DESPITE THE Catholic Church’s “difficulties”, there are “still people
who want to celebrate their faith”, Msgr Joseph Quinn said Sunday 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.