Today's Wisdom

Those who do not pass from the experience of the cross to the truth of the resurrection condemn themselves to despair! For we cannot encounter God without first crucifying our narrow notions of a god who reflects only our own understanding of omnipotence and power
Pope Francis

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Phenomenon of Soufanieh

In the past two weeks we watched the 25th anniversary movie of the Soufanieh movement. Myrna Al-Akhras Nazzour, a Melkite Catholic in Syria got married to an Orthodox Christian in 1982. In the same year her life changed. Oil poured from her hands and body and she claims to have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our Lord at different times, and claims too to have had the stigmata, the wounds of which were watched by many people, especially in the Holy Week when both Catholics and Orthodox celebrate Easter together. Myrna visited our parish in Toronto in 2002 to a throng of believers. After a short prayer the oil poured from her hand and she blessed the attendees with it on their foreheads. She has now followers in the Middle East, France, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. Many sick people were healed through her ministry. Myrna’s mission, through letters, she says, are dictated to her by Christ and his mother, appears to be the unity of Christians through repentance. When we are celebrating Father's Day today it is fitting to remember Myrna’s message. If fathers are considered heads of their families, then the feast is the Family's Day. This is exactly what Myrna is about regardless of any supernatural phenomenon. She invites the family to be one, and when the family is one united, then it is a domestic church. It becomes a cell of the Church. How we can tell whether this is theologically sound, we will have to wait until Rome speaks. But a little guide may be helpful. Yes, it is helpful to note Myrna's true humility and humble yet beautiful thought. She is supported by many bishops including the former Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, who saw her unexplained phenomenon. Her call for unity is coming at a time when the Church has been seeking for decades, since Vatican II, to open up to the Christian "separated brethren", to cooperation with other religions and even to atheists who have the good will. It is also helpful to note that the movie features sincere people such as the late Fr. Maalouli and Fr. Zahlawi, together with Fr. Adel Theodore Khoury, the great Melkite theologian whose writings were quoted by the Pope in Regensburg two years ago. And this squarely puts the whole story in a Melkite perspective. The Melkite Catholic Church is the Church that is called here to be the bridge for Christian unity, particularly with the Orthodox Churches...Indeed for the unity of all humans. References: www.soufanieh.com

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for your wonderful perspective on the Soufanieh phenomenon and the call to unity.
    When finally recognized, it will probably become one of the most remarkable of supernatural visitations in modern times, as attested by many signs:
    1. The numerous occurances of the exudation of oil, even in the presence of high church dignitaries (patriarchs, bishops, Apostolic Nuncios), in various cities.
    2. Myrna's obedience to the Church. She refuses to travel to any city or ecclesiastical jurisdiction without the necessary invitation by the local bishop.
    3. No monetary donations are accepted. All distributions are gratuitous.
    4. Various cures have been medically investigated and reported.
    5. The occurance of Stigmata has been publicly witnessed, as well as subjected to scientific testing. The phenomenon (of the opening and closure of the wounds) remains inexplicable.
    6. Myrna's home, now known as "The House of the Virgin", remains to this day always open for prayers, without anyone being questioned about his or her religious background or motives. This atmosphere of constant prayerfulness is by itself a great sign.
    A word about the Icon: The exudation of oil from the small replica of the Holy Icon of "The Virgin of Kazan" first occured on a November 27, coinciding with the anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Saint Cathérine Labouré in 1830 at Rue du Bac in Paris. The history of the Icon of Kazan is remarkable. It was said that since he received it in his private chapel, Pope John Paul II prayed before and venerated that Icon every day, until Rome returned it in a glorious ceremony to the Patriarchate of Moscow. That beautiful documentary (also showing the Pope's veneration of the Icon) can be viewed at:
    http://www.soufanieh.com/MULTIMEDIA/20070701.rus.eng.a.holy.treasure.rediscovered.wmv

    God bless,
    Shaker Farhat

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