DESPITE THE Catholic Church’s “difficulties”, there are “still people who want to celebrate their faith”, Msgr Joseph Quinn said yesterday as he opened the annual “national public novena” in Knock, Co Mayo.
Led by Bishop Michael Smith of Meath, the first Mass was attended by an estimated 5,000-6,000 people. That first congregation heard one direct reference to those “difficulties”, when prayers were asked for “the victims of abuse and their families”.
During his homily on the novena theme of “faith, providence and action”, Dr Smith said there were “so many things that challenge faith”, and which called for a “depth of strength that transcends pain and bewilderment”.
Recalling the first apparition at Knock on August 21st, 1879, when a dozen people saw a bright silvery-white light on the gable of the local Catholic church, Dr Smith spoke of Knock’s “silence”, which helped to “transcend the demands, pain and sorrow of life”.
This year’s novena is dedicated to Msgr James Horan, born a century ago. Dr Smith said the priest, who had developed the basilica and then built the airport, had “left an enormous imprint”.
Babies in buggies; people of all ages on crutches, sticks and in wheelchairs; and busloads of visitors from several countries heard Dr Smith appeal for “perseverance in faith”.
Priests of several nationalities were among the 35 clerics anointing the sick. The Glenstal abbot, the Rt Rev Mark P Hederman, is due to speak today. Others include journalist Mary Kenny tomorrow, and Irish Times columnist John Waters on Wednesday.
