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Your prayers answered…Tom is cancer free

 

Hi:
To all of you who have been so diligently praying for me, I can’t express right now how I feel. Many of you I know and so many I haven’t met but I have felt the power of your prayers.
Today, Susan and I got the results of the Pet Scan I had last week.  Susan was a basket case as we waited in the Doctor’s office for him to come in. I was mostly calm just trusting in God’ plan no matter what the outcome.  When the doctor came in and wanted to hug me, I knew.  Your prayers were answered. The tumor was gone and there is no evidence of cancer in my body from the top of my head to my knees.
It is still surreal after almost a year of so many tests and procedures and negativity, that the path we took would not work.
We believe that by the power of prayer we were guided down the path we took.  We also believe that this Miracle will strengthen the Faith and Hope of many people.
I would like to talk to each and everyone of you to thank your for love, support and prayers that I offered up each day to Our Blessed Mother for so many others in need, and I continue to pray for each and every one of you every day.
I have to thank Susan most of all for her diligence, determination and unbelievable love for me, for getting us into these programs that we did and for getting so many people to pray.  She has touched the hearts of many but none no greater that mine.  I love you honey, more than you know, thank you.
May St. John Paul II intercede for you in all your needs.
God bless all of you
Tom

Tom & Susan Melillo
(Please Note Our New Adcdress)
4365 70th Court North
West Palm Beach, FL 33404 (USA)

Residence: (561) 622-0855 – Cellular: (561) 818-3422
E-Mail: 
TSMelillo13@aol.com

Prayer for the Intercession of
Saint John Paul 
II

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
For having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
The tenderness of your fatherly care,
The glory of the Cross of Christ
And the splendor of the Spirit of love
To shine through him.

Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
And in the maternal intercession of Mary,
He has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.

He has shown us that holiness
Is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
Achieving eternal communion with you.

Grant us, by his intercession,
And according to your will,
The graces we implore …
Especially (State your Intention Here)
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Prayer Works … Trust Me (Susan)


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Official approval of Marian Apparition San Nicholas Argentina

At what would later become the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in San Nicholas, Argentina, a woman reported receiving many messages from the Blessed Mother.  The apparitions began in Autumn of 1983 and continued through February of 1990.  On May 22, 2016, the local Bishop gave official approval of the apparitions as “worthy of belief”

Here is his pronouncement:

Dear Brother Bishops:

Twelve years as pastor in San Nicolas and having followed this Marian event with faith and responsibility, I know from the beginning have grown in the decision to admit to my diocese.

I worked in consultation with experts and witnesses and aware that the duty to monitor or intervene rests primarily with the local ordinary, I assume, as the bishops who preceded me, the decision to support, guide and testify about this event in San Nicolas.

I judged the fact according to two criteria: Positives and negatives and in both cases there were no errors.

I discerned on three specific criteria, namely:

Event Is naturally occurring? Can it be work of the enemy? Is it supernatural origin? And the answers to these questions left me sure that it is the real and positive fruit exceeding mere human action.

On the occasion of the Jubilee of Mercy of the pilgrims from the Diocese, I announce this valid decision for the flock which I guide and accompany with it the presentation of a book entitled “SPIRITUAL SCHOOL OF SANTA MARIA DEL ROSARIO DE SAN NICOLAS” highlighting the most important teachings in the messages she gives us for our commitment to everything he tells us because he is the culmination of revelation.

I promulgated it this Sunday, May 22 at the Mass for pilgrims from the Marian Shrine and celebrating this jubilee on the seventh anniversary of his coronation.

Thus:

On those assertions, AND AS DIOCESAN BISHOP ENTITLED TO THIS KIND OF STATEMENT; MOTIVATED BY A SENSE OF AWARENESS FAIR DECREE WITH MORAL CERTAINTY, GOOD INTENT AND HOPE; FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF INSIGHT SUGGESTED BY THE HOLY SEE; SEEKING GREATER GLORY AND THE SAKE OF OUR CHURCH; CALLING ON THE NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, THE NAME OF MARY OF THE ROSARY OF SAN NICOLAS, IS YOUR HUSBAND SAN JOSE, ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER OF HAPPY EVENTS WITH GOD THROUGH HIS FAVORITE DAUGHTER JESUS ??THROUGH HIS MOTHER MARY, THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH HIS LOVELY WIFE, WANTED TO MANIFEST HERELF LOVINGLY IN OUR DIOCESE

FINALLY AND HOW THE HOLY MOTHER HAS TO HEAVEN ON BEHALF OF ALL THE DIOCESE, THAT IS IT, BY THE EVER QUEEN AND LADY OF SAN NICOLAS DE ARROYOS
.
On the 22nd day of the month of may of 2016

OBISPO MONSEÑOR HÉCTOR SABATINO CARDELLI

(TRANSLATION BY MiracleHunter.com)

 

 

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Will US citizens need passport to fly within USA?

Beginning in 2016, residents of four states and one territory in the U.S. will not be able to use their driver’s license as ID on domestic flights.  Those states are New YorkLouisianaMinnesotaNew Hampshire, and the territory of American Samoa.

The reason for this is the states involved do not require proof of citizenship in order to obtain a driver’s license, or their licenses are not sufficiently tamper-proof.

Back in 2005, an act called the Real ID Act was passed, and is being phased in gradually.  The passport requirement will be phased in beginning in 2016 (the exact date has not been announced).  It is expected there will be a grace period of several months.

Considering how many U.S. citizens do not have a passport, this could possibly lead to some surprises at the airport, not to mention the possibility that the passport offices might be overwhelmed with applicants, leading to long delays in issuing passports.

 

 

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Garabandal promoter Joey Lomangino dies

The apparitions at Garabandal, Spain are a matter that is still undecided.  Neither approved nor disapproved by the Church, they remain a subject of controversy.  There are those who wholeheartedly believe then to have been real and those who believe just the opposite.

One of those who supported the apparitions was Joey Lomangino.  Blinded as a result of an accident, he was one of the main proponents of Garabandal.  There is no doubt that his death will cause some consternation among its supporters, since the prophecy was that Joey would have his sight restored before his death and this did not occur.

Still, there are many who believe and we do not mean to cast any doubt upon the authenticity of the alleged apparitions.

Certainly, as the saying goes, time will tell.  It is certainly interesting that he died on June 18th, the exact day of the first reported apparition in Garabandal in 1961.

 

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Breakfast in London, Lunch in Paris, Dinner in Barcelona?

Yes, this is possible and welcomed news! Those traveling from Paris to Barcelona have always had the option of taking a high-speed train, but it had one serious drawback. Due to the fact that France and Spain use different rolling stock, you had the inconvenience of having to change trains near the border between the two countries. With the construction of anew high-speed rail line that links the two cities directly, that problem has been eliminated…no change of trains is necessary.

The upper level in the first class coach.  Second class is basically the same, but with more seats.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
The upper level in the first class coach. Second class is basically the same, but with two seats on each side of the aisle. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

The trains clip along at a speed of about 200 mph (320 kph ), enough to get you there in a hurry but slow enough to see quaint French villages with the majestic Alps in the background and then, on the final leg, the beautiful Mediterranean coastline of Spain. For a better view, try a seat on the upper deck (these are bi-level carriages).

The Paris-Barcelona trains run from Gare de Lyon station, one of five stations in Paris.

Le Train Bleu Restaurant inside Gare de Lyon Station (photo courtesy wikipedia)
Le Train Bleu Restaurant inside Gare de Lyon Station. A step back in time to the golden age of travel. (photo courtesy wikipedia)
By happy coincidence one of our favorite lunch spots in Paris just happens to be in a train stationTrain Bleu Restaurant  inside Gare du Lyon.  Sit down, have lunch from the set menu (which includes a half-bottle of red) and then at train time you just walk a few yards (meters) directly on to the train.

There are currently two trains each day, with a travel time of approximately 6 and a half hours from Paris to Barcelona making several stops in France and a couple in Spain. In March 2014 that will be increased to four trains per day.

For British travelers this new service will also allow you to take the Eurostar to Paris, change stations and then catch the train to Barcelona.  So it is possible to have breakfast in Londonlunch in Paris and dinner in Barcelona.  What a convenience and a great entry for your travel journal!

Those of you coming from the UK might also want to check out Loco 2.  This booking website gets great reviews.

We are big believers in train travel in Europe.  First, the romance of train travel is hard to resist, especially since air travel has long since lost any semblance of romance and the wait to check in can often be longer than the flight itself.  Also, since most train stations are located downtown, you avoid a long (and often expensive) trip from the airport to the city.

Certainly more relaxing than flying....and the food is better!
Why anyone would choose fly rather than take the train eludes me. Certainly more relaxing than flying….and the food is better!

Most importantly, you can actually see the countryside and its people rather than looking down from 30,000 feet.

You can get up, walk to the snack or restaurant car, and socialize with others.  This is the beauty of train travel, it’s definitely more rewarding than just the utilitarian need to get from one place to the other.

So, sit back, relax, meet new friends….whatever. That’s probably the whole reason you’re traveling in the first place.

For a more in-depth look at train travel in Europe we recommend the website called the Man in Seat 61.

 

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Traveling to Medjugorje–Beyond the Hype

Those familiar with Medjugorje have surely heard about the recent letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the alleged apparitions in Medjugorje that states in part:  “clerics and the faithful are not permitted to participate in meetings, conferences or public celebrations during which the credibility of such ‘apparitions’ would be taken for granted“. This letter was delivered by the Papal Nuncio to the U.S. and sent to all U.S. Bishops.

Medjugorje Visionary Ivan  Dragicevic
Medjugorje Visionary Ivan
Dragicevic

Such talks by visionaries from Medjugorje are something that has been going on in the U.S. and other countries for many years.  Most notable among the visionaries who travel giving talks is Ivan Dragicevic. Ivan lives in Medjugore during the summer but lives in the U.S. during the winter months and normally has a full speaking schedule at various parishes and locations during that time.  During most of those talks he also allegedly has apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To those who oppose the reported apparitions in Medjugorje, this seems a great victory.  To those who believe in the apparitions in Medjugorje, this seems like a severe defeat.

Actually, it is neither, in our opinion.  It is a prudent move on the part of Holy Mother Church to avoid scandal by appearing to approve an apparition that is still under investigation.

This brings up the often-asked question: can individuals still travel to Medjugorje and be loyal to the Magisterium of The Church?  The answer is yes!  The latest directive does not deal with this issue at all.

Saint James Church, Medjugorje
Saint James Church, Medjugorje

As has been the case for many years, pilgrimages are not allowed to be organized at the Parish or Diocesan level, but priests are encouraged to accompany such groups to provide spiritual guidance so long as they do not assume official approval. And, of course, individuals can travel their on their own.

To add to the confusion is the fact that many Priests, Bishops and Archbishops continue to visit Medjugorje and concelebrate Mass in the church.

Since so many priests have reportedly found their vocations in Medjugorje and the fruits seem widespread, we encourage you to find out for yourself, if you feel called to travel there.

The Church will probably put out some kind of ruling in the future, but what that will be is anyone’s guess.  It will possibly not be outright approval of the apparitions, since they are still on-going, but rather might be approval of Medjugorje as a place of pilgrimage.

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Marian Day Events in Rome October 12th & 13th

Sunday October 13, 2013 is a day that will see Pope Francis consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as part of the Marian Day celebrations. The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima left Fatima, Portugal on the morning of October 12th and is now in Rome. Various churches were open this morning for Confession and Adoration.  At noon Saint Peter’s Square was cleared of people prior to the arrival of the statue.  At 15:00 the entrance gates will be opened for those who have tickets and then at 17:00 there will be a reception of the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima and a Marian catechesis will be given by Pope Francis.  

The Sanctuary of Divine Love in Rome
The Sanctuary of Divine Love

After that the statue will be transferred to the Sanctuary of Divino Amore for all-night veneration. We expect there to be fairly large crowds here throughout the night.

There will be many Marian groups in attendance on Sunday, including representatives from the following shrines:

Aparecida, Brazil;   Lujan, Argentina;  Lourdes, France;  Czestochowa, Poland;  Banneux, Belgium;   Nazareth, Israel;    Nairobi, Kenya;   Akita, Japan;   Vailankanny, India; and Washington, D.C.

Also in attendance will be a delegation from Medjugorje, including the pastor and other villagers, who were invited to participate. Medjugorje has not been given shrine status, but is currently under investigation and a ruling is expected fairly soon. 

Then on Sunday at 10:30 Pope Francis will preside at Mass and make the Act of Entrustment to Mary.  This is when he will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It was the request of Our Lady of Fatima that Russia be consecrated to her immaculate heart.  

There has been some heated debate as to whether this was ever done, although Sister Lucia supposedly said that the consecration was accepted.

The events will be televised on EWTN; Salt+Light TV; Vatican TV and others. They will also be time-delayed so that you can watch them during the daytime wherever you live.  

 

 

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Pope John Paul II & Pope John XXIII to be Canonized April 27

As expected, the date for the Canonizations has been set for April 27, 2014. This is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day which Pope John Paul II designated as a Feast Day in 2000.  It is a floating feast day, occurring the first Sunday after Easter each year.  

The approval process for Pope John XXIII was “fast tracked” by Pope Francis, since they did not have proof of a second miracle required to become a Saint.  But the Pope has the authority to do so. 

The dates will allow enough time to prepare for what will be a momentous event in the Church.  Pope Francis alluded to the fact that many pilgrims would be coming from Pope John Paul II’s native Poland and he did not want them traveling hazardous roads in winter time to get to Rome for the Canonization. This was a pretty good indication that it would take place in the Spring, and what better day than Divine Mercy Sunday.  And Pope John XXIII, best known for the fact that he is the one who called for the Second Vatican Council, was something of a surprise because it was thought he would be more of a caretaker Pope rather than one who made major changes.

If you wish to attend you will find many tour companies offering anything from a short stay to a 10-day (or longer) pilgrimage.  We suggest you read our page on how to check out our articles on choosing a Catholic tour company  as well as how to check out a tour operator’s reputation for some hints on making the right choice.

 If you plan to attend on your own, be sure to make arrangements with a hotel or travel agency that you can trust.  Most are trustworthy, of course, but with the large number of people expected it is wise to be cautious.  To arrange tickets for the event contact the Pontifical Household.  Tickets are free, but will be in limited supply.

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Pope Francis will meet with Medjugorje representatives October 10th

The tiny village of Medjugorje in what is now Bosnia & Herzegovina (formerly Yugoslavia) remains one of the visited places in Europe for Catholic pilgrims, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year….an estimated 35 million since the apparitions were first reported in 1981.  It still lacks Vatican approval, however, and still has many detractors as well, which makes it somewhat controversial.

It was assumed that Pope John Paul II was a believer in the apparitions and he reportedly asked to fly over the village whenever traveling in that area. With his devotion to our Blessed Mother, Pope Francis might be assumed to be favorable toward the apparitions as well, since when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires he approved the visits of one of the visionaries (Ivan) to his diocese.   Back in the late 1990’s he received Fr. Jozo, who was parish priest at the time the apparitions were first reported.  It was reported that he asked Father Jozo to bless him during his visit.

A new development is the announcement this week that he has granted an audience to a delegation from Medjugorje that includes the pastor of the parish as well as other priests here.  We wonder if the decision might be near to grant Medjugorje Shrine status.  It is not quite approval of the apparitions themselves, but certain a step along that road.

 

 

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New Calendar of Upcoming Events on Catholic Travel Blog

You may notice on our Navigation Menu that we have added a “CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS” link.  We are in the process of putting up a calendar of various Catholic events around the world.

There are so many events around the world that we felt this might be a good way to list them all in one place.  

We welcome any contributions….if you know of an event that might be of interest to Catholic travelers please let us know at  info@thecatholictravelguide.com