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The Apparitions and Miracles at Knock; also, the Official Depositions of the Eye-witnesses

M.H. Gill & Son (1880), via Internet Archive · 1880 · 90 pages · text from the file's own layer

This book was prepared and edited by John MacPhilpin of Tuam and published in Dublin by M. H. Gill & Son in 1880. It reprints Tuam News reports on the apparition of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist, which about twenty people saw on the south gable of Knock chapel, County Mayo, on 21 August 1879. It also gives the witnesses' official depositions, which a commission of priests appointed by the Archbishop of Tuam judged trustworthy. It lists cures recorded in Archdeacon Cavanagh's diary.

56
this story in the manner already described, Hill departed,
and presentlya lad was brought in who witnessed the appear
ance in his company. The new-comer's statement did not
agree in every detail with that of his predecessor, but sub
stantially both were in accord ; he, for example, saw no
"angels' wings" fluttering round the Lamb, but only lights
twinkling like stars. It was also stated that, though the
rain beat against the chapel, the wall on which the light
shone remained dry. To the question, " Did the figures look
as though they were part of a picture ?" this witness replied,
" No, they stood out from the wall like statues, and we seemed
to see round them." To the further question, " Was the
light on the gable a circle ?" he answered, " No ; it covered
the wall."
Journeying to Knock.
On the morning after my interview with these early wit
nesses of the alleged marvel, I accepted Canon Bourke's in
vitation to drive over to Knock and see the place for myself.
The five miles of road leading thither were not lonely. It
was market-day in Claremorris, and the small farmers, who
abound in that part of Mayo, were hastening townward with
a multitude of asses bearing oats or potatoes or hay for sale
at the advanced rates now " ruling." But all the travellers
we met or passed were not on marketing thoughts intent.
Some had an "up-all-night" appearance, and, indeed, had
been keeping vigil in the chapel to which we were hastening ;
while others, going the same way as ourselves, moved haltingly
on foot, or swiftly on cars, in search of miraculous deliverance
from the ills they suffered. The country thereabouts is unin
teresting. It stretches west and east, in long undulations,
without variety or charm. On reaching the summit of one of
the gentle rises, a tall square tower appeared above the next

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