Our Lady

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is remembered in various guises around the New Lodge Grotto. Above, and in the underpass, she takes the form of the ‘Immaculate Heart Of Mary’ (alongside St. Joseph the carpenter and St Patrick(?)).

The prayer next to the trio is a Prayer To Our Lady Of Knock: (Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find.” Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. [Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.] Pray for me now, and at the [hour of my death.] Amen.)

The Apparition At Knock took place on August 21st, 1879; there was a mural of the standard depiction of the event in nearby Newington (Street View).

The presentation on the “New Lodge Grotto” side-wall (alongside St Thérèse) is of Our Lady Of Medjugorje. (There was a mural with the same title not far from the grotto.)

There was also an “Our Lady Of Fátima” image on the doors, best seen in C07117.

The ‘Hail Mary’ is also given, in English (Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.) and in Irish (Sé do bheatha, a Mhuıre, atá lán de ghrásta. Tá an Tıarna leat. Is beannaıthe thú ıdır mná, agus ıs beannaıthe toradh do bhroınne, Íosa. A Naomh-Mhuıre, a Mháthaır Dé, guıgh oraınn na peacaıgh, anoıs, agus ar uaır ár mbáıs. Amen.)

Painted by Paddy McCloskey, with help from Eddie Rossbotham and others.