Medjugorje: 30 Years of a Phenomenon

NEW BOOK CLAIMS MORE THAN 600 HEALINGS AT MEDJUGORJE

The following excerpt is posted on SpiritDaily.com:

Recently, two new books have been issued outlining fascinating information about Medjugorje, which is the most famous apparition in nearly a century (since Fatima in 1917).

One of the books, written by two news reporters, Marijan Sivrić and Ivo Šćepanović (Medjugorje: 30 Years of a Phenomenon), says at least six hundred healings have been credibly reported at Medjugorje.

"The Holy See observes with caution but the documentation only increases the observer's curiosity of the Medjugorian happenings," they report. "Recorded cases of the healings of people from all over the world are kept in the information center, along with all the given documentation which is then forwarded to medical and theological examiners." The two journalists cite an especially impressive cure of multiple sclerosis -- wherein a woman who had been unable to walk suddenly was able to hike more than seven miles to the shrine from the hotel she was staying at in Ljubuški. They report that the case was studied by twenty-five experts. So far, they say, "there are 143 similar documents of healings that can't be medically explained."

As at Lourdes (where the official tally of "miraculous" cures is just 68 out of the approximately 7,000 people who sought to have their cases confirmed), hundreds and perhaps thousands of other cases have gone unreported. The accounts we have directly heard themselves number in the dozens -- although they are far outnumbered by dramatic spiritual healings (and conversions).

Read more: SpiritDaily.com

Book Describes how Angels have Helped Popes throughout History

YouTube - RomeReports's Channel

The followining information is from the website of RomeReports.com:

This italian priest is dedicating his life to promote the proper devotion to angels. That's why Father Marcello Stanzione has written several books on these heavenly beings.

His most recent work describes how angels have helped popes throughout history. His book, The Pope and the Angels, begins by saying how guardian angels are a special help to anyone.

"Miracles of Mary" Documents Miracles of the Virgin Mary

The Miracles of Mary by Bridget Curran

The video and following information is from the website of Rome Reports:

Bridget Curran is an Australian film-maker and author who embarked on a journey to tell of everyday encounters with the Virgin Mary.

In her book “The Miracles of Mary,” Curran depicts encounters with Mary by Christians and non-Christians in the form of apparitions, weeping statues, and other miracles that she notes in detail.

Bridget says, “I've had some really interesting experiences while researching and since researching the book, with people from different faiths, there's quite an interesting Muslim devotion to Our Lady because they saw Jesus as a prophet and they saw Our Lady as someone to really be respected and to look up to.”

The book takes the reader on a tour through Africa, Asia, and Europe through stories that inspire, unite, and teach about ordinary people with extraordinary experiences.

Bridget says,“There are a lot of people that have shied away from the Church but still feel connection to Our Lady which is really lovely and I think very encouraging to help people come back and explore the Church again, and to understand their faith in a different way.”

Stories about apparitions of the Virgin Mary have surfaced around the world, including one in Champion, Wisconsin which was recently approved as the first Marian apparition site in the United States.

This apparition bears resemblance to one of Curran's favorites located in England because they both served to unite people.

Bridget says, “There are a couple of stories which I really love, one of them is Our Lady Walsingham, I was really touched by how it was one of oldest apparitions and one of the first major apparitions in the UK, it was from 12th century. It was really an apparition that brought people together from all different cultures.”

The book was first released in 2008 (Miracles of Mary) and has since reached audiences as diverse those in Brazil and Indonesia, as well as the United States and Europe.

Bridget says, “It's gone into Ireland, the UK, and Europe and it's had a really good response from the readers in the US and it's been lovely to see it kind of flourishing outside of anything that I've been doing so it's really encouraging that people are interested in Our Lady and finding out more.”

“Miracles of Mary” intends to teach about the beauty and grace that people have found in her. Curran continues to be interested in stories related to the Virgin Mary, a figure that she describes as one of love and maternal guidance.

New Book Series to Feature the Christian Art of Stephen B. Whatley

The Glory of Christ
Painting by Stephen B. Whatley


New Book Series to Feature the Christian Art of Stephen B Whatley in 2011 - Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Editors at SPCK (Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge) have commissioned to publish four of expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley's Christian paintings on the covers of a new series of books, 'Meeting Jesus' by best-selling US author Marcus J. Borg, whose works have been published in 9 languages.

The painting, The Glory of Christ (detail of picture shown above) will be the cover for the first book in the series, 'Meeting Jesus' which is due for publication in February 2011.

To see the full image as it will be appear on the cover, please click on the following link:
www.flickr.com/photos/stephenbwhatley/2357252831/

SPCK has also published Stephen B. Whatley's iconic portrait of Christ: 'Jesus: Feast Day of the Divine Mercy' (painted in 2003).  The painting is on the cover of The Historical Jesus: Five Views.  The book was published in February 2010.  The Christian book publisher is located in London.

The Glory of Christ- Easter Day 2008
Oil on canvas
30 x 24in/76 x 61cm

More about the artist: Stephen B. Whatley

Copyright 2010 Stephen B. Whatley

New Book by Todd Burpo: Heaven is for Real

'Heaven Is for Real' - Fox News Video - FoxNews.com

Excerpt from Fox News Interview: Life-saving surgery leads to a life-changing experience for Colton Burpo, a 4-year-old.  During surgery he visits heaven and sees Jesus and St. John the Babtist as well as his late great-grandfather.

Vatican Publishes Guide about Angels

A “Guide” About Angels Published by the Vatican

The Video and following excerpt is from the website of Rome Reports:

The angels have had cities and shrines named after them, and have been the inspiration for many hymns. However, they are a great unknown and have always been surrounded by a halo of mystery.

The Italian priest Marcello Stanzione has been studying them for years, and has written over 40 books on them. The Vatican Publishing House published the last one: An essential guide to the angels.


Msgr. Marcello Stanzione

"The Angels: An Essential Guide”

“The angels have elements from God and elements from the human being in this sense. Like us, the angels were also created, so they are creatures. But they do not die, and this is part of God's eternity.”


Msgr. Adriano Paccanelli

Vatican Secretariat of State

“They are invisible ministers of God, they are our custodians. They are spiritual beings”.

The most famous Angels are the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The Catholic Church celebrates their feast on September 29. The tradition divides the angels into three groups. The first, seraphim, cherubim and thrones, the second, dominations, virtues and powers. And third, principalities, archangels and angels.

Throughout history, the Orders of the Benedictines, Franciscans and Jesuits have studied them most.

In addition, all the great saints have had a close relationship with the angels.


Msgr. Marcello Stanzione

"The Angels: An Essential Guide”

"Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer was a devotee of the angels and when he entered in any church, he stood a moment. His associates knew the reason: he said he first let his angel pass and he would pass him."

Popes have also conveyed the importance of interacting with angels. The most famous prayer to Archangel Michael was written by Leo XIII.

John Paul II said on several occasions that every day he asked for help to his guardian angel and spoke about the angels in various general audiences. His successor, Benedict XVI, has carried on this devotion to the angels.

Read More: A Guide about Angels

A Light in Her Life by Joan Wester Anderson

The following story by Joan Wester Anderson is published in the new updated edition of Where Miracles Happen.

A Light in Her Life by Joan Wester Anderson

One cold, overcast Saturday morning, freelance writer Sue Markgraf sat staring blankly at the TV. The children were occupied, and there were notes on her computer for her next writing project. She really should get on with it.

But a combination of fatigue and discouragement kept her from moving. Were her efforts really leading anywhere? Would she ever make a difference through her work?

Suddenly, an intense ray of light streamed through the window in front of her. It was brilliant, almost white, as if the very air itself were glowing from within. But how? The other windows still looked out on gray and gloom. Where was this light’s source? “I wanted to shield my eyes and look away, but I couldn’t,” she says. “I shifted on the sofa, but the light seemed to follow me.” This was no ordinary sunbeam.

Then in the center of this radiance, Sue saw a shadowy figure. She was drawn to its warmth, compelled to watch it. Although she didn’t hear actual words, she felt the figure speaking to her. “Go back to your story,” it said. “Peace is coming.”  

Awed, Sue drank in the light. She felt unworthy of its presence, yet exalted at the same time. “I forced myself to continue looking, to continue feeling,” she says, until the figure and the light shimmered, then faded away.

Since that time, Sue has continued to struggle with the meaning of the blissful vision. But she does feel more confident about her work and about God’s plan for her. “I know there is a greater force that has an incredible investment in me,” she says. “It pushes me constantly, yet it comforts me. I pray that it stays by my side always.”

***

The following biographical information is from Joan Wester Anderson's website:

Joan Wester Anderson has published 15 books which include WHERE ANGELS WALK, TRUE STORIES OF HEAVENLY VISITORS, which was on the New York Times best-seller list for over a year, has sold almost two million copies and been translated into fourteen languages. Published in fall, 1994, were the sequel to ANGELS, titled WHERE MIRACLES HAPPEN, and for children, AN ANGEL TO WATCH OVER ME. Both books were written in response to suggestions from readers, and were followed in rapid succession by three more in this series. FOREVER YOUNG (Thomas More Publishers), the life story of actress Loretta Young, was published in November, 2000. The actress had read the angel series, and requested Anderson as her biographer. The two became close friends. Anderson’s book, IN THE ARMS OF ANGELS (Loyola Press) covers angelic activity primarily during the past decade, including stories of hope from the 9/11 and Columbine School tragedies. Her most recent books, GUARDIAN ANGELS (Loyola Press), and ANGELS AND WONDERS (Loyola Press), focus on amazing and tender stories of God’s answers to prayers.

Anderson has appeared on national television programs including “Good Morning America,” “Oprah,” “20/20,” “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw” and “Mother Angelica Live,” and was featured in such documentaries as “Angels–Beyond the Light” (NBC), “Angel Stories” and “Stories of Miracles” (The Learning Channel), and many videos. She was a story consultant for the television series, IT’S A MIRACLE, lectures in cities across the country, and has been interviewed on hundreds of radio talk shows.

Anderson is a Catholic and member of St. Edna’s Parish in Arlington Heights IL., a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and a former adjunct professor at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois. She and her husband live in suburban Chicago, and have five grown children and four grandchildren.

(Clipart supplied by Loci B. Lenar)

Copyright 2010 Joan Wester Anderson

Where Miracles Happen by Joan Wester Anderson

Where Miracles Happen - Joan Wester Anderson
Author of Books on Angelic Visitations

By Loci B. Lenar

Joan's updated book, Where Miracles Happen, is inspiring and touched my soul with God's spiritual presence. While reading Part One: Miracles through Prayer, I was captivated in Sue Markgraf's interesting testimony.

Joan writes that Sue had wondered if her hard work as a writer would lead to anywhere. After having the thought, Joan says, Sue saw an intense ray of light coming through the window in front of her.

Joan describes Sue seeing a figure in the radiance. Sue says, she felt the figure speaking to her, "Go back to your story." And then said to her, "Peace is coming."

Joan writes that since that time, Sue has continued to wonder about the meaning of the blissful vision.  However, she is now confident about her work and God's plan for her.

After reading the remarkable story, it was "perfect timing" for me to write a letter to my friend, Joan, and share my thoughts about Sue's vision.

Through providence and prayerful discernment, I believe that my testimony about the Miraculous Signs of Archangel Michael, which can be read on Christian-Miracles.com, sheds some light on God's plan.

In a spiritual locution I received on September 14, 2009, Jesus called all to join together and "pray for divine protection" in order to mitigate and extinguish violence throughout the world and to usher in an "era of peace."   The locution was also shared with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia of St. Mary's Church.

Our Lady of Fatima also spoke of an era of peace in her 1917 apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. For further information on Our Lady's message, please visit the following link: World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

God indeed works in mysterious ways in connecting people at the appropriate time.

Joan Wester Anderson's book is certainly inspirational and Where Miracles Happen!

Book about Angels a Bestseller

Lorna Byrne

The following excerpt from FoxNews.com is about Lorna Byrne's new book, Angels in My Hair:

Author Sees Angels, and Her Book's a Bestseller

By Lauren Green

They are messengers from God, heavenly beings without material bodies, spiritual envoys carrying out God's will.

They are angels. And according to Lorna Byrne, everyone has one -- a guardian angel who’s always with you and will never leave you. She says they are “the gatekeepers of your soul.”

She knows this, she says, because all her life she's been surrounded by them and has talked to them. Her book, Angels in My Hair, recounts her lifelong experiences with angels directing her and teaching her.

Byrne's story begins with the telling of her toddler years, when the angels told her that her tiny playmate was the brother who had died before she was born.

"We actually touched while playing blocks," says the Irish-born Byrne, who is a practicing Catholic. "When I touched his, arm it sparkled, my hands went through his into mine. I was two and a half."

Whether the public believes Byrne's angel accounts is up to them. But the popularity of her book illustrates the fascination people have with these mystical beings. Her tome is an international bestseller, translated into 20 languages. Doubleday reportedly paid a six-figure advance for the U.S. publishing rights.

But this diminutive, mild-mannered 57-year old, who grew up dyslexic, says it's a miracle that she has even written a book. She says it was a directive from an angel she calls Michael, who she says is the archangel talked about in the Bible.

“When I was a child, the angels said I would write a book and tell people about God. After I had my first child, the angel Michael came up behind me and said, ‘It’s now time to write that book.'”

She believes she was told to write in order to give people hope that there is life beyond this material world. That we don’t just die and rot, but have an eternal soul.

To read the complete story, visit the following link: FoxNews.com

The Major Characters of the Bible - The New Testament

Cover Illustration by Stephane Jorisch

The Major Characters of the Bible - The New Testament - Compiled by Lise Lachance

By Loci B. Lenar

I was recently contacted by FPR Editions, a Christian book publisher located in Quebec, Canada.  The publisher requested permission to use my photograph of the stained glass window showing the Transfiguration of Jesus. The photograph appears inside The Major Characters of the Bible on page eighty.

Transfiguration of Jesus

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

I photographed the colorful glass window inside of St. Peter the Apostle Church, which is located on 179 Baldwin Road in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA.

To view a larger photograph of the image, please visit the following link: Transfiguration of Jesus

The book is published in the French language and has beautiful illustrations and artwork to complement the stories of the bible. Published in 2010, the book (ISBN: 978-2-89499-108-4) is now available through the publisher by visiting this link: FPR Editions 

The following excerpt regarding The Major Characters of the Bible appears on the website of FPR:

Joseph and Mary through John the Baptist and the disciples; Zacchaeus, the rich young man to Nicodemus, the New Testament is full of witnesses to the faith which have marked the history of the Christian culture. Rediscover these witnesses who knew Jesus of Nazareth with the first Christian communities. They are now grouped into a single volume: The Major Characters of the Bible - The New Testament.

The book is written by Lise Lachance. She studied literature at the University of Laval in Quebec and Bible studies at the Catholic Institute of Paris. She also writes for publications such as Prions en Église. Her training as a teacher allows her to share the love of the Bible, both with children and with adults.

The cover Illustration is by Stephane Jorisch who has received on four occasions the Governor General's Award for his work as an illustrator. He is considered one of the most talented illustrators of his generation. Born in Brussels, he is now based in Montreal.

Caught By an Angel | Joan Wester Anderson

Caught By an Angel - Joan Wester Anderson

Krisellen Lang had lost her first three babies at early stages in her pregnancies. So when she found herself expecting yet again, it was hard to work up any enthusiasm. Why should she begin to love this child when it might never live long enough to be born? But Krisellen’s pregnancy was a result of in vitro fertilization, with four embryos transferred—and the hope that one would implant. When she went to her obstetrician for her first checkup and ultra-sound, she discovered that all four embryos had implanted! “It was as if God was giving me all my lost children back,” she says. The pregnancy proceeded normally, and her quadruplets, two boys and two girls, were born robust and healthy.

It was a hectic time, and eventually Krisellen’s marriage faltered. “Our divorce was mutual and amicable, and he is, and always has been, a wonderful father,” Krisellen says. But she was understandably fearful. How would she raise four children alone? She prayed as she never had before. God had heard her once, she knew, and brought her joy after suffering. Would He do so again?

She found a part-time job at a construction company, and her extended family pitched in to help care for the quads. It seemed as if she might just make it—until one morning when she stopped at a job site to measure the rooms in a house. Of course her four three-year-olds were with her, so she brought them into the house to “help.”

One of the rooms had a large hole in the center of the floor. Krisellen eyed it nervously. Giving daughter Addison one end of the tape measure, Krisellen directed the other three to stand up against the wall. They obeyed right away, and Krisellen started for the far corner. But when she looked back, Addison was dancing on her tippy toes, a recently-acquired skill. “Addison, stop, you’re going to trip…” Krisellen said, and then screamed. Addison had stumbled and was falling backwards through the hole!

Krisellen ran to the hole and looked down. Her daughter had fallen eight feet, and was lying face down on the concrete basement floor. Addison was completely still. The other children burst into tears. “Hurry!” Krisellen told them. “We have to get down there!” They rushed out of the house and clattered down the basement stairs. When they reached Addison, she still seemed lifeless. But as Krisellen gently lifted her head, the little girl began to vomit. “Her eyes were staring off to the side, and I couldn’t bear to look at them,” Krisellen recalls. “So I closed them and held her head so she wouldn’t choke.”

Krisellen called for the paramedics on her cellphone, and sent the other children outside to wait for them. When they arrived, they fitted Addison with a cervical collar and sped away, as Krisellen herded the children into her car to follow. Later, the paramedics told her that her daughter was completely unresponsive all the way to the hospital.

In the emergency room, Addison was examined, then whisked off for tests. “Are you sure she landed on her face?” the emergency room physician asked, puzzled. “Although that’s lucky—since she might be spared brain damage—she doesn’t seem to have any facial injuries.”

Krisellen would never forget the sight of her unconscious daughter, face down. And yet Addison had fallen backwards into the hole…

Something else was odd too. When the radiologist came out to give Krisellen the results of Addison’s scans and x-rays, he was baffled. “There are no signs of any injuries,” he told her, “not even a concussion. She may have some bruising later, and you can give her Tylenol for that. Otherwise, she’s fine. You can take her home now.”

Home? Krisellen was stunned. How could her daughter have sustained such a terrible fall, with no injuries? But here she was, walking down the hall with a nurse, smiling and chattering, looking completely…herself. How could this be?

It wasn’t until that evening that Krisellen learned the answer. She and the quads were saying their night prayers together, and they all thanked God for keeping Addison safe. Krisellen started to get up off her knees.

“Mommy,” Addison looked up. “Aren’t we going to thank the angel too?” “The angel?” Krisellen asked.“Uh huh. She was with me in the hole,” Addison said matter-of-factly. Krisellen started to cry.“Don’t cry, Mommy,” Addison told her. “The angel was very happy. She was all sparkly!”

Addison never did develop any bruises, but she did make sure that everyone she loved heard about her beautiful angel. And when she eventually moved into another bedroom, Addison asked for angel wallpaper. (Her sister, Blythe, wanted Barbie.)

Today Krisellen still recalls the event with awe. “I never should have exposed the children to such danger,” she says. “But I think everything happens for a reason. Perhaps God wanted me to know that I would never raise the children alone, that He would send all the help I needed.” And she believes.

© 2002 Joan Wester Anderson

See more of Joan’s stories at http://joanwanderson.com

----

Throughout the bible we read about angelic visitations. Psalm 91:11-12 states, "For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone."

Joan Wester Anderson is gifted and blessed for her wonderful work in writing inspiring stories of faith. She has published over thousand inspirational articles and short stories in various periodicals, including Womans Day, Modern Bride, Virtue, Reader's Digest, and the New York Times Syndicate.

She has published 15 books including, WHERE ANGELS WALK, TRUE STORIES OF HEAVENLY VISITORS.

Anderson has also appeared on Good Morning America, Oprah, 20/20, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, and Mother Angelica Live, and was featured in documentaries such as “Angels–Beyond the Light” (NBC), “Angel Stories” and “Stories of Miracles” (The Learning Channel), and many videos. She was a story consultant for the television series, IT’S A MIRACLE, lectures in cities across the country, and has been interviewed on hundreds of radio talk shows.

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