A Pilgrimage for Peace

The Apparition at Knock

Knock is a small town in the west of Ireland where Our Blessed Lady appeared.

At about 8 o’clock on Thursday evening the 21st August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the South gable of the Church at Knock. Our Lady wore a large white cloak, fastened at the neck. Her hands and eyes were raised towards heaven, in a posture of prayer. On her head was a brilliant crown and where the crown fitted the brow, was a beautiful rose. On her right was St. Joseph, head bowed and turned slightly towards her as if paying her his respects. He wore white robes. On our Lady’s left was St. John the Evangelist, dressed as a bishop, with a book in his left hand and right hand raised as if preaching. His robes were also white.

Beside the figures and a little to the right in the center of the gable was a large plain altar. On the altar stood a lamb, facing the West and behind the lamb a large cross stood upright. Angles hovered around the lamb for the duration of the Apparition.

There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition which was enveloped in a heavenly light. They included men, women and children of various ages. They watched the apparition for two hours, in the pouring rain and recited the Rosary. It was so real that an old lady, Brigid Trench, went up to the gable and tried to kiss the feet of Our Lady.

Most Rev. Dr. John MacHale, Archbishop of Tuam, only six weeks after the Apparition, set up a Commission of Enquiry. Fifteen witnesses were examined and the Commission reported that the ‘testimony’ of all taken as a whole, was trustworthy and satisfactory. Archbishop Gilmartin set up another Commission in 1936 to examine the three surviving witnesses of the Apparition: Mrs. Mary O’Connell (Mary Byrne), Patrick Byrne and John Curry. All three confirmed their original statements in 1879. Mrs. O’Connell gave evidence under oath from her death bed and at the end of her statement she added: “I am quite clear about everything I have said, and I make this statement knowing I am going before my God.”  The verdict of this commission was that the evidence of the witnesses was upright and trustworthy, and concerning Mrs. O’Connell, it was reported that she left ‘a most favorable impression on their minds.’

The Blessed Sacrement Procession

The Knock Irish Folk Museum

On September 30th, 1979, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II came as a pilgrim to Knock Shrine, to honor it, in a very special way, in its Centenary year Knock was “the goal” of his journey to Ireland. Well nigh half a million pilgrims gathered to welcome the Vicar of Christ.

The Basilica in the evening

Our departure dates 2005:-

Pilgrimages for five days (4 nights)

Itinerary as shown below

Monday 25 July & Monday 3 October

Pilgrimages for six days (5 nights)

Itinerary as below with an extra day

when we will vist Kylomore Abbey,

Cong Abbey & the "Quiet Man" Cottage.

Monday 2 May & Monday 30 May 

For Parish Groups (20 Pilgrims +) it is possible to arrange a Knock Pilgrimage at any date and duration to suit your Group and to fly from Stansted, Birmingham or Manchester.

For all, it is possible to extend your stay and fly back to the UK from adifferent airport eg Dublin

Knock House Hotel 

Knock House Hotel is situated in the grounds of the Shrine. It is a comfortable, modern three star hotel. It has an excellent restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and lounge areas. All bedrooms have private en suite facilities, a ‘phone and a TV. There are a number of rooms for wheelchair users. 

5 days (4 nights) 25 July & 3 October.   £273

6 days (5 nights) 2 May £343 - 30 May £350 
PLUS the appropriate air fare (Between £10 and £180) See below.

What’s included. Return flights. All Government & airport taxes. Transfers & coach journeys shown in the itinerary. Half board accommodation based on a twin room. Dinner each evening and a full Irish breakfast each morning. All Entrance fees. 

NOT included. Insurance. Single-room supplement £56. Beverages. Stansted Airport/RyanAir make a charge for wheelchair assistance to and from the plane.

IMPORTANT NOTE  FLIGHTS - IMPORTANT NOTE Our flights from Stansted are with Ryanair (The only airline flying this route) Ryanair do not allow advanced group provisional bookings. Each passenger must be booked individually with full payment. No changes are allowed and the fare is non-refundable. Further, there is no fixed fare, it varies from day to day. It is generally around £140 but can be as little as £10 or as much as £180 depending when you book. Generally, the earlier you book the cheaper the fare. The full cost of the flight must be paid with the deposit. We can not refund cancelled tickets as this is not recoverable from Ryanair so holiday insurance is essential. Our cancellation charges apply to the balance of the Pilgrimage price.it is possible to extend your stay after the Pilgrimage and even fly home from a different airport, for example Dublin. (there are rail services from Knock to Dublin.) If you wish to take this type of option please ‘phone us. And please ‘phone for current fare.

Coming from outside the UK?  You may book your own flight to Knock or (from the UK only) have us book it for you. See important notice above.

The Processional Statue

e-mail us at info@stpeter.co.uk

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