55th Anniversary of the First Apparitions of Our Lady of America

Mother of Mercy Chapel in Rome City where Our Lady of America first appeared (circa 1950).

Today is the 55th Anniversary of the first apparitions of Our Lady of America, on Sept. 25th and 26th of 1956. On the 26th, in the chapel at Sylvan Springs, in Rome City, IN., Mary appeared to Sr. Mildred Neuzil (Sr. Mary Ephrem) as Our Lady of America, and asked for the people of America to return to purity and peace. If we did this she promised more miracles than at Fatima and Lourdes combined. She identified herself as Our Lady of America (the only known apparition where Our Lady has ever referred to herself with any geographical location as part of her title). She stated that because of the love and devotion of the people of America to her and her Son Jesus she wished to be known as Our Lady of America.  Our Lady of America also warned that the time grows late and stated that she was coming to the U.S. as a last resort.

If we heed her messages and spread the devotion (and pray that the U.S. Bishops will enthrone a statue of her as Our Lady of America in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.),  America will lead many nations to peace. Please pray for the statue's enthronement and that everyone in the U.S. and afar will know of Our Lady of America and return to purity and peace! She also asked for a medal to be struck (which did occur and is available online), and taught Sr. this short prayer, "By Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception O Mary, deliver us from evil." 

God bless and thanks for your prayers that her requests are granted very quickly, and for spreading the news of this devotion to others!

For further information visit:  http://www.youtube.com/user/all4OLA#p/c/5D0BADC55D68EEAF/0/CLUX6hHer3Q

The Immaculate Conception and Connection to Our Lady of America

 The amazing history and providential roots of Our Lady of America and the Immaculate Conception, to the apparition site in Rome City, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. can be found here. 

What follows is my comment and prayer on this Feast of the Immaculate Conception:                                                                           

 J.M.J.

Thank you for this compelling insight into the unbreakable ties of Our Lady of America and her Immaculate Conception to Sylvan Springs and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.  It is no coincidence that two of Our Lady of America's most important requests would directly revolve around these two places ... the first in 1956 asking for a statue of her likeness as Our Lady of America to be enthroned by the Bishops of the U.S. and in 2001, when she asked one devotee to "Bring me my children, bring me all my children"  to Rome City.  I pray that all in heaven and on earth pray,  especially on this Feast Day, for the Bishops to be enlightened and act upon both of these important requests immediately, especially invoking the intercession of Our Lady of America,  St. Joseph, St. Michael, St. Bernadette,  Blessed Mary of Agreda and her namesake who lived and worked at the Springs,  the North American martyrs, Bishop Carrol,  Bishop Alerding,   Archbishop Noll,  Sr.Mildred,  Bishop Leibold,  Fr. Hoevel, AB Fulton J. Sheen, Pope John Paul II,  Padre Pio,  Maria Esperanza, and Frank Young,  among others too numerous to mention. I pray too that all those who are experiencing pain or suffering today offer it up as redemptive suffering for these prayer requests.

I find it so providential that this country was consecrated to the Immaculate Conception exactly 300 years after Columbus discovered America proclaiming it for Our Lady and sailing under her mantle of protection.  Providential too that Our Lady was named Patroness of the United States nearly two centuries before she appeared to Sr. Millie, and only 16 years after the birth of our nation!  On the Immaculate Virgin's  first visit to Sr. in Rome City, she referred to her favored state saying, "I am pleased my child, with the love and honor my children in America give to me,  especially through my glorious and unique privilege of the Immaculate Conception".  Over the next two days she appeared as and identified herself as, Our Lady of America with these words,  "I am the Immaculate One, Patroness of your land".  Nowhere else in the history of any apparition has Our Lady  identified herself  as Patroness of any land.  Others may have identified her by region or country,  but she has never  proclaimed it herself  except in this devotion.

Although countless miracles have occurred and continue to occur in Rome City,  I "wait in joyful hope" for the day that she is recognized in the Basilica in Washington D.C.,  as Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin, and the resulting miracles that she herself has promised would be more plentiful  "than Lourdes and Fatima" combined!  I pray too,  for the preservation of the apparition site in Rome City, so that  many more of her children can journey there and experience the gifts she is waiting to shower on her faithful children.

Happy Feast Day Dearest Mother...may you be known across our land and the world as Our Lady of America!  Thank you for all the blessings you have showered upon me and so many other pilgrims at the holy ground in Rome City!  Although the Basilica in Washington D.C. has many beautiful images of  you from apparitions all over the world, it seems unfortunate that our National Shrine has yet to enthrone the devotion specific to these United States, as you have requested -  Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin!  This devotion, which you yourself  have described as so important to the future of our country and of the entire world is long overdue!  

May the Holy Spirit inspire those who can bring this request to fruition.  And  "By Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception,  Deliver us from Evil!"

All for Jesus through Mary!  All for Our Lady of America!

REVIVAL OF YOUTH -  STARTING IN BOSTON 

OUR LADY'S TORCHBEARERS

From the internet version of the diary of Sr. Mildred, the following excerpt contains Our Lady of America's messages about our youth as Torchbearer's (see bold print below).

 Feb. 11, 1958 :

Our Lady made known to me that she is particularly interested in the youth of our nation. It is they
who are to be the leaders of this movement of renewal on the face of the earth. Their ranks will be
swelled by the youths of other nations whom Our Lady also calls to help in the accomplishment of this great renewal.
But the youth must be prepared, and this must be done by instilling into them, not only the knowledge of the Divine Indwelling, but a serious study of It, living It in such a way that the Divine Presence becomes, as it were, an intimate and necessary part of their life and daily living. From this will flow a great love, a conflagration that will envelop the world in the flames of Divine Charity. This is what Our Lady is working for, because this is the great desire of her Divine Son, and it is to the youth of America that she is holding out this challenge. 

St. Michael came to me one evening shortly after Our Lady's visit, holding an immense flaming torch. He held it towards me saying, “My little sister, you must carry this torch through the world."
He came again the next night in the same manner. The next day I was interiorly enlightened during Mass. It was made known to me that those, particularly the youth, who are willing wholeheartedly to follow Our Lady in her great battle against evil would bear the special title of "Torchbearers of the Queen." This torch, of course, is Divine Love, for it is Love alone that will conquer hate and all that hate brings with it.

Our Lady of America, in the notes from Sr. Mildred's diary above, speaks about the major role that the youth of America will spearhead. She directly mentions a renewal of the youth (Torchbearers of the Queen) to begin and flourish, thereby capturing the attention and camaraderie of youth throughout the world. It is this renewal by our youth that will lead all nations to peace. My friend Nancy, a huge proponent of the devotion of Our Lady of America and of the apparition site in Rome City, Indiana, is a native of Boston. She has worked in youth ministry for many years. Nancy says that this renewal (which Our Lady of America first spoke about in 1958, on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb.11th), is apparent and starting to flourish in Boston, as evidenced in the photos below, of a youth revival which happened last winter in Boston. The week long celebration of Praise and Adoration occurred throughout all regions in the Archdiocese of Boston, and culminated with Adoration at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross! Nancy envisions these type of events happening at the apparition site of Our Lady of America in Rome City! Youth ministers and youth groups throughout the nation are encouraged to begin planning  pilgrimages to the site in fulfillment of Our Lady's request, " Bring me my children, bring me all my children"  (to the apparition site in Rome City). For planning of events for the youth and groups of all ages, contact oltiv.org @ 260-854-3525 or email them at info@oltiv.org

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/ONE4Boston/112433745448371?ref=mf#!/album.php?aid=25628&id=112433745448371&page=4

The 54th Anniversary of Our Lady of America ! Is This the Year of Fulfillment?

 

This statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands in the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel in Rome City, IN. In this photo, taken February 23, 2006 during a private Holy Hour, there is a noticeable cloudy shroud to the statue's right.Is this the actual spot where Our Lady of America first presented herself to Sr. Mildred Ephrem Neuzil on September 26, 1956?

It was 54 years ago today that Our Lady appeared to Sr. Mildred as Our Lady of America for the first time, in the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel at Sylvan Springs in Rome City, Indiana.  Although it was the first appearance as Our Lady of America, it was the second time that Our Lady appeared to Sr. Mildred....just one evening before, Sr. Mildred saw Our Lady in the same chapel, but on the initial appearance, she came as Our Lady of Lourdes.This was the first of many times that Sr. would see Our Lady of America in Rome City. One of the most significant appearances would take place in a few short months. Our Lady of America would appear holding a model of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Our Lady held a competed model although it was not yet finished in 1956. She told Sr. Mildred that she desired that a statue of her likeness as Our Lady of America be enthroned by the Bishops of the United States in the Basilica under the title Our Lady of America the Immaculate Virgin. She also promised if her requests (including that the people of the U.S. return to purity) were heeded there would be "more miracles than at Fatima and Lourdes combined".

We were blessed to be present in Rome City last year during the 53rd Anniversary of Our Lady of America's first appearance (note the orb to the right of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel).

Now, 54 years later, she is STILL waiting for the statue to be enthroned. The statue is just a few blocks away  in the John Paul II Cultural Center and could be mobilized at a moment's notice! The time grows late and our country is in dire need for Our Lady of America to be fully recognized in this manner. Please pray and spread the word of this important devotion. 

 

Our Country and the World Cannot Afford to Lose This Apparition Site

Story and picture with caption reprinted with permission from oltiv.org                                                                                                                                                                    

 
While there have been many amazing stories of healing and miracles in Rome City, this one is especially poignant. It was merely a comment on another post, but thankfully alert devotees brought it to the moderator's attention and it was reprinted. Every time we have visited this holy ground, there have been several visitors who just showed up - some were given interior messages to go, or drove by and felt pulled to stop.  Others just ended up there (through the working of the Holy Spirit). Many more lives have been saved (spiritually and physically)....this story simply acknowledges it.

                                              Click on this link to read the account: 

http://www.oltiv.org/2007/01/comment-of-week_20.html

This statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands waiting in the Our Lady Mother of Mercy Chapel in Rome City, IN. In this photo, taken February 23, 2006 during a private Holy Hour, there is a noticeable cloudy shroud to the statue's right.

Is this the actual spot where Our Lady of America first presented herself to Sr. Mildred Ephrem Neuzil on September 26, 1956

Especially with the current climate in America, we MUST save this place and bring Our Blessed Mother's children here as She has requested. Now is the time for a miracle....someone or some group must step forward and save this site before it is split into tracts and the attached property (including the black marble altar) is sold to the highest bidder! 

Please pray, fast and tell everyone you know of this urgent plea. May God bless you and May Our Lady of America be recognized. May Her requests for this holy place and for the enthronement of Her  statue in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception be fulfilled without further delay!

"By Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, Deliver Us From Evil" - prayer taught to Sr.     Mildred by Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin

'Fascinating Rome City' Site Goes on Auction Block - Urgent Help Needed!

With permission of  oltiv.org : This photo was sent to us by Dan who recently visited Sylvan Springs from the Chicago area. He captured a great moment with the Holy Family as the sun was spinning.

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100821/NEWS01/8210305

 Please click on the  link above for a newspaper article on the Rome City site of Our Lady of America.  Please forward to anyone who can help save this site.  This site is the "Lourdes" for the United States.  There have been hundreds of miracles and miraculous healings at this site through Mary's intercession under the title of Our Lady of America.  The local Bishop, Bishop Rhoades, had a meeting last month about the site.  In the meeting he accepted medical documentation of one miraculous healing at the site.  He has assigned a priest from his office to oversee the investigation.   If we do not act to save this site, the site will be sold before the Bishop finishes his investigation.  The site is set for Public Auction on Sept 10th and Sept 11th.  If you are able, please make a donation on the Web site.  Every dollar is desperately needed at this point or this Holy Apparition site of Mary will be sold on Sept 11th by public auction.We need to keep this very holy site for the Church so that the faithful can go there in their times of need to pray for physical and spiritual healing.  Please pray your hearts out that this site is saved from foreclosure prior to the Sept 10th sale date.  Calling all prayer warriors!!!!  We need this covered in much fervent prayer and prayer and fasting.  Also, please make a donation even if it is just one dollar.  If everyone we know donates what they can and tells everyone they knows to do the same we will be able to save this holy Apparition site of The Blessed Mother for all of us to go there to worship God.  Please, please, please help!  The web site is www.OlTIV.org .  click on the spot that says donations.  We are still working to raise funds/pledges to redeem the property and safeguard it in the hands of a Not- For- Profit (OLTIV) to be used as a retreat house and home for retired religious. If you know of someone willing to help in any capacity, please have them contact us immediately at 847-726-7520 or at info@oltiv.org

                      

                     

Urgent Appeal to Save the Apparition Site in Rome City

This note was written as an urgent appeal by my friend Nancy. It is reprinted with her permission and speaks to the emergent need for a person or persons to step forward and save Sylvan Springs in Rome City where Our Lady of America first appeared. It also includes a brief but thorough history of the apparition site. If you know anyone who might be able to support it with either finances or prayers, please forward this on to them.Thank you in advance and may God bless and Our Lady of America and this holy ground prosper!

Hi All,

I hope all of you are doing well. I am writing to request your urgent help with a very important situation regarding the Canonically approved Apparition Site of Our Blessed Mother here in the United States. The apparitions started in 1956 in Rome City, Indiana. The devotion has had the imprimatur of the local bishop since 1963, Archbishop Leibold. He also actively promoted the devotion. The Apparition site was bought in 2000 by Larry Young. Larry's mortgage was held by a private investor. Last year the private investor had a difficult year and in June 2009 the private investor called for the full payment of the mortgage which was at the time $1.55 Million Dollars. Larry did not have the money to pay off the investor. In July 2009 the apparition site went into foreclosure. In 2001 the replacement value from the insurance company was valued at $18 Million Dollars. This did not even include the 200 acres of land at the site. The true value of the site is about $20 Million Dollars, however it has gone into foreclosure for only $1.55 Million.



This is a very holy site. The site has Natural Springs. The waters have been scientifically tested against the holy water from Lourdes and found to be almost exact in mineral content. There have been hundreds of documented miraculous healings attributed to the holy water at this site through the intercession of Our Lady of America. One of the most recent healing is the healing of a 2 year old girl of a brain tumor. The details of this healing are posted on the web site for your review. WWW.OLTIV.Org. We need to save this site so that it is available for the faithful to go there to worship God. Think about all of the people who travel each year to Lourdes to worship God and pray for healing. Think of the thousands who have found comfort and healing at Lourdes. Imagine what a loss it would have been for all of us if Lourdes had been taken by foreclosure before it became know as a place of spiritual and physical healing. Such is the case with the apparition site of Our Lady of America in Rome City Indiana. It is a place of Spiritual and physical healing. It would be a tremendous loss to all of us if this site is sold through public auction.



We are running out of time to save this site. On July 2nd the bank will set the date in July that the site will be sold by public auction. We desperately need people to go on the web site and make donations to try to save this site. Every dollar counts. You can make a donation using "paypal" on the Website. WWW.OLTIV.ORG. On behalf of all the people who will travel to this site in the future seeking physical and spiritual healing I thank you for helping to save this very holy site. May God bless you and your family for your prayers and generosity. To follow below and as an attachment please find a brief history of the site for your review.



In Christ's love and peace,

Nancy Goggin

(781) 961-6555



Our Lady of America





A brief history of the Apparition Site in Rome City, Indiana



To follow you will find a brief history of the Apparition site of Our Lady of America in Rome City, Indiana and the devotion. You will also find links to four 10 min video presentations by Dr. Mark Miravalle's (Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH) on the importance of this apparition and the attending messages from Our Lady of America.





* Apparition started in 1956 At Rome City Indiana to a Precious Blood Nun, Sister Mary Ephrem



* Sr. Ephrem left Rome City to become a member of a contemplative branch of the congregation located at Our Lady of the Nativity Convent at New Riegel, OH



* 1963 Archbishop Paul F. Leibold, Archbishop of Cincinnati put his imprimatur on the devotion and actively promoted the devotion. Archbishop Leibold was the Spiritual Director of Sr. Ephrem. He was the local Bishop with authority to approve the Apparitions because the Mother home for the Precious Blood nuns was in the Cincinnati Diocese.



* in the 1970's the Precious Blood Nuns saw a decrease in vocations and needed to consolidate. They could no longer maintain the Rome City, Indiana Site. They hired a 3rd party to sell their properties. This 3rd party sold the Rome City Site to a Cult in 1976, The Way College International Cult. The Way College Cult had the Site till 2000 when Larry Young bought it.



* 1979 the Contemplative branch of Precious Blood was suppressed. Sister Mary Ephrem now used her baptismal name, Sister Mildred Neuzil.



* Apparitions continued till the death of Sr. Mildred Neuzil, January 10, 2000. Apparitions have full approval first from local Bishop, Archbishop Liebold in 1963 and then unanimously through the American Bishops in 2007 through the Canonical letter written May 31, 2007 to the American Bishops by Archbishop Raymond Burke.



* Larry Young bought the Apparition Site in July, 2000. A private investor held the mortgage. With the economic downturn, the private investor had a difficult financial year last year. In June of 2009 the private investor called for the full payment of the mortgage which was $1.55 Million Dollars. Larry did not have the $1.55 Million to pay back the investor. The Site went into foreclosure in July, 2009.



* In 2001 the insurance company's replacement value for the structures on the site was valued at $18 Million. This did not include the value of the 200 acres of land. The true value of site is approximately $20 Million. It has gone into foreclosure for only $1.55 Million.



* We are trying to save the site to have available as a place of worship for future pilgrims and as a place of youth evangelization and family ministry. Everyone can help to save this. Please go on web site and make a donation every dollar helps. WWW.OLTIV.ORG

.

*This is an urgent situation. We are running out of time. On July 2nd the court will set the date in July that the site will be sold by pubic auction. There is a New Age Cult that is trying to get the court to sell the site to them.



*contact information Web site: www.OLTIV.Org. owner of site: Larry Young: (847) 726-7520, Director of the Non Profit: Irvin Kolska, (574) 536-0504, Massachusetts contact for site: Nancy Goggin (781) 961-6555,

NFGoggin@AOL.Com



* These four links below will get you Dr. Mark Miravalle's (Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH) complete discussion on the importance of this apparition and the attending messages from Our Lady of America. It is a very good presentation.



http://airmaria.com/?sn=89&vp=8322&prefx=mcast&plyrnb=1&ttl=Marycast





http://airmaria.com/?sn=90&vp=8397&prefx=mcast&plyrnb=1&ttl=Marycast





http://airmaria.com/?sn=91&vp=8399&prefx=mcast&plyrnb=1&ttl=Marycast


http://www.catholic.org/video/?v=2971

Statue of Our Lady of America in the John Paul II Center in Washington D.C. (awaiting enthronement into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. - just 4 blocks away) as Our Lady requested in 1956.

Explanation of the church approved devotion next to the statue in the JP II Center.

The Miraculous Healing of Jordan Marie

 For the account of another miracle through the intercession of Our Lady of America, please check out this link:
http://www.oltiv.org/2010/06/miraculous-healing-of-jordan-marie.html

Baby Jordan's brain tumor is now totally gone after use of the healing water from the apparition site of Our Lady of America in Rome City! Praise God!!!

The Good Friday Miracle of 2010

In Rome City, Indiana on Good Friday 2007, at the apparition site of Our Lady of America (Sylvan Springs), the well that had been dormant since 1976 suddenly began gushing water. There have been many miracles since then that have been attributed to this water and the Good Friday Well. 

Once again this year on Good Friday another miracle occurred....and the testimony of that miracle follows. It is reprinted with permission of the woman who was healed. Though she lives in Michigan, she has been bringing groups to the apparition site in Rome City since October 2008....including many children and their families. She is truly fulfilling Our Lady of America's request to "Bring me my children, bring me all my children."

On April 2nd of this year, at the prompting of Karen F., a group of us decided to spend Good Friday at Sylvan Springs in Rome City, Indiana. We had all been there several times before and everyone was talking about how the well had once sprung on Good Friday in the year 2007. We all knew that something miraculous, either big or small, would happen that day. It always does in Rome City. The kids were as excited to go as the adults.



Before the trip I began praying that I would find peace there, that the daily worries of having DVT would subside. Peace is always found at Sylvan Springs but my request was for a deeper, lasting peace about my situation. Having been diagnosed with DVT 7 months prior, my concern has been for being here for my children and husband. Though the daily duties of life quickly take my mind off of it, always lingering in the back of my mind was the possibility of what could happen.


Upon arriving at the Springs, we had a picnic and prepared for the day. We then headed up to Holy Family Hill to pray the rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet. It was immediately peaceful up on the hill. The presence of Our Mother and her Son was intense. We all took our places and began. The sound of the lulls of the children's voices praying brought tears to my eyes. I wondered and hoped and prayed that we mothers were leaving an impressionable mark on our children's souls as they praised our Lord. I hoped that as they become adults that they will cling to their faith and not to the world and it's ways.


After the rosary we were all led in different directions to explore and experience the property. Nick was on sight to give the kids a tour. A few had brought friends that had not been to the Springs before. I went into the big chapel to pray. As I was kneeling, I was prompted to go and stand at the apparition site of Our Lady of America, near the statue of Mary. I offered my intentions, including prayers for my health.


As a few of us were walking up to the main building we saw a van and wondered who was there. I then heard a familiar voice, my cousin, Bobby Kloska, his wife, Margy, and their 5 children were there. It was a nice surprise to see them. Bobby has been very instrumental in my spiritual growth over the past few years. It was very comforting to be with them.


After our visit, I then went with a few others to fill up jugs of water. As we took them to the car, I filled up a cup I had with water and drank it and kind of jokingly to myself hoped to flush the blood clot away.


As our time of departure closed in, the moms had a nice conversation with Nick Chester and thanked him for his time that day. We then gathered up the kids and headed back to Michigan.


As always, many pictures were taken that day in Rome City. I have been blessed with many miraculous pictures in the past few years. That day, however, I just knew that they would not be. Unbeknown to me, another miracle was ensuing. Upon returning home, I sent the pictures that I had to Larry Young, the owner of the property. I promised him that I would send a report when I had a chance. Because of the business of my life, nearly a week had gone by and I still hadn't the chance to sit down and write it.


In the meantime, this past Tuesday, April 13th, I started experiencing a sharp pain in the leg where the DVT is present. About every 10 minutes it would come. So, the following day I called the doctor and went in. He sent me for a scan of my leg to check the status of the blood clot. Previously, on March 10th, I had had a scan and the blood clot was the same exact size it had been the previous September, even after 4 months of medication. I had been off medication for about 3 months at this point. During the scan, I asked the tech if the clot was still below my knee. Her response was that she was unable to see it. She then called in another tech to make sure. The 2nd tech looked at me and said, "It's gone. It's not there anymore." It took a minute to register and then immediately a peace came into my heart.


Later that day, I began wondering how on earth the clot was fully there one month ago but all of a sudden vanished. It then dawned on me that I had been to Rome City on Good Friday. It all started making sense. My trip to the ER in March produced a scan that showed the clot unchanged. The random pain in my leg earlier this week prompted me to go to the doctor for another scan. The 3 months off of my medication left no medical reason that the clot would just vanish. My inability to "get to" writing my report of the day was put on hold until now, now that I have something even more wonderful to report! Of course anything is possible, but the chances of the clot just vanishing like this are highly unlikely. Smaller or a scant remainder of it would be likely, but not a trace was found.


The peace that I found that day remains in my heart. Thank you, Mary, for drawing us to Rome City so that your Son, Jesus, could heal me. Praised be Jesus Christ!