On Friday the 4th of October 2013, my self, 37 other transition year students, Mr.Coll and Ms.Sullivan went to Knock in Co. Mayo for a youth gathering. We met at 6:45am out side our school, and made our way by bus to Knock. The bus down and back was so enjoyable and great fun. We sang and danced, slept, bonded, ate, watched a documentary on Knock and slept some more! On arrival we joined 5000 other TY students for the gathering. The atmosphere was electric. First we went into the apparition chapel.where we saw an example of what the apparition looked like when it happened on August 21st 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared.
Then we went into the Bascilica. where three people, one of Mother Teresa’s sisters, a former soccer player called Ger and another man who is a former alcoholic all spoke to us about there lives and how God had helped them.
We broke for lunch at 1pm and we walked around the grounds together and filled our holy water bottles with Holy Water for our friends and family. Mr Coll then brought us to the reconciliation chapel, we lit candles, prayed and some of us went to confession. The final part of our day in Knock was the Mass, it was celebrated by the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency, Archbishop Charles Brown. A choir sang and some of our students were asked to participate in the mass by holding a flag or saying a prayer. At the end of the day we were given rosary beads and a copy of YOUCAT which we were encouraged to use.
At 6.30pm we packed up and left for home. The day overall gave me a feeling of happiness and fulfilment. It left me feeling touched by the Holy Spirit, and a closer connection to God and all those I shared this day with.
TY Student
