Lenten Mission, 3/29 & 3/30: St. John Vianney Church, Kailua

In the past 11 years, this ministry has been privileged to be given many opportunities to speak about our Church's rich and beautiful teachings on the Communion of Saints... and through it all, this author has often been edified by the warmth, enthusiasm, and faith testimonies of people who have attended the Guadalupe House Presentations.  This 2-night parish Lenten mission was no exception - to briefly summarize what transpired:

NIGHT ONE - MARIAN APPARITIONS: A MOTHER'S PLEA FOR CONVERSION 

This night focused on explaining Marian Apparitions - the When, Where, Whys of various Church-approved apparitions; the Blessed Virgin's urgent messages, which I basically summed up, as follows:

• REPENTANCE & CONVERSION 
• PRAYER 
• PENANCE & REPARATION
• LIVING A SACRAMENTAL LIFE

It was a theme perfectly in line with the Gospels and with Lent, but I emphasized to participants that it was our Holy Mother's intent that we live her words beyond the Lenten Season.

Also presented to help the audience connect with Our Lady's messages were relics of several Marian seers: St. Catherine Laboure of the Miraculous Medal, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, and the three Fatima Seers: Sts. Jacinta and Francisco, along with Sr. Lucia.

At the end of the talk, many parishioners enthusiastically prayed before the relics, while a few others also shared with me about their own stories of how Our Lady had graced them in a special way... or how a pilgrimage to such hallowed shrines as Lourdes, Fatima, and Medjugorje had impacted their lives.

NIGHT TWO - SAINTS: THE MANY FACES OF HOLINESS

This evening's focus built on the previous night's message by explaining Our Lady's goal through her appearances is really to guide us in fulfilling God's desire that we become holy; to help mold us into Saints... and I stressed the fact that SANCTITY IS POSSIBLE FOR ALL.

I spoke of several diverse Blesseds and Saints, and presented their relics to again help the audience to further connect with the individual faith-witnesses of their respective lives.  The Blesseds/Saints and relics featured were: St. Damien of Molokai, Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, St. Margaret of Cortona, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, St. Maria Goretti, Bl. Maria Restituta Kafka, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, St. Rita of Cascia, and St. Therese the Little Flower.  

As with the prior night, the makeshift reliquary display altar was flooded by praying parishioners after the presentation, and people shared more personal testimonies of past favors obtained through the intercession of Saints.  

Two interesting stories that stood out was an audience member's past healing from cancer through the help of Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos... and a man from Philadelphia whose quadriplegic priest-teacher - Fr. William Atkinson - is now a Servant of God being investigated for possible Sainthood!  Talk about amazing stories - I can't get enough of them.

Overall, it appeared to have been a successful Lenten event for St. John Vianney Church - nearly 70 people attended Night One and many returned on Night Two, along with new faces in the pews.  May Our Lady and the Saints continue to bless all those who organized and attended the mission.  Thanks and praises be to God!