Tuesday, July 17, 2012

"... interesting correlations between the discoveries of reproductive science and the Church's belief in the mystery of the Incarnation".






Our Lady's Virginity in Giving Birth





by Monsignor Arthur Burton Calkins







In her interesting article "Reproductive Science and the Incarnation" (Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly Vol. 25, No. 4, Fall 2002, 11-25) Dr. Catherine Brown Tkacz offers a number of interesting correlations between the discoveries of reproductive science and the Church's belief in the mystery of the Incarnation. Just as the Holy Spirit has continued to bring forth deeper insights into the meaning of this mystery (cf. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, #8), so also the data of biological science, evaluated in the light of Scripture and Tradition, can help us to marvel at the inexhaustible richness of the mystery. The point is, of course, that the mystery can never be simply explained either by theology or by modern science. At the end of her essay Dr. Tkacz appropriately comments that "the mystery of Jesus' Incarnation remains ineluctable and eternal" (p. 22).




Without taking away from the valuable insights which her article provides, I would nonetheless take issue with Dr. Tkacz's treatment of Mary's virginity in giving birth to Christ (commonly referred to as the virginitas in partu) on p. 21 and in endnotes #76 and #78 on p. 25. It must be admitted that the datum of the faith that Mary gave birth as a virgin, unfortunately, receives virtually no attention in contemporary catechesis or preaching.




Indeed, who can remember having heard of the "virgin birth" of Jesus, and not of his "virginal conception" or of his Mother's "life-long virginity," in a homily in the last forty years?




I. Datum of the Tradition



The fact is that the mystery of Mary's virginity in giving birth to the Savior was preached and taught consistently by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. One finds beautiful expositions of it in the homilies and catecheses of St. Gregory of Nyssa (+ c. 394), (1) St. Ambrose (+ 397), (2) St. John Chrysostom (+ 407), (3) St. Proclus of Constantinople (+ 446), (4) Theodotus of Ancyra (+ before 446), (5) St. Peter Chrysologus (+ 450), (6) Pope St. Leo the Great (+ 461), (7) Severus of Antioch (+ 538), (8) St. Romanos the Melodist (+ c. 560), (9) St. Venantius Fortunatus (+ c. 600), (10) and Pope St. Gregory the Great (+ 604) (11).



This preaching and teaching was not a mere matter of pious fantasizing, but rather it was a careful "handing on" of what had been received. The miraculous birth of Jesus in time was seen as a reflection of the mystery of his eternal generation by the Father. (12) As with all of the most important data which touched on the person of the Son of God, it became progressively clarified by the magisterium. Already during the pontificate of Pope St. Siricius (384-399) this matter was dealt with in the Plenary Council of Capua (392) and in the Synods of Rome and Milan in 393 (13) with St. Ambrose's teaching on Mary's "incorruption" in giving birth emerging as authoritative. (14)



In his De institutione virginum St. Ambrose introduced this mystery by quoting the beginning of the forty-fourth chapter of Ezekiel:



"Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, facing the east; but it was closed. He said to me: 'This gate is to remain closed; it is not to be opened for anyone to enter by it; since the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it, it shall remain closed.'" ... Who is this gate, if not Mary? Is it not closed because she is a virgin? Mary is the gate through which Christ entered this world, when he was brought forth in the virginal birth and the manner of His birth did not break the seals of virginity (quando virginali fusus est partu, et genitalia virginitatis claustra non solvit). (15) ... There is a gate of the womb, although it is not always closed; indeed only one was able to remain closed, that through which the One born of the Virgin came forth without the loss of genital intactness (per quam sine dispendio claustrorum genitalium virginis partus exivit). (16)



St. Ambrose' defense of the "virgin birth," especially in this treatise, is so definitive that those who have subsequently sought to "re-interpret" the doctrine in the light of the criticism of Dr. Albert Mitterer (17) have found it necessary to take him on. (18)



II. The Magisterium



In 649 the Roman Synod which convened at the Lateran, whose teaching was approved as authoritative by Pope St. Martin I, anathematized anyone who would deny that Mary "gave birth to (God the Word) without corruption." (19) In his Constitution Cum quorumdam hominum condemning the errors of Unitarianism Pope Paul IV admonished all those who deny that the Blessed Virgin Mary "did not retain her virginity intact before the birth, in the birth, and perpetually after the birth." (20) The Roman Catechism also known as The Catechism of the Council of Trent followed suit with this clear teaching:



For in a way wonderful beyond expression or conception, he is born of his Mother without any diminution of her maternal virginity. As he afterwards went forth from the sepulcher while it was closed and sealed, and entered the room in which his disciples were assembled, although "the doors were closed" (Jn. 20:19), or, not to depart from natural events which we witness every day, as the rays of the sun penetrate the substance of glass without breaking or injuring it in the least: so, but in a more incomprehensible manner, did Jesus Christ come forth from his mother's womb without injury to her maternal virginity. ...



To Eve it was said: "In pain you shall bring forth children" (Gen. 3:16). Mary was exempt from this law, for preserving her virginal integrity inviolate, she brought forth Jesus the Son of God, without experiencing, as we have already said, any sense of pain. (21)



The Second Vatican Council presented this mystery succinctly by speaking of "the birth of Our Lord, who did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it" (22) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church repeats that statement after clarifying that



The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary's real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. (23)



Those who would say that these recent professions of the mystery are minimal and non-binding need only examine the footnotes appended to each of them to discover that they are based on previous major declarations of the magisterium which have been considered definitive since the Patristic era. The text of Lumen Gentium cites the Lateran Synod of 649, the Tome of St. Leo the Great to Flavian (24) and the De institutione virginum of St. Ambrose. The Catechism gives two citations to the Tome to Flavian, (25) as well as citing the Second Council of Constantinople, (26) the Letter of Pope Pelagius I to Childebertus, (27) the Lateran Synod of 649, the Profession of Faith of the Synod of Toledo of 693 (28) and Pope Paul IV's Constitution Cum quorumdam hominum.



III. Dr. Tkacz' Comments



A. The Miraculous Nature of Christ's Birth



Now back to Dr. Tkacz. She states that:



He (Christ) chose to traverse the birth canal. ... He passed through her (Mary's) cervix. Its strength had kept him securely in the uterus throughout gestation and now it widened to deliver him to wider life. He passed through the vagina, the organ with which every wife knows her husband. Jesus emerged through the labia, the vulva (21).



The good doctor reports as if she were an eye-witness, precisely on the assumption that there was nothing miraculous in the birth process of the Son of God. On the other hand Father Peter Damian Fehlner makes this very trenchant comment:



But on this question, viz. whether the virginity of our Lady in childbirth involves miraculous elements distinct from the virginal conception, there is an even more basic consideration. The Church has always insisted on this, antecedently to any theological reflection on the point. Belief precedes analysis; indeed sets very severe limits on our intellectual curiosity about the details of this singular birth. (29)



In this he is in fact echoing a major address which Pope John Paul II gave on 24 May, 1992, in Capua where he had gone to address a Mariological Congress organized to commemorate the 16th Centenary of the Plenary Council of Capua which had dealt specifically with Mary's virginity in childbirth. On that occasion the Pope stated:



The theologian must approach the mystery of Mary's fruitful virginity with a deep sense of veneration for God's free, holy and sovereign action. ...



The theologian, however, who approaches the mystery of Mary's virginity with a heart full of faith and adoring respect, does not thereby forego the duty of studying the data of Revelation and showing their harmony and interrelationship; rather, following the Spirit, ... he puts himself in the great and fruitful theological tradition of fides quærens intellectum.



When theological reflection becomes a moment of doxology and latria, the mystery of Mary's virginity is disclosed, allowing one to catch a glimpse of other aspects and other depths. (30)



B. The Patristic Testimony



In Dr. Tkacz' endnote #76 she rather lightly dismisses an article by Father Stanley Jaki on the virgin birth because he does not cite any Patristic texts in making his case. She opines that the miraculous nature of the birth of Christ "seems to me essentially modern, based on a pietistic thought that to honor Jesus one must dissociate him from human birth, as if birth were indecent" (p. 25). I trust that by now the reader will recognize that this doctrine is clearly taught by the Fathers (for reasons of space we must forego discussion of the Scriptural bases of the doctrine). Further, the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth is not an indictment of human birth as being "indecent," but rather fully congruent with the saving purposes of the Incarnation. As Pope St. Leo the Great preached:



The Lord Jesus Christ came to take away our maladies, not to contract them; to bring a remedy to our vices, not to succumb to them. ... That is why it was necessary for Him to be born in new conditions (propter quod oportuit ut novo nasceretur ordine). ... It was necessary that the integrity of the One being born preserve the pristine virginity of the one who gave birth. (31)



John Saward's excellent study, Cradle of Redeeming Love, provides several illuminating pages on the fittingness of the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth. (32)



C. The Seal of Virginity



In endnote #78 Dr. Tkacz states "Legend attributes an intact hymen to the Theotokos" and then goes on to quote from Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary that the "rupture or absence (of the hymen) is not evidence of loss of virginity." While a certain sense of delicacy, inspired by the 1960 Monitum of the Holy Office of 1960, (33) makes me hesitate a moment before taking issue with this statement, it needs to be dealt with. On this matter the late Father Juniper Carol, O.F.M. summarized quite clearly how the approach of the Fathers and the magisterium had come to be understood:



At the appropriate time, Our Blessed Lord left the womb of His Mother through the natural channels but in a miraculous way, that is, without in any manner opening any part of Mary's body. In other words, there was no dilatation of the normal passage, no opening of the vagina, no breaking of the virginal hymen. (34)



In less specific biological language the Holy Father treated this issue in his discourse at Capua in 1992. He stated:



It is a well-known fact that some Church Fathers set up a significant parallel between the begetting of Christ ex intacta Virgine (from the untouched Virgin) and his resurrection ex intacto sepulcro (from the intact sepulchre). In the parallelism relative to the begetting of Christ, some Fathers put the emphasis on the virginal conception, others on the virgin birth, others on the subsequent perpetual virginity of the Mother, but they all testify to the conviction that between the two saving events—the generation-birth of Christ and his resurrection from the dead—there exists an intrinsic connection which corresponds to a precise plan of God: a connection which the Church, led by the Spirit, has discovered, not created. (35)







Monsignor Arthur B. Calkins is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and was ordained a priest on 7 May 1970 for the Archdiocese of New Orleans where he served in various parishes as parochial vicar. He has a master’s degree in theology from the Catholic University of America, a licentiate in sacred theology with specialization in Mariology from the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton and a doctorate which he earned summa cum laude in the same field from the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (the Seraphicum) in Rome. He was named a corresponding member of the Pontifical International Marian Academy in 1985 and a corresponding member of the Pontifical Roman Theological Academy in 1995. He has been an official of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” since 1991 and was named a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor in 1997.

....


This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary



....

Taken from: http://www.piercedhearts.org/hearts_jesus_mary/heart_mary/virginity_birth_calkins.htm










Monday, July 16, 2012

Brown Scapular Miracles


 
MIRACLE STORIES


Saint Claude de la Colombiere, the renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary,

gives a point that is enlightening. He said,


“Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin and all its various modes of

expression cannot be equally pleasing to Her, and therefore do not assist us in the same

degree to reach Heaven, I say, without a moment’s hesitation, that the BROWN SCAPULAR IS

THE MOST FAVORED OF ALL!” He also adds, “No devotion has been confirmed by more

numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular.”



True Stories: Our Blessed Lady keeps Her Promise

A priest relates how one day in a town near Chicago he was called to the bedside of a man

who had been away form the Sacrament for many years. “The man did not want to see me: he

would not talk. Then I asked him to look at the little Scapular I was holding. ‘Will you wear this if

I put this on you?’ I ask nothing more. He agreed to wear it and within the hour he wanted to go

to confession and make his peace with God. This did not surprise me, because for 700 years

Our Lady has been working in this way through Her Scapular.”



On the very day Our Lady gave the Scapular to St. Simon, he was hurriedly called by Lord Peter

of Linton: “Come quickly, Father, my brother is dying in despair!” St. Simon left at once for the

bedside of the dying man. Upon arrival he placed his large Scapular over the dying man,

asking Our Blessed Mother to keep Her promise. Immediately the man repented, and died in

the grace and friendship of God. That night the dead man appeared to his brother and said, “I

have been saved through the most powerful Queen and the Habit of that man as a shield.”



St. Alphonsus tell us: “Modern heretics make a mockery of wearing the Scapular, they decry it

as so much trifling nonsense.” Yet many of the popes have approved and recommended it. It

is remarkable that only 25 years after the Scapular vision, Blessed Pope Gregory X was buried

wearing the Scapular, when his tomb was opened 600 years after his death, his Scapular was

found intact. It can be seen, perfectly preserved in the Arezzo museum, in Italy.



Protection against the Devil

You will understand why the Devil works against those who promote the Scapular when you

hear the story of Ven. Francis Ypes. One day his Scapular fell off. As he replaced it, the devil

howled, “Take off the habit which snatches so many souls from us!” Then and there Francis

made the devil admit that there are three things which the demons are most afraid of: the Holy

Name of Jesus, the Holy Name of Mary, and the Holy Scapular of Carmel. To that list we could

add the Holy Rosary.



The great St.Peter Claver was another of God’s heroes who used the Scapular to good

advantage. Every month a shipment of 1000 slaves would arrive at Cartegena, Colombia,

South America. St. Peter used to insure the salvation of his converts. First, he organized

catechists to give them instructions. Then, he saw to it that they were baptized and clothed with

the Scapular. Some ecclesiastics’ accused the Saint of indiscreet zeal, but St. Peter was

confident that Mary would watch over each of his more than 300,000 converts!



Our Lady Protects a Missionary

One day in 1944, a Carmelite missionary in the Holy Land was called to an internment camp in

order to give the Last Rites. The Arab driver made the priest get off the bus four miles from the

camp because the road was dangerously muddy. After two miles, the missionary found his

feet sinking deeper and deeper into the mire. Trying to get solid footing he slipped into a

muddy pool. Sinking to his death in this desolate place, he thought of Our Lady and Her

Scapular. He kissed his great Scapular -- for he was wearing the full habit -- and looked

toward the holy mountain of Carmel, the birthplace of devotion to God’s Mother. He cried out,

“Holy Mother of Carmel! Help me! Save me!” A moment later, he found himself on solid ground.

Later he said, “I know I was saved by the Blessed Virgin through Her Brown Scapular. My

shoes were lost in the mud, and I was covered with it, but I walked the remaining two miles

praising Mary.”



Saved from the Sea

Another Scapular story that bears repeating took place in 1845. In the late summer of that year,

the English ship, “king of the Ocean” found itself in the middle of a wild hurricane. As wind and

sea mercilessly lashed the ship, a Protestant minister, together with his wife and children and

other passengers, struggled to the deck to pray for forgiveness and mercy, as the end seemed

at hand. Among the crew was a young Irishman, John McAuliffe. On seeing the urgency of the

situation, the youth opened his shirt took off his Scapular, and, making the sign of the Cross

with it over the raging waves tossed it into the ocean. At that very moment, the wind calmed.

Only one more wave washed the deck, bringing with it the Scapular, which came to rest at the

boy’s feet. All the while the minister, a Mr. Fisher, had been carefully observing McAuliffe’s

actions and the miraculous effect of those actions. Upon questioning the young man, they

were told about the Holy Virgin and Her Scapular. Mr. Fisher and his family were so impressed

that they were determined to enter the Catholic Church as soon as possible, and thereby enjoy

the same protection of Our Lady’s Scapular.



A Home Saved from Fire

In May of 1957, a Carmelite priest in Germany published the unusual story of how the Scapular

saved a home from fire. An entire row of homes had caught fire in Westboden, Germany. The

pious inhabitants of a 2-family home, seeing the fire, immediately fastened a Scapular to the

main door of the house. Sparks flew over it and around it, but the house remained unharmed.

Within 5 hours, 22 homes had been reduced to ashes. The one structure, which stood

undamaged amidst the destruction, was that which had the Scapular attached to its door. The

hundreds of people who came to see the place Our lady had saved are eye-witnesses to the

power of the Scapular and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.



A Train Accident

One of the most extraordinary of all Scapular incidents took place right here in the United

States. It happened around the turn of the century in the town of Ashtabula, Ohio, that a man

was cut in two but a train; he was wearing the Scapular. Instead of dying instantly, as would be

expected he remained alive and conscious for 45 minutes -- just enough time until a priest

could arrive to administer the Last Sacraments. These, and other such incidents, tell us that

Our Blessed Mother will take personal care of us in the hour of our death. So great and

powerful a Mother is Mary that She will never fail to keep the Scapular contract, i.e. to see that

we die in God’s grace.



A Priest’s Life is Saved

Still another Scapular miracle concerns a French priest who had gone on pilgrimage. On the

way to say Mass, he remembered that he had forgotten his Scapular. He knew he would be

late if he went back to retrieve it, but he could not envision offering Mass at Our Lady’s altar

without Her Scapular. Later, as he was offering the Holy Sacrifice, a young man approached

the altar, pulled out a gun, and shot the priest in the back. To the amazement of all, the priest

continued to say the prayers of the Mass as though nothing had occurred. It was at first

presumed that the bullet had miraculously missed its target. However, upon examination, the

bullet was found ADHERING TO THE LITTLE BROWN SCAPULAR, which the priest had so

obstinately refused to be without.



Conversions

We should even give the Scapular to non-Catholics for Our Lady will bring conversions to

those who will wear it and say one Hail Mary each day, as the following true story will show. An

old man was rushed to the St. Simon Stock Hospital in New York City, unconscious and dying.

The nurse, seeing the Brown Scapular on the patient, called a priest. As the prayers were

being said for the dying man, he became conscious and spoke up: “Father, I am not a

Catholic.” Then why are you wearing the Brown Scapular?” asked the priest. “I promised my

friends to wear it,” the patient explained, ” and also to say one Hail Mary a day.” “You are dying”

the priest told him. “Do you want to become a Catholic?” “All my life I wanted to be one.” the

dying man replied. He was baptized, received the Last Rites, and died in peace. Our Lady took

another soul under Her mantle through the Scapular!



A Call to Fervor

In October of 1952, an Air Force officer in Texas wrote the following: “Six months ago, shortly

after I started wearing the Scapular, I experienced a remarkable change in my life. Almost at

once, I started going to mass every day. After a short time, I started receiving Holy Communion

daily. I kept lent with a fervor that I had never experience before. I was introduced to the practice

of meditation, and found myself making feeble attempts on the way to perfection. I have been

trying to live with God. I credit Mary’s Scapular.”



Necessity of Wearing the Scapular

During the Spanish civil war in the 1930s, seven Communists were sentenced to death

because of their crimes. A Carmelite priest tries to prepare the men for death; they refused. As

a last resort, he brought the men cigarettes food and wine, assuring them that he would not

talk religion, in a short while they were all friendly, so he asked them for one small favor: “Will

you permit me to place a Scapular on each of you?” six agreed, one refused. Soon all Scapular

wearers went to confession. The seventh continues to refuse. Only to please them he put on

the Scapular, he would do nothing more. Morning came, and as the time of the execution came

near, the seventh man made it clear that he was not going to ask for a priest. Although wearing

the Scapular he was determined to go to his death an enemy of God. Finally, the command

was given, the firing squad did its deadly work, and seven lifeless bodies lay sprawled in the

dust. Mysteriously a Scapular was found approximately 50 paces from the bodies. Six men

died WITH Mary’s Scapular; the seventh died Without the Scapular. St. Claude gives us the

solution to the mystery of the missing Scapular: “You ask; what if I desire to die in my sins?” I

answer, “Then you will die in your sins but YOU WILL NOT DIE IN YOUR SCAPULAR.” St.

Claude tells the story of a man who tried to drown himself three times. He was rescued

against his will. At last he realized that he was wearing his Scapular. Determined to take his

life, he tore the Scapular from his neck and leaped into the water. Without Mary’s protective

garment he accomplished his wish and died in his sins.



Further Miracles

A Jesuit missionary in Guatemala tells an incident of Our Lady’s Scapular protection. In

November of 1955 a plane carrying 27 passengers crashed. All died except one young lady.

When this girl saw that the plane was going down, she took hold of her Scapular, and called

on Mary for help. She suffered burns, her clothing was reduced to ashes, but the flames did

not touch her Scapular.



In the same year of 1955, a similar miracle occurred in the Midwest. A 3rd-grader stopped in a

gasoline station to put air in his bicycle tires, and at that very moment an explosion occurred.

The boy’s clothing was burned off, but his Brown Scapular remained unaffected: a symbol of

Mary’s protection. Today, although he still bears a few scars from the explosion, this young

man has special reason to remember the Blessed Mother’s protection in time of danger.



The Scapular that Saved Two Lives

My battalion was a member of the Irene Brigade. We were just about to advance. After we

passed Eindhofen, our trucks and tanks went through Uden. In the evening we encamped on

an old farm near Nijmegen. Behind the house there was an old wooden pump surrounded by

bricks, to wash away the sweat and dust of hours of fighting. You can well imagine that we

made good use of this opportunity. I was one in the group and so I tossed my jacket on the

ground and hung my Scapular on the pump while I washed.



An hour later we received orders to proceed about a mile and a half further and to occupy a

trench there. We were looking forward to being able to get a peaceful night’s sleep in that

trench. I was about to lie down and was unbuttoning my collar when to my horror I realized that

I no longer had my Scapular. It had been a gift from my mother. I had it with me all during the

war and now that we were approaching the lion’s den was I to be deprived of it? To go fetch it

was unthinkable, so I tried not to think about it any more and to go to sleep. I pitched and

tossed from side to side, but I couldn’t get to sleep.



All round me, my buddies were sleeping like logs even though from time to time shells fell

dangerously close. Finally I was overcome by the desire to get my Scapular back and I crept

out among my sleeping companions. It wasn’t so easy to get past the sentry but I managed to

do it and ran back the way we had come. It was pitch dark, but nevertheless I had good luck

and in a short time I was back on the farm and at the pump. My hands glided searchingly all

over the pump but the Scapular was gone. I was just about to strike a match when there was

the sound of a dreadful explosion. What was I to do? Was that the sign of an enemy attack? As

fast as I could I ran back to our trench. Maybe I could do something for my buddies there.



Near the trench I saw the engineers busily removing piles of dirt and barbed wire. At the very

spot where my companions had been sleeping there yawned a gigantic shell-hole. Before the

enemy had vacated this trench the enemy had placed a time bomb in it and it had exploded

during my absence. Nobody survived the explosion. If I had not set out to fetch my Scapular, I

would have been buried under that rubble too.



On the following morning I went to the field kitchen and met a buddy there. He looked at me

with astonishment. “I thought you were in that trench!” “And I thought you were buried there!”

My friend continued, “I was lying in the trench, but before I went to sleep I went looking for you.

But I couldn’t find you. The corporal saw me hunting around and asked me what I wanted.

When I told him what I was doing there he said, “Be sensible! Instead go to that inn nearby and

get me a bottle of water.” And while I was on the errand the explosion occurred.



“Well, I escaped it by a hair’s breadth too, “I replied. “But why on earth were you looking for me

so late at night?” “To give you this,“ he replied, and handed me my Scapular, which he had

taken from the old pump.



A Shield in Time of Battle

Mr. Sisto Mosco of North Providence, Rhode Island, is a veteran of World War II, who survived,

unscathed, the invasion of Normandy, and later, the 7th fleet war with the Japanese fleet, the

taking of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and other bloody battles in the South Pacific. Sisto affirms that

his miraculous escape is another perfect example of the powerful protection of Our Blessed

Mother of Mount Carmel, through Her Brown Scapular.

“I was on the battleship the U.S.S. Nevada as chaplain’s yeoman during WW II in the Pacific. (I

always wore my Scapular because I was brought up close to the Church, and I kept it on me all

through the war.) The ship was loaded with dynamite. A suicide plane hit the deck real close to

where I was positioned. The blast blew open the bolted steel doors of the compartment. I

alone was left uninjured after the explosion. The rest were all dead or seriously mangled. I

was the only one untouched and I attribute it to the wearing of my Scapular.”



Mr. Mosco later received a commendation from the Admiral of the fleet for bravery, but in his

heart he firmly believes that the credit goes to Our Lady, the Virgin most powerful, who works

such wonders through Her Habit of Salvation.



Vatican Approval

In wearing the Scapular at all times we make silent petition for the Blessed Mother’s continual

assistance. We share in all the prayers and good works of the Carmelite Scapular

Confraternity throughout the world. Pope Pius XII often spoke of the Scapular. On the 700th

anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, Pope Pius XII referred to the

Scapular as “the sign of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. The Scapular also

represents the sweet yoke of Jesus Christ, which Mary helps us to bear. And finally, the pope

continued, the Scapular marks us as one of Mary’s chosen children, and becomes for us (as

the Germans call it) a “Garment of Grace”. St. Claude tells us, “Of all the pious practices which

have inspired the faithful to honor the Mother of God, there is none so sure as that of the

Scapular. No other devotion has been confirmed by so many and such extraordinary miracles.”



As we mentioned above, during the Scapular Anniversary celebration in Rome in 1951, Pope

Pius XII told a very large audience to wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of consecration to the

Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady asked for this consecration in the last apparition at

Fatima, when She appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, holding the Brown Scapular out to

the whole world. It was Her last moving appeal to souls to wear Her Scapular as a sign of

consecration to Her Immaculate Heart.



A Brief Summary

The Scapular is a habit -- Our Lady’s habit. The Scapular must be worn over the shoulders in

such a manner that one part hangs in front of the body and the other at the back. Worn in any

other way, it carries no indulgence or promise. It is not necessary to wear the Scapular next to

the skin. Many Catholics may not know it is the wish of the Holy Father the Pope, that the

Scapular Medal should not be worn in place of the Cloth Scapular without sufficient reason.

Mary cannot be pleased with anyone who substitutes the medal out of vanity, or out of fear of

making open profession of faith. Such persons run the risk of not receiving the Promise. The

medal has never been noted for any of the miraculous preservations attributed to the Brown

Cloth Scapular.



May a non-Catholic wear the Brown Scapular?

Yes, and in doing so a non-catholic will receive many graces and blessings with this special

sign of devotion to the Blessed Mother of God. Although baptized Catholics are the only ones

who can be officially enrolled in the Confraternity and enjoy the special Scapular privileges,

non-Catholics are warmly encouraged to avail themselves of this special way of honoring

Jesus’ Mother. By wearing the Scapular we are dedicated to Our Blessed Mother in a special

way and have a strong claim upon Her protection and intercession.


(”Garment of Grace,” Imprimatur: Most Rev. Timothy Harrington, March 9, 1990.)



"Whosoever dies wearing

this scapular shall not suffer

eternal fire."

- Promise of Our Lady made July

16, 1251 to St. Simon Stock



http://www.freebrownscapular.com/


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Taken from: http://www.freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_miracles.html

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Eyewitness Account of Fatima's Miracle of the Sun







The Miracle of the Sun




An Eyewitness Account by Dr. José Maria de Almeida Garrett, professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Coimbra, Portugal


Taken from: http://www.fatima.org/essentials/facts/miracle.asp




"It must have been 1:30 p.m when there arose, at the exact spot where the children were, a column of smoke, thin, fine and bluish, which extended up to perhaps two meters above their heads, and evaporated at that height. This phenomenon, perfectly visible to the naked eye, lasted for a few seconds. Not having noted how long it had lasted, I cannot say whether it was more or less than a minute. The smoke dissipated abruptly, and after some time, it came back to occur a second time, then a third time

"The sky, which had been overcast all day, suddenly cleared; the rain stopped and it looked as if the sun were about to fill with light the countryside that the wintery morning had made so gloomy. I was looking at the spot of the apparitions in a serene, if cold, expectation of something happening and with diminishing curiosity because a long time had passed without anything to excite my attention. The sun, a few moments before, had broken through the thick layer of clouds which hid it and now shone clearly and intensely.

"Suddenly I heard the uproar of thousands of voices, and I saw the whole multitude spread out in that vast space at my feet...turn their backs to that spot where, until then, all their expectations had been focused, and look at the sun on the other side. I turned around, too, toward the point commanding their gaze and I could see the sun, like a very clear disc, with its sharp edge, which gleamed without hurting the sight. It could not be confused with the sun seen through a fog (there was no fog at that moment), for it was neither veiled nor dim. At Fatima, it kept its light and heat, and stood out clearly in the sky, with a sharp edge, like a large gaming table. The most astonishing thing was to be able to stare at the solar disc for a long time, brilliant with light and heat, without hurting the eyes or damaging the retina. [During this time], the sun's disc did not remain immobile, it had a giddy motion, [but] not like the twinkling of a star in all its brilliance for it spun round upon itself in a mad whirl.

"During the solar phenomenon, which I have just described, there were also changes of color in the atmosphere. Looking at the sun, I noticed that everything was becoming darkened. I looked first at the nearest objects and then extended my glance further afield as far as the horizon. I saw everything had assumed an amethyst color. Objects around me, the sky and the atmosphere, were of the same color. Everything both near and far had changed, taking on the color of old yellow damask. People looked as if they were suffering from jaundice and I recall a sensation of amusement at seeing them look so ugly and unattractive. My own hand was the same color.

"Then, suddenly, one heard a clamor, a cry of anguish breaking from all the people. The sun, whirling wildly, seemed all at once to loosen itself from the firmament and, blood red, advance threateningly upon the earth as if to crush us with its huge and fiery weight. The sensation during those moments was truly terrible.

"All the phenomena which I have described were observed by me in a calm and serene state of mind without any emotional disturbance. It is for others to interpret and explain them. Finally, I must declare that never, before or after October 13 [1917], have I observed similar atmospheric or solar phenomena."



Professor Almeida Garrett's full account may be found in Novos Documentos de Fatima (Loyala editions, San Paulo, 1984)





Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Truth






Fr. Larry Richards



What is the meaning of life? Fr. Larry Richards tackles life's biggest question with straightforward, timeless, and often jolting answers. In this one-of-a-kind, life-affirming reality check, he unlocks the mysteries of our existence and opens our hearts and souls to the meaning of life. The Truth will give you concrete answers on how to live.

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Taken from: http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/the-truth





Other Recommended Titles: Seven Reasons to be Catholic




Seven Reasons to be Catholic Dr. Peter Kreeft is a world-renowned philosopher and best-selling author of over 35 books. Drawing from the treasured wisdom of such great spiritual thinkers as St. John of the Cross, Thomas Aquinas, C. S. Lewis, and Cardinal Newman, he helps us to understand why truth trumps everything! Listen as he clearly presents seven undisputable reasons why every person should indeed be Catholic.

This CD has re-started the spark I had lost! I am looking forward to listening to the other CDs I purchased! Bob - Fremont, OH

Dr. Peter Kreeft

Confession

Confession Based upon his proven and powerful parish mission presentation, Fr. Larry Richards' talk on Confession has become the #1 talk in North America dealing with one of the Catholic Faith's most misunderstood Sacraments. He is riveting, honest, very human, often touchingly gentle, and yes, even humorous, and provides listeners with hope for a closer, healing relationship with Jesus Christ.

I re-evaluated my entire way of living because it made me realize that I was not as close to God as I thought! Brandy - Arlington, VA

Fr. Larry Richards

The Mass Explained

The Mass Explained Inspiring speaker Fr. Larry Richards presents exciting and powerful insights into the history, spirituality, and biblical foundations of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. He opens the door for us to enter more profoundly into this most perfect prayer and unite our offering with that of the priest. This will change the way you experience this most sacred of all mysteries, the source and summit of our lives.

It jolted me out of stagnation! It has renewed my love for the Mass and for Jesus. Nancy - Plattsburgh, NY

Fr. Larry Richards

The Lamb's Supper

The Lamb's Supper Based on his best-selling book, Dr. Scott Hahn reveals the early Christians? key to understanding the Mass: the Book of Revelation. With its bizarre imagery, mystic visions of Heaven, and end-times prophecies, it mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Holy Eucharist. See the Mass with new eyes, pray the Liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the Mass more fully and enthusiastically!

Excellent! It is hard to express the spiritual impact this CD has had on me. I don't believe I will ever celebrate the Eucharist the same way again! Floy - Manchester, KY

Dr. Scott Hahn

The Healing Power of Confession

The Healing Power of Confession Dr. Scott Hahn presents the historical and biblical origins of the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). He provides an important guide for new Catholics, a source of renewal for "old hands", and a challenge to all of us to deepen our relationship with Christ through regular use of the Sacrament of Penance.



This is an outstanding talk on Confession that cuts to the heart of this great Sacrament of Mercy. Father Joseph - Baltic, CT

Dr. Scott Hahn

Finding the Fullness of Faith

Finding the Fullness of Faith Stephen Ray was raised in a devout, loving, Baptist family. In this presentation, he shares his amazing conversion to Catholicism and explains why he is convinced it is the Church founded by Christ over 2000 years ago.



Fantastic!! This is absolutely the one CD everyone should start with ... it is persuasive, informative, and highly valuable in educating Catholics and non-Catholics about Catholicism! I will order many and give them to family and friends. Susan - Land O Lakes, FL

Stephen Ray

Becoming The-Best-Version-of-Yourself

Becoming The-Best-Version-of-Yourself Matthew Kelly possesses a powerful ability to combine the ageless tool of storytelling with a profound understanding of today's culture and the common yearnings of the human heart. He shows us how to see the challenges in our everyday lives in a new light. He will help elevate and energize you to pursue the highest values of the human spirit and become the best version of yourself.

OUTSTANDING!!! This timely presentation was filled with truth & presented in a way that was easy to identify with and understand. Anne - Youngstown, OH

Matthew Kelly

Why Is There Hell? What You Should Know About It!

Why Is There Hell? What You Should Know About It! In this moving study on hell, Dr. Scott Hahn shares what scripture teaches about why hell is necessary. What it is like? Who goes there? How can you stay out forever? He explains why Lucifer refused to serve and then responds from a scriptural perspective to the most seductive modern errors about hell. Included are two bonus excerpts from Dr. Hahn's talk, The Healing Power of Confession.

This is a great CD! It gives the theological basis for hell. For me, it also highlighted the need for continued conversion throughout life. Chad - St. Michael, MN

Dr. Scott Hahn

The Seven Levels of Intimacy

The Seven Levels of Intimacy True intimacy means sharing who we really are with another person. We have to move beyond the clichés in conversation and get beneath the surface which involves taking a risk because in doing this, our weaknesses and imperfections will be made known. Matthew teaches practical ways to share ourselves more deeply with those we love and change the way we approach our relationships forever.

This CD really opened my eyes! As a husband of 53 years and father of 6, I was truly impressed by the incredible content in this presentation. Bob - Syracuse, NY

Matthew Kelly

My Spiritual Journey

My Spiritual Journey Matthew Kelly is one of the most sought-after speakers of our time. When he was a young man, a friend helped him to open his heart to God. Since that time, Matthew has helped millions around the world to embrace the Lord's call to live a deeper spiritual life. Listen as he shares both his remarkable personal story and his uniquely inspiring outlook on faith and the adventure of living the Christian life to the fullest.

Awesome! I loved this talk and came away with a fresh inspiration to grow my faith and find joy. This is perfect for all ages. I passed it on to my teenage sons. Cindy - Houston TX

Matthew Kelly


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Power of a Mother's Prayers





Fr Isaac Relyea


Fr. Isaac Relyea shares the amazing story of his mother's persistence in prayer for his conversion, Divine protection, supernatural grace, and the Lord's incredible mercy. He heard the call to the priesthood at an early age but was pulled away by the enticements of the world, had a change of heart, and became consumed with sinful pleasures. This story shows a striking similarity to the story of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica.


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Other Recommended Titles:

Friday, July 6, 2012

Life-Changing Stories of the Eucharist






Jesse Romero




In this talk, Jesse Romero shares numerous encounters of the stunning power of Christ's presence in the Eucharist in his own life and in the lives of others, and a convincing presentation of history and theology as witnesses to this most incredible mystery and gift! Jesse is a renowned professional Catholic apologist with a Masters in Theology, a retired L.A. Deputy Sheriff, and a former Police Olympic boxing champion and USA kickboxing champion. He speaks on the radio and at conferences around the country with a refreshing, straightforward, pull no punches, high-energy style, and with passion for the Catholic Faith and our Eucharistic Lord.


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Taken from: http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/life-changing-stories-of-the-eucharist




Other Recommended Titles:How to Bring Fallen Away Catholics Back




How to Bring Fallen Away Catholics Back What is evangelization all about? What role does the Church expect ordinary Catholics to play in spreading the Catholic Faith? Dr. Scott Hahn, author and renowned theologian, challenges ?cradle? Catholics to witness to the Faith through everyday life. He presents proven and effective ways to touch those who have fallen away from the Church, even those with the most hardened of hearts.

This strengthened my belief in the Catholic Church and helped me feel proud and confident about defending our Faith through example. Ariel - Whiting, IN

Dr. Scott Hahn

Church Beliefs

Church Beliefs Retired L.A. Deputy Sheriff, and a former Police Olympic boxing champion and USA kickboxing champion Jesse Romero presents core Catholic beliefs and explains how the power and truth of the Catholic Faith lie within God's Word rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Church's creeds and Magisterial Teachings. His powerful and energetic style will strengthen your faith and love for the truth and the gift of the Catholic Church and equip you to share it with others.

A very inspiring CD! Jesse sets a wonderful example of how and why we all should be excited about Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Larry - Rochester Hills, MI

Jesse Romero

Seven Reasons to be Catholic

Seven Reasons to be Catholic Dr. Peter Kreeft is a world-renowned philosopher and best-selling author of over 35 books. Drawing from the treasured wisdom of such great spiritual thinkers as St. John of the Cross, Thomas Aquinas, C. S. Lewis, and Cardinal Newman, he helps us to understand why truth trumps everything! Listen as he clearly presents seven undisputable reasons why every person should indeed be Catholic.

This CD has re-started the spark I had lost! I am looking forward to listening to the other CDs I purchased! Bob - Fremont, OH

Dr. Peter Kreeft

Confession

Confession Based upon his proven and powerful parish mission presentation, Fr. Larry Richards' talk on Confession has become the #1 talk in North America dealing with one of the Catholic Faith's most misunderstood Sacraments. He is riveting, honest, very human, often touchingly gentle, and yes, even humorous, and provides listeners with hope for a closer, healing relationship with Jesus Christ.

I re-evaluated my entire way of living because it made me realize that I was not as close to God as I thought! Brandy - Arlington, VA

Fr. Larry Richards

15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering

15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering Suffering is a mystery we all face at some time in our lives. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual, it will test our faith. Internationally known speaker Jeff Cavins shares personal insights he gained through his own physical pain. He shows us how we can join our sufferings with those of Jesus on the cross, bringing renewed meaning to the suffering we experience in our lives.

Awesome! It reinforced what I knew and added some wisdom and understanding on suffering. I want to order 5-10 of these CDs to hand out to my family and friends. Mary - Freedom, WI

Jeff Cavins

The Healing Power of Confession

The Healing Power of Confession Dr. Scott Hahn presents the historical and biblical origins of the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). He provides an important guide for new Catholics, a source of renewal for "old hands", and a challenge to all of us to deepen our relationship with Christ through regular use of the Sacrament of Penance.



This is an outstanding talk on Confession that cuts to the heart of this great Sacrament of Mercy. Father Joseph - Baltic, CT

Dr. Scott Hahn

Becoming The-Best-Version-of-Yourself

Becoming The-Best-Version-of-Yourself Matthew Kelly possesses a powerful ability to combine the ageless tool of storytelling with a profound understanding of today's culture and the common yearnings of the human heart. He shows us how to see the challenges in our everyday lives in a new light. He will help elevate and energize you to pursue the highest values of the human spirit and become the best version of yourself.

OUTSTANDING!!! This timely presentation was filled with truth & presented in a way that was easy to identify with and understand. Anne - Youngstown, OH

Matthew Kelly

Pursuing Holiness - Lessons from St. Francis de Sales

Pursuing Holiness - Lessons from St. Francis de SalesRenowned speaker and author, Ralph Martin, presents the timeless teachings of St. Francis de Sales, bishop, Doctor of the Church, and famous 16th century author, in a way that provides profound wisdom for living in today?s world. Through the inspirations of this influential and well-known saint, we gain great insight into how sin affects our lives, our relationships, and our witness to the world. St. Francis de Sales equips us in our pursuit of holiness, enabling us to live the fervent, authentic Catholic life to which we are called.

This talk really focuses on the truths of the human condition and how avoiding love for sin comes from our deepening love for God. Aaron - Palm Bay, FL

Ralph Martin

Seven Deadly Sins - Seven Lively Virtues

Seven Deadly Sins - Seven Lively Virtues Join noted Professor of Theology and author, Fr. Robert Barron, in this revealing presentation as he sheds light on the Seven Deadly Sins - those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our relationship with God and others - and the antidote to them, the Seven Lively Virtues! Fr. Barron uses Dante's DIVINE COMEDY to expose these sinful patterns in our lives and show how they are effectively counteracted by the cultivation of virtue through the development of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This fascinating journey shows the path that God has designed to lead us to health, happiness and holiness.



Absolutely wonderful! I love how Fr. Barron gives practical ways to use the information he’s presenting. Nancy - Warroad, MN

Fr. Robert Barron

Praying the Rosary Like Never Before

Praying the Rosary Like Never Before Dr. Edward Sri is a nationally sought Catholic speaker who appears regularly on EWTN, and is a founding leader of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). In this discussion of his book The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights on Praying the Twenty Mysteries (Servant Books), Dr. Sri shares John Paul II's practical strategies for praying the Rosary better, so that you can encounter Jesus more deeply in prayer.


Awesome! Dr. Sri covers this subject in depth. I’ll need to listen to it two or three times to find all the golden nuggets hidden in this talk. Richard - Simi Valley, CA

Dr. Edward Sri




Wednesday, July 4, 2012

The So-Called 'God Particle'






'God particle' likely discovered





Boson could be 'missing cornerstone of particle physics'


CBC News Posted: Jul 4, 2012 4:21 AM ET Last Updated: Jul 4, 2012 5:56 PM ET


Physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful atom smasher, reported they have discovered what could be the ‘God particle’ – a subatomic particle that imparts mass to all matter in the universe. Here, director of the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) Rolf Heuer, second right, and Fabiola Gianotti, in red, who worked on the project, look on as scientists are informed of the discovery in Geneva on July 4, 2012. (Denis Balibouse/AP)



CERN scientists found the particle by smashing atoms together at incredibly high speeds inside the Large Hadron Collider, a multi-billion dollar piece of technology buried under the Switzerland-France border. This CERN-provided image shows a typical proton-proton collision, in yellow, and some of the new particles that result from it, such as photons (in red). (CERN/AP)



Since the Large Hadron Collider’s creation – seen here during construction in 2007 – scientists have hoped it could find the Higgs boson, the particle key to the Standard Model of physics. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty)



CERN scientists work in the control room that oversees high-speed particle collisions in 2008. CERN described the new sub-atomic particle a boson but stopped short of confirming it is the Higgs boson. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty)



‘As a layman, I think we did it … we have observed a new particle that is consistent with a Higgs boson,’ CERN director Rolf Heuer said on July 4. (Sean Gallup/Getty)



A CERN scientist keeps an eye on several computer screens during a 2010 experiment. Data discerned from the boson discovery will be shared and evaluated by scientists around the world. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty)



The collider’s magnetic core is installed in 2007. The Large Hadron Collider uses super-cooled magnets to launch particles at nearly the speed of light around a 27-kilometre long circuit until they collide. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty)



After several mechanical failures following it 2008 launch, the Large Hadron Collider has been producing valuable data since 2010. Here, a technician assembles computers to monitor the collider’s results in 2008. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty)



Here, a piece of technology required for ATLAS is lowered into the collider in 2008. Several collaborative experiments involving thousands of scientists are ongoing at the Large Hadron Collider site, including the ATLAS study. Some of ATLAS’s July 4 findings will be sent to Canadian universities for further study. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)



After the initial buzz about the boson dies down, scientists will get down to analysing whether the new particle spotted really is the Higgs boson, a process that could take years. If verified, the discovery could lead to new searches for more hypothetical particles, such as the graviton, which some physicians believe controls gravity. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)



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Taken from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/04/higgs-boson-god-particle-discovery.html




Question: "What is the God particle?"



Answer: The "God particle" is the nickname of a subatomic particle called the Higgs boson. In layman’s terms, different subatomic particles are responsible for giving matter different properties. One of the most mysterious and important properties is mass. Some particles, like protons and neutrons, have mass. Others, like photons, do not. The Higgs boson, or “God particle,” is believed to be the particle which gives mass to matter. The “God particle” nickname grew out of the long, drawn-out struggles of physicists to find this elusive piece of the cosmic puzzle. What follows is a very brief, very simplified explanation of how the Higgs boson fits into modern physics, and how science is attempting to study it.



The “standard model” of particle physics is a system that attempts to describe the forces, components, and reactions of the basic particles that make up matter. It not only deals with atoms and their components, but the pieces that compose some subatomic particles. This model does have some major gaps, including gravity, and some experimental contradictions. The standard model is still a very good method of understanding particle physics, and it continues to improve. The model predicts that there are certain elementary particles even smaller than protons and neutrons. As of the date of this writing, the only particle predicted by the model which has not been experimentally verified is the “Higgs boson,” jokingly referred to as the “God particle.”



Each of the subatomic particles contributes to the forces that cause all matter interactions. One of the most important, but least understood, aspects of matter is mass. Science is not entirely sure why some particles seem mass-less, like photons, and others are “massive.” The standard model predicts that there is an elementary particle, the Higgs boson, which would produce the effect of mass. Confirmation of the Higgs boson would be a major milestone in our understanding of physics.



The “God particle” nickname actually arose when the book The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question? by Leon Lederman was published. Since then, it’s taken on a life of its own, in part because of the monumental questions about matter that the God particle might be able to answer. The man who first proposed the Higgs boson’s existence, Peter Higgs, isn’t all that amused by the nickname “God particle,” as he’s an avowed atheist. All the same, there isn’t really any religious intention behind the nickname.



Currently, efforts are under way to confirm the Higgs boson using the Large Hadron Collider, a particle accelerator in Switzerland, which should be able to confirm or refute the existence of the God particle. As with any scientific discovery, God’s amazing creation becomes more and more impressive as we learn more about it. Either result—that the Higgs boson exists, or does not exist—represents a step forward in human knowledge and another step forward in our appreciation of God’s awe-inspiring universe. Whether or not there is a “God particle,” we know this about Christ: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible . . . all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).



Recommended Resource: The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism by Philip Johnson.



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Taken from: http://www.gotquestions.org/God-particle.html