The "Immaculate" Connection Part III
In the 1930’s, the advancement of the construction of the planned National Basilica of The Immaculate Conception had come to a complete stop. In the middle of the depression era, funds were terribly short for all projects such as this. The work that had already been done was in peril of being demolished and the project abandoned. Bishop Noll took it upon himself, with the co-sponsorship of Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle of Washington, to lead a fund-raising campaign to finish the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., through a campaign in Our Sunday Visitor.
He was also credited with numerous other great achievements, of such great import that if anyone else were to have accomplished any single one of them in their careers, they would be lauded with the highest laurels. For this man, however, it was just a testament to how prolific a thinker and visionary he was.
As a sign of Vatican esteem, Bishop Noll was given the honorary title of archbishop in 1953, even though his see was not an archdiocese.
In 1955, Archbishop Noll suffered a stroke that left him unable to communicate with anyone except his niece, Cecilia Fink, who had been his devoted secretary and had assisted him in his numerous writing projects. His last year of disability was difficult not only for him but for his devoted niece Cecilia. From time to time during his last year, they were able to get back to Rome City for a little R&R and the sisters would always welcome them with comforting care and a good meal of fresh-caught fish from Sylvan Lake. It is quite probable that Sr. Mildred Ephrem Neuzil, who worked in the dining room as a server, would actually have served many of these same fresh dinners to the Archbishop and his niece during their visits.
Archbishop Noll died on July 31, 1956. Our Lady of America appeared to Sr. Mildred Neuzil just 57 days later in Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel on Sept 26, 1956. Our Lady appeared again to Sr. Neuzil on October 13 of that same year and showed Sr. Neuzil a model of the completed National Basilica of The Immaculate Conception…a building which would not be completed for 3 more years in 1959.
The Immaculate Conception...Patroness of Our Beloved Land
posted by OLTIV @ 8:46 PM
19 Comments
19 Comments:
What a study in contrasts between the false apparition in Indiana and many of the true ones. Inspite of initial opposition by some clergy, the real apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary withstood the trials and prevailed to become fully recognized and approved holy sites commemorating the appearances of the Queen of Heaven. How wonderful and inexorable are the ways of God. By His grace all obstacles are overcome.
However, without the benefit of God's grace, even if a false claim of holy apparitions is approved by a Bishop, it goes nowhere. It falters and fails. Inspite of the Bishop's approval of the alleged apparitions in Indiana they have failed to grow. The claims remain stagnant and virtually unknown. There it remains, in the middle of America, easily accessible from most of the country, and yet, despite all the advantages of Bishop approval and ideal location, the place remains quite desolate. Despite being located in a country with the best transportation systems in the world, the faithful virtually ignore the place in Indiana, preferring to journey to sites far away and difficult to reach, with sparse modern conveniences. Can you see the hand of God at work here? Can you see the contrast?
With God, nothing else is needed. Believe that. When God is involved, He will make the locations where Our Lady appears known to the faithful, even if they occur in the remotest parts of the Earth. And no matter how rugged the terrain may be, the faithful of the Lord will struggle to reach that place. Whether they be young or old, God's faithful will cross oceans and climb mountains to reach those holy places of true apparitions. They will stop at nothing to show their love for the Mother of God. Yet, when a counterfeit is involved, even if it is easy to access, and requires no struggle, the faithful will pass it by. For they recognize and pursue the voice of Jesus Christ our Lord and His Blessed Mother, but the voice of strangers and counterfeits they do not respond to.
God bless you and fill you with His peace!
Oh, there you are again!
"Inspite of initial opposition by some clergy, the real apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary withstood the trials and prevailed to become fully recognized and approved holy sites commemorating the appearances of the Queen of Heaven."
Once again, Anonymous, you really do announce your lack of education in the area of apparition sites. You fail to admit that the majority of what you would call "recognized" apparition sites do NOT have the full approval,... saying something supernatural has definitely occured at such a place. Many simply remain in the "neutral" position, allowing the faithful to visit with perhaps a statement saying that there is nothing against faith or morals...something like the Nihil obstat. OLOA has already a higher degree of approval with an Imprimatur. There are seers all over the place today with their bishops' approvals, after initial hesitation by priests and bishops, and yet no crowds, other than perhaps a few local people, are rushing to such places, opposite to what you would wish to convince others to believe.
If you have read anything at all about OLOA BEFORE forming your rather uneducated comments you would see that it is God's will to first educate the public to the purpose of the MESSAGES, not any particular places where the seer lived, which would have placed, at the wrong time, perhaps more attention on the seer's experiences rather than on our holy Mother's goals. The messages outlining the current work to be done can be dispersed through our God-given technology. Since this has been and is being done, the time for the "icing on the cake" is also simultaneously taking place, through the Holy Spirit, of communicating the place for other graces...that, btw, are attached to many of your personally beloved shrines such as Lourdes...water for healing, chapel and surroundings for quiet devotion as is this lovely spot,...and...a place where, over the years, people of all beliefs have become familiar (unbeknownst to you apparently) just as in Medjugorje. Yes, to quote yourself, "how wonderful and inexorable are the ways of God."!!
"Inspite of the Bishop's approval of the alleged apparitions in Indiana they have failed to grow. The claims remain stagnant and virtually unknown...."
In your dreams, Anonymous! What in the world do you call in this moment of God's time, not yours, the miraculous communication and acceptance of these messages worldwide? And this happened, again, at just the appropriate time, and almost over night! This is something akin to Sr. Faustina's messages - first the messages and devotions were accepted, after years of delay and hiddenness - then the wider visits by the public to her own places of residence. And more people have benefitted by the messages and chaplet prayers than those who have been privileged to also visit Faustina's stomping grounds! So, you see, doubting Anonymous, you really have nothing to fear or to be so exercised about. All is falling into God's most Providential scheme, with the cooperation of the faithful.
"Despite being located in a country with the best transportation systems in the world, the faithful virtually ignore the place in Indiana, preferring to journey to sites far away and difficult to reach, with sparse modern conveniences.
Despite being located in a country with the best transportation systems in the world, the faithful virtually ignore the place in Indiana, preferring to journey to sites far away and difficult to reach, with sparse modern conveniences."
Sorry, but once again, you "spin" very well. Are you saying that the public throughout the U.S. has known about this particular place all these years? You've got to be kidding. Are you reading these comments from those who just now are becoming acquainted with this spot who are dying to visit - no matter where they live? We lived in a place quite close to Medjugorje for 4 years from its beginnings and never heard of it. And the train system in Europe is much easier for travel of great distance for pilgrims than roads in the U.S.
"When God is involved, He will make the locations where Our Lady appears known to the faithful, even if they occur in the remotest parts of the Earth."
Finally, then, Anonymous, thank you for your seemingly kind endorsement of OLOA for that seems to be just what God is doing at the present moment....again, in His Providence!
BTW, Anonymous, for your education, there are numerous places in the world of your approved "ruggedness" - that are known through books, the internet, and have the approval of the bishop - which have no large audience of pilgrims from other parts. Medjugorje is an exception to most, but then it has more than a local mission!!
KRIS
Dear Annonymous,
I have to assume you do not believe in Medjugorie and other places like Garabandal since they have also not been approved, and if so,that is your choice.
God allows man to do His work. God does not stop wars, violence, hate or anything negative we have done to this world. According to what you say, my question to you would be why is God letting all of this happen?? If Gid takes care of the false vivions by not letting the church approve them, than why not intercede on everything negative and evil man has done?? God is there for us to make decisions for He alone allowed us free will. Do not be so quick to judge unless you yourself can prove your claims of this being false. If you can, please show these people why. We already know there are visions going on that are not being approved. Please think before you speak on something that very well could be of God.
You have a right to your opinions, but if you feel everyone who believes in Our Lady of America is wrong, than privately pray for us and please stop bashing everyone's good intentions. No one is making a profit from this. No one is forcing anyone to believe. The information is being put out there for all to discern on their own. Those that believe truly believe and if you are so certain in your heart this is not of God, than show them why; and remember lack of church approval can never be the reason, partiuclarly today in this country!! The church is going through a lot of turmoil here and it appears God has allowed that. God is good and great and gives us messaages that we can believe and not believe. Some are not of God, but you are not the Marshall on that. Please pull back a bit and pray about this.
Please give this a chance by praying for descernment or let us all know how you are so sure. If you are positive, than please inform everyone, if not try to allow the Holy Spirit to work through each individual who is trying to discern this for themselves.
God bless you and may the Holy Spirit guide you in your quest.
I just want to say that I knew nothing about OLOA at this time last week.
This week I have downloaded the messages, printed off the picture several times and I have read through the messages and all of the articles and comments on this web page several times.
I am convinced that this is all true. I think the way the sister handled the messages was very prudent and I think the way these owners of this wonderful property have handled themselves is to be commended too! I see it all coming together in a united effort even if the OFFICIAL site has nothing to do with this place. The lay/private community often supports its churches in so many ways and this is one of them.
I want to thank the OLTIV site for posting this information. Without it I may have never known. BTW I am a Jews for Jesus member and not a Catholic. I am learning as much as I can about devotions to Virgin Mary. I think this is sensational news.
Interesting connection between the Immaculate Conception and the Oct 13 apparition at this exciting place. I found it uncanny that Our Lady would show the good sister a completed model of the shrine 3 years before it was completed and ask that her image be enshrined there.
Thank God we had Archbishop Noll. We need his inspiration at this time, or maybe we do and he is igniting new momentum with the inspired use of the internet---seems to be his style to use the media. Has anyone ever mentioned his name for sainthood? He seems to be as likely a candidate as any from this country.
I am a christian woman but not a catholic. I go to church 1 or 2 times per month. I had a rather unique experience at Sylvan Springs in 2002 while attending a wedding reception for my cousin.
Some of the people were talking about a local news article that said there had been a visit by the virgin mary many years before at this big place. They were joking and talking about maybe there would be miracles there and that if anyone needed one it was me.
I had suffered from incurable migraines for over 10 years. I would get a little relief from time to time but they always came back and would just shut me down.
My husband and I had a chance to talk to the owner and he suggested we should go to the chapel and ask for what it was we needed. He also suggested I take a glass of water with me "because it couldn't hurt". I was willing to try anything at this point so we went down to the chapel with a few of our kids and we formed a little circle in front of the chapel and held hands. As my husband prayed for help with my migraines I drank the water and asked for a healing.
Then we sat down quietly for a minute or two before going back to the party. I asked if I could take some water home with me and they filled me a couple of gallon jugs to go.
That night I had a feeling while laying in bed that the Lord was lifting this pain from my body. I lay awake praying and giving thanks for all that I had been blessed with in my life. I told Jesus that if this was to be my struggle I would take it but that I would rather not have to deal with it as it conflicted with my ability to live a normal life with my family.
The next morning I woke up and the morning light didn't seem to bother me like it usually did. I began to notice that my headaches were gone. I drank the water we took home and I can say that I have not had to take any medications for my migraine problems ever since.
Thank you Jesus and thank you virgin mary for coming to this very special place in "my neck of the woods".
I disagree with the anonymous comment about approvals and such.
People were going to Fatima nd Lourdes and La Sallette long before any approval were issued. Like Kris said, some of these places still have not gained what you could call full "approval".
If it is doing good and isn't against Church teaching, I say have an extra helping.
This is good. It is about time the USA had its own image of Our Lady. The messages are right on for our times and eternity.
To H.M. in Kalamazoo-
My father used to tell us stories about the water at the springs in Rome City and how people had credited it with all sorts of healings over the years.
He used to do errands for one of the doctors who worked for the sisters there back in the 30's. It was a long drive into Fort Wayne for certain supplies and my dad would pick things up for them once or twice a week to make some extra money.
He had all kinds of stories that he would hear about from this place. Lots of real fashionable types would travel in from all over to "take the waters" as they said. It was a grand time.
I remember the nuns would give me ice cream that they made from their own cows on the property. They had the most magnificent barn in the area. They were a little scary to me in their black outfits.
This property needs to be preserved at all costs for Our Lady. I feel it has and will play a very important role in this movement as it grows.
Kudos to this organization for stepping up in support of Our Lady of America and its goal of fulfilling Our lady's request to have her image installed in the National Shrine.
*ATTENTION***ATTENTION***ATTENTION*
You will soon have access to online registration for the upcoming Spring '07 Pilgrimage Retreats at Sylvan Springs in Rome City, IN.
The Spring schedule will begin on April 11-13 and continue every Wed-Fri through mid June.
There will be daily Mass, prayer, and topical speakers at each event. Adoration and Reconciliation services will be determined by schedule and availability of priests.
If you are looking to bring a group and would like to schedule your own retreat, and you are able to schedule your own priest, we can help you with a Friday-Sunday schedule.
Rates for the two night stay are $195/room single occupancy and $260/room double occupancy. ALL ROOMS HAVE 1 FULL SIZE BED AND SHARE A BATH/SHOWER. Refrigerators are available in each housing unit.
ALL MEALS AND STUDY MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED. Those attending may wish to bring a notebook for private study.
If you would like immediate information or would prefer to register by mail, please email us at info@oltiv.org.
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