Thursday, February 17, 2011
Saved by Prayer
Elena Popkov: Swept Away - CBN TV - Video
The following excerpt is from CBN.com:
By Jewel Graham Taylor
The Popkov children loved to play in the streets when it rained, that is until a flash flood swept Elena out of sight and into a drain pipe.
"I was on like a swimming tube, " remembers Elena. "I just sat on it and the water just kept carrying me until I got to the drain pipe."
Elena's brother Viktor remembers the terrifying ordeal. "There was like no air in there, so she couldn't, she had no chance of breathing or anything."
While the current pushed Elena farther and farther down the sewer line, one of the other children ran to the house to get help.
Elena's mother Olga immediately began praying. "I couldn't believe it at first. I couldn't believe it. And I started praying right away that God, please keep her alive, please keep her alive."
While struggling to surface, Eleven year-old Elena remembered what her mother taught her. "From the beginning I said, 'if you're alone by yourself,'" said Olga, "'and you're struggling, you can't, you know, find your way out, just pray. God, He's there for you, you know, He's listening to you'."
"'Jesus, help me.' That's all I said in my head," says Elena. "And then seconds later there was some sort of bright light and somebody , it was like some sort of power was like just dragging me out of there by my arms. I did not feel any pain or anything. It was like my body was already on shore and somebody was just dragging my soul from there."
Elena surfaced at a split in the pipe, two city blocks from her back yard.
"I don't really know how I got out," says Elena. "But I'm pretty sure it was God."
The entire family credits God for Elena's miraculous survival, especially Olga. "I told my kids that life is boring without God. If you live for Jesus, your life will be exciting and full of miracles."
Read more: Elena Popkov
Our Lady of Lourdes: A New Painting by Artist Stephen B. Whatley
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Our Lady of Lourdes Painting by Stephen B. Whatley |
Our Lady of Lourdes by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Stephen B. Whatley is recognized as an accomplished artist and is remarkably talented when it comes to painting pictures. His images of religious figures are painted with colorful abstract strokes of the brush and immediately grab your attention. Stephen has created a masterful work of art which captivates the viewer with his new painting of Our Lady of Lourdes. This beautiful picture is posted on the website of Christian-Miracles.com. The painting is combined with Prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes and can be read at the following link: Devotional Prayers. ~Loci B. Lenar
By Stephen B. Whatley
February 11 was the anniversary of the beginning of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a young girl, Bernadette Soubirous - now St Bernadette - in 1858, Lourdes, France. Since then , the Mother of God has been known in that region as Our Lady of Lourdes.
It was in a grotto that she first miraculously appeared; and where on February 25, she told Bernadette to dig around in the soil and drink the water. The following day, water flowed from that spot; and on March 1st, a woman was cured of paralysis by dipping her hand into the spring.
A priest requested from Bernadette to ask the beautiful lady her name, and was convinced and confirmed that it was indeed the Blessed Virgin Mary, because the young girl had answered "Immaculate Conception," words she would not have known then.
Since then, thousands have made pilgrimages to this holy spot in France; and 67 known cures have been recognised by the church- though it is possible that many have gone unrecorded. It remains a great haven of hope; as do the prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes.
"It was cloudy and gray in London this February 11, 2011 as I prayed in preparation to paint this tribute from my heart and soul - but just as I began, the sun broke through the clouds - my prayers were for healing for all those I know who are sick and suffering.
I hope viewers will be blessed with peace, hope and healing, through faith, by seeing this painting.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Oil on canvas
36 x 24in/82 x 61cm
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For more information about the artist, please visit the following link: Stephen B. Whatley
For additional information about the apparitions, please visit the following link: Our Lady of Lourdes
Prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sister Briege McKenna, a Nun with the Gift of Healing
Sister Briege McKenna, a nun with the gift of healing and who ministers to priests
The following excerpt is from the website of RomeReports.com:
For the past 35 years, Sister Briege McKenna (St. Clare Sisters Retreat Ministry) has traveled more than 1 million miles to more than 100 countries to minister to priests.
She feels she received her call from God to speak on the priesthood years after she was miraculously cured of arthritis during the celebration of the Eucharist. She says God told her there was going to be a great shortage of priests and that many would reject the priesthood.
"And I said to the Lord there is no way, Lord. I'm a first grade teacher. I can't do that. And I got this most extraordinary love for the priesthood, and the Lord said in a voice I could almost hear, you don't do it, just be obedient, just listen and I'll do it through you."
Although she said she was scared, she put her trust in God and now helps priests and encourages others to join the vocation.
The Miracle Prayer Recited by Fr. Peter M. Rookey
Gloria.tv: MIRACLE PRAYER - Fr. PETER ROOKEY
The Miracle Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit.
Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus, I shall follow Thee every day of my life. Amen.
Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen.
Say this prayer faithfully, no matter how you feel. When you come to the point where you sincerely mean each word with all your heart, Jesus will change your whole life in a very special way. You will see.
Prayer © 1993 Fr. Peter M. Rookey and Servite Fathers, O.S.M.
***
The Miracle Prayer is written by Father Peter M. Rookey, O.S.M., the founder of International Compassion Ministry (ICM). Father Rookey and the ministry has received invitations for healing services from nations throughout the world including England, Ireland, and Mexico, to name a few. The ministry is located in Olympia Fields, Illinois and is part of the Servite Order's USA Province. For more information, please visit the following link: Fr. Peter M. Rookey
Contact Information:
International Compassion Ministry
20180 Governors Hwy., Room 203
Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461-1067
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Reflection of God's Light in Madison, NJ
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St. Vincent Martyr Catholic Church Photo by Loci B. Lenar |
By Loci B. Lenar
While traveling through the town of Madison on October 9, 2010, I decided to visit St. Vincent Martyr Catholic Church. My normal routine when I stop at any church is to go inside and say some prayers. I also usually have my camera on hand and take some photographs as well. If you're ever in Morris County, by all means do visit this beautiful church. You will not be disappointed. St. Vincent is located on 26 Green Village Road in Madison, New Jersey.
Some images from the church already appear in my previous blogger posts. However, while looking over various photographs, one caught my attention which I find very interesting.
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Mary and Infant Jesus Statue Photo by Loci B. Lenar |
I photographed the statue of Mary holding the infant Jesus which sits behind the alter and is surrounded by a flora arrangement and church lighting. If you look at the picture very closely there is three distinct shadows appearing on the wall. Two shadows on the right are of Mary and infant Jesus.
However, is the reflection of light creating a third image? The shadow on the left appears different. Is the silhouette on the wall a likeness of the statue or perhaps an image of St. Joseph or Jesus?
What's your opinion? Is the image being caused by church lighting or perhaps a reflection of God's light?
Our Lord indeed works in mysterious ways to grab the attention of people through signs!
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