacred Heart would yet be erected at Knock. The happiness I felt on the occasion of this vision exceeded anything I had ever before cxpeiienced. (I afterwards saw the representation of the Sacred Heart in the same room on two different occasions.) On the evening of Holy Saturday, after seeing the vision of the Sacred Heart, I again returned to the church. On the preceding nights the church doors were thrown open to all ; but on this occasion only about nine persons were admitted, and, thanks to the kindness of the venerable archdeacon, I was amongst the privileged few. Need I say we felt happy and prayed devoutly ; all gathered round the altar of our Lady. Towards midnight some one directed my attention to a peculiar twinkling or sparkling of the beads on the votive crown with which the Virgin's image was decked. I considered this very remarkable, but thought that such an effect might be produced by the light from the lamps. However, to satisfy some of the others, I said that the lamps might be removed. No sooner, however, was this done, than the statue — instead of growing dark — became dazzlingly bright ; the crown disappeared from the head ; the face shone with a most resplendent radiance ; the blue girdle — it was a statue of our Lady of Lourdes — became several degrees whiter than snow ; in fine, a new image seemed to have taken the place of the former. Some said they saw the Blessed Virgin bend lovingly over us ; but it (the statue, as I thought) was so exceedingly bright, and beautiful, and life-like that I became slightly agitated, and so cannot vouch for the accuracy of this last particular. After witnessing these wonderful effects on the statue, for the space of ten minutes, we again turned on the lights. When the lights were replaced 1 observed dark shades pass successively over the image, which gradually grew less brilliant, till, after about six seconds, it had assumed its ordinary colour, All, rave one, witnessed these extraordinary effects on the statue. After Mass on Easter Sunday morning, I saw on the transept gable corresponding to the Gospel side of the altar a statue-like representation of the Blessed Virgin. This was visible on two or three different occasions on the same gable. In the representations hitherto described the figures were not statue-like. Most of the apparitions which I have above described were witnessed during the night ; but duriDg my second visit I witnessed on the Feast of St. Catherine of Sienna what I consider to have been a very extraordinary manifestation. Having entered the church shortly before noon, I knelt down to say a short prayer. The chapel was al«out one- third full. Scarcely had I finished my petition, when I saw a multitude of stars or lights', similar to those witnessed at 1.30 a.m. on Good Friday morning. These lights (which were of uniform appearance) were characterised by two remarkable features — firstly, they appeared endowed with animation ; and, secondly, their movements were peculiarly graceful. These stars were not of any one colour ; but each star presented tho appearance of a variety of beautiful colours blended in the most perfect manner. They did not pass near the walls but in the air, from a foot to about eight feet high, and directly before the Blessed Sacrament. I scrutini-ed them closely for about twenty seconds. They weie ircomparaVy beautiful ; but finding that I could no longer restrain my emotions, I resolved on leaving the church. On my coming to the church door I requested some person to " Look at the magnificent lights,'' but when I turned round to point them out they had all disappeared. This appaiition tended to confirm me in the belief that all the other maTiifestations which I have described were supernatural . I here bring my narration to a close. I believe that Knock has been favoured by God in a particular manner ; that the last is not yet heard of this blessed sanctuary ; and I trust, in conclusion, that the happy effects of my two visits to this hallowed t-luine of our dear Lady may never pass away — that the graces there received may enable me to do God's will in time that I may praise him with His saints for eternity.

Between Brading and Bandown, Newport, at a place known as Moi ton Farm, well-preserved remains of a Boman villa have been diFcoveied. The tessel.ited floori' c of several apartments has been uncovered. Minute tesserae of diLt.j nt colours are worked up into a variety of figures, including a representation of Bacchus, with a Bacchante and a couple of panthers. A considerable quantity of human bones have been exhumed. Several coins have been brought to light of the reign of the Emperor Gallienus. While our Catholic Marquis, tbe new Indian Viceroy, is rapidly ren chins: Calcutta, the Marquis of Bute is travelling in a more leisurely fashion to England, after a visit to the Holy Land. This was not the first occasion on which Lord Bute had visited the East ; and the observations made by a Catholic antiquarian and scholar in that profoundly interesting part of the world will, we hope, one day be given to the public in a book.