2005 Letters

The Rosa Mystica Foundation of America does not affirm the personal account of spiritual events that appear in any letter submitted to the foundation.

The following letter was received on November 9th, 2005: I am writing this testimony to give witness to the power of prayer.

My brother was diagnosed with "B" cell, non hodgkin's lymphoma last December. For the past 11 months, he has been treating his condition with all natural rememdies, new age type procedures, and was totally against all western medicine, refusing chemo and radiation. My continual prayer was for his conversion and healing, mind body, and spirit. This too is my daily prayer during mass for all the sinners of the world.

My brother had four huge tumors on his right arm that continually bled and were growing ever bigger. He finally decided at the urging of his doctor to do radiation. Initially, they told him he needed 20 radiation treatments. Ultimately, he only received 10. His arm looks completely normal with the exception of some scarring. Which by the way, in two places is in the shape of a cross.

Fast forward to October 27, 2005. He was admitted to Bethdesda Naval Hospital in Maryland as he is a retired Colonel, USMC. He had a touch of pneumonia, cough, high fever, etc. I was due to leave on a pilgrimage to go to the Rosa Mystic Shrine in Edmeston, NY on 10/28. I was torn between going and staying home. I went to mass on the 27th. and received my answer to go. I know when Our Lady calls me, I need to go where she leads me to. So I went.

During the week leading up to me leaving, I had asked everyone I knew to pray for my brother. I sent out an SOS for prayer to Holy Love in Ohio, Seers 2-Joyce Lang's list, local prayer groups, my church, etc.

I arrived at Rosa Mystica on Friday evening. I met an 84 year old priest, Fr. Alan Cole, from PA there. I asked him to please pray for my brother as he was in the hospital. He did, as did all that were on the pilgrimage. He offered all the masses that weekend for my brother.

On the way back from the shrine to the hotel, we stopped for gas. As I am the only one of six who smoked, I got out of the car to have a cigarette. As I turned around to walk back to the car, I saw a car parked in the parking lot with a license plate and numbers 442 on it. This was my grandmother's home address. I knew she was telling me I immediately had to call home, something was wrong. So I called home. My mother was hysterical crying. She had just received the news. The doctors told my brother he had 7-10 days to live as the tumors were wrapped around his aorta. He also had a touch of pneumonia, his O2 saturation levels were dropping, his abdomen was filling with fluid, he had a fever of unknown origin, etc.

To my prayer was added a request that he receive the sacraments of the Catholic church if God was going to call him home and if that was God's will for him. He has been away from the Catholic church for many years, but does believe in Jesus Christ.

The following morning I was told he called for the chaplain as he did not sleep the night before. When I mentioned this to my mother, she said he also called a Catholic priest. He had received the annointing of the sick. I have not asked but believe and trust in Jesus Christ that he also went to confession. I leave that in God's most capable hands. I gave a witness talk on Saturday to the pilgrims regarding the above and asked they continue to pray.

While at the shrine, there was a raffle for three different prizes. I had purchased some tickets hoping to win the Rosa Mystica Statue for my brother. They did not announce on Saturday night who had won. Saturday night while laying in bed, I had said a prayer to Our Lady. I had asked her that if my brother was going to be healed to send me a sign . The sign being winning the statue. No one but Our Lady and I knew of my prayer. I asked Noreen, "Who won the raffle?", not telling her my prayer. She said, "someone from Long Island", (that's where I am from), had won one of the prizes and they would be called on Monday. I replied, "But I am here now, I am from Long Island." So off to her car she went to get the names. I didn't win. She then said to me, "You wanted to win the statue for your brother didn't you?" I simply replied, "Yes", then went downstairs for a cup of coffee with a friend. As I was sitting there, Noreen came over to me with a statue of Rosa Mystica and said, "Our Lady told me to give you this statue for your brother." I knew my prayers were going to be answered. I have a very deep relationship with Our Lady. She never fails me. I brought the statue to my brother along with a Benedictine cross I had put St. Raphael's healing oil on. Statue and cross were placed on the window sill facing my brother at all times.

So Sunday came, I came back to Long Island, unpacked and then repacked to fly down to Maryland the next morning with my mom. Before departing, I sent out another SOS for prayer for my brother.

They could not start the chemo because of the fever. Being an RN and having worked on the cancer unit about 12 years ago, I kept saying, "Are you sure it's not tumor fever as the cultures keep coming back negative?" Because by Tuesday, the clock kept ticking against that 7-10 day window. I knew they would not find the source of the fever. And they didn't. They finally agreed it was tumor fever and started the chemo on Tuesday. My brother had a severe reaction to the pre-meds. He went into the rigors. He kept calling upon Jesus. I prayed silently at his bedside. My mother's expression was one of what she was witnessing as being surreal. He came through the rigors after about a 45 minute period. He was able to receive the remainder of the other three chemos later that evening.

On Wednesday, my brother got married while lying in bed with an oxygen mask on. He was married by one of the hospital chaplains. His son and I were there. On the same day, my younger brother who has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, spoke to me for the first time in almost 2 years. I had called to speak to my dad who is his primary caregiver. My brother answered the phone. I asked him to please not hang up. A lengthy conversation followed in which he agreed to allow me to help him when necessary and to put all behind us and to move forward. I was jumping for joy as I ran to my brothers hospital room. I told him I could not give him a better wedding present than this miracle. I thanked him for allowing God to use him as an instrument of peace, because I also know that everthing happens for a reason. I wanted him to know that his suffering was not in vain, God was using this circumstances for good to come out of it.

By Thursday, his O2 saturation level was still plummeting. Normal levels are between 95-100. His were ranging between 79-81. That is dangerously low, compunded by the fluid in and around his lungs. They decided to give him 2 units of blood. He again called the chaplain to say a prayer before the blood was to be given at midnight. Again, Fr. John came. He, my brother, and I said a prayer together as my mom prayed silently on the couch. I added this to Fr. John's prayer," Dear Blessed Mother, I ask you to please send forth the most precious blood of your dearly beloved son Our Lord Jesus Christ. Please let the blood my brother is about to receive be the instrument to allow Jesus's most Precious Blood flow into every cell of his being to heal him, because Jesus is the Divine Healer , Amen" I remained at the hospital the entire night, comforting him, reassuring him, helping his nurse, praying, etc. He finally fell asleep at 4:20 am.

By Friday, he was doing a lot better. He was able to walk around his room, the cancer unit and downstairs outside, he no longer needed the oxygen mask, his O2 saturation level was between 96-98, he no longer had a fever, the fluid in and around his lungs was starting to reduce as was the fluid in his abdomen, the tumors on his neck were no longer visible. The MRI showed the tumor under his eye socket was gone and there wasn't any mets to his brain. The tumor in his chest was gone. His appetite was improving and was his spirits.

Saturday night, the Marine Corp Chaplain stopped by to see him. He is Baptist. They had a lengthy conversation according to my brother. But this is what touched my brother deeply:
The Chaplain told my brother "God was preparing his army and my brother was part of it."
I knew he was talking of the remnant faithful of which I had spoken about to my brother many times.

My mom and I said our goodbyes to my brother on Sunday night as we were due to return home on Monday. You see, so was my brother. He was discharged from the hospital on the same day we were leaving. God's timing is not our timing. He planned it all perfectly.

My brother is expected to go into remission with each subsequent chemo treatment. Please continue to pray for him.

There are many angels we had met along the way this past week. Many who were prayer warriors on the home front and through the internet. Many who prayed with hearfelt prayers, spent time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, offered masses and rosaries. My heart is overjoyed for each and every one who stepped out in faith and prayed with their heart for my brother and my family. As Our Lady's messages always say, "Pray, Pray, Pray". Pray we did and pray we will. God bless you as you will remain in my prayers for your miracle to happen. Amen.

I extend the Blessings of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary to you and all of those you love.
Jo Ann Riggio, RN , MSHL

This letter was submitted by Kim Lastauskas on October 28, 2005.

This letter was submitted by Cathy on September 1, 2005.

Dear Noreen,


I finally was able to juggle my family's lives to allow me to take time on Saturday, the 26th, to be embraced by Our Lady at the House of Prayer. What a wonderful day, although I was only able to spend about 5 1/2 hours there! I was very thankful to be a part of it!

I have hungered for many months to be given the opportunity to take part in one of the retreats at the Rosa Mystica House of Prayer. It must have been my time, though, as Our Lady and My Lord blessed me immensely that day.

First, I want to thank you and Joe for saying Yes to God to follow His direction to embrace this holy place. It has been a blessing for me since I first found it in early October of '03.

As I had gotten to the retreat a bit late at 11:30, Sondra was already well involved in her talk. I was well pleased that everything she spoke about was well received by my spirit. What especially surprised me was how I broke into tongues from the time she spoke about the sin of pride and the need for humility. I was in constant prayer praising God for His message through her. This was the first time I had heard her story. She confirmed in my heart the understanding that I felt was also given to me long ago about the moment we die and how Jesus gives us one more chance to choose eternal life or death by giving us the opportunity to accept Him one final time.

Anthony's story was also spell-binding... It was wonderful and his ability to speak from the heart showed his sincerity and conviction of his experience.

But I must tell you, what was altogether the most awesome event that happened to me was when I had the opportunity to speak to Fr. Bill in the basement dining area. During lunch, I saw Fr. Bill coming into the room, and felt the need/prompting to speak to him & relay to him my story of how I found the chapel. I was relaying the events that led up to discovering Rosa Mystica the week after it closed the first year, and how I believed I had heard the Blessed Virgin speak to me about a request she had for me . . . and that was to walk the grounds every day for the month of October, praying the Holy Rosary for the renewal of priests. I did just that every day during the week and as much as I could on the weekends as I work in Edmeston and live in New Hartford (outside of Utica).  I told Fr. Bill how I asked the Lord and our Lady to confirm this request in some way, as I did not want arrogance to seep into my spirit believing it was a divine direction when it was only my interior desire. This confirmation came when I had attended the Utica annual Rosary Rally for our Lady. Fr. John Corapi was the keynote speaker. Now be aware that I have only been to two other rallies and was able to get to this one. Listening to Fr. Corapi's talk, near the end of it, he said with much emphasis,"and everyone should pray the Rosary every day for priests." It was as though a spear pierced my heart with God's confirmation. As I said this to Fr. Bill, he annointed my head and I went down in the Spirit there in the dining area. I was probably down for maybe 10 minutes, I really don't know. I did feel someone laying hands on my head and was told later it was Fr. Bill. But someone else also held onto my left arm around this same time which I don't know who it was. But what happened next has never ever happened to me and was highly unusual. As I lay there, and I'm not sure if it was after Fr. Bill was done. . . I started to feel and I mean distinctly feel what at first I thought was someone's soft touch on my right arm, but it was immediately made known to me (an inner knowledge) that a feather stroked my right arm, starting at the forearm and then on my upper right arm. I knew it was a feather. It happened about 4 or 5 times on my arm, then the right side of my face maybe 3 or 4 times; then the left side of my face possibly twice and then by left arm 2 or 3 times. I could not open my eyes, but I distinctly felt or was given the understanding, I'm not sure which, that it was an angel's wing. I was totally at peace with this. During this happening, my awareness of the room lessened and I had total focused awareness of the reality of this feather touch. After gaining my composure, I got up and needed to walk outside to be alone to soak in the reality of what had just happened to me. I needed total privacy and solitude. This timing was about 1:00-1:15.

Later, during Mass, I had been praying for my family, including my sister in Florida who has been having some very serious marital problems with her husband, a doctor-not practicing due to a bipolar condition that still is not under control. He has been very abusive to the edge of becoming physical. He comes from a very wealthy, controlling family which is focused on money and its control on people's lives.  My sister had been at the end of her rope with how to release herself from the bonds of this sick web of family ties and monetary ropes. Even with my faith, it was getting more difficult to see any light in this situation. During Mass, I cried out to God for divine intervention for her welfare. Later, I noticed during Mass that I had a message on my cell phone which I was concerned may be from my children who were home alone (older-13 & 17, my husband was out-of-town). I excused myself from Mass and found the message was from my sister in Florida telling me of an unbelievable message from her sister-in-law, Linda, telling her she believed her, and that her brother needed serious medical help. She was trying to convince her father of this also. This phone call my sister had gotten from her sister-in-law had come in to her at just about 1:15 -The same time I was going through my angel feather experience.This was a complete turn-around from my sister's in-law's previous attitudes towards her (as an outsider to "the family"). I knew immediately that God in  His great mercy pierced the darkness with His divine light with that divine intervention that I cried out for. This was the only way to save this situation from complete devastating breakdown.  There is a very long road to go and each step is still engulfed in satanic attacks, but I am convinced that what happened to me on the floor of the basement was a message of miracle proportions for a healing of this dire situation.

I wanted you to know about this event. Fr. Bill wanted me to contact him at a later time which as yet i have not had an opportunity to do. I do need to know from him if there was someone else next to him holding on to my left arm. I believe also that hold was not earthly as that had happened to me at another time when I was resting in the spirit.

I hope to be at next month's retreat, at least on Saturday. I will be sending you $40 as you had told me for Saturday. I was not sure who to give it to on Saturday. Thank you again for your devotion to Our Lady Rosa Mystica and Our Lord Jesus.

Peace of Christ Jesus,
Cathy


This letter was submitted by Kim Lastauskas, from PA. on February 3, 2005.

Dear Noreen,

I just wanted to share in writing with you the miracle we had in our home on December 13th 2004. Here's what happened. Last year I attended several retreats at the Rosa Mystica. All were wonderful. the speakers, the statues, and the grounds are so beautifully moving. I recieved such peace in my heart each time I went. My daughter is 19 years old. She was diagnosed with a lot of female problems. Very scary. She began getting very depressed. She graduated in June of 2004. She gradually got more depressed as time went on. In August her good friend was killed in a horrific car accident. Needless to say the depression got worse. Her Doctor put her on antidepressants. This is not something I wanted for her but I was told it will help. I kept praying for a miracle every time I went to Rosa Mystica and everyday. When Ferdinand was there I remember him saying at the end of the retreat, he had a few pictures left of Rosa Mystica and the shrine. He said several healings would take place with this particular picture. I purchased one. I hung it over her bed as Ferdinand said with a crucifix above it. On December 13th. My daughter left me a note it states Mom if you look close at this Q-tip I found glitter all around my Rosa Mystica picture, on my wall above it and around it. How beautiful. It is visible to our eyes. When I woke up in the morning and found this I cried. I asked my daughter what she thought and she felt the Blessed Mother had been there. Happily I can tell you her depression has lifted, she is off her medication and her female problems have disappeared. I truly believe in my heart she recieved a healing. The glitter is still there not like it was glistening on that day but still traces are there. It is on the ceiling, in the crack where the ceiling meets the wall, under the glass in the photo, on the crucifix and the wall. Thank you Noreen for this beautiful place to worship since I will be now working for the Blessed Mother. Please let me know if there is anything I can help with. Thank You Jesus and Blessed Mother for my daughter's healing. Please feel free to share this letter since we all need to know MIRACLES happen. May God Continue to Bless You and all the staff.

Sincerely,
Kim Lastauskas


This letter was submitted by Marty O'Grady of Long Beach, New York and printed in part.
 
   "On our trip to the Rosa Mystica House of Prayer in Edmeston, New York, in May 2004, (when Ferdinand Roccanti was one of the speakers), my wife and I along with others had a special experience. Leaving the House of Prayer after attending Mass and prayer service the bus departed to a local restaurant. While reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet we witnessed, along with many others on the bus, the Miracle of the Sun. We also observed red, moon shaped circles.
It is hard to describe this to anyone and very few have I told because they will they will think 'I am losing it.' 
   I am a retired cop and I guess I need to be convinced when I think I saw something extraordinary. Well, I was definitely sure of what I saw.....
   I have always carried rosary beads with me as a cop and after retiring but I hardly ever used them. Since that experience, I have not missed saying the daily rosary for the intention of Rosa Mystica, a promise I made to the Blessed Mother that weekend. I have also learned to make the prayers more meaningful..."

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