Bl. John Paul II could be canonized a saint as early as October. According to Andrea Tornielli at Vatican Insider, a medical team appointed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has called a second healing attributed to Bl. John Paul “inexplicable”. This opens up the possibility for the late pontiff to be declared a saint around his feast day on October 22nd of this year.

 

At John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, the crowds chanted, “Santo Subito” (saint now!). Bl. John Paul II may not have become a saint instantaneously, but could be one after just eight years. In order to speed up the process, Pope Benedict XVI waived the canon law mandate of a five year waiting period. John Paul was recognized as a blessed on May 1, 2011, after the Vatican approved a healing of a French nun attributed to his intercession.

 

In order to be recognized as a saint, a second miracle has to be attributed to the blessed after their beatification. Usually, the most difficult step in the process is the approval of a seven person medical team. Since this second miracle has passed this step, just three steps remain. First, a panel of theologians, appointed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, need to approve the miracle. Second, approval is needed from the 30 cardinals that make up the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The final step is a definitive ‘yes’ from Pope Francis.

 

Because of how quickly the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is pushing the case forward, Bl. John Paul II seems to be on the fast lane to sainthood and has the possibility of being recognized as a saint just six months from now.

ANGELS, ANGELS: THEY'RE ALWAYS WITH US, FROM THE BOSTON MARATHON TO EVERYDAY LIFE

Angels? Angels! Do they exist?

Of course.

But like all phenomena, we must be cautious.

Also, open.

Back in 2007 one man named Scott from Rockford, Michigan told

a site devoted to the miraculous, "I was reading your web site, and wanted to share this photo of a angel with my son.

"This picture was taken the afternoon before my son was to have surgery, at the time of the picture being taken, prayers were being said for his safe recovery, the photo has been tested for two years by photographic professionals and churches and has been found to be a hundred percent real. my son is healthy and strong now thanks to this powerful servant of God."

We discern.

No doubt there will be miraculous accounts from the Boston bombing. Already, we see this:

"Demi Knight Clark, a 36-year-old from South Carolina, believed she had an angel running with her Monday in the Boston Marathon," says a news article today (4/16/13). "She was just a few feet from the finish line when two explosive devices detonated. She probably would have been closer to the blasts that killed three and injured more than 140 if not for the fact her husband and two young daughters were in the VIP bleachers on the other side of the road. Clark, who has worked as a PR rep in NASCAR in recent years, earned the VIP passes by raising money for a Boston charity. 'They would have been right there to watch the finish,' she said. 'Between that and having the angel on my shoulder of moving to the right so I could wave at my daughters because I really wanted them to see me finish, I was right there (and OK). “I looked to my left and a lot of the runners around me were on the ground. It was surreal.'”

No doubt, without angels, more would have died.

It is this way every day.

When we pass on to eternity, we will learn of how many times they saved us here on earth.

From the "Jesus" Film Project:

"Jan Schlebusch, a wonderful man of God from South Africa, is one of the tens of thousands of volunteers who have shown 'JESUS,' using either 16-mm or on video. Jan had taken a most risky step. He was about to show 'Jesus' to a small group of hardened criminals in a maximum security prison in South Africa. He was alone in a room with the 'toughest of the tough' - robbers, rapists and murderers. Several of them were 'lifers.' Jan knew that any one of the prisoners could easily slit his throat with a knife when he dimmed the lights to show 'Jesus.'

"However, despite the pressure he felt, Jan was obedient. As the story unfolded many of the prisoners mocked and swore at the screen. Their language was foul and offensive. Gradually, they quieted down and became more interested in the story. Then an astounding thing happened.

"During the crucifixion, several began to weep. By the time the prayer of invitation was completed, hardened criminals -- every one of them -- were on their knees, sobbing, asking God to forgive them, praying to invite Christ into their lives.

"Shocked and amazed, Jan wasn't sure of what had just happened.

"He turned his head to the corner of the room...startled by the sight.

"Standing before him was an awesome being, ten-feet tall, robed in brilliant white...an angel. Jan said the angel's face was obscured. He could see nothing above the angel's shoulders. This messenger of God lifted up his hand and pointed a finger directly toward Jan: 'You see, Jan, all you must do is be available and do the work.'"

Instantly, the angel vanished --but not the sense of awe that was engulfing Jan. He had seen the Living God at work, pouring out His love upon those for whom He died to save. And he had witnessed the greatest miracle of all. He had seen the vilest of sinners being born from above, becoming righteous in Jesus. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3.

And then there is this online account:

"On July 22nd, 1993 Lloyd Glenn was informed that his three year old son had been trapped at home underneath his family's automatic garage door for several minutes, and that when his wife had found him he was dead. The garage door had completely closed on his little sternum right over his heart.

"Brian was miraculously revived/resurrected by CPR and hospital personnel. But full story of this miracle didn't end there.

"Almost a month later to the day of the accident, Brian awoke from his afternoon nap and said, 'Sit down mommy. I have something to tell you.'

"'Do you remember when I got stuck under the garage door? Well, it was so heavy and it hurt really bad. I called to you, but you couldn't hear me. I started to cry, but then it hurt too bad. And then the 'birdies' came.'

"'The birdies made a whooshing sound and flew into the garage. They took care of me.' 'They did?' 'Yes,' he said. 'One of the birdies came and got you. She came to tell you I got stuck under the door.' A sweet reverent feeling filled the room."

[resources:

The Guardian Angels, Our Heavenly Companions]

AS TIMES TURN TRYING AND DARK,

IT DOES US WELL TO RECALL HOW SAINT TERESA BATTLED AGAINST 'DEVILS'

When we exercise the sacraments (and sacramentals) afforded us by the Church, there's an umbrella of protection. Saint Teresa of Avila -- who for some reason keeps popping to mind (in these times) -- grants us a vivid illustration.

"One Trinity Sunday, I was in the choir of a certain convent, and while in a rapture, I saw a great battle between devils and angels," she wrote (in her autobiography). "I could not understand the meaning of that vision, but before a fortnight had passed it had become clear that it referred to a conflict that had taken place between some persons who practiced prayer and others who did not, which did the house great harm. It was a conflict which lasted a long time and caused a great deal of commotion.

"On other occasions, I saw around me a great multitude of devils, and yet I seemed to be enveloped by a great light, which prevented them from coming nearer. The fact is, I realize so clearly now how little power the devils have, if I am not fighting against God, that I am hardly afraid of them at all: for their strength is nothing unless they find souls surrendering to them and growing cowardly, in which case they do indeed show their power."

Evil spirits only win when we let them!

 

(Although: there is always some harassment).

Demons take aim at holiness. They seek portals of entry. They come like smoke through the smallest crack. One woman from who had a near-death episode could see creature-like demons trying to get to her but she was protected by an enclosure that was like a bubble. We must not breach that bubble. Discord breaches it. Jealousy breaches it. Anger breaches it. Lust breaches it. Going against God's Will is what Teresa probably meant as "fighting" against Him. We fight against God when we have pride and lack love.

So does fear draw demons. Fear of the devil is faith in him.

It energizes darkness.

When we conform to the Will of the Lord, on the other hand, there is that bubble of protection.

"I was about to close my eyes and drift off to sleep when I caught a movement by the door [of the hospital room], and I saw a creature poke its head in," wrote the woman who had the near-death brush. "I cringed backward in fear. Then another one appeared. They were creatures of the most hideous and grotesque appearance imaginable. Five of them entered the doorway, and I was all but paralyzed with fear. They appeared to be half-human half-animal -- short, muscular beings with long claws or fingernails and savage, though human, faces. They came toward me, snarling, growling, and hissing. They were full of hate, and I knew that they intended to kill me. I tried to scream but was either too weak or too paralyzed with fear to move. I was helpless as they came to within five or six feet of the bed. Suddenly, a huge dome of light, almost like glass, fell over me, and the creatures lunged forward, seeming to recognize its threat to them. The dome protected me as they frantically flailed at it and tried to climb on it to get a better vantage point. But the dome was too high to climb on, and they became more frustrated."

Oh, there is still harassment. Oh, there are the trials -- and battles -- of life.

But we have recourse.

"From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like Holy Water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again," said Saint Teresa. "They also flee from the Cross, but return; so Holy Water must have great virtue.

"One night I thought the devils were stifling me; and when the nuns had sprinkled a great deal of Holy Water about I saw a huge crowd of them running away as quickly as though they were about to fling themselves down a steep place.

"May what I have said help the true servant of God to make little account of these horrors, which the devils present us with in order to make us afraid.

"Let him realize that, every time we pay little heed to them, they lose much of their power and the soul gains more control over them."

[resources:

spiritual warfare books]

Spirit Daily 04/15/13

　

 

 

 

　

Definitions You Won't Find in the Dictionary

(unless it's a Catholic Dictionary!)

AMEN - The only part of the prayer that everyone knows.

BULLETIN - Your receipt for attending Mass.

CHOIR - A group of people whose singing allows the restof the congregation to lip-sync.

HOLY WATER - A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.

HYMN - A song of praise sometimes sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.

INCENSE - Holy Smoke

Vatican Approves Miracle in Case of Colorado Boy Healed Through the Intercession of Saintly Nun

 
A Colorado Springs boy was miraculously cured 14 years ago of a serious, unidentifiable illness at age 4, the Vatican has concluded, and his recovery after prayers to Mother Theresia Bonzel has led the church to schedule her beatification — a step toward sainthood — for November.

Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan on Friday congratulated the local motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, who were founded by Bonzel in Olpe, Germany, in 1863. Bonzel died in 1905 at age 74.

Sisters of the order number about 30 in the Colorado Springs area — many of them are retired. Yet others run a nursing home, retreat center and counseling center. A group of the sisters first came to Colorado in 1932.

Once a cause for sainthood has been established, two miracles attributed to the person's intercession are required for canonization, according to church law.

"We were hoping for word at Easter," said Sister Clarice Gentrup, vicar general. "We were very pleased when Pope Francis approved it (March 27)."

[For full story... linked stories may go to secular sites out of our control]

[resources: Michael Brown retreats: Seattle, Portland]