Healing of Colombian man could pave way for John Paul II canonization

The following excerpt is from the Catholic News Agency (CNA):

Bogotá, Colombia  - The testimony of a Colombian man who says he was “miraculously cured” of Parkinson's Disease through the intercession of Blessed John Paul II could allow for the canonization of the Polish pope.

According to the newspaper El Tiempo, the case involves Marco Fidel Rojas, the former mayor of the town of Huila, whose testimony has now been sent to the Vatican office heading the sainthood cause for the late pontiff.

Recounting his story to the Colombian paper, Fidel remembers experiencing the first symptoms of the disease in December of 2005. After a series of examinations, doctors determined he had suffered a stroke, which led to the development of Parkinson's.

Little by little the disease began to get worse. “I felt like I could collapse at any moment. Various times I fell down outside on the street,” he recalled, adding that once he was almost run over by a taxi.

As the years went by and his health continued to deteriorate, Fidel suddenly remembered on the evening of Dec. 27, 2010, that during a trip to Rome he had met Pope John Paul II after Mass and spoke with him for a few moments.

“I have a friend up there,” Fidel thought that night, amid his pain. “And he had Parkinson's. Why didn’t I pray to him before? Venerable Father John Paul II: come and heal me, put your hands on my head.”

After praying, Fidel said he slept perfectly that night, and that the next morning he woke up with no symptoms of the illness.

“Yes, John Paul II gave me the miracle of curing me,” he said. “My great promise to my healer is to spread devotion to him wherever I can.”

El Tiempo reported that Dr. Antonio Schlesinger Piedrahita, a renowned neurologist in Colombia, has certified Fidel’s healing and says he is in good health.

The miraculous healing of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre – who also suffered from Parkinson's Disease – paved the way for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, which took place in Rome in May 2011.

Read more: CNA

Shailesh Ghimire: Finding Jesus in America

Shailesh Ghimire: Finding Jesus in America - CBN TV - Video

Raised in Hindu and Buddhist cultures, Shailesh was curious about Christ when he moved to America. View his life changing story.

Image of Virgin Mary Seen on Tree

Hundreds descend on West New York to pray after image of virgin saint spotted in tree

The photograph and following excerpt is from the HudsonReporter.com:

An image that resembles la Virgen de Guadalupe (Mexico's version of the Virgin Mary) was spotted by West New York (NJ) resident Eva Copantitla Tuesday as she was passing by a tree in front of the McDonald's on Bergenline Avenue and 60th Street. Copantitla then ran into Mayor Felix Roque's office around the corner in Town Hall to tell him the news.

Skeptical, Roque followed her to the tree and found a knot in the trunk that bore a remarkable resemblance to the iconic imagery of the Virgen de Guadalupe. Slowly, word spread, and crowds upwards of 100 people began to gather and pray around the tree.

Read more: Hudson Reporter - Hundreds descend on West New York to pray after image of virgin saint spotted in tree

What's a Scapular and what does it Represent?

Promises Associated with the Scapular

The following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

Over the years, scapulars have become more and more popular. For some it's a way to show devotion. For others, it's merely a fashion statement. But, not everyone knows the history of scapulars. They actually date back to the 12th century to the Order of Carmelites.
 
FR. MICEAL O'NEILL
Carmelite

“The Prior General at the time, a man named Simon Stock, an English man had this vision of the Blessed Virgin appearing to him and giving him this garment, a scapular, and promising him that she would look after this new Carmelite religious family.”

According to that promise, whoever wore the scapular would be protected in life and after death. The devotion quickly gained popularity as the message spread to other religious orders.

This small piece of fabric is a reminder of the long vestments Carmelites commonly wear. They're known for engaging in a life of deep prayer, for their committed devotion to the Virgin Mary and to the Church.

FR. MICEAL O'NEILL
Carmelite

“It had this added meaning of protection. Protection in life and protection at the hour of death. And that, over the centuries became a very important element in people's lives. And so the Carmelite scapular and the devotion to the Carmelite scapular grew quite rapidly.”

Now wearing this scapular also includes the popular notion that guarantees one will go to heaven on the first Saturday after one's death.

This devotion has also been quite popular among Popes. John Paul II wore one for most of his life.

FR. MICEAL O'NEILL
Carmelite

“He made no secret of the fact that he had worn the scapular all his life and he talked about that as an expression of his particular love for the Blessed Virgin.”

After the Second Vatican Council, the popularity of the scapular of Our Lady, grew even more.

Many people still ask Carmelites to bless the scapular and say a short prayer before placing it over devotees. The design of the Sacred Heart, is often made of fabric or metal. Really, whoever wears it, in some way shares that historic link with the greater Carmelite family.

St. María Goretti, a child martyred for defending her virginity

St. María Goretti, a child martyred for defending her virginity

The following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

At only eleven years old, María Goretti became a martyr for defending her virginity. She was murdered by her neighbor Alessandro Serenelli.

She died on July 6, 1902 after being stabbed fourteen times. On her deathbed she received the sacraments and forgave her murderer while comforting her mother who was at her bedside.

Alessandro Serenelli was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He once saw María Goretti in a dream. He then decided to write a letter apologizing for his actions. He also asked for forgiveness from God and Maria's family.

After his release from prison he converted to Catholicism, he worked as a gardener in a monastery and joined the Franciscan Third Order.

María Goretti was canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 24, 1950.

She had a short life, it was one of a normal girl with a great faith and love for others. She became an extraordinary girl who accepted martyrdom in order to preserve herself.

Our Lady of Medjugorje - Message of July 2, 2012

Savior of the World - Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Our Lady's Message of July 2, 2012 to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo:

"My children; Again, in a motherly way, I implore you to stop for a moment and to reflect on yourselves and on the transience of this your earthly life. Then reflect on eternity and the eternal beatitude. What do you want? Which way do you want to set out on? The Father`s love sends me to be a mediatrix for you, to show you with motherly love the way which leads to the purity of soul; a soul unburdened by sin; a soul that will come to know eternity. I am praying that the light of the love of my Son may illuminate you, so that you may triumph over weaknesses and come out of misery. You are my children and I desire for all of you to be on the way of salvation. Therefore, my children, gather around me that I may have you come to know the love of my Son and thus open the door of eternal beatitude. Pray as I do for your shepherds. Again I caution you: do not judge them, because my Son chose them. Thank you."