Welcome Steve Good to have you here. I wonder when the Bishops in Portugal will deliver their guidelines on the reception of Holy Communion. It will be interesting to see what they have to say...
Praetorian, are you asking because of the statement from Sr. Lucia that in Portugal they will retain the faith? If so, that is a good observation....
Yes I was. I think it will be very interesting to see their guidelines. "In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved etc." -A quote from Sister Lucy's Journal Why would she write this? We cannot know, but it seems to imply that the dogma of the faith will not be preserved everywhere. But how can this be? The word Catholic means "universal". As in the teachings of the Church are the same everywhere in the world. But what if there came a day when this was no so? When each diocese or each bishops conference was teaching different dogmas?
It would seem so. We are witnessing the book of the Apocalypse being opened right before our eyes. It is a surreal feeling.
I think it is very telling that one of the first modern apparitions in the 1800's was at Knock Ireland. This was shortly before Pope Leo XIII had his famous vision of the "100 years". Mary appeared with St. John the Evangelist, the author of the book of the Apocalypse. No one spoke. He held open the book... This apparition is often overlooked because there were no verbal messages. I think it was even more telling because of the silence. It always reminded me of this verse from that book: And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, as it were for half an hour. -Revelation 8:1 http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/KNOCK.htm
Funny that you mentioned Our Lady of Knock....the silence of it. Marino Restepro who had a mystical experience and conversion speaks around the world . In this video I just finished a few hours ago, he highlighted this exact aspect of knock. He said he feels like it has so much relevance for today . I'll post the link....it's long, but I loved the entire video....but I love all of his. He never prepares his talks....uses no notes....they are from the Holy Spirit...And it shows.
I have heard of Marino but I have never listened to him. Actually I think I may have tried to listen to him once but the accent was a problem. Maybe it was a poor recording as well. I don't remember. I will give him another try this weekend I think Knock is an amazing apparition. Very symbolic. Very somber. Very frightening. I wonder if it was actually where the first seals of Revelation were opened...
Sadly, although I'm an Irish/American, I'm embarrassed to admit that I know so little about knock....only that there were no messages....! Probably why I paid so little attention to it.
That's why I put the link in my post. You can read about it sometime. At least we're both from good Irish stock though. That's the important thing.
Everyone has a speaker or writer that they feel really speaks to them. They wait for their next book or talk. For me it is Marino Restrepo. He had me hooked after listening to his testimony about his NDE or mystical experience. It was so honest and his humility so sincere. I probable watched that video three or four times it impressed me so much. There are certain hallmarks that you can see in someone that points to holiness and Marino has them. He gives retreats all over the world to both laypeople and religious. He does not prepare his talks in advance and uses no notes. They are inspired on the spot by the Holy Spirit....and they are amazing. I have learned so much from him about the catholic faith as I am sure others have as well. That he is traveling the world and is in demand speaks for itself. I'm so grateful for his videos as I would probably not have the opportunity to see him in person. His understanding of the spiritual world is like having a window into heaven! Having these available gives me the opportunity to "attend" a viral mini retreat almost every month. I'm so grateful that he tries to do as many in English as he does...he is from Columbia South America ....I'm used to his accent and have no problem understanding him. I'm glad you mentioned his book. I haven't gotten it yet and I need to. His life is proof that God can use the biggest sinners and reform them into saints. If anyone has someone they love that is not living the faith, don't lose hope. Marino's story demonstrates how God changed his life and can work in ours and those we love.
The notable thing about the Knock apparition is that is occurred immediately after the Parish Priest had completed 100 masses for the Holy Souls. This was heaven's response to a wonderful gift to the Holy Souls by this good man. To those who want to help the Holy Souls (so forgotten now when, it seems, we are all supposed to be heaven-bound immediately after death), I recommend these links: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/search/label/Purgatorial Society http://www.knocknovena.com/
Absolutely, Beth! I agree with everything you say about Marino. He has been a great channel of grace for me.
Thank you JAK. I didn't know that. Do you know if that is the major one that is supposed to happen this summer or a different one? I'm not normally one to follow things like signs in the sky, but I think the celestial events the past couple of years are astounding. I truly think they are signs in the sky for us. They all seem to lead up to October 2017 and then stop...
Hello SteveD. You wouldn't be the one and the same SteveD that was the cause of me getting the boot. If i recall Mac and Fatima were booted at the same time. Us three returned . I have often thought in the last year as the Forum has dramatically changed direction that you are missing a very agreeable place now for you. If it is not asking too much i am v interested if you continued to check out the forum, or if not , how it came to be that you decided to return .
