10,000 faithful disappointed as Virgin Mary fails to show at Knock

Organizer claims he saw Our Lady and that she revealed a 'secret' message

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There's something about Mary: The scenes in the skies above Knock during the so-called first apparition

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More than 10,000 people were left disappointed in Ireland Saturday as the Virgin Mary failed to appear as predicted at Knock Basilica.

By 3 p.m. Irish time (10 a.m. EST) about 7,000 people had crammed into the Basilica with a further 3,000 people outside.

Dubliner Joe Coleman, the man who had predicted the apparition left the Basilica at about 4 p.m. saying he had seen Our Lady as anticipated.

Coleman, who says he is “a visionary of our Blessed Mother” said he had also received communication from the Virgin Mary.

However, he said he was unwilling to reveal the message.

Speaking earlier this week Coleman had he warned that the visitation would only be visible “to people who come with an open heart”.

Earlier this month an estimated 5,000 gathered at Knock Shrine with some people claiming to have seen the sun dancing in the sky.

Mr Coleman said the Virgin Mary had asked him to recite the Rosary with a priest in the Basilica and he said he was disappointed that the Catholic Church had declined to make one available.

Also speaking earlier this week, the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said such gatherings were not condoned by the Church.

“It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and . . . is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena,” he said.

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