14. Extraordinary Events
By
Roger Behra, B. S. Education *
* Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Western New Mexico University, Silver City, New Mexico. He took five courses, 15 graduate hours, University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. 19 years experience teaching language arts in Arizona and Ohio, U.S.A. 10 years teaching religion in St. Ann Catholic School in Ohio, in addition.
Let me tell you the story of the near death experience of Father Jose Maniyangat who is currently pastor of St. Mary’s Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida. His native country is India, where the following event took place. I shall paraphrase his story for the sake of this communication and give his computer internet address at the end of this communication.
On Sunday, April 14, 1985, on his way to say Mass in Kerala, India, Fr. Jose had a fatal accident caused by a man who was intoxicated. On the way to the hospital he had a near death experience where his soul left his body. Immediately he met his Guardian Angel, and the people who were administering to him. The doctor pronounced him dead.
He began his revelation of the trip his Guardian Angel took him on. Fr. Jose remarked how radiant and bright his Guardian Angel is and how grateful hi is for the protection given to him. Fr. Jose saw his body taken to the morgue family and his family notified.
As they were moving his body to the morgue, his soul came back to his body, but before his Guardian Angel took his soul on a trip and showed him Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven in this order. To use Fr. Jose’s own words:
Hell was an awful sight. There was Satan and the devils. The fire was unquenchable, about 2,000 degrees, worms were crawling. People were screaming and fighting. Demons were torturing others. The angel told Fr. Jose people were there because of unrepented mortal sins. He understood the seven levels of suffering according to the number and kinds of mortal sins. He saw people he knew. He was surprised when he saw priests and Bishops there. Sins of abortion, homosexuality, hatefulness, unforgiveness, sacrilege put souls there. The souls looked ugly, cruel and horrific. It was a very fearful experience.
After to visit hell, his Guardian Angel escorted him to Purgatory. There were also seven levels of suffering and unquenchable fire, but for less intense than hell. No quarreling or fighting existed.
The suffering existed because the souls were separated from God, the souls were there because numerous mortal sins committed, but they were reconciled with God before, their death. The souls were suffering but were at peace with the knowledge that one day they will see Good face to face. You can help souls (1,000 each time) get out of purgatory each time you say this prayer:
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of the Divine Son, Jesus, in union with Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinner in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. –Amen”. The Blessed Virgin promises that 1,000 souls released each time prayer is said.
Finally, after the visit to purgatory, came the visit to heaven. Words cannot express the beauty of heaven. There was so much peace and happiness and the most delightful music. He saw angels, saints, our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, dedicated Bishops and priests all shining like stars. The peacefulness and joy are unimaginable.
On earth as they were placing Fr. Jose’s body at the morgue, the angel brought his soul back to his body. It was not his time to stay dead. When the morgue doctor came to examine his body, he found father was still alive. It seemed like a miracle, and he was taken back to the hospital.
A thorough examination at the hospital showed he was very badly injured and needed surgery to repair his broken body. After 2 months of hospitalization he was released to go home, but he would never walk again.
The extraordinary tour given by his Guardian Angel was not the end. One day while praying he felt an extraordinary pain in his pelvic area. Shortly the pain disappeared, and he felt peaceful and healing power on his body. He was able to get up and walk immediately. He knew it was a miracle from God and praised and thanked Him.
Later he reached his doctor with the news of his healing. His doctor was astounded and decided to follow Fr. Jose’s God. The doctor learned about the Catholic Church, studied the Catholic faith, and later was baptized and became Catholic.
On November 10, 1986, Father Jose followed his Angel’s message and came to the United States a missionary priest who learned a new language and his now pastor of Saint Mary’s Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida.
After reading about these extraordinary events, maybe we can allow some extraordinary time to think about becoming extraordinary individuals. That would do us well now as well as letter when our life here on earth is over.
Father Jose’s internet address is:
http://www.stmarynacc/enny.com/fatherjstory.htm
P.S. I have heard people tell about their own near-death experiences, both good and bad. But none compares with Father Jose’s. It is, indeed, most extraordinary as well as miracle outcome from his accident, that he could walk again spontaneously. It is well worth it to read his full-length story on the internet. In fact, it is must reading.
R. B.