21 August 2010: Our Lady of Knock

At about 7:30 o’clock P.M. on this day in 1879, the Blessed Virgin appeared near the gable of the church in the small town of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland. Approved by the local bishop. (“The 1955 National Catholic Almanac”, p290)

St Pius X, pope

Distinguished for his continuous service to the Church and to all souls as priest, Bishop and Patriarch Archbishop of Venice; finally as Roman Pontiff. He strongly defended the purity of Catholic doctrine against modern heresies. He extended the practice of frequent communion. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1616)

The need to give good doctrine

The years of the Pontificate of Pius X were particularly difficult due to the internal upheavals and transformations in many nations; and their serious consequence on the Christian faithful. Fundamentally, the gale-force winds that tore through the Church at this time were ideological and doctrinal in nature.

Attempts to reconcile the Faith with philosophical principles diametrically opposed to it spawned numerous widely-diffused errors. These ideologies attacking the very foundations of Catholic doctrine led to its denial. (cf R Garcia de Haro, “Theological history of Modernism”, Pamplona, 1972)

St Pius X made the motto of his Pontificate a reality: “to restore all things in Christ” (Apostolic Letter, “Bene nostis”, 14 February 1905) -- through his deep concern to stop the many evils that threatened the faithful. (cf idem, Decree, “Lamentabili”, 3 July 1907; Encyclical, “Pascendi”, 8 September 1905)

He frequently insisted on the damage ignorance of the Faith produces. He used to say: ‘It is useless to expect a person without formation to fulfil his Christian duties.’

He repeatedly stressed the need to teach the catechism. From his concern about the lack of Christian formation there was produced the “Catechism of St Pius X”, which has done so much good in the Church.

Many of the errors St Pius X fought against are uncritically accepted nowadays. In countries evangelized almost twenty centuries ago numerous people are ignorant of the most elementary truths of the Faith. Many are defenceless and with the complicity of their passions, yield to the erroneous opinions of a few. (cf John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Christifideles laici”, 30 December 1988, 34)

The call of St Pius X to conserve and spread good doctrine remains a fully current and vital issue. Moreover, may we never forget as Pope John Paul II reminds us that “faith is strengthened by sharing it”. (cf idem, Encyclical, “Redemptoris missio”, 7 December 1990, 2)

St Pius X stands out for great firmness in confronting an adverse environment. Nevertheless, he remained serene, cheerful, and in good humour amidst difficulties, since his life was strongly rooted in prayer.

The Pope was renowned for performing miracles. A Brazilian bishop, hearing of the Pontiff’s great reputation for sanctity, went to Rome on January of 1914 to implore the cure of his mother, then very ill with leprosy. Confronted with his persistence, the pontiff exhorted him to beseech Our Lady and some other saint.

The insistent bishop begged: “At least repeat the words of Our Lord to the leper, ‘Volo, mundare!’ (I so desire, be cleansed!). The Pope, condescending, with a smile said: ‘Volo, mundare!’ When the bishop returned to his country he found his mother cured ....” (G Dal-Gal, “Pius X, the Pope Saint”, Madrid 1988)

We turn with hope to Holy Mary, ‘Regina mundi’. Let us ask her that ‘the Church be rejuvenated, that she be firmly united, that her faithful be renewed in desires for holiness and apostolate’. (Alvaro del Portillo, “Letter”, 25 December 1985, 10) We pray that Christ might reign in all hearts and in all human activities.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:96-8

“ ... a great wind blew and the ship was tossed by the waves” (Jn 6:18)

The day which ended with the miracle of multiplying the loaves was very tiring for Jesus and his Apostles: not a minute’s rest from early morning till late at night. Afterwards, our Lord “immediately made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida” (cf Mk 6:45).

He did not want them to be influenced by the people who wanted to proclaim him king of Israel; and “fled again into the mountain to pray” (Mk 6:46).

The Apostles had put to sea by express orders of Jesus; but they met with contrary winds. Vainly, they tried to coast along the shore till they reached the port of Bethsaida. Always driven back, they struggled till after midnight, “when the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew, and the ship was tossed by the waves” (Jn 6:18).

Our Lord saw them suffering. Watching over their safety, he delayed coming to their help. Why? St John Chrysostom tells us: ‘to train them to increase their faith, humility, and confidence; and that they might have a keener sense of the blessing of divine help.’

Thus does God act towards us, and for the same ends. At times he allows that in fulfilling certain duties of our vocation or in tasks pursued with the best intentions, we should meet with contradictions. Often, he allows us to be troubled by mental sufferings or violent temptations despite the means we employ and prayers.

What then, must we do? To take care not to yield to distrust or discouragement, as if God had forsaken us. To be convinced that he sees our sufferings and labors. That he is near and sustains us by his grace. He does not ask from us success but fidelity. Finally, after having tried us, he will give at the fitting time the peace and joy of his sensible presence.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp522-4

Dazzled -- “Christ suffered in your place and for your benefit, to tear you away from the slavery of sin and imperfection.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 14)

In the year 1022 was instituted the 'Order of the Thirty Knights of Our Lady of the Star', at Paris by King Robert who said that the Blessed Virgin was the Star of his kingdom. — A. Favin, Histoire de Navarre. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Our Lady of Knock. Ireland. 1879. Ireland's most famous apparition. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

‘Notre Dame de la Garde’ (Marseille, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html). Moveable feast-- Saturday after Assumption.

‘Notre Dame de Grace’ (Cambrai, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html). Moveable feast-- Saturday after Assumption [21Aug2010].