St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), an Italian Capuchin friar, was renowned for his extraordinary spiritual gifts: the stigmata, miraculous healings, and most famously — bilocation (being present in two places at once). Witnesses from all over the world claimed to have seen Padre Pio even though he never physically left his monastery in San…
In 1224, while praying and fasting on Mount La Verna in Italy, St. Francis of Assisi experienced a vision of a seraphic angel bearing the image of the Crucified Christ. As the vision faded, Francis felt an intense, burning love and pain. When he looked at his hands, feet, and side, he discovered the stigmata…
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Loretto Chapel was built in the late 19th century. The nuns of the chapel realized too late that there was no staircase to reach the choir loft. Carpenters told them that the only way would be to use a ladder, since the space was too small for a staircase….
For centuries, on Holy Saturday in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gather to witness the ancient miracle of the Holy Fire. The Orthodox Patriarch enters the tomb of Christ in the sepulchre, carrying no matches or fire. After fervent prayer, a mysterious blue flame is said to appear spontaneously…
In the 13th century, St. Anthony of Padua, great preacher and Franciscan saint, wanted to prove the truth of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist to a stubborn nobleman who mocked the Catholic faith. Anthony challenged the man to bring his mule — but to starve it for three days. On the appointed…
In the year 358 AD, during the pontificate of Pope Liberius, a wealthy Roman couple prayed to the Virgin Mary, asking for guidance on how to dedicate their fortune in her honor. That night, both the couple and the Pope had a vision of Mary, who told them to build a church on the spot…
In 1240, the army of Emperor Frederick II attacked the town of Assisi. The soldiers reached the convent of San Damiano, where St. Clare of Assisi and her sisters lived in prayer. As the invaders prepared to break in, Clare, who was sick and weak at the time, asked to be carried to the chapel….
In the small church of St. Peter in Limpias, Spain, there is a crucifix known as the “Holy Christ of the Agony”. In 1919, during a Good Friday service, many worshippers suddenly reported that the figure of Christ on the cross appeared to come alive. His eyes opened and moved, His lips trembled as if…
Since the 4th century, in Naples, the relics of St. Januarius (San Gennaro) — bishop and martyr — have been venerated. In a sealed glass vial is preserved his dried blood. Three times a year, during solemn ceremonies in Naples Cathedral, the blood miraculously liquefies, bubbling and turning from solid to liquid before the eyes…
St. Joseph of Cupertino, an Italian Franciscan friar (1603–1663), is known as the “flying saint”. He was a simple and humble man, mocked in his youth for being slow to learn. However, he had an extraordinary mystical gift: during prayer and Mass, he would often levitate into the air, overcome by ecstasy in the presence…