Saints & Relics Presentation (Family Edition): St. Elizabeth Church, 12-7-2025

Tonight's presentation on Saints and Relics "Family Edition" at St. Elizabeth Church was structured to introduce teenagers to the richness of Catholic tradition, highlighting the lives of holy men and women and the sacred relics associated with them.  This presenter emphasized that our Saints were ordinary people transformed by extraordinary faith, which resonated with the teenagers and kept them attentive throughout.

The youthful audience was engrossed as they listened to vivid stories of holy individuals who faced real life struggles - peer pressure, doubts, fears, illness, etc. ‐ and they found the Saints relatable rather than distant historical figures; ample photos also helped to break up the talk and maintain focus.

The relics on display were from St. Bartolo Longo; St. Bernadette of Lourdes; St. Carlo Acutis;

Ven. Domenica Lazzeri; St. Gianna Beretta Molla; St. John Paul II; Bl. Karl of Austria; Sts. Louis &

Zelie Martin w/St. Therese of Lisieux; St. Padre Pio; St. Peregrine Laziosi; Our Lady & St. Joseph.

The presentation concluded with a moment of prayer, encouraging the teens to internalize what they had learned and to see Saints as intercessors and companions in faith.  They were then invited to approach the relics on display, which gave them a concrete way to grow their budding devotion.  Several lingered, whispering prayers, indicating that the talk had sparked genuine interest and sincere veneration.

I'm thankful to God and for my team of behind-the-scenes prayer warriors whose support greatly helped this speaker to successfully meet my threefold goal of maintaining my audience's attention; engaging their participation; and encouraging veneration by fostering personal connections to Saints and relics.  Many of the youth left not only informed but also inspired, carrying with them a sense of reverence and devotion.

Tonight's veneration of relics at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea.

December 2025: That Hawaiian Supermoon

"Who is she that comes forth as the morning

rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun,

terrible as an army set in battle array?"

- Song of Solomon 6:10

Lately, wonderful things have been been witnessed in the sky above our islands ... and it involves the moon.  First off, during the past three nights, we've been awed by the sight of a "supermoon".  It's an infrequent natural occurrence during which the moon is at its closest orbit to the earth and appears larger and brighter than an ordinary full moon; it also sometimes takes on an orange to reddish hue, which adds greatly to its already spectacular appearance. 🌕

This author has seen many supermoons in my lifetime, but this time around, it was literally a blessing from above - allow me to elaborate: this past Wednesday, 12-3-2025, as I drove into Kailua to attend the FIAT: Faith In Action Today prayer meeting, I caught sight of the moon and was surprised to see within it a clear image of the face of our Blessed Mother.  I've witnessed a similar manifestation before back in January 2012 but never saw anything like it again until this Wednesday.  Our Lady's features were beautiful and she was smiling, as her face faded and reappeared intermittently.  I was elated, to say the least!

An artistic depiction of what this author

witnessed in the moon

When I got to the meeting, I immediately told other members of the FIAT Group about the moon and several of them went outside to see for themselves.  To my relief, three others also saw the Holy Virgin's face, which affirmed for me that it wasn't just my imagination.  So we whipped out our cellphones to snap pics but none of us succeeded in capturing the mysterious face.  Instead, all we got were images of a blank glowing white sphere against the night sky.

I was somewhat disappointed that we didn't get clear pics to keep as souvenirs of the blessed event ... but things changed when I later got home.  Earlier, during my drive into Kailua, I had filmed the moon briefly out of sheer excitement and, while reviewing the footage, I was shocked to discover that I had unexpectedly captured something remarkable, after all ... but instead of just a face, I filmed a full-figure apparition!  Here's the video ...

ABOVE:  Note the silhouette in the light (circled)

BELOW:  A screen-shot from the video clip (note

the resemblance to the statue next to it)

   

I can't help but see Our Lady of Grace with her arms customarily extended downward in the above clip, to which several friends have agreed.  Why she manifested in the video - or even in the moon - I don't know; she didn't say a word, but my best guess is that she simply wanted to encourage our FIAT Group to prayerfully persevere; to remind our members that she's around, acknowledging our filial devotion to her and to lovingly dispense graces (we often affectionately refer to her as our "MOM").

I've looked at the moon, over and over again last night and tonight, but no face or figure was seen in it.  I'm extremely grateful for what was witnessed and, regardless, the sight of a supermoon is an awesome gift of the natural realm; a reminder of just how great our GOD is who made it all, along with its breathtaking beauty.  Thanks and praises be to HIM!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

- Psalm 19:1

She's still there ...

It's been over 150 years since Our Lady graced Lourdes, France, with her now-famous 18 apparitions ... yet her presence apparently continues to remain at that hallowed site.  I strongly sensed her there when I visited the Lourdes Sanctuary in October 2024 ... and even came home with a special souvenir photo!

Oh, how I miss that place!  But thankfully, there's the Lourdes Sanctuary live webcam, which never fails to take me back to the Holy Grotto - search for it in YouTube because you never know what you'll witness when you tune in!

Just this morning, as this blogger was praying my daily Rosary, I felt an urge to bring up the webcam on my TV screen so I jumped on and joined pilgrims praying the Rosary in Italian.  Not long after, I noticed a strange light formation in the center of the grotto - it was so striking, I had to take pics of my screen.  Each viewer can decide what he/she sees ... but for me it affirms what I already know - our Blessed Mother's maternal presence is still at Lourdes.

            

Closer views of the unusual light formation in the Grotto of Massabielle (compare each with the statue at center)

Lourdes is that HOLY - the Grotto in particular is a special place where Heaven and earth unite!  If one ever has the opportunity to visit Lourdes, go!  Until then, view the webcam and pray with the pilgrims from all over the world.  Grace somehow seems to transmit even through that live digital portal ... and you never know what you'll see!  The pics above are just a recent set out of several other remarkable things I've witnessed on the webcam in the past four years.  See other pics by following this link or by viewing the "Little Signs" Photo Albums.

Allow the light of Lourdes to touch and heal your spirit!

Our Lady of Lourdes,

pray for us!