The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-03-01
custom, still intist ON sending wreaths,
what is TO pre- ven, them attaching a
Mass Card" ID their floral tributes?
Holy Name journal
OF
PURE. SIMPLE FAITH
Experience Of d Visitor to the Famous
Shrine Of Knock, County
Galway.

The journey from Tuam to Knock
County Galway. says recent writ
er, on the rough, dusty road, proved
rather fatisuins, due in Il measure to
the new coarse macadam on which
the wheels ground with u grating
noise and the many long and weary
landscape presented much that was
Doggy and marshlike. except an occa-
slonal strip of ara BILE land from
Which came the sweet aroma of new
mown hay. 1t was nearing o'clock
When the driver pointed TO an eleva-
ton around which a serpentine white
road wound, and ON the summit a
moderate sized place of worship,
! humble in appearance. This, he told
us. Was the Mecca we had been long
seeking. the Church OF knock.
+ Throng of People.
! | saZed on the little edifice with in.
tense interest: and, as we slowly ap.
/ preached. could distinguish a num-
Der of vehicles and people gathered
! in front and around the building. 1
j was much surprised, however, when
! the church was reached to find a
vast throng of people, not by any
means made UP of the local peasant
ry; for in the gathering We're men and
! women. old and young, as fine ap-
pearing and costumed as might be
found in any assembly or gathering
in any country.
respectable people of means had
come from many parts OF the South
and West Of Ireland in their own
Jaunting cars and not few coaches
were there designating the rank of
' their owners. There was no noisy
gable. no signs Of festive merrilnent.
but a quiet, devotional spirit seemed
to tranquilize all present
A Blessed Shrine.
Piety. pure love OF God, reverence
FOR blessed shrine brought the
greater proportion: some afflicted
with sickness, wounds or painful dis
cases. having faith in" Mary's power
! full intercession,E We're there praying
for relief. and, or course a few at
tracted by motives Of curiosity.
But the one prayer arose from ev-
cry heart like incense to heaven
praising God and Ills Blessed Mother
for this manifestation of special love.
The suns disc was disappearing be-
hind the mountains of Connemara. and
the western ahorizon crimsoned with
the expiring rays Of the great lumin-
airy
Days Closing Hour.
Ut was the closing hour of brilliant
August day-,the refreshing breath of
evening was most agreeable to weary
| travelets. and the rest and calm.
which the twilight brings to troubled
spirits. was doubly felt here in this
hallowed spot. In a little while the
! full rich harvest moon, with myriads
of bright stars. shed sufficient light
over the scene. without the aid Of
lamps Or torches All the devotional
exercises were carried on the outside
of the chapel, and took the form Of
procession. men. women. boys and
girls carrying lighted candles and re-
peating in choruses the responses to
the Rosary and litanies recited by
wl'ite-robcd priests and acolytes.
Pure and Simple Faith.
Here was indeed manifestation Of
faith pure and simple which / had
never previously witnessed. l Joined
in one OF the professions, and the en-
vironinents We're 50 inspiring that
when we turned to the wall on which
the figure or the Blessed Virgin an
pearcd. fancied l could see in the
lifting shadows Of the leafy branches
which the pale shimmering moonlight
penciled on the wall, outlines of that
beautiful appari,ion We had heard sol
much about.
do not know how long ] remained
in the procession. 1t was so fascin-
ating. Never before or since was n
SO flied with that devotional feeling
that cannot be described in words.
The lame, the halt, and the blind.
some who in their desolate, sightless
faces would remind You Of the poor
man at the gates Of Jericho. Many
claimed TO have been cured and a
heap OF abandoned crutches formed
one OF the objects of interest.
Queen Of Maidsns.
a colnely matron chaperoned four
beautiful girls all attired in snow
white dresses with blue girdles, eachI
carrying a lighted candle-they had
evidently been trained in choir music,
and singing in solo and chorus, their