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