* September 30 – Saint John Paul II created a Basilica and offered a gold rose (1979) * We are a Eucharistic people with the Mother of God --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association  September 30 – Saint John Paul II created a Basilica and offered a gold rose (1979) We are a Eucharistic people with the Mother of God On Aug. 21, 1879, various people in Knock village saw a vision, or manifestation, on the outer gable wall of their small parish church, in this forgotten corner of the west of Ireland. On one side there were three persons, identified as Saint Joseph, Mary the Mother of God (crowned as Queen) and Saint John the Apostle. But the center of the vision was a Lamb, standing on an altar, with a large cross behind it and angels circling; a strong light came from the Lamb. There was no spoken message; some 15 witnesses gave their testimony to what they had seen, which lasted two hours in the rain. A commission concluded that their testimonies were trustworthy... It’s worth noting that the pastor at the time of the apparition, Father Bartholomew Kavanagh, a young priest known for his piety and service to the poor, had just finished celebrating 100 consecutive Masses for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (especially for all those who had died without the sacraments in times of famine). Prayer for our deceased and for the Holy Souls has always been a feature of Knock Shrine spirituality… The Lamb in Knock represents our Lord Jesus... reminds us that we are a Eucharistic people… Father Nigel Woollen Chaplain at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock www.zenit.org www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.