While traveling through Essex County today, I stopped at the Holy Name of Jesus. The Catholic Church is in East Orange, New Jersey. The beautiful church is located on the corner of Dodd Street and Midland Avenue.
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
Unfortunately, the church doors were closed. However, the exterior architecture caught my attention with its beauty. I took some photos above the front entranceway to highlight the exquisite artistic design of the church.
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
Scripture - Luke 2:41-47
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
The Following information regarding the Fatima miracle is part of a new DVD documentary from Grass Roots Pictures and is posted on YouTube. For further information, please visit the following link: FindingFatimaDVD.com
What is Fatima? The new documentary opens on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945
Eight Jesuit priests living just 8 blocks from the blast site miraculously survived the atomic blast. Everyone else within a radius of roughly 1.5 Kilometres was reportedly killed instantly, and those outside the range died of radiation within days. However, the only physical harm to Fr. Shiffer was that he could feel a few pieces of glass in the back of his neck. Father Shiffer believed they survived because they were living the message of Fatima. End
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Note: The following story is in my earlier blog post of March 14, 2010. However, FindingFatimaDVD.com recently contacted me through email regarding the release of new documentaries about the Fatima message. As a result, I am reposting Father Paul's interview with Fr. Shiffer to highlight the Hiroshima miracle and the new DVD production.
The following interview was conducted by Father Paul Ruge with Fr. Hubert Schiffer, a survivor of the atomic blast at Hiroshima. Father Paul is currently the spiritual advisor at The Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Catholic shrine is part of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, and is located in Washington, New Jersey. The interview conducted by Father Paul with additional information on the events of August 6, 1945 can read at the following link: HolySouls.com
FR. SCHIFFER OF HIROSHIMA by Fr. Paul Ruge, O.F.M.I.
At 2:45 a.m. on August 6, 1945, a B-29 bomber took off from the island of Tinian to drop the first atomic bomb on Japan. At 8:15 a.m. the bomb exploded eight city blocks from the Jesuit Church of Our Lady's Assumption in Hiroshima. Half a million people were annihilated. However, the church and four Jesuit fathers stationed there survived: Fathers Hugo Lassalle, Kleinsorge, Cieslik and Schiffer. (RH note - all other accounts state clearly that there were eight Jesuits stationed in this home not four - and it is well known that all eight survived - the author of this present article apparently only had the names of four of them, for instance Fr. Arrupe is left out of the list - and at this writing, I have not been able to find the names of the other three Jesuits. end of note.) According to the experts they "ought to be dead," being within a one-mile radius of the explosion. Nine days later on August 15, Feast of Our Lady's Assumption, U.S. forces were ordered to cease fire.
(This is the incredible story of the late Fr. Hubert Schiffer, as retold by Fr. Paul Ruge.)
I met Fr. Schiffer in the late 70s at the Tri-City Airport in Saginaw, Michigan, as he was going to give a talk for the Blue Army Novena/Triduum. As I chauffeured him around he told me stories of his life, especially of the atomic explosion at Hiroshima. On the morning of August 6, 1945, he had just finished Mass, went into the rectory and sat down at the breakfast table, and had just sliced a grapefruit, and had just put his spoon into the grapefruit when there was a bright flash of light. His first thought was that it was an explosion in the harbor (this was a major port where the Japanese refueled their submarines.)
Then, in the words of Fr. Schiffer: "Suddenly, a terrific explosion filled the air with one bursting thunderstroke. An invisible force lifted me from the chair, hurled me through the air, shook me, battered me, whirled me 'round and 'round like a leaf in a gust of autumn wind." The next thing he remembered, he opened his eyes and he was laying on the ground. He looked around and there was NOTHING in any direction: the railroad station and buildings in all directions were leveled to the ground.
The only physical harm to himself was that he could feel a few pieces of glass in the back of his neck. As far as he could tell, there was nothing else physically wrong with himself. Many thousands were killed or maimed by the explosion. After the conquest of the Americans, their army doctors and scientists explained to him that his body would begin to deteriorate because of the radiation. Many of the Japanese people had blisters and sores from the radiation. To the doctors amazement, Fr. Schiffer's body contained no radiation or ill-effects from the bomb. Fr. Schiffer attributes this to devotion to the Blessed Mother, and his daily Fatima Rosary. He feels that he received a protective shield from the Blessed Mother which protected him from all radiation and ill-effects. (This coincides with the bombing of Nagasaki where St. Maximilian Kolbe had established a Franciscan Friary which was also unharmed because of special protection from the Blessed Mother, as the Brothers too prayed the daily Rosary and also had no effects from the bomb.)
EWTN's new television series, The Faithful Traveler will feature on Sunday, March 21st, The Blue Army Shrine of The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The show airs at 5:00 pm EST. The Catholic shrine is located on 674 Mountain View Road in scenic Washington, New Jersey.
The show's host, Diana von Glahn takes viewers on a tour of New Jersey’s National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, telling the story of the Marian apparitions to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal in the early 20th century.
Rev. Paul Ruge, the shrine’s rector, discusses how Lucia dos Santos, and Francisco and Jacinta Marto offered up sacrifices for the reparation and conversion of sinners.
The following message from Our Lady of Medjugorje was communicated to visionary Mirjana Soldo:
“Dear children! Today I call you to love with all your heart and with all your soul. Pray for the gift of love, because when the soul loves it calls my Son to itself. My Son does not refuse those who call Him and who desire to live according to Him. Pray for those who do not comprehend love, who do not understand what it means to love. Pray that God may be their Father and not their Judge. My children, you be my apostles, be my river of love. I need you. Thank you.”
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The stained glass window of the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus can be seen inside of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Catholic church is located in Boonton, NJ, USA.
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, Restorer of Sight to the Blind
Dear Saint Anthony, you recall the Gospel episode about the blind man who, partly healed, could see men "looking like walking trees." After a second laying-on of Jesus's hands, he could see perfectly. Saint Anthony, Restorer of Sight to the Blind, please sharpen my spiritual vision. May I see people, not as trees or numbers, but as sons and daughters of the Most High. Help me in my pressing needs. [name your special intentions]
Photo by Loci B. Lenar
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, Restorer of Speech to the Mute
Dear Saint Anthony, how tongue-tied I can be when I should be praising God and defending the oppressed. My cowardice often strikes me dumb; I am afraid to open my mouth. Saint Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute, release me from my fears. Teach me to praise God and to champion the rights of those unjustly treated. Please remember also all my intentions. [name them]
Photo by Loci B. Lenar
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, Liberator of Prisoners
Dear Saint Anthony, I am imprisoned by walls of selfishness, prejudice, suspicion. I am enslaved by human respect and the fear of other people's opinions of me. Saint Anthony, Liberator of Prisoners, tear down my prison walls. Break the chains that hold me captive. Make me free with the freedom Christ has won for me. To your powerful intercession I also recommend these intentions. [name them]
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua, Performer of Miracles
Dear Saint Anthony, your prayers obtained miracles during your lifetime. You still seem to move at ease in the realm of minor and major miracles. Saint Anthony, Performer of Miracles, please obtain for me the blessings God holds in reserve who serve Him. Pray that I may be worthy of the promises my Lord Jesus attaches to confident prayer. [mention your special intentions]
Photo by Loci B. Lenar
Prayer to Saint Anthony the Wonder-Worker
Saint Anthony, you are glorious for your miracles and for the condescension of Jesus who came as a little child to lie in your arms. Obtain for me from His bounty the grace which I ardently desire. You were so compassionate toward sinners, do not regard my unworthiness. Let the glory of God be magnified by you in connection with the particular request that I earnestly present to you. {mention your petition}
As a pledge of my gratitude, I promise to live more faithfully in accordance with the teachings of the church, and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you loved and still love so greatly. Bless this resolution of min that I may be faithful to it until death.
Saint Anthony, consoler of all the afflicted, pray for me.
Saint Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me.
Saint Anthony, whom the Infant Jesus loved and honored so much, pray for me.
Amen.
The above prayers can be found on Catholic websites.
For additional prayers, please visit the following link: Devotional Prayers
