January 21, 2025

Miracles

Faith Beyond Facts: 5 Catholic Miracles That Science Can’t Explain

Mother & Refuge02 mins

1. The Miracle of the Sun at FatimaIn 1917, over 100,000 people witnessed the sun dancing in the sky of Fatima, Portugal. “The sun started spinning like a pinwheel, casting multi-colored lights all over the place.” Skeptics and faithful were left stunned, says Scheel. It is one of the most documented and extraordinary miracles in Church history. 2. Our Lady of LourdesLourdes, France, has been a site of healing since St. Bernadette’s vision of Our Lady in 1858. Scheel says “there’s been over 7,000 scientifically attested miraculous recoveries from her intercession.” These cures are each scrutinized and confirmed by the Lourdes Medical Bureau. 3. The Miracle of LancianoIn the 8th century, a doubting priest witnessed the Eucharist turn into actual flesh and blood. Scheel explains scientific investigation of “the flesh was found to be a human striated muscular tissue of the myocardium, the heart wall.” Even though it’s 1250 years old, this relic shows no signs of decay today! 4. The Blood of St. JanuariusA vial of St. Januarius’ dried blood in Naples, Italy, liquefies every year on his feast days. “This happens on TV, like you can see it,” says Scheel. This public miracle has been observed and recorded for centuries without any explanation. 5. The Universal Blood Type of Eucharistic MiraclesScheel explains that “all major blood miracles or Eucharistic miracles of our Lord have the same blood type, AB.” This incredibly rare type, the universal recipient, is a remarkable consistency with profound symbolism of Christ’s blood being able to save all.

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Did You know the Oldest Marian Apparition?

Mother & Refuge25 mins

Our Lady of the Pillar (officially in Spanish, Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza,) is recognized as the first Marian apparition in the history of Christianity and is the only one that happened while the Virgin Mary was still alive. Although it was technically a bilocation of Our Lady, because she was living with John the Apostle in Jerusalem, it is still regarded as an apparition by the tradition of the Church. According to tradition, James the Greater, brother of Saint John the Evangelist, traveled with great effort to Roman Hispania (modern-day Spain) to evangelize the local tribes.   He not only confronted great difficulties but he also saw very little apostolic fruits of conversion. Tradition says that when he was at his lowest point of discouragement, in A.D. 40, while he was sitting by the banks of the Ebro river in Zaragoza (back then known as Caesaraugusta) Mary appeared to him accompanied by thousands of angels, to console and encourage him. The Virgin Mary, with the Child Jesus in her arms and standing on a pillar, asked Saint James and his eight disciples to build a church on the site, promising that “it will stand from that moment until the end of time in order that God may work miracles and wonders through my intercession for all those who place themselves under my patronage.” The church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, is the first church dedicated to Mary in history and it remains standing to this day, having survived invasions and wars.  During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Communists dropped three bombs on the church from an airplane, the bombs tore through the roof and hit the floor, but none of them exploded. The three now deactivated bombs are currently on display in one of the Basilica’s walls.  Our Lady is also said to have given the small wooden statue of the apparition to Saint James, which now stands on the pillar she arrived on. The wooden statue is a relatively simple image 15 inches high, standing on a jasper pillar 5.9 feet tall. But the crown adorning her head is a masterpiece. It was made in 44 days by 33 workmen. The sun-like crown is made of 2,836 diamonds cut triangularly, 2725 roses, 145 pearls, 74 emeralds, 62 rubies and 46 sapphires. The crown of the baby Jesus is identical in shape although not in size. The Basilica was redesigned and expanded several times during its history. The current structure was completed in the 17th century, includes 11 brightly colored tiled domes, and is the second biggest church in Spain. Nuestra Señora del Pilar is not only the patroness of Spain, but also of all Hispanic peoples since it was on Oct. 12, 1492, the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, that Christopher Columbus arrived at American land and the first Mass in the Americas was celebrated. Read more…

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Photos | Incorrupt hand of St Theresa of Avila

Mother & Refuge02 mins

Catholic tradition has long venerated the remains of saints. Don’t confuse veneration, which is honoring a saint; with worship, which is given to God alone. After the death of a particularly saintly person, the physical remains and personal effects are preserved (relics). The vessel which holds such relics is called a reliquary. The ornate metal encasement which contains the hand (relic) of St. Teresa of Avila is a reliquary. When this particular reliquary is rotated, palm side towards the viewer, it is possible to see her actual hand through some of the transparent areas. In the palm you see the mark of the wounds of Christ, referred to as stigmata. When St. Teresa of Avila died the sisters in her convent buried her, hoping to preserve her within their order. Nine months later, when her coffin was opened, her body was found to be incorruptible (intact and undecayed). Before it was re-interred, her hand was removed. That is the source of the relic referred to in this story. Relatively recently, 1939-1976, following the end of the Spanish Civil War, this relic of St Teresa was removed from the convent by General Franco, a devout Catholic. Rumor is he kept it in his sleeping quarters while he was ruler of Spain. It is said, that at the time of his death, he had it beside him on his pillow. After his death in 1976, the Discalced Carmelites of Ronda requested and were granted the return of the relic.

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The Blessed Ulma family Bible had 3 verses underlined

Mother & Refuge04 mins

By Aleteia While the universal Church is just now getting to know the Ulma family — and finding ourselves in awe at their testimony and what this family means for the Church everywhere — in their hometown of Markowa, they’ve been well known for decades. They were known and loved by their neighbors even before their tragic deaths, and have since become known further. Locals call them the Good Samaritans of Markowa. In an extensive interview at Our Sunday Visitor with the postulator of their beatification cause, we learn that the family Bible of the Ulmas had just a few verses underlined. Father Witold Burda explained to OSV: There are two [two sections; technically three verses, editor’s note] underlined verses in the Bible found in their home, and they’re under the title of the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is necessary to speak out about it and even more so about the fact that there is the word “yes” added in pencil next to it. We want to live this way. “Yes”   What are those verses, underlined by either the father, Jozef, or the mother, Wiktoria, of the family?   [Update: Aleteia has been made aware of some slight variance in the reports about what is underlined in the family Bible. In the preface to the book Martyred and Blessed Together: The Extraordinary Story of the Ulma Family, the postulator reports: First, “For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?” from chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel, the famous Sermon on the Mount, which states the duties of a Christian. Second, the title of chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke is underlined in red:“The Good Samaritan.” And next to it is a note with a single word: “Yes.”  A previous report was that the following verses are underlined:] “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk 10:27, quoting Deuteronomy 6) and “A Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him: He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him onto his own mount and took him to an inn and looked after him” (Lk 10:33-34). Read more…

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A smiling Argentine nun on her way to canonization

Mother & Refuge02 mins

By Aleteia In 2016 social media was ablaze with the pictures of a smiling nun, with the caption that the nun was near the moment of death. While the picture was not taken at the moment of her death, it was a picture of a joyous and smiling nun who embraced her suffering. Sister Cecilia, a Carmelite of Santa Fe in Argentina, was suffering from lung cancer in 2016 and died on June 23 at the age of 43. At the time Aleteia was able to obtain an interview with the Carmelites and related more information about Sister Cecilia. Despite her illness, she did not lose her joy, which was sustained by the support of her numerous family members, who remained close by. Joyful nieces and nephews congregated in the gardens outside the hospital where she was admitted for some weeks, sending her messages and helium balloons to distract and entertain her from the window. Those who saw her spoke of her face as showing peace and joy — as someone awaiting the encounter with the One to whom she had given her life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. On the road to canonization According to the Catholic News Agency, “The archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz in Argentina, Sergio Fenoy, signed the edict that begins the process prior to the opening of the cause of canonization of Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face.” Read more…

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Man cured of cancer through the intercession of John Paul II

Mother & Refuge16 mins

ernando Pedro Nieto Giménez is the provincial of the Spanish Province of the Order of Knights of St. John Paul II. When his beloved son fell ill with an aggressive form of cancer, he was terrified. He went to the hospital chapel next door and prayed through the intercession of the Polish pope for a miracle. And a miracle happened … His connection with John Paul II began in 1980 when he was a young man. He was active in the community at Sacred Heart parish in Albacete, Spain. Meeting the Holy Father became an experience that deepened his spiritual life and relationship with God. “The testimony of his life fascinated me so much that when the parish planned a trip to Madrid for World Youth Day, in the first days of November 1982, I agreed without hesitation to co-organize the pilgrimage,” Giménez tells us in an interview. Years later, Giménez started a family and eagerly awaited the birth of his son.  Then in 2008 his world collapsed like a house of cards. His 20-year-old son, named Fernando after his father, was taken urgently to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed the young man with third-stage lymphoma and gave him little chance of survival.  Fighting for his son’s life    Upon hearing the diagnosis, Giménez was terrified. He went to the hospital’s chapel next door to ask God to save him. “There was only one small holy card lying in the chapel — an image of John Paul II. I had thanked him many times for his intercession in various matters, so I thought to myself, ‘Why shouldn’t I ask the Holy Father for a miracle of healing for our son?’” Giménez says.  As the man left the chapel, he took the holy card with him. He and his wife prayed day after day for their child’s health. However, the miracle they were praying for didn’t seem to happen. The 20-year-old’s condition steadily deteriorated. His parents moved heaven and earth to help their sick son. “The doctor who treated our son scheduled 16 sessions of chemotherapy. He told us that in the middle of the treatment process he would do some follow-up tests to check the effectiveness of the therapy. He explained to us that the medications might have to be changed because the ones they were currently using might not be effective,” Giménez recalls.  Prayer in the hospital chapel  Before their son started chemotherapy, Giménez and his wife, along with other families from the parish, went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. They asked the Blessed Virgin Mary for the grace of health for their child. Eight months later, Giménez received a phone call informing him that a private clinic in Madrid would provide an experimental treatment for which the 20-year-old, after a series of specialized tests, might qualify. “If you want, come,” they told him over the phone.  The doctors conducted detailed tests. They had to wait several hours for their results. In Madrid, Giménez went to the hospital chapel again.  “I no longer prayed for his healing, but for him to be able to come to terms with his passing,” Giménez says. He was already running out of hope that the tragic situation could change and that his son would overcome his terminal illness.  A miracle through the intercession of John Paul II  Giménez spent the entire night in prayer. In the morning he went to meet with the doctors. He heard from them that his son was healthy. There was no trace of the cancer! “His body is clean. It’s as if the cancer was never there. We don’t know what happened, but it’s all gone,” the hospital staff explained.  Fernando couldn’t believe what had happened.  “What do you mean? Is his cancer in remission?” he asked.  Read more…

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HOLY ANGELS SEAL THE COMMUNITIES | PODCAST

Mother & Refuge0144 mins

(Please wait till load & click play button) Part A Part B Subtitles  (You can download if interested) Powered By EmbedPress HOLY ANGELS SEAL THE COMMUNITIES With Their Queen Mary, our Guardian Angels and the Sealed Angels for the Last Times, United with the Whole of Heaven, all will Help God’s children far beyond all human measure, to abandon all things and submitunconditionally to God, so that all that God’s Love Wills may be accomplished in them. The main task of some Angels is the apocalyptic battle, while others Seal the communities of God in the Last Times against the terrors of the infernal powers. The Angels will enclose in these communities love and fidelity, duty and measure, growth, beauty, and the Mercy of God, when outside everything falls in ruin. Through this Love of God, the children will be protected and safe. There will flourish holiness and purity, and a maximum of love in the Church undreamt ofbefore. And that time will Dawn of which it is written in the Gospel, that young men will have visions and men will be permitted to look upon the Glory of God’s Kingdom. What is, after all, the Work of the Angels and theknowledge of the Angels, if not such a Gracious Descent of the Kingdom of God?God has made His Covenant also with you, O man! Every day the Priest lays the pledge of God’s Fidelityupon your lips. Take care that the broken crown of Divine Childhood does not one day lay at the feet ofyour Angel. 2 Timothy 2:19 – “But the Sure Foundation of God standeth Firm, having this Seal: the Lord Knoweth who are His; and let everyone depart from iniquity who nameth the Name of the Lord.”The Return of Christ – Mark 13:24-27 – “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give its light, and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they shall see the Son of Man Coming in Clouds with Great Power and Glory. And then He shall send forth the Angels and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.” Our Lady to Father Gobbi, Marian Movement of Priests #63 – Dongo (Como, Italy); December 7, 1974 – “Therefore, in order to recognize this Action of Mine, you Must have the eyes of a little child, the mind of a littlechild, the heart of a little child. You Must again become simple, humble, recollected, poor, innocent. You Must truly become once again those little children to whom alone will be Revealed the Plans of God, the Mysteriesof the Kingdom of God.” From The Apostles by Pope Benedict XVI – “The subject of one of the most important visions of the Book of Revelation is this Lamb in the act of opening a Scroll, previously closed with Seven Seals that no one hadbeen able to break Open. Of the nine choirs of Holy Angels, one choir are Angels of Love, who go over all of Creation. And precisely in this choir, Almighty God brought together the Sealed Angels of the Last Times; we know them out of theApocalypse: the seven who go out to Seal the communities of God, and the three who call to judgment; and again seven, who pour the bowls of God’s Wrath over the earth, and three, who go out to harvest. The Angelswith the seven trumpets (Apocalypse) come from other choirs. The Seals signify a locking up. Seven Angels go out to Seal the communities.These Sealed Angels are Angels of the Last Times, which means they will have their greatest force and their actual work in the Last Times: seven of them go out to Seal the communities of God from the horrors of the LastTimes; against the onslaught of the Evil One in the Last Time; against the horrors of the devastation. The Seven Angels to Seal the Communities:1. Seals Love – Seals growth in those in the Church persevering in love and fidelity in God.2. Seals the Gates – Protects those striving and longing in affliction.3. Seal-Angel of the Bride of Christ – Preserves the beauty of the Spouse of Christ.4. Seals Duty – Locks up the consciousness of duty and fidelity to God.5. Angel of Mercy – Throws out Mercy and bring in the catch of God.6. Seals Dark Faith – Seals the ship of the Angels with Mary, for the community to be a guiding light for others.7. Seals Order and Measure – Connects love and measure, justice and law for Judgement. Before the Judge Comes upon the Clouds, once more He will send out very Powerful Angels, to Shake the earth and Remind it of the Omnipotence and Sovereignty of God. These Actions of the Holy Angels can be recognized in the Good works of Popes throughout time, and certainly in these times. From the Book of Heaven – the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta:V14 – 4.25.22 – “I, Jesus, place thousands of Angels as Custodians of One Single Act done in My Will. In fact, since these Acts done in My Will are Seeds so that My Will may be done on earth as It is in Heaven, All areJealous of these Acts. Their Dew is My Breath; their Shadow is My Light. The Angels remain Enraptured by them and, Reverent, they Adore them, because in these Acts they see the Eternal Will, that Deserves All theirAdoration. And only when I find other souls who, picking them as Divine Fruits, make of them Food for their souls, then are these Acts Left. O! the Fecundity and Multiplicity of these Acts! The creature herself who doesthem cannot count them.” V14 – 11.11.22 – “Therefore I tell you, True daughter of My Volition, First Happy Birth from My Will – Be Attentive and Faithful to…

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