Paul Keenan
A flower garden dedicated to the memory of deceased children has opened at Knock. On July 9, families of some 700 children listed in Knock’s book of remembrance gathered at the Marian shrine to see the culmination of a project begun at the prompting of parents who attend Knock in November each year to remember and pray for their loved ones.
According to Monica Morley, director of the Family Life and Prayer Centre Knock, “the event was really well attended and the weather cleared just in time for the blessing”. The blessing was conducted by Fr Richard Gibbons, prior of Knock.
Having developed from conversations had with parents about their desire for a ‘bright space’ to look forward to after their winter commemoration, the garden was made a reality through donations of snowdrop seeds from 470 people in the name of a remembered child.
“The message of the garden is that, even with a death, Christians believe that after winter, we will see spring,” Monica explained. “We believe we will see our loved ones again.”
Monica explained that the garden will continue to be tended by Knock’s gardening staff, with the intention of “making it a site for events every season for families”.