Cistercians identify potential group to take over care of Waterford's Mount Melleray Abbey

Talks are progressing regarding the future of Mount Melleray Abbey.

The former Cistercian monks of the abbey, who vacated in January, have said that a like-minded community has been identified "who may be able to continue the care of Mount Melleray". 

It has been seven months since the decision was made for the monks to leave Melleray due to falling vocations.

Since leaving, the monks have formed a new community in Roscrea, called 'The Abbey of Our Lady of Silence'.

In a statement released by the order, Superior ad nutum of Abbey of Our Lady of Silence, Dom Rufus Pound, said that “many people and groups have come forward offering to assume responsibility for the Abbey or to make use of it, or to find new ways for it to serve". 

Dom Rufus said that some of the proposals received were not practical, others were less fitting or not yet timely.

“A few, however, have been worthy of serious and prayerful consideration,” he added.

“We have begun discussions with a like-minded community, united in faith and purpose, who may be able to continue the care of Mount Melleray.

“If these talks progress well, they will tend this sacred place with devotion, ensuring that its tradition of prayer, welcome, peace, and study remains at the heart of its life.

“This is the beginning of what we hope will be a new chapter in the story of Mount Melleray — one that treasures its past while opening to the future in continuity with the values that have shaped it for nearly two centuries.

“We remain committed to seeing the Abbey continue as a place of faith, hospitality, and peace, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.”

40 years since apparitions

Meanwhile, it is 40 years this month since the famous apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the grotto in Mount Melleray.

In 1985, it was also claimed that a statue of Mary had moved at a grotto at Ballinspittle, Co. Cork.

So began a frenzy across the country, with huge crowds gathering at grottos and further claims of moving statues at about 30 locations nationwide.

At Melleray, four locals over a nine-day period claimed to have received apparitions at the grotto.

On Friday, August 16, day one, 17-year-old Ursula O’Rourke came to the grotto to pray with her family.

As she looked up at the statue of Our Lady, she noticed it moving.

On day two, the afternoon of August 17, several people claimed to have seen the statue move.

The same occurred on August 18, with local farmer Michael Cliffe, his 12-year-old son Tom, Mrs. Breda Lyons, Jim McCarthy and Michael O’Donnell all claiming to have had visions.

Michael O’Donnell said the statue took the form of a real woman and began walking down the steps.

Tom Cliffe (then 12) and his cousin Barry Buckley (then 11) both claimed to see the Virgin every night over the next five nights.

The boys routinely returned to the grotto during this time, receiving messages and visions.

One of these messages received from the Virgin Mary was, “I want the Irish people to spread my message to the world.” 

Another was: "My message is peace and prayer, tell the people that the water is blessed."

The messages also included warnings. She told the boys that if the world doesn't improve, the devil will take over the church in the coming 10 years.

As word spread of the apparitions, huge crowds began to congregate at the grotto.

On Thursday, August 22, day seven, the road outside Cappoquin was blocked for about two miles from the Grotto. 

This night, stewards who were on duty, reported that it was the largest crowd to date, and that some of the crowd were hostile.

On the final day, Tom Cliffe returned once again to the grotto with his parents.

Whilst praying, he reportedly asked the question, “Are you the mother of Jesus Christ?”

He received the reply, “I am.” 

This was the final message, which was heard at the grotto, and so a momentous nine days at Melleray ended.

To mark 40 years since the infamous apparitions, nine days of masses and prayers are scheduled, starting from August 16 and running until August 24.

Additional information is available at the ‘Melleray Grotto’ Facebook page.