August 21: Rosaries Honoring the Feast of Our Lady of Knock

On August 21 of each year, Catholics celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Knock.

The shamrock center medal symbolizes the role of Our Lady of Knock in the history of Ireland.

One rainy night, August 21, 1879, two women reported seeing Mary, St. Joseph, and John the Evangelist standing against the back of a church in their small village of Knock, Ireland. They also saw an altar with a lamb and a cross on it. The women ran and told others and soon a total of 15 people, ranging in age from 6 to 75, were gathered at the church. All of the witnesses were questioned by the Archbishop of Tuam and a shrine was later established at the site.

The back of the Knock center medal says, “Our Lady of Knock Pray for Us”. The back of the Celtic Crucifix says, “Erin”.

The shamrock center medal says, “Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, Pray for Us”.

 

Rosaries and center medals have been designed to honor the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. Most show Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist and witnesses to the vision.

 

 To learn more about unique and antique rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide, by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  This 152 page hardcover book, published by Schiffer Publishing, has over 200 color photographs of rosaries, crosses, crucifixes, and center medals ranging from those owned by England’s King Henry VIII to those honoring Pope Francis.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, The Catholic Faith Store, Adoremus, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online vendors.    With price guides and historical information, The Rosary Collector’s Guide answers the questions of collectors, historians, and anyone with an interest in religious articles.

Celebrities & Their Rosaries: From the White House to the Olympics

Celebrities are often seen  carrying their rosaries.  Donald Trump’s wife, Malania, was photographed carrying a rosary on her wedding day.  Grace Kelly, actress and Princess of Monaco, spoke of her devotion to the rosary.  History carries stories of  rosaries given by President John F. Kennedy as gifts to his friends as well as rosaries carried by King Henry VIII of England.

 

Newspaper reports in 2016 have carried tales of two prominent Americans and their rosaries, President Obama and Olympic gymnast, Simeon Biles.

In an interview posted on YouTube on January 15, 2016, President Obama showed a rosary given to him by Pope Francis.  When the pope visited the United States in September 2015, he stopped in Washington, D.C. to visit with the president. The pope gave President Obama a rosary with black beads and a log crucifix made by Ghirelli Rosaries.  In referring to Pope Francis and his gift, the president said, “I so admire him and it (the rosary) makes me think about peace and promoting understanding and ethical behavior”.   You can see the rosary and the full interview athttp://www.ghirelli.com/us/index.php/blog/President-Obama-Pope-Francis-Ghirelli-Rosary/

When 19 year old gymnast Simone Biles was named to the United States Olympic team, reporters asked what she would pack for her trip to Rio.  She answered that there would be a rosary in the duffel bag she carried.   When the games ended, Biles had several gold medals to put in her bag next to the rosary.

You can read more about Simone Biles and her rosary at

 

http:/www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/news/simone-biles-whats-in-my-bag-w212070?utm_source=email

 

Have you read reports of additional celebrities carrying their rosaries?  Tell us your findings in the comment section below.

 

 

To learn more about antique and unusual rosaries read, The Rosary Collector’s Guide, the 152 page hardcover reference book published by Schiffer Books,  The Rosary Collector’s Guide has over 200 color photographs of rosaries, crucifixes, crosses, and center medals, antique and new.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide helps collectors identify various types of rosaries and learn more about family heirlooms.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, the Catholic Faith Store Online, Adoremus, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online sellers.