Loci B. Lenar to Share Personal Testimony Regarding Signs of Archangel Michael at Prayer Service in New Jersey

Mr. Lenar

Mr. Lenar will speak at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its evening prayer service scheduled for 7:30 PM on Thursday, September 20, 2012. 

The service will focus on Michaelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. 

The Catholic Church celebrates this feast day on September 29 each year.

St. Mary’s prayer service is held every third Thursday of each month with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. The Catholic Church is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ.  Fr. Martin Glynn is the head pastor of St. Mary’s.

Mr. Lenar will share his personal testimony regarding a photograph he took of a statue of Archangel Michael which shows a trail of colorful rainbows appearing behind the figure. The icon sits in front of a display that is designed to appear as a glass window in St. Michael’s Church, Netcong, New Jersey.  

While visiting the church, Mr. Lenar captured the rainbow phenomena by photographing the statue without using the camera’s flash. “Church lights were turned off, so the only inflowing light was from some nearby windows.   While examining the photograph closely, there is a distinct shadow by the arms of the statue which indicates light from the rainbow is creating an interesting phenomena.  However, photographing the statue with the camera flash on, the rainbow is diffused because of added light," says Mr. Lenar.

St. Michael's Church - Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Mr. Lenar adds, “God works in mysterious ways to affirm His presence through angels. Our Lord is indeed a divine artist and confirms His existence through remarkable signs.”

“After the photographing the statue, I shared the images directly as captured on the camera's memory card with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia. The original digital images were transferred onto a CD for church archives,” says Mr. Lenar.

Mr. Lenar adds, “There is significance to the photograph and its meaning in the global community. Unfortunately, violence seemingly has become a frequent occurrence around the world.  One cannot avoid noticing while watching television programs, that there are recurring stories of acts of violence reported on network news shows. Therefore the question must be asked: Is our world losing control?”

Mr. Lenar says the following scripture appears to answer the question: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered."  (Daniel 12:1)

“St. Michael the Archangel is the protector of God’s people and church,” says Mr. Lenar.  He believes and says that through prayerful discernment, "Our Lord Jesus is calling for all to join together and 'pray for divine protection' in order to mitigate violence throughout the world. It’s now more important than ever before, to pray for our nation and families, especially for people who are subjected to malevolent behavior on a daily bases. Our world is in dire need of healing and peace - with prayer everything is possible.”  

Mr. Lenar also says that the Catholic Church teaches and recognizes that we all have guardian angels to protect and guide us during our lifetime.  He suggests reciting the intercessory Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel for God’s protection. 

Additional information about Mr. Lenar’s testimony including photographs of the Statue of Archangel Michael can be seen on the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/signsofstmichael.htm

Mr. Lenar has shared his spiritual journey of faith several times as a guest on the Catholic program, Sacred Treasures, hosted by Kathie Duggan on Radio Maria.  On May 7th of this year, Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Loci B. Lenar were both interviewed on Radio Maria regarding a cross of light that appeared on Mr. Lenar’s residence during Lent and Good Friday.  Fr. Tartaglia validated the sign by photographing the cross of light that was visible on Mr. Lenar’s fence.

In 2008, Mr. Lenar founded and launched www.Christian-Miracles.com as a tool of evangelization in order to reach out with the gospels and publicize news of miracles.  Since its inception, the site has grown globally with visitors coming from the United States, Canada, UK, India, United Arab Emirates and many other countries. 

The website receives prayer requests on a regular bases, which are prayed for daily and on Monday mornings during Holy Hour Adoration including at the monthly prayer service held at St. Mary’s Church with Fr. Richard Tartaglia. Prayer requests can be submitted to the following link: PrayerRequest@Christian-Miracles.com

For those interested in the topic of angels, please join Fr. Richard Tartaglia and Mr. Lenar at St. Mary’s Catholic Church during its prayer service scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

For directions to St. Mary’s Church, please visit the following link: http://www.stmarys-denville.org/directions.htm

For additional information, please visit www.Christian-Miracles.com.

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Miraculous Icon: Archangel Michael of Mantamados

The following story and photographs regarding the Miraculous Icon of Archangel Michael can be found on OrthodoxWiki.org at the following link:

Archangel Michael of Mantamados - OrthodoxWiki

Archangel Michael of Mantamados (Gr. O Μανταμάδος) refers to a miraculous icon of the Archangel Michael on the island of Lesvos and is one of the four miraculous icons of the Archangel in the Dodecanese of Greece. The monastery is known locally as Taxiarches (the "Archangel") and the feast of the icon is celebrated on November 8 (the Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers) and September 6 (the Miracle at Colossae).

There are two accounts surrounding the date of this icon, one having to do with the Ottoman Turkish occupation and destruction of 1462, and the other with Saracen pirates during the 9th and 10th centuries during which the entire island was invaded.

In either case, the story of the creation of the icon shares the theme that the target of the raids was the monastery of the Taxiarchis. The pirates threatened the monks with death if they would not reveal the whereabouts of the hidden villagers. The monks refused and the invaders slaughtered all of the monks except for one novice-monk.

As the pirates where leaving, the novice climbed to the roof of the monastery to be sure that the pirates had left. However, the pirates noticed him from afar and returned to kill him as well. It is at this point in the story that the Archangel Michael makes his appearance in front of the Saracens with his own sword drawn forcing them to retreat in terror. Thanks to this miracle from the Archangel the monk survived and descending to the courtyard buried the bodies of his fellow brotherhood.

The monk still in deep respect and reverence for having witnessed the Archangel Michael in all his fury, gathered up the earth that was red by the blood of the martyred monks and shaped it into the icon-sculpture of the Archangel as it is today; while it was still vivid in his memory. According to legend, the monk did not have enough of this dirt-blood mix and so the head of the Archangel has turned out disproportionately larger to the rest of his body.

This icon, is now kept within the interior of the church. Many islanders claim to have had personal experiences of miracles being granted for them by Mantamados. This is evident by the numerous cabinets full of tagmata (gifts) to the Archangel housed inside the church. To this day, pilgrims to this church have mixed emotions regarding this icon. At times, the expression on the icon can appear severe, sad, or happy, according to the message that the Archangel wants to convey to that pilgrim or the faithful. This is the tradition of the much-celebrated icon of Mantamados.

On the island of Lesvos, one can visit this miraculous icon at the Byzantine Monastery of the Taxiarchis (Archangel) Michael in the district of Mantamados. This monastery is situated in the northeast part of Lesvos, 36 km from Mytilini. The history of this monastery and the icon are closely connected to the history of the island of Lesvos.

This is a famous monastery, made of stone. The monastery was most probably abandoned in 1462 the year of the island’s occupation by the Ottoman Turks. In the past, the monastery functioned as a men’s convent and is first mentioned in a 1661 ecclesiastical document. The small church within the monastery originally dates from the 17th century but was replaced by larger church in the 18th century. The present church (cathedral) was constructed in 1879 and follows a three-aisled basilica architectural type. The monastery is structured para-metrically around this church.

Intercessory Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc

Saint Joan of Arc is the patron of Captives; France; Imprisoned people; Martyrs; Opposition of Church authorities; People ridiculed for their piety; Prisoners; Soldiers; Rape Victims; Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service; Woman's Army Corps. 

I believe the Intercessory Prayer to St. Joan of Arc is appropriate for anyone to recite, especially when encountering adversity.

Intercessory Prayer to St. Joan of Arc

(Pray novena for 9 consecutive days)

Opening prayer:

Eternal Father, you gave us Saint Joan of Arc through your infinite love and mercy for us. We humbly ask that you send down your Holy Spirit upon us, as Your Spirit is the intermediary by which the Word goes forth from your lips and reaches the ears of the faithful. Allow me to be a witness to your Son Jesus Christ just as St. Joan of Arc was. Oh, Jesus, grant me the courage to do your will, that I may be in one accord with our Father in Heaven. I thank you for the gift of your love, which I hope to one day fully understand.

Petition Prayer:

Say 19 Our Fathers, followed by "St. Joan of Arc, by your powerful intercession, hear and answer me."

When you finish, say the following prayer:

Saint Joan of Arc, patron of France, my patron saint, I ask you now to fight this battle with me by prayer, just as you led your troops to victory in battle. You, who were filled with the Holy Spirit and chosen by God, help me this day with the favor I ask [here say your intention]. Grant me by your divine and powerful intercession, the courage and strength I need to endure this constant fight. Oh St. Joan, help me to be victorious in the tasks God presents to me. I thank you and ask you for your continuing protection of God's people.

Closing Prayer:

Sweet Saint Joan, plead for me before the throne of almighty God that I may be deemed worthy to be granted the request I have asked. Help me, Saint Joan, to be more like you in the attempt to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. Through your guidance and prayer help me to be a truly devout and loving Christian, that I may both know and see the will of God. Help me now St. Joan, in my time of need. I ask that you mayalways be near me guiding me closer each day to Jesus. Thank you Saint Joan for having heard my prayer.

Amen.

(The prayer can be found on Catholic websites.)

 

The following information regarding St. Joan of Arc is from Catholic Online:

St. Joan of Arc is the patroness of soldiers and of France. On January 6, 1412, Joan of Arc was born to pious parents of the French peasant class, at the obscure village of Domremy, near the province of Lorraine. At a very early age, she heard voices: those of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret.

At first the messages were personal and general. Then at last came the crowning order. In May, 1428, her voices "of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret" told Joan to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. For at that time the English king was after the throne of France, and the Duke of Burgundy, the chief rival of the French king, was siding with him and gobbling up evermore French territory.

After overcoming opposition from churchmen and courtiers, the seventeen year old girl was given a small army with which she raised the seige of Orleans on May 8, 1429. She then enjoyed a series of spectacular military successes, during which the King was able to enter Rheims and be crowned with her at his side.

In May 1430, as she was attempting to relieve Compiegne, she was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English when Charles and the French did nothing to save her. After months of imprisonment, she was tried at Rouen by a tribunal presided over by the infamous Peter Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, who hoped that the English would help him to become archbishop.

Through her unfamiliarity with the technicalities of theology, Joan was trapped into making a few damaging statements. When she refused to retract the assertion that it was the saints of God who had commanded her to do what she had done, she was condemned to death as a heretic, sorceress, and adulteress, and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. She was nineteen years old. Some thirty years later, she was exonerated of all guilt and she was ultimately canonized in 1920, making official what the people had known for centuries. Her feast day is May 30.

Joan was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.

The stained glass window of St. Joan of Arc was photographed inside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located in Dover, New Jeresy, USA.

Photographs by Loci B. Lenar

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