Holy Land with Michael H. Brown
In a new book by Marian theologian Mark Miravalle of Ohio, the special and growing role of Saint Joseph is outlined as the “third heart” intervening at a critical time in human history.
The involvement of Joseph — in alleged apparitions at Itaparinga, Brazil that have met with a degree of diocesan (though not final full) approval — follows a train of similar private revelations which in America included the reputed apparitions to a nun in Fostoria, Ohio, who also bore messages to do with the quiet father of Jesus.
The book, The Three Hearts: Church-Approved Apparitions from the Amazon Jungle, focuses on missives from two seers — son and his mother — reported from 1994 to the present (though only those through 1998 were commented upon in a positive way by a bishop, Carillo Gritti). A “cult of worship” at the apparition site has long been allowed.
“At the foot of the cross we meet Mary … and she is the Queen of Peace who appeared, who was manifested here, because peace comes from God alone,” he said (according to the apparition’s website) in 2005.
We long ago reported on these apparitions, but it’s Dr. Miravalle’s fresh perspective and thesis that “the message of Itaparinga opens a new and resplendent chapter in the history of authentic private revelation concerning the truth about the Virginal Father of Jesus, the pure chaste Spouse of Mary, and the spiritual father of all humanity.”
Whatever the veracity of apparitions since 1998, it is, it seems, Saint Joseph’s time.
On March 1, 1998, Saint Joseph was quoted as telling one of the two seers, Edson Glauber, “My dear son, Our Lord God has sent me to tell you about all the graces the faithful will receive from my Most Chaste Heart which Jesus and my blessed spouse wish to be honored. I am Saint Joseph and my name means ‘God will grow,’ because I grew every day in Grace and Divine virtues.
“Through devotion to my Chaste Heart many souls will be saved from the hands of the devil,” he supposedly said. “God Our Lord has allowed for me to reveal to you the promises of my heart. Just as I am fair and righteous in the sight of God, all who have devotion to my heart will also be chaste, righteous, and holy in His sight.
“I will fill you with these graces and virtues, making you grow every day on the road to holiness.
They were not — it is asserted — mere intrapersonal words but from outright full-fledged alleged apparitions of Mary’s spouse.
And Saint Joseph is, supposedly, quite vocal and powerful — unlike his silent role at places such as Knock and Fatima.
At Itaparinga and elsewhere where Glauber has claimed apparitions, the saint not only has spoken but issued (for our cautious discernment) stern warnings about the future.
A previous prelate, Bishop Jorge Eduardo Marskell, S.F.M. of Itacoatiara, remained at a distance from the reported healings and other spiritual fruits and apparently was disinclined toward the apparitions, according to the late famous Mariologist, Monsignor Rene Laurentin (Dictionary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary page 950).
Since Monsignor Laurentin’s death earlier this year, Dr. Miravalle has arguably assumed the title of most prominent Mariologist in regards to ongoing mysticism.
We remain cautious but open at this juncture. Inquiries to the bishop’s office have not as yet met with successful response.
“My beloved son, listen and make it known to all men, what God has permitted me to reveal to you,” said Joseph. “My beloved son, how sin spreads in such a strong way! Men let themselves be led by the most insidious wiles of the devil. The enemy of salvation wants to destroy all men so that, in this way, all will be lost. He is envious and hates the entire human race.
“Satan desires to destroy the image of God present in each creature through the virtue of purity]. And it is because of this that God asks all humanity to have devotion to my Chaste Heart.”
At one point — it was asserted — Jesus and Our Lady showed their Hearts and pointed to St. Joseph’s, which materialized with twelve white lilies around it and inside, a Cross, and an “M” for Mary, engraved in the form of a wound.
The lilies represent purity and sacredness, and also the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The wound indicated how Joseph had shared in the sorrows of Jesus and Mary.
Television and salacious fashions were severely and repeatedly denounced at the apparitions, during which it was also said how each Hail Mary is a “hard blow against Satan.”
It was on January 31, 2010, that the late Bishop Gritti of the Prelature of Itacoatiara issued the “decree of worship” favoring the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary and Peace and authorized pilgrimages of the apparitions as presented in the years 1994 to 1998.
“This Decree of Worship,” said Bishop Carillo, “aims to foster the spiritual life of the people of God who are here to honor the apparitions of Our Lady that gave rise to this devotion in this place.”
However, there is no final pastoral letter on the apparitions; the investigation continues.
Said Mary (during the 1994-to-1998 time period): “I am very worried about what is going to happen to the world if you do not pray with faith and love in your hearts.”
We of course have encountered the same warning — the same clarion call — time and again, in many places. The question is how many have likewise heard it.
[resources: The Three Hearts: Apparitions in the Amazon; please allow up to two weeks for delivery]
[Please pray and fast before attending an event with any reputed seer]
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