Our Hurricane Ida Miracle Story (repost)
September 1, 2021
Thanks to all who prayed for us as we anticipated the hurricane and who are continuing to pray and assist those who are afflicted. Mel, Ceci, my niece Grace, Bosco and I (and our home) are all fine, which frees us up to help those who are struggling. It’s really quite amazing what happened to us on Sunday, the day of landfall.
While we had intended to ride out Hurricane Ida at home, during our Sunday morning live rosary (on Instagram and YouTube) I “saw“ Our Lady Star of the Sea with the single star over her head gesturing towards Florida.⭐️ As soon as the rosary ended, I called my friend Jeanne in Pensacola and asked if she could take us in. She said, “Come on!” It was now predicted to be a high Category 4, possible Category 5 (catastrophic) hurricane, and it had moved quite close to our home during the night.
We threw our essentials into the car and hit the road 20 mins later. It was a bit scary because we didn’t know what we were getting into and the wind was already picking up. We didn’t even look at the radar—we just fled.
As soon as we got on the interstate we ended up behind a truck with a single star on the back door and the words “Land Star.” ⭐️ A deep peace came over me as I quietly prayed Hail Marys over and over again. The truck set our pace and led us for the next 2 hours with *no* wind, *no* traffic, and only *light* rain the entire way. Incredible! What took people 12 hours on Saturday took us 3, as we “shot the gap” between the hurricane rain bands.
While we were on the road, Jeanne texted, “Praying that all the angels and Saints accompany you on your travels as you weather this storm, led by our Lady of Prompt Succor and ⭐️ Our Lady Star of the Sea. ⭐️ May St. Joseph protect your precious family.” She did not know about my vision.
When we got to Jeanne’s guest condo, the first thing I saw was my painting of the Flight into Egypt (how appropriate!), which she had purchased earlier this year. And when we got upstairs, there was a tray of homemade muffins with a star in the middle filled with popcorn! ⭐️
We ended up moving to her house because we needed one more bed for my niece, and there in the living room was another large star. ⭐️ We have since put Grace on a plane home to Ohio and moved back to the condo, where we discovered even more stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why were we led out of harm’s way and not others? It’s certainly not because Our Lady loves us more than her other children. I think it was simply to keep the rosary going. We have hundreds of people praying with us at 6 am CT every weekday morning, and hundreds more pray with the recording later in the day. That only continued because we had power and internet in FL. ⭐️
Nine days later we returned home, and the internet came back on just as we walked in the door, the rosary not skipping a day. There was a ton of cleanup to do, but we were all safe and grateful for the protection.
The bottom line? Cast all your anxieties on Jesus, because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7). And stay close to his (and your) Mama. Just as she cared for him during his earthly life, so does she care for you. ⭐️ We’ll get through the storms together, friends. Let’s take good care of each other. And I hope you’ll become part of our morning rosary family—it’s a beautiful group of people from all over the world, united under the mantle of Our Mother in unified prayer.
DETAILS: M-F, 6:00-6:45 am CT. New rosary meditations every day!
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Next book study: “In the School of the Holy Spirit” by Fr Jacques Philippe
Dear Friends,
After a generous break, we will be starting our next book study on In the School of the Holy Spirit by Fr. Jacques Philippe on Monday, May 10, 2021, LIVE at 7 am CT on Instagram. I’ll be posting the videos after the fact to Instagram and YouTube for those of you who aren’t able to join us live.
As usual, though I have been given permission by Scepter Publishers to read the entire book on the air, everyone is asked to purchase their own copy of the book at www.scepterpublishers.org or from your local Catholic bookstore (or Amazon as a last resort). This book is a treasure you will want to underline, highlight, and comment on in the margins!
I also found this free Study Guide online if you would like to go deeper with a small prayer/study group. Let’s get ready for an amazing Pentecost by getting to know more deeply this Sweet Guest of our souls!
Come, Holy Spirit!
Kitty
The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Good Counsel
April 26, 2017; Several years ago, I sought spiritual direction from a priest in New Orleans who happens to have many mystical gifts. When I walked into the room, he said, “I see Our Lady of Good Counsel with you.” This is a centuries-old title for the Blessed Virgin Mary with a miraculous image associated with it. I was unfamiliar with the image, but when I returned home I realized that the icon hanging in my bedroom, which had been brought to me by my sister Caroline as a souvenir from Italy, was indeed Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Shortly thereafter, I gave a concert in Pensacola, FL. A delightful woman named Sara Edwards gifted me with a beautiful blue pearl and crystal necklace that she had made for me. Sara said that she usually adds a medal of St. Therese, but something told her that I needed Our Lady of Good Counsel! I think she was trying to get my attention. As my friend Katsey put it, Our Lady was just letting me know that she’s always here for me.
And then in September of 2018, I needed a birthday gift for a special friend, and I wanted it to be meaningful to her. As I prayed to Mother Mary for guidance, I instantly saw an image of Our Lady of Good Counsel in watercolor, a medium I don’t work in. After digging around in my daughter’s art supplies, I found what I needed and began to draw with watercolor pencils. I held my breath when I had to add the water, but it revealed a sweetness and tenderness that I came to love.
My friend appreciated the gift, and then it ended up on the cover of Religious LifeMagazine, which is sent to 2500 religious and every bishop in the U.S. They received it right before their general counsel to discuss the scandals caused by clergy in the Catholic Church–perfect timing for Our Lady of Good Counsel to land in their chanceries!
Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Do you need some wise, loving advice from your heavenly mother? Turn to her. She is always, always waiting for you. For more information about the miraculous image: www.clavermissionarysisters.org/?page_id=289. To purchase 11×14 matted and signed prints of My painting of Our Lady of Good Counsel, please visit my Etsy shop.
The powerful Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday–join me!
Dear Friends,
This Friday, April 2, 2021, starts the powerful Divine Mercy novena. As many of you know, our family experienced a Divine Mercy miracle when my father was released from unjust imprisonment (more than seven years early!) during the Great Jubilee year of 2000. I had been doing the Divine Mercy novena for that particular intention, and he was released at 3 o’clock p.m.–the Hour of Mercy!–on the Thursday after Easter Sunday, three days before the first official Feast of Divine Mercy and the day of St. Faustina’s canonization. What a miracle of Mercy! Do you need a miracle right now? The floodgates of mercy will be open on Sunday, April 11th, and I want you to get “drenched” along with me!
Jesus told St. Faustina: “I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death” (Diary, 1209).
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy. (Diary, 699).
To receive these graces, the only condition is to receive Holy Communion worthily on Divine Mercy Sunday (or the Vigil celebration) by making a good confession beforehand, staying in the state of grace, and trusting in His Divine Mercy. If you can go to confession in the next two weeks, that is ideal; but a confession at any point during Lent will suffice. “The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive” (1578) (click this link if you cannot go to church or are seriously ill).
How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
You can download a guide to praying the chaplet, as well as a list of the prayers and petitions for each day of the Divine Mercy Novena at this link at the Catholic Company. I have recorded the sung Divine Mercy chaplet with a children’s choir and have it available in several places:
- On my CD, The Miracle of Divine Mercy, which also includes my Divine Mercy miracle story. You can download it from iTunes or stream it for free if you have Amazon Prime. You can also purchase the physical CD from Amazon.
- The entire CD, as well as my eight other CDs, are on the Sounds of Peace MP3 player.
- While I’m hoping to sing the chaplet live each day on Instagram, it’s looking like my schedule is going to make that really difficult at 3 pm CT each day. I have each of the nine days already recorded and uploaded to YouTube at this link from last year, so you can at least count on that. 🙂
Now is the time, my friends, to avail ourselves of the Time of Mercy! Let’s do this!
Yours in the Two Hearts,
Kitty
SOLD OUT: Women’s Retreat and Day of Fun in Baton Rouge
(UPDATE: The retreat is sold out. Please subscribe to the blog to be notified about future events!)
Hey, ladies! Grab some friends and join me for a day of inspiration and fun on May 1st at the beautiful Frassati House in Baton Rouge.
We’ll start our day with Mass at 9 am, followed by talks by Sr. Dulce and me, plus a catered lunch and great shopping (I’m bringing my art and music!). In the afternoon I’ll lead us all in singing the Divine Mercy chaplet, followed by a wine and cheese social at the end. Only a limited number of tickets is being sold, so I would encourage you to register ASAP. Hope to see you there!
Kitty’s Holy Family painting is finished!
Detail of “The Holy Family” by Kitty Cleveland, oil + gold leaf on canvas
Hello, dear friends! Thanks to all of you who have purchased one of the signed and numbered canvas prints of my painting of the Holy Family. It was not only a blessing to paint it this week in commemoration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph in this year of St. Joseph, but the response was a true answer to prayer (we are more than 2/3rds sold out!). If you would like to see the full image, you can find the listing here on Etsy. Should you want one for yourself or a loved one, I’m also happy to write a special date on the back for you (consecration day, First Communion, graduation, birthday, etc.).
With gratitude and joy,
Prayer to Renounce the Occult
“Heavenly Father, in the name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, I renounce Satan and all his works, all forms of witchcraft, the use of divination, the practice of sorcery, dealing with mediums, channeling with spirit guides, the Ouija board, tarot cards, astrology, Reiki, hypnosis, automatic writing, horoscopes, numerology, the Enneagram, all types of fortune telling, palm readings, New Age spirituality, and anything else associated with the occult or Satan. In the name of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, and by the power of his Cross, his Precious Blood, and his Resurrection, I renounce and forsake my involvement in all of them, and I choose you alone, Lord Jesus. I confess all these sins before you and ask you to cleanse and forgive me for my divided heart. I ask you, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, give me your merciful love, and make me holy. I ask you to send forth your Holy Spirit to baptize me with love, just as you baptized your disciples on the day of Pentecost. I thank you, Heavenly Father, for strengthening my inner spirit with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in my heart. Through faith, rooted and grounded in love, may I be able to comprehend with all the saints, the breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love which surpasses all understanding. Amen!”
Additional resources:
Deliverance Prayers for the Laity
A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Deliverance and Healing by Kathleen Beckman
Manual for Spiritual Warfare by Paul Thigpen
Catholic Psychics, Murder, and the New Age: A personal story
By Kitty Cleveland
When I was in my mid-20s, I was introduced to a “Catholic psychic” named Rosie who was visiting Louisiana from California to help a police officer solve a murder. She had helped him solve another murder over the telephone, even down to describing the car used in the crime and an exit off the interstate where it could be found.
Intrigued by the story, I wondered if maybe I could meet with her too. This was the era of Dionne Warwick and the Psychic Friends Network ads on TV. My prayer life and my formation in the faith were both sorely lacking, and I didn’t yet know the biblical prohibition against consulting psychics (and if I did, I was so prideful and dismissive of Church teaching that I would have scoffed at it). Instead, I saw this as an opportunity to have some burning questions of my own answered. I had recently graduated from law school and was depressed and confused, having just spent seven years of higher education preparing for a career I didn’t want. The future looked bleak and joyless to me.
I drove across the Mississippi River bridge to the law office of the criminal investigator, who was loaning Rosie a back room to see clients in exchange for her sleuthing assistance. Rosie was a short and plumpish Italian grandmother, originally from Brooklyn, with curly salt-and-pepper hair tied up on top of her head with a purple ribbon. She reminded me a great deal of the psychic in the movie Poltergeist, and I wondered if perhaps she had taken a cue from her style. After pleasantries, Rosie offered me a seat and asked me to refrain from telling her anything so we could “get a clear reading.” She rubbed her palms on her knees to “get her energy flowing,” and then she started praying in the name of Jesus and asked “only those from the Light” to come forward. She repeated, “Again, only those from the Light.”
I don’t recall many of the details from our first meeting, but there were some uncanny bits of information I do recall: she gave me the first initial of my great grandmother (“A grandmother or great grandmother with the first initial ‘B’ is coming forward”), and she told me that she was wearing pearls. I didn’t even know my great grandmother’s name, but it turned out to be correct—Bertha—and according to my grandmother, “She wore pearls every day of her life.” Rosie said that great grandmother “B” wanted me to know that she was very close to me. She also confirmed my need for creative expression in music and art, both of which had been dormant for years. At the end of our first session, I felt seen, special, understood, and loved by God when we were done. I also felt encouraged for the first time in a long time.
When I met my future husband later that year and I called Rosie for a phone session, she mentioned that my fiancé needed to stop writing on the pad in his car and making “California stops,” or he was going to have an accident (he had a pad mounted to his dashboard that he wrote on frequently while driving, and he had just received a warning from a cop for the “California stop”). I would come to meet with Rosie a few more times by telephone, each time setting me back $100 and giving me lots to think about.
While some of the things she said were encouraging and exciting, I became a little more confused with each session. Some of the things were flat-out wrong, like when Rosie told me I was going to get pregnant and have twins. I became increasingly frantic when I didn’t become pregnant after we got married. Had I done something wrong? And when her words didn’t quite jibe with my own feelings, I would second-guess myself. Was God using her to direct me? Did I need to be obedient to what she was telling me? Did I misunderstand, and that’s why it wasn’t working out? Since my prayer life was inconsistent at best, I trusted her more than I trusted my own discernment in prayer.
All of this came to a head when I attended the CCRNO (Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans) women’s retreat with the wonderful Fr. Harold Cohen (may he rest in peace). I hadn’t been on a retreat in years, and it was life-giving. During one of the talks Fr. Cohen told us to get rid of our compromises with New Age practices—consulting psychics (there’s no such thing as a Christian psychic!), Reiki or “energy work,” tarot cards, Ouija boards, horoscopes, the Enneagram (I had a number of those books, even some by Catholic authors), numerology, moon and Earth worship, crystal healing, etc. (We could also add to that list the books of Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Paulo Coelho, Louise Hay, et al.) Fr. Cohen’s words convicted me to the core. I went to confession, and when I returned home I got rid of everything that had ties to the occult.
So how could Rosie have known all of those things if God or his angels hadn’t revealed them to her, especially since they were kind and encouraging and loving, not evil? Plus, she said she was Catholic! Didn’t that give me some protection and assurance that this was coming from “the Light” of Jesus?
Well, not exactly.
One of the most effective ploys of satan is to appear as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11: 14), even to someone who is well-intentioned and only wants to do good. However, there’s nothing holy about contacting the dead, as Scripture clearly forbids this practice:
Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead.” (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11)
“Do not go to mediums or consult fortune-tellers, for you will be defiled by them.” (Leviticus 19:31)
“Should anyone turn to mediums and fortune-tellers and follow their wanton ways, I will turn against such a one and cut him off from his people.” (Leviticus 20:6)
In a culture that disregards God’s Word and revels in New Age spirituality (even in some Catholic parishes), it’s no wonder that people are confused. Now we have television programs that feature “Catholic psychics” like Long Island Medium, where otherwise devout Christians are tuning in to see audience members weep as she gives them information about their departed loved ones. It gives them hope that they are “in a better place,” or that they are “at peace.” It’s truly sad that they don’t have a strong enough faith life to entrust their loved ones to the mercy of God, with prayers and sacrifices and the sacraments.
So, how is the Long Island Medium able to give her audience members such detail? There are only two possible answers:
Either she’s a fraud, or she’s consorting with demons (and she probably doesn’t even know it).
Given my experience with Rosie, I believe the latter. And in her disregard of the prohibitions in Scripture, Rosie put not only herself in danger but many more souls, as well. Why would a demon help her to solve a crime? you might ask. Perhaps trading a little justice and closure for the family of the deceased was worth it if it meant that many more souls could be dragged into the snares of the occult.
As Christians, we are called to be single-hearted in following the Lord and to rid our lives of any compromises with the enemy. As soon as you see any signs of New Age spirituality in otherwise good material, get rid of it. Satan is much smarter than you are, and he can use even well-intentioned people and seemingly good motives to lead you away from the Lord when it requires disobedience and inordinate curiosity.
As for me, I thank Fr. Harold Cohen for telling me the Truth (admonishing the sinner is one of the spiritual works of mercy) and setting me free from the snares of the enemy. May he rest in peace, and may Rosie and all those who dabble in the occult be likewise set free.
Additional resources:
(A prayer to renounce the occult is below)
To watch me read and comment on this post with my friend Kevin McCall, click here.
For Catholic Magisterial teaching on the subject, see Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian reflection on the New Age.
For the distinction between consulting the dead and the practice of invoking the saints, see this article.
For the distinction between psychics and authentic Catholic mystics/visionaries, see this article. Note that even holy people can mistake demons for angels, saints, and even Jesus and Mary! That’s why the Catholic Church is very careful before officially stating that the events were supernatural and the messages are worthy of belief. Always look for obedience to the bishop. If the visionary disobeys the bishop, especially when the messages are suppressed, it’s a telltale sign that they are not to be trusted. Even St. Pío (Padre Pío) and St. Faustina were suppressed for a time, and they were totally obedient and docile to their bishops.
For a fascinating and educational look into the life of a modern-day exorcist, see this post by Msgr. Stephen Rossetti (and his other related posts): The Exorcist Diary #129: A Recipe for Possession.
Prayer to Renounce the Occult
“Heavenly Father, in the name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, I renounce Satan and all his works, all forms of witchcraft, the use of divination, the practice of sorcery, dealing with mediums, channeling with spirit guides, the Ouija board, tarot cards, astrology, Reiki, hypnosis, automatic writing, horoscopes, numerology, the Enneagram, all types of fortune telling, palm readings, New Age spirituality, and anything else associated with the occult or Satan. In the name of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, and by the power of his Cross, his Precious Blood, and his Resurrection, I renounce and forsake my involvement in all of them, and I choose you alone, Lord Jesus.
I confess all these sins before you and ask you to cleanse and forgive me for my divided heart. I ask you, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, give me your merciful love, and make me holy. I ask you to send forth your Holy Spirit to baptize me with love, just as you baptized your disciples on the day of Pentecost.
I thank you, Heavenly Father, for strengthening my inner spirit with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in my heart. Through faith, rooted and grounded in love, may I be able to comprehend with all the saints, the breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love which surpasses all understanding. Amen!”
Friend, if you are a baptized Catholic, I urge you to make a sincere confession of your sins to a Catholic priest in the sacrament of reconciliation, which is more powerful than any exorcism. God loves you, died for you, and desires your freedom! Hallelujah!
Kitty’s Links for a Great Lent
As you are probably well aware, the three pillars of Lent are prayer, alms-giving, and fasting. Here are a few of my favorite resources right now in those three categories to make it a fruitful, meaningful Lent:
PRAYER
~ Daily Rosary. My daughter, Ceci, and I lead a LIVE rosary every weekday morning at 6 a.m. CT on Instagram and YouTube, with new meditations every day. We’d love to have you join us live, or just join us as it works best with your schedule. Either way, we’re here for you, God willing!
~ Daily Gospel Reading. I love the Magnificat app and booklet, but I also love the free resource available in The Catholic Company Morning Offering (so rich and lovely!).
~ Daily Mass. If you still have Mass being offered where you live, I want to encourage you to go during the week, at least one day more than you usually go. If you’re afraid of COVID-19, all I can say is that the moment and the manner of your death are in the hands of God. I don’t mean to minimize the risks, but I would personally rather die because I went to Mass than live without the Eucharist. If fear has a grip on you, I’d like to share this beautiful video by Sr. Emmanuel, Consecrate Your Death and Heal from Fear, which will lead you through the consecration of your death–both the date and the manner–as well as that of your loved ones. It really set me free from fear, especially fear for my husband’s possible death from COVID-19 (he did get it and is fine).
~St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Stations of the Cross. Click here for beautiful, heart-level meditations on the suffering and death of Jesus.
~Apostoli Viae. This is a rich website and ministry started by Dan and Stephanie Burke. If you are interested in Carmelite spirituality (St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity), you will love it. I just downloaded the 40 Days to Peace: a Lenten Journey that Dan put together with Fr. John Bartunek. It’s a beautiful free guide to entering into heart-to-heart prayer with the Lord that I received as a member of the Sojourners group. Click here to be taken to the website.
ALMSGIVING
~ Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, Shelter the Homeless: The need for food, clothing, and shelter during the pandemic has increased exponentially. Please consider a donation to your local food bank and other related charities, like those sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In my area, it’s the North Shore Food Bank.
~ Sounds of Peace: I’m so happy to announce that my project to give all of my music away to the needy has received official non-profit status. Hooray! If you would like to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to bring the Sounds of Peace players to those in need of comfort and consolation (especially those who are separated from family due to COVID-19), you can find out all about it–the Miracle Story behind it, How to Donate (and get one for yourself), and incredible Testimonies— by clicking here.
FASTING
~ Taking Care of the Temple, with Kitty Cleveland: If you’ve been praying the online rosary with me these last six months, then you know that fasting is something to which I feel called…and something which is really hard for me! So I started a Facebook group to share articles and resources to help us make fasting a regular part of my spiritual life in the hopes that it might help you, too. If you are a woman, I welcome you to join us. Just search for us on Facebook under the title at the head of this paragraph.
My greatest hope and prayer, friends, is that we make more room in our heart this Lent for LOVE–of God, each other, and even of ourselves. Let’s do this together!
Your sister in Christ,
The Song of Bernadette–have you seen it lately?
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes! Do you know the story? Have you watched the Oscar-winning movie? It was nominated in 12 categories, and it won four!