Vatican declares healing of Colorado Springs boy a miracle after prayers to German nun

Excerpt from The Denver Post

By Electa Draper

The wheels of canonization grind slowly, but a German nun who lived 100 years ago could be named a saint because the Vatican believes a Colorado Springs boy experienced a miracle in 1999.  Mother Theresia Bonzel, who founded the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Olpe, Germany, in 1863, is scheduled for beatification in November — a step toward sainthood — as a result of the boy's miraculous recovery. Two Colorado Spring nuns prayed to Bonzel on behalf of 4-year-old Luke Burgie, and the events that followed — over the next 14 years — have been closely scrutinized and investigated by church officials and doctors.

Sister Margaret Mary Preister and the late Sister Evangeline Spenner had just recited a series of prayers over nine straight days asking Mother Bonzel, who died in 1905, to intercede for Luke.

Doctors couldn't explain Luke's sudden recovery, and the Vatican machinery for investigating alleged miracles began to churn.

Journalist Bill Briggs, who wrote in depth about Catholic Church investigations into such supernatural occurrences in his book "The Third Miracle," said the process is, in a word, "rigorous."

"I think what would surprise people outside the church is how very dubious investigators are," Briggs said. "To examine these claims, they look at hundreds, if not thousands, of medical records and other pieces of evidence. It's the furthest thing from a rubber stamp."

Briggs said the situation or illness doesn't have to be terminal or even dramatic. The cure simply has to be rapid, complete and utterly inexplicable by ordinary means. The church interviews the original doctors in the case, and a team of independent medical experts then pore over all the records.

Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan on Friday congratulated the local motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration on the Vatican pronouncement of a miracle in the Burgie case.

Read more: Vatican Declares Healing a Miracle

Are You or Someone in Need of Prayer? If so, Let Our Prayer Ministry Pray for Your Needs

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

Prayer requests submitted on www.christian-miracles.com are prayed for  daily on our website, and weekly at St. Mary's Church (Denville, NJ) during Monday mornings at Holy Hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, including at the monthly prayer service held with Fr. Richard Tartaglia.

Many people are struggling with their finances and some are unemployed.  We all have family and friends that might be in need of prayer. Some may be suffering from an illness or dealing with a troubled marriage or relationship. We are all in need of hope, especially when trying to cope with burdens that affect our daily lives.

Regardless of circumstances that you might be facing today, God cares and loves you. Let us pray for your needs and ask for divine assistance to help you or someone that is in need of God's intervention.

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20)

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

May Our Lord answer your prayers with divine favor!

A Selection of Daily Devotional Prayers

Submit Prayer Requests to: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Statue of Jesus photographed inside of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, Madison Avenue, Convent Station, NJ.

A Vision of Heaven Leads to New Life

News Story from CBN.com

Alan Youngblood was a very successful home builder who had no time for God until a New Year's Eve church service changed his life forever.

A Wake-up Call From Hell

Testimony from CBN.com

A drug binge put Carl Knighton at death's doorstep. The result was an experience of hell that changed his life forever.

(This sobering story about Carl Knighton will lead you back to God's love and mercy...a God of forgiveness and second chances.  ~Loci B. Lenar)

Pope Francis meets with first Protestant leader

News from RomeReports.com

April 8, 2013 -  On Monday morning, Pope Francis welcomed the president of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Nikolaus Schneider, in his first papal audience with a Protestant leader and his wife.

In a 30 minute meeting, the two leaders spoke about ecumenism. Both spoke about the martyrs as a bond between Christians, as well as the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, and the possibility that both Churches will celebrate it together. 

At the end, the two exchanged greetings as well as gifts. Schneider gave Pope Francis a Bible in German, while the Pope gave him a papal medallion. After the exchange, the Pope enthusiastically thanked Schneider in German. 

Other leaders present at the meeting were German Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as well as German Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

The Evangelical Church in Germany is a federation of 22 Protestant Churches representing a third of that country's population. 

Roma Downey Says Pope Francis Is 'A New Pope of Hope'

The following excerpt is from Christianpost.com

By Anugrah Kumar , Christian Post Contributor

 

Roma Downey, a Roman Catholic and co-creator of the History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries, said Pope Francis is "a new pope of hope," whose leadership and humility are sowing the seeds of hope in people's hearts and lives.

 

"It certainly feels like there's divine planning in all of it," actress and producer Downey, known for her 10-year role on the TV series "Touched By An Angel," said, referring to the pope's election last month, during an interview with Zap2it.

"The new pope, he's been wonderful, hasn't he? He's just inspiring such hope and belief," said Downey, who starred in the role of the Virgin Mary in the hit miniseries she co-produced with her husband, Mark Burnett, who is the creator of reality TV shows such as "Celebrity Apprentice," "Survivor" and "The Voice."

"People are reconnecting. People are being inspired by his leadership and his humility, by the tenderness with which he's approached his office, and the choices he's made so far," Downey said in the joint interview with Burnett, adding the pope is "showing a servant's heart."

Read more at Christianpost.com