Dawn:

Your approach to this kind of event is, I think, a good one. St Theresa is a wonderful guide to the mystical side of our faith. And your reliance on prayer is noteworthy and a good reminder to us all. Thanks for your efforts and your thoughtful and prudent understanding of this extraordinary matter.
Pax Romano | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 1:25 pm | #

Thanks very much, Pax.
Dawn Eden | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 1:51 pm | #

Great post, Dawn! There's a lot of good insight here.

Check out my trackback for more comments.
Jeff | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 2:49 pm | #

Thanks for the story-
Faith | 07.31.05 - 3:01 pm | #

Well, when it comes to miracles; why NOT Hoboken? Dawn I'm sure I speak for all here in saying I loved your analogy: that the heart of Hoboken "suddenly had an angel's foot wedged in the door."

For anybody with the time, a worthwhile read on this subject is 'Miracle Detective' by Rolling Stone mag writer Randal Sullivan - a non catholic who set out on his own journey exploring miracles. His story has special value because he started from the position of being a sceptic. Needless to say he didn't end that way. But go read it.
Another Steve | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 4:33 pm | #

In my neighborhood (a quick walk from my home), see http://bxtimes.com/News/2004/081...t_Page/ 004.html

A year later, people still leave stuff . . . .
D------ | 07.31.05 - 8:49 pm | #

It may or may not be a miracle but it has done what a miracle needs to do. It has helped people refocus on their relationship with God.
As for the Bottony Cross, in my opinion, it is not a commonly used now as it has more of a medieval imaginery to it. It is also present in the Orthodox tradition.
More of a Celtic cross fan myself. :)
Peter - Australia | 07.31.05 - 8:50 pm | #

Dawn, I was going to suggest "Miracle Detective" also but Another Steve beat me to it. I was blessed with a review copy of it when in first came out, and it is most excellent. I think you will enjoy it a lot.
The other book that your post reminded me of was Beverly Donofrio's "Looking for Mary: Or, the Blessed Mother and Me" - she veers off into a bit of heterodoxy near the very end but in general it is an excellent book.
alicia | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 10:44 pm | #

Not a surprise that the Church is, er, keeping an eye on this. Part of the whole 'defending the faith' racket is, in as reverent a way as possible, making God prove that it's really Him. There are all sorts of people claiming apparitions and visitations, and the Church is careful about winnowing out the messages and discerning the source.

Even an approved visitation such as Lourdes or Guadalupe is considered "worthy of veneration by the faithful," but is never required.
Nightfly | Homepage | 08.01.05 - 2:57 am | #

Why do people need a statue to wink at them to get excited over a miracle when they have bread and wine become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ every (day or) week at mass? Seems like a much more impressive miracle to me.
John J. Simmins | Homepage | 08.01.05 - 4:11 am | #

John J Simmins - I agree. We are able to partake in that miracle everyday.

This and every Mary apparition reminds me of an article from a Catholic who went to see the shroud of Turin. While he was facinated with the cloth, he realized that he traveled a long way to see what he experienced at every mass.

Unfortunately, not all are aware of the eucharistic miracle. Anything that can jump start the faith of an individual is good. Some people are drawn to the faith based on the witness of others, some are drawn from a sermon they heard, others can be drawn to the faith from a winking statue -- why not.
cathy | 08.01.05 - 9:40 am | #

Actually I think the most fundamental miracle of all and apparent to all if it's thought about, is that each of us has the capacity to change our hearts - for better or for worse. The cat on my lap can't do that.
Another Steve | Homepage | 08.01.05 - 4:05 pm | #