John Cardinal O'Connor, the Angels and Me

Lately, I've been thinking about my Mom and Dad, who I lost in 1994 and 1989 respectively. The holidays, and particularly this year, loss and solitude is weighing heavily on not only my heart, but so many others too.

But, this post isn't about loss or loneliness, it's about hope and angels and someone always having your back.

I have to start this story from the beginning, which was way back in 1994 when my Mom was ill and bedridden. In May of that year our church was having a dedication and John Cardinal O'Connor, who was the Archbishop of New York at the time, was coming to bless the new altar. My Mom had wanted to go in the worst way, but it just wasn't physically possible for her to do that. My brother was going to be at that Mass though with his family. After the service my brother managed to talk to Cardinal O'Connor and tell him about our Mom and how sad she was that she couldn't be there. Cardinal O'Connor asked for her phone number and promised my brother that he would call her once he was on his way in the car.

As they say, timing is everything... I lived in an apartment next door to my Mom and just happened to be walking over to her house when my brother excitedly pulled up and he and his family piled out of the car with him yelling, "Mare get in the house quick! Mom's getting a phone call!" I had no clue what was happening but of course we all ran into the house as the phone was ringing. Mom picked up the receiver and the moment she heard the Cardinal's voice,  her tears started to flow. We will never know everything that he said to her but I do know that he promised to pray for her at the Mass the next day. He wouldn't mention her name, but she would know that it was her specifically that he was praying for. 

My Mother was raised as a Lutheran. As a matter of fact, her grandfather was a Pastor. She converted to Catholicism to marry my Dad. Growing up, we were raised to pray the rosary as a family, attend Mass weekly and say grace at every meal. My Dad used to do Eucharistic Adoration on the first Fridays of the months, so we were all raised in the faith.  After my Dad passed away I went to Mass with her on occasion. I had Tom at the time so sometimes we had other commitments so we couldn't go with her but the times I did go it seems that she was always in tears by the end. If I was there I would sit there and hold her hand for as long as she needed, but it always just killed me to think of all the people, and priests, that might be just passing her by when I wasn't there. When she got too ill to go, she watched the Mass, from St. Patrick's Cathedral, daily on the t.v. She had a devotion to Mary too and used a one-decade crystal rosary that I had given her to say her daily prayers on. That little rosary would go on to spur me to a rejuvenation of my own faith after she was gone, as I have written about in another post.

After the telephone call, I wrote a thank you note to Cardinal O'Connor but I also mentioned to him my concerns about her spiritual support, or rather lack of it, from our parish. I also wrote about my own struggles with dealing with her illness and just my life in general. I was gob-smacked when I received a response from him. Even more humbling, was the personal note that he added at the bottom, 

"I hope to be able to visit your mother personally on the occasion of the very first opportunity I have. Please tell her I did offer Mass for her in St. Patrick's Cathedral."

Something else happened around that time though. Somehow I found the incredible strength to get through this very difficult time and I could actually feel the presence of some very large angels around me. I believe that it was the prayers and Masses that Cardinal O'Connor offered for my family and I that carried us through those dark months. I could literally feel them beside me and behind me, every day and all day for months. Their presence was so strong, I felt like other people should be able to see them with me, towering over my petite frame.  

I know for a fact that my Mother had angels surrounding her as well. She spoke about them being in her room and protecting her from the other fallen ones that were there too.

Prayer is a very powerful aid, very powerful indeed. I even know the exact day that they left me. At the time I lived literally around the corner from town and had walked up to the pharmacy. When I was in there I met a man, Mr. DePonte, who I've known since I was a little girl. Mr. DePonte had an amazing baritone voice and sang with our church choir. He sang solo at my Mom's funeral Mass. When I met him in the pharmacy he looked a little down-trodden but I went over to him and thanked him for his amazing performance and complimented him on his voice. It was like the sun shone again when he heard my words. He left the pharmacy with a smile on his face. I distinctly remember when I was walking home I felt suddenly elated. I felt like the angels were patting me on the back and saying you did good!  You will be fine! Our work is done here. In an instant, I didn't feel them anymore, but they had gotten me through my Mom's birthday, which was in mid-October.  

It was truly a blessing to have Cardinal O'Connor in my life over those few months. One person's prayers and support can make such a huge difference in a person's life. I thank God that the spirit moved my brother to say something to him when he had the opportunity. I thank God that the Cardinal was not only a man of word but one of action as well. He gave me the incredible strength to go on and my Mother the peace that she needed in order to let go of us and to move on. 

Over the months I wrote a few more times to him to keep him current on the situation. He responded every time I wrote to him, though it took a few weeks.

The Cardinal added a note to our last correspondence that said, 

"I am so grateful for having met her, if only by phone." 

I just wanted you all to know that you are never alone. Your Guardian Angel is ALWAYS with you. Jesus, is ALWAYS with you. Prayers do work. Pray for someone today that they may feel your love. After all, prayer is the greatest gift of love.

Peace to you all.

Mare

 

 

Eucharist Miracles in The Perpetual Adoration Chapel ~ Christmas 2011

Two weeks ago (as of this update, which is 8/19/18) I decided to pray on why me? I prayed for days, as truthfully I have always been at a loss as to what I'm supposed to do with this blessed occurrence, if anything. I have spoken to my Pastor about it, he was also my spiritual advisor on other experiences. He has told me that it is a blessing and a private revelation and that I could share it or not.

I can also say that my prayers were answered as, while in the Adoration chapel, it was revealed to me that, should I decide to share it, it will help the "seekers of truth." It will help those that need to be drawn closer to God. It is to strengthen the faith of those that will need it in the coming years. It is for those whose faith is being strongly tested and they need to be shored up. So, that is why I decided to share these updates with you.
   
For those of you that do not know the full story, you can do a search on here for "Eucharist" and find all the posts about it. You can also visit our Youtube channel at the link above for a detailed account. In short, on Christmas day, 2011 at 1:00 P.M.  an interior locution was received to take a photo of the Monstrance (which is the beautiful holder of the Host). 

In all, 3 photos were taken. The flash went off the first time. Because of that, I basically ignored it until it was decided, October 2016, to have an analysis done of all 3 photos. When this one was analyzed, Jesus' face was immediately recognizable to me. He is very somber in the photo, eyes cast down and it absolutely  breaks my heart.

I will take you step by step through this. This first photo is of a Host, in the chapel, as it normally looks to our eyes. As you can see, it is white. This Monstrance was used in 2016 just FYI. The chapel has 3 different designs that are used. The Host is in the very center of all of them. You can click on the photos to enlarge them btw. That's my fellow adorer, Rosaria, in this photo. I have her permission to publish this photo with her in it.

This photo is the original one taken, when the flash went off. You can see that there is a changed host behind the flash and to the right of it. (compared to the one above).

This is the photo analysis enlargement that was done in October, 2016. Note that the analysis is being done of the right hand side of the Eucharist, specifically where the top left corner of the inset is pointing. Jesus' face is remarkably clear to me in the photo. He is very somber, facing left, and looking down. The white dot in the center, just above his eye and the smaller one, to the right of that, in His hair, are the flash glinting off the glass. Unfortunately there is a green pixelated line going down the side of His face right below the large dot.

This is the photo of Jesus, that I did use photo shop on, to erase the sides of the Monstrance and curtains, so that we focus purely on the face. The face of Jesus is untouched. He is looking to the left.

Here are the other photos that were taken that day. I am also sharing the enlargement of the 2nd. Clearly, you can see that the Host has changed in the following pictures. There is a face in them as well, but people have also reported seeing hearts and babies in utero. I think that you will see what you are meant to see. Many adorers I know have seen, with their own eyes people, crosses and other things in the Host, when they are doing their devotional hours.  What I will say about these photos, after having my eyes opened by the grace and goodness of God is that 

WE ARE ALL ONE BODY IN CHRIST.  God is in us.

This is the second photo that was taken. Note that you can see the Host has changed. The camera was on macro at the time.

This is the enlargement of the second photo. If you place your hand over the left side of the enlargement, the face to the right will be clearer to you. He is looking directly at the camera.

Next up is the third photo that was taken that day in the chapel. It is the clearest of the three. Again, you can clearly see that the Eucharist has changed. The camera was on the right setting, however, I stepped back when I took the photo. Oddly, the photo is crystal clear, but when it is enlarged it becomes pixelated, so it is clearer as is. It is exactly the same face as the second, with the only difference being that the camera was on the correct setting.

Last, but not least, is the photo that was taken when I was leaving the church at 3:00 P.M. The clouds were in the shape of a dove and were from one end of the sky to the other end. It was HUGE and magnificent.

Error Level Analysis:
An error level analysis has been done on all 3 photos. If a picture is unaltered, the colors will be uniform in nature, as these are. I am sharing here the ELA for all three photos photos.

 

Flash photo analysis. Both the original picture and the enlargement are uniform in the respective colors, however you can tell that the enlargement has been added and not part of the original photo.

 This is how the analysis would have looked, if the original pic was tampered with to add a face. I did exactly that so that you can see how an altered photo would appear.

Analysis of Photo #2 Notice it is an unaltered, original photo

Analysis of photo #3. Notice it too is an unaltered, original photo.

The photos still in the camera.

I am awed and overcome with emotions when I look at the photos and contemplate the meanings of them. I am humbled and frankly tremble at the thought that we are all one body in Christ. If I sit and truly think about that it is a life-changer, in how I live my life and how I treat others. It is not only mind-blowing it is overwhelming. I urge you to sit and contemplate on that one thought, which is mentioned twice in the Bible btw, and really think about it and how you live your life. I ask myself, do I approach Him in the Eucharist with a clean heart and soul all the time? Are my actions and words a good representation of Him on earth?

We are ALL one body in Christ. 

He IS present in a consecrated Host. He IS with us at the Mass. He IS with us until the end of the age.

Luke 22:19 "And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'"

John 6:54 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

I hope this post opens up hearts and minds to literally walk with Christ day to day. Our world needs more eyes, and hearts, opened. Christ, IS working through us and we are in Him and He is in us. We should all live accordingly.

Have a peaceful week.

Mare

Faith & Healing

A few days ago  I read an interesting article about faith and healing. It was a nice article, in the Aletia on-line magazine, that showcased one man's perspective on how they go hand in hand. Can you have healing without faith? Of course you can. It happens every day in the hands of doctors, surgeons, therapists and other mental health professionals and even financial advisors. All of them can heal a person in one way or another. I guess you could say that you have faith in those people because you sought them out to help you, but I'm talking about a faith in God when it comes to healing. Even Atheists have faith in doctors and the others.

I know that my church, and one other local one, have monthly healing masses and services. During the mass the Holy Spirit is invoked and asked to provide healing for all of those present whether it be a spiritual, mental, or physical aspect. After the mass, at my church, a healing service is conducted where there is a laying on of hands and then prayers are said over a person. It probably took me a year to actually go and have that done to me. I remember the first time that I went to the mass I sat and watched the service afterward and some of the people that were being prayed over crumpled to the floor. That totally and completely freaked me out and, as one with a rather formidable figure, I had visions of myself crumbling to the floor while four skinny arms tried to stop me. The speaking in tongues thing gave me a "what the?" moment too. After that, I educated myself on what was happening and why. Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit. If you are truly speaking through this gift, either you will understand what is being said or someone else will. If it is all just garbled nonsensical ramblings, it is not the Holy Spirit speaking through them. The other thing I learned is that you can sit and have them pray over you. Once I found that out I decided to have a go at it.

I was prayed over by a group of 3 women, one of which was a Sister involved with the church's School of Religion. I sat down while they each put a hand on me and inquired what my prayer intention was. I told them that it was not actually for me but a family member that was struggling with addiction. During my education on the crumbling and tongues I found out that you can have them pray over you for the healing of another person. I did have some pretty serious things going on in my own body at the time, but I really needed to pray for my loved one. The women then put both of their hands on me and started to pray, with their eyes closed. The louder and more passionate they got, the more I felt a flush of heat pulsate through my body from my hair follicles to the tips of my toes. It only took a few minutes before some of them were speaking in tongues. After the flush I felt an incredible peace settle into my bones and then it was over. I just sat there with my eyes closed feeling the peace and warmth and utter silence in my head and it was just an awesome experience. I wish I could say that my loved one stopped using drugs and was immediately cured, but it took many more years of prayers before he decided to get clean and sober. On the other hand, I had a pretty miraculous, unexpected turn of events.

The following week I had to go for a follow up sonogram. A prior test had shown that four of my organs were filled with cysts. My pancreas had so many that they thought it was a tumor. The follow up sono could find no trace of any of them, neither in the pancreas nor in any other organ. My doc said whatever you are doing, keep doing it! I've been to a number of healing masses since then. I've had tumors disappear and many prayers answered. You can say that I am a firm believer in the power of prayers, the power of faith and its direct correlation with healing.

If you have the opportunity to go to a good healing service or mass do so. Stay away from things like Reiki though. They are not invoking the Holy Spirit and you are opening yourself up to some nasty things. It is okay to pray for yourself, but it is more important to pray for others.  God hears all prayers. God heals, if it is His will to do so. Sure, healing can occur without a faith in God, but isn't it nicer to have him by your side?

Have a great week.

Mare

Yesterday, I Heard the Voice of an Angel

No kidding! Yesterday I was up very early, well for me anyway, and had my morning routine done by 9:00 am so I decided to go to mass earlier rather than later and attended the 9:30. Did you ever have one of those moments when something just elated you so much that you had to smile? Well I had one of those moments yesterday.

From where I was sitting I could not see the angel. I could not tell you if it was a boy or a girl, or their age. But what I can tell you is they might have been pint-sized in stature but certainly not in devotion. There was an adult choir singing at the mass, front and center of the church, but the angel had them beat  by a mile and sang every song as if it was being sung from the tip of his/her toes to the top of their head. The little angels somewhat squeaky voice  sang every single song and said every prayer clearly and crisply and with such innocence it was hard not to smile. I could just imagine the little finger pointing at each word as it was enunciated. It was just beautiful and uplifting and poignant.

Perhaps that is what Jesus meant when he said -

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 18:3 King James Bible

When was the last time you attended service and sang the loudest (or even sang) and recited the prayers and thought of the meaning behind each word and understood or, at the very least, contemplated it?  I will admit I am not perfect either. On occasion I too have been known to mouth words to songs or not sing along as I did yesterday because I did not have them in front of me. We should all approach the church and the altar of God as brilliantly as that small child did yesterday. What an incredible service that would be.

If that beautiful little voice elated me to a new height I cannot even begin to fathom how it elated our blessed Lord Jesus, to whom he/she was singing and praying. All of us could learn from the little angel. Leave all the things of this world outside when you enter your church. Listen to the scriptures; do not just read them in the book. Close the book and listen to the words being read and those being preached. Sing the songs, even if you sometimes sound like a croaking toad as I often do. Approach the Eucharist with the reverence and grace that it deserves, regardless if you believe it is His actual body and blood or a reminder of His sacrifice. Keep the Sabbath holy. Attending mass on Sundays is a wonderful way for a family to spend a day. It is true - the family that prays together, stays together. I am not sure if services are mandatory for many of the Christian faiths, I suppose it is, however I do know it is for a Catholic. Nothing has changed in their doctrine since its inception. Sunday mass is mandatory and to not attend (sans illness or inability such as there are no churches in your area) is considered a MORTAL sin. That is a major no-no.

Let us all find time to be with our Lord here on earth and have the same passion for Him as the little angel.  He deserves nothing less than our undivided attention and our un-ending devotion. I have often said if you cannot find one hour a week to spend with Him, well then how do you expect to spend an eternity with Him? Let us all approach the altar of Our Lord with the same zeal, devotion and innocence as the little angel.  Have a blessed week.

Peace!
Mare