Hey there,
Catholicism is filled with miracles, going back to the early days of the Old Testament. There are miracles throughout the New Testament and even today, Saints are being Canonized with the evidence of miracles they’ve worked.
Miracles are all around us. But do we really know what the Catholic Church considers a miracle? And do we recognize them in our own lives?
I had a friend who was diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live. I prayed like crazy for him every day. I said Rosaries. I lit candles in the church. I asked God for a miracle to cure him of the cancer.
Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year my prayers for his miracle recovery continued.
I couldn’t understand why such a wonderful person, who loved the Lord so much, and openly shared His teachings with everyone he encountered, would be taken away so early.
Until one day, a couple of years in, I realized that the fact that my friend was still alive IS the miracle. Even his doctors couldn’t explain why or how he was still alive. He told his unbelieving doctors it was because of the Lord.
So I stopped praying for a miracle for my friend. Instead, I started thanking the Lord for the miracle of his life! Those 6 months turned into 6 miraculous years. And every day was a blessing.
This week’s issue of Genuflect takes a deep dive into miracles. We look at what the Catholic church considers a miracle, how they investigate and approve miracles, lots of different examples of miracles, and a prayer to use when you are in need of a miracle.
If I hadn’t changed my perspective, I might have missed the Lord’s miracle at work in my friend’s life. Are there miracles you haven’t recognized working in your life?
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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What is a Miracle?
It’s not uncommon to hear the word miracle used when looking at a beautiful sunset. Or when experiencing the birth of a new life. And though these may be wondrous, and even awesome, the church would not consider them to be miracles. Here’s what you need to know about what the church does constitute a miracle … and what they are used for.
The Church’s Teaching on Miracles | Catholic Education
Catholic Miracles 101
Though believers may travel many miles to the location of a miracle for just a glimpse, the major impact is the effect it has on the non-believers. Michael O’Neill has been studying miracles for years and here he talks about the Church’s approach to miracles, different types of miracles, and much more. Enjoy!
A Crash Course in Catholic Miracles | Crux
How The Church Approves Miracles
Canonization of a Saint usually requires that two miracles be attributed to the Saint. But how do we know the miracles happened? The church is highly skeptical about claims of miracles. Here’s the process they follow.
This is How Miracles Are Approved by The Church | Aleteia
5 Eucharistic Miracles
As Catholics we believe in Transubstantiation … that bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. And though we typically can’t physically see this, there are some rare instances where the physical miracle is witnessed. Here are 5 of these Eucharistic miracles, which you can see even today.
5 Extraordinary Eucharistic Miracles That Left Physical Evidence | ChurchPOP
7 Modern Miracles
The Bible tells of many miracles, from Moses parting the Red Sea, and Jesus’ birth, to His resurrection, and more. We don’t see these types of awe-inspiring miracles in our times, so many assume they only existed back in Biblical times. But the fact is, miracles do still occur today. Here are 7 modern-day events that can’t be explained by science.
7 Modern Miracles That Science Can’t Explain | BeliefNet
Holy Rosary Miracles
We receive many graces in the recitation of the Holy Rosary. But did you know that it also has saved lives and freed entire countries? Here are 7 amazing miracles attributed to the Rosary.
7 Astounding Holy Rosary Miracles | BeliefNet
The Miraculous Stairs of Loretto
In Santa Fe, New Mexico The Chapel of Loretto houses a most extraordinary staircase that is believed to be miraculous. The physics of the staircase is unexplainable, as is the identity of the carpenter who did the work. Even the origin of the wood used is a mystery. Could this have really been the handiwork of St. Joseph?
The Staircase St. Joseph Built in New Mexico | Aleteia
Levitating Saints
When you think about levitation, your mind may go to Criss Angel or another famous magician’s performance. And though they use trickery to make us believe they are levitating, there are true stories of people levitating. Here are four Saints who were known for levitating during prayer or praise of God.
The Saints Who Levitated: Extraordinary And Concrete Miracles | Catholic Exchange
Prayer For a Miracle
Saint Jude is the patron Saint of impossible, desperate, and hopeless cases. Here’s a prayer to pray for his intercession when you are in need of a miracle.
Need a Miracle? Here’s St. Jude’s Powerful Prayer For Desperate & Hopeless Cases | ChurchPOP
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