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Date Posted: 17:01:35 05/12/07 Sat
Author: Joan
Author Host/IP: ip72-195-155-244.ri.ri.cox.net / 72.195.155.244
Subject: 
Do you believe in the apparitions of Mary?
Those that the Church has verified (if that's the right word)--Guadaplupe, etc.
I really don't believe in them. There's no particular reason why. I just strongly doubt that Mary appears to people.
What about you?
Joan
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Re: Do you believe in the apparitions of Mary? -- Linda Lu, 17:30:58 05/12/07 Sat [1] (c-24-18-131-249.hsd1.wa.comcast.net/24.18.131.249)
I totally believe in them. I had a very interesting "episode" once, don't know if it qualifies as an apparition but it completely sealed my faith in the fact they exist.
About 6 years ago I was still using drugs and alcohol and finding i was becming more and more drawn into that and away from God. I had been traveling back and forth to Mexico and once grabbed a little (very tacky, I might add) sea shell O.L. Guadalupe night light. The paper image of Guadalupe was faded, and the shells were cracked and broken by the time I got home. I thought it was "kitchy" and put on my bedstand and plugged it in. It didn't work. I just left it and didn't think about it any more.
One day I felt especially hopeless and decided it was time I got on my knees and prayed to God to help me find the strength to address my problem. I remember at the time, I was so far away from prayer that I felt I was only "pretend" praying. I gave up and went upstairs thinking I'd take a nap. When I got to the top of the stairs, there was a warm pink glow in my bedroom. I had no idea, until I saw the nightligt with the light aglow hot pink shining on the image of Our Lady bringing her faded image into full glory. Needless to say, I got the message loud and clear. From then on, and to this day, I have prayed to Mary for comfort, strength, healing and serenity. I am now "in recovery."
Just today I spent the morning out at Rosary Heights chanting Psalms to Mary.
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LInda Lu! I'm glad you made it here. -- Joan, 04:34:46 05/13/07 Sun [1] (ip72-195-155-244.ri.ri.cox.net/72.195.155.244)
It was our conversation on Brenda's that prompted me to create this site. Catholic discussions aren't generally appreciated on most sites, and on Brenda's they're very off topic besides.
This is a place where we can discuss all things Catholic without fear of being attacked by anti-Catholics and their prejudice.
I love your story. Isn't it interesting how each person is brought to (or back to) the faith by different things?
For me (back to) it was a debate on Brenda's (then Ralph's) forum. As I corrected other people's statements about Catholicism, I found myself defending the faith with more and more personal interest. As Catholic doctrine was brought up for ridicule, and it was compared to other denominations' practices and beliefs, I saw the strengths of the Catholic faith and the relative weaknesses of the other denominations' interpretations and beliefs.
For me, the Catholic faith makes logical sense. It doesn't pick and choose Biblical passages, using those that fit an idea of what Chrisitanity should be and ignoring the rest--or interpreting some passages in a very strained, contorted way to make them fit a pre-conceived idea of what they should say, because otherwise they would contradict the interpretations of other passages.
I love the Traditions and traditions alike.
I love that the Eucharist in the Catholic Church is the real pressence and not just a symbol.
Joan
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Re: I admit that I'm very skeptical of such things. -- Phil from AZ, 20:25:47 05/12/07 Sat [1] (71-223-22-61.phnx.qwest.net/71.223.22.61)
As a student of history, I have seen how 'questional sightings' can be used in a very cynical fashion. On the other hand, if it is a true sign from God, we best pay attn. Thus, I think a modicum of healthy skepticism is in line here. However, cold-hearted and immediate rejection of such signs would also be unwise. Just an opinion...
Phil from AZ
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Re: I admit that I'm very skeptical of such things. -- Joan, 04:37:32 05/13/07 Sun [1] (ip72-195-155-244.ri.ri.cox.net/72.195.155.244)
The sitings on toast and in broken windows make me all the more skeptical.
I'm embarrassed when Catholics flock to these windows, fall on their knees, and weep.
But you have to feel bad for them. How desperate they must be.
Joan
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Hit "send" too soon. -- Joan, 04:43:46 05/13/07 Sun [1] (ip72-195-155-244.ri.ri.cox.net/72.195.155.244)
I meant to add that you see this in every faith--Christian and non-Christian.
The best example in the U.S. is some of the televangelists' shows. People send them money, beleiving that their deepest needs will be met by God if they just support this "ministry". There are the extreme examples of people who are willing to commit suicide, following their leader who they come to believe is God. But that's an extreme example and doesn't really compare.
I think it's a testament to the Catholic Church's integrity that it investigates these sightings (when they become a spectacle) and publish the findings.
The most recent case in the news is of a statue of Mary that supposedly miraculously cries. The story created a stir, so the Church investigated. They found it to be a natural occurence.
Joan
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Re: I admit that I'm very skeptical of such things. -- Linda Lu, 22:10:01 05/13/07 Sun [1] (c-24-18-131-249.hsd1.wa.comcast.net/24.18.131.249)
I am definitely willing to consider that the light of Mary turning on at that exact moment could have been coincidence and explained some other way. But why should I? Look how much my life has changed. Maybe I was just ready to make the change at that moment, who knows. All I know is that my faith has brought me a long way so I consider even "coincidences" part of God's "Big Plan" for me.
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Re: I admit that I'm very skeptical of such things. -- Linda Lu, 22:11:11 05/13/07 Sun [1] (c-24-18-131-249.hsd1.wa.comcast.net/24.18.131.249)
LOL "I'm definitely willing to consider..." That doesn't say much does it!
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Re: Do you believe in the apparitions of Mary? -- Neysa, 18:39:24 06/16/07 Sat [1] (user-38lcivs.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.75.252)
I do believe in the apparitions of Fatima, Guadaplupe etc... However, I do not believe in images that appear on office windows, toast, on a city street etc...
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