Angels, Wonders, and Miracles of Faith

Friday, December 30, 2011

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Pio of Pietrelcina by Stephen B. Whatley

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

A tribute to Padre Pio (Italy 1887-1968), proclaimed Saint Pio by John Paul II in 1982; spontaneously created in the evening of his feast Day, September 23, 2011.

Deeply holy from early life, the Italian priest's deep faith was distinguished by the miraculous marking of the stigmata, his claim that he could hear the hearts of those in Confession and the miracles of healing that have been experienced through prayers to him and his intercession before Christ.

"Pray, hope, don't worry" - Padre Pio

Charcoal and pastel on paper,
16.5 x 11.5in/42 x 30cm

Our Lady of Refuge

Our Lady of Refuge by Stephen B. Whatley

Our Lady of Refuge by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

On December 8th, 2011, the Catholic Church celebrated The Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Divinely chosen to bear the Son of God, Mary is the first, the Queen of Saints and prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary are carried, through Her intercession to her Son Jesus Christ.

Increasingly I have felt a deepening attachment to Mother Mary; praying the Rosary every day. The Hail Mary is the simplest but so powerful of prayers. There are many devotions to Mary and many miraculous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary - as mother of all, calling for peace - that have been witnessed through the ages, worldwide.

Recently as I climbed the hill home, praying to Mary for the strength to carry out a portrait commission the following day ( my buildup before any painting is one of deep prayer; during my accumulation of nervous and emotional energy). I felt my heart ask how Mary would like me to interpret her - my Christian tributes are a visual extension of my prayer - and I 'heard' "Our Lady of Refuge".

I was aware of this American devotion to Mary and I knew I had to make this drawing; partly inspired by a painting by Mexican artist Joseph de Paez; from 1750.

Our Lady of Refuge is Patroness of California and parts of Mexico,. The bishop of Baja, California proclaimed Her as Patron in 1843, exclaiming, "...with so great a patroness and protectress what can we not promise ourselves? What can be wanting and whom need we fear?"

In 1981 the California Catholic Conference of Bishops petitioned the Vatican to officially observe the Feast Day of Our Lady of Refuge on July 5th; which was approved in 1982.

May there be miraculous healings, new strength and prosperity through prayers to the Mother of God, on this special day; and thereafter.

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you"

Charcoal on paper
16.5 x 11.5in/42 x 30cm

More on 'Our Lady of Refuge' www.catholictradition.org/Mary/hope-popup1.htm

Holy Baby Jesus

Holy Baby Jesus by Stephen B. Whatley

Holy Baby Jesus by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Painted on Christmas Day, 2011, a new tribute to the humble birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago.

Jesus' humility - and my love of birds - is symbolised by both the dove (the Holy Spirit) and the small garden bird resting on the hand of Jesus. I chose a Chickadee from North America; reflecting my affection for that land - for while Jesus was born in the Middle East; he came to bring peace to all creatures worldwide. Birds are often called 'Messengers of God'.

Jesus' love can be born in hearts, old and new; His love is eternal.

Peace at Christmas.

On December 26th, marks the Feast Day of St. Stephen, first martyr. He was stoned to death and prayed for forgiveness for his murderers. Forgiveness brings healing.

Oil on canvas
27 x 19.5in/70 x 50cm

Mary, Help of Christians


Mary, Help of Christians by Stephen B. Whatley

Mary, Help of Christians by Stephen B. Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Christmas Blessings .....a drawing spontaneously made earlier this month, on December 4, 2011, taking its inspiration from one of my prayer cards, Mary, Help of Christians - a Catholic devotion that dates back to the 16th century; there is even mention of this title in 345 AD.

The drawing in charcoal and pastel evolved with deep prayer; and in praying for peace, happiness, healing & relief of those in sorrow at this time, I include the prayer that is on my prayer card.

Mary, Help of Christians

"Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven."

By St. John Bosco

Just as Christ was born 2000 years ago, I pray that His love and peace will be born in more and more hearts.

Happy Christmas!

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

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Arizona Student Feared to Be Brain Dead Wakes Up for Christmas

Ariz. Student Feared to Be Brain Dead Wakes Up for Christmas, Christian News

The following excerpt is from ChristianPost.com:

A 21-year-old student from Ariz., who was in a coma since a car crash over two months ago, woke up hours before doctors were to take him off life support and recovered enough to spend Christmas day with his family, including his mother who prayed.

Two days before he celebrated Christmas with his family at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, University of Arizona student Sam Schmid was the subject of a news conference at the hospital. He was able to walk with support and talk in brief sentences.

“Right now, I’m feeling all right ... except for the rehabilitation, I’m feeling pretty good,” The Associated Press quoted Schmid as saying.

An Oct. 19 car crash in Tucson had left Schmid, a business major and basketball coach at a school’s recreation center, with life-threatening injuries, including a brain aneurysm. He showed no responsive signs after Dr. Robert Spetzler performed surgery. Doctors planned to switch off the life-support machine, believing Schmid was brain dead. He was even being considered, unofficially, for organ donation.
Hospital staff began to prepare Schmid’s mother Susan Regan. But Spetzler decided to wait. At the 11th hour, the patient lifted up two fingers.

“It may not seem like a lot to you,” Spetzler said. “It’s an incredible loop to show brain ability. That was like fireworks going off.” After the sign of recovery, Dr. Christina Kwasnica began to administer his rehabilitation, beginning with making him practice sitting in a chair and gradually moving on to doing rehab three hours a day.

Regan said she knew she had to make some sort of decision regarding life support at some point, but she “kept praying.”

Read more: Christmas Miracle

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Billy Rivers: A Hardened Biker Switches Gears

Billy Rivers: A Hardened Biker Switches Gears - CBN TV - Video

Excerpt from CBN.com:

Biker Billy Rivers rode the motorcycle gang lifestyle all the way to prison. It was there that he began to question the love he saw from Christians.

After being released from prison, Billy says, “The Lord used second Corinthians 5:17 to let me know, ‘You’re not the same anymore. I own you. You are Mine. I have you under My wings. I love you. I forgive you of everything you’ve ever done. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new.’ And I said, ‘Lord, that’s me.’”

Billy lives a new life today. He still rides motorcycles, but no longer with a gang. He’s the chaplain for the New Orleans chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

“I have never experienced anything like this and I would never give it up for anything that I would ever experience. Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life, so being a servant today for Jesus Christ is the most wealthy thing - it’s the most blessed miracle -that I could ever imagine in my life. God’s awesome.”

Read more: Billy Rivers

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Are You in Need of Prayer?

Mr. Lenar, founder of www.Christian-Miracles.com has arranged with the support of Fr. Richard Tartaglia, including Barbara Jones of the National Conference of Catholic Women (NCCW), for prayer requests from this blog and our website (Christian-Miracles.com) to be prayed for every Monday morning after Mass, during Holy Hour Adoration held 8:30 to 9:30 am at Saint Mary's Church. In addition, requests will be prayed for every third Thursday of each month during the 7:30 pm evening prayer service held at St. Mary's Catholic Church for peace. If you live in the area or plan on visiting New Jersey, please consider attending and joining in the prayer services. St. Mary's Parish is located on 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ, USA.

Submit your requests to the following link: Prayer Request

Interviews Recorded Live on Radio Maria

Thank you very much for tuning into Radio Maria on January 24, 2011 and listening to Loci B. Lenar, Donna Ott, and Father Richard Tartaglia discuss God's spiritual blessings on the radio program, Sacred Treasures. The show is hosted by Kathie Duggan.

(A recording of the broadcast can be listened to by clicking above.)

Loci Lenar began the show by sharing his testimony on witnessing the Miracle of the Sun. He gave his perspective on God's plan for Christian unity, including the spiritual locutions he receives from Jesus. He also discussed being healed of several medical conditions after receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Donna Ott is the administrative assistant at St. Mary's Church and shared her faith about being healed of arthritis in her fingers.

Fr. Richard Tartaglia is Loci Lenar's spiritual advisor for over fifteen years. Fr. Tartaglia spoke about Mr. Lenar and church history. Mr. Lenar shares with Fr. Tartaglia the spiritual presence of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through spiritual locutions which began over twenty years ago. Lenar is a parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Denville, NJ. Documentation is posted on Lenar's website at the following link: http://www.christian-miracles.com/.

For interested parties, a recording of the radio broadcast is also posted on the home page of Christian-Miracles.com.

Sacred Treasures can be heard live with new guests every Monday between the hours of 3:00 and 4:00 PM (EST) through internet streaming by visiting the following link: Radio Maria

Prayer to Mitigate Natural Disasters

God the Father, we join together in prayer, and petition heaven for divine intervention to mitigate earthquakes and natural disasters throughout the world.

We invoke the powerful name of Jesus to calm the storms of time and to bring forth a millennium of peace and tranquility.

We pray to the Virgin Mary to intercede on behalf of humanity for God's hand of mercy to bless us with divine protection.

We ask this and thank thee in the name of Jesus. Amen

I wrote the prayer in 2010 as a result of the earthquake in Haiti.

Our Lord inspired my heart to compose a prayer in order to petition God to mitigate earthquakes and disasters while I was praying for the victims of Haiti.

Please join in by reciting the prayer daily. Pray for the victims and families affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful prayer support.

-Loci B. Lenar

Click above to Hear Recording

By Loci B. Lenar

I wish to convey my thanks to everyone for tuning into Sacred Treasures on Monday (September 27, 2010) and listening to my testimony regarding God's spiritual gifts. I also wish to thank radio host, Kathie Duggan, for inviting me on her program.

Some of the topics discussed on the radio show are the events leading to my conversion. Our conversation focused on the spiritual presence of Archangel Michael including a cross which continues to appear on my property since 2005. I also discussed my healing of several medical conditions by receiving the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.

As a witness to God's signs, my hope is that everyone that hears my account will open their heart to receive the Lord's blessings and grace. By doing so, may Jesus guide you on the pathway to salvation, healing, and peace.

I believe God's timing has arrived to move forward with a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit for an upsurge of church wide evangelization.

With that in mind, radio host, Kathie Duggan has invited me back to her show to continue my testimony. An update will be posted when the schedule becomes available.

In the meantime, if anyone was unable to tune into Radio Maria, a recording of the radio program is available here on my blog for interested parties.

Sacred Treasures is a Catholic radio show, which is broadcasted on radio stations located in Pennsylvania and south into Texas. However, listeners can also visit the website of Radio Maria at http://radiomaria.us/ to hear the broadcast live between 3:00 PM -4:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time).

While visiting the website of Radio Maria, please do consider listening to some of their other wonderful programs.

"Cross Appears in 2011 during Lent and Holy Week as a Sign of God's Love," -- Loci B. Lenar

My wife had her cousin Diane Kayal visit our home with her family on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Her cousin's daughter, Brooke stayed overnight. The miracle cross appeared Sunday morning and while standing next to the image, Brooke said in awe, "It looks like Jesus." I believe that God has opened the windows of heaven and is pouring out the Holy Spirit on our world. Joel 2:28 says, "...I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." In Psalm 84:11, it reads, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

"Cross Appears Annually Since 2005," Loci B. Lenar

The above cross appeared on my propetry several times in 2005. Incidentally, on March 25, 2008 by coincidence or perhaps I should say by providence, the Gloucester County Times of Woodbury, NJ, reported a front page story of a similar cross which was photographed by 9 year old Gwynna Crawford on Easter Sunday.

The cross appeared on a neighbor's house in Pitman, NJ (above photo). The article indicated that Gwyanna's mother and the neighbor were unable to find the source of the sun reflection.

Since 2005 and each year following, God the Father has blest me through His divine son, Jesus Christ, with a miraculous sign of a cross which appears annually on my residence in Mine Hill, NJ. Once again, on Saturday morning, March 27, 2010, a cross surrounded by a shield appeared on my backyard fence (above photo). The spiritual presence of God and His angels coincided with the start of Holy Week. The cross started appearing at the top of the fence as a result of sunlight and then slowly moved downward until it came in contact with the ground. At that point it turned into a round circle of light and then afterward it disappeared. The most recent cross was seen by my wife, Teresa, including my son, Ryan and his friend Nicole. With that in mind, God is calling for everyone to join in prayer for His blessings and graces to mitigate and extinguish violence throughout the world in order to usher in an era of peace. Our Lord is also calling for us to return to the sacraments of the church and to celebration of the Holy Mass. Additional information pertaining to the spiritual locution with more photos can be seen by clicking on the following link: Signs from Heaven

Fr. Richard Tartaglia: Spiritual Director

By Loci B. Lenar

Almost twenty years have passed since I began my initial search for a spiritual advisor. I expected the process to be straightforward and simple; however, it became rather challenging. The most important element in my mind at the time was to find someone that could understand and relate to my spiritual circumstances. As a result, Fr. Richard Tartaglia (above photo) became my spiritual advisor. However, before making my decision, it was a hit and miss process with a few other priests. In hindsight, it was the appropriate choice. Fr. Richard is not only a skillful spiritual counselor, but I also consider him a friend. To read the complete story and for other photographs, please click on the above image.