British Soldier Credits Rosary With Saving His Life

Photo of Glenn Hockton

Eastnews Press Agency / Peter Lawson

The Following story appeared on FoxNews.com:

FOXNews.com - British Soldier Credits Rosary Beads With Saving His Life

A British soldier says that rosary beads given to him by his mother saved his life after he stepped on a land mine while serving in Afghanistan.

He also claims that his grandfather was saved the exact same way, The Daily Mail reported Monday.

Now home from a seven-month tour of duty, 19-year-old Glenn Hockton was on patrol when his rosary beads suddenly dropped from his neck. He bent down to retrieve the chain and realized he was on top of a land mine.

Hockton stood still for 45 minutes while his colleagues worked to secure the land mine.

During his tour, Hockton's duties involved patrolling and loading the mortars while he was based in Kabul and Helmand Province, which has seen a significant amount of violence.

On a separate occasion, Hockton, who joined the military when he was 16, was shot in the chest, but his body armor protected him from the bullet. Since then, Hockton's mother and stepfather have kept the bullet that could have ended their son's life.

Hockton's great grandfather, Joseph (Sunny) Truman, also is convinced a rosary saved his life in World War II when a blast killed six members of his platoon.

Before Hockton was deployed to Afghanistan, his mother gave him the rosary beads for protection. Despite the gesture, his mother, Sheri Jones, feared the worst. "I couldn't watch the news because the children used to say: 'Is Glenn on there?' each time they said another soldier had been killed," she told the Daily Mail.

Hockton currently is training for his next deployment.

For additional details, please visit the following link: DailyMail.com

Remarkable Sunlight at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

My visit to the Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, July 31, 2010, included attending Mass at noon time. The Mass was celebrated by Father Paul Ruge with a few other visiting priest in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. While at the shrine, I had Father Paul bless some scapulars. I also took some interesting photographs of the sun, right above the amphitheatre. On top of the amphitheatre is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which is also located right above the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Please consider visiting Christian-Miracles.com and reading Father Paul Ruge's interview with Fr. Hubert Schiffer. Father Schiffer miraculously survived the atomic explosion on August 6,1945 in Hiroshima, Japan. To read the story and to view a documentary trailer, please visit the following link: Rosary Miracle at Hiroshima

The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, will hold Healing Masses throughout 2010 with Father Paul Ruge. Father Paul is the chaplain and spiritual advisor at the National Blue Army Shrine.

The Mass will begin with Divine Mercy Prayer at 3:00 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Healing Masses will also include the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick right after the Homily. For any changes or updates on the Healing Mass schedule, please call the shrine at the following number (908) 689-1700.

The Healing Mass Schedule for 2010:

Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Catholic shrine is in scenic Warren County on 674 Mountain View Road, Washington, New Jersey, USA.

Copyright 2010 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

A Light in Her Life by Joan Wester Anderson

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

A Light in Her Life by Joan Wester Anderson

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

(Clipart supplied by Loci B. Lenar)

Copyright 2010 Joan Wester Anderson

A Reflection of Divine Light?

The photograph and caption appeared on SpiritDaily.com:

Just a reflection?  Mrs. Feargus OCroinin of Edmonton, Alberta took this at Vatican on July 25, 2010.

In Good Faith: Store Manager Invokes Jesus, Dissuades Robber

In Good Faith: Store manager invokes Jesus, dissuades robber - Religion: News and debate about Christianity, Islam and values - baltimoresun.com

The following excerpt is from YouTube:

A remorseful robber left a Broward County, Florida cellphone store empty-handed after hearing what the redemptive power of Jesus Christ can do from the cool-headed manager.

The incident happened on July 23, 2010. To read the story about God's protection, please visit the following link: In Good Faith

Prayers of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Statue of Padre Pio

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit.

You marked his body with the five wounds

of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness

to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.

Endowed with the gift of discernment,

St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional

for the salvation of souls.

With reverence and intense devotion

in the celebration of Mass,

he invited countless men and women

to a greater union with Jesus Christ

in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,

I confidently beseech You to grant me

the grace of (here state your petition). Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen (Say three times)

Statue of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

A Prayer for Trust and Confidence in God's Mercy

By St. Pio of Pietrelcina

O Lord,

we ask for a boundless confidence

and trust in Your divine mercy,

and the courage to accept

the crosses and sufferings

which bring immense goodness

to our souls and that of Your Church.

Help us to love You

with a pure and contrite heart,

and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross,

as we climb the mountain of holiness,

carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.

May we receive You

with great faith and love in Holy Communion,

and allow You to act in us as You desire

for your greater glory.

O Jesus, most adorable Heart

and eternal fountain of Divine Love,

may our prayer find favor before

the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.

A Prayer

By Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

May Jesus comfort you

in all your afflictions.

May He sustain you in dangers,

watch over you always with His grace,

and indicate the safe path

that leads to eternal salvation.

And may He render you always

dearer to His Divine Heart

and always more worthy of Paradise.

Amen

For other daily prayers, please visit the following link:
Devotional Prayers

***

The life-like statue of Padre Pio is on display inside the Church of Saint Ann, which is located on 704 Jefferson Street in Hoboken, New Jersey.  Loci B. Lenar photographed the statue while attending Saint Ann's Italian Festival on July 25, 2010.

Photographs Copyright 2010 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com