Life and legacy of Pope Francis celebrated at Knock Shrine
THE life and legacy of Pope Francis was celebrated at a special Requiem Mass in Knock Basilica yesterday evening.
Gifts presented at the altar included symbols of the late Pontiff's connections with the Marian shrine, including the candle he lit during his pilgrimage in 2018 and a framed decree where he elevated its status as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine in 2021.
Fr. Richard Gibbons, P.P. and Rector of Knock Shrine, was chief celebrant of the Mass, and he was joined by Archbishop Michael Neary and numerous clergy for the celebration.
Fr. Gibbons recalled a profound moment during the historic visit in 2018 when a crowd of 45,000 people fell silent as Pope Francis sat in silent prayer in the Apparition Chapel.
This was recreated at the Requiem Mass when the large crowd in the Basilica and online congregation were invited to join a minute's silent prayer for Pope Francis.
Fr. Gibbons spoke about the Pope's special connections with Knock. He had blessed the new processional statue, and invited to shrine to participate in the first Sunday of the Word of God at the end of January 2020, where the choir sang in St. Peter's for the first time. International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine recognition followed.
But it was one minute at the shrine grounds that particularly resonated.
“That moment of silent prayer in the Apparition Chapel, I will never forget. It was incredible. He was at home here,” Fr. Gibbons recalled.
“That grace, that moment of prayer. A grace in unity of prayer where 45,000 people were silent was extraordinary. It actually gave us an insight into the power of prayer, the power of connection, and the presence of God.
“It was a very happy moment.”
Symbols of the Pope's visit were prominent at the celebration. They included a candle stand carved by the late Tom Cunnane from a tree that had fallen in the shrine grounds for Pope Francis' visit. It had held a special candle made in honour of that occasion, which was lit by Pope Francis and hasn't been lit since.
His chair was also there, fittingly occupied by Archbishop Neary who was instrumental in Pope Francis visiting Knock.
The candle lit by the Pope was one of the symbols brought in procession to the altar. The congregation was told its flame recalled Pope Francis' prayer for peace, his closeness to the people of Ireland and his devotion to the Mother of God. It also symbolised the enduring light of faith, which he sought to kindle in every heart he encountered.
A pair of worn and dusty sandals were presented, representing the millions of displaced people who Pope Francis championed throughout his papacy. He had walked with the marginalised, bore their suffering and implored the world to see their dignity.
An icon of St. Francis, whose name he chose and whose humility he embodied, was also received by Fr. Gibbons, along with the Pope's two encyclicals, the sacred text of his ecological vision. Through them Pope Francis gave the church a prophetic voice amid the climate crisis and called for a central ecology that honours both the poor and the planet.
These symbols, the congregation was told, were not just memories or relics but living signs of a shepherd who walked among his people, wept with the suffering and urged the world to love more deeply.
The Mass is available to view in full here.