Showing posts with label Christian News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian News. Show all posts

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Wishing Everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas!



Christmas Prayer

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance.

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wisemen. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.



Saturday, December 24, 2016

Our Lady of Las Vegas

Our Lady of Las Vegas. 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley

By Stephen B. Whatley

"Our Lady of Las Vegas," a new (Catholic) tribute drawing in pastel, created with prayers for hope and light for the USA and the world, on December 20, 2016.

I was touched by a children's book that I bought in America last month, entitled Mary and The 50 States; which includes reference to the Church of the Guardian Angels on the Strip in Las Vegas; where an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary shines out from a stained glass window...has anyone seen it?

I have tried researching.

I liked the idea of bright spiritual light amongst the city of neon lights and shallow deals; not forgetting that Las Vegas is also a beautiful sunny desert region.
May all who view this image of the Holy Mother and Child receive gifts of light, hope and healing, wherever needed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

About the artist: Stephen B. Whatley is an expressionist painter, published in TIME magazine, whose major commissions include architectural paintings for public institutions including the BBC, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London – where his work is permanently reproduced 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.

www.stephenbwhatley.com


***

Commentary by Loci B. Lenar

Stephen B. Whatley is recognized internationally for his Catholic and Christian tributes. Mr. Whatley is a resident of England (UK). However, his paintings and prints are collected all over the world including the USA. I wish to thank Mr. Whatley for sharing his beautiful artwork on our blog and website, www.Christian-Miracles.com.



Sunday, November 27, 2016

Advent is a Time to Prepare and Celebrate the Birth of Jesus on Christmas Day!




Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail.

Amen.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Our Lady's Message of November 25, 2016

Our Lady of Medjugorje: Message of November 25, 2016 to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti

“Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer. In this time of grace, God has permitted me to lead you towards holiness and a simple life – that in little things you discover God the Creator; that you fall in love with Him; and that your life be a thanksgiving to the Most High for everything He is giving you. Little children, in love, may your life be a gift for others and God will bless you; but you, witness without interest - out of love for God. I am with you and intercede before my Son for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”



Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all family, friends and visitors!



Thanksgiving Prayer

Father in Heaven, 
Creator of all 
and source of all goodness and love, 
please look kindly upon us 
and receive our heartfelt gratitude 
in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings
You have bestowed upon us, 
spiritual and temporal:
our faith and religious heritage,
our food and shelter, 
our health, 
the loves we have for one another, 
our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, 
please grant us continued graces 
and blessing throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus, 
Your Son and our Brother.

Amen.


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Caring for Creation by Pope Francis



Since his inaugural Mass in March 2013, Pope Francis has frequently reminded a global audience that care for creation is among his highest priorities. As a world leader with a background in science who heads a two-thousand-year-old Church, the pope is uniquely qualified to articulate a compelling vision and mission for the future. This book gathers the pope’s most important and inspiring words about our shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and care for “our common home.”

The planet is in peril, the pope is telling us, along with the well-being of the poor who depend on the earth’s natural resources. He chastises world leaders and challenges ordinary people, reminding us that our foolish actions and careless decisions are placing lives at risk. He decries our current assaults on the natural environment and warns of the consequences of climate change. Still, his message is always ultimately one of hope.

In Caring for Creation, Pope Francis’s words reveal that he believes we can move toward a new kind of conversion—a higher level of consciousness, action, and advocacy that will spark “a bold cultural revolution.”

Protect This Fragile World

"Small yet strong in the love of God, like St. Francis of Assisi, all of us, as Christians, are called to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we live, and all its people."  -Pope Francis

Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, 216
Sunday, November 24, 2013

***

About the Author

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, is the 266th and current pope of the Catholic Church, having been elected Bishop of Rome and absolute Sovereign of Vatican City.



Alicia von Stamwitz is an award-winning freelance author and longtime editor. Her essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, St. Anthony Messenger, and other media. She is also the compiler of The Blessing of Family: Inspiring Words of Pope Francis.

***

Commentary

Caring for Creation is a bold collection of powerful words by Pope Francis that leads to contemplation of humanity's purpose in protecting our world's ecology.

Pope Francis reminds us that nations and people have a calling to preserve our world from environmental ruin.

In the eye of God, Our Creator, there is no excuse to ignore preservation of lakes, rivers, oceans, land and the air we breathe. The consequence of mismanagement affects all the inhabitants of our world.

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Psalm 24:1-2, (NRSVCE)

As caretakers of planet earth, Our Heavenly Father entrusts us to preserve this world for future generations and to honor all His creation.

-Loci B. Lenar

Sunday, October 02, 2016

Feast of the Guardian Angels


The Catholic church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.
Amen.
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Saturday, September 10, 2016

The Miracle of Our Lady of Knock

The Miracle of Our Lady of Knock. 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley

A new Christian Tribute by international artist Stephen B. Whatley

Excerpt from the website of the artist: Our Lady of Knock - a tribute to the miraculous vision of The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph, St John The Evangelist and The Lamb of God that appeared to villagers in Knock, Ireland on this day, 21 August, in 1879. The painting was created by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley, with prayers, on 17 August, the date now assigned Feast Day by The Catholic Church.

Blessings of miraculous healing and strength wherever necessary - & prayers for world peace at this poignant time of the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, which killed 2,977 victims, and caused worldwide grief.

More about Our Lady of Knock:
http://www.marypages.com/Knock.htm

Oil on Canvas, 2016
20" x 30" / 61 x 76 cm
http://www.stephenbwhatley.com/

Monday, August 29, 2016

Did you know Mother Teresa experienced visions of Jesus?

Mother Teresa - Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5

Vatican City, Aug 27, 2016 (Excerpt from CNA/EWTN News)
Even her friend of more than 30 years, Father Sebastian Vazhakala, did not know Mother Teresa had conversations with and visions of Jesus before forming the Missionaries of Charity. It wasn't until after her death, for the vast majority of people, that this part of Mother Teresa's spiritual life was uncovered.
“It was a big discovery,” Missionary of Charity priest, Fr. Vazhakala told CNA.   When Mother Teresa's cause for canonization was opened, just two years after her death in 1997, documents were found in the archives of the Jesuits in Calcutta, with the spiritual director and another of Mother Teresa's close priest friends, and in the office of the bishop, containing her accounts of the communications.
Fr. Vazhakala, who co-founded the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity alongside Mother Teresa, said he has a document handwritten by Mother Teresa where she discusses what Jesus spoke to her directly during the time of the locutions and visions.
Read more: Mother Teresa

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Our Lady's Message of August 25th to Marija

Our Lady of Medjugorje: Message of August 25, 2016 to Marija

“Dear children! Today I desire to share Heavenly joy with you. You, little children, open the door of your heart so that hope, peace and love, which only God gives, may grow in your heart. Little children, you are too bound to the earth and earthly things, that is why, Satan is rolling you like the wind rolls the waves of the sea. Therefore, may the chain of your life be prayer with the heart and Adoration of my Son Jesus. Give over your future to Him so that, in Him, you may be joy and an example with your lives to others. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Friday, July 15, 2016

Our Lady of France

Our Lady of France. 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley
A painting of sympathy, peace and compassion by international artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr.com

The Holy Mother and Infant Christ, a new tribute by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley who felt compelled to create on this day, in prayers of sympathy and for peace and compassion for the nation of France, in the aftermath of yesterday's tragic loss of life, through the insanity of terrorism during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice.

 Choosing to restrict his colours in this memorial tribute drawing in pastel, to France's national colours of blue, white and red, the artist also observed a photograph of the 1860s statue of Our Lady of France - Notre Dame de France - by Jean-Marie BienaimĂ© Bonnassieux (1810-1892), that stands on a hill in Le Puy-en-Velayin.

A visual prayer in solidarity with France and with hope for world peace. Vive La France! Peace.
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Mr. Whatley's Catholic tributes are displayed on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com

 

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Our Lady of Orlando

Our Lady of Orlando. 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley
Our Lady of Orlando by artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Excerpt from the website of international artist Stephen B. Whatley:

A tribute in pastel created with compassion and prayers by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley, for all those murdered in Orlando, Florida in the early hours of June 12 and their loved ones - to represent the eternal and all encompassing love, mercy, compassion, hope  and peace that Christ and His Holy Mother have and offer for all communities in the world.

The artist often feels a 'Divine push' - even urgency - to make such works of prayer; and aside from this tragedy perpetrated by hate, ignorance and insanity, an inspiration in making this work was a postcard of a photograph of a statue of Mary, Queen of The Universe Shrine in Orlando, Florida, touchingly sent to him by his beloved young God-daughter Marianna.

This work of art was also created on the Feast day of St Anthony - Saint of A Thousand Miracles - which the world sorely needs.

Peace: Love will overcome hate - Light out of Darkness.

www.stephenbwhatley.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Our Lady's Message of May 25, 2016 to Marija




The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Monthly Message of May 25, 2016

“Dear children! My presence is a gift from God for all of you and an encouragement for conversion. Satan is strong and wants to put disorder and unrest in your hearts and thoughts. Therefore, you, little children, pray so that the Holy Spirit may lead you on the real way of joy and peace. I am with you and intercede before my Son for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”


Saturday, May 21, 2016

That time Jesus appeared in the sky of Mexico



Excerpt from Catholic News Agency (CNA)

It's a major miracle that you've probably never heard of.

On Sunday, Oct. 3, 1847, more than 2,000 people in OcotlĂ¡n, Mexico saw a perfect image of Jesus Christ crucified that appeared in the sky for more than 30 minutes.

Approved by the Archdiocese of Guadalajara in 1911, the phenomenon is known as the “Miracle of OcotlĂ¡n” and took place one day before an earthquake that killed 40 and left the town in Jalisco State in ruins.

Before the start of Mass at the cemetery of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception – presided over by the parochial vicar, Father JuliĂ¡n Navarro – two white clouds joined together in the northwest sky, where there appeared the image of Christ.

Those present and in nearby towns were deeply moved, made acts of contrition, and cried out begging, “Lord, have mercy!” This apparition of Christ was called “the Lord of Mercy” and in his honor, in September 1875, a new parish church was blessed, consecrated and dedicated to him.

Also among the faithful who witnessed the miracle were Father JuliĂ¡n MartĂ­n del Campo, pastor of the community, and  Antonio JimĂ©nez, the town's mayor. Both of them sent letters to their respective superiors telling what had happened.

Read more: CNA

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Our Lady's Message of May 2, 2016 to Mirjana



  
The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje to Mirjana

"Dear children, my motherly heart desires your true conversion and a firm faith so that you may be able to spread love and peace to all those who surround you. But, my children, do not forget: each of you is a unique world before the Heavenly Father. Therefore, permit the continuous working of the Holy Spirit to work on you. Be my spiritually pure children. In spirituality is beauty. Everything that is spiritual is alive and very beautiful. Do not forget that in the Eucharist, which is the heart of faith, my Son is always with you. He comes to you and breaks bread with you; because, my children, for your sake He died, He resurrected and is coming anew. These words of mine are familiar to you because they are the truth, and the truth does not change. It is only that many of my children have forgotten it. My children, my words are neither old nor new, they are eternal. Therefore, I invite you, my children, to observe well the signs of the times, to 'gather the shattered crosses' and to be apostles of the revelation. Thank you."

Jesus, Lord of Miracles

Jesus, Lord of Miracles. 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley

New Catholic Tribute by International Artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

News from the artists' website: A new 2016 tribute to the miracles of Jesus, possible through complete Trust in the Lord and faith, created by artist Stephen B. Whatley on 30 April. This was a profound date in the artist's life in 1998 when he experienced a miracle that saved the lives of himself and a friend when in potentially mortal danger. His prayer was simply "Please help us God".

Since 2000, Whatley - a convert to Catholicism - has felt what he describes as a "divine push" to create Christian tributes of faith, love and hope - through prayer. His exhibition "Paintings of Prayer" was on show in Westminster Cathedral, London in 2013.

The work of Stephen B. Whatley has been published in TIME, is in collections worldwide and public collections including The Royal Collection of Queen Elizabeth II and BBC Heritage - while his series of 30 paintings commissioned by the Tower of London are permanently reproduced throughout the walkway outside Tower Hill Station, leading to the Tower.

Today is The Ascension of Our Lord: May there be miracles of healing, reconciliation, peace and prosperity.

Charcoal and pastel on paper.
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

More beautiful artwork by Stephen B. Whatley can be seen on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com.


Friday, April 22, 2016

Divine image appears in mom-to-be’s ultrasound picture

Bill Alecia FĂ¼lkerson/via Facebook
Excerpt of story from NY Daily News

An Indiana woman’s prenatal checkup turned out to be a divine experience.

Aley Meyer’s ultrasound photo showed not only her baby boy, but also an image of what appears to be Jesus on the cross.

"We took a picture of it and blew it up on my phone to get a closer look and it is so much detail,” she told WFIE-TV. “You can see the hair and his legs crossed and everything.”

The Evansville mom-to-be did not even notice the cross-like figure at first, but once her mother shared the ultrasound photo on Facebook, the comments went crazy.

Baby Easton is due in June and Meyer finds it to be a sign that all will be right with the birth.

Read more: Divine Image 

Monday, April 18, 2016

Eucharistic Miracle in Poland approved by Bishop proven by DNA testing


Catholic News World - SHARE

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BISHOP OF LEGNICA 

On the Eucharistic Miracle in St. Jack Parish in Legnica

(translated from Polish)

Sisters and Brothers in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

As The Bishop of Legnica I hereby announce to the public and inform about an event that took place in the parish of St. Jack in Legnica which has the signs of the Eucharistic miracle. On 25th December, 2013 during the distribution of the Holy Communion, a consecrated Host fell to the floor and then was picked up and placed in a water-filled container (vasculum). Soon after, stains of the red colour appeared.  The former Bishop of Legnica, Stefan Cichy, set up a commission to observe the phenomenon. In February 2014, a tiny red fragment of the Host was separated and put on a corporal. The Commission ordered to take samples in order to conduct the thorough tests by the relevant research institutes.

In the final announcement of the Department of Forensic Medicine we read as follows:  In the histopathological image, the fragments of tissue have been found containing the fragmented parts of the cross striated muscle. (...) The whole (...)  is most similar to the heart muscle with alterations that often appear during the agony. The genetic researches indicate the human origin of the tissue.

In January this year I presented the whole matter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican. Today, according to the recommendations of the Holy See, I ordered the parish vicar Andrzej Ziombro to prepare a suitable place for a display of the Relic so that the faithful could give it the proper adoration. Hereby, I also ask for providing the visitors with information and conducting the regular teaching that could help the faithful to have the proper attitude to the Eucharist. I also command to form a book to register all received benefits and other miraculous events.    

We see the mysterious Sign as an extraordinary act of love and goodness of God, who comes to humans in ultimate humiliation.

I cordially ask for your prayer and I bless you

+ Zbigniew Kiernikowski

The Bishop of Legnica 



Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Arizona Woman Claims Full Healing After Venerating Relics of St. Charbel


 Top Stories - Aleteia.org – Worldwide Catholic Network Sharing Faith Resources for those seeking Truth – Aleteia.org

News Excerpt and photo from Aleteia: When Dafne Gutierrez, a 30-year-old blind mother of three, stood in front of a priest for a blessing, she felt there was someone standing on her right. Her family told her later that the priest was standing on her left side.

“There was somebody [on the right] touching me,” she told her sister-in-law, who responded, “But there was nobody close to you.”

“And ever since then I was feeling my body differently,” Gutierrez said in an interview Monday.

She was at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church in Phoenix on a Saturday in mid-January for the visit of the relics of the St. Charbel Makhlouf, which were being brought around to many of the 36 Maronite parishes in the United States. Over the next couple of days her husband noticed something unusual about her. He asked her what the matter was. “You seem different,” he said.

Before dawn on Monday morning, she complained to him that it felt like her eyes were burning.

She tried opening her eyes. “I couldn’t see clearly, but I could see like shadows. I told him, ‘I can see you,’” she recalled.

Gutierrez had lived with Arnold Chiari malformation since she was 13. Two years ago she lost vision in her left eye, and then in her right eye last year. Doctors inserted a shunt to try to relieve the pressure, but that failed. Her headaches were “vise-like,” and she was afflicted with tinnitus, vomiting, dizziness and seizures. She was approved to go to a rehab/nursing facility because she couldn’t care for her children.

Her sister-in-law heard that the relics were coming and that St. Charbel had healed a blind boy in Mexico. Gutierrez is neither Maronite nor Lebanese, but as a woman of faith she prayed for the saint’s intercession. He’s had a great track record of healing, even after his death in 1898.

Not only was her vision restored, it was restored to 20/20, said Dr. Anne Borik, one of several physicians to examine Gutierrez. “The pressure in her brain got to the point where it caused damage to the optic nerve. After this happened, the optic nerve looked completely normal, with no signs of damage or atrophy,” she said in an interview “There’s nothing in the medical literature that anything like this had ever happened.”

Read more: St. Charbel Miracle 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Mother Angelica of EWTN passed away on Easter Sunday at age 92


Mother Angelica Enters Eternal Life - Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word

Our condolences and prayers are with Mother Angelica and all family members including EWTN during this time of mourning.

Eternal rest give unto Mother Angelica, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Read more: Franciscan Missionares of the Eternal Word