Does Our Lady of Knock "belong" to Ireland?

[Talitha712]

I have no idea if this is in the right category.

So I’ve heard it argued by someone that certain apparitions of Our Lady were intended exclusively for the ethnic group involved. For example, according to them Our Lady of Knock belongs to Ireland and it would not be appropriate for someone who isn’t Irish to call on her under that title I feel that’s a load of nonsense. There’s nothing exclusive about Our Mother. As an American of Irish descent in a diverse area, I have no problem at all with anyone praying to Our Lady of Knock, just as I freely use the titles Our Lady of La Vang and Our Lady of Guadalupe in my own prayers.

I’m not looking to go out of my way to argue with this person, but should it come up again I’d love a good way to refute this claim. Any ideas?

 

[Spyridon]

feel that’s a load of nonsense.

You are correct.

Such a view would be superstitious nonsense.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I don’t know who told you that, but Our Lady of Knock is for everybody just as Our Lady of Lourdes isn’t just for the French and Our Lady of Fatima isn’t just for the Portuguese and Our Lady of Beauraing isn’t just for the Belgians etc.

People from the ethnic group or country where Our Lady appeared naturally have a special attachment to that particular apparition because it is “close to home”. But nobody owns Our Lady. She comes for everyone.