8/29/08

STORY OF A BOOK COVER.




In 1998, Ed Sousa, from West Warwick, Rhode Island had traveled with me on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia. Since my story contained our many spiritual adventures on our journey together to this holy village, he had encouraged me, through the years, to finish my memoir A Healing Heart.Ed had been aware of my search to find a special picture for my book cover. We both knew that the cover for a book had to catch the attention of the buyer.He had contacted his son, Greg Sousa, who is a professional photographer living in Fort Myers, Florida. I wanted a picture that would produce a very tranquil scene.Greg was wonderful and had offered me several pictures from his collection for me to consider for my book cover. They all had been serene but something seemed missing.Without Greg saying a word to anyone, he took his camera and sat on a pier facing Sanibel Island in Florida. He closed his eyes and prayed to God to send him the right picture for A Healing Heart. After an hour of mediating, he snapped a picture of the clouds above the island. He did not study the sky to see what was facing him.It was not until he went back to develop the picture, that he saw the view of the sky for the first time. The picture displayed a magnificent form of clouds above Sanibel Island. The red rays that were bursting out from under the huge cloud, looked like flames of fire shooting down on the earth and upon the water.The more we studied it, the more it became a perfect picture. Every detail of the cloud had matched each side so precisely, that it looked like the picture had been folded in half.Can our eyes play tricks on us? Perhaps, but to me this picture is miraculous. Prayer is stronger than people realize. Greg prayed, believed, asked, and received. I had no doubt after seeing this picture that this was also a gift to me; not only from Greg, but from God.Our eyes can also see what they want at times. I look above the gifted cloud and see a glowing gold crown encircled with the same red flames.Will this picture on my cover catch the eye of the reader? I will have to wait and see. But for now, I'm proud to see A Healing Heart by Alberta Sequeira written across the cover. http://www.ahealingheart.net/
*Photo is of Edward and Donna Sousa's son, Greg Sousa, the chief photographer for Argus News in Goldsboro, North Carolina, who took the picture of the cover photo for author Alberta Sequeira's book A Healing Heart.

8/26/08

Jesus asks us to be his Lights in the World.


When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying...


Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


LIGHT OF THE WORLD....You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

8/24/08

A Recent Photo from Medjugorje.


This picture was taken in Medjugorje by my friend Sue a Medjugorje pilgrim... Ivan was showing her group where Our Lady first appeared to him and Sue took a picture of the spot. When she developed the film this is what came out in the picture.

8/22/08

Feeling Spiritually Dry Then Call upon the Holy Spirit.



How dry they were!" —Ezekiel 37:2.......Are you feeling spiritually dry? Do you feel that God is looking at your life and saying, "How dry you are"? At one time in my life I was constantly surrounded by spirit-filled people, but felt so dry and far from the Spirit that I'd given up hope of ever receiving His fullness. I was spiritually dry and I desperately needed living water. However, my life was fulfilling the saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." I wanted the Spirit and a few of His gifts, but I didn't want the Spirit to run my life."It is the Spirit that gives life."It's the Holy Spirit that gives the ability to love God and neighbor with our all. I knew these truths, but I only wanted the Spirit to give me a half-life, not the full. I wanted new life, but didn't want a new lifestyle.
For years, God soaked me with His sweet love through the Mass and the Bible. Eventually, I came to Jesus and begged Him to immerse me in the Holy Spirit even if I had to change my entire life. I received the Holy Spirit and was stunned to discover that I loved this new lifestyle.... Mary said: "Let it be done unto me," and became a model for all future Christians.

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the most powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit and descend upon me. Father, I pray and ask you to give me all the gifts of your spirit.

8/21/08

Prayer of Healing to the Archangel St. Raphael with Fr. Joe Whalen


PRAYER TO THE ARCHANGEL ST. RAPHAEL
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, your are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God", I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor
(name it) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

8/17/08

Feast of the Assumption:-Our Lady's message to Ivan of August 15, 2008


“Dear children, also today I call you with responsibility to accept my messages. Live, dear children, my messages. Today, in a special way, I call you, renew family prayer. Dear children, only by the renewal of the family prayer can today’s world be renewed spiritually. Spiritual renewal, dear children, is necessary for today’s world. Dear children, know that the Mother prays with you. The Mother intercedes with Her Son for all of you. The Mother loves all of you. Dear children, thank you for having responded to my call.”

8/15/08

Three Days in Purgatory.



----- Three Days in Purgatory---- There was a good man who was very sick. Because he was in pain all the time, he was begging God to release him and to heal him from all his sufferings. One day, he had a dream: an angel appeared, and told him: “You are not going to live very long. Make your choice: either three years of suffering here on the earth, or three days of suffering in Purgatory.” The sick man chose the three days in Purgatory. After his death, the angel appeared again to comfort him. The Poor Soul told him: “What! You promised me that I would suffer in Purgatory for only three days, but I have been here for at least three years!” The angel answered back: “What are you talking about: you have been there for only a few moments. Look: your body on the earth is still warm!” This story tells you how serious are the sufferings of the Poor Souls in Purgatory. It is true; indeed, in no way we can compare the sufferings in Purgatory with the sufferings of the earth. That is why, it is much better to try our best to offer our sufferings as Purgatory on earth. St. Augustine was right when he said: “Lord, chop me, burn me, and let me suffer all kind of things on the earth, but spare me for eternity.”We should do all our best to help the Souls in Purgatory: offer your Mass, Communions, Sacrifices and Rosaries for them. You can be certain that they will remember everything that you did for them. In particular, remember that during the 1st week of November, you can gain plenary indulgences for the Poor Souls: you just have to visit a cemetery and offer your prayer for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope.

Half the Kingdom! Main Site

8/14/08

Medjugorje Reflection:- Dear Children I am calling you.


Spread the message…Dear children! You are the ones responsible for the messages. The source of grace is here, but you, dear children, are the vessels which transport the gifts. Therefore, dear children, I am calling you to do your job with responsibility. Each one shall be responsible according to his own ability. Dear children, I am calling you to give the gifts to others with love, and not to keep them for yourselves. Thank you for having responded to my call. May 8, 1986...
Sacrifice your lives for the salvation of the world. I am with you, and I am grateful to you, but in heaven you shall receive the Father’s reward which He has promised to you. Therefore, dear children, do not be afraid.part message, February 25, 1985..Posted by http://www.crownofstars.blogspot.com/

8/8/08

Fr. Jozo-Adoration-in Italian


Algo realmente hermoso!!!!!

Padre Jozo Preghiera ed Adorazione 6 Aprile 2008

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

8/7/08

All are Called



The Lord spoke to Saint Paul in a vision. Do not be afraid,keep on speaking, do not be silent, for I am with you. Acts18:9

We are all called by the Lord to evangelize and to bring the good news of Jesus to our friends, family, and to all our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. No one is exempt. All are called to give witness to Our Lord and Saviour who died such a cruel death for us.

8/6/08

This century is under the power of Satan.


The random, savage beheading of a young man on a bus in Canada reminded me again that Satan exists. Savage acts like this reminds me also of what Our Lady said: Satan currently has a 'free hand', and as his time is running out, he is getting more desperate.


Our Lady explained to the visionary Mirjana in the early 1980s after she had seen the devil, ""Excuse me for this, but you must realize that Satan exists. One day he appeared before the throne of God and asked permission to submit the Church to a period of trial. God gave him permission to try the Church for one century. This century is under the power of the devil; but when the secrets confided to you come to pass, his power will be destroyed. Even now he is beginning to lose his power and has become aggressive. He is destroying marriages, creating divisions among priests and is responsible for obsessions and murder. You must protect yourselves against these things through fasting and prayer, especially community prayer. Carry blessed objects with you. Put them in your house, and restore the use of Holy Water." Taken from Medjugorje Forum

8/5/08

For those who would like to read the conversion story of Maria Vallejo Nagera.


Interview with Charismatic Priest Fr. John Randall.


iPadre Podcast #34 - Interview with Fr. John Randall
by ipadre ~ November 1st, 2006
In today’s show, we have an interview with Fr. John Randall. Priest of the Diocese of Providence. Fr. Randall had a major experience of the Lord backin the early days of the Charismatic Renewal. He has also had a radio show, “The Spirit & The Word” for the past 30 years.

8/4/08

Video of the conversion story in Spanish & English of Spanish author Maria Vallejo Nagera in Medjugorje.


Secrets are said to be on a Parchment.


IN MOST UNUSUAL CLAIM AT APPARITION SITE, SECRETS ARE SAID TO BE ON A 'PARCHMENT'
One of the most peculiar and fascinating aspects of "secrets" as claimed at the famous apparition site of Medjugorje is the notion that a visionary named Mirjana Dragicevic Soldo received a mysterious parchment on which her messages are written.
It is of course impossible to verify without seeing. No journalists have seen it, nor have priests, at least not any who have proclaimed such in public.
And it seems so implausible.
Yet, there is at least one historical precedent in the literature of mystical theology, to our recollection, and Mirjana, who was educated at the University of Sarajevo, and whose father was a hospital radiographer, has always been a credible woman, passing even tests conducted with a lie detector.
Mirjana, who was the second youngster to see the Blessed Mother on June 24, 1981 and the first to receive all ten promised secrets, was interviewed for a book called Visions of the Children by a prominent attorney named Jan Connell, who asked how she remembered the secrets.
"I have them written down," said Mirjana.
"In your own handwriting?" asked the lawyer.
"No."
"In the Blessed Mother's handwriting?"
"I received a parchment with the secrets written on it from the Blessed Mother," claimed Mirjana -- as she also told others in the 1990s, for your discernment.
Can there really be a physical substance from an apparition? And what about actual writing? There was of course the manna that rained from the sky in biblical times, the issuance of the Ten Commandments on tablets, and a strange if ethereal glitter that was reported at the apparition site of Fatima. Materialization of liquid and even blood on "miraculous" statues might be cited as another example. There have been Eucharistic miracles (allegedly involving materialization of hosts), and objects such as the Shroud of Turin.
But it remains an extraordinary claim.
The parchment, Mirjana said at the time, was kept in her bedroom at her family's house in Sarajevo (she had been spending summers with a grandmother in Medjugorje when the apparitions began). A source close to her says it is believed it is no longer in that city but in the Medjugorje vicinity.
"If I looked at that parchment, what would I see?" asked the attorney.
"Everyone who has seen it has seen something different," replied the visionary.
But only Mirjana can see what it says, and what it spells out, allegedly -- and incredibly -- is all ten of her secrets.
"The ten secrets are written on this parchment?" asked the lawyer.
"Yes."
"That means you don't have to remember the secrets. You can pull that parchment and read it?"
"I remember everything," said Mirjana, who is now 43. "I don't need the parchment to remember the secrets."
Might it be that when the time comes her priest will view it?
It was upon reception of the tenth in December of 1982 that Mirjana's daily apparitions ended. She still sees Mary on the second of each month as well as her birthday March 18 and often she speaks to the Blessed Mother about those secrets.
At times, the seer has been seen to cry during those purported encounters. During one, Mirjana seemed whipped back and forth three times as by the wind. "The Blessed Mother was speaking to me about very serious things," she said afterwards.
That apparition occurred in 1990 in Portland.
Her first two secrets will be publicly announced several days before they occur by a priest she chose specifically to do this, Father Petar Ljubicic, who now resides in Germany (and who made a special trip to speak to our pilgrim group during our last pilgrimage, left).
The first two of her secrets involve warnings to the world. According to Father Petar, they will occur in Medjugorje. It is also this priest's opinion that events in the world seem to draw us closer to that first secret -- although the visionary has been very strict on releasing any detail and has confirmed no opinions.
Mirjana told Connell in the book that "the first two secrets will be warnings to the world -- events that will occur before a visible sign is given to humanity. These will happen in my lifetime. Ten days before the first secret and the second secret, I will notify Father Petar."
What she has said is that "the first secret will break the power of Satan, and that is why he is aggressive now."
Fascinating is this too from Visions of the Children:
"According to Mirjana, there were three things Satan did not know:
-- The Eternal Father would send Mary, the 'woman' of His covenant with His people, throughout the century, to warn, encourage, and mother the souls struggling in this time of great darkness.
-- The Eternal Father would permit such vast amounts of grace in the world as has never before been known in the history of mankind.
-- The Eternal Father would send chosen souls who would remain faithful no matter what the allure or attack of Satan."
Asked if her secrets involved global economic collapse, Mirjana said that, "I don't know anything about that." Like others, she has emphasized the importance of "recognizing the signs of our times" but not to the point of fear or obsession. "The secrets will unfold in my lifetime. I can say no more. Please ask people not to focus on the future. Our life is one day at a time. Tomorrow is no threat for those who trust God."
[resources: Jan Connell's Visions of the Children and Queen of the Cosmos]