On Sunday, September 1, 2019, Archbishop Michael Neary of the Archdiocese of Tuam solemnly announced before the community of faithful gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, Ireland (Ireland) where Pope Francis visited visited last year 2018, as follows:
In union with the parish priest, Father Richard Gibbons, I offer a fraternal greeting to Bishop Francis Duffy and all the pilgrims from the Dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, the faithful, religious and priests who have come here from the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. elsewhere; as well as pilgrims from all over Ireland and beyond.
Today, in the presence of Bishop Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Marion Carroll and family, the Catholic Church solemnly acknowledges that this is a miracle without any argument. What medical science can explain this healing and call the faithful to join, join in prayer, praise and give thanks to God.
In situations like these, the Church must always be vigilant. This is evidenced by the fact that 30 years have passed since the event took place, and during such a long period of time, tests by the Department of Health have demonstrated: there is no medical explanation. for this healing.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus frequently answered prayers for healing made in the Faith. Here, in this magnificent Temple at Knock - honored by the visits of two Popes - Saints John Paul II and Pope Francis, and by others like Saint Teresa of Calcutta, many people Pilgrims have “experienced profoundly closeness to God” in the Chapel of Reconciliation, during the Anointing of the Sick, at Masses, and at Eucharistic adoration. All these grace-filled moments, often help to heal relationships – the pilgrim's relationship with God, with others, and with themselves. In these situations, healing takes place in a variety of ways; people are influenced and encouraged to carry the cross of life with hope in their hearts.
This is where the grace of God, often invoked through the intercession of Our Lady, allows the pilgrim to rise from here, and go out to do the Lord's command: “You shall love the Lord, God thy Lord, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-39).
The Archbishop's proclamation came amid emotional sobs from Marion Carroll, who was healed by Our Lady, and cheers from the assembly.
The miracle that took place for Marion Carroll was spectacular because it was exactly like the miracles Jesus himself performed as reported in the Bible. The person who was healed immediately recovered from the disease completely, stood up and walked immediately like a normal person.
Marion Carroll was brought to the Temple on a stretcher on September 1, 1989 because of multiple sclerosis, the doctors gave up, and only gave her pain medication while waiting to die.
Marion Carroll, then in her thirties, addressed Our Lady in a prayer she said was "like no other". She told Our Lady, “Our Lady is also a mother and I know how you feel when you have to leave your husband and children.”
"It's not a prayer, it's not a statement, but it's a woman talking to another woman," Marion Carroll told the congregation.
"'At that moment I had a wonderful feeling - a strange feeling, like a whisper of wind telling me I was cured, that I could get up and walk."
And Mrs. Marion Carroll arose and walked away. The stretcher-bearers were the first to gasp at the miracle right before their eyes.
The head of the Medical Office at the Knock Shrine, Dr. Diarmuid Murray, told RTÉ News of Ireland that it took 30 years to determine that the healing was medically inexplicable. this spectacular. At the same time it took time to be able to confirm that the miracle was radical, the healing was complete, and the patient did not return to the old illness.
“In situations like these, the Church must always be vigilant. This miracle is attested and recognized by the fact that 30 years have passed since this took place, and during this time examinations by the Department of Health have proved that there is no explanation for this miracle. medical side for this healing.”
Pope Francis visited Our Lady of Knock in 2018 when he visited Ireland. This is the second time a Pope has come to pray where 15 people saw Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint John the Forerunner on August 21, 1879. Pope Saint John Paul II also visited Knock in 1979.
Bishop Francis Duffy, Bishop of the Dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Archbishop of Marion Carroll, led the Diocese's pilgrimage to the Holy Temple this year, 2019. He said the following: “A long time ago: I am convinced without a doubt that Mrs. Marion was cured of her fatal illness while on pilgrimage to this sacred place."
Bishop Duffy noted that in his Diocese many people have come to Knock and have been healed physically, mentally and spiritually. “Mrs Marion’s case is officially recognized by the Church, but there are certainly many other miracles that have happened…”