Posted on 03/16/2015 1:40:04 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
I was recently given a fascinating little book called American History You Never Learned; it contains much information showing that the discovery of the New World, and the founding of our nation, occurred within a direct context of divine guidance and blessing. In particular, Our Lady (who, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is still today our national patroness) played an important role in the establishment of the United States.
For instance: 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.).
Christopher Columbus dedicated his voyage of discovery to Mary, changing the name of his flagship from Gallega to Santa Maria, and led the crews of all three vessels in hymns to Our Lady each evening. Upon discovering the island of San Salvador (named after the Savior), Columbus and his men went ashore and sang the Salve Regina in Our Lady’s honor; they taught the natives there the Ave Maria (“Hail Mary”) and other Catholic prayers.
Columbus’ three ships were named the Santa Maria (“Saint Mary”), the Pinta (“Paint”), and Nina (“Girl”)–which, put together in a sentence, reads “Holy Mary paints girl.” This refers to the miraculous event which occurred 49 years later, when Mary “painted” an image of herself as a young Indian maiden on St. Juan Diego’s tilma, or cloak—a scientifically-inexplicable image of Our Lady of Guadalupe which still exists in all its beauty today, and which prompted the conversion of nine million Mexican Indians to Catholicism in just one decade’s time.
The French explorer Fr. Jacques Marquette named the greatest river in North America the “River of the Immaculate Conception” (though its name was later changed to the Mississippi). The Spanish and French introduced Catholicism to many Native Americans, but the One True Faith wasn’t welcome in the English colonies. Catholic settlers established themselves in Maryland (the first colony to allow freedom of religion); they were able to name their colony after Our Lady only because they claimed to be honoring the English Queen Henrietta Maria.
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 of the American Revolution, appearing to him at his headquarters in Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-78. He later described her as a “woman of singular beauty,” and related how she said, “Son of the Republic, look and learn!” In the vision of the future he was then given, Washington saw the colonies take root and thrive, only to be fiercely attacked and dreadfully scourged on three different occasions—the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and a future conflict (World War III?) still to take place.
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? The answer to these questions is obviously a negative one—and so you and I are called to pray, fast, and sacrifice for the moral and spiritual renewal of the United States, and for the mitigation or prevention of any future war involving our country (a very appropriate theme for the remainder of Lent). America is still very dear to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart; our Heavenly Mother will gladly obtain her Son’s blessing and protection for our homeland, if only enough of us humbly beseech her for this grace.
Reverend Joseph M. Esper is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Anchorville, Michigan. He is the author of numerous books, including Saintly Solutions, More Saintly Solutions, After the Darkness, Lessons from the Lives of the Saints, and Why Is God Punishing Me? In addition to Amazon, many of his most recent books are available through Queenship Publishing. This article was first published on Catholic Journal.
Alahawahoo Akqubar!
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.
Amen! Nothing and no one should be put on the throne of our hearts and minds.
Remember, these are Catholics we are talking about here. To them, it’s not “fake”, it’s “tradition”.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Do you have any credible citations?
LOL check post 1 and 2.
It’s already started.
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.
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
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.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:
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
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.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.
(Galatians 1:8-9)
My thoughts exactly as I read through that.
The Kensington Runestone was long ago exposed as a hoax.
Amen bro.
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