Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
On August 21, 1879 there was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in an isolated village in Ireland.  There have been several apparitions of Mary in different parts of the world, but this one is unique for several reasons.
First of all, everyone who came along for the two-hour period that the apparition lasted was able to see it.  In all there were fifteen witnesses.  In the other apparitions there were select visionaries who were able to see the apparition and anyone else present was not able to see anything. Most of the visionaries were children.
In the apparition at Knock, the Blessed Virgin Mary was not alone.  It occurred as a tableau.  Also present were Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, and an altar with a cross and the Lamb of God on it surrounded by angels.
In this apparition there was no message given.  There was no movement and all was completely silent.
I was able to visit this apparition site on my recent trip to Ireland.  Bishop McKnight celebrated Mass at the site of the apparition.  I concelebrated and preached at this Mass.  I reflected on the presence of Saint Joseph, who was given the task of caring for the Virgin Mary and Jesus.  Saint John was at the foot of the Cross along with the Virgin Mother. Jesus gave His Mother into the care of Saint John.  Catholics believe that at this moment she became the Mother of all the Faithful.
So for me all apparitions and particularly this one remind us of something that is present to us all the time.  Mary is constantly interceding for us.  She is always there and her love and prayers are a constant in our lives.
The Virgin Mary always points us to her Son Jesus, reminding us of the great love He shows us in His sacrifice on the Cross and His daily sacrifice on the altar.  This apparition reminds us that at each Mass we already share in the Heavenly banquet.
   Msgr. Cox