Last week we discussed a current miracle in our midst, the case of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster who, despite being buried and unenbalmed for four years, has shown no signs of decomposition. They call it the miracle of an uncorrupted body. Today we will explore miracles that have occurred over the past few centuries in order to highlight why miracles are important.
The Catholic Church specializes in the business of documenting miracles. As the first and original church, it has done a fantastic job verifying miracles for over two thousand years. Don’t be fooled – miracles did not stop with Jesus and the Apostles. They continue to this day, as evidenced by Sister Wilhelmina. Miracles are important because they remind us that God is in charge, and that there is more to this world than meets the eye.
Miracle of the Sun (1917)
One of the most famous miracles occurred in Fatima, Portugal on October 13, 1917. According to witness accounts, the sun appeared to dance, change colors, and move in the sky. Nearly 100,000 people witnessed this event, including skeptics, journalists, and believers.
The Miracle of the Sun preceded a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherd children: Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The apparitions reportedly occurred on the 13th day of each month from May to October 1917. During these apparitions, the children said the Virgin Mary conveyed messages urging prayer, repentance, and devotion to the Five First Saturdays.
On October 13, 1917, the final apparition, a large crowd gathered at the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary had been appearing. The weather had been rainy and overcast that day, but as the apparition approached, the clouds reportedly broke, and the sun became visible.
Witnessing A Miracle
According to witness accounts, as the crowd looked at the sun, it appeared to dance, change colors, and emit rays of light. Some observers reported seeing the sun “plunging” towards the Earth, causing panic and fear among the crowd. Others described the sun as spinning or rotating. The phenomenon lasted about 10 minutes before the sun returned to its normal position in the sky.
The Miracle of the Sun received significant national and international attention, as the events were covered by newspapers and witnessed by people from various backgrounds. While the precise nature of the phenomenon is still a topic of debate, believers consider it a supernatural event that confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and the messages delivered by the Virgin Mary.
The Catholic Church has officially recognized the events at Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun. The Church subsequently built the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the site, and Fatima has become a significant pilgrimage destination for Catholics worldwide. In addition, the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun is commemorated annually on October 13 at Fatima. One reason miracles are important is that they have a powerful impact on large numbers of people. The Miracle of the Sun has achieved this goal in abundance.
Additional Information About the Miracle of the Sun.
Stigmata of Padre Pio (20th century)
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, experienced the stigmata, which are the wounds of Christ’s crucifixion, on his hands, feet, and side. These wounds appeared spontaneously and bled for several decades until his death in 1968. Padre Pio was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2002.
The stigmata of Padre Pio is one of the most well-known cases of stigmata in modern history. Padre Pio, an Italian Capuchin friar, experienced the stigmata for several decades until he died in 1968.
Padre Pio first reported experiencing the stigmata on September 20, 1918, while praying in the choir loft of the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy. He reportedly saw a vision of Jesus and received the marks of the crucifixion, which included wounds on his hands, feet, and side. These wounds bled intermittently throughout his life and emitted a sweet fragrance, referred to as the “odor of sanctity,” by those around him.
Testing the Miracle
The stigmata of Padre Pio received extensive medical and scientific scrutiny. Physicians, including renowned experts, examined the wounds and investigated their nature. Some medical examinations revealed that the wounds appeared self-inflicted, leading to skepticism and controversy. However, other tests could not explain the phenomenon, as the wounds would disappear and reappear without any medical intervention.
Padre Pio’s stigmata drew significant attention, and people worldwide sought him out for spiritual guidance and healing. He was known for his intense prayer life, reputation for performing miracles, and ability to read the hearts and souls of individuals who came to him for confession.
Verified by the Church
Despite skepticism and controversy, the Catholic Church officially investigated Padre Pio’s stigmata. After a thorough examination of his life, virtues, and reported miracles, he was declared venerable in 1997, beatified in 1999, and canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
Today, as a testament to why miracles are important, millions revere Padre Pio as a significant figure in the Catholic Church, known for his mystical experiences, his devotion to the suffering of Christ, and his dedication to prayer and service. The friary where he lived and died, San Giovanni Rotondo, has become an important pilgrimage site, attracting millions of visitors each year. The stigmata of Padre Pio continue to be a subject of fascination and devotion for many Catholics.
More information about Padre Pio.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous peasant, in Mexico City in 1531. She left her image imprinted on his cloak, known as the Tilma. The image remains intact to this day, displayed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Church investigators subjected the Tilma to rigorous scientific scrutiny, and the unexplained nature of the image is considered a miracle by many.
The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe began in 1531 when the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City. The apparitions occurred over a series of encounters between December 9 and December 12, 1531.
According to the accounts, Mary appeared to Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac and spoke to him in his native language, Nahuatl. She requested the building of a church at the site in her honor. Initially, Juan Diego went to the local bishop, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, to convey Mary’s message. However, the bishop requested a sign to confirm the authenticity of the apparitions.
Miracle of the Virgin Mary
On December 12, Mary again appeared to Juan Diego and instructed him to gather flowers from the barren hillside. He found Castilian roses, not native to the region, and gathered them in his tilma, a type of cloak made from cactus fibers. When Juan Diego opened his tilma to present the roses to the bishop, the fabric had an imprint of the Virgin Mary.
The image of Juan Diego’s tilma, known as the Tilma of Guadalupe, became a powerful symbol of the apparitions and an important cultural and religious icon in Mexico. The image depicts a young, indigenous-looking woman with her head slightly bowed and hands folded in prayer. She is standing on a crescent moon surrounded by rays of light.
Experts in various fields have subjected the Tilma of Guadalupe to examinations and scientific analysis. Yet, the image remains intact to this day, despite being imprinted on a coarse and unstable fabric that typically lasts for only a few decades. Moreover, the image has also exhibited qualities that cannot be explained by scientific means, such as its resistance to deterioration and the reflection of human figures in the eyes of the image.
Profound Impact of Miracles
The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the image on the tilma once again demonstrate why miracles are important, as they have had a profound impact on Mexican and Latin American culture. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built on the site of the apparitions and has become one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.
The Catholic Church has officially recognized the apparitions and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Guadalupe the Patroness of the Americas in 1945, and Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego in 2002. The feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated annually on December 12, and millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica each year to pay homage to the Virgin Mary.
More information about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano
The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano dates back to the 8th century, but it gained renewed attention in the 20th century when scientists conducted extensive investigations. During the miracle, the bread and wine of the Eucharist transformed into flesh and blood. The preserved relics, still visible today and scientifically examined, confirm the miraculous transformation.
The miracle occurred in the Italian town of Lanciano at the Church of St. Francis in the 8th century. According to tradition, a doubting monk was celebrating Mass when, during the consecration, the bread and wine visibly transformed into flesh and blood before his eyes. The flesh appeared to be a piece of human myocardium (heart tissue), and the blood coagulated into solid form.
Testing the Body and the Blood
Centuries later, in 1970, the Church decided to scientifically examine the miraculous relics. A team of scientists led by Dr. Odoardo Linoli conducted a thorough investigation. The flesh and blood underwent numerous tests, including histological, immunological, and microbiological analyses.
The findings of the scientific investigation were remarkable. The flesh consisted of living human cardiac tissue, and the blood was of human origin. The blood type was AB, the same blood type found on the Shroud of Turin and other Eucharistic miracles. The blood was also in a state of coagulation, which is unusual for blood that is centuries old.
Evidence of Transubstantiation
The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano received official recognition and approval from the Catholic Church. The relics are preserved and displayed at the Church of St. Francis in Lanciano.
While all confirmed miracles are important, this particular miracle is even more significant, as it provides tangible evidence of transubstantiation. Transubstantiation is the religious belief that during Mass, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ while retaining the appearances of bread and wine.
The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano continues attracting pilgrims and believers worldwide who seek to witness and venerate this extraordinary phenomenon.
More information about the Eucharist Miracle of Lanciano.
Healing Miracles at Lourdes
Lourdes is a small town in southwestern France that has become renowned for its healing waters and its numerous healing miracles. The healing miracles at Lourdes are based on the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The Church has consistently investigated these healings and subjects them to rigorous scrutiny.
According to Bernadette’s accounts, the Virgin Mary appeared to her 18 times in a cave known as the Grotto of Massabielle. During one of the apparitions, Bernadette followed the instructions of the Virgin Mary to dig in the ground, and a spring of water began to flow. This spring is now known as the “Miraculous Spring” or the “Lourdes Water.”
Since the apparitions, Lourdes has become a major pilgrimage site for Catholics seeking spiritual solace and physical healing. Over the years, countless individuals have reported experiencing remarkable healings and cures after visiting Lourdes and bathing in or drinking the spring waters. Spontaneous healings are extraordinary events and provide another reason why miracles are important.
Lourdes Medical Bureau
The Lourdes Medical Bureau, established by the Catholic Church, has meticulously investigated the healings at Lourdes. The bureau consists of a team of medical professionals who rigorously and scientifically review and assess the cases of healing. They examine the medical records, conduct interviews, consult with experts, and seek to establish whether the healing is scientifically inexplicable or beyond the scope of current medical knowledge.
The Lourdes Medical Bureau has documented thousands of reported healings, but only a small number of these have received official recognition as miracles by the Catholic Church. The criteria for recognizing healing as a miracle at Lourdes are stringent, requiring that the healing be instantaneous, complete, and durable, with no medical explanation.
Notable Lourdes Healing Miracles
Some notable healing miracles at Lourdes that have received official recognition include cases of individuals suffering from severe medical conditions such as cancer, paralysis, and organ failures but subsequently healed after visiting Lourdes and praying for intercession. These cases undergo extensive scrutiny by medical professionals and theologians before the Church makes a final decision.
The healing miracles at Lourdes continue to inspire faith and draw pilgrims worldwide. Lourdes remains a place of hope and spiritual renewal, where individuals seek physical and spiritual healing through their devotion, prayer, and encounters with the sacred waters of the miraculous spring.
More information about the Healing Miracles at Lourdes.
Miracles Are Important
The Catholic Church thoroughly investigates claims of miracles before officially recognizing them. Not all claims receive official recognition, and the Church maintains a cautious approach in such matters.
The miracles discussed, such as the Miracle of the Sun, the stigmata of Padre Pio, the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the healing miracles at Lourdes, hold great significance for many people today. They continue to inspire awe, faith, and devotion in believers and draw pilgrims seeking solace, hope, and spiritual healing.
Miracles Are Symbols of Divine Intervention
These miracles are important symbols of divine intervention and reinforce the belief in the supernatural and the transcendent. They offer a sense of reassurance and comfort to those who face challenges, suffering, or doubts in their faith. For many, witnessing or studying these miracles deepens their conviction and strengthens their connection to their religious beliefs and traditions.
Moreover, these miracles often serve as catalysts for spiritual renewal, inspiring individuals to deepen their prayer life, seek forgiveness, practice charity, and live according to their faith. They remind people of the power of prayer, the potential for miraculous intervention, and the presence of the divine in everyday life.
Approach Miracles with Discernment
However, it is essential to approach these miracles with discernment and an understanding of the Catholic Church’s rigorous investigation process. The Church investigates these extraordinary events carefully, subjecting them to scientific, medical, and theological scrutiny. While miracles are important, not every miracle claim receives official recognition. The Church exercises caution in distinguishing between the extraordinary and the explainable.
Ultimately, the meaning and significance of these miracles are deeply personal and subjective. Nevertheless, they can serve as sources of inspiration, hope, and affirmation for individuals while encouraging reflection, contemplation, and a deepening of faith. Whether one believes in these miracles or not, their historical, cultural, and religious importance cannot be denied, as they continue to shape the lives of countless individuals and communities worldwide.
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Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe