2023/09/28

HOW TO BE A GOOD CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN?



Being a good Catholic Christian involves living your life in accordance with the teachings and principles of the Catholic Church. Here are some fundamental steps to help you on your journey:

Attend Mass Regularly: Attend Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation. This is a central act of worship in the Catholic faith.

Prayer: Establish a regular prayer routine. This includes personal prayer, saying grace before meals, and using traditional Catholic prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Rosary.

Read and Study the Bible:
The Bible is a fundamental text for Catholics. Read and study it to deepen your understanding of the faith. You can also consider joining a Bible study group at your local parish.

Receive the Sacraments:
Participate in the sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Marriage (if applicable), Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (if you become a priest or nun).

Adhere to Catholic Morality: Live a life in line with Catholic moral teachings. This includes respecting the sanctity of life, the dignity of all persons, and following the Ten Commandments.

Confession: Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) regularly to seek forgiveness for sins and to receive spiritual guidance.

Serve Others: Engage in acts of charity and service. The Catholic Church places a strong emphasis on helping those in need.

Community Involvement: Be an active member of your local parish. Joining parish groups and organizations can help you build a strong sense of community and support.

Learn from the Saints: Study the lives of saints and try to emulate their virtues and holiness in your own life.

Educate Yourself: Continually deepen your understanding of Catholic teachings and theology. Attend classes, read books, and seek guidance from knowledgeable individuals.

Moral and Ethical Decisions: Make moral and ethical decisions in your daily life. Consult with your priest or spiritual advisor when facing difficult choices.

Pray for Guidance: Seek God's guidance in your life through prayer. Be open to discerning God's will for your life and following it.

Fasting and Penance: Practice fasting and penance, especially during Lent and on other prescribed days, as a way to grow in self-discipline and spirituality.

Respect for Authority: Respect the authority of the Pope and the teachings of the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church).

Spread the Gospel: Share your faith with others, both through your words and your actions. Be a positive example of a Catholic Christian.


Remember that being a good Catholic Christian is an ongoing journey and a personal relationship with God. It's essential to approach it with sincerity, humility, and a desire to grow in your faith. Additionally, seek guidance and support from your local parish community and spiritual leaders.

2023/09/19

WHAT IS A MARIAN APPARITION?

WHAT IS A MARIAN APPARITION?

A “Marian Apparition” is a reported supernatural appearance by the “Blessed Virgin Mary”; who is also known as “Mother Mary”, “Mother of God”, and “Queen Mother”, as the mother of Jesus Christ of the New Testament Bible as the holy book of the Christians and Christian Churches.
The religious figure is often named after the town where it is reported, or on the sobriquet (or nickname) given to Mary on the occasion of the apparition. Most apparitions provide a message, wherein the Blessed Virgin speaks to the people through “Marian messages”.
Marian apparitions sometimes are reported to recur at the same site over an extended period of time. Among the majority of Marian apparitions, only one person or a few people report of having witnessed the apparition; but exceptions to this include: Zeitoun (Egypt), Fatima (Portugal), and Assiut (Egypt) wherein thousands claimed to have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary over a period of time.
Some Marian apparitions and their respective global icons have received a Canonocal coronation from the Pope (of the Roman Catholic Church of the Vatican City in Rome, Italy).
Through there has been hundreds to thousands of claims of Marian apparitions particularly between 19th-20th century – only a few have been approved by the Pope for veneration, such as:
1. “Our Lady of Guadalupe” (Mexico, 1531; or Our Lady the Pregnant Mother); Virgin Mary appeared to a Native American Indian named Saint Juan Diego and his tilma clothing had an imprint of the image of Mother Mary (as a pregnant mother); then caused the conversion of millions of Native American Indians to Christianity, and they gave up the religio-political practice of human sacrifice; Mother Mary proclaimed herself as “the Mother of the true God who gives life”;
2. “Our Lady of Poland” (Lezajsk, Poland, 1578; or Our Lady of Forests); a pious woodcutter saw a bright light in the forest and the Virgin Mary asked him to alert the authorities to establish a church in the forest;
3. “Our Lady of Siluva” (Lithuania, 1608; or Our Lady of Young Shepherds); a weeping Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus appeared to young shepherds, then the town that lost its faith was restored to the Christian faith and a blind man was cured;
4. “Our Lady of Laus” (in Laus, France, 1664; or Our Lady of Happy Meetings); Virgin Mary appeared to a poor shepherdress and asked her to pray continuously for sinners;
5. “Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal” (Paris, France, 1830; or Our Lady of Miracles); Virgin Mary appeared three times to Saint Catherine Laboure (a novice nun) and she was commissioned to have the medal of the Immaculate Conception to spread the devotion; she also gave the prediction of the Paris Revolution, that happened 41 years after the apparition;
6. “Our Lady of Zion” (Rome, Italy, 1842; Our Lady of Conversion); Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to a man named Marie, an anti-Catholic Jew but converted to Christianity and joined the priesthood, then began a ministry for the conversion of Jews;
7. “Our Lady of La Salette” (France, 1846; or Our Lady of Protection); Virgin Mary appeared to shepherds in the mountains, and her appearance in sorrow called for conversion and penance for sins; she gave prophecies that Rome will lose faith and will become the seat of the Anti-Christ;
8. “Our Lady of Lourdes” (France, 1858; or Our Lady of Spiritual Healing); the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous under the title “Immaculate Conception” and many sick people became cured, as she called for penance and prayer for the conversion of sinners; a healing spring was established as a pilgrimage site for people worldwide;
9. “Our Lady Help of Christians” (Czech Republic, 1866); Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to an orphan named Magdalene who suffered serious illnesses; then she was immediately cured after the Marian apparitions;
10. “Our Lady of Hope” (Pontmain, France, 1871); Virgin Mary appeared to young students above a farm house beside the convent school; they made a banner design with Mother Mary’s message written at her feet – “Pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved by compassion”; then an invading army halted their invasion after soldiers have allegedly seen the Virgin Mary in the sky;
11. “Our Lady of Gietrzwald” (Poland, 1877; or Our Lady of Two Sisters); Virgin Mary appeared to young girls and encouraged them to return to prayer; a healing spring was established that brought the return of devotion among the villagers;
12. “Our Lady of Knock” (Ireland, 1879; or Our Lady of Fathers and Apostles); Mother Mary with Father Saint Joseph and Saint John the Beloved Apostle and the “Lamb of God with a Cross” appeared outside the village chapel enveloped with a bright light; and more than 25 people prayed as it was raining in the evening;
13. “Our Lady of Fatima” (Portugal, 1917; or Our Lady of the Holy Rosary); Virgin Mary appeared to young shepherds who identified herself as “Our Lady of the Rosary” and urged people to pray the holy rosary, and penance for the conversion of sinners; moreover, allegedly thousands witnessed the miracle of the dancing sun; messages known as “the three secrets” included revelations about the existence of hell as punishment for grave sinners, the need for the conversion and consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary, and the prophecy that warns Christians that “Satan will introduce himself even to the highest summit of the Church”; then after a great war, an era of true peace shall be given to humanity and Mother Mary’s Immaculate Heart will triumph;
14. “Our Lady of Beauraing” (Belgium, 1932; or The Immaculate Virgin with the Golden Heart); Virgin Mary appeared to young children while playing at the playground of a convent school and she identified herself as “The Immaculate Virgin” and the “Mother of God, Queen of Heaven”; she called everyone for prayer for the conversion of sinners;
15. “Our Lady of Banneux” (Belgium, 1933; or Our Lady of the Poor); during winter, Virgin Mary appeared in a snow-covered garden while a young girl was inside a family’s cottage; then she called herself “The Virgin of the Poor” as she promised to intercede for the poor people, the sick, and suffering from oppression; and she was asked to establish a healing spring with clean water for pilgrims and they reported many cases of miraculous healings;
16. “Our Lady of Kibeho” (Rwanda, 1981; or Our Lady of the Word); Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to many children at a high school for girls and they were given visions of Jesus; she also appeared to young women and called herself “The Mother of God”; they were all asked to warn the people about a coming civil war, wherein after more than a decade, the war took place that took more than a million lives; etc.
As established in the Council of Trent (1545-63), the local bishop is the first and main authority in the judgement of the authenticity of Marian apparition claims. However, Vatican approval is not required for an apparition to be considered authentic.
Moreover, there were cases of negative judgments (or disapproval) that have later been changed to positive judgments (or approval and/or for further investigation) – for as long as the alleged Marian apparition has messages not contrary to the faith and morals of Christians; and that Mary (as the “Mother of God”) can be venerated to have stronger faith in God as the Holy Trinity (with God the Father Our Creator, God the Son Our Lord Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit) and in devotion to the Holy Family (through family love among all people).
Other Marian apparitions under investigation (but gained worldwide acclaim as devotions and/or with established pilgrimage sites), include the following:
1. “Our Lady of Zeitoun” (1968-1971, Cairo, Egypt; or Our Lady of the Christian Church); mass Marian apparition of Virgin Mary on top of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary; as witnessed by thousands of non-Christians, primarily Muslims; the event was on record by video, television, and newspaper;
2. “Our Lady of Assiut” (2000-2001, Egypt; or Our Lady of All Churches); mass Marian apparition of Virgin Mary with a dove of the Holy Spirit above her; as witnessed by thousands of non-Christians, primarily Muslims; the event was on record by video, television, and newspaper;
3. “Our Lady of Akita” (Japan, 1973; or Our Lady of Warnings); Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to a nun that emphasized praying the holy rosary and penance with prophecies regarding persecution and heresy within the Catholic Church; the message of Mother Mary said, “If men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity”;
4. “Our Lady of Medjugorje” (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1981; or Our Lady of Holy Books, Queen of Peace); Virgin Mary appeared in visions to young children - Ivan, Jakov, Marija, Mirjana, Vicka, and Ivanka - who wrote messages about mother’s love until they’re grown-ups; Mother Mary’s messages include the final battle between her son Jesus and the devil; and Blessed Mary required faith in her help from heaven, even if the country’s predominantly Muslim that uses the Quran but with Mother Mary as the only woman mentioned in their holy book;
5. “Our Lady of Walsingham” (England, 11th century; or Our Lady of the Royal Families); Virgin Mary appeared to a family man and was asked to build “The Holy House” in the rural town; the image is venerated by both Roman Catholics and Anglicans (or Church of England); but Mother Mary’s message includes the conversion of England to venerate the image of Mother Mary as “Queen Mother” carrying the Baby Jesus as “King Child” in heaven;
6. “Our Lady of the Pillar” (Zaragoza, Spain, 1st century; or Our Lady of Strong Support); Virgin Mary appeared to Apostle James the Greater and an image of a miniature “Mother Mary and Child” statue was requested to be made that was placed on top of a very large marble pillar;
7. “Our Lady of Manaoag” (Pangasinan, Philippines, 16th century; or Our Lady of Farmers); Virgin Mary, holding a rosary on her right hand and holding the Child Jesus on her left hand, appeared to a rural farmer to spread the devotion to the “mother and child” image; then a town was established for this and it endured wars throughout the years;
8. “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” (Rome, Italy, 15th century); Virgin Mary appeared to those who prayed in devotion to the religious icon that came from a monastery; then it was transferred to a public church for all people to venerate the “mother and child” image;
9. “Our Lady of the Snows” (Rome, Italy, 14th century; or Our Lady of Married Couples); Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to a married couple without a child, then they donated their possessions to honor her through charity; then the Roman Catholic church built the Basilica of St Mary Major, a large-scale cathedral church building to commemorate the vision of the couple;
10. “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” (England, 13th century; or Our Lady of the Scapular); Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, the General of the Carmelite Order; she ordered the devotion of wearing the brown scapular, or a string necklace with cloth having the image of the mother and child, with her promise of special help to those who wear it even if they’re non-Catholics or non-Christians;
11. “Our Lady of Pellevoisin” (France, 1876; or Our Lady of the Sacred Heart); Virgin Mary appeared to a maid who was sick with tuberculosis; she was healed and she was encouraged to wear the scapular of the Sacred Heart of Jesus;
12. “Our Lady of Sorrows” (Extremadura, Spain, 1945; or Our Lady of Healthcare); Virgin Mary appeared to two young children; and in devotion one became a nursing sister or a religious authority involved in free healthcare for the sick;
13. “Our Lady of the Universe” (Bronx, New York, United States of America, 1945; or Our Lady of Saint Joseph); young children had seen something floating above the hill behind the house, and when one child named Joseph went there and prayed the Hail Mary prayer, then he immediately saw a young woman whom he identified as the Virgin Mary with the Star of David on her heart; they were asked to do a regular prayer vigil to pray for world peace; then the site was visited by up to 20,000 people including famous celebrities;
14. “Our Lady of All Nations” (Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1945-1959; “Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate” or Our Lady of World Peace); Virgin Mary appeared to a woman and gave her a prayer for peace among all nations;
15. “Our Lady of Angela” (Italy, 1947; or Our Lady of Rural Villages); Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl who was grazing cows in the rural area; at the first apparition, Mother Mary embraced the girl warmly from behind and lifted her up; succeeding apparitions instructed the girl to be a guide to the priests, wherein one priest donated his fortune for the devotion to the Blessed Virgin by protecting the natural resources of the rural villages, self-sufficient production of rural villages, and family values education of the families;
16. “Our Lady of America” (Rome City, Indiana, USA, 1956; The Immaculate Virgin & Our Lady of the Native American Tribespeople); Virgin Mary appeared to a nun named Sister Mildred Mary of the Most Precious Blood; and in response to the Archbishops & Bishops, Mary’s message was that “The Immaculate Conception” be the “Patroness of the United States” as also acknowledged in Latin America as “Maria, Reina de las Americas”; and distinguished from “Our Lady of Guadalupe” known as the “Empress of the Americas”;
17. “The Our Lady of Lourdes of Slovakia” (1958-1962; or Our Lady of Physical Healing); Virgin Mary appeared to a German Catholic mystic named Therese Neumann at a forest near a small town; before that she was injured and was paralyzed then became blind, and was bed ridden in the hospital; but after the apparitions she became cured that can’t be explained by the doctors; the apparition was predicted beforehand as “The Second Lourdes”;
18. “Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Garabandal” (Cantabria, Spain, 1961-1965; or Our Lady of Garabandal; or Our Lady of God’s Justice); Saint Michael the Archangel and the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to young schoolgirls (named Mari Loli, Jacinta, Mari Cruz, and Maria "Conchita") in a rural village; the message was calling all people for a “conversion of heart”;
19. “Our Lady of Graces of Onuva” (Seville, Spain, 1968-1976; or Our Lady of Peace); Virgin Mary appeared to a young man named Jesus Jose with a heavenly instruction for the conversion of all lands to become the “Land of Mercy”, or free from wars;
20. “Our Lady of Soufanieh” (Damascus, Syria, 1982-1983; or Our Lady of the Anointing Oil); when pure oil began to flow out of a religious icon of “Mother Mary and Child Jesus”, then Virgin Mary appeared to those who were devoted to the image;
21. “Our Lady of Salerno” (Italy, 1985; or Our Lady with A Baby); young girls who were near an unused old castle had seen Mother Mary carrying the Child Jesus; then they reported the event to the villagers then until up to 100 people in the town visited the place and had seen the apparitions, then many became visionaries; allegedly their predictions that came true include the destruction of the World Trade Center, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, famines, and wars; they said to pray about potential nuclear wars that these won’t happen - that the devil was possessing certain world leaders, but that the real war, the actual third world war, was at a spiritual level as a special period of testing the people’s will power; they said that castles symbolize the evil infiltrating our world;
22. “Our Lady of the Immaculate Purity” (Litmanova, Slovakia, 1990-1995); Virgin Mary appeared to two young girls to have a devotion to her Immaculate Heart;
23. “Our Lady of Saint Simon and Saint Jude” (Goa, India, 1994; or Our Lady of All Saints); Virgin Mary appeared many times to a woman at an area just outside the church building dedicated to the saints; many people then witnessed the apparition and miracles;
24. “Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace” (Batangas, Philippines, 1948; or Our Lady of Lipa); Virgin Mary appeared to nuns in the Carmelite Monastery; Sister Teresing confirmed that “All Grace” refers to Jesus as Son of God and God the Son (as “All Holy”, “Almighty”, and “All Knowing”); and Mother Mary is co-redeemer with Jesus Christ as the redeemer of humanity, and also a co-dispenser of God’s divine grace;
25. “Our Lady of Divinopolis” (Brazil, 2003; or Our Lady Mother of Humanity); Virgin Mary appeared at the altars of various churches; her message was, “I am the Mother of Humanity. I am the mother of everyone and I love you deeply. God is love. God is the hope of all Humanity! The world has many sins! Dry my tears! Pray!”;
26. “Our Lady of Jacarei” (Sau Paulo, Brazil, 1930s; or Our Lady of Care); Mother Mary and Lord Jesus Christ appeared to a nun named Sister Amalia, and taught a prayer in devotion to the Most Holy Mary’s Tears, The Crown of Tears, and Medal of Mary’s Tears – said by Mother Mary to have also been given to mystics in Italy as The Tears of Blood; her image of sadness was said to be her way of gaining empathy and sympathy from the faithful to act on what is needed to improve the family love among all people;
27. “Our Lady of Ngome” (South Africa, 1955-1971; or Our Lady of the Tabernacle of the Most High); Virgin Mary appeared to a the Servant of God Sister May, a nun, and identified herself as “The Tabernacle of the Most High”; she also had an apparition of the devil, but then "Mother Mary, the Tabernacle of the Most High" comforted her, and pointed to the Archangel Michael, who stood on the other side while a cherubim (or child angel) stood beside him;
28. “Our Lady of Aokpe” (Nigeria, 1992; or Our Lady the Refuge of Sinners); Virgin Mary holding a rosary appeared to a young girl named Christiana located in a small village; her message was, “I am the refuge of sinners. I come from Heaven to gain souls to Christ and to shelter my children in my Immaculate Heat. What I want from you is to pray for the souls in purgatory, for the world and to console Jesus.”;
29. “Our Lady & Mother of Love, Peace and Joy” (United States, Canada & Philippines, 1991; or Our Lady the Birth of Mary); Virgin Mary appeared to a Catholic laywoman mother who was a domestic helper (a nanny) and taught her how to pray the Holy Rosary; she was born on the “Feast of the Nativity of Mary” and claimed to have also been visited by Jesus (under the guise of an old man who encouraged her to read the Holy Bible); they formed a worldwide Catholic lay group to promote prayer and peace to various nations; she was given a gift to communicate in other foreign languages, even it was not taught to her in school; she was instructed to do a pilgrimage (with other people of various nationalities) to pray at a mountain that was referred to as “The Mountain of Salvation”; she claimed to have spoken to saints, and met souls from purgatory in need for the liberation of their souls; she claimed that Virgin Mary rebuked politicians who don’t respect the sanctity of life with the use of unjust laws (such as abortion);
30. “Our Lady of La Vang” (Quang Tri, Vietnam, 18th century; or Our Lady of Salvation); a group of people went into hiding in the province to escape the persecution of the emperor because of their devotion to Jesus Christ; then Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus appeared to them while they were praying the holy rosary; because many were ill, Mary instructed them to boil certain leaves from trees for medicine to be cured;
31. “Our Lady of Harissa Lebanon” (2000s; or Our Lady of Miraculous Unity); millions of Christian and Muslim pilgrims worldwide come to the shrine called Our Lady of Lenanon; to Muslims, Mary is known in Arabic as "Seidatna Maryam" (“Our Lady Mary” as she is mentioned in the Quran and the Bible); the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared beside her shrine statue; while unity is possible among various religious groups among places of faith, like shrines that honor Mother Mary as an image of a mother – that this could further bring about unified family action on defending mother’s love; that even if places may have no Marian apparition, but the unity throughout all families of humanity could also be miraculous that could rather prove our gratitude for all mothers and motherhood in protecting the life and welfare of all children (as the true message of the Marian devotion);
32. “The Virgin of Caacupe” (Paraguyay, 1600s; Our Lady of Artists); Jose, a Christian convert who belongs to an indigenous tribe among the Native American Indian people in South America, became a sculptor; when he was looking for wood to carve, a rival tribe appeared to bring danger to him, but he prayed to “Virgin Maria” then she appeared to him and said, “Go and hide yourself behind the bush of ‘mate’ herbs!”; then after Jose was saved and arrived home, he carved the statue from the wood, and donated it to the Church;
33. “Our Lady of the Rosary” (1214, church of Prouille, France); according to religious tradition, the concept of the rosary was given to Saint Dominic in an apparition of the Virgin Mary;
34. “Our Lady of Good Help” (1859, Champion, Wisconsin, United States of America); Adele Brise saw a woman clothed in white surrounded with bright light, with a crown of stars above her head, and standing between two trees; she consulted a priest and she was advised to ask, "In the Name of God, who are you and what do you wish of me?”; then returning from Mass, she saw the apparition and this time asked the question she was given; the lady replied, "I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same; gather the children in this country and teach them what they should know for salvation";
35. “Our Lady of Betania” (1976-1990, Betania, Venezuela; Our Lady of Reconciliation); Maria Esperanza has witnessed 31 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary within15 years; the Virgin called herself the "Reconciler of People and Nations" and warned of impending war and suffering; many visitors have come to the site, reporting numerous miracles and signs; and on one occasion in 1984, 108 people claimed to have witnessed a public apparition of the Virgin;
36. “Our Lady of Cuapa” (1980, San Francisco de Cuapa, Nicaragua; Our Lady of Victory); Mother Mary appeared to a church sacristan Bernardo Martinez; then the Virgin Mary appeared to him many times with the same physical looks and messages at Fatima, “I come from Heaven. I am the Mother of Jesus. I want the Rosary to be prayed everyday within the family. Love each other. Make peace.”;
Mother Mary warned humanity to change and be more peaceful to avoid the coming Third World War;
37. “Virgin of the Revelation” (1947, Tre Fontane, near Rome, Italy; Mother of the Holy Trinity); a father and his three children had seen Mother Mary in a cave near the shrine, where allegedly Saint Paul had been executed by the Roman Empire; then messages were given to proclaim Mother Mary as “The Virgin of the Revelation” (as the “Woman” in the Book of Revelation in the Bible);
38. “Our Lady of Good Success” (15th-16th century, Quito, Ecuador; Mother our Savior); Mother Mary appears to a Spanish nun known as a mystic and shared prophecies of the coming persecution of the church and how people can be saved;
39. “Our Lady of Kazan” (16th century, Kazan, Russia; icon for “Mother Russia”, with Our Lady of Vladimir in Moscow); the religious icon deemed to represent “Mother Russia” has been lost; but the Virgin Mary appeared to a little young girl named Matrena, and revealed the artefact’s location, and the Virgin instructed the young child to tell the Christian monks of a nearby Orthodox church where they later found the icon);
40. “Our Lady of Ghiaie” (1944, Ghiaie, Italy; Mary Queen of the Family, Our Lady of Family Values, Mother of Unity & Queen of Peace); the Holy Family – with Mother Mary, Baby Jesus & Saint Joseph and at times with angels and saints – appeared to 7-year-old Adelaide Roncalli; with miracles of the sun, secrets that she was asked to tell the Pope, and the rural village as a chosen place;
41. “Our Lady of Montichiari” (1947, Montichiari, Italy; Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, Mother Mary the Mystical Rose, Mother of All Humanity & Mediatrix to her Son Jesus); Mother Mary appeared to a nurse named Pierina Gilli and to tell everyone do “prayer, sacrifice & penance” and she did “redemptive sufferings” for her sins and of others; with apparitions from Saint Mary Di Rosa or “Sister Mary Crucified of the Rose”; then accompanied by Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco de Jesus Marto of Our Lady of Fatima; then to make the Eucharistic Bread from the wheat fields and have small bread rolls baked to eat;
42. “Our Lady of the Roses” (1970-1995, New York, United States of America; Our Lady of Mothers); Mother Mary appeared to a mother and gave messages with regards to prophecies, motherly sermons, and other inspirations for the love of her son Jesus;
43. “Queen of the Holy Rosary, Mediatrix of Peace” (1949-1950, Necedah Shrine, Wisconsin, United States of America; Our Mother of Family Farms); Mother Mary appeared to a poor family farm mother and gave messages of prophecies, sermons to the clergy, and advice with regards to chosen church organizations; she announced a “vision day” attended by people then she gave a message of warning;
44. “Our Lady of Marienfield, Mediatrix of All Grace” (1946, Germany; Immaculate Queen of the Universe); Mother Mary appeared to a young girl and gave importance of the Rosary was highlighted as well as the need to live a life of holiness, sacrifice and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Blessed Virgin stated the great importance of offering acts of love, praise and adoration to God the Father and the Most Holy Trinity;
45. “Our Lady of Las Lajas” (1754, Colombia; Our Lady of the Rocks); Mother Mary with Child Jesus appeared to a Native American Indian mother with her deaf-mute daughter who got cured and was resurrected from death; then a miraculous image of Mother Mary with Child Jesus, together with Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic de Guzman were imprinted on a rock;
46. “Our Lady of Heede” (1937-1940, Heede, Germany; Our Queen of the Poor Souls in Purgatory); Mother Mary appeared to four school girls with Baby Jesus, and she gave them messages; Jesus, as a grown-up, appeared to Greta, one of the seers, and gave a warning to mankind;
47. “Our Lady of the Ukraine” (1500s to 2000s, Hrushiv, Ukraine; including Jublyk; The Most Holy Mother of God); Mother Mary appeared many times to different people at different dates; she appeared to farmers to warn about the coming of World War I; then she appeared to a girl and the apparition event was attended by many people; then another seer Joseph gave Marian messages of a need for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart to avoid the Third World War; then Mother Mary appeared to two girls within the region, and Mother Mary also appeared with Child Jesus and Father Saint Joseph as a Holy Family);
48. “Our Lady of Prayer” (December 8 to 14 1947; Tours, France; Holy Mary, the prayerful guide of the innocent children); in the parish church of Saint Gilles, in the rural town of L'Ile Bouchard, four children witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary and Angel Gabriel; and she asked that they pray for the country, and construct a Marian grotto at the location;
49. “Our Lady of Victory” (1919, 1936-1938; Wigratzbad, Germany; The Chosen Ladies who won the peace of Heaven); two women were individually visited by the Virgin Mary and were taught to honor her divine maternity to the Child Jesus, as they defied government laws that attempted to act as their “god”, but they succeeded in following the orders of the Virgin Mary);
50. “Our Lady of Caravaggio” (1431; Caravaggio, Norther Italy in region of Milan; Our Lady of the Fountain); Marian apparition reported by a young girl that Mary appeared in a field and said that her son was angry, that for him people should fast; Our Lady announced peace to the girl in her family, among the neighboring warring states and reconciliation between the Church in the East and West; she left the imprint of her feet on the stone where she stood and a spring of water sprung forth from under the stone;
51. “Our Lady of Montagnaga” (1729; Montagnaga, Italy; Our Lady of the Virgins); the Virgin Mary, dressed in white with a rosary in her hand, appeared five times to a shepherdess; then she blessed a picture of “Our Lady of Caravaggio”; then Mother Mary, carrying the Child Jesus, showed the wounds of little Child Jesus, and she explained that they were caused by the sins of the world, as she urged people to pray for the conversion of sinners.; etc.
Amidst many devotions to Mother Mary found in her Marian apparitions and other Marian messages, let us always be in unity rather as a HOLY FAMILY, and remind ourselves to always be devoted to the heavenly messages found in the Holy Bible; and that includes bible verses about her family love (on why she is always called “Immaculate”, “Virgin”, “Blessed”, “Mother”, “Lady”, and “Ever-Blessed Virgin”);
Bible verses related to the Virgin Mary include:
Luke 1:28 – “And the angel came to her, and said, ‘Hail, highly favored, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women!’”;
Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; be it done unto me according to your word.’”;
Luke 1:42 – “And Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary, spoke out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed are you among women! And blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”;
Luke 1:48 – “Mary’s Song: ‘For God has looked with favor for the humility and lowliness of His servant: From now on, all generations shall call me blessed.’”;
Luke 1:45 – “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”;
Luke 1:35 – “The angel said to Mary, ‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore, also that holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”;
Luke 11:27-28 – “As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!’; He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”;
Luke 8:21 – “Jesus replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’”
Luke 2:19 – “Mother Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
John 19:26-27 – “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘‘OUR LADY’, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.’”; From that time on, the disciple cared for her into his home.”;
Luke 1:30 – “And the angel said to Mary, ‘Fear not, for you have found favor with God.’”
The Catholic Church also promoted beliefs of Mother Mary's coronation (by the Holy Trinity with God the Father, God the Son Our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit of Family Love); and the assumption of Mother Mary to Heaven (a woman who is the mother of Lord Jesus Christ) as she was appointed as the heavenly leader of the Apostles, as the Queen of Heaven, the Queen of Angels, and the Queen of All Families;
To rule the heart of humanity - must be the utmost concern of the faithful...that mother's love would reign among all families to always choose what is most nurturing to the life of the unborn, babies, children and the needy;
Revelation 12:1 “And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman (Mother Mary as the Ever-blessed Virgin) clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Amen.

source: CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Toby Kenobe 


2023/09/07

SAINT MOTHER TERESA AND THE BAKER



MOTHER TERESA AND THE BAKER

There is a story told about Mother Teresa and a baker. Not sure whether it's true or not, but it's definitely worth a read 

Mother Teresa entered the baker's shop.
She asks for bread to feed the orphan children.
When she extended her hand asking for charity,
The baker spat in her hand!

Mother Teresa put her hand to her chest and said: I will keep this for myself.
Then she extended her other hand and said:
Now give me some bread to feed my children.

The baker was amazed at her great kindness.
He became the main bread donor for Mother Teresa's orphanage.

Make the love in you be stronger than the abuse that comes to you.
God will compensate you for every pain you experienced with great joy.

2023/08/30

PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THOSE WHO VISIT HIM IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 
           TO THOSE WHO VISIT HIM 
        IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

               Given To Catalina Rivas
           With Ecclesiastical Approval

1. I promise the Soul to visit me frequently in the Blessed Sacrament that I will receive such soul affectionately along with all the Blessed and Angels of Heaven; that each visit of yours will be inscribed in the Book of his Life and grant him:

2. All petitions to be presented before the altar of God in favor of the Church, the Pope and the Consecrated Souls.

3. Cancellation of Satan's power over your person and loved ones.

4. Special protection in case of earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters that would otherwise affect it.

5. She will be lovingly cut off from the world and its attractions, which are cause of doom.

6. The elevation of the Soul, wishing to reach SANCTIFICATION, in visits to the contemplation of My Face.

7. Relief from the purgatory pains of your loved ones.

8. My Blessing for all material and spiritual projects you undertake, if it is for the sake of your own Soul.

9. Receive My visit, in the company of My Mother, at the time of death.

10. *Listening and attending to the needs of the people he asks for.*

11. The intersection of Saints and Angels at the hour of death, to reduce the temporary sentence.

12. May My Love arouse holy callings consecrated to GOD among your loved ones and friends.

13. The Soul that keeps true devotion to My presence in the Eucharist will not be condemned, you will not die without the sacraments of the Church.

14. To the priests and religious who spread devotion to worship, I grant you many special thanks, the total acknowledgement of your sins and the grace to repent.

15. I will help you form faithful devout communities and Saints and achieve many privileges.

16. I promise these things to all people, with only two conditions; which are the fruit of genuine love towards My Royal presence in the Eucharist, and which are absolutely indispensable to make reality in their lives my promises.

I. LET THEM FIGHT TO PRESERVE DIGNITY ON MY ALTARS.

II. BE MERCIFUL TO YOUR NEIGHBOR.

Oh our Eucharistic Jesus, inflame my soul with Your love 💕

2023/07/16

THE SAINT BENEDICT MEDAL : SPIRITUAL WEAPON


SPIRITUAL WEAPONS: THE ST. BENEDICT MEDAL

In Scripture, St. Peter tells us to be sober and watchful because, “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is real, and he wants to destroy you and me through any means possible. That’s why it’s so important that we fight back with the spiritual weapons of prayer and faith.

One of the powerful weapons in spiritual combat is the St. Benedict medal. Honored and employed for centuries, this medal has been associated with many miracles, as well as with powers of exorcism.

Origins
The exact origins of the St. Benedict medal are uncertain, although it is said that the first medal was worn by the 11th century Pope, Leo IX, who attributed his miraculous recovery from a snake bite to it. St. Benedict medals of various types have been in use ever since, but the medal in its current form, known as the Jubilee medal, was not struck until 1880, when it was created to honor the 1,400th anniversary of St. Benedict’s birth.

Meaning
The St. Benedict medal is rich in meaning. The front contains an image of St. Benedict holding a cross and his famous monastic rule. On his left and right are words meaning, “The cross of our holy father, St. Benedict.” The outer edge contains the words in Latin, “May we at our death be fortified by his presence.”

The back of the medal is even more interesting. It contains a series of initials that stand for a Latin exorcism prayer, as well as a prayer for guidance.

Emblazoned on the prominently placed cross are the letters C S S M L – N D S M D, which stand for the Latin prayer:

Crux sacra sit mihi lux!
Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!

Translated, it means:

The Holy Cross be my light;
Let not the dragon be my guide.

Surrounding the outer rim of the back are the letters V R S N S M V – S M Q L I V B. These letters stand for an exorcism prayer based on an incident from St. Benedict’s life.

After St. Benedict had been a hermit for three years, and his reputation for holiness had spread far and wide, he was asked by a group of monks to be their abbot. St. Benedict agreed, but some rebellious monks in the community really disliked this idea, and they decided to kill St. Benedict by poisoning his bread and wine. As St. Benedict made the sign of the cross over his food, as was his custom, he immediately knew that they had been poisoned. He threw the wine on the ground, saying:

Vade retro Satana!
Nunquam suade mihi vana!
Sunt mala quae libas.
Ipse venena bibas!

This means:

Begone, Satan,
Do not suggest to me thy vanities!
Evil are the things thou offerest,
Drink thou thy own poison!

It is this prayer that is represented by the initials surrounding the back of the medal.

Use
 Benedict medals are used in many ways, but always as a protection against evil. Some people bury them in the foundations of new buildings to keep them free from evil influences, while others attach them to rosaries or hang them on the wall in their homes. But the most common way to use the St. Benedict medal is to wear it. The medal can be worn by itself or embedded in a crucifix, like the one pictured.

Regardless of how it is used, the medal should always be blessed using the prayer found here. While, in former times, only Benedictines could bless the medal, now any priest can.

If you don’t own a St. Benedict medal, I highly recommend you get one. It’s basic protection, like the bullet proof vest of sacramentals!

2023/07/08

Myth: Catholics Dont Know the Bible Well

 


The statement that "Catholics don't know the Bible well" is a myth and not an accurate portrayal of the Catholic Church or its followers. While it is true that some individuals within any religious group may have varying levels of familiarity with religious texts, it is unfair and inaccurate to generalize this to an entire religious community.

In reality, the Catholic Church places great importance on the Bible as a central source of spiritual guidance and revelation. Catholic worship includes regular Scripture readings during Mass, and the Church encourages its members to engage in personal Bible study and reflection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which serves as a comprehensive guide to Catholic beliefs, frequently references and quotes Scripture.

Furthermore, the Catholic Church has a long and rich tradition of biblical scholarship. Many renowned theologians, scholars, and saints within the Catholic tradition have dedicated their lives to studying and interpreting the Bible. The Church has also produced numerous translations, commentaries, and resources to aid in the understanding of Scripture.

Additionally, Catholic education, particularly in seminaries and religious formation programs, emphasizes the study of Scripture. Priests, deacons, and religious educators undergo extensive training in biblical studies, enabling them to share the teachings of the Bible with the faithful.

It is essential to recognize that the Catholic Church values the Bible and encourages its members to engage with it in their spiritual journey. While individuals may vary in their level of familiarity with the Bible, it is inaccurate to assume that Catholics as a whole do not know the Bible well.

CONFESSION: WHERE IS IT IN THE BIBLE & THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CONFESSION

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