The fact that the Lamb is standing on the altar is a reminder to us of the Resurrection, since Jesus our Paschal Lamb, though victim for our sins, is not dead but alive, “standing as though it had been slain” (Rev 5:6). And our Easter hope is that all who share the Cross of Christ will share in His heavenly glory, as recorded by St. John himself (see Rev 7:15-17).
By Dr. Robert Stackpole
On Aug. 21, 1879, in the remote, rural village of Knock in County Mayo in the west of Ireland, the parish priest, Archdeacon Bartholomew Cavanagh, finished celebrating there his 100th Mass for the souls of the more than one million Irish citizens who perished in the potato famine — many without access to a priest and the Last Rites to comfort them.
Father Cavanaugh himself had made heroic efforts to provide pastoral care for as many as he could during the famine — he even sold most of his belongings to provide food for many in his flock facing starvation. Now he had finally completed what he had promised to do for the repose of the souls of those who perished in that national calamity.
Three radiant figures
Early that same evening, in the midst of a driving rain, a woman named Mary McLoughlin, Fr. Cavanagh’s housekeeper, was walking by the church, and much to her amazement, she saw three radiant figures in front of the south wall of the building. A short time later, Mary and another resident of the village named Mary Byrne saw the amazing sight together.
Word spread fast (as it often does in small towns). That evening, 15 villagers in total, ranging in age from 5 to 75, gathered together for several hours and all saw exactly the same thing: three figures raised slightly above the ground, shining with heavenly light that sparkled like diamonds — and to the right of them a pure white Lamb standing on an altar in front of a radiant cross, and adored by angels.
The three human figures were St. Joseph on the left, St. John the Apostle (clothed in bishop’s vestments) on the right, and in between them the Blessed Virgin Mary, her hands raised in prayer, clothed in a long white cloak, with a large, brilliant, golden crown upon her head. All of the heavenly figures were clothed in white, and all remained silent the entire time.
An ecclesiastical investigation soon led to an official declaration by the archbishop that the reports of the eyewitnesses were trustworthy. As a result, Knock quickly became a place of devout pilgrimage.
Profound symbolism
Obviously, the apparition of Our Lady at Knock (feast day: Aug. 17) is filled with profound symbolism, best appreciated by those who not only read about it, but gaze upon it devoutly in silent prayer.
Saint Joseph seems to represent the laity, who by their prayers and practice of the virtues sanctify their labor and family life.
Saint John may represent the hierarchy of the Church, the apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons, providing spiritual nourishment to the faithful in Word and Sacrament. …
The Blessed Virgin Mary was the most dazzling figure in this supernatural event. Her crown and radiant garments reveal that it was our Mother as she is in Heaven who was truly present to the villagers that night.
The Lamb of God, standing on an altar, actually appeared in the very center of the church wall that night, as if to show that all those in Heaven, clad in white robes, now serve and worship Jesus Christ as Lord of all on His altar-throne (see Rev 7:9-12 and 22:1-5).
Our Paschal Lamb
Finally, the fact that the Lamb is standing on the altar is a reminder to us of the Resurrection, since Jesus our Paschal Lamb, though victim for our sins, is not dead but alive, “standing as though it had been slain” (Rev 5:6). And our Easter hope is that all who share the Cross of Christ will share in His heavenly glory, as recorded by St. John himself (see Rev 7:15-17).
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, pray for us!
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