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Eric_Hilbert
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Thread retitled for clarification
. . . .Mary is so powerful in leading us to true belief and true practice.
Christ Bearer,Thanks for the encouragement. I am always seeking truth for sure. I want to keep digging. Please pray for me. This is all VERY new to me.
Kathleen,
Just wanted to tell you that I just got home from attending “The Holy Eucharist, The Feast of Saint Mary The Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is my first Feast of St. Mary. The sermon moved me to tears as our Rector spoke about Mary. At the end of the sermon he said, “Hail Mary full of grace, please pray for us.” I know this is not part of the Anglican 39 Articles, and I’m still not sure what I think about invoking the departed saints to pray for us—But I did fell a strong Presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the Eucharist and every part of worship.
Also, there were two soloists who sang Ave Maria. It was truly beautiful. Just wanted you to know, since you have talked with me about Mary in the past.
My Post of November 4, 2010 on thread entitled, “To what degree does supernatural phenomenon affect your belief in your Church?”Peace and blessings dear sister,
Anna
Posted November 5, 2010 on thread entitled, “To what degree does supernatural phenomenon affect your belief in your Church?”I think there are certain experiences that can definitely give credibility to a particular faith.
Many years ago, I visited St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I was with my mother and sister. This was a stop on our one-day bus tour of Montreal.
My mother was a very devout Christian, brought up in a Southern Baptist Church. As we walked through the candlelit hall leading to Frère André’s tomb, my Mom stopped to light a candle. I was really surprised. I could tell something was going on with her. After we left, she said she thought there really was something special about Brother André.’ She experienced a strong presence of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind, my Mom was in no way “charismatic.” She really couldn’t quite put the experience into words. The experience did have a positive effect on her view of the Catholic Church.
Here I am nearly 30 years later, learning about the communion of the Saints; and I have this memory of my Mom’s experience on the site of Catholic pilgrimage and worship. There is something powerful about that.
Frère André was beatified in 1982. I think our trip to Montreal was around 1983 or 1984. I read Frère André was to be canonized a saint in October of this year. Does anyone have an update on this?
Peace,I can relate to you and your mother’s experience. Before I was Catholic I’d visit Catholic churches and always felt the presence of God there. Little did I know then that it was the Real Presence in the tabernacle–that Jesus was really and truly present.
As to Br. Andre, he has indeed been canonized.![]()