A series of extraordinary spiritual phenomena have been observed at Soufanieh, a suburb of Damascus in Syria, between 1982 and 2004 [1]. They began on November 27th 1984 when oil started to flow from a small paper image of the Virgin Mary in the house of the Nazzour family [2]. Effusions of oil have since been observed on liturgical feast days, either on the aformentioned image, reproductions of that image, or on the hands and face of Mrs. Nazzour (Myrna). This oil has been analysed by six laboratories in Syria and Europe and was found to be 100% pure olive oil [3].
Other spiritual phenomena observed at Soufanieh: - Myrna has received stigmata on the Holy Thursdays of the years 1984, 1987, 1990 and 2001, i.e. the years in which the date of the celebration of Easter among catholics and orthodox coincided[4]. These have been confirmed by doctors who were present[5]. - Spiritual extasies undergone by Myrna. - Healings, among others, from cancer and blindness, as well as conversions. - apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported. These were visible only to Myrna.[6]
The Nazzour’s home has become a venue for prayer groups and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
The Message:
The content of the messages Myrna experiences in interior locutions, which according to her come either from the Virgin Mary or from Jesus Christ, are: the necessity of the return to God; love, penitence, joy, mutual forgiveness, and sanctity; the necessity of evangelisation, of the unicity of the family and of the Church[7] – Myrna reports that the Virgin Mary said: “The church is the kingdom of the heavens on earth. Whoever has divided it, has done wrong, and whoever has rejoiced in its division has also done wrong.”[8]
References
- ^ Sbalchiero, in: Laurentin/ Sbalchiero (2007), p. 1093-1097.
- ^ Zahlaoui in Sbalchiero (2002), p. 739.
- ^ Zahlaoui in Sbalchiero (2002), p. 739; and Touw in Resch (1997), p. 261.
- ^ Sbalchiero in Laurentin/ Sbalchiero (2007), p. 1095.
- ^ Zahlaoui in Sbalchiero (2002), 739.
- ^ ibid.
- ^ ibid.
- ^ Touw in Resch (1997), p. 264; see also film at http://www.soufanieh.com/MULTIMEDIA/19900430.usa.eng.dr.mansour.1of4.wmv , retrieved June 2009.
Bibliography
Zahlaoui, Élias: Soufanieh. - in Sbalchiero, Patrick (ed.)(2002): Dictionnaire des miracles et de l'extraordinaire chrétien. - Paris: Fayard, p. 738-741.
Sbalchiero, Patrick: Damas/ Soufanieh. - in Laurentin, René/ Sbalchiero, Patrick (ed.)(2007): Dictionnaire des "apparitions" de la Vierge Marie. - Paris: Fayard, p. 1093-1097.
Touw, Johannes M.: Öl-Materialisationen und Stigmen in Soufanieh (Damaskus). - in: Resch, Andreas (1997): Paranormologie und Religion. - Innsbruck: Resch, p. 251-321.
Robert J. Fox (2002): Light from the East – Miracles of Our Lady of Soufanieh.