Eucharistic Miracle in Poland approved by Bishop proven by DNA testing

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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 

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 

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

Wishing You a Happy and Holy Easter!

Easter is a feast celebrated by many Christians around the world. On this sacred day, Christians acknowledge the gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Our Lord's Resurrection on Easter Sunday is a reminder of the gift of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus. Let us pray that we may all be worthy of everlasting life when we're called home to meet Our Savior Jesus Christ. May God bless you and your family with peace on this Holy day!

The Resurrection of Jesus

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified."

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying."

"Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.  (Matthew 28:1-8)

The stained glass window of the resurrection can be seen inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Catholic church is located on High Street in Hackettstown, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

www.Christian-Miracles.com 

Holy Sacrifice - Jesus Christ, Good Friday

New 2016 Painting by International artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

News from the artist: A new tribute to the Crucifixion of Christ created on this poignant day in the Christian calendar, Good Friday 2016.

Darkness before the Light of Easter. Peace.

Charcoal and pastel on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm

www.stephenbwhatley.com

A New Tribute to Saint Patrick

A New Painting of Saint Patrick by International Artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

News from the artists website: A new painting of Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, painted on St Patrick's Day in 2016 by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley.

The 5th century missionary introduced Christianity to Ireland and the artist was moved to learn that he often used the Shamrock to represent and explain the Holy Trinity: God The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

St. Patrick is also Patron Saint of Nigeria, Puerto Rico and several states in the USA including New York, Boston & Missouri.

"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger." ~ from The Breastplate, St Patrick's poem of faith & trust in God.

Oil on canvas, 30 x 24in/76 x 61cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Falling tree misses Virgin Mary statue

News Story from abc13.com

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX -- A weather-related incident in Corpus Christi over the weekend is getting lots of attention on social media websites.

A storm Saturday blew over a large tree in a woman's yard, but it missed a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The statue was left standing upright next to the tree trunk.

The homeowner is calling it a miracle that the tree didn't hit the statue or her house. She's now working to get the tree removed and her fence repaired.

Prayer for Holy Week

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)

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

Prayer for Saint Joseph's Intercession

Novena to Saint Joseph - Signs, Wonders, and Miracles

(Feast Day March 19th)

O glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to thee do we raise our hearts and hands to implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore (state your petition).

O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

(Then say the following seven times in honor of the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph.)

V. O Glorious St. Joseph! Through thy love for Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name,

R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

V. Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

R. Assist us!

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

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

Saint Peregrine the Patron Saint of Cancer Sufferers

Saint Peregrine - 2016 by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

From the website of artist Stephen B. Whatley: A new tribute painting of the Patron Saint of Cancer Sufferers, Saint Peregrine by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley.

Saint Peregrine is also the Patron Saint of AIDS and other illnesses as well as Cancer - so may all those who meditate upon the image, created and infused with prayers, receive light, hope, protection and ultimate healing relief. Peace.

The artist - a Catholic convert since 2011 - often gets, through prayer, what he feels a 'Divine Push' to paint such Christian tributes and felt directed to paint Saint Peregrine, with prayers for healing, light and hope for those suffering cancer in his life - and worldwide.

He had a deep feeling the day of painting - 21 February - was a significant date; and later, after painting, realised it was the day in 1935 that Jesus had appeared to the Polish nun, Sister (since 2000, Saint) Faustina, requesting she seek an artist and have a painting made depicting His Divine Mercy.

Stephen B. Whatley has painted several Divine Mercy images over the years; some of which were exhibited in his 2013 exhibition 'Paintings From Prayer' at London's Westminster Cathedral. There is a permanent walkway of his series of 30 paintings for the Tower of London, outside Tower Hill Station, London. 

Peregrine Laziosi (Italy, c.1260-1345) experienced a miracle of healing in his own life, at 60, when a cancerous growth in his leg threatened amputation. The night before the amputation he spent praying before a fresco of The Crucifixion and later in a sleep state felt Jesus descend from The Cross to touch his leg. The next day the doctors found no trace of the cancer and he was pronounced cured; word spreading quickly of the power of Trust in the Lord. 

The National Shrine of Saint Peregrine is at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This new painting took, alongside prayers, inspiration from a classic prayer card, acquired in New York in 2015.

More Information: stperegrine.org 

Oil on canvas
30 x 24in/76 x 61cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com   

Prayers to Saint Peregrine 

NOVENA TO OUR LADY FOR IMPOSSIBLE REQUESTS

 

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

NOVENA FOR IMPOSSIBLE REQUESTS

(This Novena honors the nine months during which Our Lady carried Our Blessed Lord in her womb.)

"Hail, Holy Queen,...
Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen."

V - Pray for us, most holy mother of God.
R - That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

"Virgin of the Incarnation,
a thousand times we greet thee,
a thousand times we praise thee
for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee.
Because thou art so powerful
a Virgin and Mother of God,
grant what we ask of thee for the love of God."

Here state your first intention.
Repeat all of above and then state your second intention.
Repeat all of above and then state your third intention.

CONCLUSION:

After the above prayers and intentions, say the Memorare.

Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of Virgins,
my mother.
To thee do I cry,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Hail Mary...

Blessed and praised be
the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar,
in Heaven, on earth and everywhere.
AMEN.

(Pray for 9 days)

More Catholic Prayers

Prayer to Saint Dymphna For Any Special Need

St. Dymphna Patron Medal

Saint Dymphna Patroness of those afflicted with emotional and nervous disorders

In Nervous or Emotional Distress 

Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession. 

Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray). 

We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.

In Physical Illness 

I appeal to you in my illness, dear St. Dymphna. I would be so grateful for a total and happy recovery, for the blessed gift of health in every fiber of my being. May the Lord Jesus, who mercifully healed the sick during His earthly days, have pity on me and make me well again. Ask Him to command sickness to depart and grant me a full measure of health, that I may rejoice in giving Him glory and praise. Amen.

For Any Special Need

Glorious St. Dymphna, you are the patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. I am certain, however, that your charity embraces everyone. I am certain that you lend a listening ear to any prayer offered for any special need. You will, I am sure,take my problem to heart and pray for me that it may be happily settled. (Here mention your special problem or difficulty) You will plead for me and obtain the help I need. Already I offer you my sincere and grateful thanks, so great is my confidence that God will hear and answer your prayers. 

Amen. 

St. Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, patron of nervous and emotional illnesses, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, crowned for the glory in heaven, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, faithful to your covenant with Christ, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, precious in the eyes of the Lord, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, our helper in every need, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, our friend at heaven's court, pray for us.

More Catholic Devotional Prayers 

Catholic Radio Seeks to Promote Station and Year of Mercy with New Billboards

The Anchor - Serving the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts.

By Kenneth J. Souza
Anchor Staff

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — As a Franciscan, Friar John Mary, F.I., has witnessed signs of faith throughout his life.

Now he’s hoping others will notice one of the signs that recently went up in the Greater New Bedford area promoting WPMW Radio CorMariae and its mission to spread the Good News.

The “micro FM” Catholic radio station that broadcasts at 88.5 on the dial and originates from studios above Our Lady’s Chapel in downtown New Bedford recently contracted with Boston-based Clear Channel Entertainment to advertise its mission via large billboards in three key locations.

“The station has been doing OK financially, and we found we could afford to do another campaign, which is always good because we’re always trying to look for ways to increase our listenership,” Friar John recently told The Anchor. “I think this is one of the most effective ways, other than a bumper sticker campaign.”

The billboards prominently feature a beautiful stained-glass image of Our Lady next to a Scripture passage — “Mercy and Truth have met” (Ps 85:10) — and are located near the intersection of Cove Road and Rockdale Avenue in New Bedford; near St. Mary’s Cemetery on Route 6 across from Shaw’s Supermarket on the New Bedford-Dartmouth line; and on Route 6 (State Road) in Dartmouth, about halfway between Reed and Cross roads.

“The first two went up in mid-January and the third is (going up this week),” Friar John said. “I’m happy with the locations. The one (at Cove Road and Rockdale Avenue) is very conspicuous, near a pretty busy intersection. You can see it as you slow down for the stoplight — it’s very viewable.”

Friar John explained how the billboard on Route 6 in Dartmouth, which can be spotted driving from Westport heading towards New Bedford, was actually a replacement for one that had originally been planned for Coggeshall Street in New Bedford.

“There’s been ongoing construction there,” he said. “It did get put up, but when I went to see it, there was (construction) equipment parked in front of it — it wasn’t a good location. I talked to Clear Channel and told them about it and they found out from the construction crew that the area isn’t going to be cleaned up anytime soon, so they very graciously did the right thing and moved us to the Dartmouth location.”

Friar John said he likes the relocated site better.

“The station is heard pretty well between New Bedford and Westport, and that’s where our signal originates,” he said. “Those coming from Westport heading to the (Dartmouth) Mall will see it.”

Unbeknownst to Friar John, there is also a notorious strip club not far from where the new billboard is located.

“One of our volunteers said that was a good location because the area needs it,” he said. “So I guess they need the prayers and they need to see Our Lady up there.”

The story behind the eye-catching image of the Blessed Mother that dominates the new billboards is perhaps proof positive of Divine intervention in the radio station’s latest advertising campaign.

Friar John first noticed the depiction of Our Lady on the Facebook page of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary — a group that did a recent recording session at Radio CorMariae.

“I contacted them to see if they had a high-resolution image of it and they said they found it on the Internet and they didn’t know much more about it,” he said. “They didn’t have the source to give me.”

  Stained Glass Window Photographed by Loci B. Lenar 

 

Thankfully, a graphic design artist named Mary Flannery who does work for the Franciscan Friars was able to do a little digital digging online and discovered that the image, entitled “Immaculate Heart of Mary,” was a photograph taken by Loci B. Lenar and was prominently featured on his Flickr page, blog and website (www.christian-miracles.com). She contacted him and he graciously gave WPMW permission to use it in the billboard campaign.

Ironically enough, Lenar has also been featured several times on the syndicated radio program “Sacred Treasures,” which currently airs on WPMW Radio CorMariae.

“He has all these websites and blogs about miracles and conversion stories,” Friar John said. “The thing that got me is this image could have been from anywhere in the world, but the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart found it, used it, which got me to see it, and then it all led back to someone with a connection to our radio station. I really believe it was Divine providence that it’s now being used on our billboard.”

Since we are in the midst of the Year of Mercy as proclaimed by Pope Francis, Friar John said he also wanted to connect that with what the radio station was doing.

“In our last (advertising) campaign, we used the phrase: ‘Behold your mother,’” he said. “I know Our Lady can work with her own image — she doesn’t need words — but I just didn’t want us to have a blank billboard on one side, so I was looking for a good Scripture quote.”

Friar John did a quick Bible search for quotes relating to mercy and came across the line “Mercy and Truth have met” from the Book of Psalms.

For him, it was the perfect quote to include alongside the woman praised in “Hail Holy Queen” as the “Mother of Mercy.”

“I believe that in Pope Francis calling for the Year of Mercy to start on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, he had Our Lady in mind,” Friar John said. “Of course, we always talk about mercy, but we have to accompany it with truth — the truth being our faith, the Church, the Sacraments, and Our Lord Himself.

“So we have a merciful, motherly figure in Our Lady and then the Church being the truth — so God knew what He was doing when He put the two together. They go hand-in-hand.”

Friar John said the plan is to keep the billboards up at least throughout the month, but hopefully with additional funding they might be able to extend the campaign even further.

“We want to have the billboards up as long as possible while the funds are coming in,” he said. “On our website we have a page specifically for making donations to support the billboard campaign. People can either use a credit/debit card on the website, or send us a check.”

Since Radio CorMariae doesn’t subscribe to the costly Arbitron ratings system to gauge how many listeners they have, Friar John said it’s important to get feedback via advertising campaigns like this and through word-of-mouth.

“For a station like ours we wouldn’t be involved in the techniques they use and we wouldn’t be able to pay for those services,” he said. “They say if you receive one call during a show, that means there are probably another 99 listeners out there. It’s always pleasant to hear when someone does give you feedback, because then you know someone is getting something out of it. This is why we meet on a regular basis with our volunteers to help publicize the station.”

Tax-deductible donations to support the billboard campaign may be sent to: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, P.O. Box 3003, New Bedford, Mass. 02741-3003. Please write “Billboard Campaign” on the memo line of the check or money order.

For more information about the campaign or to make a donation online, visit www.radiocormariae.com.

First published on February 17, 2016 by The Anchor.
(Reprinted with Permission)

Historic encounter with Pope Francis and Patriarch of Moscow

Historic encounter with Pope and Patriarch of Moscow: We are not competitors but brothers

News story from RomeReports.com

As is customary in Russian tradition, Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis greeting each other with three kisses on the cheek. It is an embrace that has taken nearly a thousand years to occur.

"I am delighted to see you.”

"Thanks brother.”

Once seated, the Patriarch initiated the conversation with the help of translators.

"How was your flight your Holiness?”

"Very good, thank God, very good.”

They spent a few minutes chatting in front of journalists and the cameras were able to capture his first words.

"Nevertheless, we have the opportunity to talk heart to heart.”

"That's what I want to do. We are brothers, we have the same baptism, we are bishops.”

They signed this historic joint statement, two hours after their closed-door meeting.

Once again, with this embrace, both churches are much closer today than they were yesterday.

"The result of the conversation allows me to ensure that currently the two Churches can cooperate together to defend Christians around the world, with full responsibility, work together so that there is no war, that human life is respected worldwide.”

"We speak clearly without mumbling and I confess that I felt the consolation of the Spirit in this dialogue.”

The Pope thanked everyone involved in making this meeting with the Patriarch a possibility. Among them, their hosts, the people of Cuba and Raul Castro.

"I appreciate your active availability, if it continues, Cuba will be the capital of unity.”

In their joint statement, the two leaders demand the protection for persecuted Christians, especially in Syria and Iraq; They highlight the importance of the family based on marriage; Call to Protect the life of the unborn and even made an appeal for peace in the Ukraine. In addition, they stress that Catholics and Orthodox are not

"competitors but brothers.”

And with just one signature by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, they seal the end of a feud that lasted almost a thousand years ago. 

"Christian-Miracles.com" is Mobile Ready for all Smartphones and iPhone's

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Our mobile site http://m.christian-miracles.com/ is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule. With a simple push of a button, connect to popular Catholic prayers anytime of the day. You will be amazed at the results by using your smartphone or iPhone!

Devotional Prayers include The Miracle Prayer, Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague, Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Novena for Impossible Requests, Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony, Prayer to St. Jude for Impossible Cases, Prayers to Saint Rita, Prayers to Saint Joseph, Prayer to Saint Padre Pio, Prayers to St. Therese, Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and many more!

With an average of over 14,000 visitors per week coming to our mobile site, we are connecting to a global community who are in search of God's love. See for yourself by visiting www.Christian-Miracles.com.

Examine our weekly stats from February 6 to February 13, 2016 supplied by DudaMobile: PDF File

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:17)

Meet the Catholic Chaplain going to Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers

Get Fed | A Solid Catholic Blog to Feed Your Faith

The Catholic players on the Carolina Panthers team won’t be missing their Sunday Mass obligation on Super Bowl Sunday. One Charlotte priest is heading to Super Bowl 50 after being invited to serve as their chaplain ahead of the big game.

Read More: The Catholic Company

Divine intervention: 'Invisible force' knocks down man about to stab priest inside church in Colombia

Christian News on Christian Today

A hooded man armed with a large knife suddenly leapt from his seat inside a church, rushed at the

priest and was about to stab the man of God when he suddenly froze as if gripped by an "invisible force" and fell to the ground convulsing as churchgoers quickly disarmed the assailant.

The astonishing incident was caught on camera inside the Pentecostal IPUC Bosa Church
Bogota, Colombia, the Mirror UK reported.

As the knife-wielding man attacked, the video footage showed the priest, Pedro Pablo Martin,
calmly saying, "There is power in the name of Jesus," repeating this several times.

(Photo and news excerpt from www.ChristianToday.com)

Read more: Divine Intervention


 

When you think of MLK, don't forget the faith that inspired him

Excerpt from Catholic News Agency (CNA)

By Kevin Jones

Washington D.C., Jan 18, 2016 / 01:39 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Martin Luther King Day is a time to promote racial harmony in America and honor the slain civil rights leader who was “inspired by the teachings of Christ,” says the head of the Knights of Peter Claver.

“Considering that so many 'church-going folks' were supporting segregation and Jim Crow laws during the civil rights movement, it is wonderful that King dedicated his life to employing Christ's teachings to resist and counter the very social sins of prejudice, racial discrimination and segregation,” Supreme Knight F. DeKarlos Blackmon told CNA.

He said Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. a Baptist minister, was “a man of faith and deep conviction” who studied Catholic theology and was “particularly impressed” with St. Augustine.

King’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” cited St. Augustine's saying “An unjust law is no law at all.”

Since 2010, Blackmon has headed the Knights of Peter Claver, a New Orleans-based Catholic fraternal order present in about 39 states and in South America. It takes as its model the Spanish Jesuit priest St. Peter Claver, who ministered to slaves in Colombia in the 1600s. Its membership is significantly African-American but the order is open to all practicing Catholics without regard to race or ethnicity.

The organization was founded in Mobile, Ala. in 1909 by four priests of the Josephite Fathers and three Catholic laymen to serve African-Americans and other racial minorities.

The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary opposed segregation and worked to transform how communities and cities thought about race, equality and justice, Blackmon said.

Read more: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

***

Stained glass window of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr can be seen inside Saint Margaret Catholic Church, Morristown, New Jersey. Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Wishing you a Happy New Year in 2016

May all your prayers be answered in 2016 during the great Jubilee of Mercy.

Loci B. Lenar Shares His Journey of Faith on Public Radio

Loci B. Lenar, the founder of www.Christian-Miracles.com was interviewed on Sunday, December 20, 2015 on the Catholic radio show, "Cause of Our Joy," hosted by Joe Ott on WACE 730 AM, Chicopee, MA. 

The radio program focused on locutions/messages that Mr. Lenar received from Jesus and Our Lady regarding Revelation 20:1-3 and God's thousand year reign of peace, including his healing of a heart condition (A-Fib) from the Anointing of the Sick, a sacrament of the Catholic Church, as well as other interesting news worthy items.  

If you were unable to hear the program in your area, stay informed and listen to a recording of the radio show by visiting the homepage of www.Christian-Miracles.com.

The Virgin Mary's monthly message to Medjugorje visionary Marija

Our Lady of Medjugorje Messages - Medjugorje WebSite

December 25, 2015 Message to Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti

"Dear children! Also today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you and from this embrace I am giving you His peace and a longing for Heaven. I am praying with you for peace and am calling you to be peace. I am blessing all of you with my motherly blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Holy and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

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

Peace of The Holy Family - Christmas 2015

Peace of The Holy Family by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

From the website of international artist Stephen B. Whatley:  

A new tribute to the first Christmas, 2000 years ago, by British expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley, who often feels compelled by what he calls a 'Divine push' to create his Catholic tribute paintings and drawings, in prayer.

This work, in pastel, was partly inspired by a prayer card kindly sent to the artist from New York. 

The prayer reads: A Christmas Blessing

"May all the days of all the years that God has still in store be filled with every joy and grace to Bless you more and more; May hope of heart and peace of mind beside you ever stay, and that's the golden wish I have for you, this Christmas Day."

Peace, joy and gifts of healing this Christmas. 

Pastel on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare Mother Teresa a saint

Excerpt from Catholic News Service (CNA)

Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, thus paving the way for her canonization.

Pope Francis signed the decree for Blessed Teresa's cause and advanced three other sainthood causes Dec. 17, the Vatican announced.

Although the date for the canonization ceremony will be officially announced during the next consistory of cardinals in February, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Vatican office organizing the Holy Year of Mercy events, had said it would be Sept. 4. That date celebrates the Jubilee of workers and volunteers of mercy and comes the day before the 19th anniversary of her death, Sept. 5, 1997.

The postulator for her sainthood cause, Father Brian Kolodiejchuk of the Missionaries of Charity, said the second miracle that was approved involved the healing of a now 42-year-old mechanical engineer in Santos, Brazil.

Doctors diagnosed the man with a viral brain infection that resulted in multiple brain abscesses, the priest said in a statement published Dec. 18 by AsiaNews, the Rome-based missionary news agency. Treatments given were ineffective and the man went into a coma, the postulator wrote.

The then-newly married man's wife had spent months praying to Blessed Teresa and her prayers were joined by those of her relatives and friends when her dying husband was taken to the operating room Dec. 9, 2008.

When the surgeon entered the operating room, he reported that he found the patient awake, free of pain and asking, "What am I doing here?" Doctors reported the man showed no more symptoms and a Vatican medical commission voted unanimously in September 2015 that the healing was inexplicable.

St. John Paul II had made an exception to the usual canonization process in Mother Teresa's case by allowing her sainthood cause to be opened without waiting the usual five years after a candidate's death. He beatified her in 2003. 

The order she started -- the Missionaries of Charity -- continues its outreach to the "poorest of the poor."

Read more: Mother Teresa

Loci B. Lenar to share his journey of faith on Catholic radio

"Cause of Our Joy!" Radio Rosary Program, Broadcasting Each Sunday Morning at 7:00 am, on WACE 730 AM, Chicopee, MA – Hosted by Joe Ott

Denville, NJ - Dec. 16, 2015 - Prlog.org -- Loci B. Lenar, the founder of www.christian-miracles.com is scheduled to be interviewed on Sunday, December 20, 2015 on the Catholic radio show, "Cause of Our Joy," hosted by Joe Ott on WACE 730 AM, Chicopee, MA.

The radio program will focus on locutions/messages that Mr. Lenar has received from Jesus and Our Lady regarding lawlessness and violence seen around our world, including availability of prayer support for those who visit the website, as well as Mr. Lenar's testimony on his healing from the Anointing of the Sick, a sacrament of the Catholic Church. More information about Mr. Lenar is available by visiting http://www.christian-miracles.com/

Mr. Lenar is a parishioner of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and his spiritual director for over twenty years is Fr. Richard Tartaglia. The parish is located on Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey, USA.

With over 3.8 million visitors since its inception - www.Christian-Miracles.com is growing and helping to lead the way in the New Evangelization by reaching a global community with visitors coming from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), India, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Germany, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, and many other countries.

If you're unable to listen to the program in your area, a recording of the radio show will be available after December 20th on www.Christian-Miracles.com

Pope Francis Opens Doors to a Jubilee of Mercy

News from RomeReports.com: Discover the mercy and tenderness of God. That was the message Pope Francis sent from St. Peter's Square while shielded by heavy security.

As he has said since the early days of his pontificate, the Pope explained that those who believe God is a judge who punishes are mistaken. Rather, he elaborated, God waits ardently for his children to return to Him.

POPE FRANCIS

"To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them...How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy.”

The Pope also wanted to commemorate 50 years since the closing the Second Vatican Council. He said it should be remembered as a time when the Church ceased to seclude itself and rediscovered its missionary spirit.

POPE FRANCIS

"Before all else, the Council was an encounter. A genuine encounter between the Church and the men and women of our time.”

As he has for other special occasions, Pope Francis invited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to be present during the opening of the Holy Door. It was perhaps the most important moment of the ceremony.

With this grand gesture, the Jubilee of Mercy was opened. The Pope passed through the door first. He was then followed by his predecessor to much applause. The ceremony was concluded in the basilica, together with cardinals, bishops, and other concelebrants.

Read more:  Jubilee of Mercy 

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena - November 30th until Christmas

Saint Andrew by artist Stephen B. Whatley

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O My God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

It is piously believed that whoever recites the prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas will obtain what is asked. 

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. 

  
(Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897)

Read More: History of St. Andrew

More Catholic Devotional Prayers

Wishing You a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

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 betowed 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.

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

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

New Catholic Tribute by international artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A new painting by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley, created in pastel on November 17, 2015, the Feast Day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

From Magnificat, November 2015: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

As a young child Elizabeth, the daughter of Andrew, King of Hungary, was sent to the palace of Wartburg in Thuringia to be raised alongside her future husband, Ludwig. She was a prodigy of charity. From the age of fourteen, when she became queen, she served the poor with her own hands. It is said that on one occasion, Elizabeth hurried from the palace with her apron full of bread for the hungry, but was stopped by her angry husband. She opened the apron and a bunch of red roses tumbled out. After Ludwig's death in 1227, Elizabeth entered the Franciscan Third Order and gave herself wholly to nursing the sick. She died at the age of twenty-four.

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is Patron Saint of many causes, including the homeless.

More about St Elizabeth:
www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=45
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_of_Hungary

Pastel on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Stephen B Whatley’s work has also been published in The Guardian, Guardian Weekend magazine, HELLO!, MAJESTY, Metro London, The New York Times, The Sunday Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and USA TODAY; and is listed in David Buckman’s dictionary, Artists in Britain Since 1945.

Pray for Peace

Prayer for World Peace

God the Father
Creator of the Heavenly Kingdom
We petition the Court of Heaven
And humbly pray for mercy and divine intervention.

Send forth blessings of spiritual deliverance—

Free nations from the strife of war—
Release cultures from the shackles of poverty—
Instill stability and prosperity—
Healing earth of suffering—
With saving grace for humanity—

We implore Heaven for miraculous signs
By altering the destiny of humankind
Into a glorious era of peace and harmony
Through divine love and prayerful unanimity—

Almighty Father we graciously thank thee
In granting our prayers through the name and power
Of your divine Son, Jesus.

Amen

Prayer and photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Stained glass window detail can be seen inside St. Virgil Catholic Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Share with others: Prayer for World Peace

More Catholic Prayers

Our Lady's Monthly Message to Mirjana

 

 

November 02, 2015 Apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje and her Message to Mirjana Soldo

"Dear children, anew I desire to speak to you about love. I have gathered you around me in the name of my Son according to His will. I desire that your faith be firm, flowing forth from love. Because, those of my children who understand the love of my Son and follow it, live in love and hope. They have come to know the love of God. Therefore, my children, pray, pray so as to be able to love all the more and to do works of love. Because, faith alone without love and works of love is not what I am asking of you: my children, this is an illusion of faith. It is a boasting of self. My Son seeks faith and works, love and goodness. I am praying, and I am also asking you to pray, and to live love; because I desire that my Son, when He looks at the hearts of all of my children, can see love and goodness in them and not hatred and indifference. My children, apostles of my love, do not lose hope, do not lose strength. You can do this. I am encouraging and blessing you. Because all that is of this world, which many of my children, unfortunately, put in the first place, will disappear; and only love and works of love will remain and open the door of the Kingdom of Heaven. I will wait for you at this door. At this door, I desire to welcome and embrace all of my children. Thank you!" 

 

 

 

All Souls Day - November 2, 2015

All Souls Day is a Remembrance of all loved ones that have passed away.

Prayer for All Souls Day

Lord God,
you are the glory of believers
and the life of the just.
Your son redeemed us
by dying and rising to life again.
Since our departed brothers and sisters
believed in the mystery of our resurrection,
let them share the joys and blessings
of the life to come.

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/…/D…/Prayer-For-All-Souls-Day.aspx…

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

Saint Mary's Parish Celebrates Sister Mary Joan Phillips 70 Years of Service in the Catholic Church

Saint Mary's Parish celebrated Sister Mary Joan Phillips 70 years of service in the Catholic Church on Saturday, October 17, 2015 with Mass and a banquet in the school auditorium.

Sister Joan has dedicated her life to God's work with almost 50 years at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Denville, New Jersey. We all congratulate Sister Joan for devoting her life to God's service. God bless you Sister Joan!

Photographs by Loci B. Lenar

The miracle behind the canonization of the parents of St Therese of Lisieux

Photograph and news excerpt from Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Seven-year-old Carmen has an extraordinary story. Because of her Blessed Louis Martin and Zelie Guerin, the parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, will be canonized this Sunday in Saint Peter's Square.

The little girl was born prematurely in Spain in 2008 at just six months into pregnancy. She was fighting for her life for several weeks because of a cerebral hemorrhage and other severe ailments.

But her loved ones and many Carmelite sisters sought the miraculous intervention of the Martins. The Vatican recognized the baby’s healing as miraculous.

Little Carmen’s parents, her mother Carmen and her father Santos, have told her story in an exclusive interview with CNA.

Read more: The Miracle

The Spirit of St James's Church: 125th Anniversary Tribute

A new painting created in 2015 by international artist Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A new painting focusing on the Sanctuary and interior of St. James's RC Church, Spanish Place, London; which opened on September 29, 1890. Its rich history and association with Spain stretches back to the 16th century and is contained in the link from the Parish website: www.sjrcc.org.uk/page7/parishhistory.html

Expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley - whose Catholic tribute paintings have been exhibited at London's Westminster Cathedral - created the oil painting inspired by a series of drawings made on location inside the beautiful church, a jewel in Marylebone in central London. The painting was completed over several days - including the actual anniversary.

Oil on canvas
36 x 48in/91 x 122cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Several of Mr. Whatley's paintings are published on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com including a feature article about the artist from Catholic Life Magazine. The article is reprinted with permission on the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/artofstephenbwhatley.htm

Saint Mary's Monthly Prayer Service Scheduled on October 15, 2015

Join us at Saint Mary's Catholic Church for its monthly prayer service at 7:30 pm with Fr. Richard Tartaglia on Thursday, October 15, 2015.

Saint Mary's Parish is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, New Jersey.

Previous services have included prayer for Christian Unity. However, prayers for world peace are always included.

If you cannot attend St. Mary's prayer service, you can still join us by praying in unity with St. Mary’s Church for all special prayer intentions. Prayer requests submitted through www.Christian-Miracles.com are also prayed for during the service.

There is great power through the Holy Spirit when people join together in agreement while praying for God’s help and intervention.

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20)

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Submit your prayer requests to our website and our prayer ministry will pray for your needs: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Statue of Virgin Mary photographed at Saint Mary's Parish.

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

Our Lady of Hope by Artist Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady of Hope | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Reprinted by permission of the artist.

A new 2015 tribute to the Holy Mother of God, Our Lady of Hope by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley - inspired by the recorded description as witnessed by those who saw her miraculous appearance in the French village of Pontmain in 1871.

She was said to be dressed in a blue dress amassed with golden stars, wearing a black veil and carrying a red cross; her message was " Hope Through Prayer and The Cross".

The artist has a great affection for the USA so was happy to learn that the Oblate Fathers introduced the devotion to the USA in 1952.

Peace blessings of peace, healing, joy - and Hope!

Pastel on Paper, 2015
24 x 17in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

For the Novena to Our Lady of Hope:
www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/hope.htm


About the artist Stephen B. Whatley

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 & The Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart, Miami, USA.

 Born in London in 1965 he studied at The Ipswich and Norwich Schools of Art and The University of London in solo & group exhibitions, including London’s National Theatre, the ICA, the Lloyd’s Building, Olympia International Fine Art & Antiques Fair & Westminster Cathedral.

Stephen B Whatley’s work has also been published in The Guardian, Guardian Weekend magazine, HELLO!, MAJESTY, Metro London, The New York Times, The Sunday Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Times & USA TODAY; and is listed in David Buckman’s dictionary, Artists in Britain Since 1945.

Several of Mr. Whatley's Catholic Tributes are published on the website of www.Christian-Miracles.com.