Polarities are pretty much defined in religion. Its either youre a believer or a nonbeliever. Well, of course there are also the agnostics, but theyre nonpartisan and not very much useful to either two. Since time immemorial, these groups have engaged in a constant debate on a nebulous topic no one can seem to get to the bottom of. In the last decade of the twentieth century, however, the believers scored ascendancy over the opposition who was much too puzzled and flabbergasted to rebuke anything at the moment. The bone of contention was The Seton Miracles.
Each passing year seem to bring in more flak for adherents of religions. That includes all kinds of faiths, from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, you name it. Anything that seems to involve the celestial and the supernatural are immediately dismissed out of hand by an increasingly scientific, logical, and skeptical society.
Anyway, pretty much anyone can guess its true meaning and significance. Then again, these are phenomena that defy the laws of physics and principles of logic. References to this are literally peppered throughout religious literature. Parting and walking on water certainly defies physical laws, and a talking Burning Bush literally flouts logical principles, however you may look at it.
Until, of course, when you see such happenings with your own eyes. As it is, many kinds of miracles are documented all throughout history, in all major religions. Perhaps none has a richer and more well documented history than that of the Catholic Church. However, not all of them are given the credit which believers think theyre due.
Such was the jumble caused by the series of happenings in 1991 at the Seton church. These happenings range from a priests manifestations of stigmata, to the hundreds of statues, icons, and images crying tears and blood, plus their change of expressions. Theres also the changing colors of rosary beads and statue, and the miracle lights and colors in the sky. There is the permeating scent of roses from an unidentifiable source, and the miraculous healings through prayers and intercessions.
On top of that, a progression of unexplainable phenomena occurred, such as the statues of the Virgin Mary and the saints weeping by the hundreds. Crucifixes, glass images, and other pictures leaked tears as well. All these icons, made from various materials ranging from plastic, metal, ceramic, plaster, ivory, porcelain, fiberglass, and more, were said to have wept simultaneously in front of thousands of witnesses. Numerous rosaries were also said to change color.
On top of that, there are of course the healings of bodily diseases and infirmities, attributed to the series of miracles. The so called Miracle of the Sun was also said to have evinced itself, similar to the solar phenomenon in Fatima during World War I, which was prophesied by three shepherd children supposedly under the Blessed Virgins influence. Some also reported inhaling the pungent smell of roses, even when there were no such flowers around the area.
Despite the large number of witnesses and claimants, the leaders of the diocese surprisingly kept these happenings at arms length. In this modern age, church authorities are more cautious and circumspect in taking these kinds of claims with a pinch of salt. For one, adherents are no longer able to filter off miracles associations with canonizations and some such. Maybe the clergy are just waiting for future signs or whatnot.
Anyway, true or not true, it bodes well in the end. It serves to reinforce peoples faiths, and that which exhorts them to live a better life and to accordingly be better to their fellowmen. As it is, when religion is interpreted and practiced the right way, it can be a good force for society as a whole.
Each passing year seem to bring in more flak for adherents of religions. That includes all kinds of faiths, from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, you name it. Anything that seems to involve the celestial and the supernatural are immediately dismissed out of hand by an increasingly scientific, logical, and skeptical society.
Anyway, pretty much anyone can guess its true meaning and significance. Then again, these are phenomena that defy the laws of physics and principles of logic. References to this are literally peppered throughout religious literature. Parting and walking on water certainly defies physical laws, and a talking Burning Bush literally flouts logical principles, however you may look at it.
Until, of course, when you see such happenings with your own eyes. As it is, many kinds of miracles are documented all throughout history, in all major religions. Perhaps none has a richer and more well documented history than that of the Catholic Church. However, not all of them are given the credit which believers think theyre due.
Such was the jumble caused by the series of happenings in 1991 at the Seton church. These happenings range from a priests manifestations of stigmata, to the hundreds of statues, icons, and images crying tears and blood, plus their change of expressions. Theres also the changing colors of rosary beads and statue, and the miracle lights and colors in the sky. There is the permeating scent of roses from an unidentifiable source, and the miraculous healings through prayers and intercessions.
On top of that, a progression of unexplainable phenomena occurred, such as the statues of the Virgin Mary and the saints weeping by the hundreds. Crucifixes, glass images, and other pictures leaked tears as well. All these icons, made from various materials ranging from plastic, metal, ceramic, plaster, ivory, porcelain, fiberglass, and more, were said to have wept simultaneously in front of thousands of witnesses. Numerous rosaries were also said to change color.
On top of that, there are of course the healings of bodily diseases and infirmities, attributed to the series of miracles. The so called Miracle of the Sun was also said to have evinced itself, similar to the solar phenomenon in Fatima during World War I, which was prophesied by three shepherd children supposedly under the Blessed Virgins influence. Some also reported inhaling the pungent smell of roses, even when there were no such flowers around the area.
Despite the large number of witnesses and claimants, the leaders of the diocese surprisingly kept these happenings at arms length. In this modern age, church authorities are more cautious and circumspect in taking these kinds of claims with a pinch of salt. For one, adherents are no longer able to filter off miracles associations with canonizations and some such. Maybe the clergy are just waiting for future signs or whatnot.
Anyway, true or not true, it bodes well in the end. It serves to reinforce peoples faiths, and that which exhorts them to live a better life and to accordingly be better to their fellowmen. As it is, when religion is interpreted and practiced the right way, it can be a good force for society as a whole.
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