Miracles are defined as events and phenomena not explainable by natural and scientific laws. They are rife throughout history, and even in this current age, when everythings already been said and done, there are still many happenings that qualify as such. One of the most recent events of this kind is The Seton Miracles in the church of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, found in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Its saying much for modern society that its denizens have an unwavering partiality to the scientific method. Even when theyre not aware, every day is composed of questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, analyzing, and resolving certain happenings and phenomena. With this newfangled method, certain events which used to be unexplainable have been disproved and debunked.
Which is why when something non scientific, illogical and yet genuine occurs, everyone loses their heads in a flurry of bewilderment. The nonbelievers may sneer and scoff as much as they want to, but if its seemingly a true blue and real deal thing, theres probably that niggling doubt at the back of their minds wondering whether or not they should already repent and light votive candles for their souls.
Until, of course, when you see such happenings with your own eyes. As it is, many kinds of miracles are documented all throughout history, in all major religions. Perhaps none has a richer and more well documented history than that of the Catholic Church. However, not all of them are given the credit which believers think theyre due.
Such is the thing with the Seton phenomenon. Sometime in the nineteen nineties, in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, a certain priest in the name of James Bruse began to acquire wounds corresponding to the wounds of Christ during his Passion. These are called stigmata, and they are regarded with religious significance by Christians.
These are all miraculous, without a doubt. And all happened with the presence of thousands of observers and witnesses. Unless these plethora of people are suffering from mass delusions and hysteria, there is totally no need to moot this over.
Unnerving all by themselves, but the story doesnt end there. The statues also supposedly changed facial expressions and rosaries changed their colors. Many conversions and healings were also actuated through prayers and intercessions.
Thats not to establish that the church does not recognize these events per se. Its just that they tend to be circumspect about definitively identifying these kinds of happenings. Usually, the Catholic church is galvanized if these reported sightings and miracles impart some kind of message. The series of events at Seton, however, declare no such messages, and therefore no ecclesial declaration was released. In the last century, as a point of fact, tens of thousands of sightings, visions, and healings were reported, attributing themselves to the Virgin Mary. However, only about seven were certified by the Church. That goes to show how circumspect the institution is in this quite sensitive topic.
Anyway, this phenomenon has had its repercussions on people who have heard about it or witnessed it. It has enabled them to keep a more open mind and has encouraged the spirit of inquiry and critical thinking. Moreover, it has given the well meaning believers some food for the soul.
Its saying much for modern society that its denizens have an unwavering partiality to the scientific method. Even when theyre not aware, every day is composed of questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, analyzing, and resolving certain happenings and phenomena. With this newfangled method, certain events which used to be unexplainable have been disproved and debunked.
Which is why when something non scientific, illogical and yet genuine occurs, everyone loses their heads in a flurry of bewilderment. The nonbelievers may sneer and scoff as much as they want to, but if its seemingly a true blue and real deal thing, theres probably that niggling doubt at the back of their minds wondering whether or not they should already repent and light votive candles for their souls.
Until, of course, when you see such happenings with your own eyes. As it is, many kinds of miracles are documented all throughout history, in all major religions. Perhaps none has a richer and more well documented history than that of the Catholic Church. However, not all of them are given the credit which believers think theyre due.
Such is the thing with the Seton phenomenon. Sometime in the nineteen nineties, in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, a certain priest in the name of James Bruse began to acquire wounds corresponding to the wounds of Christ during his Passion. These are called stigmata, and they are regarded with religious significance by Christians.
These are all miraculous, without a doubt. And all happened with the presence of thousands of observers and witnesses. Unless these plethora of people are suffering from mass delusions and hysteria, there is totally no need to moot this over.
Unnerving all by themselves, but the story doesnt end there. The statues also supposedly changed facial expressions and rosaries changed their colors. Many conversions and healings were also actuated through prayers and intercessions.
Thats not to establish that the church does not recognize these events per se. Its just that they tend to be circumspect about definitively identifying these kinds of happenings. Usually, the Catholic church is galvanized if these reported sightings and miracles impart some kind of message. The series of events at Seton, however, declare no such messages, and therefore no ecclesial declaration was released. In the last century, as a point of fact, tens of thousands of sightings, visions, and healings were reported, attributing themselves to the Virgin Mary. However, only about seven were certified by the Church. That goes to show how circumspect the institution is in this quite sensitive topic.
Anyway, this phenomenon has had its repercussions on people who have heard about it or witnessed it. It has enabled them to keep a more open mind and has encouraged the spirit of inquiry and critical thinking. Moreover, it has given the well meaning believers some food for the soul.
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