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!

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!

The Shroud of Turin: The Passion of Christ Revealed

"He was bruised for our iniquities; the

chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

and by His stripes we are healed."

- Isaiah 53:5

With Holy Week just around the corner, I thought it an opportune time to post about one of the Church’s most precious artifacts (and one of my personal favorites); a major relic that, when properly understood, inspires deeper appreciation from its viewers for the terrible sufferings our Lord endured during his Passion.  The Santa Sindone, better known as the Holy Shroud of Turin (simply called the "Shroud" for the rest of this blog) is one of the most venerated relics in the history of Christianity ... but what exactly is it?  The Shroud is a centuries-old sheet that mysteriously bears the faint image of a man believed to be Jesus.  Revered by Christians and scrutinized by science, its history is a rich tapestry of faith, mystery, and controversy.

Origins and Early History

The Shroud is a linen cloth measuring approximately 14 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, on which can be seen on its surface, the front and back image of a completely nude man who suffered crucifixion, along with other tortures.  The image shows wounds consistent with scourging, a crown of thorns, a shoulder wound, and nail marks in the wrists and feet.  Given its alignment with the Gospel narratives of the Passion, for many Christians, especially Catholics, this cloth is believed to be the burial shroud of none other than our Lord, Himself, that's mentioned in various parts of the New Testament such as John 19:40; Mark 15:46; and Matthew 27:59.

"So Joseph (of Arimathea) bought

some linen cloth, took down the body,

wrapped it in the linen, and placed it

in a tomb cut out of rock.  Then he

rolled a stone against the entrance

of the tomb."

- Mark 15:46

The earliest known reference to a linen matching the Shroud dates to the 6th century in the city of Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey), where a relic known as the "Image of Edessa" or the "Mandylion" (the "holy towel") was venerated.  Some scholars suggest this may have been the Shroud folded to show only the face.  It was reportedly transferred to Constantinople in 944 AD, where it was kept until the city was sacked during the Fourth Crusade in 1204.  After that, its whereabouts are uncertain until it reappears in the 14th century in France.

Medieval Appearance and Journey to Turin

The Shroud surfaced in the historical record in the 1350s in Lirey, France, in the possession of a knight named Geoffroi de Charny.  It was displayed publicly and quickly drew both veneration and skepticism.  In 1389, Bishop Pierre d'Arcis of Troyes wrote a memorandum to Pope Clement VII claiming the image was a painted forgery.  Despite this, the Pope allowed its display as a devotional object, not as a confirmed relic.

A closer view of the two images on the Shroud:

the front of the Man (left) and the back.

The cloth passed through various hands, eventually coming into the possession of the House of Savoy in 1453.  It was moved to Turin, Italy, in 1578, where it has remained ever since, enshrined in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  Over the centuries, it has survived fires, repairs, and intense scrutiny.

Scientific Investigations

Since the advent of modern imaging and dating technologies the Shroud has been the subject of extensive scientific study.  In 1898, amateur photographer Secondo Pia took the first photograph of the Shroud and discovered that the image on the cloth - particularly the face - appeared more lifelike in the photographic negative than in the positive—suggesting the image itself was a kind of natural negative.

In 1988, radiocarbon dating tests conducted by laboratories in Oxford, Zurich, and Arizona dated the cloth to between 1260 and 1390 AD, aligning with its first documented appearance in France.  This led many to conclude it was a medieval creation rather than a genuine biblical artifact.  However, later investigations have confirmed that the samples used were actually snipped from a repaired section of the cloth after it was damaged in a fire in 1532.  The effects of the fire, itself, could have produced skewed radiocarbon dating results making the 1988 test results unreliable.

The Man of the Shroud suffered terribly,

yet His face reflects majesty and peace!

Subsequent studies examining the anatomy of the Man, the bloodstains, pollen grains, and textile structure have concluded with results strongly supporting the Shroud's probable authenticity - for example:

• The image is not a painting; it bears no trace of paint or pigment.  How it was formed remains a mystery to this day.  Certain scientists speculate the image was the result of a photographic-like imprint caused by a tremendous burst of energy from an undetermined source.  The Resurrection?

• The Shroud's weave is ancient, matching early Middle Eastern textiles not found in medieval Europe, but depicted in pre-medieval art (the 12th-century Pray Codex).

• The Shroud image's appearance is consistent with a man in his 30s; the right arm and shoulder is slightly more muscular than the left suggesting he was right-handed and worked in manual labor (Jesus was a carpenter) ... and His long hairstyle and facial hair was common among Jewish men of Christ's time.

• Bloodstains are comprised of human blood - rare Type AB blood - and the patterns in which they appear on the cloth is forensically how blood would normally flow and coagulate on a corpse (NOTE: Bleeding Eucharistic Miracles analyzed by science are also Type AB blood!).

• The Man suffered nail wounds to his wrists, versus the palms, as it is generally depicted in pious art since circa 420 AD.  This actually conforms with Roman crucifixion methods.  Furthermore, missing thumbs on the Man's hands are consistent with injury to the median nerve due to the nails puncturing the wrists, which would cause the thumbs to involuntarily press into the center of the palms; a detail unknown in medieval art but in line with modern forensic pathology (NOTE: The injury to the nerve caused excruciating pain not just in the wrists but throughout the entire body).

• The small barbell-shaped marks of the scourge wounds seen throughout the Man's body conform with a torture/whipping instrument used by the Romans called the Flagrum.

• Pollen grains found on the Shroud are from dozens of plant species from the Near East, many unique to Jerusalem or Anatolia, consistent with a cloth that traveled from the Levant through the Mediterranean.  The pollen found on the head area are from a shrub in Palestine known to have thorns!

• In addition to pollen, subtle images of flowers native to the Judean region have been observed on the Shroud, including the chrysanthemum and rock rose, which were known to have been used in ancient Middle Eastern funeral rites.  These flowers and their pollen were mainly concentrated around the head of the Man.

• Tiny limestone particles discovered imbedded in the fabric are identical in composition to limestone caverns in the Jerusalem area (NOTE: Caves were commonly utilized as tombs by the ancients - again refer to Mark 15:46).

• Images of coins over the eyelids (not readily visible to the naked eye) indicate the presence of Pontius Pilate lepta coins (circa 30 A.D.) placed over the Man's eyes, a 1st-century Judean burial practice!

• The total combination of wounds, trauma, and death mechanisms of the Man is statistically improbable except in the biblical account of the Roman crucifixion suffered by Jesus

Religious and Cultural Significance

Regardless of all the controversy, the Shroud endures as a powerful symbol of faith.  It is publicly displayed for veneration only occasionally, most recently in 2015 and virtually in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Millions have viewed it, and it remains a focal point of pilgrimage and devotion ... and cures have even been reported through it such as the 1954 healing of 11-year-old Josie Wollam of England, from a terminal bone disease, after she touched the reliquary enclosing the Shroud.

Despite the remarkable scientific findings and cures supporting the Shroud's legitimacy, the Catholic Church has never officially declared it to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus.  Rather, it encourages veneration of it as a representation of Christ’s suffering.  Pontiffs, including Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have all expressed reverence for the Shroud, emphasizing its spiritual value regardless of its origin.

The Santa Sudarium

The Sudarium of Oviedo—venerated in the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo, Spain, and alleged to be the cloth that covered the face of Jesus after the Crucifixion that's mentioned in the Book of John—has long intrigued both the Faithful and researchers.  In recent years, as a result of scientific studies, it has become closely associated with the Shroud because of its striking correspondences with it.

"Then Simon Peter came along behind him

and went straight into the tomb.  He saw the

strips of linen lying there, and the cloth that

had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.

The cloth was still lying in its place,

separate from the linen."

- John 20:6-7

While the Sudarium (seen above) bears no image, it contains bloodstains and fluid patterns that perfectly align with the facial wounds and blood flows visible on the Shroud.  Studies comparing the two relics have noted matching blood type, compatible wound locations, and congruent folding and placement traditions that trace back to early Christian communities.  The convergence of historical tradition, forensic analysis, and pattern correspondence has made the Sudarium an important companion artifact in the broader investigation of the Shroud’s origins and authenticity.

The Connection to the Holy Face Devotion

In the mid-20th century, the face on the Shroud became synonymous with the Holy Face Devotion revealed to Bl. Maria Pierina de Micheli (d. 1945).  In a series of private apparitions, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary urged the nun to spread this devotion, via a special medal featuring the face of Christ.  In 1940, she was given Church-permission to produce the medals and chose the image from the Shroud for its design (see below).  The  Holy Face Medal is to be worn as an "armor of defense" and a means of obtaining the salvation of souls through contemplating the Lord's face disfigured by the Passion. 

 

The decision to use the Shroud image by a Church-approved visionary, who witnessed the Lord's actual face on multiple occasions, is significant.  Furthermore, the devout use of the Holy Face Medal has occasioned countless signal graces, as promised by our Lord.  It all adds another layer of likelihood to the Shroud's authenticity.  

Bl. Maria Pierina was not the only saintly soul who held the Shroud in high regard.  Other holy individuals who've venerated it include St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, St. John Bosco, Padre Domenico of Cese, Pope St. John Paul II, Bl. Maria Pia Mastena, Ven. Hildebrand Gregori, and the astounding Servant of God Maria Concetta Pantusa, just to name a few.

ABOVE:  The mystic and stigmatic, Maria Concetta

Pantusa, and the copy of the Shroud that wept

blood in her home in Airola, Italy.

BELOW:  A.I.-generated images of the Holy Face,

as revealed on the Shroud.

"My beloved daughter!  I would like My image (Shroud

copies) to be widely distributed.  I want to enter into every

family, to convert the hardest hearts.  Take Me to hospitals

and shelters, to schools and kindergartens.  Speak to

everyone of My infinite mercy and love."

- Jesus to Maria Concetta, 1947

Conclusion

In closing, the Shroud of Turin is a relic that bridges the realms of faith and science.  Whether its enigmatic images are seen as a miraculous imprint or a medieval artifact, it continues to inspire awe, inquiry, and devotion across the world.  Through the Shroud, the Passion of Christ is vividly revealed in all its painful and bloody details; visibly testifying to the boundless love that Jesus expended to save us from our sins.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his

only Son, that whoever believes in him should

not perish but have eternal life."

- John 3:16

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.

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

The Light of HIS Holy Face shines upon the Faithful ...

Witnessed tonight: The Holy Face of Christ (circled below) appears clearly on our parish's crucifix at the beginning of an overnight Eucharist Adoration going on now at my parish.  Furthermore, a crown is discernible on the image and tomorrow is the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! All hail to the KING!

“In the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar,

His Adorable Face is more dazzling than

the sun. He then once more promised me

to imprint His Divine Likeness upon the

souls of those who honor the features

of His Face.”

- Sr. Marie of St. Peter,

Carmelite of Tours & Mystic of

the Holy Face Revelations

Was it the face of our Risen Lord? (UPDATED 4/28/2025)

Every morning when I pray my Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, I usually view one of the live Eucharistic Adoration webcams now common in YouTube.  The one shown below is one of my favorites because of the beautiful Gregorian Chants that also play in the background while praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

This morning, however, was a different experience than all the other days in the past couple of years that I've been frequenting this channel - today, I think I saw the Holy Face of Jesus appear in the Host, resembling his face as seen on the Shroud of Turin.  See the photos I took below of my tv screen.

O Sacrament most Holy,

O Sacrament Divine,

all praise and all thanksgiving,

be every moment Thine!

Comparisons with the normal view and

with the Holy Face from the Shroud

The mysterious apparition's resemblance to the image on the Shroud is simply uncanny ... and as a strong believer in the Holy Face Devotion, this was a highly meaningful sign to witness.  The lesson here is clear and two-fold - JESUS IS TRULY PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST ... and the HOLY FACE REVELATIONS AND DEVOTION ARE POWERFULLY ANOINTED!

Lord Jesus, through the merits

of Your Holy Face have pity on us

and on the whole world.  Amen.

+ U P D A T E :  4 - 2 8 - 2 0 2 5 +

FOR DISCERNMENT:  It happened again - the pic below was snapped this morning, while praying the Rosary and viewing the Eucharistic Adoration livestream from a parish in Middleton, New Jersey.  It seemed to this author that the Holy Face was again appearing in the Host.  It wasn’t as clear as last Wednesday's image but it was there.  I took several photos and the one below is the best one although I had to add a little contrast to it.

Is it a miracle?  I won't say for certain ... but what I will testify to is this: again, I have never seen anything like it on this livestream (nor in any of the other live Adoration webcams in YouTube) until it showed up on Easter Wednesday; then yesterday (Divine Mercy Sunday!!!) and today.  It's not a permanent image (it lasted for over 30 minutes each occasion, repeatedly appearing, fading, and materializing again and again in varying clarity before it finally vanished) ... and it doesn't appear to be a projection of any sort ... nor is it a reflection of a Jesus-photo on my side of the screen.

Of course it could just be a natural trick of light, but I can't get over its striking resemblance to the mysterious Shroud of Turin, which I believe IS the miraculous burial cloth of our Lord.  Frankly, it's an impressive thing to witness and I'm profoundly moved by it all: the Eucharist ... that Face ... the power and goodness of our living and true GOD - AMAZING!

+ U P D A T E :  6 - 4 - 2 0 2 5 +

I called the parish where this particular Perpetual Adoration chapel is located - Saint Mary, Mother of God Church in New Jersey - and spoke to a man working in the parish office.  The person confirmed that there are NO images of any sort being projected onto the Monstrance.  He also shared that he was personally aware of another call from a woman who reported seeing the Eucharist light up and the face of Jesus appear in the Host.  Interesting information.

For Discernment: What's up with the Planet Venus?

For those not aware, there's been an extraordinary astronomical event unfolding, even at this very moment, as I'm writing this blog - a rare planetary alignment of all 7 planets is underway that will be visible at the end of this month.

I first started noticing something was up when I began seeing an extraordinarily bright light from my home, directly above the Waikiki area, beginning in November 2024.  I initially thought it was a large drone but changed my mind when it continued to quietly appear nightly in the same spot without any blinking lights.  I later learned from a friend that it was the planet Venus ... and not long after a faint reddish light was seen beside it, which I understood to be the planet Mars.

I know what's taking place is a natural occurrence, but can't help but wonder if there's also a spiritual undertone to it all.  The reason being is because several photos I took of Venus, on consecutive nights back in November, unexpectedly showed mysterious images in place of the planet.  Three of the clearest photos are shown below in the successive order they were snapped, and just a few days apart:

Seen together, could these be interpreted

as a message from Heaven?

I've been praying about these photos for the past two months - about whether I should share them - but I finally decided to post them because I now feel there's a relevant message that's being given, at least to me.  But I'm hoping there are others out there who will discern the same and spiritually profit from this blog.

Essentially, I believe our Lord is trying to draw attention to His True Presence in the Eucharist; urgently conveying a wake-up call for souls to open up to His LOVE being poured out through the Eucharist, and for us to respond with love; that the Eucharist must be central in our present and uncertain times.  This is a reasonable assessment and relevant, given that these occurrences coincide with the US Church's ongoing "Eucharistic Revival", which was initiated in mid-2024.

A normal photo of Venus - its that brilliant

white spot way above the moon.  Waikiki city

lights shine brightly below.

And what was a final "nudge" for me to post the pics was an exciting discovery I made a couple weeks ago - I researched the Biblical significance of Venus and was surprised to learn that the planet was called the "Morning Star" in ancient times, and early Christians referenced it as a symbol for our Risen Lord!  In fact, Jesus proclaimed this, Himself - take a look at this passage from the Book of Revelation, 22:12-16:

  "Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

  Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.  Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

  I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Talk about a seriously pertinent Scripture Passage for our times, and note the very end where Jesus identifies Himself as the "Morning Star"; the entire passage resonated with me.  Now tie that all together with this series of unusual photos of Venus I took.  Doesn't it somehow go together?  Personally, I totally get it.

Another view of Venus (captured from

Kailua Town - beautiful!).

Today these photos continue speaking to me about the importance of the Eucharist and the urgency of our present times. Jesus is ringing an alarm, so it seems - "Look, I am coming soon!" - and it's time for the world to wake up!  Irregardless, whether one discerns the unusual images, a message ... or nothing at all ... we Catholics still need to continue recognizing; partaking of; appreciating; loving; and defending the Eucharist.

... and what about this strange photo?

Is Heaven saying something?

And finally ... about the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope - I think these photos may also serve as a prophetic reminder for the Jubilee: JESUS - TRULY PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST - IS OUR UNFAILING HOPE!  Amen.

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and

in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the

earth distress of nations, with perplexity;

the sea and the waves roaring ..."

- Luke 21:25

In the Holy Face Devotion is Power!

Restore us, Lord God Almighty;

make your face shine on us, that

we may be saved.

‐ Psalm 80:19

Lately, I've been extra-focused on the Holy Face Devotion.  After the November 2024 election ended, I committed myself to praying more diligently for my country: for blessings on the incoming presidential administration and for the defeat of radical politicians, especially those with Communistic/Socialistic-leanings, who push their erroneous and atheistic ideologies in the US.  I've come to understand more clearly that their growing influence is a root problem in our present society and is actually the fulfillment of one of the Virgin Mary's predictions given at Fatima in which she stated that Russia will spread her errors [Communism] throughout the world if her requests weren't heeded; apparently, not enough people responded to Our Lady of Fatima and, as a result, history has abundant examples of how Communism has left a wake of misery in its path; America, too, despite professing to be a staunch democratic government, has not been immune from the infection of Marxist teachings.

But even way before Fatima, in the mid-1800s, our Lord had already warned us of the advent of Communism and its evils through the French Carmelite mystic, Sr. Marie of St. Peter (d. 1848).  In October 1846 she recorded this:

  "What filled my soul with sadness was an interior light which Our Lord granted me, by which I saw that God’s justice was preparing to send us still other chastisements.  Our Lord communicated to me that this time he would use as the instruments of punishment, not the elements, but the malice of revolutionary men."

On March 27, 1847, the nun documented yet another encounter with Jesus:

  "Our Lord commanded me to make war on Communists because he said they were the enemies of the Church and of her Christ.  He told me also that most of these wolfish men who are now Communists had been born in the Church whose bitter enemies they now openly declare themselves to be."

As a way of combating this godless philosophy and its adherents, Jesus revealed the Holy Face Devotion to Sr. Marie, along with the "Golden Arrow" prayer, as a means of spiritual combat.  So following Sr. Marie's lead, I am now saying the prayer daily - specifically during the Elevation at Mass - for the express intention of having the USA experience a renewed spirit of morality and for all our government leaders, especially the Marxist, to be given the grace of conversion and to peacefully work for the common good of all Americans.

Heavenly affirmations have since followed, which correspond with Scriptural prophecy:

"And I will show wonders in heaven

above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood,

and fire, and vapour of smoke ..."

- Acts 2:19

For example, just yesterday - Saturday, 11/23/2024 - I received a remarkable sign directly related to the Holy Face Devotion.  It was in the form of a photo I snapped after again spending time in prayer at the outdoor Marian Shrine on the grounds of St. John Vianney Church in Kailua.

God looks down from heaven on the

children of man to see if there are any

who understand, who seek after God.

- Psalm 53:2

For me, the Holy Face is clearly discerned in the clouds.  I didn't initially see the image at the time I aimed my cellphone towards the sky, but only noticed the face after.  How personally relevant and also encouraging for all of us to know that Jesus pays attention to our prayers!

This ministry invites all readers to also invoke the power of the Holy Face Devotion against the forces of darkness operating in our/your country; to frequently utilize the Golden Arrow Prayer to combat their destructive works.  As the US transitions from one administration to another in January 2025, there will undoubtedly be challenges but I firmly believe that if more people practice this devotion, our country will ultimately be better off.

For more information about the Holy Face Devotion, click/tap here.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

- Psalm 105:4