FOR DISCERNMENT: PRAY FOR AMERICA

Happy 4th of July!

I feel a special need to share another extraordinary photo.  After today's First Saturday Rosary for Peace and evening Vigil Mass at my parish, I witnessed a figure in the sky - it looked like our Blessed Mother holding the infant Jesus.  I asked her what was going on, then had an interior impression that it was a silent message for our country since it's the 4th of July ... and the 250th Anniversary of the USA.  I snapped a few pics.

     

One of the clearer photos ... the figure enlarged on the right

with the Holy Virgin outlined by this author.

Now looking at the photos, it seems to me that the Baby Jesus is transformed into a cross in Our Lady's hands (some still perceive a baby).  A First Saturday ... on a historic and significant date for America ... the Rosary for Peace ... this appearance ... and a cross in her hands.  It doesn't seem to be random.  Rather, as a whole, it's all a coherent and urgent message - a silent request to pray and sacrifice for our country - and I'm not surprised.  Our culture has more and more, with the passing of each decade, sunken into deeper lows.  Our beloved country indeed needs prayer - pray, pray, pray for America!

A Prayer for America's 250th Anniversary

(By Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,

I place today my nation, the United States of America,

into Your Heart pierced for love of us.  On the 250th

Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,

I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift, and that

our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Patroness of the Americas, and through the

intercession of her Immaculate Heart, bless my

homeland anew, purify her from sin, and guide her

leaders in truth, justice, and peace, so that she may

safeguard all human life, respect the integrity of

marriage and the family, and honor the practice of

religion.  Reign in my home and in my nation.

Draw every heart into communion with You, that

Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may

triumph in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

God bless the United States of America!

In the light of the Eucharist ...

It's 1:14 AM and I can't sleep. Just got home from my parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua, where there's an overnight Eucharistic Adoration currently ongoing; my parish does this on the Thursday evenings preceding the First Fridays and they're wonderful!

The true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is always very palpable to me during these nocturnal events ... but tonight was extra-special - Jesus may have given us visible affirmations of his True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and I was fortunate enough to capture them with my camera.

     

ABOVE: A photo taken during the first hour.  I didn't

notice anything unusual while snapping the pic ... but note

how the light formation on the monstrance looks like

a glowing silhouette of a baby in swaddling cloths

reaching out.  Was it the Holy Infant?

BELOW:  A photo snapped during the second hour.

An image resembling the head and shoulders of a young

boy was seen near the base of our unique crucifix.

Was it the Christ Child?

     

The four of us who were present in the church could clearly see the ghostly image of a boy next to the crucifix.  We all agreed as to what we saw and discerned that it represented the Christ Child lovingly watching over us; another affirmation of Jesus's presence.  It goes without saying that my time in Adoration and prayer was made more fervent by the sighting, and I believe it was the same for my fellow parishioners.

This blogger doesn't believe in coincidences ... but regardless whether the figures are signs, or not, how blessed we are as Catholics to have Jesus present and so close to us in the Eucharist.  HE literally dwells in our Tabernacles - Thanks and Praises be to GOD!

A week with our Mother Mary...

What a busy and intense week it was for me, but in a good way ... and it seemed to this author that the "veil" separating Heaven and Earth was especially thin this week; Our Lady was a factor and her influence seemed particularly palpable.  Did anyone else feel this way?

... and I think the recent events in Medjugorje was the catalyst, at least from my personal perspective.  This ongoing Church-approved Marian Apparition just celebrated its 45th Anniversary on June 24th, 2026, and the Queen of Peace again requested a special nine days of preparation - a "Novena of Rosaries" - calling for people to participate in late night vigils up on Apparition Hill, as if to encourage voluntary mortification and sacrifice amongst the pilgrims.

Marija in ecstasy during an apparition

For those familiar with this ministry, you likely already know that I personally believe in these apparitions and promote the monthly messages in this blog.  I cannot express enough how Medjugorje has deeply influenced my spiritual life for the better, and I attribute many special favors I've received to the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje.  So promoting devotion to her is the least I can do to repay her.

Two of the six Seers - Ivan and Marija -

present during an apparition

I followed that Medjugorje Rosary Novena in spiritual union, via YouTube, and performed whatever special instruction was given by the Blessed Virgin during each apparition (e.g. praying for the Poor Souls).  Then, on June 25th, a friend invited me to bring relics to her home for a prayer meeting she hosted for her parish's Fatima Pilgrim Madonna statue.  It just so happened to be the day that Our Lady gave her June monthly message for the world so I took the opportunity to speak not just about the Fatima message, but also about the events in Medjugorje.  There were a couple of people present who had actually never heard of Medjugorje and they were quite impressed by what they learned.  I also relayed how the Virgin once said to the Medjugorje seers: "What I started in Fatima, I will finish in Medjugorje.  My heart will triumph."   Our host then read the June 25th Message out loud.

   

Relic Pilgrim Visitation at the Manoa Residence in Aiea: Relics of the

Fatima Seers were displayed with the Medjugorje Peace Icon

Also making a positive impact were my ministry's relics of the three Fatima Seers (including a splinter of wood from the tree of apparitions) and my Medjugorje "Peace Icon" that has three stones taken from the shrine on Apparition Hill; from the Blue Cross shrine; and from the large cross atop Cross Mountain.  All of it, together, contributed to a certain heavenly presence that permeated the room we were in.

Finally, this morning (6/27), as I drove to St. John Vianney Church in Kailua to attend Mass, I was surprised to see a clear figure of the Blessed Virgin high in the sky ahead of me.  It looked like a cardboard cut-out of her pasted in the sky - the clearest photo is shown below.

     

Our Lady's figure in the sky above Enchanted Lakes,

Kailua (zoomed-in in the left photo)

I believe what I saw was intended as a sign for the parish priest (a friend of mine) who had asked me to pray with him for a certain, undisclosed petition (we were invoking Our Lady's intercession) ... but wait - if that weren't enough, after the Mass and joining in the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet with a few St. John Vianney parishioners, I again witnessed Our Lady's silhouette floating in the air - see below.

     

Our Lady's figure spotted in the sky above Kailua for a

second time in the same day (zoomed-in in the left photo)

So one can understand what I meant by the title of this blog.  Due to all that transpired in the past week, I really felt that I spent it with Mother Mary, the Queen of Peace ... and one might be surprised to learn that I've never been to Medjugorje despite my devotion; neither do I feel the need to go there because here's what I've learned throughout the years: one doesn't need to go to Medjugorje to experience its extraordinary grace and inspiration.  Just live the messages wherever you are - Convert, Pray "from the heart", live a Sacramental Life, and Fast regularly - and the blessed fruits of Medjugorje will come to you!  Indeed, putting her words into action is the best way we can show love and honor to our Heavenly Mother Mary.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

pray for us!

Corpus Christi 2026 in Kailua

Today was one of the most meaningful observances of the Feast of Corpus Christi at my parish in a long, long while.  Our Parochial Vicar, Fr. Arrion, organized a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction for after the 11AM Mass ... which is usually the least attended of our three Sunday Masses.  But this morning was somewhat of a pleasant surprise as a good crowd of people turned up to participate in the special observances

Over 250 people - young and mature - walked and sang behind the Blessed Sacrament, as Fr. Arrion led us around the grounds of our church and school.  At mid-point, we paused in the school courtyard for prayers and a blessing, while many people knelt on the asphalt.

Scenes from my parish's Eucharistic Procession

We then made our way back to the church for more Eucharistic Adoration and prayers, before concluding with solemn Benediction.  The event was clearly a success ... and to be among so many of my fellow parishioners in public worship of our Eucharistic Lord was simply AWESOME.  I was moved and elated, to say the least.

And what made for a perfect ending to the Feast Day observances was the unexpected discovery of a potential holy image in one of the many photos I took during the procession - see below.

So did the Holy Face of Christ manifest in the sky over our church?  My friends and I believe so.  Compare the faint image under the sun (circled) with the photo of the face from the Shroud of Turin inserted at the bottom-left.  Not saying it's a miracle but there's an uncanny resemblance!  Regardless what, it was an awesome and immensely blessed day in Kailua!

O Sacrament most holy,

O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving,

Be every moment Thine!

That Worldwide Rosary for Peace ...

Yesterday - Saturday, May 30th, 2026 - Pope Leo invited the Faithful around the world to join him in praying a "Rosary for Peace", which he led from the Lourdes replica grotto in the Vatican Gardens.  The meaningful event was broadcasted throughout the world by EWTN and other networks.  In Hawaii, the prayer service was shown live in YouTube beginning at 7am.

“Let me hear what God the Lord

will speak, for he will speak peace to

his people, to his faithful, to those

who turn to him in their hearts.”

- Psalm 85:8

Curiously, while this special prayer for global peace was going on, this author witnessed the appearance of a mysterious silhouette in front of the morning sun; the sun was so bright I had to look away a few times, but the figure remained and I discerned the Blessed Virgin (the "Woman clothed with the sun").  I snapped a few photos of which the best one is shown below.

    

Reflecting on this recent manifestation, I believe it was intended to convey Our Lady's solidarity with the worldwide prayers, and affirmations of her pleasure and intercession.  After all, over 200 shrines around the world, mainly Marian sanctuaries - including Fatima, Lourdes, Medjugorje, the US National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, etc. - joined in with the Pope's Rosary for Peace, not to mention the countless people who followed the event, via social media.  Plus, isn't Our Lady the Queen of Peace?

In addition to leading the prayer, Pope Leo addressed the world, quoting the Psalm posted above and reminding us all that "true peace begins in a heart that loves" ... and that peace should be a "daily commitment" for everyone.  Powerful words that I pray we can all take to heart ... and practice.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

pray for us!

Nature is God's beautiful "picture book" ...

After attending noon Mass yesterday in Downtown, Honolulu, I sat near a planter to take a quick break ... and serendipitously, a leaf with an odd brown blotch caught my attention.  It somehow reminded me of the Holy Grotto of Lourdes.

"There is a great book:

the very appearance of created things.

Look above you!  Look below you!

Note it.  Read it."

- St. Augustine of Hippo

FOR DISCERNMENT: Three Important Words To Live By

This awesome sight was witnessed today - May 8th, 2026 - while walking from my workplace to the Kamiano Center to attend the Noon Mass ...

May is the month of Mary - Celebrate Her!

For Discernment: An Easter Sign of HOPE

Yesterday morning, this blogger witnessed an image in the sky resembling the Holy Face of our Saviour, a devotion that I just so happen to be deeply engaged in.  I immediately took out my cellphone and snapped a couple of photos.  However, when I later reviewed the pics, instead of the Holy Face, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this ...

I'm convinced our Holy Mother is reassuring us that despite all the turmoil happening in the world, in our present time - in our personal lives, too - we have good reason to rejoice.  JESUS IS STILL IN CONTROL!  Hallelujah and Happy Blessed Easter!

HIS eyes are upon us ...

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love."

- Hebrews 4:12-13

I witnessed something unusual yesterday morning at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua.  It happened during the recitation of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet with a small group of parishioners who routinely gather to pray before the Tabernacle after Mass.

On the wall, behind and above the Tabernacle is a life-sized wooden crucifix; something I've become very familiar with in the past 30+ years.  I've looked up at it on countless occasions and like most crucifixes, it depicts our suffering Saviour on it.  I've never noticed anything unusual about it until yesterday.

Shortly after the Rosary Prayer began, I glanced up at the crucifix and reflected on the figure of Jesus seemingly gazing down at the group ... then, towards the end of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, I saw the eyes were closed.  It was so odd because the pupils were clearly visible earlier.

I initially dismissed it as my imagination, but I had snapped several photos and may have captured what I saw in-person ...

Now it may have been a trick of the light, but it sure looked eerie in person, and I've never seen the corpus appear like that before.

So did it have anything to do with the current state of the world?  Coincidentally, war erupted between Iran and the USA, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries on the very same day.

For this blogger, it makes sense that Jesus is deeply saddened by the current state of the world - the growing godlessness; narcissistic and hedonistic ideologies; blatant public displays of satanic and occult influences; ongoing multiple wars; persecution of Christians, etc.  Hence, we are being given many extraordinary signs all over the world - via reported apparitions, weeping images, Eucharistic Miracles, etc. - indicating Heaven's concern for us.

For those who discern the "signs of the times", perhaps we are being invited to step up with more intercessory prayers and voluntary sacrifices for the conversion of sinners, including ourselves.  With Lent in full swing, now is a good time to reflect and respond accordingly.  Our Jesus, whose merciful gaze is ever upon us, is certainly listening.

"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

and his ears toward their cry."

- Psalm 33:18

"Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!"

The phrase posted above is from Psalm 144, which was today's Responsorial Psalm during Mass ... and it took on a profound relevance for this author, given something unusual that recently took place - allow me to just show you, my reader:

The stone pictured was included in a batch of decorative petrified (agatized) wood I purchased from Etsy earlier this month.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered upon its surface, a small image, which I can't help but recognize as a likeness of the Holy Face.  Compare it to the illustration of Jesus shown in the inset - the resemblance is simply striking!

After pondering it over and over, I can't consider the image to be anything but another affirmation of the Holy Face Devotion; a sign, amongst several I've witnessed, that continues to strengthen my faith and enthusiasm for a devotion that I've been practicing and promoting for over 30 years now ... and which has resulted in many signal graces in both my spiritual and secular life.  The Holy Face Devotion is truly anointed and very important for our times.  I can't emphasize enough how one should embrace it.

... and going back to the Psalm, incidentally, earlier today I had decided to take my "Jesus Rock" to Mass at the Honolulu Cathedral Basilica to have a priest bless it.  While I was lectoring, it was another surprise when I had to announce the Responsorial Psalm:

"Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!"

- Psalm 144

How personally relevant, I thought to myself as the words of the Psalm jumped out at me from the Lectionary.  It all seemed surreal and almost prophetic, given this unusual rock I happened to have in my pocket. 

To read more about the origin of the Holy Face Devotion and to view other Holy Face signs experienced by this author, click/tap here.

Blessings for the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR

... and Happy Feast Day of

Mary, Holy Mother of God!

What an interesting and blessed New Year's Eve it was yesterday.  From early in the morning I was filled with an unusual anticipation concerning the upcoming year; it was neither good nor bad ... rather, a feeling that 2026 will somehow be significant, but I'm uncertain as to how.  The sensation was compounded by movements and formations in the sky that I occasionally caught glimpses of ... like wispy white human-like figures moving around amongst the clouds.  I even thought to myself "Heaven seems busy today".

At one point, as I was making coffee in my job's staff kitchen/dining area, I glanced out the window and was surprised to see clear figures in the clouds resembling winged angels and even figures dressed in long hooded robes (Saints?).  I watched for several moments before running back to my desk to fetch my cellphone in order to snap a few photos - the one below is one of the clearer pics ...

... and then my priest, Fr. Tony, unexpectedly called.  He was inspired at the last minute to add a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration/Benediction after the New Year's Eve Vigil Mass scheduled at my parish tonight.  He also wanted the Rosary prayed before the Mass in honor of our Blessed Mother's Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1st, and asked for my help in arranging it.  Of course, I happily agreed.

Not long after hanging up with my priest, I left the office to walk over to the Kamiano Center near the Honolulu Cathedral to lector at the Noon Mass.  As I made my way, an amazing image in the clouds - a silhouette - took form ahead of me, which I also photographed ...

'not saying it's supernatural, but tell me if that blue area in the center doesn't resemble an outline of the Virgin Mary?!  The likeness is uncanny and talk about spiritual serendipity!  And how relevant is the timing, too, given my priest's phone call?  I couldn't help but think it was Our Lady's way of communicating her gratitude and approval over the plans to include the Rosary (her most favorite prayer) in my parish's line-up of events.  (She is always very thoughtful and grateful for everything we do in her honor.)

And about that vigil service, I'm happy to report that it turned out to be a beautiful and well-attended gathering.  During Adoration we were led to reflect on letting go of bygone hurts and sins, and to allow Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, to heal and renew us.  Many later expressed what a meaningful way it was to end the old year and to usher in the new one.  Our Fr. Tony did good.

New Year's Eve Eucharistic Adoration at

St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua

So regardless what 2026 may bring - good and bad - there's always hope in GOD ... and HE will lovingly respond to our needs if we are sincere, even sending Our Lady, the Angels, and the Saints to be with us when needed, which I think the photos posted above can help attest to.

Plus, it's always an excellent idea, as we start Day One of a new year, to renew (or begin) our personal commitments to follow our Lord's teachings more closely and to commend ourselves to Our Lady's maternal guidance on her significant feast day.  Prayer - particularly frequent Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Rosary - will also continue to be an absolute necessity as we move forward in 2026.  May God bless us all with a holy and prosperous new year!

"For I know the plans I have for you"

declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you

hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11

A Blessing for Families

Happy Feast Day of the Holy Family!

Today, our Church celebrates the loving union of Jesus, Mama Mary, and St. Joseph as a very human, yet exemplary faith-filled family.  This author attended the 9AM Mass this morning at my parish church of St. Anthony of Padua in Kailua then, afterwards, was surprised by the awesome sight of the luminous figure of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of this ministry!) in the sky above the church!  The image was so clear, it resembled a white cut-out of the Guadalupe Virgin pasted against the blue firmament; actually remaining long enough for me to whisper prayers ... to snap a few cellphone pics ... and to gaze a bit more at her with heartfelt gratitude before she finally faded.  It couldn't have been just a random cloud.

        

The two clearest pics I managed to take.  Tap on

either photo to enlarge and view details ... note the

Virgin of Guadalupe in the center (circled).

So what did it all mean?  There were no words heard, but in my heart I strongly felt Our Lady manifested her presence for the following reasons:

• to bless all families who reverently observed today's feast

• to affirm the sanctity of the traditional family unit

• as the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn (she appeared as a youthful pregnant woman in Mexico), to affirm the sanctity of life and the need to prayerfully defend the Unborn from abortion, which has contributed to the degeneration of modern families

Lastly, I'd like to suggest that if one has any urgent request concerning a relative(s), today's feast is an opportune time to invoke the intercession of the Holy Family.  I believe this appearance of the Blessed Virgin is a sign that exceptional graces are possible today - the Feast of the Holy Family - for those who ask with confidence.  May the good Lord bless all of our families with sanctity and protection from evil.

The Advent "Candle of Love"

My parish is currently in the midst of an Advent "Novena of Masses" between  December 15th thru 23rd in spiritual preparation for Christmas.  Each day starts with a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and prayer in the morning.  Then, in the evening, there's a Mass preceded by the Rosary; the days end with refreshments and fellowship.  It's all so meaningful and beautiful.

At last night's Saturday evening prayers - Day 6 of our Novena and the Vigil Mass of the 4th Sunday of Advent - this author witnessed a familiar bearded face mysteriously appear on the glass surface of the 4th Candle in our Advent Wreath during the Rosary ... and He was smiling!  I thought to myself: How appropriate and relevant that the Lord would manifest His likeness on the candle that represents LOVE!  It was a message in itself.

"God is love.  Whoever lives in love

lives in God, and God in them."

1 John 4:16

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 my mood 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!