Pope Benedict on Divine Mercy

Pope Benedict on Divine Mercy
..........................click image to read about Pope Benedict's book on Divine Mercy

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Works of Mercy Challenge: No. 6 Visit the Sick


Close your eyes for a minute and imagine that you're homebound. Oh, sure, you have family, but everyone has a busy life, right? So what do you do all day? Well, you're homebound so you have obvious physical limitations. You are alone, almost always~ that is unless your lucky enough to have a spouse to take care of you or a Eucharistic Minister to come see you once a week.

You're forgotten.

This will never happen to you, right?

How do you know?

Help us visit the sick and lonely and remind them that God loves them too! Come with us and pray the chaplet, help us combat despair and despondency.

"Pray as much as you can for the dying. By your entreaties [that is, insistent prayers] obtain for them trust in My mercy, because they have most need of trust, and have it the least. Be assured that the grace of eternal salvation for certain souls in their final moment depends on your prayer. You know the whole abyss of My mercy, so draw upon it for yourself and especially for poor sinners. Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would My mercy not embrace a trusting soul" (Diary, 1777).

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Merciful opportunities for the holiday season

Looking for ways to be merciful during the holiday season? Look no further, we've got something for everyone

-Nov. 21 November general meeting~guest speaker coming from Los Angeles to help us plan for Divine Mercy Sunday 8:30 A.M. Straling Hall

-Nov 29 Baby shower for Jesus (after all Masses) Respect Life needs volunteers to staff table

-Dec 2 we'll be assisting the Respect Life Ministry with assembling baskets for homebound

-Dec 5.ATTENTION BAKERS we'll be out at the Mothers & Others (St. Nick's) cake walk (we need donations of cakes-we can provide cake mix)

-we're adopting a family for Christmas (children ages 19M, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13) The baby has a neuro-muscular disorder. This family is burning wood in their bbq to stay warm

-Don't forget the food pantry! There are veterans, homeless, and children in dire need.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Meeting Agenda October 24th

We NEED you!


This is a reminder that our next meeting is Oct 24th. We have so much information to discuss and are in need of many volunteers! If you can't make it to the meeting, there are many, many volunteer opportunities that can be fulfilled from home. There is something for everyone, will you help?


*The divorce ministry has an extensive list of people in need of prayer partners-someone to keep a particular person in their daily prayers (Easy-can be done from home!)

*150 children are scheduled to go on a Confirmation retreat Nov 3-5. Chris Mueller is asking for little notes of encouragement. Just a few simple words. We need lots of them, soon! (Easy-can be done from home!)

*Trunk or Treat (Oct 31st)-Divine Mercy will be there with a table doing the cupcake dance. We need 3 dozen cupcakes (can be reimbursed-Can be done from home!)) and volunteers to staff the table and answer questions about Divine Mercy

*Veterans Day is coming-the food pantry is in need of quite an extensive list of items. Canned food is always accepted. (you can even bring to the meeting if you forget to put in bins)

*Christmas for the homebound-Divine Mercy will be donating bar soap (courtesy of Mike & Sophia Stack) and making cookies. We need volunteers who can bake any size/flavor.
(Easy, can be done at home & reimbursed if necessary)

*Eucharistic Ministers and Funeral Ministers (Sacristans, Altar Servers, Hospitality) are especially needed as we begin the holiday season. We all know that Mass attendance easily doubles during Advent. Frank Cuevas will put together training as people volunteer. Eucharistic Minister training only takes about half an hour total.

*Our banner has arrived and is beautiful! (thanks to donations from Deacon Pat & Eileen ) We are in need of someone to sew a fringe (gold or red) on. (We will purchase or reimburse fringe, whichever is most convenient) Another "can be done at home project" ***COVERED-Thank you Donna!***

*New parishioner calls-call new parishioners, make a list of their needs, email that information to one of us, bag stuffers (Can be done at home!)

*Divine Mercy Sunday-we are inviting the entire Hemet Vicariate to attend and will host a potluck, play, and retreat during Lent! Many volunteer opportunities can be completed at home. We need bag stuffers, phone tree callers, meal makers (Can be done at home) project managers, table staffers for each Mass, room hosts and so much more

*Prayer Warriors are needed to pray the chaplet w/sick, homebound, dying.

*Silent auction-Rosary Makers-need to design basket around "Divine Mercy theme"

For those of you who absolutely cannot help with a specific task, fervent prayers are always appreciated.

I hope to see many of you at the meeting,

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Works of Mercy Challenge No. 5: Instruct the Ignorant


Our human limitations can become redemptive suffering

This week, St. Faustina's message speaks very personally to each of us when she reminds us that even our human limitations are a GIFT from God.

They are proof of:

* His might, when we overcome our human limitations (For nothing will be impossible with God Lk 1:37)
* His love, when we embrace them as a way to unite our sufferings to those of Christ Crucified for the salvation of souls. We are allowed a "unique" connection w/Christ that no other created being can boast of


This lesson also reminds us of the necessity for a morning offering, of all we will encounter and hope to overcome during the day, AND an evening Examination of Conscience with which to rate our own performance. What can we improve on? Where are we the weakest?

Here are some of the readings:

Bible Mk 14:32-36

he said, "Abba, Father, 12 all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will."


Catechism 1521

Union with the passion of Christ
By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion; in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.


Diary, 65

One time during the novitiate, when Mother Directress sent me to work in the wards' kitchen, I was very upset because I could not manage the pots, which were very large. The most difficult task for me was draining the potatoes, and sometimes I spilt half of the with the water..At noon, during the examination of conscience, I complained to God about my weakness. Then I heard the following words in my soul, From today on you will do this easily; I shall strengthen you.

That evening, when the time came to drain off the water from the potatoes, I hurried to be the first to do it, trusting in the Lord's words. I took up the pot with ease and poured off the water perfectly. But when I took off the cover to let the potatoes steam off, I saw there in the pot, in the place of the potatoes, whole bunches of red roses, beautiful beyond description. I had never seen such roses before. Greatly astonished and unable to understand the meaning of this, I heard a voice within me saying, I change such hard work of yours into bouquets of most beautiful flowers, and their perfume rises up to My throne.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

How is the Chaplet of Mercy a Eucharistic Prayer?


Bible: Jn 6:48-56
Cathechism: Paragraphs (#) 1366, 1394, 1397

For Christians, the word "memorial" does not mean an action of our mind, a mere "calling to mind", or "remembering", but in the case of Christ's sacrificial suffering and death, it means the making present and experiencing, here and now of the spiritual effects of that sacrifice upon us (Catechism #1366). The Last Supper and Calvary are made present to us at one and the same time whenever we participate in Holy Mass or Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

To be more precise, however, what actually happens at the Mass is that the participants are taken out of the dimension of earthly space and time, as we experience it, and are brought into the dimension of time from God's perspective. Theologians call this divine perspective, God's "eternal now." Simply put, it means that God sees and acts through everything that ever happened, is happening, or will be happening, in one and the same instant. In other words, all times and places are present before Him at once. Christ's one Sacrifice, at the Last Supper and on the Cross, is therefore eternally present before God, and its effects can be applied by HIm to any point of time in history-past, present, or future.

As Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy, then, we need to be keenly aware of what all this means when we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In the first placce, our prayer becomes a spiritual sacrifice, the fruit of lips that acknowledge Jesus' name and all it stands for. As we pray: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world," we are not begging God to grant something He might be holding back from us, but offering a sacrifice of praise, we are acknowledging, affirming, acclaiming Him as the Merciful One who has in Christ, once-for-all, granted us all that we need to fulfill His purposes for us. We trust in HIs merciful providence concering every instant and every facet of our lives.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Works of Mercy Challenge No. 4: Feed the Hungry



Works of Mercy Challenge No. 4: Feed the Hungry

"For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food" (Mt 25:35)

Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

"The Challenge Ahead Through the eyes of faith, these tasks are not options, but obligations. The Catholic community is discovering with new urgency that our faith calls us to strengthen our presence and witness, our advocacy and action in defense of the human life and dignity of hungry people, farmers and farmworkers, and God’s creation.

Our Conference has called all Catholics to work to ensure A Place At The Table6 for all God’s children. Agriculture is at the heart of this moral challenge. As we have pointed out:

* A table is where families gather for food, but some have little food or no table at all.
* A table is where leaders gather in government and international negotiations and other forums to make decisions on trade and aid, subsidies and access. But some have no real voice at these tables.
* For Catholics, the table is the altar at which we gather for Eucharist to transform “the fruit of the vine and work of human hands” into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is also the table from which we are sent forth to secure “a place at the table” for all.

We cannot secure a place at the table for all without a more just agricultural system. Some small farmers are losing their place at the table. Some farmworkers never had a place. And so many people in our own land and around the world, seeking to feed their children, have no real place at that table. The moral measure of our efforts is how our community of faith works together to secure a place at the table of life for all God’s children."



So what can we as parishioners do?

* St. Martha's food pantry is step number 1. Give, volunteer!

* Buy locally-the Temecula Promenade hosts a Farmers Market every Wednesday in the parking lot

* Waste not, want not-teach children to eat ALL their food. They can offer up "sacrifices" for the less-fortunate when eating vegetables or other foods they dislike. Lead by example

* Be grateful-Don't forget to say Grace before all meals!:We are no more special than those that go without so show your gratitude by praying in thanksgiving for each meal you and your family have

-

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Works of Mercy 3-Ransom the Captive


I'm talking about spiritual ransom. Raise your mouse if you know someone who is the captive of a bad habit, a bad relationship, a bad choice.
Don't just think how sad for them, do something about it!

How?
*Invite them to church with you
*Give them a rosary
*Remind them of God's love
*Teach them the chaplet
*Give them a scapular
*Speak to them of His unfathomable Mercy

Whatever you do, DON'T just sit back and watch

Monday, July 13, 2009

Cenacle of Mercy prayer group opportunities


Just a reminder that our Cenacle of Mercy prayer group will meet Tuesday evening at 7 P.M. In addition to this, our morning Mass "Prayer Angels" will also begin the additional prayers of the Cenacle. Two unique opportunities to join in praying for all the intentions of the parish and the whole world!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Cenacle of Prayer Group meets tomorrow

Anyone interested in invited to attend the second meeting of the Cenacle of Mercy prayer group tomorrow night @ 7 P.M. For address and directions, email carmen_beck@verizon.net. The group consists of members of both the Divine Mercy Ministry and the Legion of Mary. The Legion of Mary has offered to assist in Enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus into the homes of whoever is interested. We will also be discussing Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. There is a podcast available on iTues for those whose schedules may not otherwise permit:
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.itunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewPodcast%253Fid%253D124343079

Our Schedule includes
reading from the Diary of St. Faustina, praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. All prayers are offered for priests and the intentions of both groups.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Something for everyone

Saturday, June 27th brought many positive additions to the Humble Servants of Divine Mercy Ministry. Among those were:

Convalescent Committee-visit residents of surrounding retirement communities

Year of Priest Committee- In accordance to the wishes of our Supreme Pontiff, this group will be ensuring that our parish staff is not forgotten by creating spiritual bouquets, daily prayers, First Thursdays indulgence reminders and so much more!

Cenacle of Mercy prayer group-First meeting Tuesday, June 30th in Wildomar
Approx. an hour of prayer and discussion surrounding the wonderful gift of Divine Mercy. Join us for the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and discussion of excerpts from the Diary of St. Faustina.

Ministry weekend-Don't miss our fabulous grab-bags and coloring contest at this weekend's ministry fair!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Works of Mercy challenge No.2

Here it is another beautiful Monday morning and our challenge this week comes to us from the Spriritual Works of Mercy:
-Forgive wrong willingly
-bear wrongs patiently

Easy right? Hardly! If these were so easy, the world would be a much nicer place, agreed?

Let’s roll up our sleeves and re-approach this challenge with open minds. What are we really saying here? How on Earth can we learn to forgive wrongs willingly? This goes against every grain of our humanity. When we are hurt our bodies make a mental note to avoid this situation forever more. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Physical or emotional pain=bad. Bear wrongs patiently? Are you kidding me? Who wants to do that? “Run!” our minds tell us, ”run away from this person and don’t ever look back!”

Now we’re being honest about what makes these two so difficult.

So what makes these Acts of Mercy anyway?

Think about how you feel when you have injured someone and realize you were in the wrong- embarrassment with dread nipping on its heels. If we are fortunate enough to have learned how to sincerely apologize we can still find this process humiliating especially if the other replies with a stinging “You should be!” As we are apologizing we are hoping, maybe even praying, that the other will be merciful and make it easy for us.

Yes, for most of us, apologizing is not something we relish because in doing so we admit to ourselves and others that we were wrong and we’d all rather pretend we’re perfect!

There are ways around apologizing though, aren’t there? Take the sweep it under the rug method for example. This is where the strongest character in a relationship or family usually makes a scene while everyone else is frozen with noticeable discomfort and pretends not to notice. This method does not encourage contrition or absolution.

In fact, you can walk in and feel this method’s its icy grip on a room. You know when everyone is smiling enthusiastically but no one really knows where anyone works, or what anyone’s birthday is. You’ve seen it when you’re in a room where they only see each other at Christmas or Easter but only out of some almost unbearable obligation. Avoidance, rather than forgiveness rules these relationships.

I’m willing to bet that if we each thought for a moment, we could come up with at least one person, probably more, we know that hasn’t talked to a family member for at least a decade because of some reason they probably can’t remember anymore.

What do we gain in clinging white-knuckled to wrongs done us? The superiority complex makes a lonely residence! Anger and hurt are spiritual abysses that are all-consuming. You may be thinking, “I could never forgive them, they hurt me too badly!” However, if you are honest with yourself you’ll realize you CAN’T not forgive because this behavior is contrary to Our Father’s will. Even the Pope John Paul II forgave the man who tried to kill him. Surely we can forgive also!


Here is why we MUST forgive and bear wrongs patiently:

Our Father is not asking us to become best friends with our nemesis, but to honestly, truly, and completely forgive and move on. When we forgive wrong willingly and bear wrongs patiently we are offering the mercy to others that God gives us every time we sin. He is asking that we follow His example.

To offer us Mercy, Our Lord first condescended himself to become human. In addition, His suffering and death offer us countless demonstrations of humility.

Our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to let His mercy flow through us to others :

“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer“(Diary, 742).

Our Father demands that we live His mercy, not just sit back and enjoy it.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Question of the week-God of Justice or Mercy?

How do you explain the message of Divine Mercy to someone who was raised in a strict environment; who was taught that God was someone to be feared; that God punishes sinners with catastrophic events and hell? Does the message of Divine Mercy mean that God has changed? Did God offer the people of the Old Testament the same Mercy He extends to us or are we just hoping?

One quote from the Diary of St. Faustina comes to mind:

“He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice..." (Diary, 1146)

God gave mankind free will. He has always foreseen giving us graces to overcome our vices if we ask. If we humble ourselves, go to confession, and become pious He will change us. That is His mercy.

It is the devil who fills us with doubt. He makes us feel that our sin is greater than God, that we cannot possibly be forgiven. This is to despair, to turn away from God not because He is too good but rather because salvation is impossible to gain.

There are many excerpts in the Old Testament that speak of the Mercy of God:

"For the Lord your God is merciful and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him"
(2 Paralipomenon 30:9)

"For as the heavens are high above the Earth so surpassing is His kindness to those who fear Him" (Psalms 102 (103)

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes and tells us:
"Be merciful, therefore, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke6:36)

So the answer to the question is this:

We can grieve over our sins, in fact that demonstrates true contrition. However, we should never DESPAIR over our ability to obtain forgiveness or assistance from God.
The proof of this is the Eucharist. Why would God condescend to become human? Why would He willing accept all the blasphemy, insults, sacrilege, and apathy just to be near us?

We are so precious to Our Creator that he seeks us constantly.

St. Peter Julian Eymard says it very nicely:

“How many insults must Jesus Christ have suffered in this Sacrament, in order to remain with us. Some have trampled on the Sacred Host, and others have thrown It into the mire. He foresaw all these; but still He resolved to remain with us on the altar, that we might not be deprived of His amiable presence.

This is the message of Divine Mercy.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Works of Mercy challenge No.1

We are blessed to have this wonderful ministry dedicated to reciprocating the unfathomable mercy that Our Father has shown us. So, what are we going to do about it? I propose we challenge ourselves to memorize, internalize, and realize each Work of Mercy.

To begin, we need to address the importance of prayer. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Everyone knows prayer is important, right? This ministry is blessed to have some of the most dedicated 24 hour volunteers. From receiving an email to visiting the sick and dying in the wee hours of the morning, our prayer warrior, for that is what we are waging-a war, are amazing and humble people. They are filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and not a bit timid. These men and women face serious illness and death in the eye and see the joy and promise of eternal life. They ease the mind and soul of those who are called by the Lord to return home. It is truly a beautiful and unique calling from Our Father.

But what of those who do not have the hours or transportation for these more obvious Works of Mercy? These almost invisible individuals are the very foundation of our ministry. It is to them that we can attribute the safety of those who travel to visit the sick and dying. They are our Angels. They travel quietly with us in every moment. From their lips to God’s ears- ensuring we are never alone as we spread the wonderful news of the Mercy that Our Father extends to us poor sinners.

Challenge Number 1:

Spiritual Work of Mercy-Pray for the living and the dead

Intention: We are in dire, even desperate need for priests in this world that threatens to lead our children to perdition. Our Lord spoke to St. Faustina regarding the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:

“Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy (687).

A calendar was sent out earlier this month to the members of our ministry. Let us pray each day for the priest of the day. They were chosen from neighboring parishes in our diocese. That the Chaplet of Divine Mercy being said in their honor will inspire them with the fire of the Holy Spirit; encourage and console them in this world of conflicting values, and that it and be recommended by them to all poor sinners.

If you are reading this and are not a member, what are you waiting for? We need dedicated prayer warriors to ensure our Works of Mercy are fruitful. We meet at St. Martha’s the last Saturday of the month @ 8:30 A.M. Trust in the Lord, see what he has planned for you!

Vacation Bible School is here!

Written by one of our own members, this year's Vacation Bible School subject matter covers the Holy Mass and all its graces. You don't want to miss out on this!


The cost is $35 and sign-ups are at church starting at the 5:oo Mass today and continuing at each consecutive Mass (with the exception of the 7:15 on June 13th and 7:30 on June 7 & 14th) until the 5:00 P.M. Sunday, June 14th.

The dates are:
July 6-10 or
July 13-17

You can contact the Religious Education office for more information:
Annette Webster (951) 698-8180

Here is the link to register:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGczZGQtckZxNGlUZmJObmRQMXNSSlE6MA

Las tres "S" de la Misericordia

Solicite misericordia

Dios quiere que nos acerquemos a Él orando sin cesar, arrepintiéndonos de nuestros pecados y pidiendo que Él derrame Su misericordia sobre nosotros y el mundo entero.

Sea misericordioso

Dios quiere que recibamos Su misericordia y que la dejemos fluir a través de nosotros hacia los demás. Quiere que demos amor y perdón a otros, como Él nos lo da a nosotros.

Sin cesar confíe completamente en Él

Dios quiere que sepamos que las gracias de Su misericordia dependen de nuestra confianza. Cuanto más confiemos en Jesús, tanto más recibiremos.

Lea mas

Friday, June 5, 2009

Living Divine Mercy

Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful

We are not only to receive the mercy of God, but to use it by being merciful to others through our actions, our words, and our prayers; in other words, we are to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works (Acts) of Mercy.

The Lord wants us to do these works of mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no use without works.

What are the Works of Mercy?

Corporal Works

  • Feed the hungry
  • Give drink to the thirsty
  • Clothe the naked
  • Shelter the homeless
  • Comfort the prisoners
  • Visit the sick
  • Bury the dead

Spiritual Works

  • Teach the ignorant
  • Pray for the living & dead
  • Correct sinners
  • Counsel those in doubt
  • Console the sorrowful
  • Bear wrongs patiently
  • Forgive wrongs willingly

Jesus' Call to Mercy

"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.

I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.

Many souls ... are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul.

If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy" (1317).

Monday, May 25, 2009

TESTIMONY: GOD HAD A DIFFERENT PLAN FOR ME

A Marian Helper is someone dedicated to continue Christ's action of self-giving for the building up of His Body "until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself" (Ep 4:13), where "God lives among human beings" and "makes his home among them" (Rev 21:3). The following is the story of one Marian Helper:


By Scott Scaria

I came from Kerala, India, to the United States in 1967 with only $3 in my pocket. I did not know anyone here. I came with the intention of going to college, then making money, both of which I did.

After I finished college, I borrowed some money and bought a small grocery store. Business was going well. Within 15 years I had bought three grocery stores, one liquor store and two houses in the richest state in the United States: Connecticut.

By this time my spiritual life had suffered greatly. I had always been a good Catholic. I went to church everyday and said many rosaries everyday.

But as I grew older, my desire turned away from God and toward material wealth. I dreamed of becoming a millionaire before I became 40 years old. Money had changed my whole outlook.

I found that it was difficult for me to be an honest businessman while also making a lot of money. My goal was to be a millionaire, so I found myself becoming a dishonest businessman; I figured the ends justified the means. It was so hard for me to go to Confession because I had to be sorry for my sins. I also had to promise God that I would not sin again. I knew I would only be lying to God, and I didn't want to lie to Him. I wanted to be honest with Him. So, finally, I stopped going to Confession and stopped receiving Holy Communion. Finally, I gave up on all my prayers.

Clearly, I was a confused man. But one thing I did was never miss Mass on Sundays for any reason. And no matter how tired I was, I said three Hail Mary's in honor of the Blessed Mother every morning in an attempt to keep my body and soul pure from sin. I would pray, "If God will let me enjoy life when I am young, I will make a good life when I am old, or before I die. I will come back to You."

Remember the character of legend, Robin Hood? He advocated stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but my policy was to steal from the poor and give to the rich to invest for me. I put high prices on the products I sold, and I had no sympathy for the poor people. I invested money in the stock market, real estate, etc. Financially, life was going well.

But God had a different plan for me. Slowly my business began to fail. Finally, I lost everything — including my family and my friends. I lost almost a million dollars, and I had to go through a painful divorce.

I was so depressed and helpless. I went to bars and strip clubs in search of happiness, but I never got any peace or happiness in such places.

During this time, an acquaintance told me about a charismatic prayer meeting. I had never heard about charismatic prayer groups, and I had no idea what they were like. One evening, instead of going to the bar, I decided to go to the prayer group. They were singing and praising God. I had never experienced anything like this before. It did not impress me much, but there I met the leader of the group. She was a very nice, holy lady, and she was so nice to me.

I kept going every week, and this prayer group prayed for me. It brought me peace and joy.

One day another person gave me a video tape from the Marians called Divine Mercy, No Escape, the story of the young Polish nun, Sr. Faustina, chosen by God to share His message of mercy with the world. I had never heard about Divine Mercy. I was so curious to find out what it was, so I went home and watched it. It struck me so hard! Tears began to flow. I felt that the Holy Spirit and the Divine Mercy of Jesus had already given me the grace of a complete conversion. I cried a lot and made a promise to God: "No more sins again! No more bars or drinking!"

I began to go to church every day. I also began to go to confession again. I heard about a chapel near my home where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I began to go to this chapel every day and spend many hours there. My life completely changed. I experienced many graces. I have had great peace and joy in my heart.

Jesus told St. Faustina how the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we receive. I trusted in Jesus completely, and He took care of everything.

Now I spend most of my time at the chapel. I don't care about money or worldly things. I work only three days a week and try to spread devotion to The Divine Mercy. If I wanted to, I could work plenty of hours of over time and get rich again. But I refuse. I want to spend that time with Jesus. Money does not give me real peace or joy.

Now, I have nothing to worry about. Jesus takes care of everything. During my troubled times, friends came and went. But Jesus never forgets us.

I have experienced so many miracles in my life. Here's one I'd like to share:

In 1931, Jesus told St. Faustina to paint the Image of The Divine Mercy. He told her: "I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish."

Three years ago, I was was working nights at a newspaper company. When I came home from work, at 5 a.m. in the morning, I found the house I was renting was on fire. The damage was so bad, I had to move out. I did not know what to do. I had only a couple of dollars in my pocket. But I did not worry. I went to the chapel where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and gave my heart to Jesus. I trusted in Jesus, and I knew Jesus would not abandon me. I knew that all of this would be for Jesus' glory.

At about 10 a.m., I went back to the house. The fire officials granted me five minutes to go inside to see if there was any of my belongings I could salvage. I went to my room, and to my surprise everything was safe and sound, untouched by the fire. Even my clothes did not smell of smoke. I had kept a large Divine Mercy image in my room. Jesus proved to me the promise He made to St. Faustina.

I went back to the chapel and thanked Jesus.

Now I had become a homeless person. I had no idea what to do or where to go. But I trusted in Jesus. He told St. Faustina: "The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust" (Diary, 1578), and I knew that He would take care of everything.

I could not afford to go to a motel so I called the Red Cross, and they put me in a motel that day. Then, that evening, one person from my prayer group heard about the fire and called me. He said he had a three-family house, and one floor was empty. He said I could have that place to stay, rent free. I thanked Jesus.

About four years ago when I was in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus inspired me to organize a Divine Mercy conference. I had no idea how to organize one. I never did any kind of public things like that in my life. But Jesus inspired me to not worry and to trust in Him. "Do what you can and I will do the rest" Jesus said in my heart.

Soon, three ladies walked into the chapel. When they finished their prayers I told them about the inspiration from Jesus. They were from various parts of the state, and they told me they were all devoted to The Divine Mercy. They said they would help me, and within six weeks I organized my first Divine Mercy conference in Connecticut. The conference drew 500 people!

Ever since that time, my mission — like that of the Marians — has been to spread devotion to The Divine Mercy. Jesus arranges everything for me. Now I travel all over America to organize Divine Mercy conferences. I also organize spiritual trips to such places as Poland, Medjugorje, Italy, Ireland, and Greece.

Jesus brought me back from my homeless state. He gave me this great opportunity to meet so many people whose lives have changed because of Divine Mercy.

Jesus, I trust in You!

What is a Marian Helper, and how can you become one? Read all about it at http://marian.org/amh/welcome.php

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Incredible Divine Mercy Testimony!

MAYBE SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS ALREADY, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD OF THIS.

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Subject: The Filipino who saw, spoke, touched and embraced Jesus

Brother Stanley Villavicencio

*Note: The miracle that happened to him was recognized by the Vatican.

*In Washington DC , he spoke using his dialect, Visayan language, but what came out from his mouth was English.

*In China , Chinese understood his testimony although he spoke in English while Chinese understand only their language.

*In Rome , when he spoke before the Cardinals and bishops from all over the world, he spoke in English but what came out from his mouth was Italian.

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, many believers are being called by Jesus and Mary to deliver messages to the whole world, and Bro. Stanley is one of them. All messages will accompany a proof that they come from GOD himself. Bro. Stanley's case is no different.

There will always be a specific time, date, and location accompanying the message. God gives us every proof that the messages delivered are truly from them. Even the Vatican, which seldom accepts supernatural events, has approved the messages. It is really God's grace that has brought these messages to our ears.

In 1993, there was a miracle that is not well known. The events surrounding it are undeniable, and because of its nature it is surprising that it never made International front page news headlines. It should have done! It never left the tight knit Christian circle, when in truth, it is God and so every human being has a right to be told.

Stanley Villavicencio was born in Bais, Negros Oriental in the Philippines .. He was raised a Roman Catholic and had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart (Divine Love) of Jesus Christ.. It is a devotion that started when he was in grade school at the Sacred Heart Academy in Bais, Negros Oriental. He married a nurse, Melissa Gantuangco Villar, and moved to Cebu in Mambaling. Close to his house was a chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This had a great bearing on his decision to buy the house. Unfortunately, after moving, it was discovered that the chapel was portable, erected only during the fiesta celebration and was dismantled afterwards. In 1983, Stanley became Chapel President. A neighbor donated some land close by in order for a permanent chapel to be built for the Christian Community.. Stanley was basically an ordinary man. In 1993, he was an employee of AVSECOM (The Aviation Security Command). He also became a member of the Perpetual Dawn Rosary Association in Cebu.

In the Cebu Roman Catholic Community, there is a tradition that whenever a special family occasion occurs in a household, the head of the family receives into the home a large statue of the Virgin Mary. March 2, 1993, is the birthday of one of Stanley's children, therefore, that morning, he was to receive the statue. However, when the statue arrived just before eight o'clock in the morning, Stanley was not up and so his mother-in-law received it. Being concerned, she entered Stanley 's bedroom.

Stanley, the night before he retired, was perfectly healthy. But this particular morning his mother-in-law found him convulsing. Blood was spurting from his mouth with incredible force. She felt his pulse which was too weak to detect. When she forced open his eyes, they were white. An ambulance was called and Stanley was taken to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu . He was rushed to the Emergency Room. There, still bleeding profusely from his mouth and convulsing, he was injected with the maximum dose of Valium to try to stop the convulsions and slow down the huge quantity of blood pouring out from his mouth. The doctors ran all sorts of tests. They could not locate the source of the bleeding, nor any kind of illness. They took a blood test with the view of giving him a blood transfusion, but his blood count was normal which was medically impossible. It meant that his body was not short of blood, despite the fact he had lost so much blood. Stanley then slipped into a coma. His heartbeat became slower, his skin color turned gray and then he stopped breathing. He was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit, where a specialist inserted an Ambue Bag, the end - tracheal tube being placed through his nose, going down to his stomach. This was the only form of life support that the hospital had available. An I.V. drip was placed into a vein in his hand, running dextrose fluid into his system.

However, very quickly, Stanley's organs shut down. He was declared 'brain dead'. His family at first did not believe this. Mainly because Stanley had shown no previous signs of being ill and the doctors were unable to determine what was wrong. However, by the second day, the family prepared for Stanley 's funeral. His coffin was arranged, a burial plot, and a burial gown. By the third day Stanley's blood had congealed at the bottom of his legs and feet and rigor mortis begun to set in.

Early in the morning on the third day, Stanley's wife brought the burial gown to the hospital to prepare her husband. Neighbors gathered outside of the chapel to receive Stanley's coffin. Flowers were laid out for the wake. A death certificate was already signed. But Stanley came back from the dead, perfectly healthy, as if nothing had happened. While his heart was flat line and his brain dead, Stanley had in spirit met for the first time 'Jesus Christ of the Divine Mercy'.

Now, the fact is, that all of Stanley's medical records show that this had happened. He was first in a coma and then dead. Every sequence of his medical attention was, as is the custom, really documented. On investigation, these records were examined and all medical staff involved, questioned.

Stanley came to England in the year 2001. Here, he very kindly gave an interview, in which he described the events and his experience during death, and how after he was sent back with a mission. This is his testimony. No attempt has been made to edit Stanley's account or accent: the way he speaks the English language.

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STANLEY'S WORDS:

'Before I will give my testimony, I just want to inform you that after what happened to me, I was just going around giving my testimony in my own dialect. You see, the Philippines is composed of more than seven thousand islands and almost every island has different dialect. The Philippines is divided into three major parts; Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas. I belong to Visayas because I am living in Cebu . So I was giving my testimony in Visayas only, until one time Father Seraphim Mekalanco, the Spiritual Director of the Divine Mercy nationwide invited me to give a talk in Manila. At first, I am happy because I can go to Manila, but then a day before I was so worried because I do not know how to speak the dialect, because in Manila the dialect is Tagalog and I do not know how to speak Tagalog. I was worried and so I asked the Lord 'What shall I do?' Then the following day, early in the morning Jesus appeared to me, to my dream and said: 'Do not worry. Just do your best and I shall do the rest'. So I went to Manila and when I am holding the microphone to give my testimony, I am thinking my testimony in my own local dialect, and it came out in Tagalog. So they understand me.

'And now comes Father Seraphim, the Head of the Divine Mercy International based in Stockbridge , Massachusetts, U.S.A. He invited me to give a series of talks in the United States, Canada and Mexico and the problem is, I do not know how to speak the English. So again I was worried and because in Cebu, the owner of the University is a Divine Mercy devotee, so he instructed the English Department to translate my testimony from our local dialect to English and after several months they finished the translation.

'They give it to me and it is as thick as this! And they said to me, ' Stanley you memorize that'. And, I said 'No. I cannot memorize it anymore'. Then they said 'Ok you just read it' and I said, 'I cannot read it also because it is my testimony, if I will read it, it will be lifeless.' So I went to America leaving behind the translation and upon reaching the States I confided to Father Seraphim everything, so Father Seraphim was so worried because my first testimony will be at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. And I will be speaking together with Mother Angelica, the audience is almost seven thousand. Father Seraphim was so worried, so I told him, 'Father don't worry. Anyway, I did not come to America to proclaim my mercy, I am here to proclaim God's Mercy'. So when I was holding the microphone, I am thinking of my own local dialect, but then it came out English and after that I already know how to speak English.

'What I am going to tell you is what happened to me. About my own personal encounter with Jesus Christ of the Divine Mercy. When you hear my testimony, I hope it will increase your faith, and that you know that there really is a God and that God is a living God. What happened to me, happened on March 2, 1993. That was a Tuesday and a birthday of one of my children. By the way, I had ten children, but now I have thirteen. And by the way, I am a member of the Perpetual Dawn Rosary.

'It is our practice that whenever there is an occasion at our house, we invite the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it is also our practice that whenever the Virgin comes into our house it is I who has to receive the Virgin. But on that day, when the Virgin is already in our house, whatever they do to wake me up, I cannot be awaken, so it is my mother-in-law who received the Virgin.

'At eight o'clock that morning, my mother-in-law said, she heard me moaning and moaning. So she tried to look at me in my room and she found me lying in bed. Trembling vigorously. Blood coming out of my mouth forcefully. And it was the sister of my father-in-law, who is a nurse, was present, so attended to me immediately. And as she touches my pulse, she cannot find any pulse anymore - and as she touches my chest, my heart beat is already very slow. And when they open my eyes, both eyes are already in white, so they asked help from our neighbors and they brought me to Chong Hua Hospital. At Chong Hua Hospital, we have four specialist doctors and the doctor said that my chance of survival is one in a million, because my heart beat is already slow.'

As I entered the Emergency Room I cannot breathe anymore, even with the help of oxygen, so they transferred me to I.C.U. or the Intensive Care Unit, so my breathing can be aided, or forcing oxygen inside. At the I.C.U. my trembling did not stop and the blood was still coming out from my mouth, so the doctor injected me with Valium to control everything.

'Because Negros Island and Cebu are just very near, so that day my relatives arrive. Among them is my father who is a doctor and my sister who is also a doctor and the cousin of my wife were already present. By the way, my wife is also a nurse.

'The following day, the doctors called up my wife and asked her permission to take me off of all the life support apparatus. So my wife called up our house and asked that my long sleeve shirt, for my burial be prepared. And my mother-in- law says she has a memorial plan and that her memorial plan is transferable. So she had it transferred to my name. Meaning, I will be the one using her coffin. And it also happened we had a reservation at the Queen City Garden Cemetery in Cebu, because when my father-in-law died in 1987, we bought three lots, so they process all the papers so they can bring me to the Queen City Garden. Meaning, everything is ready. I have the long shirt to wear for my burial, I have already a coffin to sleep in, I have already a cemetery to live in.

'But God had a different plan, because my wife did not agree to remove the life support apparatus attached to my body. In fact my relatives, they take in turns to watch over me. But it is only my body present at Chong Hua Hospital, because I saw a light, a very big bright light, but not glaring. You can stare at it. It is like a fountain. It is like a fog as it slowly evaporates, until I notice someone is standing in front of me. And when I looked at His face, I recognized Him as Jesus.

'As we were looking at each other, He raised His left hand and when He raised His left hand, the clouds above were sucked downwards and when they reached just above us, the clouds kept on turning and changed in color and when it stopped it became like a video screen. And He showed me the film of my life, from my childhood up to my present. And I notice that every time I do good, it just goes on normally and I also notice that every time I commit a sin, suddenly it would go into slow motion as if He wants to show us that what we have done is wrong, as if He wants to show us that what we have done is a sin. And because I have also committed bigger sins, sins like what we call the mortal sin.

'Every time it showed up, suddenly it would stop, came closer and enlarged it. Then I said to myself: 'Why should this be included? There must be no word of sin saw in Heaven, because it is just too bad to look at, but even if I closed my eyes I could still see it.

'Also I notice that every time I commit a sin, I could feel the heaviness. I could feel the weight. The more I commit a sin, the more the heaviness, the more the weight. And I also notice that every time I do good, for example, if I give something to the poor, I could feel as if I were floating. So it is really true what is written in the Bible, 'That whatever you do to the least of your brethren, that you do unto Me.' 'And I also noticed that the sins I did not confess to a Priest are too heavy, and also I noticed that the sins that I confessed to a Priest, they are lighter. And we cannot deny anything because the screen is so big and very clear and also the pictures are also big and below the pictures are written the day, the month, the date and the year. And below that it is also written the hour, the minutes and the seconds. So, we cannot deny anything, even the seconds are recorded. In fact, He reviewed my film three times and after our long conversation, He tapped my shoulder and as He was tapping my shoulder, He said to me, 'You go back now, because you still have so many things to do. You still have so many things to finish. If I have something for you or if I have a message for you, I will just appear to you in your dream.'

'After He said that, I was at the I.C.U. of the Chong Hua Hospital. Suddenly I got up. I could feel my body so light and my head suppressed. That when I got up, I removed the oxygen from my nose. After removing the oxygen, there was a tube going down into my intestine, so I slowly removed the tube because it tickled me. And after removing the tube, I slowly removed the I.V. from my hand and because there was a nurse who saw everything, and that she was so afraid that she ran away. In fact, she said, one of the heels of her shoes was broken. 'When the nurse returned she has other nurses, doctors and the technicians, they were all running and when they reached me, they put me to bed again. And one of the doctors put on his telescope and examined me and after a short examination, the doctor put off his telescope, put it beside him and he asked for another. Meaning, he did not believe his telescope. He was given another telescope and he put it on and re-examined me again and after a long examination, the doctor looked at my E.C.G. because every bed in the ICU has its own ECG. And he said, since I was admitted at the ICU my E.C.G. was just a straight line, but now they were so surprised because my ECG was working normally and because the technicians were already present, so they subjected me to X-rays, laboratory tests and brain scan. And now, all the results are in negative, meaning, I am not sick.

'The doctors were all surprised and they asked permission to have another set of examinations, because they said there might be something wrong with the apparatus. We consented, and they subjected me again to another ultra sound, laboratory tests and brain scan, all except the X-ray. And again, all the results were in negative: meaning, I am not really sick. So the doctors said 'There is nothing now that we can really do, it is really a miracle.'

When I woke up, I woke up at eight o'clock in the morning of Friday. If you will count from eight 'clock in the morning of Tuesday, to eight o'clock in the morning to Friday, that is exactly three days. And because of that, the media was alerted. The television, the radio and newspaper And because our Church, the Roman Catholic Church do not easily believe in miracles, so it has to be investigated and the investigation was led by Cardinal Vidal of Cebu.

'Cardinal Vidal led the investigation in March. At the middle of September, Cardinal Vidal released a letter confirming what happened to me. And he gives me an endorsement letter, so that I could give testimony around the world.

'One of the doctors who was assigned to me at the I.C.U., he is not just an ordinary doctor because when he took his medical examinations, he got the highest score all over the country and when he entered the Chong Hua Hospital, he was awarded as the most outstanding P.G.I. doctor. He was assigned to me at the I.C.U. from the very beginning, until I woke up. And because he cannot sleep anymore, so he entered the Seminary to become a Priest, and now he is already a Priest.

'From March 1993 up to now, Jesus keeps appearing to me to my dream. That is also accepted by our local Church. Because my Spiritual Director is Msgr. Chris Garcia. He is one of the most holiest Priests in Cebu and he is also gifted. He has the gift of inner locution (inner telepathic voice), meaning he can also talk to Jesus. But he cannot see Jesus. But Jesus appears to me, to my dream, where I can see Him, where I can talk to Him, where I can touch Him, where I can even embrace Him. And what is best for us! Every time Jesus appears to me, He also tells my Spiritual Director, so there is a confirmation. That is why, wherever I go, it is embraced by the Church.

'Also during my investigation, the doctors asked the Priest, 'Where does all that blood come from?' The blood coming out from my mouth is with force and continuously for several hours and why there was no blood transfusion. (Blood count showed no reduced level of blood). So the Priest prayed and after praying the answer that this blood coming out from my mouth is for cleansing. I have to be cleansed because I have to face the Lord - and they also said that is it also said in the Bible, that whoever sees the Lord will have to die, so I have to die. But because I have a mission, so I have to live again.

'Also they asked me: 'Why you? Why did Jesus choose you?' So I answered them. 'Maybe because I am nothing. Maybe because I have nothing to be proud of except for my sins.' So, when I have a chance to talk with Jesus, I ask the Lord, 'My Lord, my God, why me? I am a sinner. I am a sinful man.' And Jesus answered, 'You cannot appreciate the beauty of My mercy unless you experience the misery of sin.' And so I accepted my mission.

'Also, so many are coming to me, so I ask the Lord: 'My Lord, my God! So many are coming to me and entrust their problems to me, what shall I do?' And Jesus answered: Just let them pray the chaplet unceasingly and they will be guided.'

'That is why now, in the Philippines , the chaplet is very popular, not only among the Catholics but also the other Church dominions because there are so many miracles that have been attributed to the chaplet. For example: Several months ago, my Spiritual Director, Msgr. Chris Garcia, he had a slight stroke. So he was admitted at the Hospital, and the doctor said that he had a brain tumor and that there is a virus in his brain and that he cannot open his eyes because it is too painful. We went to the Hospital and we prayed the chaplet of Divine Mercy, together with Msgr. Chris, and after we prayed the chaplet, several minutes later, he asked for his laptop computer. So you see the power of the chaplet. The miracle of the chaplet.

'The following day, we prayed again the chaplet. The doctors re-examined him and found him negative of everything. So on the third day he checked out of the Hospital as if nothing had happened. Do you see the power of the chaplet?

'Also, one of our Divine Mercy leaders in the Philippines, his wife was ill early in the morning. So they brought his wife to Hospital. The doctors gave him a prescription to buy the medicine and because he has no money, so he has to sell his pig. And the buyer paid him for the pig, but the buyer said that he would get the pig the following day.

'But that afternoon of that very day, the pig refused to stand up and refused to eat. So, he was so worried, because if something happens to the pig, they will be in trouble because, they buy the medicine. So he called all his children and explained to them everything; that they have to pray the chaplet for the pig. So they prayed the chaplet for the pig. But at the middle of praying the chaplet the children were laughing. They were all laughing because they said it was better to pray the chaplet for a human being, but not for a pig.

'He explained it again to them. He explained it again and again. And on the third time that they prayed the chaplet, the children prayed intensely and they finished praying the chaplet. After they finished praying the chaplet, the pig suddenly stood up and one of the children ran and got some food for the pig and the pig consumed everything. And the lesson is, if Jesus answered our prayers for a pig, how much more if we pray the chaplet for a human being.

'We have another leader of the Divine Mercy in the Philippines. He has several acres of rice fields and because he is poor he cannot afford to buy fertilizer, he cannot afford to buy insecticide. So, what he did every morning, he would roam around his rice field and pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy, everyday! Every morning! And also every afternoon. During the harvest time, his neighbors were all surprised, because during harvest time his harvest is much more than those using fertilizer and insecticide. So you see the miracle of the chaplet!

'Where ever I go, so many would ask me how soon is Jesus coming back? Or is the three days of darkness really true? Is the chastisement really true? So I answered them. Jesus said to me 'Don't be afraid'. Jesus said to me, 'Don't be afraid because I will take care of your future. Blessed are those taking advantage of My mercy while it is still the day of mercy but beware, because the day of Judgment is nearer than everyone thinks.'

'I asked the Lord, 'What are the sins that You cannot forgive?' Jesus said, 'All sins can be forgiven except if you refuse to believe that your sin can be forgiven.' That is the sin He cannot forgive, because Jesus said by refusing His mercy you are also refusing to believe that He is a God. (That is a sin against the Holy Spirit). That is why Jesus said, 'Before I come as Just Judge I will open wide the doors of My mercy'. But Jesus continued that it is also written in the Diary of St. Faustina, that 'he that refuses to pass through the doors of My mercy will have to pass through the doors of My Justice.'

'Now, after a long while that Jesus is opening this door of mercy and after a long while He will close that door of mercy. Then He will open that door of Justice. And if He will open the door of His Justice who can enter Heaven? When Heaven is only for the pure, when Heaven is only for the clean. And who are the clean? And who are the pure? All of us are sinners. All of us are unclean. We can only enter Heaven through His mercy, through His love. Without God's mercy, without His love, it is too difficult to enter Heaven. That is why Jesus now is begging us to go out now and proclaim His mercy. Jesus also said, 'Proclaiming My mercy is not enough, you have to put mercy into action, by living as an example of My mercy.' He said, 'He who will save a soul will save his own.'

'I am not allowed by the Church to pray or to do healing or lay hands on anybody because Cardinal Vidal said I would just do my evangelization, (tell people what happened to me), because he said, 'there are some who are given the gift of healing, they will also continue their healing.' But then it cannot be avoided that during my talk so many sick people are attending, so Cardinal Vidal arranged a veneration to the image of Divine Mercy, so the sick people will ask directly to Jesus their healing, not through me because I am only a human being. After that, this image becomes a miraculous image, because there are so many instant healings and also sometimes when I give my testimony, people see lights. Lights coming out from His body. That is why there are some ripples in His body (of the image). The light has a heat and the heat destroyed the plastic. Because so many people will say Jesus is emanating lights and sometimes they say that Jesus gets out from the frame, and He will transfer right behind me and they say He is taller than me. And they said each time Jesus gets out from the frame, the frame is empty. And it not only happens in the Philippines. It also happened in Hong Kong, China, in Rome, in New York, New Jersey, all over the States and in Canada and Mexico. So it also happened in Ireland and so during veneration, (showing respect and appreciation), you have to ask Jesus what favor you want. Because, if what you are asking for is not against His will, He will give it to you. Especially, if what you are asking for comes from the depth of your heart.'

End of Stanley's words.


It is an amazing testimony. But did it happen? If so, was it a miracle? There is no doubt that medically what happened to Stanley took place. This part of his story is true. He was convulsing, pouring blood, went into a coma and then died. No doctor wants to take a very ill person off of life support equipment. The thing is, medical treatment is not free in the Philippines and law determines that no doctor can remove medical equipment without permission from the next of kin. Stanley's medical records were examined, all hospital reports regarding him, and all staff involved in his care, questioned over and over again. The investigation first began when people talk was picked up by the media. It was given more credence, when a well known doctor resigned to become a Priest, because of what he saw medically, which he deemed as 'Impossible, a miracle, an act of God'.

A person from the Philippines sent a telegram to Father Seraphim Mekalanco - who is the Director of the John Paul Institute for the study of Divine Mercy, appointed by Pope John 11. Father Seraphim received the telegram in Rome. He launched an investigation. Medical records were studied by Cardinal Vidal, Cardinal Sin, and twelve Bishops. Another person who independently examined the medical records was Paul Regan from Malden, who is the founder of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the Sick and Dying Institute, in America. The fact that Stanley had died, and woke in full health, with no brain damage is against all the science of nature. So, yes, this part can be termed a miracle. Certainly one that had the main doctor leave his profession and become a Priest. Certainly enough to have a whole nation's television studios and radio stations, halt every day at three o'clock in the afternoon, to pray the chaplet publicly. To have people of all faiths stop in the street at this time to pray the chaplet.

Now, what we have to look at is whether Stanley is being honest about his spiritual encounter. What is convincing is that Stanley described both rays coming from Jesus as white, and not one red and one white as is in the image. The white ray is described as a washing of sin, as in baptism. But Stanley's account would have been obviously more convincing if he described the rays as they are shown in the image and as seen by St. Faustina, but, I think the fact he described seeing the rays differently makes his account more authentic; who would deliberately want to complicate a con?

The other thing than makes Stanley's account believable is that he describes some of the sins he committed and saw. He was President of the Chapel to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He saw himself pass the chapel seeing people inside gambling. He saw another time his neighbors in the chapel drinking and gambling and did not stop them. Another time, he saw himself inside the chapel drinking with them. This is not someone trying to show a 'holier than thou' image. Quite the opposite.

Stanley himself received a request sent on behalf of Pope John Paul II to go to Rome. When asked what language he spoke to the Archbishops, Cardinals and Bishops, given that they were from all over the world, but each would speak Italian, Stanley was very firm that he spoke in English, not a mystical Italian that rose from the Spirit of God.

The profound effect that Stanley's experience has had on a whole country is the largest mark of authenticity. In the conversation he said he had with Jesus, he was told that the chapel was not to be used for any other purpose other than that for which it was built. Jesus requested, that the chapel be extended, and a new door was to be placed on it, in the shape of a large heart, representing His Sacred Heart. All the people of Cebu and surrounding areas, contributed material and labor to comply with this request. People of many religious dominions joined together to fulfill this task. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----


INTERVIEW

While in England, Stanley offered to answer any questions asked of him.

(Q) 'When Our Lord appeared to you, did He appear to you just as in the Divine Mercy Image. How did He look?'

(A) 'When you are in front of Jesus, you cannot just totally describe Him, because He is everything. When you are looking at Him, you cannot describe your happiness, your satisfaction, the peace and everything. In fact, you forget your family when you are in front of Him. All of the pictures of Jesus, there is likeness, but not totally, not exactly, but there is likeness, but you cannot just totally describe Him when you are in front of Him.'

(Q) 'How would Jesus like our future? What would He like us to be, a part from the Commandments? How would He like our future to progress as years go on? What does He want us to do with our lives?'

(A) 'That is why He said that now is the time for mercy'.

(Q) 'Yes, but with all the problems we have had in Society, with contraception and abortion?'

(A) 'Contraception and abortion! All that is a sin. That is why Mary is crying with blood already. That's a sin. That's why for example, last night, four ladies approached me and they said after my testimony, they said they are planning for an abortion, but after hearing my testimony, they changed their mind, because they said they do not want to see their films, that the other one killing their own child.'

(Q) 'Could I ask you, did you actually see Jesus at the gates of Heaven or did you actually see Heaven?'

(A) Cardinal Vidal said that it is the Garden of Eden, because, it's a garden and in it all beautiful flowers. That is why Cardinal Vidal described it as the Garden of Eden.'

(Q) 'Did you actually see that yourself, or just the clouds and the light?'

(A) 'I see it yes. It is the Garden of Eden. By the way, Jesus said to me that we have to pray for His beloved Priests, because He said: 'They are My precious jewels and some of them cause My Heart to bleed. But I will bless them abundantly, in time, and in eternity; much more if they will stay longer in the Confessional, because it is in the Confessional that My mercy flows greater than all the sins committed by any living creature''.

(Q) 'How do we ask our Priest to promote the Divine Mercy? Should we do it very quietly or should we implore him to promote Divine Mercy?'

(A) 'Give the Priest some real stuff he can learn, because some of the Priests do not promote Divine Mercy because they do not understand Divine Mercy. You have to inform them, and give them some literature that will guide them. And, you have to pray and ask Our Lord's assistance because we cannot change a person, only God can change a person, so we have to pray'.

(Q) ' Stanley , because of this Divine Mercy, especially in the Islands of the Philippines, is there a great change in the Philippines? Do they now keep the Sabbath holy?'

(A) 'In the Philippines, at three o'clock in the afternoon, all the television stations, pray the three o'clock prayer, and also all the radio stations. And, not only the Catholics are ringing their bells, but also the other Church dominions, because I have also given my testimony to other Church dominions, so at three o'clock every body is ringing their bells and also I find it surprising that the Malls especially in Cebu and Manila, at three o'clock, they would stop and pray that three o'clock prayer. The Feast of Mercy will be celebrated throughout the universal Church. Jesus promised that the souls who are in a state of grace (been to Confession) who receive Holy Communion on that day, at the Feast of His Mercy, will be granted complete forgiveness of sins including their punishment, meaning after the Feast of Mercy, whatever happens to you, you will go straight to Heaven. Because even the punishment is forgiven. Because, when we go to Confession, when we go to a Priest, our sins are forgiven, but the punishment remains. That is why when we die we cannot go straight to Heaven, we have to pass through Purgatory to pay for the punishments of our sins. But during the Feast of Mercy, all the sins and the punishments are forgiven, so that's a very wonderful grace.'

(Q) ' Stanley, what does Jesus think about other religions and other non-Christian religions? Hindu's and all different religions?'

(A) 'Well, God's mercy is for everybody, not only for Catholics - because if Jesus is given the choice, He wants all mankind to enter Heaven. But only man loves so much the world that he does not want to accept God's mercy. He does not want to return to the Lord. In fact, they are just denying their sins.'

(Q) 'Does Jesus want us to approach people in our work places; strangers, non Christians, to tell them about Divine Mercy? If so, how does He want us to do it? Because it is very difficult to go up to a stranger who does not believe in God or does not know Jesus and try to tell him about Divine Mercy.'

(A) 'We can do it. We can do it by being an example. We have to show them, that's why Jesus said: Put mercy into action. For example, you visit the prisoners and you explain to them God's mercy. And also at hospital, tell them and you give them the chaplet and you teach them how to pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy. You can do it, because the chaplet is welcomed by other religions, because God's mercy is for everybody, not only for Catholics. That's why Jesus said that we have to multiply our prayer for the sinners because Jesus said that the sinners do not pray for themselves anymore. So we have to increase our prayer for the sinners because their salvation depends on us.'

(Q) 'If those of us who have celebrated the Divine Mercy Sunday, in a state of grace, if our video is shown to us when we die, would it go back earlier or would it begin at the last Divine Mercy Sunday?'

(A) 'Others would also ask me, if your sins are forgiven, it is also forgotten with the Lord, that is true! But during the shooting of the film, you will see everything, because Jesus wants us to see how sinful we are. But then He will forgive us and that is a sign of mercy and it is mercy itself, shooting our film, showing us how sinful we are, then forgiving us... That it mercy itself!'

(Q) 'Does Jesus speak to you about His Mother?'

(A) 'Yes! He always do. That's why He said we have to pray the chaplet and the rosary unceasingly, as our last weapon against the enemies'.

(Q) 'One of the problems is the difference between the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and having the image over our fire places, and Our Lord asking for the image of Divine Mercy. Sometimes, the two seem to be in conflict and some prefer the Sacred Heart and some prefer the Divine Mercy?'

(A) 'For me it is not conflict. Before what happened to me, since I was a kid I am already a devotee to the Sacred Heart, until I grew up, until I got married. In fact I built Sacred Heart Chapel, just in front of our house. That's why Jesus said, because I ask Him the difference: Love: Love is the Sacred Heart. Love is the flower. Mercy is the fruit. Because you do not have mercy if you do not have love. So love and mercy go together.'

(Q) 'You talked about the time of mercy and there is obviously a time table, because seventy-years ago on February 22, this image was seen for the first time by Saint Faustina. The Holy Father himself is special because his mission on life is to bring in the time of mercy. Is there a time table that Jesus has for mankind? Because I have heard from radio shows in America, that's not to say prediction, because the time and the place is known only to God, but we are obviously in these final times. What is expected of society when the Holy Father decreed Divine Mercy Sunday in the year 2000, and the Bishops are indifferent to it, because the decree has gone out to the Bishops and therefore they are the ones to instruct the Priests and they won’t. We people are basically having to listen to the Bishops and the Priests, but if they don't speak of Divine Mercy or follow the Feast for us to celebrate, how do we raise that up?'

(A) 'We raise it up by giving more information to the Priests. Because some of the Priests do not understand Divine Mercy because they have not read about Divine Mercy, so we have to inform them. We can give them some leaflets, but before giving them information, we have to pray for them, that they will accept it, because, as I said, we cannot change a person. That's why we have to pray harder. And also, you see, Divine Mercy devotion is for salvation, saving life, saving souls. That is why the other side is also working the wolf. The other side will also work double time because what you are doing is saving souls.'

(Q) 'Does Jesus say anything about the Scriptures?'

(A) 'He did not mention it to me.'

(Q) ' Stanley , how long were you dead?'

(A) 'I was clinically dead for three days. 'By the way, because I am often asked about that three o'clock prayer in the morning and the three o'clock prayer in the afternoon. Because last year, when I give my testimony at the Vatican in front of all the Cardinals and Bishops, there were twenty-six Cardinals and fifty odd Bishops. One of the Cardinals asked me, 'What is the significance of the three o'clock prayer in the morning. Because there are so many answered prayers at three o'clock in the morning.' And I answered, 'That is the time of His Resurrection.' And the Cardinal stood up and said that this was true, that in the Book, Jesus and Mary met at four o'clock in the morning. So they said, He must have resurrected at three o'clock.'

(Q) 'Can you tell me, what was your illness? What did it consist of?'

(A) 'Before what happened to me, I am just going good. I have no illness. I am very strong. This is why, after what happened to me, when I woke up, my wife was so stunned. She cannot believe it. So I went down to the billing section and paid the bill... Then I drive the car in going home. That's why one of the Bishops in the Philippines commented that what happened to me was just an emergency meeting with the Lord.'

(Q) ' Stanley , when you were at the Vatican talking to the Bishops and Cardinals, was the Holy Father there as well?'

(A) 'No! He was scheduled to attend, but he was so tired and ill at that time.'

(Q) 'With the Cardinals and Bishops from all over the world, what language did you speak in? Italian?

(A) 'English'.

(Q) 'Italian?'

(A) 'No! I said English'.

(Q) 'When Jesus was preparing you for this trip to England , did He say anything to you about the people of England ?'

(A) 'Yes. People of England are very dear to Him, but then much of them cause His Heart to bleed, because England is losing faith. That is why I am here, to increase faith. And now you heard from me. Do not keep to yourself, you have to multiply. Jesus said that if you save a soul, you save your own.'

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Stanley continues to travel around the world, telling of the amazing event that happened to him and fulfilling the mission that Jesus sent him back to earth to complete, That is, to teach the message of Divine Mercy.

To His apostle, Saint Marie Faustina, Jesus made a promise in regard to both the image and the praying of the Divine Mercy chaplet. He gave conditions. What is prayed for is prayed with a contrite heart. That it is not against His Will, in other words, it is doubtful this promise could be used to gain power and riches, which would be an abuse of His gift. He tells us that when the chaplet is prayed for a dying soul, that soul will receive His mercy and not His Justice. In away, when a promise is given to us from Heaven, then God because He is Just, is obliged to keep it.

PLEASE PASS THIS TO YOUR FAMILY, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, FRIENDS AND EVERYONE ELSE!