Feast of The Queenship of Mary Miraculous Healing?

The following letter is submitted for your discernment. The young woman is still pain free and her entire family is helping document her case for further study.
"Bring me my children....."


Dear Larry,

On Wednesday, August 23, 2007 I received a miracle in Rome City, Indiana. My good friend that I have known for about thirteen years took me there. He was telling me all about Rome City, and I was intrigued. When he mentioned the Good Friday well I blurted out, "Let's go right now." We hopped in the car and drove the sixty miles from South Bend. I'm so happy we did.

I did not go out to Rome City thinking I would receive a miracle. I just wanted to be in such a miraculous place where Mary's presence fills the air.

My friend and I drank from the well. I was doing this to taste this "amazingly, sweet, pure water" that I had heard so much about. When we were standing by the well, my friend asked me about the pain in my wrist and foot and my migraines. I told him that I deal with these pains because that is my only option.

I won't go into too much detail, but I have (HAD!) Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. This is an extremely painful disorder, causing pain to remain even after injuries heal. I've had terrible pain for over seven years. I'm 21 years old, meaning I've had this pain for 1/3 of my life. In those seven years I've had six major surgeries, and over 35 surgical procedures, for this condition. Until the Feast of the Queenship of Mary (Wednesday, August 22nd) I was in constant pain. If someone touched my wrist or foot it would become especially painful. I've also had severe migraines, resulting in being hospitalized (sometimes for as long as a week) at least six times.

We went to Holy Family Hill (POUND THE HILL!) to pray a Rosary, and while there I saw the sun spinning. It was a beautiful experience. While walking back to the car I blurted out, "Let's go back to the well."

When my friend and I were drinking from the spring, he told me to dunk my wrist, foot, and head in the water. I was scared to death because the water is ice cold, and I knew it was going to kill my wrist. At first I was scared and doubted, and didn't dunk. A second time my friend told me to dunk in the water. This time I wetted my hand and washed with the water, but did not dunk. A third time my friend told me to dunk in the water, and this time I didn't hold back. I plunged my whole arm into the water.

As I did it my friend asked me, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ, working through Mary, can heal you?"

I responded, "Yes."

He asked me again, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ, working through Mary, can heal you?"

This time I responded, "Yes, I really do believe that Jesus can heal me through Mary and this water."

It ended up that the water did not hurt my wrist. On the contrary, I could touch my wrist without pain!!!!!! This was the first time in SEVEN years that I could do this. I forgot what it was like to be pain FREE! My foot doesn't even have pain in it either. Also, I did NOT even get a migraine Friday when it rained.I use to always get them when it rained.

I cannot thank God enough for this miracle. I have been granted this miracle and want to share it with the world. I tell anyone and everyone that I have been with. I am still in shock with what happened two days ago. Blessed be God forever.
When I first wrote this I was worried that I didn't mention God enough, but now I realize that God is in every word of this story. I used to think that miracles were for 'other people', and happened in 'other places' likes Europe. Now I know that miracles are for everybody, even people like me, and happen right here in Indiana. Blessed be God forever.

+JMJ+
K.W., St. Mary's College student

"Bring me my children. Bring me all of my children!"

These photos were all taken on Thursday, July 5, 2007 while standing in front of Sylvan Springs at approximately 2:00 pm. There had been a major effort all morning to schedule a priest for the Friday evening rosary because we wanted to begin celebrating Mass, Adoration, and Reconciliation as part of the rosary gathering on account of the growing numbers of those in attendance.











Just a few minutes before these photos were taken, we had just been informed that a visiting priest had changed his mind, SUDDENLY, and had agreed to come by and offer the sacraments we had requested. At first, he had said "No" to our request, but just as the words were leaving his mouth, he says he heard a woman's voice speak to him saying "Many blessings will be given to the United States, in particular, but not until abortion is ended and gay marriages are stopped!" With that, he abruptly changed his mind and emphatically stated that he would be there to celebrate the Mass, hear confessions, and offer Benediction for those who would come. He did not think many would come out on a Friday during the Fourth of July weekend. Boy, was he wrong!

Anyway, once we were given the news that this priest had changed his mind, we noticed the nature of the sun begin to change overhead and it began pulsing and spinning. This is what we saw.

First there was one bright and distinct image which took its place directly below the sun. It was soon joined by another image which began circling the entirety of the sun before coming straight down and taking up a position above the doorway to the chapel while the first image disappeared for a bit but reappeared in the tree as it usually does facing the chapel entrance. The whole event was quite dramatic and without question, not an optical lens effect of any kind.

It is human nature to say that this is all preposterous. But it is God's nature to bless us with these signs that we may believe and respond to His call to come together and pray.

Miraculous Image Repeatedly Occurs Outside Chapel During Adoration

The following images were captured several weeks apart with different 35 mm cameras. The one thing they all have in common, besides the images themselves, is that they were all taken after the Friday Night Rosary had just ended and before Benediction began.









Notice the image in the tree is always facing the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel doors while another image is set just above the entry in front of the cross.

Revisiting a post

This post was first published some months ago. It is worth repeating for our newer readers.

We often hear from priests who lead retreats or hear the confessions at this special place where Our Lady graced us with Her presence that "the quality of the confessions is so high when these people are here." Many times these priests will ask if it is just the nature of the people who are visiting or if it is due to some other influence upon these people during their visit that makes them immerse themselves more fervently into the sacrament of reconciliation. It is interesting that the priests would even consider the notion, but they are feeling "it" too. Perhaps it is a bit of both, but it sure seems like the gravity of the spiritual environment plays a very prominent role in placing people in the proper reflective spirit.

By Church law, Catholics are required to make a confession at least once a year. Others who are more inclined to the spiritual life, make confession much more frequently just as they might attend Mass more times throughout the week.

The quality of our confessions
Though many go to confession many times a year what is important is not so much the quantity of our confessions but the quality of our confessions. By this, it means that we are called to make good confessions.

A bad confession is done without the necessary preparation and without a contrite, humble, and penitent heart.

A good confession is done with the necessary examination of conscience and the qualities of heart and soul that are important to receive the grace of the sacrament.

Examination of conscience
Before going to confession, it is important to examine our souls. Most people usually hold their recent life experiences up against the ten commandments and the seven deadly sins: pride, lust, avarice, gluttony, anger, sloth, and envy. If any bells go off, they report them as necessary.

There is, however, another way of examining our conscience which focuses more on the status of the relationships in our lives. This takes a greater amount of introspection and individual discernment than just holding your own moral scorecard up to the answer sheet of the ten commandments and the seven deadly sins. It takes quiet time in the right setting. A place where Our Lady has prepared the environment especially for us to grow closer to Her Son.

When examining one's conscience this way, one should examine one's relationship with:
1) God
2) others
3) nature
4) our self

If we use these four parameters to examine how we fall short of Christ's teaching, then it will help us see where we have sinned.

Just as your doctor tries to create the proper setting and environment for your exam by having you abstain from food or medications before your procedures, so it is with putting yourself in the right setting and environment for a quality confession while on retreat at one of these pilgrimage spots.

You must be with God, with others, with nature, and alone with your self.

As you make your confession with the priest, this is what you will say:
"Bless me Father for I have sinned. My last confession was last ________.
Since my last confession I __(tell him what you have discerned)___... "

Keep it natural and conversational, but with all the qualities of heart and soul necessary to make it a good confession - humility, honesty, seeking mercy, penitent, sorrow for one's sins, etc...
a.. As you finish with your confession, wait for the priest to give some spiritual advice and encouragement and then bow your head for his absolution.
b.. Make sure you remember the penance the priest gives and perform it right after the confession lest you forget what the penance was. Many times we are so relieved of our tensions that we forget what we were told to do.
c.. After confession you should make the Act of Contrition.

This is the Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

The Movement is Getting Stronger!

On July 14, 2001, Our Lady asked "Bring me my children. Bring me ALL of my children!" She did not make this request for Her benefit but for the benefit of Her children. Each one of us. She wants to give us all something, but we each need to make the trip to the place She has chosen.

More and more people are visiting the site of the Our Lady of America apparitions in Rome City, IN. They come for many reasons. Everyone is seeking something. Even non-Catholics (or those with no church affiliations of any kind) with no previous knowledge of Our Lady of America. They just come in because they felt "called" to this place...sometimes from cities far away. It is at this place that they are being given whatever special gift it is She knows they are in need of.

The spiritual awakenings that are taking place in the numerous visitors are sometimes quite obvious. Other times, it is far more subtle. Whether it is in their tearful expressions of gratitude or just the slowing of their pace as they stroll the grounds, you can easily observe the change in the visitors as they immerse themselves in the quieting presence of the Holy Spirit which permeates the buildings and grounds. The look on their faces is a telltale sign that Our Lady is addressing each and every one of their particular needs.

People are hungry for what they are receiving here. It is why many of them return every Friday and even multiple times throughout the week. They are satisfying their cravings for closeness through their devotional prayers and countless rosaries. Along with helping to satisfy their hunger for the Divine Indwelling, Our Lady has been helping us to do God's work in feeding the hungry physically too!

Recently, we have begun receiving a bountiful delivery of fresh bread and other goodies from a family with a strong devotion and commitment to Jesus and His Mother Mary. Their gift has allowed Our Lady of America to help feed many of those suffering the effects of a low economy in this area as well as those who depend on area soup kitchens for a nutritious meal. Bread is taken to those in need and they all are told that this gift is from Our Lady of America and they are all made aware of Our Lady's special love for ALL of Her children. This is a program that has done many wonderful things very quickly. Pray for all of the good people giving their time and resources to make this program an even bigger success.

To help OLTIV continue in its mission to expand its ability to assist those in need who visit each day, we need your help.

Many visitors are not able to walk very well and they need the assistance of a gas-powered golf cart to get them about the property...especially to Holy Family Hill which is about 1/4 mile from the building. These golf carts, properly equipped, cost $3500 each (used). They are necessary and we could use several at this time. Your tax-deductible contribution to this effort would be very much appreciated by those who are in need of this equipment.

There are also the multitude of other expenses that go with the maintenance of this wonderful place that need to be paid each month. Please do what you can to help.

Thank you for continuing to answer Our Lady's call to "Bring me my children."

July 13th Rosary

The following photos were submitted by a visitor to the Friday, July 13 rosary. The blue orb appears in the same tree in front of the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel that images had begun appearing on May 18.





These images were captured at the close of Benediction services which were taking place just inside the chapel doors.