Confirmation of the Immaculate Conception manifests itself through the fruits of Lourdes

     Today we begin one of the most important apparitions in the Age of Marian Apparitions. It remains today the most famous and most visited Marian shrine in the world, one which bring millions to the healing waters where countless documentation has been recorded regarding miraculous cures just as the Blessed Mother told Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young peasant girl who God chose as the messenger to convey all Mary wanted the world to understand and to confirm Pope Pius IX's proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception four years earlier in 1854. For the first part on The Healing Fruits of Lourdes, click on THE AGE OF MARIAN APPARITIONS.

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Today, we continue our new policy of bringing you the messages to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart incorporated in the work "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..." on a daily basis!

      Because of the importance of the content of the messages from Our Lord and His Blessed Mother Mary to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart, we continue daily with two messages each Monday through Friday for the time to respond is growing short. For messages number 187 and 188, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

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Humorous Bits and Bytes from regions of the country that compute into tickling the funny bone

     Because of the special interview with Sister Nirmala we weren't able to bring you our mid-week humor page last week, but fear not, we return today with more humorous gems sent to us by readers that we can share with all to lighten everyone's week. Today we illustrate that not only dialects vary throughout the country, so does computerese as you'll see. If you have some humorous tid-bits that are clean and worthy of this publication, we'd love to hear from you at editor. For today's laugh track, click on MID-WEEK HUMOR.

Two decades of dedication, four decades of being an apostolic successor - Vatican makes grand plans for celebrating Pope's milestones

     This past weekend the Vatican released a preliminary itinerary to celebrate in grand style the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's pontificate on October 18th - choosing that date as the midpoint between his election on October 16th and his installation six days later. There will be a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Square where the crowd could reach a million to honor both two decades of dedication and his 40th anniversary as a bishop which he will officially celebrate on September 28th. For more, click on Celebration of the Pope's milestones

Clinton's only chance of survival is to withdraw veto of partial-birth abortion ban according to Vatican critics

     Anticipating another vote soon in the House and Senate on the partial birth abortion ban, the Vatican is not going to sit tight and wait. Going on the offensive, a Vatican theologian in the Holy See's publication L'Osservatore Romano" tries to show that withdrawing the veto might be beneficial for Bill Clinton in his own fight for survival. At least Clinton has a chance to survive. That's more than all those poor unborn babies had who never had a chance because of his veto. For more, click on Vatican protest

Another priest gunned down in Africa as killings continue globally

     Just days after a priest was shot in Colombia and an Italian priest was kidnapped by Muslim rebels in the mountains of the Philippines, another priest was gunned down by armed robbers. The motive has not been determined and, considering the political upheaval in Kenya and the rest of that region of Africa, it is no surprise the government is not expediting an investigation. For more, click on Italy.

U.S. reports of Cuban government harassment unfounded according to reliable Cuban Catholic sources

     Rebuking a U.S. government report that the Castro regime interfered and tried to harass U.S. citizens and worshippers during Cuba's biggest Marian feast last week - the Virgin of Cobre , a Cuban priest assured all that there were no incidents and that the Cardinal and the Church in Cuba had received prior approval for the procession providing they kept it strictly religious with no politics involved. With a keen eye to doing just that, all participants complied fully and reports of any kind of disturbance are highly exaggerated. For more, click on Cuba calm.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

     Today is the feast of Pope Saint Cornelius and the bishop Saint Cyprian, Martyrs, while tomorrow we return to Ordinary Time as well as the feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Religious and Doctor of the Church. For the readings, liturgy , meditations and story of these saints, click on LITURGY

      Today we bring you the Opening Prayer from today's Mass honoring the Martyrs Saints Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian:

God our Father, in Saints Cornelius and Cyprian You have given Your people an inspiring example of dedication to the pastoral ministry and constant witness to Christ in their suffering. May their prayers and faith give us courage to work for the unity of Your Church.

    Dear children! Today I invite you to come still closer to me through prayer. Little children, I am your mother, I love you and I desire that each of you be saved and thus be with me in Heaven. That is why, little children, pray, pray, pray until your life becomes prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.

For more on Medjugorje, click on Medjugorje