Friday, December 14, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Garabandal 50 Years Later
Among Marian apparitions, Garabandal is distinguished by the ardor of the embrace of the Mother of God. It was customary for Our Lady of Mount Carmel to kiss the four young girls and to be kissed in return.
Our Lady reverently venerated the sacramental objects offered to her by the visionaries on behalf of others; rosaries, holy medals, missals, and wedding rings. The girls in ecstasy had the uncanny ability to return the appropriate object directly to the owner not knowing beforehand who had presented which object.The final apparition on November 13, 1965 was expressly to kiss the accumulated articles to which Our Lady attached a solemn promise - for those who use these objects with faith, Jesus will perform prodigies.
It is important to recall at the time of the Spanish Civil War, the Asturias, the region in which Garabandal is located, was a stronghold for the advance of Communism in Spain. The faithful of this region and the other adjacent northern areas were forbidden by law to own rosaries, medals and other symbols of Christianity. These objects, which had been passed down through the centuries in devout families, were hidden in those troubled times. Bearers who displayed religious items in public were ridiculed and assaulted or harassed by the authorities.
For the apparitions, small tables were set out to accommodate these objects. A makeup compact was once laid down on one of the tables. This provoked an outcry against what seemed like a frivolous act, yet the small gold case remained in place. During the next visitation, Our Lady sited the compact and rejoiced, "This belongs to my Son." Later it was revealed that the vessel had secretly conveyed consecrated hosts to those in hiding during the Civil War.
The apparition of August 6, 1962 is by contrast the only known occurrence of the Archangel Saint Michael embracing a physical object.
And so on this day, fifty years ago, in San Sebastian de Garabandal, three Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God climbed the ox cart path that connected the remote mountain village to the outside world, arriving unnoticed in the sweltering midday heat. They did not know it, but they had come to receive a mysterious honor from the Prince of the Holy Angels.
This leads one to wonder about the significance of this profound display of angelic predilection and solidarity. Conchita is quite clear in stating that the brothers themselves were pleasing to God.Considering over one thousand priests and religious attended the apparitions and there exists no other record of acknowledgment by Saint Michael, the singularity of the event appears to lend special importance.
Brother Juan Bosco, in his notes, believed this reciprocated the high esteem given to Saint Raphael in their community. More generally, the gesture conveyed a salute for the work of the Brothers who in their ministry of attendance and healing and their love for the poorest, the most neglected and infirm reflect the virtues of the angels.
Could there be some further explanation?
On July 19, 1936, by decree of the radically secularist government, the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God were declared enemies of the people of Spain. Ninety eight brothers were murdered in the Red Terror. The Soviet backed persecution of the Roman Catholic Church executed six thousand eight hundred thirty two religious, killed tens of thousands of lay faithful in odium fidei, and desecrated and destroyed over twenty thousand holy places.
The sons of San Juan de Dios remained with their patients, faithful to the fourth vow of the Order never to abandon the sick except in death. They made no attempt to flee the coming violence.
Seventy one brothers martyred between July 24 and December 14, 1936 were beatified by Blessed John Paul II including more than forty in Madrid and Barcelona who refused to leave the hospitals and were shot on site. Some were exultant at their execution, commending each other to imminent paradise.Their last words were of forgiveness, pardoning their murderers. All were steadfast.
Could the martyrdom which preceded the apparitions by a quarter century have had an influence on the occurrence of August 6, 1962? It is a wonderful idea to contemplate. At this time, there exists no evidence directly linking the two. Perhaps in the days to come or with the definitive resolution of the Aviso and Great Miracle this extraordinary event may be more completely illuminated.
As we share recollections of the events of fifty years ago we should honor this day, worthy of remembrance for the devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de Garabandal. This day, the Angelic Patron of the Church of Jesus Christ venerated the Scapular of Saint John of God three separate times.
In Union of Prayer,
The Workers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de Garabandal
Lindenhurst, NY USA
Our Lady reverently venerated the sacramental objects offered to her by the visionaries on behalf of others; rosaries, holy medals, missals, and wedding rings. The girls in ecstasy had the uncanny ability to return the appropriate object directly to the owner not knowing beforehand who had presented which object.The final apparition on November 13, 1965 was expressly to kiss the accumulated articles to which Our Lady attached a solemn promise - for those who use these objects with faith, Jesus will perform prodigies.
It is important to recall at the time of the Spanish Civil War, the Asturias, the region in which Garabandal is located, was a stronghold for the advance of Communism in Spain. The faithful of this region and the other adjacent northern areas were forbidden by law to own rosaries, medals and other symbols of Christianity. These objects, which had been passed down through the centuries in devout families, were hidden in those troubled times. Bearers who displayed religious items in public were ridiculed and assaulted or harassed by the authorities.
For the apparitions, small tables were set out to accommodate these objects. A makeup compact was once laid down on one of the tables. This provoked an outcry against what seemed like a frivolous act, yet the small gold case remained in place. During the next visitation, Our Lady sited the compact and rejoiced, "This belongs to my Son." Later it was revealed that the vessel had secretly conveyed consecrated hosts to those in hiding during the Civil War.
The apparition of August 6, 1962 is by contrast the only known occurrence of the Archangel Saint Michael embracing a physical object.
And so on this day, fifty years ago, in San Sebastian de Garabandal, three Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God climbed the ox cart path that connected the remote mountain village to the outside world, arriving unnoticed in the sweltering midday heat. They did not know it, but they had come to receive a mysterious honor from the Prince of the Holy Angels.
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A sketch of the Saint
A sketch of the Saint
Born in Portugal in 1495, Joao Cidade Duarte abandoned his family as a small boy. He never returned. He tramped across Europe in violence and plunder as a thieving quartermaster in the imperial infantry. His service concluded, he returned to Iberia a forty year old prodigal with much to atone for.
On the feast of Saint Sebastian, John went to hear a sermon by Saint John of Avila. He was so devastated with loathing for his sins that he turned on himself in fury and for a time sought a life of humiliation for Christ. He was cast into an asylum and cruelly beaten for days. It was John of Avila who came to absolve and release the man who would become John of God.
Raised to holiness, John's heart turned with compassion to his fellow incarcerates in the asylum. With a soldier's knowledge of organization and field medicine, he began to shepherd the homeless, the abandoned, and the afflicted of Granada sheltering them and treating their wounds.
He supported orphans, students, harlots, and the unemployed with his own labor, encumbering himself with their pecuniary debts, often suffering accusations and slandered by those he tried to help.
After thirteen years in this way, he died a heroic and saintly death contracting pneumonia while attempting to rescue a drowning companion. He was found in death, kneeling before the crucifix, his face pressed to the wounded feet of Christ.
Saint John of God left the world a small band of valiant hearts. The legends of the Order relate that often on the brink of collapse John of God was revived by the angels. Saint Raphael accompanied him on his rounds, healing and imparting the peace of God to the chaos. To this day the image of the Angelic Physician clothed in the habit of San Juan de Dios can be found in these hospitals.
Murillo, on his canvas in the Prado, depicts Saint John of God as frail, struggling under the weight of the invalid he is carrying, menaced by the encircling dark. The saint is accompanied by a powerful archangel who strengthens him, illuminating his face and his path.
On the feast of Saint Sebastian, John went to hear a sermon by Saint John of Avila. He was so devastated with loathing for his sins that he turned on himself in fury and for a time sought a life of humiliation for Christ. He was cast into an asylum and cruelly beaten for days. It was John of Avila who came to absolve and release the man who would become John of God.
Raised to holiness, John's heart turned with compassion to his fellow incarcerates in the asylum. With a soldier's knowledge of organization and field medicine, he began to shepherd the homeless, the abandoned, and the afflicted of Granada sheltering them and treating their wounds.
He supported orphans, students, harlots, and the unemployed with his own labor, encumbering himself with their pecuniary debts, often suffering accusations and slandered by those he tried to help.
After thirteen years in this way, he died a heroic and saintly death contracting pneumonia while attempting to rescue a drowning companion. He was found in death, kneeling before the crucifix, his face pressed to the wounded feet of Christ.
Saint John of God left the world a small band of valiant hearts. The legends of the Order relate that often on the brink of collapse John of God was revived by the angels. Saint Raphael accompanied him on his rounds, healing and imparting the peace of God to the chaos. To this day the image of the Angelic Physician clothed in the habit of San Juan de Dios can be found in these hospitals.
Murillo, on his canvas in the Prado, depicts Saint John of God as frail, struggling under the weight of the invalid he is carrying, menaced by the encircling dark. The saint is accompanied by a powerful archangel who strengthens him, illuminating his face and his path.
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Passing before the humble stone church of San Sebastian, the three religious came upon the young visionaries who told them, without affectation, of the wonders that were happening in the village and of the importance of the October 18 Message. The brothers rested under the nine pines of the apparition eating lunch and enjoying the discussion. Conchita accompanied them but she did not eat. She told them Mass had not been offered in the village that day and the Angel would bring her Holy Communion. Until he arrived she would remain fasting.
The afternoon passed swiftly. At a natural pause in the conversation, Conchita moved discretely away from the group and fell to her knees, head tilted back in ecstasy. As Brother Juan Bosco recorded in his notes,
"Still kneeling and in the same posture, the girl made the Sign of the Cross very slowly and devoutly. She said words in a low voice and gently struck her chest three times. She was praying in ecstasy. As the prayer ended, she opened her mouth, put out her tongue as in receiving Communion, withdrew her tongue and closed her mouth slowly. Two of us heard the slight noise of her swallowing something. She held this position and we heard her low voice, audible, but we could not hear it to sufficiently understand the words."Then the ecstasy took a decidedly different turn.
"Then the girl took his (Brother Luis) Scapular in her hands. She stood up, raised the Scapular in a very solemn way as though presenting it to someone. She lowered the Scapular and again dropped abruptly to her knees."Returning the Scapular to Brother Luis, Conchita repeated this gesture for the Scapulars of Brother Juan and Brother Miguel offering each one up reverently. With a concluding Sign of the Cross, the ecstasy ended and Conchita returned to normal with a shy smile.
"Have you had Communion?"
"Yes"
"Why did you take our Scapulars and raise them up?"
"The Angel asked me to do it, to kiss them."
"Have you spoken to the Angel?"
"Yes"
"What did he say to you?"
"The Angel knew you. He told me that Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin are happy with you."To this exterior sign was added an interior grace for Brother Juan.
"The impression was very great. Particularly, I was stunned and with much interior sentiment of having sinned so many times, and because of this I implored mercy. I have never felt in my life such as strong feeling of the supernatural. Afterwards, as the years passed...this experience has always been present in me. I have great confidence in the love of the Virgin and an accentuated fervor for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I believe the essence of the grace given to us is our own perseverance in the Order."
Brother Juan returned again in 1966 after the apparitions had ended. He was curious to find out if anything similar had happened. Conchita confirmed "the only thing the Angel had kissed had been our Scapulars."
The afternoon passed swiftly. At a natural pause in the conversation, Conchita moved discretely away from the group and fell to her knees, head tilted back in ecstasy. As Brother Juan Bosco recorded in his notes,
"Still kneeling and in the same posture, the girl made the Sign of the Cross very slowly and devoutly. She said words in a low voice and gently struck her chest three times. She was praying in ecstasy. As the prayer ended, she opened her mouth, put out her tongue as in receiving Communion, withdrew her tongue and closed her mouth slowly. Two of us heard the slight noise of her swallowing something. She held this position and we heard her low voice, audible, but we could not hear it to sufficiently understand the words."Then the ecstasy took a decidedly different turn.
"Then the girl took his (Brother Luis) Scapular in her hands. She stood up, raised the Scapular in a very solemn way as though presenting it to someone. She lowered the Scapular and again dropped abruptly to her knees."Returning the Scapular to Brother Luis, Conchita repeated this gesture for the Scapulars of Brother Juan and Brother Miguel offering each one up reverently. With a concluding Sign of the Cross, the ecstasy ended and Conchita returned to normal with a shy smile.
"Have you had Communion?"
"Yes"
"Why did you take our Scapulars and raise them up?"
"The Angel asked me to do it, to kiss them."
"Have you spoken to the Angel?"
"Yes"
"What did he say to you?"
"The Angel knew you. He told me that Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin are happy with you."To this exterior sign was added an interior grace for Brother Juan.
"The impression was very great. Particularly, I was stunned and with much interior sentiment of having sinned so many times, and because of this I implored mercy. I have never felt in my life such as strong feeling of the supernatural. Afterwards, as the years passed...this experience has always been present in me. I have great confidence in the love of the Virgin and an accentuated fervor for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I believe the essence of the grace given to us is our own perseverance in the Order."
Brother Juan returned again in 1966 after the apparitions had ended. He was curious to find out if anything similar had happened. Conchita confirmed "the only thing the Angel had kissed had been our Scapulars."
This leads one to wonder about the significance of this profound display of angelic predilection and solidarity. Conchita is quite clear in stating that the brothers themselves were pleasing to God.Considering over one thousand priests and religious attended the apparitions and there exists no other record of acknowledgment by Saint Michael, the singularity of the event appears to lend special importance.
Brother Juan Bosco, in his notes, believed this reciprocated the high esteem given to Saint Raphael in their community. More generally, the gesture conveyed a salute for the work of the Brothers who in their ministry of attendance and healing and their love for the poorest, the most neglected and infirm reflect the virtues of the angels.
Could there be some further explanation?
On July 19, 1936, by decree of the radically secularist government, the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God were declared enemies of the people of Spain. Ninety eight brothers were murdered in the Red Terror. The Soviet backed persecution of the Roman Catholic Church executed six thousand eight hundred thirty two religious, killed tens of thousands of lay faithful in odium fidei, and desecrated and destroyed over twenty thousand holy places.
The sons of San Juan de Dios remained with their patients, faithful to the fourth vow of the Order never to abandon the sick except in death. They made no attempt to flee the coming violence.
Seventy one brothers martyred between July 24 and December 14, 1936 were beatified by Blessed John Paul II including more than forty in Madrid and Barcelona who refused to leave the hospitals and were shot on site. Some were exultant at their execution, commending each other to imminent paradise.Their last words were of forgiveness, pardoning their murderers. All were steadfast.
Could the martyrdom which preceded the apparitions by a quarter century have had an influence on the occurrence of August 6, 1962? It is a wonderful idea to contemplate. At this time, there exists no evidence directly linking the two. Perhaps in the days to come or with the definitive resolution of the Aviso and Great Miracle this extraordinary event may be more completely illuminated.
As we share recollections of the events of fifty years ago we should honor this day, worthy of remembrance for the devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de Garabandal. This day, the Angelic Patron of the Church of Jesus Christ venerated the Scapular of Saint John of God three separate times.
In Union of Prayer,
The Workers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de Garabandal
Lindenhurst, NY USA
Monday, April 30, 2012
Flame of Love
The devotion to the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Maryhas its origin in the apparitions and revelations made by the Lord Jesus and the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Kindelmann, a Hungarian mother of six, between the years 1961 and 1981. Elizabeth died on April 11, 1985. It's through her that the Virgin Mary has put into our hands a new means: The Flame of Love of her Immaculate Heart. These messages received the Imprimateur of Cardinal Ruiz.
The Flame of Love is a pressing invitation and a gift of an exceptional significance that the Lord Jesus and the Virgin Mary gives to our particularly troubled time. It is a pressing invitation, because Satan is playing havoc with the souls he is luring to follow him in great number; and a gift of an exceptional significance, because such a flood of graces has never yet been given since the Word became Flesh, as the Virgin Mary asserted to Elizabeth.
Through the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Lord Jesus invites us to take part in his work of salvation by saving the souls, and the Virgin Mary asks us to take part in the blinding of Satan, source of all evil, in order to prevent him from harming the souls. Therefore, saving souls by blinding Satan, that is the goal that the Flame of Love wants to achieve through each one of us. Jesus said to Elizabeth: “ My dear soul, wish me many souls! This is my only prayer: souls! Oh, the souls! How I languish for them! Oh, how I suffer because of the indifference of the souls! ”
The Blessed Virgin Mary urges all of us to do all that we can so that the Flame of Love is spread in the whole world. She said to Elizabeth: “ This Flame full of graces of my Immaculate Heart that I give you must go from heart to heart. It will be the great miracle whose light will blind Satan. ” The Blessed Virgin Mary also said: “ I want the Flame of Love of my Immaculate Heart to be known everywhere, just like my name is known all over the world. ”
Elizabeth once asked: " What is the Flame of Love? " Jesus answered: “ The Flame of Love of my Mother is for you what the ark was for Noah! ” And the Virgin Mary added: “ The Flame of Love of my Immaculate Heart is Jesus-Christ Himself! ”
Unquestionably, we should be grateful for a gift of this magnitude from our Heavenly Mother. To attempt even a minimal comprehension of the significance of this gesture on the human plane is futile. Hence, the times call for us to fall on our knees and seek her solicitude with faith.
Jesus King of All Nations
Urgent Message from Jesus King of All Nations!
Jesus King of All Nations gave His message below to His Secretary on June 6, 2011. Our Apostolate’s priest theologian approved it for publication. Jesus gave the message to His Secretary by interior locution and guided her to the scriptural citations contained in the message that confirmed it. Jesus warns us of a Great Chastisement about to fall upon this sinful world in order to “correct the conscience of mankind as a whole”. This Chastisement will be an act of His Perfect Justice tempered by His Infinite Mercy.
Jesus asks us to embrace His gift of the Jesus King of All Nations Devotion. Through the practice of His Devotion, we will receive graces of conversion, healing and protection. Please click here to obtain and distribute my booklet, Chastisements, How to Prepare for and Pray Against Them and click here to obtain Jesus’ medal of protection. Please forward this message to all of your friends and family.
Sincerely in Christ,
Dan Lynch, Director of the Jesus King of All Nations Devotion
Our Lord: “Urgency! Urgency My people! “Thus says the Lord God: See, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples;” (Isaiah 49:22). Great is the chastisement that is ready to descend upon this sinful world to correct the consciences of individuals and the conscience of mankind as a whole! My Sacred, Kingly and Eucharistic Heart which burns as a conflagration of Divine Love for mankind urges Me on to Mercy, yet the weightiness of mankind's sins compels My Perfect Justice to be poured out. “Because you are haughty of heart, and say, “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!” And yet you are a man, and not a god, however you may think yourself like a god.” (Ezekiel 28:2).
My Perfect Justice however is always tempered by My Infinite Mercy. It is indeed Itself an Act of Mercy whenever My Justice is accomplished for I AM Mercy Itself and there is no action either within or without the Divine Godhead that is not imbued with Mercy as it is part of My very Nature as God. It is in fact the crowning glory of all of My Divine attributes.
“But you are a God of pardons, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in mercy; you did not forsake them. Though they made themselves a molten calf, and proclaimed, ‘Here is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and were guilty of great effronteries, yet in your great mercy you did not forsake them in the desert.” (Nehemiah 9:17, 18, 19).
Those who are filled with My Spirit of Love understand well this Divine science but those filled with the spirit of this world, the spirit of self-indulgence and of prideful arrogance cannot grasp how the very Justice of God is in fact merciful. I correct My children out of Love for them.
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19). I delight not in the suffering of My children. I desire to awaken their darkened consciences that they may recognize their sinfulness and be converted that there may be a renewal of hearts and minds thereby causing the world itself to be renewed. “The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5).
“I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.” (Ezekiel 36:25-26).
Until the heart of man changes the world will not and cannot change. Greater and greater will be the catastrophes in nature which itself rebels against the sinfulness of the children of men. The earth itself writhes in horror at the weight of corruption and uncleanness it supports. It cries out for justice against its inhabitants.
“Lo, the Lord empties the land and lays it waste; he turns it upside down, scattering its inhabitants: .... The earth is utterly laid waste, utterly stripped, for the Lord has decreed this thing. The earth mourns and fades, the world languishes and fades; both heaven and earth languish. The earth is polluted because of its inhabitants, who have transgressed laws, violated statutes, broken the ancient covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants pay for their guilt; Therefore they who dwell on earth turn pale, and few men are left.” (Isaiah 24:1, 3-6). “The earth will burst asunder, the earth will be shaken apart, the earth will be convulsed. The earth will reel like a drunkard, and it will sway like a hut; Its rebellion will weigh it down,” (Isaiah 24:19, 20).
Violence, wars and hatred will grow yet greater until finally mankind will bring upon himself a great punishment, then will follow the chastisement that will fall directly from Heaven. “the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10, 11). Heed My warnings oh My people. Turn from your sinful ways at last before it is truly too late. “Return to the Lord and give up sin, pray to him and make your offenses few. Turn again to the Most High and away from sin, hate intensely what he loathes;.... How great the mercy of the Lord, his forgiveness of those who return to him!” (Sirach 17:20-21, 24).
Embrace My devotion of Jesus, King of All Nations for it is a great Mercy given by your God for these most perilous times. Contained within it are gems of all-manner of grace given through the mediation of My Immaculate Mother. Graces of forgiveness, healing and renewal of minds and hearts. “for a tree is known by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33). Why are My people not taking advantage of this gift of Mine?
Let this be done. Let My gift be accepted with faith and great confidence in My Kingly Mercy and Divine Generosity. “when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.” (Psalm 104:28).
Where is your faith oh My people? You bind My hands through your lack of faith. “Go to this people and say: You shall indeed hear but not understand. You shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people; they will not hear with their ears; they have closed their eyes, so they may not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.” (Acts 28:26-27).
Yours is the choice. I leave you free to accept or reject both My admonition and My gift.” “but the Lord's mercy reaches all flesh, reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock; Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.” (Sirach 18:11, 12-13).
Our Lady of Guadalupe weeps
The Missionary Image began its journeys in June of 1991. From the International Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, throughout America and the world, the Image has visited over 1,000 parishes in every state of the U.S.A., the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, England, Europe, Russia, China, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Israel, Australia and New Zealand.
Many tears have appeared on images of our Lady of Guadalupe. The photograph above shows The Missionary Image crying tears of blood.
Pope John Paul II said, "These are the tears of sorrow for all those who refuse the love of God, for those families who are broken or in difficulty, for the young people seduced by a consumerist civilization and so often disoriented, for the violence that still spill so much blood and for the misunderstandings and hate which dig deep trenches between individuals and peoples. They are tears of prayer and tears of hope, which melt the hardness of hearts and open them to meeting Christ the Redeemer, source of light and peace for individuals, for families, for the whole of society."
The angel of Akita, Japan said, "She weeps because she wishes the conversion of the greatest number. She desires that souls be consecrated to Jesus and to the Father by her intercession." The Akita revelations which occurred between 1973 and 1981 were approved by the Church. Bishop Ito who approved them said, "It seems to me that Our Heavenly Father needs to purify this corrupt world before allowing mankind to enter the 21st century. The Blessed Mother appears to ask for souls who will offer up their fervent prayers, sacrifices, and sufferings to God in order to contribute to the realization of God's Kingdom of Justice and Love." This is the meaning of Total Consecration, the spirituality of Pope John Paul II whose papal motto, Totus Tuus, means "Totally Yours."
A Guardian of the Missionary Image said she received a message from Our Lady of Guadalupe which requested the Total Consecration. Our Lady said, "I have gathered you my roses and you have yet to bloom. I water you with my graces and my presence. I ask you for your hearts to know and love Jesus. Pour yourselves out and allow me to fill you with the blessings of Our Father in heaven."
Several witnesses saw the Missionary Image cry after the Baptism of three children in Huntington, New York. They believed she cried because so many of her unborn children die from abortion without Baptism. Two young teenagers witnessed the Missionary Image crying during all-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at a Catholic university chapel in Spokane, Washington. Only one student came for adoration that night while many others partied right outside the chapel.
A plaque of Our Lady of Guadalupe wept apparent tears of blood on her feast day in a private home in Lewis, Kansas. One of the witnesses said, "She was crying blood this morning. Several of us prayed a Rosary and she began to cry tears again and the tears washed the blood from her eyes." The homeowner said, "Hopefully, we can all be united and pray a great deal."
A full-size image of Our Lady of Guadalupe distributed by the Missionary Image apostolate wept copious tears in front of many witnesses including a priest in Wesley Chapel, Florida. As the tears fell down the image, they turned into rose petals before the very eyes of the astonished witnesses and dropped to the floor!
Prayer can wash away tears of blood and turn tears into rose petals! Let us pray!
Our Lady of Tears
From 29 August to 1 September 1953, a plaster plaque of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, placed over the headboard of the bed of a young couple, Angelo Iannuso and Antonina Giusto, at 11 Via degli Orti St., shed human tears.
The phenomenon took place at more or less long intervals inside and outside of the home. Many saw, touched, gathered and tasted the salt of the tears.
On Sunday, 30 August an amateur film maker of Syracuse, Nicola Guarino, was able to capture the event on film, making this one of the very few miraculous happenings with such documentation.
On 1 September, at 11:00 a.m., a Commission of doctors and analysts went to the Iannuso home sent by the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Syracuse. They withdrew a sample of the liquid that flowed from the eyes. The microscopic analysis verified: “They are human tears.” After the scientific analysis, on the fourth day of the lachrymation, the weeping ceased.
Why did the Blessed Mother weep?
“Will humanity understand the mysterious language of those tears?” asked Pope Pius XII in the radio message of 1954.
Mary, in Syracuse, did not speak as to Catherine Labouré in Paris (1830), as to Massimino and Melanie at La Salette (1846), as to Bernadette at Lourdes (1858), as to Francis, Jacinta and Lucy at Fatima (1917), as to Mariette at Banneux (1933).
When there are no more words, tears are the last word.
The tears of Mary are the sign of the maternal love and of the participation of a Mother in the life of her children. Someone who loves, shares.
The tears are an expression of the sentiment of God towards us: A message of God to humanity.
It is a strong invitation to conversion of heart and to prayer, addressed to us
by Mary in her apparitions and repeated again through the silent, but eloquent, language of her tears.
Mary wept from a humble plaster plaque, in the heart of the city of Syracuse, in a home next door to an Evangelical Church; in a very modest home of a young family; over a mother awaiting her first child, sick with gestational toxicosis ... all of this cannot be without significance.
The tender message of help and encouragement of our heavenly Mother is evident. She suffers with those who suffer to defend the values of the family, the inviolability of life, the sense of the Transcendent before the prevailing materialism, the value of unity. Mary, with her tears, admonishes guides, encourages and consoles us.
Blessed John Paul II speaks
“Shrine of Our Lady of Tears, you were erected to remind the Church of the tears of our Mother.”
“The tears of Mary belong to the order of signs: They testify to the presence of our Mother in the Church and in the world. A mother weeps when she sees her children threatened by evil, be it spiritual or physical.”
“Shrine of Our Lady of Tears, you were erected to remind the Church of the tears of our Mother. May all those who are oppressed by the awareness of their sins, come here, within these welcoming walls, and experience the richness of the mercy of God and of his forgiveness! May the tears of their Mother guide them here.”
“They are tears of sorrow for all those who refuse the love of God, for those families which are broken or in difficulty, for the young people seduced by a consumerist civilization and so often disoriented, for the violence that still spills so much blood and for the misunderstandings and hate which dig deep trenches between individuals and peoples. They are tears of prayer: the Mother’s prayer that gives strength to every other prayer, and that rises in supplication for all those who do not pray because they are distracted by a thousand other interests, or because they are obstinately closed to God’s call. They are tears of hope, which melt the hardness of hearts and open them to meeting Christ the Redeemer, source of light and peace for individuals, for families, for the whole of society”.
Our Lady of Civitavecchia
On the 2nd of February 1995 - Feast of the Presentation of Jesus and the Purification of Mary - a small statue of our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary began to weep tears of blood in a family garden in St. Augustine’s parish Civitavecchia, Roma.
The statue which came from Medjugorie, represents Our Lady Queen of Peace.
From 2nd February to lSth March 1995, the statue wept tears of blood for 14 times in the presence of many people who deposed their sworn testimonies to a Theological Commission instituted by the bishop. The last lacrimation of blood by the statue happened while it was held in the hands of the bishop of Civitavecchia, Mons. Girolamo Grillo. This superceded all doubts and opened the path towards an official recognition to the event.
The small statue has been scientifically examined with positive results. There were no tricks, deceptions or apparatus hidden inside it. And the tears are those of human blood.
Finally, after many difficulties extraneous to the fact itself, the bishop placed the statue in a vase on l7th June 1995, and exposed it for veneration by the faithful.
From that l7th day of June 1995, a considerable pilgrimmage to this statue began from all parts of the world. Many testimonies of grace have been related, accompanied with tokens of appreciation that all attest to the intercession of She that all now invoke as "Our Lady of Civitavecchia" - "Madonnina di Civitavecchia".
Our Lady of America
It was on the eve of the feast of the North American martyrs, September 25, 1956, that Our Lady appeared to Sr. Mary Ephrem. In 1938, Sister began to have what seemed like mystical spiritual experiences. She thought little of them, presuming all religious had them. As these visits took on the nature of a specific program of devotion to Mary that Sister was asked to propagate, she then turned to Monsignor Paul F. Leibold. Monsignor Leibold, later Archbishop of the Cincinnati, Ohio Archdiocese, would be her spiritual director from many years until 1972, when he suddenly died due to an aneurysm.
Archbishop Leibold had become so convinced of the authenticity of this message that he approved Sister’s writings and placed his imprimatur on the design of the medal. Our Lady had asked Sister to have a medal struck that would bear the image of Our Lady of America on the front and the symbol of the Christian Family and the Blessed Trinity on the back.
In the course of approving the writings of Sister Mary Ephrem, Monsignor Paul F. Leibold considered the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title, "Our Lady of America" as distinct from her title "Empress of The Americas" (referring to Our Lady of Guadalupe who has patronage over all the American nations, as declared by Pope Pius XII in 1945). Our Lady of America (in the singular) focuses primarily on the United States of America, as revealed in 1956.
Our Lady promised that greater miracles than those granted at Lourdes and Fatima would be granted here in America, the United States in particular, if we do as She desires. Sister Mary Ephrem stated that Our Lady called herself Our Lady of America in response to the love and desire for this special title in the hearts of her children in America. For example, Our Lady spoke approvingly about the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. on many occasions.
This title is a sign of Our Lady’s pleasure in the devotion of her children in America towards her, and her visit is a response to the longing, conscious or unconscious, in the hearts of her children in America.
"It is the United States that is to lead the world to peace, the peace of Christ, the peace that He brought with Him from heaven," Sister Mary Ephrem quoted The Virgin as saying:
"Dear children, unless the United States accepts and carries out faithfully the mandate given to it by heaven to lead the world to peace, there will come upon it and all nations a great havoc of war and incredible suffering. If, however, the United States is faithful to this mandate from heaven and yet fails in the pursuit of peace because the rest of the world will not accept or cooperate, then the United States will not be burdened with the punishment about to fall.
Weep, then, dear children, weep with your mother over the sins of men… Intercede with me before the throne of mercy, for sin is overwhelming the world and punishment is not far away.
It is the darkest hour, but if men will come to me, my Immaculate heart will make it bright again with the mercy which my Son will rain down through my hands. Help me save those who will not save themselves. Help me bring once again the sunshine of God’s peace upon the world.
If my desires are not fulfilled much suffering will come to this land. My faithful one, if my warnings are taken seriously and enough of my children strive constantly and faithfully to renew and reform themselves in their inward and outward lives, then there will be no nuclear war. What happens to the world depends upon those who live in it. There must be much more good than evil prevailing in order to prevent the holocaust that is so near approaching. Yet I tell you, my daughter, even should such a destruction happen because there were not enough souls who took my warning seriously, there will remain a remnant, untouched by the chaos who, having been faithful in following me and spreading my warnings, will gradually inhabit the earth again with their dedicated and holy lives."
On October 13, 1956, Our Lady again appeared as Our Lady of America, but instead of a lily in her hand, she held, with both hands, a small replica of the finished Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. "This is my shrine, my daughter. I am very pleased with it. Tell my children I thank them. Let them finish it quickly and make it a place of pilgrimage. It will be a place of wonders. I promise this. I will bless all those who, either by prayers, labor, or material aid, help to erect this shrine." According to Sister Mary Ephrem, Our Lady often emphasized her desire that the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., be made a place of special pilgrimage and that she be honored there under this image and the title "Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin."
Strong warnings were repeated by Our Lady throughout 1957 and 1958, and there after, indicating that the hour grows late and Sister must tell the Bishops of the United States of Our Lady’s desires and how she wishes them to be carried out. Our Lady spoke:
"Unless my children reform their lives, they will suffer great persecution. If man himself will not take upon himself the penance necessary to atone for his sins and those of others, God in His justice will have to send upon him the punishment necessary to atone for his transgressions."
In August 1957 The Blessed Virgin said:
"What am I to do, child of my heart, when my children turn from me? The false peace of this world lures them and in the end will destroy them. They think they have done enough in consecrating themselves to my Immaculate Heart. It is not enough. That which I ask for and is most important many have not given me. What I ask, have asked, and will continue to ask is reformation of life. There must be sanctification from within. I will work my miracles of grace only in those who ask for them and empty their souls of the love and attachment to sin and all that is displeasing to my Son. Souls who cling to sin cannot have their hands free to receive the treasures of grace that I hold out to them."
The Blessed Virgin Mary has promised that, once placed in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, her statue as Our Lady of America will be a safeguard for our country, and her picture or statue honored in homes, a safeguard for the family. She also promised that the medal would be a safeguard against evil for those who wear it with great faith and devotion.
* * * * *
We end with the words of Our Lady as related by Sister Mary Ephrem, regarding the wondrous graces her children in America will receive if they do as she tells them, which includes leading lives of great purity and having the bishops in the United States enshrine the statue of Our Lady of America in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Message of September 25, 1956
On the eve of the feast of the North American Martyrs, September 25, 1956, as I was making the Holy Hour from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, I was conscious of the distinct and special feeling of the presence of Our Lady. She stood by my side and spoke to me. I felt, rather than saw her, though I did see a part of her white gown and a small portion of her blue sash. I was under the impression that she came as Our Lady of Lourdes, and she herself confirmed this. Our Lady promised that greater miracles than those granted at Lourdes and Fatima would be granted here in America, the United States in particular, if we would do as she desires.
These are the words she spoke to me at this time:
"I am pleased, my child, with the love and honor my children in America give to me, especially through my glorious and unique privilege of the Immaculate Conception. I promise to reward their love by working through the power of my Son’s Heart and my Immaculate Heart miracles of grace among them. I do not promise miracles of the body, but of the soul."
Our Lady emphasized this very much. She is anxiously concerned about our inner life.
She continued:
"For it is mainly through these miracles of grace that the Holy Trinity is glorified among men and nations. Let America continue and grow in its love for me, and I in return, in union with the Heart of my Son, promise to work wonders in her. My child, I desire that this be known."
The next morning, the feast of the North American Martyrs, Mass had just been concluded and the Community thanksgiving was almost over. There were a few minutes left when suddenly Our Lady appeared before me, enveloped in a soft glow of light. I knew with unmistakable certainty that it was she, though she did not speak immediately. What I noticed was the smile on Our Lady’s beautiful countenance and the lily she held in her right hand. She wore a white veil reaching almost to the waist and a mantle and robe of pure white with not a single decoration of any kind. An oblong-shaped clasp or brooch held the ends of the mantle together at the top. It was all gold, as was the high and brilliant crown which she wore. Her hair and her eyes seemed of medium brown. Her feet were bare, but these I did not always see, as they were sometimes covered by the moving clouds on which Our Lady stood. She continued to smile. Then I saw her heart appear, encircled with red roses, the symbol of suffering as it was revealed to me, and sending forth flames of fire. With her left hand Our Lady seemed to be holding up slightly the upper part of her mantle, so that her Immaculate Heart could be seen.
Then solemnly and distinctly, in calm yet majestic tones, I heard these words:
"I am Our Lady of America. I desire that my children honor me, especially by the purity of their lives."
She was very beautiful and her smile held me. But I became conscious of the fact that the other Sisters were leaving the chapel, and I, too, had to go as obedience directed me. I said to Our Lady, "Please forgive me, Mother, but I do have to go now or my work will not get finished."
Our Lady understood, but she did not leave me. When I entered my room, she was there waiting for me. Then I noticed the green color of the lily stem in her hand and the white sash or belt which she wore around her waist. It seemed to be made of the same material as the robe. It was narrow, very narrow, and no ends of it could be seen at all. As I had to hurry about my tasks, I could not give Our Lady all the attention I longed to, but every now and then I would direct a glance of love toward her. Our Lady stood there smiling as I had seen her in the chapel. All that day I was conscious of Our Lady’s presence in a very special manner, in a way that was distinctly new to me.
On the afternoon of the same day, during the last half of the Holy Hour between 4:00 and 5:00, the Immaculate Virgin spoke to me at length in these words:
"My child, I entrust you with this message that you must make known to my children in America. I wish it to be the country dedicated to my purity. The wonders I will work will be the wonders of the soul. They must have faith and believe firmly in my love for them. I desire that they be the children of my Pure Heart. I desire, through my children of America, to further the cause of faith and purity among peoples and nations. Let them come to me with confidence and simplicity, and I, their Mother, will teach them to become pure like to my Heart that their own hearts may be more pleasing to the Heart of my Son."
Our Blessed Mother called herself Our Lady of America in response to the love and desire that reached out for this special title in the hearts of her children in America. This title was the sign of her pleasure at the confidence our land places in her and as a reward for its staunch and childlike devotion to her. Her children longed for this personal visit of Our Lady, whether consciously or otherwise, and in her kindness and mercy she responded far beyond all expectations.
Though she came in this manner as a token of her love for us, nevertheless Our Lady of America welcomes her children of all nations to her feet, for there will be found true peace. So she has given me to understand, and such are her desires as she revealed them to me.
Our Lady, moreover, often emphasized her desire that the Shrine in Washington, D.C. be made a place of special pilgrimage. She wishes to be honored there as Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin.
After this date I saw Our Lady frequently. She seemed anxious to impress me with the truth and importance of her appearance.
Message of October 13, 1956
Following is the account of Our Lady’s next visit, which occurred on October 13, 1956:
Today the Holy Virgin appeared to me as I was working in my room. Our Lady was very beautiful, and she was again smiling in her heavenly way. She was dressed in the same manner as when I first saw her, except that her Immaculate Heart did not appear. Instead of the lily, she held with both hands a small replica of the finished Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. She then began to speak. Her presence overwhelmed me with its holiness. I was compelled to stop my work, for it was impossible to go on. I then knelt down and wrote Our Lady’s words as she desired:
"This is my shrine, my daughter. I am very pleased with it. Tell my children I thank them. Let them finish it quickly and make it a place of pilgrimage. It will be a place of wonders. I promise this: I will bless all those who, either by prayers, labor, or material aid, help to erect this shrine."
Message of November 15, 1956
On the morning of November 15, 1956, Our Lady taught me this little prayer:
"By thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, deliver us from evil."
Our Lady then asked me to draw a picture of her first appearance. She also requested a statue made according to this likeness and placed, after being solemnly carried in procession, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. She wishes to be honored there in a special way as Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin.
Message of January 1957
From January 1957 to 1958, Our Lady’s warnings came to me again and again. These are her words spoken in January 1957:
"The hour grows late. My Son’s patience will not last forever. Help me hold back His anger, which is about to descend on sinful and ungrateful men. Suffering and anguish, such as never before experienced, is about to overtake mankind. It is the darkest hour. But if men will come to me, my Immaculate Heart will make it bright again with the mercy which my Son will rain down through my hands. Help me save those who will not save themselves. Help me bring once again the sunshine of God’s peace upon the world."
To my spiritual director I was asked to send this message:
"Hurry, my son, for the time is short but the punishment will be long, and for many, forever.Tell the Bishops of the United States, my loyal sons, of my desires and how I wish them to be carried out. Through him who is head over you, make known the longings of my Immaculate Heart to establish the reign of my Divine Son in the hearts of men and thus save them from the scourge of heaven, both now and hereafter."
Our Lady, again addressing herself to me, spoke sadly yet hopefully:
"My daughter, will my children in America listen to my pleadings and console my Immaculate Heart? Will my loyal sons carry out my desires and thus help me bring the peace of Christ once again to mankind?Pray and do penance, my sweet child, that this may come to pass. Trust me and love me; I so desire it. Do not forget your poor Mother, who weeps over the loss of so many of her children."
This summation and messages of Our Lady of America are taken from the official website of Our Lady of America. For more information please see www.ourladyofamerica.com.
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