How the Virgin Mary Blessed the United States

http://www.aleteia.org ^ | March 13, 2015 | Fr. Joseph Esper

[Candor7]

Alahawahoo Akqubar!

[FredZarguna]

Washington did not have any such vision at Valley Forge.This is a hoax, and has been known to be hoax for over a century.

The soldier, Anthony Sherman, who wrote the original story claimed to be a first hand witness of the event. He could not have been: He was under Benedict Arnold's command in Saratoga at the time and did not join Washington's command until long after Valley Forge.

There is no 18^th century corroboration of such a story, and there is no record that Washington ever wrote, spoke, or intimated to anyone publicly or privately about this so called "vision."

It is a complete fabrication.

[huldah1776]

Amen! Nothing and no one should be put on the throne of our hearts and minds.

[Boogieman]

Remember, these are Catholics we are talking about here. To them, it’s not “fake”, it’s “tradition”.

[Slyfox]

I read something interesting in Washington's account at Valley Forge. After that very hard winter which had him in near despair, he wrote a letter to Thomas Nelson and mentioned that when his "commission was up it would be time enough for me to turn preacher."

Something momentous happened to him during that winter that he felt caused him to want to change the course of his life in a spiritual way.

[Syncro]

Mary has become the central figure/person/spirit representing Catholicism.

She is co-redemptor with Jesus, she suffered along with Him when he was on the cross.

[FredZarguna]

Please be serious.

Washington did not have any such change in the course of his life. He was a steady Anglican and later Episcopalian, and there is no evidence whatsoever that either his religious philosophy or public position changed at any time throughout his life.

If he saw this "vision" it left so little effect on him that he changed neither the routine nor practice of his worship; not even a single iota. He was so little moved by it that there is no record that he even so much as hinted at it to another living soul.

The story is a hoax, and its author was a liar.

[Syncro]

Mary gas promised to protect the United States if the Bishops do only one thing....in fact, 9-11 may not have happened if this had been done.

And if she had been enshrined in Germany during World War II (Hitler was a Catholic) Germany and Japan would have won WWII.

Wasn't she enshrined in the Lindbergh's home when their baby was kidnapped?

9-11 may not have happened if this had been done.

Not only that, if it was done decades and decades ago there would be no abortions, no racism, no hate crimes and a myriad of other things.

All through the mighty Power of Mary.

If only Jesus had that power!

[tbpiper]

It’s believed Our Lady’s intervention may have saved the life of General George Washington on several occasions... it’s also recorded that she encouraged him at the most trying time

Do you have any credible citations?

[Syncro]

LOL check post 1 and 2.

It’s already started.

[Slyfox]

Please read what I wrote one more time. I said nothing about a vision, I merely gave you some evidence from Washington’s own writings. You can look it up yourself.

[NKP_Vet]

http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/97/Letter_from_George_Washington_to_the_Roman_Catholics_in_the_U_1.html

One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens.

While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead of anticipating, the benefits of the general government, you will do me the justice to believe, that your testimony of the increase of the public prosperity, enhances the pleasure which I should otherwise have experienced from your affectionate address.

I feel that my conduct, in war and in peace, has met with more general approbation than could reasonably have been expected and I find myself disposed to consider that fortunate circumstance, in a great degree, resulting from the able support and extraordinary candour of my fellow-citizens of all denominations.

And I presume that your fellow-citizens will not forget the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment of their Revolution, and the establishment of their government; or the important assistance which they received from a nation in which the Roman Catholic faith is professed

The prospect of national prosperity now before us is truly animating, and ought to excite the exertions of all good men to establish and secure the happiness of their country, in the permanent duration of its freedom and independence. America, under the smiles of a Divine Providence, the protection of a good government, and the cultivation of manners, morals, and piety, cannot fail of attaining an uncommon degree of eminence, in literature, commerce, agriculture, improvements at home and respectability abroad.

As mankind become more liberal they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protection of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations in examples of justice and liberality. And I presume that your fellow-citizens will not forget the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment of their Revolution, and the establishment of their government; or the important assistance which they received from a nation in which the Roman Catholic faith is professed.

I thank you, gentlemen, for your kind concern for me. While my life and my health shall continue, in whatever situation I may be, it shall be my constant endeavour to justify the favourable sentiments which you are pleased to express of my conduct. And may the members of your society in America, animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and still conducting themselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity.

G. Washington

[Springfield Reformer]

Washington did not have any such vision at Valley Forge.This is a hoax, and has been known to be hoax for over a century.
The soldier, Anthony Sherman, who wrote the original story claimed to be a first hand witness of the event. He could not have been: He was under Benedict Arnold's command in Saratoga at the time and did not join Washington's command until long after Valley Forge.

There is no 18th century corroboration of such a story, and there is no record that Washington ever wrote, spoke, or intimated to anyone publicly or privately about this so called "vision."

It is a complete fabrication.

Indeed.  You appear to be correct.  See here for a full and revealing discussion:

http://boston1775.blogspot.com/2006/12/truth-of-washingtons-vision.html

Furthermore, the writer of this thread's original post has gone beyond even what the hoax presented, in suggesting the woman of the vision was Mary.  In the story as it appeared in the original pamphlet, she is simply a beautiful woman.  That's not a bad thing, of course, but it hardly proves identity.  Many of the ancient deities are female, and all of them are false gods.  

In fact, even if a purportedly supernatural apparition claims to be Mary, how would one verify that claim?  Ask the apparition?  That wouldn't work.  In the last days we have been warned there will be signs and lying wonders:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Satan's endgame is to deceive as many souls as he can, to hurt or destroy as many believers as he can.  It is a great foolishness to enter such a time as this without being fully armed, both for offense, and for defense.  Offense, in that we wield the sword of God's word in proclamation of the Gospel. Defense, in that we test the spirits, and maintain wariness against the enemy of our souls.  No angelic being can ever trump the good old fashioned truths of Scripture:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9)

So getting the Gospel right is way more important than paying any heed to luminous persons in the sky.  I have no doubt that the single worst thing we could do to seek God's blessing on this nation is to tempt God, as a nation, by raising yet another idol in our midst.  Calling it a shrine does not lessen the offense.  There is only one God for us to worship, and the only shrine he requires is that we worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Peace,

SR

[CynicalBear]

>>And they claim they don't worship Mary......<<

My thoughts exactly as I read through that.

[NRx]

This looks like very weird pious mythology. Especially the George Washington claims which are just silly.

"Has the United States remained true to its founding ideals? In particular, are Jesus and His Mother afforded a place of honor in our nation’s culture, politics, and economy?"

Since those ideals and values are thoroughly Protestant and Masonic I cannot imagine why Catholics would be losing sleep on that point. Really, this article is just bizarre from beginning to end. I can't speak for what Romans believe, but it's enough to make this Orthodox Christian cringe.

[Salvation]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3268542/posts?page=5#5

Read these again.

[Salvation]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3268542/posts?page=5#5

Read these again.

[Fiji Hill]

The earliest explorers of North America—sent by the Catholic king of Norway in the 14th century—left behind a carving in modern-day Minnesota in what became known as the Kensington Stone. Dated 1362, it read: “Hail Virgin Mary; save us from evil” (making it the oldest historical record found in the U. S.).

The Kensington Runestone was long ago exposed as a hoax.

[Salvation]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3268542/posts?page=5#5

Read these again.

[Mark17]

There is only one God for us to worship, and the only shrine he requires is that we worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Amen bro.