Signs, Wonders, and Miracles
News Connected to Christianity and Catholicism with Biblical Insight
Miracle of the Sun Witnessed by Visitors at New Jersey Shrine
Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima
News Story by Loci B. Lenar
Some visitors at the National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were blessed to witness the Miracle of the Sun on October 13, 2008. I would estimate over a thousand faithful came to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. The Catholic Shrine is located in scenic Warren County on 674 Mountain View Road, Washington, NJ. The shrine has the distinction of being known as the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.
In 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared in Fatima, Portugal to three shepherd children and conveyed God’s message for salvation and conversion. Remarkably, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, were told by the Blessed Mother that God would provide a miracle in order to validate the apparitions and message of Fatima. Our Lady also disclosed that an era of peace would eventually be granted to the world through prayer. For additional information about the Fatima Message, please visit the website of the National Blue Army Shrine at the following link: World Apostolate of Fatima, USA
The anniversary celebration included a lovely rosary procession with display of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. A speech was given by Reverend Lawrence Joseph Schroedel while Father Andrew Apostoli spoke on the sanctity of life for the unborn. Other events included Holy Mass with Father Anthony M. Sirianni as well as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with farewell prayers and brown scapular enrollment.
A short time after the celebration, I walked into the parking area and observed numerous people appearing in awe as they looked directly at the sun. Margie Penkala of Hopatcong, NJ, said she was “watching the sun dance and change colors.” The time was somewhere between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Margie also took an interesting photograph of the Cross of Reconciliation. She was kind enough to supply a copy of the image.
Although not seeing the solar phenomenon; I decided however, to walk over and introduced myself to the two priests standing nearby. I recognized Father Paul Ruge and Father Frederick Otieno Nyanguf, AJ of the Blue Army Shrine. I brought the matter to their attention and gave some details on what people were observing. Both did not see any sun phenomena but agreed to look into it.
I am reminded of John 20:29, when Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” On a personal level, I witnessed the Miracle of the Sun on September 8, 1991 in northern New Jersey. Recalling my own experience, faith does not necessitate seeing the same sign over again. However, for many people a sign from Jesus and the Blessed Mother is an affirmation of God’s love for humanity. Moreover, I have seen other signs and wonders from Our Lord Jesus Christ. For information regarding my personal testimony on the matter, please visit the following link: Miracle of the Sun: A Gift and Testimony of a Spiritual Phenomenon
In order to corroborate the recent sun phenomena, I called Fran Zucchetto of The Immaculate Conception Rosary Society. She helped organize a pilgrimage to the shrine from the parishes of The Immaculate Conception and Assumption Church, both are located in Tuckahoe, NY. She was not available at the time when I called; however, her husband Vincent allowed me to speak to Tina, their 20 year old daughter. Tina Zucchetto confirmed that she attended the shrine with her sister and mother, part of a group of 30 from both churches. She said the group all observed the "sun dancing and changing colors.” She described the colors as “changing from pink to yellow and blue to green.”
Without question, the Lord provides a special grace in order for people to observe the solar event without causing eye injury. However, eye contact with the sun should be avoided otherwise.
I also contacted Betty DeFusco; she coordinated a trip to the shrine through Saint Anne Church, Fairlawn, NJ. She indicated that no one in her group noticed any solar phenomena.
However, my telephone conversation with Lina Sumanga of Our Lady of Fatima Holy Rosary Crusade confirmed that she saw a visual phenomenon. She conveyed that a group of 40 came to the shrine on October 13, 2008 from the Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly, NJ. Lina said her entire group saw the “sun dancing or spinning while changing colors.” She also gave details about her daughter Roxanne using a cell phone camera to photograph the sun and described the subsequent image appearing as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I followed up with a phone call to Judi Ritchie, a supervisor at the National Blue Army Shrine; she confirmed “sporadic reports” of some visitors observing a phenomena.
The following scripture is conveyed in Luke 8:16-17, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.”
We are witnessing signs, wonders, and miracles in order for God to create a reaction in society for constructive change and hence prepare the world for an era of peace.
A press release regarding the story was submitted and circulated through Catholic Online to spread news of the miracle. I also gave a copy of the article to Father Paul Ruge, the new spiritual director at the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.
Copyright 2008 Loci B. Lenar
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Is there intolerance to Judeo-Christian Beliefs?
Several blogs use Loci Lenar's photography from Flickr.com to illustrate a story or news item with good intentions. He appreciates their support and they have his approval to continue to do so.
However, it's been brought to Lenar's attention that some websites with an intolerance to Judeo-Christian beliefs are posting his photographs on their sites to discredit religion in general. Furthermore, inappropriate conduct that targets a person’s religious belief is nothing less then disrespectful. Therefore, permission is denied to guilty parties for inappropriate exploitation of photographs and all the images must be removed.
However, in Luke 6:27-28, we are reminded of the following, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Psalm 27:1 states, The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
In order for people to change their wrongful ways, Our Lord Jesus calls us to pray for them daily. May Almighty God pour out the Holy Spirit and bring forth conversion and peace to everyone that has lost their way to the road of salvation.
The above photograph of the stained glass detail of Moses and the Burning Bush is one of the images in question. The photograph is the right side of the double doors leading into the entranceway of the Church of St. Joseph. The Catholic church is located on New Street in Mendham, NJ, USA.
Our Prayers are with Haiti and Chile
Our heart goes out to the people of Haiti and Chile. Please join in prayer for God's hand of mercy to help the people to recover from the earthquakes. Thank you very much for your prayer support.
Prayer to Mitigate Natural Disasters
God the Father, we join together in prayer and petition heaven for divine intervention to mitigate earthquakes and natural disasters throughout the world.
We invoke the powerful name of Jesus to calm the storms of time and to bring forth a millennium of peace and tranquility.
We pray to the Virgin Mary to interecede on behalf of Humanity for God's hand of mercy to bless us with divine protection.
We ask this and thank thee in the name of Jesus. Amen
I wrote the prayer as a result of the recent earthquake in Haiti. However, Chile has experienced a serious earthquake as well. Please join in prayer for those who lost their lives and for God's mercy to help the families to recovery from the devastation.
The Lord inspired my heart to compose a prayer to help mitigate earthquakes and disasters while I was praying for the victims and familes of Haiti.
Please do not remain complacent, join with me daily by reciting the above prayer or any prayer that you feel comfortable with!
Thank you very much for your thoughtful consideration.
-Loci B. Lenar
Miraculous Photo: Shield of Archangel Michael
In August of 2005, a luminous cross appeared for the first time on Lenar's backyard fence. The same bright cross has subsequently appeared in 2006, 2007, 2008 and again on March 28, 2009 on his property. For more details on the story and to view photograph, please visit the following link: Miraculous Signs of Angels
Pray for World Peace
Please pray daily to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to change the course of history into an era of peace. Also pray the Holy Rosary and request the Blessed Mother to intercede on behalf of humanity.
During her 1917 apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, Our Lady of Fatima foretold of an era of peace. For information connecting her message to scripture, please read Revelation 20: Thousand-year Reign of God's Peace.
The Miracle Prayer
I recommend reading The Miracle Prayer, written by Father Peter M. Rookey. The Lord has gifted Father Rookey and the International Compassion Ministry with a grace of healing.
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Inspirational in its artistic design, the awe-inspiring stained glass window can be seen inside of Saint Margaret Catholic Church in Morristown, New Jersey.
Do you believe in signs and wonders? If so, then I would suggest reading A Tribute to King.
Prayer for Economic Recovery
Please pray a novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague in order to bring an end to the economic recession. Also pray to Our Lady of Perpetual Help to intercede before the throne of God for assistance on all in need of a financial blessing. Pray for God's mercy to enfold our world.
Divine Mercy Prayer
The Lord's blessing and grace flows through the recitation of The Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Pray daily or in time of need!
Signs of Archangel Michael
While traveling through the town of Netcong, located in Morris County, NJ, I stopped into The Church of St. Michael to say some prayers and snapped photographs of the beautiful display of stained glass windows and statues. Remarkably, the image of Archangel Michael shows a colorful rainbow that appeared while photographing the statue. To read the inspirational story and to view the photograph, please visit Miraculous Signs of Archangel Michael.
Miracle at Fatima Shrine
Miracle of the Sun
On October 13, 2008, some visitors at the National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were blessed to witness the Miracle of the Sun. To read complete story, please visit the following link: Visitors Witness Miracle
Miracle of the Son: A Spiritual Visitation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
"The Spirit of the Lord was present and imparted a prophetic vision of our world blessed in peace."
For additional details about the revelation and to read about Loci Lenar's spiritual encounter with the Lord, please visit the following link: Lenar's Personal Testimony.
Miracle of the Sun: Rays of God's Light
During a visit to the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, I photographed Rays of God's Light inside the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Remarkably, the light is flowing through a stained glass window, which is a depiction of the Miracle of the Sun, witnessed by 70,000 people in Fatima, Portugal on October 13, 1917. The Catholic shrine is located on the grounds of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. To view image, please visit the following link: Rays of God's Light
Angel Stories
If you enjoy stories about angels, please do read Angels in the Barn on our website. Caught by an Angel is another wonderful story and is posted on our blog. Both pieces are written by Joan Wester Anderson. She is renowned for writing inspirational stories connected to angelic visitations. Her book "Where Angels Walk" was on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Loyola Press has released an updated edition of her book Where Miracles Happen. The book contains eight new stories.
Angels, Wonders, and Miracles of Faith
For other news and photos connected to Christian-Miracles.com, please visit the blog at the following link: Angels, Wonders, and Miracles of Faith
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