A Marian appearance in the Pope’s native Argentina has been approved:
Motta began seeing the apparitions after she saw rosaries glowing in homes throughout San Nicolas de los Arroyos. She began to pray to the Virgin Mary, who subsequently appeared to her carrying the infant Jesus and wearing a blue gown and veil.
Since 1983, Motta says she has received more than 1,800 visitations from Mary and another 68 from Jesus. Miraculous healings and glowing rosaries have been attributed to them.
In May, the bishop of San Nicolas, Bishop Hector Cardelli, declared that Motta’s visions were of a “supernatural character” and he said he believed the messages had been sent by God.
That was a possible first step toward elevating Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas to a major place of pilgrimage on a par with famous Marian shrines like Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal or Guadalupe in Mexico.
“So we have an apparition where we have a living visionary, who’s approved as authentic by the bishops,” Michael O’Neil, who runs the website MiracleHunter.com,told Catholic News Agency. “Usually they wait until the messages end or the visionary dies, but in this particular case they decided to go ahead with the approval.”
In an interview in the sacristy of the shrine, Cardelli, who became bishop in 2004, said the confirmation that Motta’s visions were worthy of belief was arrived at after psychiatric tests that ensured that she was of sound mind, as well as extensive research and consultations with other clergy and experts.
“The quality, richness of and exquisite content of the messages, and what they produced in terms of conversions, life changes, and healings cannot be the result of mere human action,” Cardelli told RNS.
Cardelli said he spoke about the apparitions with Pope Francis back when the Argentine pontiff was still Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, and the future pope approved of his confirming them.
Aside from wanting a shrine built to her in San Nicolas, the Virgin Mother’s messages – according to Motta – urged renewed faith and frequently lamented the current state of the world.
In another sign that the church accepts Motta’s visions, the diocese last year began publishing messages including many that hadn’t been made public previously.
“This mother continues to endure pain,” says one of the messages. “Pain because humanity is headed for ruin; pain from seeing so much hatred in the world; pain from so much war; pain from such great atheism, pain because men are not allowed to bring the Lord into their hearts.”
Go here to read the rest. The centennial anniversary of Fatima is just slightly more than a year away. There have been a steady drumbeat of Marian apparitions since Fatima. Would that we could say that the words spoken by the Virgin had been heeded during that time. Please pray for us poor banished children of Eve Holy Mother.
The Holy Rosary combined with frequent reception of the Sacraments worthily, is a inexhaustible treasure. The Saints have written thousands of pages backing up this fact. Until you commit to a daily regiment of entering into the mysteries you may not fully grasp it’s beauty.
On the morning of my 16th anniversary of being consecrated to Jesus’Sacred Heart through Mary by means of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s method, I received a signal grace.
It was Monday morning, the Assumption of the BVM, August 15th. After my morning prayers I walked out to the car to prepare for my ride to work. I stood gazing at the stars for a moment before entering my car. I was moved to pray another Hail Mary while looking above. At the words……Now…and at the hour of our death….a beautiful shooting star zipped across the sky.
I know. It’s rather common after a meteor shower went through last week, however the small prayer and moment would of been missed if I hadn’t taken the extra moment to reflect on God’s relationship with us, mine with His Mother, and the extraordinary 16 years I’ve had being a part of the family.
Pray your daily rosaries. Please.