Signs are also beautiful things. Family coming back to Church, little miracles every day. Roses from St Therese.. You can interpret things any way you wish. We already know we are in for a rough ride but God has the wheel, not us.
Throughout the 2,000 years of the Church's history, there have always been signs of great miracles and wonders, as well as the gift of prophecy. In both cases, these have served as instruments of conversion. Many people have converted after witnessing miracles, while others have converted because of announced chastisements and their full realization. After all, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Any chastisement foretold in these prophecies is less terrible than the vision of Hell shown to the three shepherd children at Fatima. This is something that can leave some people quite perplexed. After all, why would the Mother of God show three children the worst possible fate awaiting sinners, especially when countless miracles and wonders had already been recorded throughout Church history as instruments of conversion? When John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, he criticized those he called "prophets of doom," who did nothing but announce catastrophes, as though the end of the world were imminent. Yet, following the concealment of the Message of Fatima, what unfolded was a catastrophe far greater than any other: the massive loss of faith across every continent. This made any sign in Church history pointing toward conversion seem irrelevant to many people, whether terrifying conditional prophecies or even signs and wonders announcing brief periods of grace.
God is in control, not us. That is something I have never doubted, not even for a single moment. True private revelations come from Him and testify that He is always in control, even as He uses them as instruments of conversion to help us make better use of our free will.
Deplorable! But then, we must realize that All hallows Eve has more and more become a "Feast Day" for satanic activity.
You are right. But with God all things are possible. I find it interesting that the man backed away. The power of Our Lady is very much in evidence. And I suspect a phalanx of angels were there as well. I've got to say that I think the days of innocent trick or treating are over for our children. It simply isn't safe any more.
AED stated: ...I've got to say that I think the days of innocent trick or treating are over for our children. It simply isn't safe any more. I understand your essential point and it was made as a response to a true and sad situation brought up by PurpleFlower. We can be saddened, but I was in Mexico, NY, after the Saturday Vigil Mass celebration for Sunday's Liturgy had finished: dusk had fallen and I saw fun and frolicking without disruption. Let us always hope.
Yes, we will find a different neighborhood next year. We love quiet, well-lit neighborhoods with elderly people who love children and are always so grateful to have trick-or-treaters come to their door.
It's as if some people were playing at being the Black Horseman of the Apocalypse. https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2117339591137005722?a=HMPLFVukRDGI7AdqHik&s=19
We must pray more and more for the grace to have confidence and trust in God. To hold the hand of Jesus more and more tightly as we walk into times of Darkness. St. Francis de Sales: "Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day.
I am afraid it looks like they are indeed going to choose to use the nuke(s). I can well see now why Our Lady has warned us over and over and over again about the dangers to Peace and the need to pray for it. We cannot change the World but at least we can change ourselves. Mother Mary I pray for Peace. Let it grow in my own heart first that all feelings of worry and anxiety within me may die. Grant me Peace. May it spread out to others as a tide of Peace for those around me. Queen of Peace intercede for our poor unsettled World.
My state of Texas just elected a female Democrat Governor to replace our conservative Catholic governor. We haven't had a Democrat governor since I was 10. This woman wants to bring abortion back to Texas. Not only that, but many legislative seats are flipping to Democrat as well. I am so incredibly sad...even though I know so much about politics is just a sham now anyways. There were many more people voting in my very small town voting place today than I've ever seen. Strange people I didn't recognize, without country accents. The guy running the voter sign-in had a voice that sounded almost northern. Not from around here. An elderly gentleman was told he wasn't in the system, like he's never been registered. He responded that he has been voting in this same place every year for the past 26 years. But he was given a provisional ballot, and told the state would decide later whether or not to count his ballot. A shifty-looking man said he was registered to Dallas but lives here now. He was also given a provisional ballot. So many provisional ballots. And how convenient that the elderly gentleman just didn't show up in their system. My sister, also in a rural county, said there were many more people than usual voting at her place too. I'm very unhappy. The main reason I live in Texas is because of how conservative it is. Pro-life, pro-family, very easy to homeschool... Will things only keep getting worse?
