Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-23


The following very remarka BILE letter appears
i'm one of the last numbers of the London Morn
ing Post:
Sir: As paragraph has got into many papers
with an incorrect account Of my visit to Knock,
1 beg your kind insertion of the following
Such reports, from whatever source they en-
anate, do incalculable harm. as they throw dis
credit on real miracles. The facts are simply as
follows / obtained permission to visit Knock
as Archdeacon Cavanagh was anxious that
should found convent there If possible
went there. accompanied by the chaplain of the
kenmare Convent. / neither asked for, wished
for, nor expected miraculous cure In fact,
may say truly the idea never even crossed my
mind. For the last four years l have been
unable to kneel down for one instant. even to
receive the Holy Communion. from inability to
bend my knees, the consequence of acute
rheumatism. On approaching the place where
the blessed Mother of God is said to have ap-
peared knelt instinctivey and on rising in a
few moments found was perfectly cured of
this lOng-standng malady. Both Archdeacon
Cayanagh and my confessor. the Rev. NJ Neli-
gan. &C. of kenmare, were present. How far
this may be termed a miraculous cure / leave it
to ecclesiastical authority to decide. Probably,
however. it is only one Of those cures for
which the recipient must thank God, but
which could not be accepted by ecclesiastical
authority for the confirmation of a devo-
ton. | am very ignorant of theology. but
believe number of such cures would carry
weight if several perfect miracles are proved.
ArchdeacOn Cavanagh has already several medi-
cal certificates testifying to miraculous cures.
but we must wait the wise and patient ways of
the church. can only say that SO far from ex-
pecting cure myself when l found myself on
my knees. and knew that should rise in few
minutes, | thought first how was to get up
without assistance. and was amazed on making
the effort to do so to find myself perfectly able.
My confessor. the Rev. NJ. Neligan, C. c., can
testify to the years during which he has given
me hoy communion sitting, though / tried
again and again, and even quite lately was
quite unable to knee It was Incorrectly stated
that | was carried into church. This is not
true. but | believe the marvellous restoration
OF my health which has been granted to
me through the infinite mercy of God is quite as
remarkable, If not far more SO, than the grant of
this favor of being able to kneel. / have been
for nine years entirely unable for the least physi-
cal eXertiOn, except for a few hours in the day:
but since my visit to Knock | seem scarcely to
feel fatigue of any kind. The church has not
yet spoken in the matter: till it speaks we may
not do more than hope and pray. But since the
devotion has not been forbidden, we may both
hope and pray; and surely there can scarcely be
a subject more worthy of our prayers. In the
meantime | would beg of those who report sup
posed miraculous favOrs to be most careful. for
nothing but harm can come of eXaggeratiOn at
the same time it is supreme duty to have any
cures which appear miraculous fully and truth
fully reported. Yours faithfully
SISTER MARY FRANCIS CLARE.
Presentation Convent Tuam.