Proof: The Shroud is Authentic

Animation from:  http://www.theworkofgod.org/shroud.htm

The Shroud of Turin is a tremendously important artifact, helping us realize the extent of the suffering and ignominious death of our Lord Jesus Christ. I, like many others, have always believed the Shroud to be authentic, and simply waited for the time science would finally catch up with reality. Here it is:

"New scientific experiments carried out at the University of Padua have apparently confirmed that the Shroud Turin can be dated back to the 1^st century AD. This makes its compatible with the tradition which claims that the cloth with the image of the crucified man imprinted on it is the very one Jesus’ body was wrapped in when he was taken off the cross. The news will be published in a book by Giulio Fanti, professor of mechanical and thermal measurement at the University of Padua’s Engineering Faculty, and journalist Saverio Gaeta, out tomorrow. “Il Mistero della Sindone” (The Mystery of the Shroud) is edited by Rizzoli (240 pp, 18 Euro).

"What’s new about this book are Fanti’s recent findings, which are also about to be published in a specialist magazine and assessed by a scientific committee. The research includes three new tests, two chemical ones and one mechanical one. The first two were carried out with an FT-IR system, so using infra-red light, and the other using Raman spectroscopy. The third was a multi-parametric mechanical test based on five different mechanical parameters linked to the voltage of the wire. The machine used to examine the Shroud’s fibres and test traction, allowed researchers to examine tiny fibres alongside about twenty samples of cloth dated between 3000 BC and 2000 AD.
 
"The new tests carried out in the University of Padua labs were carried out by a number of university professors from various Italian universities and agree that the Shroud dates back to the period when Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem. Final results show that the Shroud fibres examined produced the following dates, all of which are 95% certain and centuries away from the medieval dating obtained with Carbon-14 testing in 1988: the dates given to the Shroud after FT-IR testing, is 300 BC ±400, 200 BC ±500 after Raman testing and 400 AD ±400 after multi-parametric mechanical testing. The average of all three dates is 33 BC  ±250 years. The book’s authors observed that the uncertainty of this date is less than the single uncertainties and the date is compatible with the historic date of Jesus’ death on the cross, which historians claim occurred in 30 AD.
 
"The tests were carried out using tiny fibres of material extracted from the Shroud by micro-analyst Giovanni Riggi di Numana who passed away in 2008 but had participated in the1988 research project and gave the material to Fanti through the cultural institute Fondazione 3M."
Source: Vatican Insider, Andrea Tornielli, March 26, 2013  

At the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Source: http://www.wrkl.org/torino9.htm

Angel Cloud Appears on Pope Francis's Election Day

South Florida residents saw an Angel cloud formation on the day the new pope was named.
The cloud angel appeared over the Royal Palm Beach area in South Florida a few hours after Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
Some faithfuls say the angel cloud may be heaven's signal of approval of the Cardinals' choice on the new pope. Being a clear sign or maybe a message from God, showing his pleasure at the election of the first Latin American as the 267th successor of St. Peter.
The cloud angel witnessed by South Floridans, snapped photos from several areas and sent them to local TV stations including WFLX and WPTV.
Diane Barnwell snapped a photo of the angel in the sky.  She told WPTV, "It looks like an angel to me, it really, really does. (laughs). I thought 'wow, this is really something, you know?' It made me feel like something is watching over us. And I know the pope was elected yesterday so maybe that was a sign that God is happy with what's happened."
Raymond Russo of St. Ann Catholic Church in West Palm Beach sees a different spiritual leader in that cloud. "To me it looks like Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit all in one, coming to give us a message of good tidings."
Father Nestor Rodriguez is the pastor St. Ann Catholic Church, he says, "Obviously people will see different things, but I think if it's significant for people of faith…if it gives us inspiration…glory to God!"
While most Floridan's were seeing it as a sign sent from above, some were a little on the skeptical side. MSN Now reports, "Sure, masses of devoted souls immediately branded the gorgeous, glowing formation as an "Angel sent for the new Pope," but as speedily as Floridians were snapping and posting photos, comments streamed in disputing the holiness of the illuminated being, with others claiming to see everything from a sea monkey to Lucifer in the heavenly formation."
More than 34,000 people viewed the photo on the WFLX Facebook page and hundreds have shared their feelings on what it means to them.
Thom George wondered, "if Pope Francis ordered that."
Cat Sunn's reaction was, "The Pope asked to pray for Him... God answered."
Hilary Veguilla says, "Just a tiny glimpse of heaven."
Johnny L. Harra keeps thoughts simple, "Its beautiful no matter what or where it came from. People need hope especially right now here in the U.S."
With all things, the angel cloud means different things to different people, but there is one thing that is clear – it captured the imagination.

Source: The Jacksonville Observer

Cardinal Mahony's Vote: Is This Disturbing?

I debated for a while about whether or not I should discuss this topic.  I didn't want to add a negative note to the jubilant air over election of our wonderful and humble new Pope.  However, an article sent to me by Mary, a beloved family member, caused me to write this article.  Thank you to her for sending it.

Something Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles wrote about on his blog is rather disturbing to me.  In an article of March 17, 2013 entitled "Power of the Holy Spirit," he writes about  how the immense amount of prayers helped the Holy Spirit move through the Conclave.  In one paragraph he writes,

"However, when the first blank ballot was given to us, and when it was time to write down a name, something powerful--and strange--happened.

I picked up my pen to write, and I began.  However, my hand was being moved by some greater spiritual force.  The name on the ballot just happened.  I had not yet narrowed my thinking down to one name; but it was done for me.

I wrote it, then trembled deeply.  That's when I knew the Holy Spirit was fully working within the Church of Jesus Christ, and that my role was not to "select" the new Successor to Peter, but to "write down" his name--a name that had been given to me." Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs L.A., Power of the Holy Spirit, March 17, 2013

This might seem wonderful at first reading, but on closer inspection, what he describes sounds a whole lot like occult "automatic writing".  That his hand was forced to write a particular name is indicative of this type of practice used by New Age practitioners.

He never says whose name he wrote.  Therefore, I don't just assume he voted for Cardinal Bergoglio.

To gain clarity on this issue, I searched out articles that teach the difference between "automatic writing" from demons and heavenly locutions/apparitions given to saints. Even the greatest saints can be fooled, and many warned us about it.  This paragraph is from an article that distinguishes the two types of messages in a way a lay person like me can understand,

"A Catholic mystic can never be in the same category as a medium – which is essentially what a person becomes when participating in automatic writing. When a saint writes what God inspires him or her to write, the person is always fully aware of what they’re writing and are not allowing themselves to be used as a kind of channel, which is the case with automatic writing."  Women of Grace, The Difference Between Automatic Writing and Christian Locutions, S. Brinkmann, May 7, 2012

Mahony's statement, "...my hand was being moved by some greater spiritual force...I had not yet narrowed my thinking down to one name; but it was done for me," sounds like the uncontrolled automatic writing described from the article, "When a saint writes what God inspires him or her to write, the person is always fully aware of what they're writing and are not allowing themselves to be used as a kind of channel, which is the case with automatic writing."

Am I saying that the members of the Conclave made the wrong decision?  Never!  God's Holy Spirit moved through the Conclave and the outcome is His Will!  Pope Francis is the Pope for our time, as God wills it!

What I'm saying is, I'm disturbed and confused by Cardinal Mahony's description of his own, personal experience in the Conclave voting.  Perhaps his writing style exaggerated how the Holy Spirit guided his vote.  Perhaps his choice of words, that his hand was moved by a "force", was just a manner of speaking and not meant for readers like me to take in such a literal way.  It could be my slanted view receiving a beautiful, descriptive narrative so negatively.

Further complicating my discomfort with Cardinal Mahony's statement is the fact that his ability to vote in the Conclave was under protest by many because of all the diabolical abuse scandals in the Los Angeles Diocese during the time in which he presided. He was forced to resign on January 31 of this year by Archbishop Jose Gomez in light of the horrors that occurred. See image and text of the official letter below this article.

Also, are the Cardinals supposed to talk this much about what happened in the Conclave?  Where is the line over which they should not step?

It is possible for the wrong spirit to work alongside the good.  When Jesus was on the cross, evil lurked where good was prevailing.  At the last supper, evil took over the heart of Judas at the same time that Jesus instituted the Eucharist.  That we are participants in a tumultuous spiritual battle is a fact. Satan uses all his wiles to tear down our faith, our church, and our devotion to what is good, true, and right; to fool even the elect, if that were possible.

Prayer, especially the rosary, will help keep us spiritually armed for this war.

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

This week we are releasing the files of priests who sexually abused children while they were serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

These files document abuses that happened decades ago. But that does not make them less serious.

I find these files to be brutal and painful reading. The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil. There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened to these children. The priests involved had the duty to be their spiritual fathers and they failed.

We need to acknowledge that terrible failure today. We need to pray for everyone who has ever been hurt by members of the Church. And we need to continue to support the long and painful process of healing their wounds and restoring the trust that was broken.

I cannot undo the failings of the past that we find in these pages. Reading these files, reflecting on the wounds that were caused, has been the saddest experience I’ve had since becoming your Archbishop in 2011.

My predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed his sorrow for his failure to fully protect young people entrusted to his care. Effective immediately, I have informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry has also publicly apologized for his decisions while serving as Vicar for Clergy. I have accepted his request to be relieved of his responsibility as the Regional Bishop of Santa Barbara.

To every victim of child sexual abuse by a member of our Church: I want to help you in your healing. I am profoundly sorry for these sins against you.

To every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I want you to know: We will continue, as we have for many years now, to immediately report every credible allegation of abuse to law enforcement authorities and to remove those credibly accused from ministry. We will continue to work, every day, to make sure that our children are safe and loved and cared for in our parishes, schools and in every ministry in the Archdiocese.

In the weeks ahead, I will address all of these matters in greater detail. Today is a time for prayer and reflection and deep compassion for the victims of child sexual abuse.

I entrust all of us and our children and families to the tender care and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Angels.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend José H. Gomez

Archbishop of Los Angeles
http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/media/Press%20Releases/2013-0131_JHGStatement-EN.pdf

Why St. Francis of Assisi?

Many have expressed that perhaps Pope Francis should have chosen a Jesuit-inspired papal name.  It turns out he has!  Pope Innocent III (1160-1216),  church reformer, had a dream/vision of St. Francis of Assisi holding up a falling St. John Lateran Basilica of the Vatican.  It was then that Pope Innocent III decided to allow Francis to start his religious order. Here is the Jesuit connection:

"While some people thought maybe Pope Francis took his name thinking also of the great Jesuit St. Francis Xavier, Father Blaszczak said Jesuits know just how important the life, example and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi was in the conversion of their founder, St. Ignatius, and in the development of what has come to be known as Ignatian spirituality.

"St. Ignatius, who lived 1491-1556, was from a Spanish noble family. After being wounded in battle, he began reviewing his life and thinking about his future. Father Blaszczak said he saw his choices as life and a career in the royal court or a life spent imitating St. Francis of Assisi.

"'For Ignatius, Francis is the alternative to the life of the world. Francis, with his itinerant ministry and his intense devotion to the life of Christ and his ascetical lifestyle,' is the counterbalance to the worldly life in the court, the Jesuit said.

"'Ignatius, as he admits himself, was given to womanizing, gambling and feats of arms,' but at the time of his conversion, 'to his great surprise,' Ignatius finds himself 'much more attracted, much more consoled, enlivened and given joy when he thinks about imitating the life of St. Francis,' the founder of the Franciscans, who died in 1226." *

In light of these revelations, it's hard to imagine Cardinal Bergoglio choosing any other name!  Perhaps our new Pope Francis is the man, inspired by the good and humble St. Francis of Assisi, who will "right" the church in turmoil as Pope Innocent III envisioned

 Pray the rosary for our church leaders and especially Pope Francis!

*Source: 

Catholic News Service, author Cindy Wooden

Pope Francis: "How I Would Like a Poor Church, and a Church for the Poor."

Pope Francis I arrives in the Paul VI hall during an audience for members of the media, at the Vatican March 16, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Max Rossi

VATICAN CITY | Sat Mar 16, 2013 6:30am EDT

 

(Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Saturday that he wanted the Catholic Church to be poor and that its mission should be focused on serving the poor.

The pope made his comment in an audience with journalists, explaining why he chose to call himself after St. Francis of Assisi, the saint who is a symbol of peace, austerity and service to the poor.
He called Francis "The man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man," and added "How I would like a poor church, and for the poor".

(Reporting By Philip Pullella)

Pope Francis ended his press conference today by saying to the journalists, "I love you so much and I thank you for everything!"

Pray a rosary a day for humility, just as our holy Pope has clothed himself! 

Pope Francis Prays to Pope St. Pius V, Devotee of the Holy Rosary

 

In his first full day as Pontiff of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis set out on his own to pray to Mary at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and then he visited the tomb of Pope St. Pius V who firmly believed in the power of the rosary. This article tells the amazing story of a miraculous military victory thanks to Pope Pius's devotion to Mary and her powerful rosary:

The Rosary Defeats Muslim Forces in The Battle of Lepanto ~ 1571

The chapel of Christ of Lepanto in The Cathedral of San Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain. 

(Photos from http://jn1838.blogspot.com/2010/04/crucifix-of-lepanto.html)

The crucifix from the ship of Don Juan of Austria in The Battle of Lepanto. The oncoming Moslem Turks shot a cannon at it and the Corpus miraculously swerved to the right, avoiding the shot, and stayed that way ever since. This treasure is venerated at The Cathedral of San Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain.

The Battle of Lepanto, October 7, 1571 ~ At the end of the Crusades, Catholic naval forces, in a battle with Muslim forces, were at a decided disadvantage in numbers and resources. Knowing the odds for victory were poor, St. Pope Pius V requested all of Europe to pray the rosary. While performing his duties in the Vatican miles away from battle, the good Pope is said to have suddenly stood up at the moment of victory, gone over to a window and exclaimed, "The Christian fleet is victorious!" while shedding tears of gratitude to God. Through the power of the rosary, the Catholic forces soundly defeated the Muslim Turks.  In another point of interest, Admiral Andrea Doria commanding the Catholic forces carried a small image of Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle. This image is now venerated in the Church of San Stefano in Aveto, Italy.


Pray the rosary!

Pope Francis, Eucharistic and Marian; the Pope of St. Don Bosco's Dream?

Pope Francis is devoted to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Evidence of this view can be seen here in the talk he gave at a 2009 Eucharistic conference. His deep spiritual understanding, devotion, and reverence for the Eucharist and Mary as Eucharistic Mother are clear and undeniable in this captivating presentation. Click here: On the Eucharist and Mary by Cardinal Bergoglio

Is this the pope of Saint Don Bosco's dream? Will he guide the embattled ship of the church to safe harbor through the pillars of the Eucharist and Mary, just as the good Saint envisioned? In an earlier article I discussed this idea with regard to another possible papal candidate. Is this new Pontiff, who lives the humble spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and who chose his papal name to be "Francis", remembering when Pope Innocent III had a dream of St. Francis holding up a falling St. John Lateran, the Vatican church?

Pope Francis has also been a strong defender of life, speaking out unafraid against abortion, the most diabolical evil of our times. As such, this defender of the world's most innocent human beings is absolutely Marian at heart. Satan, in his virulent hatred of the Blessed Mother, attacks society where he couldn't even approach Mary; at its very motherhood.  He rages and our society justifies it. 

Cardinal Bergoglio, in a joint statement of the bishops of Latin America, called it a "death sentence" for the unborn. in a 2007 speech he said, "we should commit ourselves to 'eucharistic coherence', that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated.  This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals." On March 25, 2011, the good Cardinal led a Rosary for Life at the Cathedral of Buenos Aires on Argentina's "Day of the Unborn Child".

Cardinal Bergoglio lived up to his words by insisting that the children of unwed mothers in Argentina be baptized, a sacrament that children had been denied by all but a few parish priests, about whom the Cardinal called the "hypocrites of today," who would keep God's salvation from them. He said that special tenderness should be shown to sinners and those who are estranged from the faith because, "God abides in the midst of them."

His devotion to our Blessed Mother is further revealed in that, as the first act of his first full day as the Bishop of Rome, he chose to visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major where he presented a bouquet of flowers to our Holy Mother and spent some time praying in front of her icon. He underscores his humility that same morning by insisting on paying his own hotel bill for simple lodgings.

Pope Francis pays his own hotel bill on the first full morning as pope. Credit to Linen on the Hedgerow

On a side note, as I discussed in an earlier article before the Conclave and understanding that if the Holy See gives a negative opinion, we are to flee from these messages, Mary discusses in locutions.org, messages supposedly given to a seer and discerned by Monsignor John Esseff for publication,  that the new pope would be deeply Marian, one whose devotion was formed by Mary deep in his heart from the start. A humble one who would be a surprise choice as Pontiff after the obvious choices had been exhausted. In a different series of apparitions, also not yet approved by the church, Mary tells the seer Pedro Regis that the See of Peter is in for some difficult times as the "ship of the church", recalling to my mind St. Don Bosco's dream, will be in some turbulent waters. Messages to Pedro Regis of Anguera, Bahia, Brazil

Following the example of our new Holy Father who prays the fifteen decade rosary (perhaps even twenty) each day, pray a rosary every day for the conversion of souls, an end to abortion, the souls in purgatory, and for Holy Mother Church and our new Pontiff.

Sources:
Catholic News Service
Wikipedia: Francis of Assisi
Life News
Zenit
EWTN News

  

Pope Francis, Short Bio

BERGOGLIO, S.J., Jorge Mario
(1936- Birth. December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The family emigrated from Piedmont, Italy, to Argentina. Son of Mario Bergoglioa railway worker, and Regina Sivori, a housewife who took care of the intial education of the five children. When he was a teenager, he had a lung removed die to an infection.
Education. Obtained the diploma of technician in chemistry. Entered Seminary of Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. Joined the Society of Jesus on March 11, 1958. Novitiate in Chile (humanities); Colegio Máximo San José, San Miguel, Buenos Aires (licentiate in philosophy); professor of literature and psychology in Colegio de la Inmaculada, Santa Fe, and in Colegio del Salvador, Buenos Aires; Colegio Máximo de San Miguel, (theology). Besides his native Spanish, he also speaks Italian and German.
Priesthood. Ordained, December 13, 1969, by Ramón José Castellano, titular archbishop of Giomnio. Further studies, 1969-1971; third probation, Alcalá de Henares, Spain, 1971-1972; took the final vows, April 22, 1973. Master of novices, Villa Barilari, San Miguel, 1972-1973; professor in the Theological Faculty; consultor of the Jesuit province and rector of the Colegio Máximo. Elected provincial of Argentina, July 31, 1973. During the Argentinian military dictatorship, he helped hide people being sought for arrest or disappearance by the military because of their political views, helped others leave Argentina and lobbied the country s military rulers directly for the release and protection of others. When the dictatorship was raging and some of his confrères were ready to embrace the rifle and apply the lessons of Marx, he energetically opposed the tendency as provincial of the Society of Jesus in Argentina. Spent some time in Germany. On his return, assigned to Colegio del Salvador, Córdoba and then, spiritual director and confessor, Jesuit Church, Córdoba. Rector of Colegio Máximo de San Miguel and of its Philosophical and Theological Faculties, 1980-1986. He published Meditaciones para religiosos, 1982; Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica, 1986; and Reflexiones de esperanza, 1992.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Auca and appointed auxiliary of Buenos Aires, May 20, 1992. Consecrated, June 27, 1992, cathedral of Buenos Aires, by Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, archbishop of Buenos Aires, assisted by Emilio Ogñénovich, bishop of Mercedes-Luján, and by Ubaldo Calabresi, titular archbishop of Fondi, nuncio in Argentina. His episcopal motto is Miserando atque eligendo. Attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 29, 1994. Promoted to archbishop coadjutor of Buenos Aires, June 3, 1997. He moved from the episcopal palace to a small apartment, took public transportation and cooked his own meals. Attended the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 16 to December 12, 1997. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Buenos Aires, February 28, 1998. Ordinary for the faithful of the Oriental rite in Argentina without an ordinary for their own rite, November 30, 1998. Grand chancellor of the Catholic University of Argentina. Second vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 21, 2001; received the red biretta and the title of S. Roberto Bellarmino, February 21, 2001. Member of the Congregations for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, for the Clergy, for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life; of the Pontifical Council for the Family; and of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Attended the Tenth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 27, 2001; relator general adjunct. Participated in the conclave of April 18 to 19, 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI. Attended the Eleventh General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 23, 2005. On November 9, 2005, he was elected president of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina for the triennium of 2005-2008; reelected for the triennium 2008-2011 on Novembr 11, 2008. Participated in the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate that took place from May 13 to 31, 2007, in Aparecida, Brazil. Named member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on February 23, 2013.
Papacy. Elected pope on March 13, 2013. Took the name Francis.

Links. Photograph and biography, in Spanish, Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina (AICA); photograph and biography, in English, Press Office of the Holy See; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; and his photograph and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Article from http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm

Video: Pope Francis Speaks on the Eucharist and Mary

A nugget of gold! In this video, Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis I, speaks about the Eucharist and Catechesis at a 2009 conference.

Pope Francis on Catechesis

HABEMUS PAPAM!

Deo Gratias!

Sistine Chapel: Step Inside for a Virtual Tour

Stand inside the beautiful, historic Sistine Chapel where 115 Cardinals from around the world will choose the next Pontiff of the Holy Roman Catholic Church! Move your cursor to view the chapel in 360 degrees.

Step Inside the Sistine Chapel

On the Don Bosco Prophetic Dream Theme...

There are thousands of seers, visionaries, and locutionists. Among these, some claim themselves to be Catholic. Among those, I keep abreast of only a small handful that I think, in my non-theologian opinion, do not seem to contradict Catholic beliefs. I also keep my eye on what the local Catholic bishop's opinion is, and I ignore the messages completely if he disapproves. This is my caveat.

In a previous post I discussed the 1862 prophetic vision of St. Don Bosco that he shared with the boys in his charge:

"In this particular dream Saint John Bosco saw himself standing on a rock in the middle of a vast ocean with no land in sight. What he saw was a vast fleet of innumerable ships in 'battle array.' The prows of these ships were formed into sharp, spearlike points so that whenever they might be thrown or thrust they destroy completely. These enemy ships have lots of guns of all shapes and sizes and missiles but also books, which they also wish to use against one big ship, which Saint John Bosco sees as a majestic and fully equipped ship with its escorts of smaller ones and who receive commands by signals from the big ship. There are various movements and manoeuvres carried out by the escort ships to defend it. In the middle of this ocean and with chaos all around, Saint John Bosco sees 'Two Columns in the Sea' one of which is smaller than the other, and on top of the smaller, stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He explains that under Her feet, there is a written title which reads, 'Auxilium Christianorum' which means in English, 'Our Lady help of Christians' and on top of the taller Column is a huge host and written underneath that the title is written 'Salus Credentium' which means that 'Salvation of the Faithful' and which he indicates will be through the Eucharist.

On the deck of the big majestic ship, Saint John Bosco sees the unnamed Sovereign Pontiff who summons all his power and energies to guide the big ship in between the 'Two Columns in the Sea.' He also points out that there are two very big anchors on the Ship one on either side, which are now attached to the Two Columns in the Sea as though the big ship was seeking safety in the midst of the violent storm which was raging against Her. All of the enemy ships move to attack the big ship using guns, writings, books and shouting and anything else they can find. The enemies use all their power and might as violently as they can to try to sink the big ship, but no matter what happens, gentle breezes from the 'Two Columns in the Sea' protect, and save the big ship from destruction.

All the ships that have fought against the Pope’s big ship are scattered, they flee, they collide, break up and are lost. Those smaller ships that have come to the Pope’s rescue and have helped save the big ship are now tied up to the Two Columns in the Sea. They are safe from the raging wind and fire and storms that are sinking the enemy ships." ~ Catholic Lane

With the Conclave starting in two days to replace Pope Benedict XVI, these words are particularly weighty.

Like a child peeking into the doorway of the fancy adult party when she's supposed to be sleeping, I try and sneak a look into what's going on behind the scenes in the Kingdom of Heaven. I went to the site of a visionary I sporadically watch. In the latest message, posted five days before I wrote my article, I was surprised to see our Blessed Mother refer to the Catholic Church as an embattled ship. This particularly interested me. My article of March 7, 2013 entitled, "Next Pope: His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke?" was a speculative piece that points out how the mission statement of the Apostolate for which he is the International Director has, as its mission, catechesis through the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Eucharist; just like Don Bosco's pillars in the sea! Future pope? It would certainly fit Don Bosco's prophecy!

I did a search of the other, numerous messages on the visionary's site and there is no other reference to a ship. Here is the message. Please read understanding that this is not an officially approved vision and there has not yet been any decision on the matter:

"3.783 – Message of Our Lady Queen of Peace delivered on March 2, 2013 transmitted in 02/03/2013
Dear children, return to Jesus. He is your All and only in Him is your Salvation. Trust in Him who sees what is hidden and knows each one of you by name. When you feel the weight of the cross, call upon Jesus. Face your needs with courage and you will be victorious. Difficult days are coming for humanity. Now is a time of great and painful tribulations. Pray. Do not stop praying. The great ship (the Church) will face tempests never seen before. She will be encircled by enemies and many will leave her. The net will be cast, but it will break, letting many important fish escape. Jesus is your Way, Truth and Life. Believe firmly in His power and everything will end well. Do not hold back. Go forward without fear. This is the message which I bring to you today in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Thank you for allowing me to gather you here once again. I give you my blessing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you." ~Messages to Pedro Regis of Anguera, Bahia, Brazil

Is our Holy Mother leaving a trail of bread crumbs for us to follow? Leaving messages to help us understand what's happening in these times? This is all speculation, of course. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me," but He also said, "Watch out that no one deceives you, For many will come in my name...and will deceive many." (Mat 24:4-5)

When I get too caught up in searching out these curious messages, I stop to pray a rosary, relying on the Gospel messages for my primary guidance. Jesus gives us all that we need for salvation, if we avail ourselves of it.

When in doubt, gaze lovingly at His image and say, "Jesus, I trust in You!"

Join One Million Rosaries, Crusade for the Conclave!

 

One million rosaries per day for the Conclave! Centro Culturale Lepanto, an Italian lay organization formed in 1982 to, "Defend the principles and institutions of Christian civilization" is promoting a rosary crusade beginning now until the end of the Conclave "For the greater good of holy church and to hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary on the world."

To participate, Click here: One Million Rosaries a Day For the Conclave

Locutions To The World

Monsignor John Esseff and Mother Teresa  www.locutions.org

A series of heavenly messages given to an unknown seer have been discerned and publicized by Monsignor John Esseff, a diocesan priest of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is currently spiritual director to "hundreds of souls", and to one special one in particular who has been receiving inner locutions from Jesus and Mary. Originally the messages were for a private prayer group, but since December 10, 2010, the messages were intended for the world. Monsignor Esseff was also spiritual director to Mother Teresa of Calcutta and traveled the world to lead retreats for her sisters as a favor to her. In 1959, Padre Pio became Monsignor Esseff's spiritual director.

As always, we approach these locutions with caution and await the decision of the Holy Catholic Church. The character, discernment, and reputation of Monsignor Esseff seem beyond reproach, but Satan has wiles to fool even the elect.

As of the writing of this article, the latest series of messages are astonishing as Jesus and Mary discuss Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the state of the church, and the upcoming conclave. Mary and Jesus tell us in the messages that the next pope to be chosen will be a man straight from the heart of Mary; a strongly Marian pope. In light of her message at Fatima, "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will be triumphant," this has special significance.  Here is the latest message as of the date of this article, from February 27, 2013 entitled, The Messenger Pope.

Jesus

How much time has been lost. The gifts of God set aside. So many times I have spoken to my servants, the prophets. I have given them heavenly messages for all the world to hear. I entrusted these messages to my Church, my bride. To whom else would I given them? She has come forth from my side. She is the new Eve. I would not give these messages to another. I want my bride to be exalted. Yet, how haltingly she accepts my words. Years go by and she does not see the treasure lying in her very bosom. She delays and delays. She keeps hidden what should be proclaimed on the housetops.

No more. The time is too short. The need for my prophetic word is too pressing. I can no longer just send messengers. I must send a pope who himself is the messenger. To him I will speak, directly, heart to heart, even face to face. All the world will know that this pope is a prophet to the nations.

Mary 

For so long I have kept this future pope in my bosom, hidden from the nations, yet called to be their light. I have trained him in my word and he has frequently brought it forth. He is no stranger to prophecy. He understands the gift. He is familiar with my voice.

Know that I am raising up much more than just a pope. I am lifting up a prophet to the nations. All the world will listen because he will not just speak a word of wisdom but a clear prophetic word. He is not shy or bashful. He will not hide the gift. He will not be lifted up to place the lamp under a bushel basket. He knows where my word belongs.

Suddenly, a new light will shine forth, a surprise, a new help for my children who are so confused by the darkness of the world. I will raise up this pope and prophet for my little ones who believe that I can speak directly to them.

To visit Monsignor Esseff's website Click Here: Locutions to the World