Our Lady of Guadalupe - Scientific Documentaries & More

2018 United Kingdom National Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary

 http://www.relicourladyofguadalupe.co.uk

The purpose of the distribution of these Sacred Images is to help fulfil the prophecy of Saint John Paul II when visiting Guadalupe in 1979.

His exhortation proclaimed: “The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be the center from which the light of the gospel of Christ will illuminate the entire world by the means of distribution of the Miraculous Image of His mother.”

Saint John Paul II authorized the creation of 220 digital replicas of the original for worldwide distribution. These Images have been declared as Authorized Relics that will extend the graces of evangelization, conversion & truth to nations in which they're placed, offering the same graces as extended in 1531, equal in graces to that of the original first class Relic

 



 


 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs & Symbols

SYMBOLS ON THE SACRED TILMA & THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN AZTEC THOUGHT

SUN’S RAYS

The rays give the sacred image an aura of light. They appear as though they're emitted from her, based on the direction of the arrows & the wavy pattern – indicating that she’s giving birth to the sun. Since the Aztecs worshipped the sun as the god that gives them life, the image portrays the Virgin Mary as giving birth to god. 

This is further reinforced by the 4-petalled flower on Our Lady’s womb as described below. The Aztecs called their sun god Huitzilopochtli (their god of war, too) & to appease him, they offered palpitating human hearts which they considered to be a symbol of life. They also believed in Ometéotl, a god with 2 natures.

FOUR-PETALLED FLOWER

The Aztecs closely observed the movement of the sun, moon, & stars, & based their religious beliefs & way of life on these. They were deep into cosmogony – that branch of science dealing with the origin of the universe, particularly the solar system.

The 4-petalled flower is the only flower of its kind found on Our Lady’s robe. It is considered to be one of the highest symbols of the Aztecs as it depicts the 4 movements of the sun (the 4 seasons) as well as the North, South, East & West united in the center by a 5th element giving it balance & equilibrium. 

The 4 petals also signify the 4 past eras with its center signifying the birth of the Fifth Sun which coincided with the Winter Solstice of 1531 – Our Lady’s miracle of 12 December.

The location of the 4 petalled flower is known to the Aztecs as Nahui Ollin representing the motherhood of Our Lady. With its strategic location, Our Lady’s Image tells the Aztecs she is the Mother of the ‘sun god’ that’s in her womb – the author & giver of life.

HER FACE

Our Blessed Mother’s face is bowed down, looking at everyone tenderly & with compassion. She is gazing slightly to one side as a sign of reverence & respect as native Indians considered it improper to look directly at anyone’s face.

The face of Our Lady is that of a young girl who is considered mestizo, meaning a blend of races – in this case, Aztec & Spanish. This was the term used by the Spaniards to identify the children of Spanish conquistadores & Aztec women. The portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her Image as mestizo symbolized the birth of a new race.

HER EYES

Looking closely into Our Lady’s eyes, ophthalmologists have tested this sacred image & affirmed that there are human forms reflected in her eyes, which measure between 8-9mm. It would be impossible to paint this detail within such a tiny space & on such rough material. 

Further examination by a Dr Jose Aste Tonsman revealed 13 persons reflected in her eyes. Magnified photos show the larger images as reflections of Juan Diego & Bishop Juan de Zumarraga. The rest could be images of those present when Juan Diego opened his tilma to show the Bishop the sign he had asked for.

HER HAIR

On the Sacred Image, our Blessed Mother’s hair is loose, indicating she’s a virgin maiden – married indigenous women braided their hair.

BLACK RIBBON

This signifies that she is a noblewoman with child – noble indigenous women tied a black ribbon just above their waist to show they were pregnant. This symbol, together with the symbolism of Our Lady’s hair, confirms her message to St Juan Diego – ‘I am the Always Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God.’

HER HANDS

Her hands are joined together in prayer, just as Europeans do, confirming her request that the Bishop build a chapel (a house of prayer) on Tepeyac Hill where she appeared. The Blessed Virgin’s hands show her right hand as being more delicate & lighter in colour than the left which is fuller & darker – depicting her message for unity of the Indian & Spanish cultures and the birth of a new race.

HER MANTLE

Her beautiful turquoise mantle covers her whole body from her head down to her feet & is edged in gold. The indigenous people considered her an Empress since only their Emperor wore this color. Her mantle is covered with 46 eight-pointed stars which are believed to be the stars that were in the heavens during the winter solstice of 1531.

Video about the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTgSSuuR1Jw 

Another video (awesome): (re-enacted) Our Lady Of Guadalupe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs80bzYGoI8 

And another (short):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnqOheXx7Go 

 

Scientific documentary on it (in English):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lA5NUHqC88

 

Documentary on it (in Spanish):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Wcl7xY5fA

Slideshow: Relics of Christ

THE HOLY TUNIC: Shown to the public every 50 years, the tunic is conserved in the Basilica of Saint Denis of Argenteuil, in France. This is considered the vestment that Jesus Christ wore on the way to Calvary.

These artifacts are said to be the relics of Christ (SLIDESHOW):

 https://aleteia.org/2018/02/07/these-artifacts-are-said-to-be-the-relics-of-christ-slideshow

 

A Boston, Massachusettses Mall Chapel will house Relics of 3 saints

10/12/17:  A Boston, Massachusettses mall chapel will house the relics of 3 saints

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-boston-mall-chapel-will-house-the-relics-of-three-saints-64586

The relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe which will be venerated at the St. Francis Chapel in Boston's Prudential Center Mall.

Relics of St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Maximilian Kolbe, & St. John Paul II will be coming to a Boston mall’s Catholic chapel, & a local priest hopes they'll help mall patrons encounter the reality of Christian love.
 
“Our hope is that these relics will be a source of spiritual wealth for the Church of Boston,” Father James Doran, O.M.V., told CNA. “We hope that all the faithful who live & work in Boston & all those who travel there will know that right in the heart of the city they have access to the 2 greatest treasures the Church possesses: the Sacraments & relics of the saints.”

Father Doran is director of the St. Francis Chapel at Boston’s Prudential Center mall. The mall, located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, hosts more than 75 shops & restaurants.

Father Doran reflected on the character of the saints whose relics the chapel will house.

“These 3 saints in particular encountered modernity with the full force of Christian love, sometimes in confrontation but also in invitation,” he said. “The mall is a place where encounter & exchange happens, not just of material goods but personal goods even more importantly.”

“With the relics of these saints here we hope the faithful will find a place for contemplative refreshment, gospel formation & the challenge to take up in full freedom the responsibility & privilege of finding God in all things & living by the movements of the Holy Spirit & His gifts & not by blind market forces,” the priest continued.

St. Maximillian Kolbe had served as a missionary priest in Japan & ran a printing press in the face of Nazi occupation. In August 1941, he volunteered to take the place of an innocent husband & father about to be executed at a concentration camp.

The Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska saw apparitions of Christ & brought the devotion of the Divine Mercy to the world.
The pontificate of St. John Paul II, the first Polish Pope, included the collapse of the Soviet Union & the effort to evangelize around the world. 

“What we learn from these great saints is especially relevant for our modern times, that is, to not be afraid,” Dolan commented. “Clearly, that was a theme of St. John Paul’s entire pontificate but manifested also in the lives of Faustina & Maximilian. Fear is the result of the absence of love.”

The relic of St. Maximillian Kolbe, hair from his beard, was obtained from his monastery in Poland. The relic of St. John Paul II is also a piece of hair, obtained by an Oblate priest in Rome, the Boston Pilot reports.

The third relic, a chip of bone from St. Faustina, came to the oblates as a surprise. They had been trying to obtain a relic of the saint, but couldn't meet the requirements of her convent.

A woman who was a frequent attendee at the chapel came forward with a relic of the nun she'd obtained when St. Faustina was beatified. She said she felt God wanted her to donate it.

The Prudential Center chapel was founded in 1969. Staffed by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary since the early 1980s, it offers daily Mass, Confession, & Eucharistic Adoration.

“The chapel is known as an oasis of prayer, silence & mercy in the heart of the city,” Doran said.

Shroud of Turin Exhibit Schedule - Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Wisconsin

• Man of the Shroud Exhibit

   

  The Shroud of Turin has long been venerated by the faithful & is believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth. The Shroud is one of the most scientifically studied religious icons in history. As science has progressed, so has the speculation on how the image of the crucified man of the Shroud was made.
  
  The exhibit presents the results of a comprehensive scientific, historical & forensic study with numerous photos & illustrations. The exhibit is the work of the Center for the Study of the Passion of Christ & the Holy Shroud & Monsignor Giulio Ricci & other scientists, who spent more than 25 years researching the Holy Shroud.
   
  The centerpiece of the exhibit is a full-length replica of the Shroud developed from a photographic image of the Shroud made by the Eastman Kodak Co. The replica shows the front & back of the shroud.  In addition, the mobile exhibit contains a large crucified corpus showing the wounds of Christ corresponding to the passion narrative in the Gospel accounts & the wounds shown on the Shroud. The exhibit contains 92 panels detailing the history & science of the Shroud. 

  The Conventual Franciscan Friars of Marytown—the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe make this important mobile exhibit & evangelization tool available on loan.

  Book the Shroud Exhibit for your organization

  If you're interested in hosting the exhibit at your Parish, Catholic School or Knights Council for exhibition, contact Rick Hobbs – IL Knights of Columbus Coordinator for the Shroud Exhibit at (312) 303-0303 or via e-mail at: pgk3674@ sbcglobal.net

   Book the Shroud Exhibit for your organization

  
  http://www.marytown.com/shroud
  
• Shroud Touring Schedule May 2018 - August 2019

   

   Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Wisconsin 
   

  NOTE: Dates are for booking only; they DO NOT represent viewing dates at the venue.
   

  Parish	City & State	Checkout & Return Dates
  2018
  Knights of Columbus Council 1266	Monroe, MI	May 4 - May 14, 2018
  St. Anthony Church	Temperance, MI	May 15 - Jun 21, 2018
  Knights of Columbus Council 11689	Clinton Township, MI	Jun 1 - Jun 4, 2018
  Knights of Columbus Council 14427	Northville, MI	Jun 14 - Jun 18, 2018
  St. Dismas Church	Waukegan, IL	Jun 22 - Jun 25, 2018
  St. Joseph Parish	Lucinda, PA	Aug 2 - Aug 14, 2018
  St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish	West Chester, PA	Aug 15 - Aug 28, 2018
  Amish Community	Lovington, IL	Sept 4 - Sept 11, 2018
  St. Catherine Laboure	Glenview, IL	Sept 14 - Sept 17, 2018
  Diocese of Lansing	Lansing, MI	Sept 20 - Sept 24, 2018
  2019
  St. Patrick Church	McHenry, IL	Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2019
  St. James Church	Belvidere, IL	Mar 7 - Mar 10, 2019
  St. Julian Eymard	Elk Grove Village, IL	Mar 16 - Mar 21, 2019
  St. John the Baptist Church	Toledo, OH	Mar 22 - Apr 4, 2019
  Holy Trinity Church	Hartington, NE	Apr 5 - Apr 11, 2019
  St. Catherine Church	Aldeo, IL	Apr 12 - Apr 14, 2019
  Marytown	Libertyville, IL	Apr 15 - Apr 22, 2019
  St. Mary Queen of Creation Church	New Baltimore, MI	Apr 25 - May 7, 2019
  St. John The Baptist Church	Paris, WI	Jun 21 - Jun 24, 2019

National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown, Illinois

The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown is a place of pilgrimage for the faithful and is dedicated to promoting the witness and life of St. Maximilian, a Conventual Franciscan friar and priest, martyred in the Holocaust. Located in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Marytown is a very special place filled with artistic beauty, cultural and historical significance, and deep spiritual renewal.

The National Shrine includes the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, an educational Holocaust exhibit, and the relics of Saint Maximilian, as well as a full service Retreat & Conference Center and the biggest Christian Bookstore and Gift Shop between Chicago and Milwaukee!

http://www.marytown.com

Live streaming webcam of their adoration chapel:

http://www.marytown.com/chapel-live-stream

Link to their online gift shop:

https://marytown-press-gift-store.myshopify.com

GIFT SHOP HOURS:
Monday:   9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday - Friday:  
                 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday:    CLOSED 

SHRINE Office
1600 W Park Avenue
Libertyville, IL 60048
Tel: 847-367-7800
Fax: 847-367-7831
Email: mail@kolbeshrine.org

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Friday:  
     9:00 AM - 4:30PM  

Map:


https://www.google.com/maps/place/1600+W+Park+Ave,+Libertyville,+IL+60048/@42.279403,-87.9793294,17.27z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x880f9722f6ae0a15:0xcdcc64a693772a67!8m2!3d42.2790593!4d-87.9804056

Saints' Relics in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Old St. Vincent Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
131 South Main Street
 
Their website is:

http://www.oldstvincents.org

 
This church has been restored.

Mass held every Sunday 10:00 AM

Museum And Tours

The Church is open for tours Saturdays from Noon until 4:00 P.M April through October. Tours are also available by appointment.

 
Alter








Relics of the apostles Peter and Andrew, St. Paul and St. Vincent de Paul.
The relics of these four great saints are enclosed in the large limestone altar stone that is supported horizontally by three foundation columns of bricks which pass through the floor to the earth below the church.  The relics have been sealed in the altar stone directly in front of the tabernacle since 1853.

The 12 small crosses on the walls of the church represent the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 apostles and the fact that Old St. Vincent is a consecrated church -- “a Most Holy Place.”  In 1853 when the church was consecrated, Archbishop Kenrick of St. Louis performed the extensive two-day ceremony which required, among other things, making three trips around the outside of the church and three trips around the inside walls of the church.  Most newly constructed Catholic church are simply blessed and not consecrated; 

Saints' Relics in St. Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Kentucky

St. Martin of Tours Church (website) in Louisville, Kentucky is home to skeletal remains of Saints Magnus & Bonosa who were martyred in 3rd or 4th century, & had been kept in glass sarcophagi in church’s 2 wooden side altars since 1902.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimgraves/4-shrines-for-saints-relics-in-the-u.s?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register#When%3A2018-03-24+18%3A48%3A01

Fr. Paul Beach, St. Martin’s pastor, said, “A child wants to touch something so he can better understand what it is. It is part of our human nature; we don’t lose this desire when we grow up. Relics are important because they give us a tangible connection to real human beings who've given witness to our Faith.”

These 2 Roman martyrs were killed when Christianity was illegal in Roman Empire.

 

Magnus was a Roman centurion. Apparently, Magnus was so moved by Bonosa’s faith that he converted to Christianity, leading him to his own death. In another rendition of story, Magnus jumped into ring to save Bonosa & was killed on spot. Even Catholic Church struggles to identify Bonosa & Magnus, & different stories do not help the matter.

These two Roman martyrs were killed when Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire.. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/after-1800-years-two-christian-martyrs-remains-from-ancient-rome-come-to-louisville

These two Roman martyrs were killed when Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire.. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/after-1800-years-two-christian-martyrs-remains-from-ancient-rome-come-to-louisville

These two Roman martyrs were killed when Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire.. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/after-1800-years-two-christian-martyrs-remains-from-ancient-rome-come-to-louisville

These two Roman martyrs were killed when Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire.. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/after-1800-years-two-christian-martyrs-remains-from-ancient-rome-come-to-louisville

St. Magnus was a centurion & St. Bonosa a virgin who were martyred in Coliseum (one account has Magnus fighting to save Bonosa’s life) & buried in catacombs. 

Magnus, on the other hand, was a Roman centurion. Apparently, Magnus was so moved by Bonosa’s faith that he converted to Christianity, leading him to his own death. In another rendition of the story, Magnus jumped into the ring to save Bonosa and was killed on the spot. Even the Catholic Church struggles to identify Bonosa and Magnus, and the different stories do not help the matter. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/after-1800-years-two-christian-martyrs-remains-from-ancient-rome-come-to-louisville

Bonosa was a Roman virgin who was executed for her Catholic beliefs. It is uncertain whether she was executed during 3rd century C.E. under Septimius Severus, or in 4th century under Diocletian.

 



Remains of Saint Bonosa

Saint Bonosa was a child martyr of 3rd century, whose relics were found in catacombs of Saint Praetextatus, in Rome, on March 27, 1848. It is calculated that she was 4 years of age when she died for her Faith. Her holy relics were sent to France by Pope Pius IX in 1850, & entrusted to Trappist monks of ancient abbey of Fontgombault.

In 1904, when French government had again unleashed its persecution of Catholic Church & in particular of contemplative religious communities, monks of Fontgombault exiled themselves to United States, bringing relics of virgin martyr with them. (Fontbomgault would be re-established in 1948 as a Benedictine monastery of Congregation of Solesmes.)

In United States, trace of relics of St. Bonosa was lost until, at inquiry of Benedictine monks of Fontgombault, they were rediscovered in 2005 among reliquaries of a monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho. The relics were then returned to monks of Fontgombault. However, only part of these very ancient bones were sent back to France because of their fragility & fact that such a large reliquary with human remains wouldn't pass through modern security.

In 1999, Fontgombault had made a foundation in Oklahoma, & it was to this monastery in United States, Our Lady of Clear Creek, that greater part of relics of Roman child martyr were solemnly translated on Aug 31, 2006.

On that same day, as St. Bonosa’s reliquary was being carried in procession, a death-row inmate, miles away, made his profession of Catholic faith & received sacrament of confession only hours before his execution. These weren't unrelated events. The monks had long been praying for him, asking for intercession of St. Bonosa.

A Child Martyr
 
One may wonder how a child of four, St. Bonosa, could possibly have been a martyr, that is, could possibly have made conscious decision to prefer fidelity to God over her own existence on earth. The particulars would be impossible to ascertain, but we can be sure that at most basic level it was through a great love of God that simply wouldn't allow her to do anything that she deemed would displease or betray Him in any way.

We shouldn't be surprised at a child martyr when it was children who, at dawn of Christianity, were very first to shed their blood for their Lord: the little Holy Innocents, that is, male babies & toddlers of Bethlehem.

Throughout history of Christianity there have been children who reached heights of sanctity through their love of God, imbued with a clear understanding—whether consciously educated or by intuitive conviction—of basic tenets of Catholic Faith: St. Tarcisius (3^rd century), 12-year old acolyte who was killed defending Holy Eucharist from Roman soldiers; St. Imelda (1322-1333) who died enraptured in love of God upon her first, & what became her last, Holy Communion; St. Philomena (martyred at age 13), St. Dominic Savio (1842–1857), St. Maria Goretti (1890–1902) . . . list is very, very long.

The children of Fatima, Lúcia (1907–2005), Francisco (1908–1919) & Jacinta (1910–1920), are astounding examples, in very young children, of clear comprehension of fundamentals of Catholic Faith & total abandonment to God’s will out of love for Jesus Christ Our Lord, for Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly Queen & Mother, & out of compassion for poor sinners & those who have no Faith. Even in their lifetime they were powerful intercessors before God.

So may the little children pray, & may they not be deterred from their road to sanctity. 

“Let the little children come to me,” says the Lord. [Mt. 19:14]

St. Bonosa, pray for us

May blessed Bonosa, Thy virgin and martyr, we beseech Thee, O Lord, implore for
us Thy forgiveness; for she was ever pleasing unto Thee, both by the merits of her chastity
and by her confession of Thy power. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Their remains were later removed & kept in a convent in Agnani, an ancient town near Rome, but returned to Rome when government forced convent to close in 19^th century. Pope Leo XIII gave relics over to care of St. Martin’s 110 years ago, at request of its pastor at time, Msgr. Francis Zabler.

St. Martin of Tours is one of country’s most beautiful historic, traditional churches. It was founded in downtown Louisville in 1853, &served a German immigrant community. For nearly a century, homilies were preached in German, confessions were heard in German & many of its memorials in its stained-glass windows are in German. It was staffed for much of this time by Franciscan priests.

Interior features include a magnificent marble center altar, colorful stained-glass windows & traditional, representational statues. But  feature everyone goes away talking about, said Fr. Beach, is its relics of St. Magnus & St. Bonosa.

Rather than being a few bone fragments, they're significant skeletal remains. The bones are wrapped in cotton, formed in shape of a human figure with their skulls exposed & rest covered with robes & palm fronds (to indicate that they’re martyrs).

For more than a century visitors to St. Martin’s have been inspired by their story & knelt before them to pray. 

Magnus’ skeleton is about 45% complete; skull is missing its mandible (jawbone). He was a male, age 45-50. His ethnicity was Caucasian, with perhaps some Mediterranean/African ancestry.


Remains of Saint Magnus

Bonosa’s skeleton is 95% complete, only missing a few fingers & toes. She was 100% Caucasian, female, right-handed & 24 years of age. Additionally, Bonosa has stress features on her knees, indicating that she spent much time squatting. It could be because of work, such as doing laundry, or because she spent much time on her knees praying.

As funds are raised, Fr. Beach & parish hope to do a facial reconstruction of Magnus & Bonosa. He believes pair are a helpful tool in reinvigorating faith of visitors. He said, “We can talk about martyrs of Coliseum, but relics of St. Magnus & St. Bonosa put you literally face-to-face with Catholics who were there & paid ultimate price for their Faith. It’s very powerful.”