December 7-8, 2024
“You never walk alone” – 25 Years of our “Our Lady of Knock” House
After a long time of preparation, the day of our anniversary has finally arrived: 25 years of our Cenacolo-House in Knock, Ireland, an extraordinary celebration that we will not forget!
We can do nothing but thank God for these 25 years, and we believe that Mother Elvira in heaven also rejoiced as she did 25 years ago when she first saw the house and immediately felt with certainty in her heart, “This is the house Jesus chose for us.” During the celebration many friends shared with us this powerful moment of the beginning in their testimonies and also in the memories they sent us.
As our anniversary motto we chose “You never walk alone!” a phrase that describes well a fundamental truth of our journey in community.
The arrival of Don Massimo with seven brothers from Italy two days before the feast confirmed this truth and brought us much joy, also because the brothers rolled up their sleeves to help us finish the last preparations.
The feast began on Saturday morning, and among the first guests we could welcome our dear Archbishop Francis Duffy, who had visited us already in previous years. With him and seven other priests, we celebrated Holy Mass at noon. In his homily, the Archbishop described our Community as a place of hope and healing for many young people and confirmed that our testimonies are authentic and strong and can help many people find their way from darkness to light. Archbishop Francis stayed with us for some hours and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for his esteem for our community.
After Mass our kitchen prepared a beautiful lunch for all our guests, among them many Ex-members and families. A great gift was the arrival of Sr. Jennifer and Sr. Susan, who led the Chaplet and brought to us the spirit of Mother Elvira. Thank you so much, dear sisters!
Then, we heard the testimonies of some friends from the beginning and watched a video about Mother Elvira and her funeral that touched everyone. An unforeseen event followed: A storm caused power outages all over Ireland and so we too were without power for a few hours and the feast went on by candlelight.
Providence thus prepared for us one of the most touching moments of the day: Sr. Jennifer and Sr. Susan brought from Italy Mother Elvira’s rosary and so we all had the opportunity to hold it and receive the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament from Don Massimo.
A small generator then helped us present our Nativity Play, which we prepared in the weeks before the feast, and with all our guests we experienced a beautiful moment of Christmas joy.
At the end we moved all with cars to the beautiful Knock shrine to end the day with an Eucharistic adoration of thanksgiving in the Apparition-Chapel.
The second day of celebration began with songs and the rosary. Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Adrian Crowley, a dear friend of all of us in the house. Thank you, Father Adrian, for your inspiring words and for your friendship. At the end of the Mass, Sean, one of us, received the blessing from Don Massimo and the other priests to leave the community after 5 years of a journey that has borne so much fruit. Thank you, Sean, for being with us, we wish you all the best for your future.
After a nice hearty lunch, we heard some testimonies from brothers who were in the house in the early years and among them the first responsible, Paul Doherty. All of them conveyed to us so much serenity and gratitude for the journey they were able to make in community with Mother Elvira and the other brothers. It is a joy to hear from them and gives us much hope for our own walk. Thank you, brothers!
Thank you to all who came to celebrate this beautiful time with us! Thank you for all prayers and all help, thank you for your friendship and encouragement. We carry you in our hearts!
Thank you to all the priests who as our friends bring Jesus to us in words and sacraments.
Thank you to all the brothers who have lived and struggled in this house: for all you have built up.
Thank you to all our families: for your forgiveness, your patience, and that you walk with us.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you walk beside us and always help us.
Thank you, Mary, Our Lady of Knock, for your protection and presence.
Thank you, Mother Elvira in heaven, for helping us from above!
The brothers from “Our Lady of Knock”
