Disclaimer

NOTICE: I am a practicing Catholic, active and in good-standing with my local diocese, who professes faith and loyalty to the Church. This ministry - my "little work" - is strictly a personal expression of that faith and loyalty, and not an officially recognized ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu.

~ Peter, Ministry Administrator


Thursday, May 25, 2023

Monthly Message from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: May 2023



  “Dear children!  I am calling you to go into nature and to pray for the Most High to speak to your heart and that you may feel the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to witness the love which God has for every creature.  I am with you and intercede for you.  Thank you for having responded to my call. ”

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

An "Incorruptible" in America? (UPDATED 5/29/2023)


There's an interesting piece of news that's currently being widely circulated among Catholic websites and private circles - it has to do with an American nun-founder from Gower, Missouri, named SrWilhelmina Lancaster.  She died in 2019... and her body was discovered incorrupt this past Feast of the Ascension 2023, during its transfer into the chapel of her congregation.  (Note: Her corpse was never embalmed!)

Below is an article that was emailed to me this morning and I have to say - it's quite compelling!


I've never heard of this nun prior to this morning and I'm sure there are many others like me... so here's a brief bio about Sr. Wilhelmina that I gathered from online sources: She was born Mary Elizabeth Lancaster on April 13, 1924 and, starting from the age of 2, she was alleged to have experienced a few private visits from Our Lady.  Then, at her First Holy Communion in April 1934, she had a decisive mystical experience involving Jesus, who invited her to be His; immediately enamored with our Lord, the youngster said "Yes".

At 13, Mary Elizabeth decided that she wanted to become a nun.  She entered the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1941 - taking Sr. Wilhelmina, as her religious name - and was a teaching Sister for several decades in various US cities.

In 1995, at the age of 70, Sr. Wilhelmina left the Oblates to follow an apparent divine inspiration, which was to establish a new conservative and contemplative community called the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; she was its first prioress.

A staunch traditionalist at heart, the founder’s long life was marked by a deep love for Jesus and a reverence for the Latin Mass... along with a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin who she sought to emulate.  Her faith-example left a lasting positive impression upon those who knew her.

Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster in life.

Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster died on May 29, 2019 with a beaming smile on her face and a reputation for sanctity.  As the article states, she was 95 at the time of her passing.

Although the preliminary information we have about this nun looks promising that we're dealing with a genuine miracle here (her life reads similar to many of the Beatified/Canonized founders already featured in this blog), the Church ultimately has the final say.

Moving forward, it's going to be interesting and exciting to see if graces and favors will be reported through the deceased founder's intercession; whether a formal investigation will be initiated by the Diocese in regards to her remains or whether a Cause for Canonization for Sr. Wilhelmina will eventually result from all this.  Remember - nothing happens by chance.

In the meantime, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the local Bishop in Missouri!


* * *  U P D A T E  * * *

A local mortician and funeral home owner - Jack Klein - who issued Sr. Wilhelmina's death certificate and was present at her burial, has confirmed that the nun's body was never embalmed.  He was also quoted as saying that he "can't understand" how her body is in the preserved state it's in given the circumstances of her burial.

The local Bishop - Bishop James Johnston, Jr. - is also quite aware of the situation and has issued a statement of which the full text is found here.  In short, at this point in time, he has not committed to an investigation of any sort, but wisely invites prayer:

  "I invite all the Faithful to continue praying during this time of evaluation and determination for God’s will in the lives of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; for all women religious; and all the baptized in our common vocation to holiness, with hope and trust in the Lord."

Crowds are still flocking to the monastery to view the body of Sr. Wilhelmina up close, and to touch it, while they still can through the end of May.  In June, the sisters will be enclosing their founder’s body in a glass-sided urn, especially constructed for it, through which pilgrims may still view the remains.


To read more about the phenomena of
Saintly Incorruptibility, click here.

Friday, May 19, 2023

Marian Apparitions & Saints Speaking Presentation, 5/19/2023: Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu



The messages given at all the Marian Apparitions in the history of the Church can essentially be summarized by the following bulletpoints:

  • PRAY (especially the Rosary and "from the heart")
  • CONVERT (return to God)
  • DO PENANCE (i.e. weekly fasting)
  • FREQUENT THE SACRAMENTS (Eucharist and monthly Confession)
  • PROPHECIES/WARNINGS (i.e. possible future chastisement depending on the world's response)

The above list is what this author expounded on and  emphasized to the group of youth and adults who gathered in the social hall of Mary, Star of the Sea Parish.  I also highlighted several Church-approved apparitions, such as the world-famous miracles at Lourdes and Fatima... as well as, little-known apparitions such as, Cuapa (Nicaragua) and Ngome (South Africa); all while sharing many interesting photos, as part of a slideshow.

  
Sharing stories and messages from
Our Lady's approved apparitions.

In addition, I displayed relics of St. Catherine Laboure, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, and the three Fatima Seers for the edification of the participants... and I'm happy to relate that people were, indeed, edified!  In fact, I later learned from the youth group coordinator that her cousin - a woman who attended despite having left the Catholic Church for a large local evangelical Christian church - had declared on their ride home together that she wants to return to the Catholic Faith!  Talk about an awesome testimony to our Blessed Mother's intercession - Praises be to the Lord!

  
Relics of Canonized Marian Visionaries
on display (L to R): St. Catherine with
Miraculous Medals, the Seers of Fatima,
St. Bernadette with Lourdes Water.

Another interesting signal grace was reported by one of the young people in attendance (she looked about 12-years-old), who believes she may have briefly seen a "shadow" of the Virgin Mary standing beside the relics display.  When I asked the girl if she looked like my Fatima statue, she immediately answered "no" and proceeded to stretch her arms out at waist-level and said, "She had her arms like this, like wanted to give a hug." 

Other items on display were a Rosary
Escarchas in frame, and rose petals that
fell from the sky in Lipa, Philippines.

Given the straightforward way the child answered my questions, her unique description of what she saw, and her unpretentious demeanor, I got the sense that she really did see something; the group's coordinator shared the same impression.  Was it Our Lady of Grace?

Participants venerating the relics.

So, overall, it was a successful and highly unusual night, thanks to the remarkable experiences of several audience members.  This is one talk that I, for sure, won't soon forget.