August 23, 2003
Ná lig sinn i gcathú
One hundred and twenty four years ago, there was a miraculous appearance at Knock, Co. Mayo, and the church and basilica marks the spot in the village where the Virgin Mary was seen by locals. Last weekend, at the annual celebrations, the locals were complaining about a more modern apparition.
Bemused locals and visitors could only watch in astonishment as dozens of scantily-clad women strutted around the Marian village as if they were attending a rock concert. The arrival of such a large contingent of travellers from all parts of Ireland was certainly the main talking point amongst many of the 100,000 pilgrims who attended the annual Novena on Friday afternoon amidst glorious sunshine. - Mayo News
Womenfolk in traveller communities don't get that many opportunities to strut their stuff, but when they do, they don't hold back. I watched a bunch of traveller girls set off to climb Croagh Patrick two years ago in high heels and belly tops.
These people are entitled to come to Knock and pray the same as anyone else but I think they should show some respect by dressing appropriately,” one pilgrim told the Mayo News. “The annual Novena is about prayer, it’s not about walking around Knock semi-naked. I know the weather was warm but I think these women could have dressed properly for the occasion. They looked like they were on their way to a disco, not a Novena.
I don't what the locals in Knock are complaining about. If you've ever walked through the village, the sheer volume of tat, sorry religious souvenirs on sale is astonishing, and not the least bit appropriate for a religious shrine. As for feeling hot and bothered by the sights, I'm sure it's nothing that a few decades of the rosary couldn't cure.
Posted by Monasette at August 23, 2003 07:05 PM | TrackBack