Happy Easter! Jesus has Risen!

The Resurrection of Jesus

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”  So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”   Matthew 28:1-10

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

The Story of Mr. Loci B. Lenar and His Fatima Related Mission

The Story of Mr. Loci B. Lenar: by Claire Smith - Amazon.com: Books

Book excerpt by Claire Smith

After beholding two astounding sights in the sky, and receiving a vision of the future world blessed in peace, New Jersey resident Loci B. Lenar made his choice – he would travel the road on the right, the narrow path leading to grace and salvation. The road on the left would lead only to chaos, Jesus had warned him in a dream. Thirty years later, the devout Catholic continues to dedicate his life to sharing his faith and carrying out a personal mission connected to the ushering in the future Era of Peace that was promised by Our Lady of Fátima in 1917.

Today, Lenar’s ministries include his popular website (www.christian-miracles.com) – featuring news on miracles, saints and other faith topics – and his photographs of sacred art. Many of his photos are visually stunning; others are truly miraculous.

(Several photographs including prayers written by Lenar are published in the book. The statue on the book cover is a photograph shot by Lenar at the 100 Year Anniversary of Our Lady Fatima on October 13, 2017 at The National Blue Army Shrine on the grounds of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. The Catholic shrine is in Warren County, New Jersey. The shrine celebrated the six apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children of Fátima, Portugal.

Claire Smith is a Catholic author whose works include Forty Catholics who Shaped the World in Which we Live, The Great Catholics Trivia Challenge, Can I Confess by E-Mail?, Catholicism - Now I get It!, and approximately one thousand newspaper articles.

***

Take a leap of faith and read the book!

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

Prayers to Our Lady of Fatima

Intercessory Hymn to Our Lady of Fatima

Dear Lady of Fatima,
We come on bended knee,
To beg Your intercession,
For peace and unity.

Dear Mary, won't You show us,
The right and shining way,
We pledge our love and offer You,
A Rosary each day.

You promised at Fatima,
Each time that You appeared,
To help us if we pray to You,
To banish war and fear.

Dear Lady, on First Saturdays,
We ask Your guiding hand,
For grace and guidance here on earth,
And protection for our land.

Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

Most Holy Virgin
who hast deigned to come to Fatima,
to reveal the treasures of graces
hidden in the recitation of the Rosary,
inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion
that meditating on the
Mysteries of our Redemption recalled therein,
we may obtain the conversion of sinners
and the favors we ask you now,
for the greater glory of God,
for your own honor,
and for the good of souls. Amen.

Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us!

Pardon Prayer

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I implore Your pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You. Amen.

For information on Devotion of the Five First Saturdays, please visit the following link: Rosary-Center.org

On October 13, 2017, the National Blue Army Shrine celebrated the 100 year anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima's apparitions.  Several thousand attended the celebration and Mass. The shrine is located in Warren County, New Jersey, and is part of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

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

All Saints Day: A Catholic Prayer in Praise of the Saints

The Catholic Church celebrates on November 1st All Saints Day in honor of all known and unknown saints.

A Catholic Prayer in Praise of the Saints

How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord
which you give us for our eternal well-being
Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.
The white-robed company follow you,
bright with their abundant faith;
They scorned the wicked words of those with this world's power.
For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments,
they were drained by cruel punishments.
They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;
they were sustained by patience and constancy.
Endowed with your everlasting grace,
may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.
O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life.

Unknown author, 10th century

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

Celebrating Fatima's 100 Years

CATECHIST Magazine: Five Lessons from Fatima 

In the April/May 2017 issue of Catechist Magazine there's a feature story on the Five Lessons of Fatima by Patrice Fagnant-Macarthur.

Patrice writes in her article that it provides "tips for guiding children into the heart of the message" of Our Lady of Fatima.  

In addition, a colorful stained glass window - photographed by Loci B. Lenar provides a graphical depiction of Our Lady of Fatima in this article.

Here is an excerpt from the article: One of the most fantastic aspects of Our Lady of Fatima’s message is that she entrusted it to children. Here are five lesson ideas to share and discuss with the children you know.

The importance of praying the Rosary for peace.

One of Our Lady of Fatima’s central messages was to pray the Rosary every day for peace. While the particulars of world conflict have changed since 1917, we continue to live in a world full of anger, violence, and war. Children are aware of this. Depending on their ages, they may be more or less aware of the global stage, but they are certainly aware of fighting in their own families, schools, or neighborhoods. They may feel powerless to help or make a difference.

Praying the Rosary is one thing that they can do to help change lives and hearts, starting with their own. While prayer is not a magic wand and God certainly does not always answer prayer on our timetable or in the way we think best, following the instructions of Mary to pray the Rosary can only help.

Read more: Five Lessons from Fatima

Good Friday Novena Prayer

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Good Friday Novena Prayer - CatholicDoors.com

Jesus Christ, 

Son of God made Man,
crowned with thorns,
bearing a scepter of a reed,
wearing a royal cloak purpled
with Your Precious Blood,
I venerate You as the Man of Sorrows
and acknowledge You as my Lord and King!

Jesus crucified,
I firmly renounce the devil
and detest all sin
that has torn me from Your loving friendship.
I pledge my loyalty to You,
my Saviour,
and beg You to make me Your own in sincerest love.
I promise to be faithful in service to You,
and to strive to become more pleasing to you
by avoiding every sin and its occasions,
by carrying out my duties
perfectly as a good Catholic,
and by practicing virtue.

Jesus crucified,
accept the homage I wish to render You
during this novena,
as a token of my sincerest appreciation
for the sorrows and sufferings
You have willingly borne to atone for my many sins
and to prove how much You love me.

I adore You as my very God,
Who willed to become Man
in order to save me from eternal death.

I thank You as my best Friend,
Who laid down Your life
as proof of the greatest love possible.

I ask pardon for having so little thought of You,
Jesus crucified,
and for having caused Your sorrows
and sufferings by the many sins I have committed.

I pray to You,
dearest Jesus,
for all the graces I need to know You,
to love You and serve You faithfully unto death,
and to save my soul.
Give me a tender and fervent devotion
to Your Sacred Passion by which I was redeemed,
venerating You especially in Holy Mass.
Teach me how to unite sorrows and sufferings
of my life with Your own.
Finally, through all Your sorrows and pains,
through Your Sacred Heart
glowing with love for me,
broken because of my want of love for You,
through the sorrows of Mary,
your Sorrowful Mother,
I ask for this special favour:

[Mention your request here...]

With childlike trust
I abandon myself to Your holy Will
concerning my request.

***

The statue of Jesus and and cross are on the grounds of The National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington Township, New Jersey. The shrine is part of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

Prayer for Holy Week in preparation of Good Friday

Jesus Carries His Cross - Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer for Holy Week

Jesus my Lord, let me strengthen my courage by taking on the courage of all those people who have been "centurions" for me. Many have faced disasters and hard times with great constancy. The upper hand of evil never turned them against you. They kept going. Let me be like them, Lord. No matter what the cross, let me never stop declaring you to be "truly the Son of God," the source of my hope, the reason why I will never quit on life.

(Prayer from Catholic Online)

***

Commentary by Loci B. Lenar

On Good Friday, the cross is a reminder of Jesus sacrificing His life for the salvation of sinners.

With those words in mind, sunlight creates the appearance of a cross on the above statue of Jesus. It's more than coincidence that this photo shows Jesus carrying his cross. Interestingly enough, this statue is part of the Stations of the Cross next the Holy House at The National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Washington, NJ. The shrine is part of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

In two separate areas, two photos show sunlight creating similar rays of light around two statues of Jesus. Photographs were both taken in 2015 with my iPhone 6.

Visit www.Christian-Miracles.com for more faith related news.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

Saint Patrick Prayer

May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil ones.
Against temptations of the world
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,This day, O Lord, and evermore.
Amen.

More Catholic Prayers: http://www.christian-miracles.com/devotionalprayers.htm

Photograph of stained glass window by Loci B. Lenar