Memorial Day 2017

Today we remember and honor all those whom have served our nation and sacrificed their lives for freedom.

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

The Ascension of Jesus

(Feast of the Ascension is forty days after Easter)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-11

Stained glass window photographed inside Our Lady of Victories Church, Paterson, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Our Lady's Message of May 25, 2017

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

May 25, 2017 Message to Marija Pavlovic

"Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called. Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima

On May 13, 2017, thousands attended the Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady's apparitions. The shrine is located in Washington, NJ, on the grounds of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

Fr. Andrew Apostoli spoke about the Fatima message and Mass was celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio from the Diocese of Metuchen.

In 1917, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to 3 shepherd children, Lúcia Santos, Jacinta de Jesus Marto and Francisco Marto in Portugal. Our Lady gave the three children messages known as the Three Secrets of Fatima.

Today on the anniversary of the miraculous apparitions, Pope Francis canonized Jacinta and Francisco in Portugal.

Photographs by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Our Lady of The Holy Rosary of Fátima

Centennial Painting on the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fátima's Apparitions by artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

News from artist Stephen B. Whatley:

A new tribute painting celebrating Our Lady of Fátima; painted with prayers in the days just before the centennial of the first miraculous apparition of The Blessed Virgin Mary on May 13, 1917, in Fátima, Portugal to three children, Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

On May 13, 2017 Pope Francis will travel to the Sacred Shrine in Fátima and pronounce Jacinta and Francisco - who both passed away as children - Saints.

British expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley is a devout Catholic and often feels what he calls a 'Divine Push' to paint tributes to Jesus, Our Lady and The Saints on significant landmark years or Feast Days - and to share them.

Dependent on prayer, especially to the Holy Spirit - his 2013 exhibition at London's Westminster Cathedral was called "Paintings From Prayer" - the inspiration for this tribute painting included descriptions of Our Lady as experienced by the children and the statue above the The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima - which Lucia Santos - who became Sister Lucia in 1928; and lived until the age of 97 in 2005 - pronounced the likeness to the vision of Our Lady that she and her cousins saw in 1917.

Our Lady's message was one of warning about subsequent world wars and the need for peace, through devotion to the Holy Trinity and praying The Rosary every day.

Blessings of peace, healing, light, love and hope to all who view this painting ~ in faith.

Nossa Senhora do Santo Rosário de Fátima:

Our Lady Of The Holy Rosary of Fátima  - Centenary Tribute - May 2017

Oil on canvas, 40 x 30in/102 x 76cm

www.stephenbwhatley.com

Heart of Divine Mercy

Heart of Divine Mercy by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

A new tribute drawing by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley, created 2017 on Divine Mercy Sunday after the Divine Mercy commemoration and Mass at Saint James's RC Church, Spanish Place, London, UK.

Pastel on paper - 16.5 x 11.5in / 42 x 30cm

Stephen B Whatley is an expressionist painter, published in TIME magazine, whose major commissions include architectural paintings for public institutions including The Royal Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II, London Underground and the BBC; and 30 paintings commissioned by the Tower of London permanently showcased throughout Tower Hill Underpass at Tower Hill. He has been presented to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.

The artist’s vibrant oil paintings are in private collections worldwide and public collections
including BBC Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces, the London Transport Museum, the Royal Collection, Westminster Cathedral and The Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart, Miami, USA.

See more of Mr. Whatley's religious artwork: Christian Tributes

www.stephenbwhatley.com

Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever. I invite you into my life, Jesus. I accept you as my Lord, God and Saviour. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.

Come Lord Jesus, cover me with your Precious Blood, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I love you Lord Jesus. I praise you Jesus. I thank you Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen.

Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen.

Say this prayer faithfully, no matter how you feel. When you come to the point where you sincerely mean each word with all your heart, Jesus will change your whole life in a very special way. You will see.

Prayer © 1993 Peter M. Rookey and Servite Fathers, O.S.M.


Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Prayer for Saint Joseph's Intercession

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF WORKERS

(May 1 is the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker)

Glorious Saint Joseph, you are the pattern of all who work. Obtain for me, please, the grace to work conscientiously and to put devotion to duty before my selfish inclinations. Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy, for it is an honour to employ and to develop by my labour the gifts I have received from almighty God. Grant that I may work in orderliness, peace, moderation and patience without shrinking from weariness and difficulties. I offer my fatigue and perplexities as reparation for sin. I shall work, above all, with a pure intention and with detachment from self,having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. For Jesus through Mary, all in imitation of you, good Saint Joseph. This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

More Prayers to St. Joseph