Angels, Wonders, and Miracles of Faith

The Good Shepherd [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:12:12 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - John 10:11-18

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life, only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Deacon Miraculously Healed through Cardinal Newman’s Prayers Tours England - Catholic Online

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:54:00 +0000

The following article about Deacon Jack Sullivan is posted on Catholic Online:

The Cause for the Canonization of John Henry Cardinal Newman: (www.newmancause.co.uk/)

Deacon Jack Sullivan’s visit to England will be a special opportunity for English Catholics to discover more about Cardinal Newman and deepen their obedience to the Vicar of Christ.

LONDON (Cause for the Canonization) - Deacon Jack Sullivan, whose miraculous healing in 2001 is the basis for Newman’s Beatification next year, is to visit the Birmingham Oratory (UK) this week, in a event which the Boston deacon has said will be ‘the greatest moment of my life’. His wife Carol will be accompanying him throughout the visit.

On Wednesday and Thursday Deacon Sullivan will visit Cardinal Newman’s room, assist at Mass in his private chapel, and visit his library, a collection of international importance. At the Birmingham Oratory, he will give the only two personal interviews that will be conducted during his visit to the U.K, for the Catholic News Service (U.S.) and EWTN. It was after watching an EWTN broadcast about Newman in 2000 that Jack started praying to Newman for his spinal condition to be healed. Jack wrote down the address of the Birmingham Oratory, heralding the beginning of his providential connection with Newman’s own community.

Jack Sullivan will also be deacon at Mass in the Church of the Oratory, otherwise known as ‘Little Rome’, in Edgbaston. He will also visit Rednal, where Newman was buried in 1890, on the edge of Birmingham.

On Monday and Tuesday, Jack Sullivan will visit London, the place of Newman’s birth, where the Archbishop of Westminster has invited him to a press conference and Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Monday evening (9th November).

On Tuesday evening he will give the Catholic Truth Society 2009 Lecture at the London Oratory in Brompton, the second Oratory founded in England by John Henry Newman, in 1849. Father Ian Ker, the internationally renowned Newman scholar, will be giving an introductory address.

From Thursday to Saturday Deacon Sullivan will be staying at Littlemore, where Newman made his first confession and was received into ‘the one true fold of the Redeemer’, the Catholic Church, in 1845. He will pay visits to Trinity and Oriel Colleges. On Saturday he will visit the Oxford Oratory, founded in 1990, which fulfilled Newman’s hopes of an Catholic Oratory in his own university city.

Newman retained an abiding affection for Oxford, writing of it in his 1875 Letter to the Duke of Norfolk: “No one mourns, for instance, more than I, over the state of Oxford, given up, alas! to ‘liberalism and progress,’ to the forfeiture of her great medieval motto, ‘Dominus illuminatio mea’ [‘The Lord is my Light’]”.

When Jack Sullivan exercises his diaconate at Mass at the Birmingham Oratory at 12.45pm on Wednesday 11 November, he will do so at the Oratory’s ad orientem (east-facing) High altar. This traditional position for Catholic altars has, exceptionally, been preserved at the Birmingham Oratory. Pope Benedict XVI has often spoken of the deep theological and spiritual significance of celebrating Mass ad orientem, and of what has been lost through the current practice of celebrating Mass facing the people. Anticipating a Papal visit to England next year, Wednesday’s Mass links in a special way Newman’s Beatification to Benedict XVI’s own ‘hermeneutic of continuity’.

Father Paul Chavasse, Actor of Newman’s Cause, and Postulator-General of the Oratorian Confederation, said: “Deacon Jack Sullivan’s visit to England will be a special opportunity for English Catholics to discover more about the fascinating figure of Newman, to learn that he is an intercessor in their needs, and to renew their devotion and obedience to the Vicar of Christ, whose anticipated visit to the U.K. will be a powerful affirmation of the universal value of Newman’s path to the Catholic religion.”

Please visit the following link for Deacon Sullivan's Account of the Miracle.

Angel of Heaven [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:02:38 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Revelation 8:4

The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.

I added scripture to the upper right hand corner of the photograph. The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Our Lady of Fatima [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:52:21 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Intercessory Hymn to Our Lady of Fatima

Dear Lady of Fatima,
We come on bended knee,
To beg Your intercession,
For peace and unity.

Dear Mary, won't You show us,
The right and shining way,
We pledge our love and offer You,
A Rosary each day.

You promised at Fatima,
Each time that You appeared,
To help us if we pray to You,
To banish war and fear.

Dear Lady, on First Saturdays,
We ask Your guiding hand,
For grace and guidance here on earth,
And protection for our land.

For information on Devotion of the Five First Saturdays, please visit the following link: www.rosary-center.org/firstsat.htm

Intercessory Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

O Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the most holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein, may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

Most Holy Virgin
who hast deigned to come to Fatima,
to reveal the treasures of graces
hidden in the recitation of the Rosary,
inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion
that meditating on the
Mysteries of our Redemption recalled therein,
we may obtain the conversion of sinners
and the favors we ask you now,
for the greater glory of God,
for your own honor,
and for the good of souls. Amen.

Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us!

The intercessory prayers to Our Lady of Fatima are found on Catholic websites. For additional information on the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her title of Our Lady of Fatima, please visit the following link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_F%c3%a1tima

The stained glass window was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Prayer of St. John Vianney [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:07:55 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Prayer of St. John Vianney

I love You, O my God,
and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life.

I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You,
than live without loving You.

I love You, Lord
and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally...

My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,
I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney ,Curé of Ars, born at Dardilly, near Lyons, France, on 8 May, 1786. For additional information about the life of St. John Vianney, please visit the following link: www.newadvent.org/cathen/08326c.htm

The stained glass window was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:12:00 +0000

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Guadalupe, Mexico (1531)

Patroness of the Americas
Protectress of the Unborn
Feast Day in the USA - December 12th

John Paul II’s Intercessory Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church!, who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer.

Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities and our sorrows. Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother. We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church; hold us always with your loving hand.

Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the Bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of intense Christian life, of love and humble service of God and souls. Contemplate this immense harvest, and intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God, and grant abundant vocations of priests and religious, strong in the faith and zealous dispensers of God’s mysteries.

Grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families, so that they may always be united, and bless the upbringing of our children.

Our hope, look upon us with compassion, teach us to go continually to Jesus and, if we fall, help us to rise again, to return to Him, by means of the confession of our faults and sins in the Sacrament of Penance, which gives peace to the soul.

We beg you to grant us a great love for all the holy Sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth.

Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our conscience, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all true joy and true peace, which come to us from your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

By His Holiness Pope John Paul II while visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, January 1979.

Prayer of John Paul II for Life

O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life:
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.

By Pope John Paul II

Encyclical Letter "The Gospel of Life" Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, in the year 1995, the seventeenth year of his Pontificate.

The prayers of Pope John II are found on Catholic websites.

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Saint Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City between December 9 and December 12, 1531. For additional information about the apparition of the Blessed Mother with her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, please visit Catholic Online.

The stained glass window of Our Lady of Guadalupe was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. The Catholic church is located in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

Prayers of St. Francis of Assisi [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:01:53 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Saint Francis’ Canticle of All Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.

Heavenly Father,
You gave Your servant Francis
great love for each of Your creatures.
Teach us to see Your design in all of creation.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The prayers of St. Francis of Assisi can be found on Catholic websites. For additional information about St. Francis, please visit the following link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis

The stained glass window was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. The Catholic church is located in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Our Lady of Knock [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:41:43 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Prayer to Our Lady of Knock

Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to our people in a time of distress and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise: "Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find". Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick or lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the holy Mass. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

The intercessory prayer to Our Lady of Knock can be found on Catholic websites. For additional information regarding the apparition of the Blessed Mother with her title of Our Lady of Knock, please visit the following link: www.hibernians.us/knockshrine.htm

The stained glass window was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Our Lady Star of the Sea [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:37:17 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Ave Maris Stella - (Hail Star of the Sea)

Hail, thou Star of ocean,
Portal of the sky !
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord most high !

Oh ! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing,
Stablish peace below.

Break the captive's fetters ;
Light on blindness pour ;
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother ;
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us Incarnate
Did not thee despise.

Virgin of all virgins !
To thy shelter take us :
Gentlest of the gentle !
Chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor ;
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.

Through the highest heaven,
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.

The intercessory prayer can be found on Catholic websites. For additional information, please visit the following link: www.themostholyrosary.com/appendix9.htm

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. The Catholic church is located in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Presentation in the Temple [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:28:31 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Luke 2:22-38

When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Faith through Christ Jesus [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:08:26 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Galatians 3:26-27

For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Samaritan Woman [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:21:59 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - John 4:4-15

Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew. I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Birth of Jesus [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:38:01 PST

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Solemnity of All Saints

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Signs, Wonders, and Miracles - Images of Faith

The Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church on November 1st in honor of all saints. It's a day of reflection on those who have been a witness to the faith and lived a life of Christian Holiness.

Regarding saints and their intercessory help, Revelation 8:3-4 says, Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.

For additional information, please visit All About The Solemnity of All Saints.

Please visit Christian-Miracles.com for a selection of daily Devotional Prayers.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

The Child Jesus found in the Temple [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:53:15 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Luke 2:39-52

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Sermon on the Mount: The Beautitudes [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:38:17 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

The Beautitudes - Matthew 5:3-12

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Resurrection [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:44:13 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."

The stained glass windows are located inside St. Mark's Catholic Church in Long Valley, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Crucifixion [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:51:26 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture - Matthew 27:45-56

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

Scripture - Luke 23:39-43

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The cross was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Jesus - Light of the World [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:11:47 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

In John 12:46-47, Jesus said, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Lamb of God [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:30:46 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

Scripture makes reference to Jesus Christ washing away our sins through his precious blood. John 1:29 says, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Mark 14:22-25 says, While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Miracle of the Sun Witnessed During Prayer Service [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:11:37 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, the World Apostolate of Fatima (USA) held a televised event of worldwide prayer for life and peace. The live broadcast was televised by EWTN. Near the end of the prayer service, many visitors were seeing the sun change colors.

I was in attendance and photographed the sun while it was emitting different colors. The prayer service was beautiful and spiritually uplifting. The Catholic shrine is located on Mountain View Road, Washington, New Jersey, USA.

In John 8:12, the following is noted: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

In John 12:46-47, Jesus said, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."

For further information, please visit PRLog to read the press release on the story: prlog.org/10387463

Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Miracle of the Sun Witnessed at Fatima Shrine in New Jersey

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Prayers for Life and World Peace Acknowleged by Heaven

News Story by Loci B. Lenar

The World Apostolate of Fatima (USA) in cooperation with EWTN, televised a worldwide prayer service on Sunday, October 18, 2009 for the sanctity of life and peace. It was estimated that millions of viewers would tune in and join with prayer on this special occasion.

Well over a thousand visitors came to celebrate by joining together in prayer at The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The shrine is located on the grounds of the World Apostolate of Fatima in Washington, New Jersey.

What began as a cold and breezy day at the Catholic shrine, ended with peace, as some visitors saw the sun emit or change colors. I was fortunate to have my camera on hand and photographed the solar phenomena.

Without reservation, I believe on this special day, Our Lady of Fatima acknowledged the prayers of the faithful by giving a sign to humanity through her divine son, Jesus Christ. Numerous visitors were blessed by Our Lord in order to witness the Miracle of the Sun. I believe the sign is a confirmation of God's love for humanity. I also believe the sign is intended to help evangelize the world through the gospels of Jesus Christ with the message of Our Lady of Fatima.

In John 12:46-47, Jesus said, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."

Michael La Corte, Executive Director of the World Apostlate of Fatima (USA), spoke about the Fatima Message, and how the Miracle of the Sun was witnessed by over 70,000 people on October 13, 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. For additional information about Our Lady of Fatima and the heaven sent message of 1917, which was communicated to Sister Maria Lucia, I would suggest everyone to visit the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Michael La Corte also highlighted the noteworthy changes taking place in Russia since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Remarkably, in Kazan, Russia, all Muslims, Christians, and Catholics respect one another by living together in peace. For additional information about their societal way of life, please visit the following link: Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims live peacefully together in Tatarstan

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Guests included Diana von Glahn, she is the host for the new show The Faithful Traveler, airing on EWTN. The show will focus on churches and shrines throughout the USA.

Tony Melendez and his band were performing with inspirational songs of faith. Tony was born without arms, but is gifted in playing a guitar with his feet. He is a truly inspiring artist, especially when you listen to his outstanding vocals. I recorded some video with my Canon G7 digital camera. The video is of course not on the same scale as someone using professional equipment. However, it's presented for the purpose of exhibiting the artistic talent of Tony Melendez. Please visit the following link to view and hear the music: The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez

Visitors at the Blue Army Shrine during Hoy Mass.

Holy Mass was celerbrated with Father Clement Machado (front), and Father Andrew Apostoli (right). The mass was a true blessing for anyone that attended ... very spiritual and uplifting.

Father Apostoli later spoke about the Message of Fatima and reminded everyone that God sent the Blessed Mother to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos, and Jacinta and Francisco Marto to help eatablish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in order to save souls from being lost.

Regarding secularism and the unborn, Father Apostoli said, "It's not a political battle, it's not a military battle, but a spiritual battle." He said it's important to change the hearts of people by going to Our Lady in prayer for her intercessory help. He also reminded everyone that through the power of prayer the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph in victory. And, as Our Lady promised in Fatima, an era of peace will be granted to the world by God.

Regarding the sanctity of life, I must emphasize individual responsiblity before considering the termination of a pregnancy by reflecting first on Psalm 139:13-16, which says, "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be."

Please do not underestimate the power of prayer in changing circumstances into a favorable outcome.

In Mark 12:24-25, Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions."

Father Apostoli also said that when God is ready to move forward, great things will happen.

1Samuel 12:16 states, Now then, stand ready to witness the great marvel the Lord is about to accomplish before your eyes.

I believe we are already at the stage where God is performing signs and wonders throughout the world in order to move forward with an era of peace.

Artist Joe DeVito spoke about his work in creating the beautiful sculpture of Mary, Mother of the Life Within. His artwork is refreshing and resonates with God's love.

At the end of the service, the Holy Rosary was recited outdoors by Father Paul Ruge in the amphitheater, and cries of joy could be heard in the rear as visitors were blessed in seeing a solar phenomena. Numerous people were using cell phones or cameras to take pictures of the sun as it was emitting or changing colors (Miracle of the Sun). I also overhead someone saying that they saw an image of a heart appear in the sun (sky). Perhaps the Sacred Heart of Jesus? However, one woman was on her knees with hands folded in prayer and looking at the sun. The Lord indeed provides a special grace in order to observe the phenomena without injuring the eyes. The images shown here were photographed with my Canon G7 camera.

As a follow-up to Sunday's beautiful prayer service, I contacted the World Apostolate of Fatima (USA) by email, requesting some updated information on the reported solar phenomena. Michael La Corte responded by saying, "Some people claimed to have seen something but as you can guess I was not a witness as I was live on the air at the time."

(The above images photographed by Loci B. Lenar)

Photograph courtesy of Maureen Therese Pinho

Photograph Courtesy of Maureen Therese Pinho

Photograph courtesy of Maureen Therese Pinho

Maureen Therese Pinho, a visitor to the shrine, also attended the prayer service with her children and a friend on Sunday. She was kind enough to contact me through my website and supplied me with some images that were photographed by her at the shrine on October 18th. ( Please Note: Her digital camera was not formatted and set with the present date and time.)

Maureen said afterward, "My children and friend and I all saw the same thing with the sun spinning, changing colors, and pulsating as soon as the Hail Holy Queen was finished being recited" (Holy Rosary Prayer).

Maureen is a parishioner of The Church of St. Michael, located in Netcong, New Jersey.

The photos of the solar phenomena are posted here for your discernment.

In John 8:12, the following is noted: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

May God the Father through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Our Blessed Mother, usher in an era of peace by unifying all nations, religion, and people with the Lord's divine love.

(The information posted in the article has been shared with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ, USA).

Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Christian-Miracles.com

PRLog Press Release

Catholic Online Press Release

http://www.catholicprwire.com

Pope Benedict XVI establishes structure for Anglicans uniting with Rome

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Pope Bendict XVI - Public Domain Clip Art

CNS STORY: Pope establishes structure for Anglicans uniting with Rome

The following story by Cindy Wooden appears on the Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage, said U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada.

The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said a new apostolic constitution would establish "personal ordinariates" -- similar to dioceses -- to oversee the pastoral care of those who want to bring elements of their Anglican identity into the Catholic Church with them.

Anglican priests who are married may be ordained Catholic priests, but married Anglican bishops will not be able to function as Catholic bishops in keeping with the long-standing Catholic and Orthodox tradition of ordaining only unmarried clergy as bishops, Cardinal Levada said.

The cardinal announced the new arrangement at a press conference Oct. 20 at the Vatican. He said the pope's apostolic constitution and norms for implementing it were undergoing final revisions and would be published in a couple of weeks.

In establishing the new jurisdictions, Pope Benedict is responding to "many requests" submitted by individual Anglicans and by Anglican groups -- including "20 to 30 bishops" -- asking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, the cardinal said.

At the same time, Cardinal Levada said the new provision does not weaken the commitment of the Vatican to promoting Christian unity, but is a recognition that many Anglicans share the Catholic faith and that Anglicans have a spiritual and liturgical life worth preserving.

"It has always been the principal aim -- the principal aim -- to achieve the full, visible unity" of the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion, the cardinal said.

But given recent changes within many Anglican provinces with the ordination of women priests and bishops and the acceptance of homosexuality in some areas, the prospect of full unity "seemed to recede," he said.

The church recognizes and welcomes those Anglicans who fully share the Catholic faith, agree with the Catholic view that only men can be ordained priests and recognize the role of the bishop of Rome -- the pope -- as the sign and guarantor of church unity, he said.

At a press conference in London Oct. 20, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Communion, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, issued a joint statement saying the new provisions are a recognition of "the substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality between the Catholic Church and the Anglican tradition."

"Without the dialogues of the past 40 years, this recognition would not have been possible, nor would hopes for full visible unity have been nurtured," the two leaders said.

Archbishop Williams told reporters that some members of the Church of England are uneasy about positions their church is taking, yet they would not want to become Roman Catholic.

"This will not resolve their challenges, and we in the Church of England have to continue to engage with that," he said.

Cardinal Levada told reporters he met personally Oct. 19 with Archbishop Williams, who had been told about the new arrangement a month earlier.

In a letter to top Anglican leaders, Archbishop Williams said, "In the light of recent discussions with senior officials in the Vatican, I can say that this new possibility is in no sense at all intended to undermine existing relations between our two communions or to be an act of proselytism or aggression. It is described as simply a response to specific inquiries from certain Anglican groups and individuals wishing to find their future within the Roman Catholic Church."

"For those who wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church in the near future, this announcement will clarify possible options, and we wish them God's strength and guidance in their discernment," the Anglican leader said.

Cardinal Levada also said Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, had been informed about the pope's decision.

Asked Oct. 15 about the possible entrance of groups of former Anglicans into the Catholic Church, Cardinal Kasper said, "We are not fishing in the Anglican lake; proselytism is not the policy of the Catholic Church. But if there are people who, obeying their consciences, want to become Catholic, we cannot shut the door."

U.S. Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and former undersecretary of the doctrinal congregation, spoke at the press conference with Cardinal Levada.

"We have been praying for unity for 40 years. We find now that the prayers we have had are being answered in a way that we did not anticipate. So the Holy Spirit is at work here and the Holy See cannot not respond," the archbishop said.

In 1993 the Catholic bishops of England and Wales asked the Vatican not to implement special structures for former Anglicans in their country, saying that the formation of Anglican-identity Catholic parishes would only further fracture the Christian community and would make the eventual unity of the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion more difficult.

Participants in the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue also have expressed concern in the past that the movement of Catholics to the Anglican Communion is making the Anglican Communion more liberal, while the movement of Anglicans to the Catholic Church is making the Catholic community more conservative.

Archbishop Di Noia said, "The ecumenical movement has changed. There has been a tremendous shift" in the prospects for full, complete union.

Many Anglicans already consider themselves to be Catholic, Archbishop Di Noia said, and the pope's new initiative will make "explicit the bond that is already implicit."

In 1980 the Vatican made a special pastoral provision for members of the Episcopal Church, the U.S. province of the Anglican Communion, who wanted to become Catholic after the Episcopalians began ordaining women priests. The provision included permission for entire parishes of former Episcopalians to use elements of their liturgy in the Catholic Mass.

Archbishop Di Noia said only a handful of parishes took advantage of that special permission, and in 2003 the Vatican approved "The Book of Divine Worship" for their liturgical use.

But he said many of those now seeking communion with Rome wanted a stronger affirmation of their Anglican heritage and a guarantee that it would continue to have a place in the Catholic Church, which is why the pope ordered the establishment of personal ordinariates.

The number of ordinariates and their headquarters will be determined by the number of Anglicans seeking full communion, Cardinal Levada said. The head of each ordinariate will be a former Anglican clergyman, who will not necessarily be ordained a Catholic bishop.

New priests for the ordinariates will study in seminaries with other Catholic seminarians, but an ordinariate can "establish a house of formation to address the particular needs of formation in the Anglican patrimony," Cardinal Levada said.

In general, married Anglican priests and bishops who become Catholic will be ordained Catholic priests, as will married Anglican seminarians, he said.

But an unmarried man ordained a Catholic priest will not be permitted to marry, and the pope's apostolic constitution will state a clear preference for a celibate clergy, Archbishop Di Noia said.

Cardinal Levada told reporters that he realizes "for some people it seems to be a problem" that the Vatican is allowing married former Anglicans to be ordained Catholic priests, but will not allow Catholic priests who have left to marry to return to ministry.

"They are two different circumstances," the cardinal said. Respecting "the authenticity of the call to service" of Anglican clergy who were married when they came to the decision to become Catholic is different from the case of "a Catholic who knowingly commits to a celibate priesthood and then decides for different reasons to leave the priesthood for married life."

"I do not think it is an insurmountable problem," Cardinal Levada said, adding that the church needs to educate Catholics that the dispensation for former Anglican clergy is an exception and that the church continues to uphold the virtue of celibacy.

END

The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:19:42 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, Tony Melendez and his band played a selection of inspirational music of faith at The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The Catholic shrine held a televised event of One World Praying for Life and Peace. EWTN was broadcasting the prayer service with Tony's beautiful music.

Remarkably, Tony was born without arms, but is gifted with an ability to play a guitar with his amazing feet. I attended the event and recorded some video with my Canon G7 camera. The video is posted on YouTube at the following link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cmsngx_Lew

The following excerpt is from Tony's website:
www.tonymelendez.com/English/Tony_Melendez_Ministries_.html

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled Never Be The Same. When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

Tony Melendez Ministries is dedicated to bringing compassion and hope to people throughout the world while inspiring and changing the hearts of all God's people.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:32:00 +0000

You Tube - The Remarkable Music of Tony Melendez

News Story and Video by Loci B. Lenar

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, Tony Melendez and his band played a selection of inspirational music of faith at The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The Catholic shrine held a televised event of One World Praying for Life and Peace. EWTN was broadcasting the prayer service with Tony's beautiful music.

Remarkably, Tony was born without arms, but is gifted with an ability to play a guitar with his amazing feet. I attended the event and recorded some video with my Canon G7 digital camera. The video is of course not on the same scale as someone using professional equipment. However, it's presented for the purpose of exhibiting the artistic talent of Tony Melendez.

The following excerpt is from Tony's website:

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled Never Be The Same. When the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

Tony Melendez Ministries is dedicated to bringing compassion and hope to people throughout the world while inspiring and changing the hearts of all God's people.

Photograph and Video Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Our Lady of Fatima [Flickr]

Loci Lenar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:30:22 PDT

Loci Lenar posted a photo:

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, the World Apostolate of Fatima held a televised event of worldwide prayer for life and peace. The live broadcast was televised by EWTN. I photographed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima during my visit to the shrine on Sunday. The event was beautiful and spiritually uplifting. The Catholic shrine is located on Mountain View Road, Washington, NJ, USA.

Guests included Reverend Clement J. Machado, Reverend Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Tony Melendez - Christian Singer, Joe DeVito - Artist and Sculptor of the Mary, Mother of the Life Within Statue, and MC and Special Guest Diana von Glahn.

Scripture conveys the following regarding life and world peace:

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

1 Peter 3:11 says, Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.

Psalm 127:3 states, "Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward."

I am also reminded of Psalm 139:13-16, which says, "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be."

Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Devotional Prayers

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:01:00 +0000

The following prayers are posted on Christian-Miracles.com and can be used in daily devotions. Please click on the links listed below in order to read the prayer. Periodically new prayers will be added to the list.

Devotional Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

Prayer of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague

Prayerful Healing for Children

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

The Memorare: Intercessory Prayer to the Blessed Mother

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony

Prayer to St. Jude

Prayers of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Millennium Prayer to World Peace

Prayer to Christ the King

Prayer before a Crucifix

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The Holy Rosary

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside St. Virgil Church, Morris Plains, New Jersey, USA.

Christian-Miracles.com

Miracle of the Sun Witnessed at Knock Shrine in Ireland

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Photograph by Keith Heneghan/Phocus

Thousands wait for Knock apparition - The Irish Times - Mon, Oct 12, 2009

The following excerpt is from an article published on IrishTimes.com:

THOUSANDS GATHERED at Knock Shrine, County Mayo, yesterday hoping to see an apparition of Our Lady.

There were ripples of applause from a crowd estimated at more than 5,000 as some people believed they could see the sun shimmering, changing colour and dancing in the sky.

John Tunney, from Islandeady, Castlebar, said: “I’m 53 years old and I never seen the sun go like that before. I witnessed the sun go all different colours, yellow, red and green. Then it completely darkened and began shimmering. Sometimes the sun emitted a clean, bright light, then it would darken again.”

Mr Tunney’s wife, Nina, said: “The sun was spinning in the sky. I experienced a feeling of total happiness. It is a feeling I would love to experience again. It was amazing. I felt marvellous.”

Yvonne Rabbitte, from Dunmore, Co Galway, showed other pilgrims a photograph she had taken on her digital camera which showed vivid rays radiating downwards from the sun at the time the image was taken.

Maggie Ahern, from Castlebar, had no doubt that the happenings in Knock were due to “heavenly intervention”.

Earlier in the week Dublin-based clairvoyant Joe Coleman predicted Our Lady would appear at the old parish church – scene of the 1879 apparition – at 3pm. Quite a number of those present were members of the Travelling community.

The crowds waited in the open air despite an invitation on loudspeaker at about 2.30pm from Knock parish priest Msgr Joseph Quinn that those in the grounds enter the adjacent Basilica to participate in ceremonies to mark the annual Dominican pilgrimage.

Msgr Quinn was not available for comment last night.

(For additional information, read Joe Coleman's Profile.

(For additional information about the story, please visit Spirit Daily.com)

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit (Poetry)

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Photographed inside St. Mary's Church, Denville, NJ

The Holy Spirit

Wings of loving freedom—

soaring peacefully into harmony with hymns of faith

encircling earth in search of virtuous souls

encountering scores of compassionate hearts
in tunes of praise and glory—

the gospel music of salvation.

Our Heavenly Father

aggrieved by turbulent winds

and clouds of fury

that displace innocent lives,

humanity is gifted with prayer to mitigate ominous storms,

protecting God’s children from misfortune.

The outpouring of divine love

thawing humanity’s chilled heart,

shadowed in moments of indifference,

blessed and thoughtfully forgiven by grace.

Photographed inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Boonton, NJ

In unified prayer of mercy,

Jesus pardons our sins,

wipes away tears—

prepares our soul to embrace the Holy Spirit.

Behold the Light of Resurrection—

the Choir of Heaven in symphony with the Book of Life

recording all who believe in God’s providence!

By Loci B. Lenar

Registration Number TXU1-286-432

Christian-Miracles.com

Pope Benedict XVI Canonizes Saint Damien

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Photo REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Pope canonizes leper saint Damien, hailed by Obama - U.S. - Reuters

Reuters reported that Pope Benedict canonized Saint Damien and four others on Sunday. The following story is by Stephen Brown:

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict created five saints on Sunday including Belgian priest Damien who worked and died among Hawaiian lepers, earning the admiration of President Barack Obama who sent a message hailing Damien's canonization.

The U.S. president was born in Hawaii, where Damien worked in the leper colony of Molokai, caught leprosy and died in 1889. Obama said in a statement that Damien had "a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians."

"I recall many stories from my youth about his tireless work there to care for those suffering from leprosy who had been cast out," Obama said, adding that the priest had "challenged the stigmatizing effects" of the disfiguring disease.

"In our own time as millions around the world suffer from disease, especially the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, we should draw on the example of Fr. Damien's resolve in answering the urgent call to heal and care for the sick," the president said.

Born Jozef De Veuster, Damien went to Hawaii when he was 23 and 10 years later began work among the lepers, "not without fear and repugnance" at first, the pope said. He got ill and was "a leper among the lepers" for the last four years of his life.

The life of "Damien of Molokai" is well known to young U.S. Catholics but his appeal stretches to members of the broader Christian community such as Obama, who was baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. There is even a statue of Damien in the U.S. Congress.

Belgium's King Albert and Queen Paola attended the ceremony in St. Peter's, as did Polish President Lech Kaczynski, French premier Francois Fillon and Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos to celebrate new saints from their countries.

The pope also canonized Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, archbishop of Warsaw when Poland rebelled against annexation by imperial Russia in 1863. Exiled to Siberia for 20 years by the czar, he was "a shining example for all the church," the pope said.

Dominican friar Francisco Coll Guitart, one of two Spaniards created a saint, preached in Catalonia in the 19th century and "reached the hearts of others because he transmitted what he himself lived with passion, which burned in his heart," said the pontiff.

The other is Brother Rafael Arnaiz Baron who became a Trappist monk and died at the age of 27 in 1938. He "did not know how to pray" when he began monastic life but became an example "especially for young persons who are not easily satisfied," the pope said.

France's new saint is Jeanne Jugan, venerated as Marie de la Croix. She worked with the poor and elderly, shedding all her own material possessions to become "a poor person among the poor" until her death in 1879.

(Writing by Stephen Brown; editing by David Stamp)

© Thomson Reuters 2009

1 Million Children Pray Rosary for Peace - Catholic Online

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The following article and photo appeared on Catholic Online from the Zenith News Agency:

CARACAS, Venezuela (Zenit.org) - Venezuela's National Council of the Laity is encouraging children throughout the world to pray for peace and unity.

The plea is part of the annual campaign "One Million Children Praying the Rosary," which is set to take place this year Oct. 18.

The council explains on its Web site that the reason for the project is "because the world urgently needs peace and unity. Because God wants us to pray. Because prayer leads to faith, faith leads to love, love leads to service and service leads to peace."

This year, the organizers are asking children to pray three times: once on Oct. 16 in their schools, the second time on Oct. 17 in their parishes, and the third time on Oct. 18 with their families and friends.

The campaign recalls St. Pio of Pietrelcina's words: "And to think that if one million children prayed the Rosary. How many graces would be shed over the world!"

Those participating in the campaign are encouraged to send photos and testimonies of their local events.

Prayer to Our Lady of Surprises

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Miracle at Cana

Intercessory Prayer to Our Lady of Surprises

O, Mary my mother and Our Lady of surprises,

what a happy joy you caused the wedding guests,

when you asked your Divine Son

to work the miracle of water into Wine.

What a happy surprise for them,

since they thought the wine had run dry,

I too Mary, love surprises, and as your child,

may I ask you to favour me with one today.

I ask this only because you are

my ever caring Mother.

Amen.

The above prayer is published on Spirit Daily in the following article: When Things Don't Go Well, Try Letting Go - And Invoking Our Lady of Surprises

In the gospels, we read about Jesus transforming drinking water in wine; one of his first miracles, resulting from a request made by our Blessed Mother.

With those words in mind, John 2:1-11 says, On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

The stained glass window detail was photographed inside Our Lady of the Lake Church. The Catholic church is located in Sparta, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

New movie about Our Lady of Fatima to be screened in major U.S. cities

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:52:00 +0000

New movie about Our Lady of Fatima to be screened in major U.S. cities

The following article appeared on the Catholic News Agency (CNA) regarding a new movie about Our Lady of Fatima.

San Francisco, Calif., Oct 1, 2009 / (CNA) - A new film about the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, based on the memoirs of visionary Sister Lucia and the accounts of thousands of eyewitnesses, will be holding pre-release screenings in at least seven major U.S. cities.

“The 13th Day” is the first major motion picture by directors Ian and Dominic Higgins. According to the film’s U.S. distributor Ignatius Press, their film tells the story of the Virgin Mary’s appearances to Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

Over a six month period in 1917, the Virgin Mary gave prophecies and warnings to children that included a harrowing vision of hell, the spread of communism and the attempted assassination of a Pope.

The film was shot on location in Portugal and in the United Kingdom. It has a cast of hundreds and three young Portuguese actors will play the roles of the young visionaries.

Anthony Ryan, Director of Marketing for Ignatius Press, described the film as an “antidote” for our times.

“It is a reminder that a thin veil exists between our world and the next. The Message of Fatima is a relevant wake-up call to a culture torn apart by abortion, war, and injustice. Every Catholic, perhaps every person, should see this film,” he said.

Screenings of “The 13th Day” are scheduled for October 13, the anniversary of the final apparition. They will be held in Atlanta, New York City, Denver, Chicago and Oakland. Other cities with screenings include Orlando, Florida and Austin and Fort Worth, Texas.

Interested Catholic leaders can sign up for a screening in their area at the site http://www.maximusmg.com/catholicscreenings/index.html

The movies website is at http://www.ignatius.com/the-13th-day/

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Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels and Powerful Allies - Catholic Online

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels and Powerful Allies - Catholic Online

The following story by F. K. Bartels appears on Catholic Online.

GLADE PARK, Colorado (Catholic Online) - Spring of 1916: three peasant children, Lucy, Francisco and Jacinta, were playing a game in the hills of Portugal. The children often tended their sheep among these hills, and lived in a hamlet just minutes away from the village of Fatima, called Aljustrel.

Startled by a sudden, strong wind, the children turned and saw "a light whiter than snow in the shape of a transparent young man, who was more brilliant than a crystal struck by the rays of the sun." This young man looked to be about "fourteen or fifteen years old," as Lucy recalled. She said they were "surprised and ecstatic," and that they "did not utter a word." The young man said to the children, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me."

Angel is from the Greek, "aggelos," and means "messenger". The angel who appeared to the children, as it was later realized, was the guardian angel of Portugal, none other than St. Michael the Archangel himself. He appeared to the children three times. In regards the third apparition, Lucy notes:

"In the third apparition, the presence of the angel was still more intense . . . It seemed to deprive us even of the use of our bodily senses for a long period of time. For several days afterward, we performed our physical actions as though sustained by that same supernatural being who compelled us to do them. The peace and happiness we felt were great, but intimate, as our souls were entirely concentrated on God."

Little did the children know that St. Michael the Archangel was preparing the way for them to meet the Lady "more brilliant than the sun".

The name Michael means "one who is like God". His will is focused, immovable, and entirely driven toward accomplishing goodness; he is the protector of souls, and wields his powerful sword against the poisonous and vindictive aspirations of he who is known as a liar from the beginning.

During a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, John Paul II said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."

Scripture relates such a truth: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him" (Rev 12:7-9).

Michael the Archangel said to the three children at Fatima, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Then he prostrated himself, and repeated three times: "My God; I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!"

In mind of the powerful experience related by Lucy, the above prayer of St. Michael brings tears to our eyes when we contemplate the utter serious nature of this committed warrior who strives after peace with all his being. Too, we can fathom the seriousness of our situation in regards the reality of life, of good and evil, of the battle that rages around us, and of God’s wondrous love in giving us such a vigilant and magnificent protector.

Gabriel means "God is my strength". He was sent from God to Nazareth, "to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, . . . and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you’" (Lk 1:27-28).

Pope St. Gregory the Great wrote: "He [Gabriel] came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle" (excerpt from Hom. 34, 8-9).

Raphael means "God is my health". He is one of seven angels "who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" (Tob 12:15). The meaning of Raphael’s name reflects the fact that he touched Tobit’s eyes in order to heal them of blindness.

St. Augustine says: "‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel.’" With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (CCC 329; Mt 18:10).

The angels are truly beautiful. As we reflect upon them we are drawn toward a deeper and clearer understanding of God’s love for man; for billions of angels, to be sure, are given the personal charge of looking after their own child of God. Every moment of each day, day after day, year after year, our faithful guardian angels stand at our side, focused on our well-being with far greater power than even we ourselves can summon; for they see the reality of our life in clarity, which is something we often fail to do. God has commended to each of us an angel for our very own. What love!

The CCC explains: From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God (336).

Now, what more do we know about these wonderful angels?

"As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness" (CCC, 330; Dan 10:9-12).

God created the angels, like man, with an intellect and will, yet these shared attributes cannot be exactly compared, for they differ greatly in strength and power. For example, we might compare the intellect and will of a child to that of an adult: the former is not nearly so strong as the latter.

The angels’ intellect is far advanced over that of man, and, as for their will, they do not struggle with doubt, weakness, and the tendency to fall into sin. On the contrary, the angels’ will is an incredible force, unceasingly directed toward the Ultimate Good, powerfully focused upon that Good, which is, of course, God.

The angels were created with far-reaching intelligence. Unlike man, the angels have no need to labor away day after day in order to arrive at some small understanding. The knowledge contained in their intellect was infused therein in an instant. Man’s intellect is but a fragmented, dim light when compared to that of the angels, who know not only all about music, the arts, and nature, but all about the farthest reaches of the universe as well.

As for how the angels move, we are all familiar with pictures of winged cherubs. Yet, as wonderful as wings might be, they do no justice as a description of an angel’s movement. The angels are able to travel from our bedside to the sun’s corona, from there to the most distant star and back again in less than an instant. In fact, it is actually irrelevant to include the element of time in a discussion of angels’ movement. The speed of light is really no speed at all for our powerful guardians; for they are not constrained by the laws of time and space as are men. Their movement is as quick and effortless as a thought.

Further, because angels are not governed by the laws of nature as is man, they can be in two places at once. This is evident in the fact that they never lose sight of God in heaven yet are still able to remain at our side, ever watchful, always prepared to assist in our every need. Therefore to think that our angel might not be present in some sudden, immediate time of need is folly, for no unfortunate event can occur so quickly as to outpace the speed of our loving keepers.

Too, the angels assist us on our final journey, accompanying the dead on their way to the destiny reserved for them, as was the poor man, Lazarus, carried away and placed in the bosom of Abraham (Lk 16:22).

There are many accounts of saints who’ve been assisted by angels, their help arriving in various forms: there are stories of the sudden appearance of a large and ferocious dog who wards off enemies intent on inflicting grave harm; we hear of criminals who admit they refrained from assailing a women due to a large, powerful looking man seen walking at her side, when, actually, the woman was journeying alone; we often hear stories of a young, unknown man who displays actions of complete devotion and love, filling in for an absent parishioner during Eucharistic Adoration; et cetera.

That our own personal guardian angel is at our side cannot be doubted. Yet, unfortunately, we often fail to acknowledge him. How many weeks pass as we go along about our daily activities without giving him even so much as a thought? How many times have we narrowly escaped death yet failed to attribute our survival to the help of our guardian angel? Surely this must bring him disappointment.

Gabriel announced the most wonderful and sublime event ever to occur in the universe, the coming of the Incarnate God into the world through the womb of our precious Virgin Mary; let us, then, seek to hear the announcement of our personal guardian angel within our heart: "Listen to your Mother; seek her glorious Son; fix your will upon God!"

F. K. Bartels operates catholicpathways.com, and may be reached via email at: bartels@catholicpathways.com. He is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.

Leprosy patients from Hawaii to see canonization of Fr. Damien

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:36:00 +0000

Leprosy patients from Hawaii to see canonization of Fr. Damien

The following story regarding Fr. Damien appeared on Catholic News Agency:

Honolulu, Hawaii, Sep 26, 2009 (CNA)

Eleven elderly leprosy patients from Hawaii will travel to the Vatican for the canonization ceremony of Fr. Damien de Veuster, the heroic priest who cared for leprosy patients in Hawaii and died of the disease. The patients’ attending doctor called Fr. Damien their “personal saint.”

The Belgian-born priest is a hero in Hawaii for caring for those victims banished to the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula. Native Hawaiians were devastated by leprosy, which appeared after the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778.

About 90 percent of the approximately 8,000 people exiled to the peninsula were native Hawaiians. The state of Hawaii stopped exiling leprosy victims in 1969, more than two decades after a reliable treatment was discovered.

Many patients chose to stay at the colony because the community had become their home.

Eleven of the about 20 patients still living at Kalaupapa will make the 12,000-mile trip to Rome for the priest’s canonization, according to the Associated Press.

Their physician, Dr. Kalani Brady, said the trip will be an “energy-laden” voyage for many patients.

"They're going to see their personal saint canonized,” Brady told the Associated Press. The event is “incredibly important, incredibly personal for them.”

Since 1936, Fr. Damien’s body has rested in his Belgian hometown of Tremelo. However, his grave at Kalaupapa contains a relic of his right hand.

The canonization of Fr. Damien was announced earlier this year after the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints ruled that there was no medical explanation for a woman’s recovery from terminal cancer. She had prayed to Fr. Damien to intercede for a cure.

Pope Benedict XVI will preside over the canonization on October 11. The priest was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict is expected to meet privately with the patients during their stay in Rome.

About 650 people from Hawaii are traveling to Rome for the canonization. Most are expected to be part of the delegation of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

A Boy Scout group called the St. Damien Boy Scouts of Oahu will document the capstone event and their travels on the internet using a blog, YouTube and Facebook.

In an August interview, Scout Master John Fielding told CNA about his scouts’ planned journey and the place of Fr. Damien in Hawaii.

“Fr. Damien is not only a symbol of our Church, but he is a hero to the Hawaiian people for his sacrifice,” he explained. “Fr. Damien’s statue is in the front of the Hawaii State Capitol and the U.S. Congress. Damien Memorial High School, where one of our scouts attends, is named in his honor.”

“Even if you are not Catholic, you know of his sacrifice and love for the many Hawaiians left to die there [at Molokai].”

The scouts have set up a Facebook account under the name of Damien de Veuster and have set up a YouTube channel named “saintdmienscouts.”

They will also report on their journey at http://stdamienboyscouts.wordpress.com/

Prayer to Christ the King

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:02:00 +0000

Prayer to Christ the King

Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the universe.

All that has been created has been made for You.

Make full use of Your rights over me.

I renew the promises I made in Baptism,

when I renounced Satan and all his pomps and works,

and I promise to live a good Christian life

and to do all in my power

to procure the triumph of the rights of God

and Your Church.

Divine Heart of Jesus,

I offer you my efforts

in order to obtain that all hearts

may acknowledge your Sacred Royalty,

and that thus the Kingdom of Your peace

may be established throughout the universe.

Amen.

The prayer can be found on Catholic websites.

Stained glass window photographed inside The Church of Saint Michael, Netcong, NJ, USA.

Christian-Miracles.com

Heavenly Sign: Rainbow Emitted from Statue of Archangel Michael | Guideposts

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:33:00 +0000

Joan Wester Anderson

Heavenly Sign: Rainbow Emitted from Statue of Archangel Michael Guideposts

Over the Rainbow

Michael offers a colorful sign just in time for Feast of the Archangels

By Joan Wester Anderson

Hi, angel friends,

You may know that, in the Catholic calendar, September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels.

In fact, the entire month of October is dedicated to angels. I doubt they are more active during October than any other time, but it’s nice to have an entire month to think about the joy and the mystery of these very special beings.

I especially love Michael the Archangel, who comes to do battle for us. I wonder how often he and his fellow Archangels prevent accidents, encourage us and even keep us away from temptations, and we don’t even know it!

A friend of mine, Loci Lenar, recently found himself at the Church of St. Michael in Netcong, New Jersey. Being an angel fan like me, he stopped in to say a prayer.

He was immediately taken with the beautiful stain glass image in the front of the church, depicting Michael holding his sword. Michael was in front of a colorful window, with an even more vibrant rainbow behind him.

Loci snapped a few pictures. “In order to capture the rainbow colors seen on the stained glass behind the statue,” he says, “I photographed the image without using a flash, even though the indoor lighting was dim. The only light was from some church windows nearby—best described as faint.”

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

But if you examine the photograph, Loci points out, it appears as if Archangel Michael is creating a trail of rainbow colors as he lands on top of the serpent and crushes its head.

And yet there doesn’t seem to be a source for this rainbow. He observes, “The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways.”

Check out the window at Loci’s site, and see what you think. Where is the rainbow light coming from?

See why I love angels?

Joan W. Anderson has been involved with angels for many years and has authored numerous angel books, including Guardian Angels: True Stories of Answered Prayers.

Visit her website or, if you have a question about angels, you can email it to her at: janderson@guideposts.com.

Vatican probe next after Diocese of Metuchen reviews possible miracle

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory

(Diocese of Metuchen)

Vatican probe next after Diocese of Metuchen reviews possible miracle / mycentraljersey.com

The following article from MyCentralJersey.com is written by Jeff Grant:

PISCATAWAY — The path to possible sainthood for a Carmelite nun whose case was investigated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen now heads to the Vatican.

A 20-minute ceremony inside the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center at diocesan headquarters formally concluded the local inquiry Monday. The case involving Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory next will be reviewed by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

"I'm pleased that the investigation was completed within four months," said Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski. "We were honored to be asked by the Vatican to investigate the possible miracle," Bootkoski added.

The case in question involves a family in the general diocesan area who has not been identified for reasons of privacy, according to diocesan spokeswoman Joanne Ward. The diocese includes parishes in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties.

The family had prayed to McCrory — the foundress of The Carmelite Sisters For the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, N.Y. — to intercede with God after their unborn child was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. When the baby was born, the defect was not present in the degree that it had been expected. The miracle and the birth occurred in the Diocese of Oakland, Calif., although few other details, including the date of the birth as well as when the family first prayed, were unavailable Monday.

McCrory was considered a woman of great faith, and spent her life caring for the elderly and ailing in long-term care facilities operated by the order, which runs 17 facilities around the country. She died in 1984 at age 91.

The diocese's review of the case, begun in May, involved interviews with doctors and other witnesses, including people who knew the medical facts of the case and people who prayed for the miracle, according to Lori Albanese, chancellor of the diocese and notary of the investigation. A total of 10 to 15 individuals were interviewed in all, Albanese said.

"We were very pleased with the quality of testimony," she said. "The witnesses were very accessible."

Prayer of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Prayer of Confidence to the Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (name petition).

Only look upon me, then do what Your love inspires. Let Your Sacred Heart decide. I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy. Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your open Heart. When the Eternal Father looks upon it, He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood. It will be no longer my prayer, but Yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

The above prayer can be found on Catholic websites.

Stained glass window detail photographed inside The Church of Saint Michael, Netcong, NJ, USA.

Christian-Miracles.com

Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaks at St. Cecilia's Church in NJ

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Dr. Alveda King
Photograph By Loci B. Lenar

News Story by Loci B. Lenar

On September 18, 2009, Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke on behalf of the pro-life movement at Saint Cecilia's Church, located in Rockaway, NJ. Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th District) of New Jersey, joined Dr. Alveda King in championing the cause for life at the Catholic church with a presentation that included video of the civil rights era and made a comparison to the civil rights of the unborn.

Dr. Alveda King and Congressman Chris Smith

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Dr. Alveda King is advocating to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform on a federal level. Dr. Alveda King is also a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and Coordinator of the African-American Outreach.

Dr. Alveda King said, “We are living in turbulent times, but in the midst of these times, there is always hope and promise.” Dr. King is encouraged in helping to make a difference with her cause in support of civil rights for the unborn. She believes in working collectively to achieve bipartisan support on the issue.

Prayer to End Abortion

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,

And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,

Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death

by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.

Today I commit myself

Never to be silent,

Never to be passive,

Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,

And never to stop defending life

Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,

And our nation once again becomes

A nation with liberty and justice

Not just for some, but for all,

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen!

By Father Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

Christian-Miracles.com

Saint Michael the Archangel Prayer

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:21:00 +0000

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

News Story by Loci B. Lenar

Saint Michael the Archangel is recognized for being the guardian and protector of God's church and people. While traveling through the town of Netcong on September 14, 2009, I stopped into The Church of St. Michael to say a prayer and took some photographs of the beautiful display of stained glass windows. The Catholic church is located in Morris County, New Jersey.

Perhaps the most remarkable photograph is of Saint Michael with stained glass behind the statue which gives the appearance of being a window. In order to capture the rainbow colors seen on the stained glass behind the statue, I photographed the image without using a flash even though indoor lighting was dim. The only inflowing light was from some church windows nearby - best described as faint. Perhaps inflowing light from Our Lord caused the rainbow color effect. Whatever the case, it is an interesting phenomena.

If you examine the photograph closely, it appears as if Saint Michael is creating a trail of rainbow colors as he lands on top and crushes the head of the serpent. I did not observe any indoor lighting that might create such an effect, since church lights were turned off. The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways.

After the photograph was taken, I shared the image directly as captured on the camera's digital memory card with my spiritual advisor, Father Richard Tartaglia of Saint Mary's Church, Denville, NJ. The original digital image was transfered onto a CD for church archives. I also gave a copy of the CD to the youth minister at The Church of Saint Michael for their records.

The following biblical prophecy is noted in Daniel 12:1, 3-4: "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. As for you Daniel, keep secret the message and seal the book until the end time; many shall fall away and evil shall increase."

In Revelation 12:7 and 8 the following is stated: Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

To view a miraculous photo of the Shield of Archangel Michael that was photographed in 2005, please visit Christian-Miracles.com.

The following excerpt regarding prayers to Saint Michael is found in the Wikipedia Encyclopedia:

The Prayer to Saint Michael is a prayer, used mainly by Catholics, which is addressed to Michael the Archangel.

Pope Leo XIII added it in 1886 to the Leonine Prayers, which he had directed to be said after Low Mass two years earlier. The practice of reciting these prayers after Mass was suppressed in 1964. However, Pope John Paul II referred to the St. Michael prayer in his Regina Coeli address of 24 April 1994 as follows:

"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle that the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of: 'Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St Michael the Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had this picture in mind when, at the end of the last century, he brought in, throughout the Church, a special prayer to St Michael: 'Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil...' Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."

Regarding prayers to angels, Revelation 8:3-4 says, Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.

Angels do indeed intercede before the throne of God on behalf of all who pray for God's assistance.

The Church of Saint Michael, Netcong, NJ, USA
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle,

be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou,

O Prince of the Heavenly host,

by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits

who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Today in Medjugorje Our Lady Speaks of Betrayals - Medjugorje.com

On September 2, 2009, the following message from Our Lady of Medjugorje was conveyed to visionary Mirjana Soldo:

“Dear children! Today, with a motherly heart, I call you to learn to forgive, completely and unconditionally. You suffer injustice, betrayals and persecutions, but by that you are closer to and dearer to God. My children, pray for the gift of love. Only love forgives all, as my Son forgives—follow Him. I am among you and am praying that when you come before your Father you can say: ‘Here I am Father, I followed your Son, I had love and forgave with the heart, because I believed in your judgment and trusted in you.’ Thank you.”

For additional information on the story, please visit Medjugorje.com

The Canticle of Mary

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:58:00 +0000

The Canticle of Mary - Luke 1:46-55

The Magnificat - (Also known as the Song of Mary)

And Mary said,

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;

behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,

dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones

but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant,

remembering his mercy,

according to his promise to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendents forever."

The stained glass window detail photographed inside St. Christopher Church, Parsippany, NJ, USA.

Acts of the Apostles

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:53:00 +0000

In Acts of the Apostles we read about the Glory of God working through Peter by curing a man unable to walk. We also read that God the Father inspires us to believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ with miracles of faith accomplished through the Apostles.

Through the power of prayer, God's grace enfolds humanity with the Holy Spirit for healing and salvation. The Lord's work continues today through church ministries.

In Acts 3:1-10 the following is noted: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

To read inspiring stories of the Lord's miracles being performed in modern times, please visit the following links:

http://www.christian-miracles.com/anthonyfuinasmiracle.htm

http://lenarpoetry.blogspot.com/2009/07/active-year-for-miracles.html

http://lenarpoetry.blogspot.com/2009/07/investigator-for-vatican-finds-evidence.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1166858/Wheelchair-boy-miraculously-walks-memorial-visit-tomb-Pope-John-Paul-II.html

Stained glass window art photographed inside Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Parippany, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Christian-Miracles.com

Tower of Remembrance

Lenar@Christian-Miracles.com (Loci B. Lenar) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:44:00 +0000

The Tower of Remembrance has steel from the North Tower Building of the World Trade Center. The steel is combined with bells from the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity's Seminary in Monroe, Virginia.

The bells are a reminder by calling all people to pray and strive for world peace. The names of each innocent victim who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania from Flight 93, are inscribed on the memorial walls.

The structure is located on the grounds of the Shrine of Saint Joseph, Stirling, NJ, USA.

The memorial site is a place of healing, prayer, and peace, honoring the innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001.