Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Vatican's Secret Archives to show documents of the Immaculate Conception and of St. Bernadette




The following news story is from RomeReports.com:

In February 2012, the Vatican's Secret Archives will show a 100 of its prized documents. Among them, is the original parchment that holds the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. It's titled the 'Bolla Ineffabilis Deus.' It dates back to 1854 and it's signed by Pius IX.
 

Also on display will be a letter St. Marie Bernadette Soubirous sent to pope Pius IX in 1876. It deals with the apparitions of the Virgin of Lourdes, which is one of the few appearances recognized by the Vatican. The letter is hand-written in French, by the very Bernadette Soubirous.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Vatican medical board confirms second miracle attributed to Mother Marianne Cope

Mother Marianne Cope - Hawaii State Archives



The following excerpt is from Syracuse.com:



The former leader of Syracuse’s Franciscan sisters is just one step from being named a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

A group of cardinals and bishops confirmed today a Vatican medical board’s finding that there is no medical explanation for a second miracle attributed to Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, known for her work with patients with leprosy in Hawaii.

With the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, Mother Marianne would become a saint, considered the church’s spiritual role models.

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes for Saints confirmed the unanimous ruling of the medical board that a medical miracle occurred as the result of prayers seeking the intercession of Mother Marianne on the patient’s behalf.

The case involves the healing of a woman who was ill with a fatal health condition. The diocese has not revealed the woman’s name or other details of her case, but may later, local church officials have said.

In 2004, Vatican officials ruled that a miraculous recovery involving a 14-year-old Syracuse girl in 1993 was the result of Mother Marianne’s intercession. The girl, Kate Mahoney, nearly died from complications after cancer surgery at Crouse Hospital.

Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, a Franciscan nun, visited Mahoney in the hospital and prayed to Mother Marianne to intercede with God on her behalf. Others also prayed for her to Mother Marianne.

The Sisters of St. Francis have a shrine to Mother Marianne at their residence on Court Street in Syracuse.

Read more: Mother Marianne Cope

Our Lady of Medjugorje's Monthly Message to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar


The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

December 2, 2011 Message from Our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo
  
"Dear children, as a mother I am with you so that with my love, prayer and example I may help you to become a seed of the future, a seed that will grow into a firm tree and spread it's branches throughout the world. For you to become a seed of the future, a seed of love, implore the Father to forgive you your omissions up to now. My children, only a pure heart, unburdened by sin, can open itself and only honest eyes can see the way by which I desire to lead you. When you become aware of this, you will become aware of the love of God - it will be given (as a gift) to you. Then you will give it (as a gift) to others, as a seed of love. Thank you."

For other faith related news, please visit http://www.christian-miracles.com/

Monday, December 05, 2011

Who was St. Nicholas? The true story of Santa Claus



Who was St. Nicholas? The true story of Santa Claus

The following news reports is from RomeReports.com

December 6 is the feast day of St. Nicholas of Bari, otherwise known as Santa Claus. He was bishop of the city of Myra, in present day Turkey, where he died in the fourth century. When the city was conquered by Muslims, his remains were moved to the Italian city of Bari.
 

When his parents died, he divided his fortune among the poor. Because of his generosity, tradition remembers him as Santa Claus, who every year would deliver gifts to everyone.

He is also the patron saint of Russia, Greece and Turkey.

In Rome, a temple was built in his honor by the year 550. There are currently over 2,000 churches in the world that carry his name.

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Video contest on forgiveness offers $6000 prize to young people




The video and following news item is from RomeReports.com:

December 3, 2011 - This year's Kerygma Awards will give away $6,000 to the best video about forgiveness. The contest has two categories for advertising and short films. It's only open young people between the ages of 17 and 25. Cash prizes will also be given to second and third place of 2,000 and 1,000 dollars each.

It's being held by the NGO “Showing Christianism” and the Villanueva University in Madrid. 

Their idea was to encourage young people to come up with new ways of conveying the message of Benedict XVI. Entries can be submitted until March 12.

Last year's winners were the authors of this short Australian film called “The power of confession,” a story about the power of friendship based on real events.

The international contest receives submissions from around the world such as Israel, Chile, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

'HEAVEN IS REAL': New York Times bestselling author Don Piper relates near-death experience

Don Piper Speaking at Church Parish - Photo by Linda Andrade Rodrigues



The photograph and following excerpt is from SouthCoastToday.com: