++ More pictures of Mary's Bleeding Heart

“The training and education of the great saints, 

who will appear towards the end of the world, 

is reserved for the Mother of God. 

These great saints will surpass in holiness the majority of the other saints 

like the cedar of Lebanon surpasses the lowly shrub.”

St. Louis de Montfort

Earlier, I reported the intriguing story of an apparently miraculous statue of a youthful Blessed Virgin Mary. It has belonged to Ruth Werkowski since her teenage years. 

One year, Ruth discovered that it might be starting to exude holy fragrant oil, known as myrrh, like what was reported HERE and HERE,. So she placed a cotton ball on the statue to collect any oil that might be wept while she went away for the summer. 

When she returned, the statue had not appeared to exude oil, but blood. In fact, the cotton now mysteriously resembles heart muscle.

Here are more pictures of the apparent miracle. 

Want to learn more?

"Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 

do not treat prophecies with contempt. 

Test everything. Hold on to the good. 

Avoid every kind of evil." 

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

I recently attended a Michael H. Brown retreat which I highly recommend for anyone who hopes to learn more about the subjects of this website: Miracles in our time; prophecies for our time. 

Michael is a Pulitzer prize nominated journalist who has since become a prolific Catholic author and founder of the must-read website called Spirit Daily. I got to know him and his lovely family on a recent trip to Medjugorje and it was great to see them, working together, at the retreat in Miami.

Though he is light years ahead of me, Michael is one of those people I can identify with, in that he does what he believes he is called to do, even when it is uncomfortable. On that subject, I liked his story regarding how he reluctantly decided to title his most successful book, The Final Hour. 

Pray for Israel. Pray for peace.

"God, do not be silent;

God, be not still and unmoved!

See how Your enemies rage...

They say, 'Come, let us wipe out their nation;

let Israel's name be mentioned no more!'"

Psalm 83:2 ff

The fuse is lit and -- without God's intervention -- the Middle East appears ready to explode. This time, however, the catastrophe is not likely to remain contained in the region. Iran has a global strategy.

Nine years ago, Iran publicly announced its intentions to develop nuclear power capabilities for peaceful purposes. The claim that the Iranian people wanted nuclear technology for power purposes was laughable for those who observed the announcement from out of range. Closer neighbors, however, were alarmed. They knew that the facts contradicted Iran's stated agenda:

• Iran does not need nuclear capabilities for power purposes because it sits on a sea of oil. 
• Iran is not developing nuclear power for the welfare of its people because, from the beginning, Iranian officials made clear that they will not be deterred no matter how much their economy suffers as a result of sanctions or isolation from the international community.
• Iran's leaders (not low-level yahoos) have professed that they have been communicating with Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the Twelfth Imam (also known as al-Mahdi) who disappeared in 872 AD. They believe that he will return soon to re-establish the rightful governance of Islam and establish peace and justice throughout the world. However, on the way to that perfect utopia, they believe he will lead them in destroying Israel and bathing the world in the blood of all non-believers who refuse to submit to their rule. (For a small sampling, see video, below.)

Demand Conscience Rights!

"For the time will come when you will say, 

‘Blessed are the barren women, 

the wombs that never bore 

and the breasts that never nursed!’ 

Then they will say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' 

and to the hills, 'Cover us!”’

Luke 23:29-30

The Obama Administration has "ordered 

almost every employer and insurer in the country 

to provide sterilization and contraceptives, 

including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans."

Cardinal-elect Timothy Dolan, President of the USCCB 

FROM THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS: "Never before has federal law forced citizens to purchase what violates their deeply held beliefs and ethical convictions. But now the Administration is forcing us to act as if pregnancy were a disease to be prevented at all costs. For many Americans that means choosing between violating our consciences and forgoing health care -- literally an unconscionable dilemma.

"Our country's longstanding laws protecting conscience rights must now apply fully to the implementation of health care reform. For that we need more than rule-making, we need a law.

"The bishops are urging Congress to support the "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" in light of the new HHS rule and the "unprecedented threat to religious freedom" it poses."

Read HERE to learn why increased access to contraceptives DOES NOT reduce abortions or unwanted pregnancies. 

Go HERE for more information and to see what you can do to help.

UPDATE: Rubio Senate Bill would repeal Obama anti-conscience mandate.

+ Welcome to the apostasy

"Let no one in any way deceive you, 

for it [the day of Christ's return] will not come 

unless the apostasy comes first, 

and the man of lawlessness is revealed, 

the son of destruction..."

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NASB

The London Daily Mail recently published, "The Specter of 1932: Loss of Faith in Democracy Makes 2012  Most Frightening Year in Living Memory." However, the article misses the real point. The problem is not a loss of faith in democracy, or political leaders, or currencies, or economic principles -- though a collapse of confidence exists in all these areas. The real crisis is a loss of faith in God.

So, with such significant problems on the horizon, will most of us turn to God? I don't think so. More likely, we will see far too many following the advice of billionaire George Soros who "almost gleefully" predicts that the Occupy Wall Street movement that he has financed will turn violent.

Welcome to the apostasy.

xx URGENT MEDJUGORJE MESSAGE?

UPDATE: I just received an email from a credible source saying that my original post is not accurate. (She is Ivan's Dragicevic's scheduler in America as is shown at http://www.medjugorje.org/ivanse.htm) So, I want to correct the record. I apologize for spreading the misrepresentation and only wish that Blessed Mother's messages receive the respect that they deserve. Here is the email:

Hi there,

My name is Ana Shawl and work with Ivan and help him with his schedule.  I wanted to write you really quickly and tell you that the message you have on your website is false ok.  I have been getting emails from people asking me about it.  I talked to him this morning and also this evening and these are just rumors.  Many of them seem to come out when it is time for Our Lady’s message on the 25^th or just before the anniversary on the 25^th of June.

Anyway,  please if you can let people know and take it off of the site, it would really help.  He asked me to make sure I took care of this.

God Bless you and take care

Ana

ORIGINAL POST:
I just received an email that allegedly contains the translation of a January 24 message to Medjugorje's visionary, Ivan Dragicevic. I cannot vouch for the message's authenticity but because of the urgency of its request, I am posting the translation. I will correct the record if it proves to be a fraud.

January 24, 2012 07:55:29 HNE
Urgent message from Our Lady to Ivan:
The war is very near.
Urgent to all.
To Ivan of Medjugorje:

The war in the Middle East will become serious and will spread throughout the world. To stop it, the entire world must pray every minute and fast (soon?). The priests must open the doors of their churches and invite the people to pray the rosary and pray intensely. Pray, pray, pray.

I do not know if the following is allegedly from Our Lady's message or appended to the end of it by the translator. However, this was also stated in the email:

Send this message throughout the world and, above all, put it into practice.
 Every day at 6:30 PM, wherever you may be in the world, stop everything and pray 3 time the Hail Mary.
 It is urgent!

Regardless of whether this message proves to be authentic, Israel desperately needs our prayers. Pray for their peace and world peace.

2011: A very good year ... for Christian persecutors

I remember, many years ago, questioning the Bible's accuracy. With all the intelligence and experience that an eighth grader could muster, I precociously pointed out that the Book of Revelation had to be wrong. I was willing to accept that it featured a great deal of symbolism. But the one thing that really irritated me was its claim that, in the End Times, people would be beheaded for refusing to worship the Beast.

I thought, "Come on! Maybe that insanity was going on when Revelation was written, but we're civilized now. Nobody does that sort of thing in the 20th century!"

Sadly, I was wrong and the world has not changed much over the past two thousand years. In fact, if anything, barbaric attacks on Christians appear to be escalating.

The world created by Patricia Cornwell

"Chastisement will come 

when a very large number of bad books have been spread."

Sister Bertina Bouquillon

"Horrible books will be freely available. 

Intellectuals will argue fiercely among themselves. 

Then the war will break out ..."

Abbe Voclin 

I did not know much about Patricia Cornwell until she was scheduled to speak and sign books at a local book store. So, since she promotes herself as "the world's #1 bestselling crime writer," I decided to see what she had to say. Only later did I learn that her creative talent is euphemistically called "colorfully visceral." In other words, generously sprinkled with graphic, sadistic violence.

Do I sound prudish? Well, bear with me a moment.

This post is a little different from my others, as I steer through the process of being amused, insulted and offended. (Perhaps, I am too thin-skinned. But I still have a point to make.)

+ More Medjugorje Miracles

Is there any doubt that the Great Healer is Jesus Christ? Absolutely not!

Is there any question that His Blessed Mother and the Communion of Saints assist in bringing us to Our Lord for healing, both physical and Spiritual? Certainly not!

Take, for examples, the beautiful stories that have been emerging from Medjugorje. In that small, rustic town of the former Yugoslavia, reports of apparitions, miracles, healings and conversions continue to amaze even the skeptics who seriously study the phenomena. At least 532 medical miracles have been carefully documented (not to mention the many more healings that have been claimed but not documented.)

+ Discerning the diabolical

How frustrating it must be for true mystics to find indifference and ridicule for their heaven-sent messages. Padre Pio, for example, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. However, the future saint apparently was held in low esteem by Pope John XXIII who once wrote about the Capuchin's "immense deception."

Still, our Church is wise to go slow in evaluating alleged mystics. Consider, for example, the mystical deceptions of Magdalena de la Cruz. I wrote about this amazing, sixteenth century Spanish nun in The Rise, my work of historical Catholic fiction. But a more detailed biography was highlighted in a recent link at SpiritDaily.com found HERE.

The spirit of our times...

"They will ridicule Christian simplicity;

they will call it folly and nonsense, 

but they will have the highest regard for advanced knowledge, 

and for the skill by which the axioms of the law,

the precepts of morality, the Holy Canons and religious dogmas

are clouded by senseless questions and elaborate arguments.

As a result, no principle at all,

however holy, authentic, ancient, and certain it may be,

will remain free of censure, criticism, false interpretations,

modification, and delimitation by man."

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser

17th Century

In other reports, I have commented (HERE and HERE) on the violent persecution of Christians around the globe. Closer to home, however, we also see disturbing trends.

Unlike at any time in our nation's history, a radical minority is determined to drive Christianity into the shadows.  We witness that obsession with every new attack on Christian symbols and messages during each Christmas season.

The Christmas examples are too numerous to list here, but they usually identify nothing more than petty paranoia or cynical attempts to gain media attention. One particularly sleazy campaign was offered by Planned Parenthood of Indiana. For the Christmas season they promoted Gift Certificates (HERE). Get it? The Christmas gift of abortion. That's a real knee-slapper.

+ When prayers turn silver rosaries golden

The phenomenon of the transformation of silver links of rosaries turning golden immediately after prayerful Christian gatherings is not as uncommon as it might seem. In Medjugorje and other apparition sites, it appears to be a very regular occurrence.

My mother has such a rosary. It was one of three that she purchased for herself and others, in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. Its metal parts were silver until she met and prayed with Ruth Werkowski, one day. (For more on Ruth, click  HERE,  HERE, and  HERE.) Ruth took the rosary into her hands and prayed. The next time my mother examined it, the links had all turned golden. It was a day in which they even found that the fragrant scent that signals Our Lady's presence returned when they were in their car.

After six years, or so, my mother's Our Lady of Lourdes rosary is the only one of the three that has golden links.

x Even Google captures a miraculous image???

"... in the second coming of Jesus Christ, 

Mary must be known and openly revealed by the Holy Spirit 

so that Jesus may be known, loved and served through her.”

St. Louis de Montfort

"... one of the signs of our times 

is that the announcements of 'Marian Apparitions' 

are multiplying all over the world."

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

1984

The Internet giant, Google, has many ambitious projects. One of their services provides free videos of views while driving on streets around the globe. During such a drive, a surprising view was captured over Lake Quarten in Switzerland.

In the video, just after the 40 second mark, we see that the camera pans into the sky. There, in the clouds, is what looks like a hazy image of a tall, thin man in a dark robe and a shorter woman in a flowing pink robe, topped with a white mantle. Notice also that, after driving away, the images are seen again around  the 0:45,  1:15, 1:30 and 1:50 marks.

Some cynics have offered very feeble attempts to discredit the video by claiming that there is a smudge on the lens. At least a bit more plausible, however, is the criticism of those who claim (without any proof, of course) that the still photos of this phenomenon have been altered by using Photo Shop software. This is a prank that has become common on the Internet. However, I am not sure (with my admittedly limited knowledge) that the video, above, could have been as easily manipulated as a still picture could be.

The systematic, global persecution of Christians

[4/19/14 UPDATE: Statement of Archdiocese of Dublin on Alleged Visionary "Maria Diving Mercy" declares: "... these messages and alleged visions have no ecclesiastical approval and many of the texts are in contradiction with Catholic theology. These messages should not be promoted or made use of within Catholic Church associations."]

"...many of you will no longer be in control of your own country. 

This includes all material control and the military. 

My children, their leaders, and all those with responsibility for caring for their people 

will lose all control. They will be like a boat with no rudder....

My children, you must pray hard now to loosen the grip 

these evil groups of people will exert over you. 

They are not of God's Kingdom and through the cunning deceit of their exterior, 

you will not realize that this is a powerful force that is careful not to reveal itself....

Rise up, My children, now."

Words of Jesus Christ

as reported by alleged visionary

Maria Divine Mercy

November 15, 2010

In 21 countries, today, almost no religious freedom exists and, increasingly, the world's Christians are targets of persecution. In fact, Christianity has become the world's most persecuted religion, according to a recent RomeReports.com video (shown above).

+++ Testing the spirits

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, 

but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, 

because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 

1 John 4:1

With St. John's advice in mind, I want to offer an admittedly abbreviated collection of wise guidance we have been given, through the centuries, on this subject.

"...no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." 
1 Corinthians 12:3

I have often considered the above Scripture verse as an essential test of alleged apparitions or miracles. It appears to offer us a clear indicator. However, some knowledgeable reporters have suggested that fallen angels are so adept at lying that they can deceive by skirting around this limitation. Perhaps they play word games. So, even though this Bible verse appears definitive, we would be wise to err on the side of caution, realizing that the stakes are high and deception is not only possible, but a primary goal of the evil one.

Riots, protests and prophecies

Over the past year, when riots and protests have surfaced in dozens of major cities around the globe, our natural inclination has been to choose, each time, which side is right. Of course, each conflict has its own circumstances but, too often, both sides appear to be steeped in sin. 

+ Medjugorje news update

There is always news coming out of Medjugorje.
Here are a few recent articles that I found interesting:

The Vatican's investigation of Medjugorje continues.

Deaf man is healed in Medjugorje.

Muslim mystic foresaw the apparitions of Medjugorje.

Cancer healed in Medjugorje.

Pilgrims walk 1,500 miles to Medjugorje.

The Vatican, in perspective

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ...

[that day will not come] until the rebellion occurs ..."

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

"Lucifer, with a great number of demons,

will be unchained from hell.

By degrees they shall abolish the faith,

even among persons consecrated to God."

Our Lady of La Salette

The main altar at St. Peter's Basilica

The Roman Catholic Church has endured - and will endure - every crisis. However, a relentless barrage of attacks has been assaulting the Church in recent years.

In China, for example, the government now pretends it can name its own Catholic bishops, as if communists would do a better job. In Ireland - perhaps the most Catholic of countries in the past - open revolt against the Church is at full throttle. Also, a major Catholic hospital in Italy may be on the verge of financial collapse, thanks to negligent or, possibly, criminal mismanagement. Finally, in decades past, a tiny minority of horrible clerics have committed sexual and financial crimes and indiscretions that have brought embarrassment to the world's foremost champion of human rights and equality.

++ More on weeping Christian images

Above: The Risen Christ.
Right: YouTube video of the
oozing liquid.

After reading a report on how Medjugorje visionary Mirjana Soldo felt sick for three days after a particularly powerful visit with The Virgin Mary in which Our Lady was very sad (article found HERE.), I was reminded of my promise to post more pictures and information regarding weeping Christian statues and images that I have witnessed. 




Perhaps the most 
famous one is "The Risen Christ," in Medjugorje. For years, the larger-than-life bronze and copper statue has exuded a water-like liquid from its right knee. Pilgrims, there, line up throughout the day and night to wipe prayer cloths on the knee of the statue in recognition of Acts 19:11-12: "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them." Reportedly, many healings have resulted from the prayerful pilgrims' use of these cloths, back home.


When asked the meaning of this phenomenon, Medjugorje's visionary, Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic, reportedly said that it is a sign that we should get on our knees and pray. Investigators have been at a loss to offer a scientific explanation.

My collection of floral scented oils
that have exuded from statues
at four different sites.

Many other statues and pictures exude fragrant oils. The scent is usually very floral though not always the same. Some have suggested that since Blessed Mother is closely associated with the rose, this sensual blessing is a gift from her. Indeed, the strong scent of roses is widely known to fill the room during very prayerful moments.   

However, the phenomenon is not limited to statues. Many Christian pictures also ooze liquid at particularly holy sites. For example, in the bedroom of the suffering soul known as "Little Audrey" Santo, numerous statues and pictures wept oil that was determined to be 75% olive oil and 25% from an unknown liquid.

+ Video: Miraculous Image of Jesus Christ?

One day, while praying, Ruth Werkowski looked up at her nearby television. On the blank screen emerged a miraculous image of Jesus Christ. Her witness video is available at the end of this posting. Click on the video to watch her testimony.

x Another banking crisis? We were warned.

[4/19/14 UPDATE: Statement of Archdiocese of Dublin on Alleged Visionary "Maria Divine Mercy" declares: "... these messages and alleged visions have no ecclesiastical approval and many of the texts are in contradiction with Catholic theology."] 

"Satan is everywhere today -

in the Church, in the law, in medicine,

in science, in the press and in the arts.

But there is an area where he is 

for the greatest part running the show

and that is in the banks."

Deceased Austrian visionary, 

Maria Simma,

early 1990s

Here we go again. It appears that the global banking crisis of 2008 was just a warm up.

When I first read the above prophecy, I thought it sounded silly. At that time, I was focused on other global trends: drug addiction, abortion, pornography and human trafficking, violent crime, the decadent messages of Hollywood, and the anti-Christian themes in the popular culture, for examples. But central bankers and international investment bankers? Their schemes weren't even on my radar screen. After all, they dress nicely and have polite manners.

+ Do not fear The Warning

Friends, Lyn and Vinny, forwarded to me an email regarding a European woman who claims to be communicating holy visions and who prefers to be known as Maria Divine Mercy. Her extensive messages, since November 9, 2010, appear to be very consistent with other prophecies regarding The Warning and Chastisement from God. However, her messages offer us words of comfort and encouragement. Some of those short excerpts are listed below. Much more detailed messages may be found at www.TheWarningSecondComing.com. She is reportedly submissive to the Magisterium of the Church but, of course, these are private revelations and your Spiritual discernment is recommended. [4/19/14 UPDATE: Statement of Archdiocese of Dublin on Alleged Visionary "Maria Diving Mercy" declares: "... these messages and alleged visions have no ecclesiastical approval and many of the texts are in contradiction with Catholic theology. These messages should not be promoted or made use of within Catholic Church associations."

Reported words of Jesus Christ, September 7, 2011: "...tell My precious children that they must not be fearful of The Warning. Many will feel frightened and this is understandable. But they must listen carefully to Me. I will come to each of you. You will see Me and feel Me in your heart and soul. My presence will flood your souls with the purest of love and compassion so you should be joyful. At last you will see Me and your soul will be enveloped with love and excitement.

++ Carmelo Cortez is coming to New York

(NOTE: THIS EVENT ALREADY OCCURRED.)

With thanks to my beautiful Christian sister, Elsye, I want to pass on this information regarding the upcoming visit of visionary Carmelo Cortez, to New York:

Since 1991, a young Filipino man, Carmelo Cortez, has had numerous experiences of the Madonna and is able to manifest detailed images of the Christ, Mary, and others onto rose petals. Healings have also been associated with these phenomena. In June 1991, Cortez, age 21, was living in a squatters' area in San Francisco Del Monte in Quezon City. He was given a picture of the Madonna, which he placed on an altar. The following night he heard a soft voice and the sound of beautiful music. Cortez followed the voice and found it was emanating from the picture. The Madonna was shedding tears of blood and the baby Jesus in the altar appeared to be catching the tears with one hand. The picture was later placed on a church altar, and a relative of Cortez was healed of a fever. Two days later, Cortez said he was again awakened by beautiful music, and the Madonna began giving him messages. Since that time, Cortez has seen and talked to the Madonna more than 100 times.

+ Prophecies: The Three Days of Darkness

In my earlier posts on the alarming possibilities - not probabilities - regarding an approaching object named Elenin that is orbiting the Sun (see posts here and here.), I pointed out that the reported after-effects of its passing might fulfill the Three Days of Darkness prophecies.

Whether our planet will experience catastrophic consequences on and around September 26, 2011 depends on if the object turns out to be a harmless comet or a looming dwarf star. There are strong opinions on both sides of that debate. Everyone agrees that it will pass directly between our planet and the Sun on September 26. Some investigators have reported that the object is 16 times the size of Earth, with a gravitational force that will cause catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis. Others argue that the massive size is only when the gaseous coma around an icy comet is taken into account. They say its gravitational force will be minimal. Finally, some report that the object's gaseous tail contains hydrogen cyanide, a toxic combination, that will fan toward our planet, into our atmosphere.

Christian persecutions you don't know

"... a time is coming when anyone who 
kills you will think 
he is offering a service to God."

John 16:2

Who isn't aware of the murderous threats of radical Islamists? After 9/11, we could ignore them no more. But I bet you did not know about the rampages of radical Indian Hindus in recent years. How could so much anti-Christian and, more specifically, anti-Catholic violence receive so little coverage from America's mainstream media? (Never mind. That's a rhetorical question.)

Here are just a few articles on the rapidly escalating incidences of Christian persecutions at the hands of Indian Hindu extremists.

Christians Burned Alive, Thousands Flee

Christians Persecuted Even in Refugee Camps

Sisters of Mother Teresa Attacked, Require Police Protection

Second Catholic Church Attacked in Days

Priest Seriously Injured in Attack against Catholic Church

Hindu Fundamentalists Attack Christian Meeting

Pastor Found Dead; 'Anti-Christian Forum' Claims Credit

Bishop: Extremists "poisoning their minds with falsehoods"

Falsely Accused Priest Arrested

Hindu Extremists Set Fire to Cathedral

Extremists Slander the Church, Send their Children to Church-run Schools

Burning and Looting Continues, Christians Beaten and Cut to Pieces

Sisters of Mother Teresa Accused of "kidnapping and forced conversion"

Hindu Fundamentalists Beat Up Six Christians

More than 500 Cases of Anti-Christian Violence

Church Attacked Four Times in Four Days

Please pray for everyone who risks or endures persecution for the love of Christ. Please pray even harder for their persecutors. 

+ Elenin-Earthquake Coincidences? Perhaps.

Recently, I reported on unsettling possibilities regarding an object named Elenin that is orbiting the Sun. It is said to be 16 times the size of Earth and will be positioned precisely between the Sun and our planet on September 26th.

If Elenin is an icy comet, as some claim, it should pass without incident. However, if it is a dark dwarf star, as others argue, the gravitational forces it will exert on our planet will be extreme. The catastrophic consequences, among others, will include massive earthquakes and tsunamis. In fact, the unforgettable quakes near Chile and Japan, over the past two years, each happened when there was distant alignment between Earth, the Sun and Elenin. This time, alignment will be much closer. (See: Orbit Visualization Tool and adjust for whatever date you wish to view.) At the present time, Elenin and the Sun are not aligned but nearly equidistant from Earth, at roughly twelve o'clock and ten o'clock on the dial. That means that their combined gravitational forces are affecting the Earth, generally from the same direction.

So, I found it interesting that, last night, Colorado experienced its strongest seismic activity in four decades. Now, as I write, I am listening to reports regarding an extraordinary earthquake that just hit the Washington DC area.

Coincidences? Perhaps.

8/27/11 UPDATE: SpiritDaily.com posted a link to someone who has estimated the statistical significance of major seismic activity coinciding with the alignment of the Sun, the Earth and Elenin. He points out that, "Four of the last four Sun-Earth-Elenin lineups have generated quakes of 7.0 or better, and the average magnitude of these quakes was 7.8." He goes on to run the numbers and demonstrates that this convergence of circumstances has a statistical probability of "0.0299% or, roughly three chances in ten thousand, or one chance in 3300." He concludes that the severity of these earthquakes adds even more credibility to a tragic scenario: "One was 8.8 and one was 9.0, so that makes the probability of this all being a mere coincidence that much more unlikely." His calculations appear to make sense. But whether this person is reasonable or a member of the lunatic fringe, I do not know. 
(See: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1610328/pg1)

+ Escarchas: God's Glitter?

I have witnessed the strange phenomenon of Escarchas more than a few times. I never see it in a taxi, or a football stadium, or a bar. No, it always presents itself in a place, and at a time, of deeply serious worship. Afterwards, it often remains on church pews, or even on the hands or faces of prayer warriors.

Example of escarchas from
mystic Emma de Guzman

The word "Escarchas" means "frost" in Spanish. When Americans see it, they often call it glitter. But, though it looks like glitter, it is very different. A translated Spanish article, found on SpiritDaily.com, describes the scientific testing that was done on a collection of Escarchas from 1993 to 1995. The original article was titled, "La Gracia de las Escarchas" and was written by former monk Allan Weilart.

Investigators from different laboratories at the Central University of Venezuela, conducted two sets of studies. They found remarkable differences in man-made glitter and the Escarchas that had appeared on different dates at the monastery of Carrizal, as well as other convents and a Marian conference.

xx Is Elenin Associated with the Three Days of Darkness Prophecy???

[Note: This event has passed without incident. However, similar cosmic phenomena may pose similar threats to mankind in the future.]

One thing is clear, except for Noah, predictors of imminent global doom have a perfect record, unblemished by success. Still, many prophecies of saints and Scripture have been surprisingly accurate, through the centuries.

So,  with some hesitation and at the risk of sounding like the crazy old coot on the corner shouting, "The end is near!" I want to describe a little-known, but certain, event that will happen soon and that possibly could have cataclysmic consequences. In fact, the phenomenon is being studied from every scientific angle, yet rings eerily consistent with prophecies regarding the Three Days of Darkness.

++ My favorite flower

Earlier, I posted reports on Carmelo Cortez's miraculous ministry. Drawing on the power of the Mass, with deep reverence for his Catholic faith and with little fanfare, Carmelo turns water into fragrant oil,dips severed white rose petals into the oil, offers a prayer and, within minutes, incredibly detailed Christian images appear on the rose petals. Sometimes, the petals even transform into Hosts.

++ "Miracles are real, and they're real today."

Check out this inspiring short video from a doctor who proves that, sometimes, you need more than modern medicine. A little faith and prayer can even raise the dead! [Thanks Lyn and Vinny.] Click Here for Video.

More updates on Medjugorje

For those who missed ABC Primetime Nightline's "Beyond Belief" series episode titled, "Miracle Mysteries," here are two short video clips that include some of their best reporting.

Click here for video clip #1.

Click here for video clip #2.

Those two segments weren't bad. In my post below, however, you can read about my many disappointments regarding the rest of Bill Weir's investigation. I have received a lot of feedback from viewers of the show who agreed with me that the report, at times, was  insulting.

Another Medjugorje Miracle?

You've heard the slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Well, I have another one: "What happens in Medjugorje, is for the whole world to know."

Author Christine Watkins recently interviewed one of our fellow-pilgrims - a woman with stage 4 cancer - and was told some amazing medical updates. The story is posted at MinistryValues.com and you can read this great witness if you CLICK HERE.

Read about how visionary Vicka prayed over her, how she rested in the Spirit, and what her doctors are now finding.

Hopefully, ABC will follow up on the story, this time, with a lot less skepticism.

The fruits of Medjugorje simply defy scientific explanation.


UPDATE: Sadly, I must report the news that Flerida Gutierrez has passed away. As a stage 4 cancer patient, she was featured prominently in the ABC Nightline special "The Miracle Mysteries." Another fellow traveler, Richard Landers, also has passed since our June pilgrimage. My sadness is limited to their surviving loved ones. For my departed friends, however, I have nothing but happiness, and the confidence that they now are being richly blessed by Our Lord.

ABC Got Lost on the Way to Medjugorje

God bless the ABC News Nightline team for trying. Their recent broadcast of “The Miracle Mysteries,” regarding Marian apparitions in Medjugorje and elsewhere risked what Blessed Pope John Paul II called “the mocking and ridicule of the Pharisees of these apocalyptic times.” They tried, and the special could have been far worse. However, it could have been far better.

I travelled with the ABC news crew on my recent pilgrimage to Medjugorje. My stay there was unforgettable and life-changing. So, perhaps foolishly, I hoped that Nightline would capture the Spirit of that trip. They didn’t.


At least I can say that the show did not end as badly as it began. It had to start, of course, with the mainstream media’s favorite Marian stories of people who see the Virgin in stumps, grilled cheese sandwiches, salsa stains, and on the bellies of turtles. That waste of air time seemed like trying to discredit Picasso’s paintings, for example, by citing the very mediocre quality of forgeries.

Salvation is from the Jews

I highly recommend this short video for people of every faith. Author Roy Schoeman discusses his book "Salvation is from the Jews" with Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jonathan Bemis. (A Messianic Jew is one who believes that the promised Messiah is Jesus Christ.) In simple terms, Schoeman explains God's master plan regarding Jews and Gentiles from Abraham to the Second Coming. He exposes the seeds of division that the evil one has planted through the centuries to keep Christians and Jews separated. While I cannot yet comment on the book's theological clarity, I do believe that the author's main message resonates with the Christian belief that God loves us all and that "In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek."  After a long search, Roy found the fullness of his faith in the Catholic Church. Watch the video or, better yet, buy the book. May God bless you and your message, Roy! [Thanks to author Brian Gail for bringing this video to my attention.]

The Church's position on Medjugorje

Some have asked me about the Catholic Church's official position on the Medjugorje phenomenon. The answer can only be, "It is still under investigation." However, on August 15, 1993, His Eminence Cardinal Dr. Franjo Kuharic', Archbishop of Zagreb, was quoted in the Croatian, Roman Catholic newspaper, Glas Koncila, saying, "We bishops, after a three-year-long commission study accept Medjugorje as a holy place, as a shrine. This means that we have nothing against it if someone venerates the Mother of God in a manner and in agreement with the teaching and belief of the Church. Therefore, we are leaving that to further study. The Church does not hurry."

Though there has been criticism from two succeeding bishops of that diocese, reportedly, the Vatican has taken control of the investigation. "Interrogations" of the visionaries are believed to be underway, but it is almost impossible to draw official conclusions until the final chapter is revealed. However, Pope John Paul II once famously commented, "Medjugorje, Medjugorje, it is the Spiritual heart of the world."

A Eucharistic Flash Mob?

Who can compile all the ways in which modern technologies have overwhelmed our senses and have been utilized to promote evil? The list seems endless. So, it is refreshing to find a YouTube video that cuts through our fog of worldly distraction. If you have just eight minutes to quietly contemplate Our Lord, check out this video. [Thanks to SpiritDaily.com and Bozena for bringing this video to my attention.]

++ Unforgettable Medjugorje

As I write these words, today  is the 30^th anniversary of the first Marian apparition in Medjugorje. The beginning of those world-famous visions  is celebrated on the 25^th of June, however, because that day marks the first time the visionaries spoke with the Blessed Mother.

Recently, I returned from my pilgrimage to that small, mountainous town in Bosnia Herzegovina, forever changed. Medjugorje is a memorable place, and my trip was filled with unforgettable experiences.

It was one of the great pleasures of my life to meet, talk and even joke with visionary Mirjana Soldo. She is 46, soft-spoken and thin from fasting. She radiates a seriousness and, perhaps, even sadness as she recounts the history of the apparitions and the messages that Blessed Mother has revealed to her through the decades. However, she quickly offers a loving smile and a quick wit whenever the opportunity presents itself. In fact, I found myself on the receiving end of her wit.

++ Off to Medjugorje

A few days ago, I returned from the international book exposition in New York, after promoting my new Spiritual thriller as well as the other books that Vero House has published. Within 24 hours, however, I was committing to a bigger trip. A strange set of circumstances converged to put me on the path to Medjugorje, perhaps the world's most controversial site for alleged miracles.

Unwinding from my New York trip, I felt moved to check out one particular group trip to Medjugorje, even though I knew that my circumstances made my participation extremely unlikely. I prayed that God would lead the way if He wanted me to go. Then, within hours of when I first considered the trip seriously, every barrier had fallen and I found myself overnighting my payment, at the very last minute.

Medjugorje is a tiny town in Bosnia-Herzegovina (the former Yugoslavia, near the Adriatic Sea) in which countless miracles have been claimed since 1981. The details are far too numerous for this blog but, for those who want to learn more, a great book on the subject is by the former "Rolling Stone" reporter, Randall Sullivan. "The Miracle Detective" is a wonderful read for the Spiritually curious of any faith, but especially for Catholics. (I should warn, however, that two consecutive bishops of that diocese have refused to accept the supernatural nature of the events, even though vast numbers of clergy, including Pope John Paul II, have highly praised them.)

Anyway, three decades ago, six children started claiming that they were seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary. At first the communist leaders of Yugoslavia tried to bully and threaten the children and their families into changing their story. That didn't work.

x This one is hard to figure out...

A couple years ago, I attended the Lakeland Revival. Also known as the Florida Outpouring, this movement rocketed old fashioned tent revivals into the 21st century. (You might say, "Something like Oral Roberts on steroids.")  Utilizing every available technology - including simulcasts on the internet, giant flat screens, rock musicians, and swooping boom cameras - the organizers had generated international excitement out of a global audience. The claimed miracles were numerous and many of the witnesses I heard sounded very credible.

+ The True Cross???

A few weeks ago, I was entrusted with a reliquary that ostensibly contains a splinter from the True Cross. An aging priest had found it, years ago, in the attic of the home where he and a number of priests had been living. He asked me to try to make it available to Catholic churches for viewing during Holy Week, each year. This year it will be on display at a church in Florida.

As you can see, below, the reliquary is highly ornamented with golden accents, pearls and Latin inscriptions. I do not believe the reliquary itself is extremely old because I have seen it, or at least something similar, advertised in a recent catalog. The relic, itself, is the small splinter at the center of the ornamented cross. It is secured with a strand of red thread.