The Picture

While on pilgrimage in the Holy Land mid October 1982, I was taking mostly candid shots with my instamatic 110 camera.

When I returned and had the pictures developed, this picture of Jesus was in the group of pictures, and at first I felt that they got someone else's picture mixed up with mine, for I told my husband I didn't take the picture or even remember seeing a picture like this. We checked the negatives, and there it was on the strip of negatives.

I was very confused, specially not remembering where I could possibly have taken this picture, so I took it to the priest I had been with, and he stated he had been in the Holy Land many times and had never seen this picture there. It was then shown to a priest in our area who travels and studies in the Holy Land. He also said he had never come across this picture.

The agency I travelled with then took the picture to N.Y. to the people that study paintings and fresco's and they stated that this picture was not in the Holy Land. I had returned three times after I received the picture, and each year searched and asked everyone I could talk to as to where this picture might be, and no one knew.

The story of the picture started to spread when some of my friends knew I was searching with no answers being answered. My husband and I felt the beauty of the picture and wanted to share it with people, our ministry being secular Franciscans. We started to get prints made, gave them out, and many beautiful things happened even though we did not tell the story behind the picture.

I hesitate to tell the story because I wanted this picture to be investigated more thoroughly. To me this is all mind boggling, especially not to remember taking this picture I felt I had a lapse of memory or time, but how could one forget taking a picture so beautiful.

The picture is now all over the world and the U.S.A. I just wish that people would not be interested in where the picture came from, but look at the beauty and majesty of Christ. He is a portrait of love. It shows in this picture. Our desire was to bring Christ to people through this picture, and as you can see, there is not much of a story behind the picture. I make no claims as to this being a miracle or etc. as some people are calling it I only know that it has brought many people peace even when they knew nothing about the picture, and I thank God for that.

It is not important as to who took the picture, or how it came about. What is important is the face of Christ.

Sincerely yours in Christ

Jackie Haas

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In Christ and Mary, my dear brothers and sisters, I have been a religious Augustine priest since April, 1946; and I am 68 years old. In October, 1987, I received a photograph of our Lord Jesus Christ as a gift thus recognizing Him I immediately started worshiping Him in adoration.

On the second Sunday of February, 1989, a photographer saw our Lord's face on the said picture and commenced to take his own picture. I then informed him that he could take the photograph to his studio where he could work at his own convenience and comfort. His name is Luis Miyar and his studio is located at Rua 2nd St. Ovido, Asturia, Spain. Upon completion of his work, we started a prayer group in his home. This prayer group was similar to those of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Luis had made several pictures of our Lord and had placed them on a table in the same room where the prayer group was to take place. We had all liked the setup. We started praying the rosary when we noticed that our lord was communicating through Jose Ramon. Our Lord sent messages to 3 persons in that room; Juana Mari (Luis' wife), 7 year old Covi (Luis' daughter) and to Luis himself. Everything our Lord said I tape recorded. Through Jose Ramon I asked our Lord. "Lord, could you explain certain things about the photograph enlarged by Luis and the photograph that I had received as a gift? "Our Lord replied, "My children it is My original image, honor it every single day of your lives. I will bestow upon you special graces in the same manner that I bestowed graces upon those that created the original photograph. When these pictures were taken I was there I was present." This prayer meeting occurred in San Sebastian Garabandal, Spain. Many more pictures were made of our Lord and were given to priests, monsignors and prayer groups and they would all be awed and fall in love with our Lord's image.

On 12/19/89 during one of the apparitions of our Blessed Virgin Mary at the church in Guijon, Asturias Spain. Our Lady was being asked questions about general and particular matters as she did every Tuesday. These questions were asked through Maria del Rosario Frechoso who resides at Duque de Rivas 8th St. 3rd A, also from Guijon Asturias, Spain. Our Lady said through Maria del Rosario, "My dear children, it is my wish that between all of you enough money is raised in order to multiply the photographs of my son, as there are may other of my children that would like to have one and have yet to see one. "I then requested our Lady to please dictate a text which we could us to endorse the photograph of Her Son's image. She replied through Maria del Rosario, "On the smaller photograph endorse it with the words, "Gift made possible by our Lord so that all may know His true image and His immense love made known through His true image". On larger photographs write the words, 'JESUS OUR SAVIOR' in front of the picture.

Several times our Lord has made statements about such pictures and about the miracles it has produced, about how when He returns triumphant we shall witness him coming out of the picture itself and out of the Holy Eucharist. He said He is there alive in each and every one of them. He said to pray a lot in front of His picture. His eyes will always see the good and bad we do. He said "NOT TO LAMINATE" it and "NOT TO ENCLOSE IT IN GLASS AS IN A PICTURE", as it would deteriorate even though His presence in this picture would prevent if from deteriorating. He also said not to hand them out like candy but rather give them to those who want it and will welcome it with sincere faith and respect. We are presently aware of many miracles made possible by Jesus in this picture and we worship Him and we place in Him our trust, faith and love. He begged us to publish a booklet with a litany honoring His image and at present such a booklet is in its finishing stages.

He also requested that every evening between 12 and 12:15 I should pray. That I should bless the water, such as used in churches and He recommended that we not only use it as Holy Water but also as drinking water and to bless our food for the days when it shall become scarce, to bless with this Holy Water, rosaries, stamps, medals, statues, homes and each and every one of us that He would give His blessing. And that His blessing together with mine would render infallible in each and every home no matter how bad the circumstances. For this reason He advises us to unite our prayers every evening at the same time.

As far as the origin of such pictures, me myself for lack of a better explanation and because of a certain detail I heard I shall explain it as follows: An American married couple were visiting the Holy Land as an act of devotion several years ago. During the visit they took many, many pictures. Upon having them developed they noticed the picture of the image of our Lord Jesus Christ and positively knowing that they had not taken a picture of a person, statue or image they were afraid a mistake had been made and returned the picture. The person at the film developing office returned all the negatives and as they were examining them the negative of our Lord's image was found between 2 negatives of pictures taken by them.

Once, I asked our Lord about such an explanation and He said it was satisfactory. However there has been controversy such as stated in the letter to Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Canaiejo. I have concluded that to the Heavens what is important is the truth and the truth is that tremendous gift that makes us men. The manner of circumstances is not important and have no meaning and have no consistency when in the presence of such happy and incredible wonder. The Heavens will bless us in the same manner it has blessed the couple responsible for producing such a wonderful image of our Lord.

I am most grateful for the opportunity given to me by our Lord and our Heavenly Mother of honoring and loving our Lord in His image. Once our Lady requested that this picture be sent to "one of His Sons in Woytila". The Pope then sent word of gratitude and happiness for being honored with such a gift.

I myself had once complained to our Lord about how few had really received the picture and had given it importance. Consequently out Lord requested that 2 small bunches be sent to convents one to the Sisters of Carmelite in San Jose, and another our Sisters of the Incarnation in Avila. He said not to count the amount we were sending but that however there would be enough pictures for every one. This statement proved to be true when letters of gratitude and wonderment were received from both convents in which they were amazed at the exact amount dispensed without knowing how many nuns were involved. The convent of Avila EVEN requested 13 more pictures for the arrival of 13 more nuns approved to join their new addition. Our Lord told me to inform the nuns at Orito in Monorte del Cld, Alicante, Spain that during the day they were to pray and honor Him in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar which at present was the only place know to church were our Lord was to be. However, since His active presence was found in His picture, on those days when they could not leave their rooms, the could pray to Him through His image. "I RESIDE THERE ALIVE, MY PRESENCE IS THERE"

I can't say enough about the beauty of our Lord's active presence in this photograph and I wish there was a way that this letter would reach the couple that made it all possible. Receive a warm farewell and my priestly blessing.

FATHER JOSE ALESON

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Typed copy of a personal letter from one friend to another - a testimony of the blessings/Miracles brought by the Picture "Jesus My Saviour"

Winnifred House,

26th June, 1999

My dear Mariola,

If Melita hadn't told you to expect a letter from me, I can imagine how surprised you'd be to receive this.

You've been on my mind, more like haunting me, for over a fortnight. I don't usually sleep in the afternoons, but Saturday before last I had a bad tummy upset and fell asleep for a short while in the afternoon and dreamt of you! That really took the cake. I couldn't understand what this was all about and finally felt I had to let you know about the wonderful phenomenon in my home from last July onwards. Melita's unexpected call a couple of nights ago endorses this prompting to share this incredible experience with you. I was disappointed Melita couldn't make it to Winnifred House especially since she was so near.

Do you have the enclosed Jesus picture? I'd like to tell you how I came by it and the showers of blessings that followed. A neighbour received a leaflet from a friend in Australia. It was folded three ways, with the picture on the outside and the story on inner folds. I was so taken up with the article that I borrowed the leaflet and had the picture photographed. Initially the guy at the photographer's shop was reluctant to take the job, but agreed to eventually. This was in early 1997. Since then, from that single negative, I must have had hundreds of copies made.

When I had to get my U.S. visa and ticket (early '97), I turned to Jesus in the picture for help. I just breezed through the interview and in not more than a couple of minutes was granted a five year multiple entry visa. I also managed to get an incredibly reasonable ticket, and that too on Emirates and Continental. It was not that I had to hop around the Middle East and half the world on an airline like Jordan Air.

Before I left for the States, I pinned a picture of Jesus in the part of the house that is locked up and asked him to look after place. Needless to mention, everything was safe and sound. When I returned, I left the picture where it was. Every year, for as long as I can remember, it leaked like mad during the monsoon in that part of the house, inspite of the annual maintenance work on the roof. I have a collection of buckets, basins, pots and pans, old counterpanes and rags kept aside, especially for this purpose. Sometimes during monsoons gone by, I've had to bail out the water as many as three times a day. Before the onset of the monsoon in '97, I kept all the pots, pans, etc. ready, as was my practice. After the first few showers the place was dry, but I thought perhaps the tiles hadn't got sufficiently soaked. After every successive shower (and we even had a mild deluge on Parsi New Year that year) I went in to have a look - the place was bone dry! Last monsoon again not a drop leaked. Now if that's not a miracle, what is?

Last year my servant, Ausar, stayed away for six months. You can imagine what a time I had. I have extra sensitive skin and all the washing played havoc with me. I developed a chronic chemical reaction to the detergent I was using. Tried with using gloves, which only aggravated the condition. The tips of my fingers had open cuts, sometimes bleeding and the backs of my fingers looked blackish. It was agony to use the computer, wash the utensils and most of all, to shampoo my hair. The pain was so acute sometimes that I used to feel nausea. I just didn't know how to cope. At the end of this particularly bad day, I just ran my fingers on the picture and told Jesus I simply didn't know how to cope. The next morning my fingers were better, and by the end of the following day, they were in perfect condition - no cuts, no black marks. I still can't get over it.

For my home, I ordered a 10" X 12" print (for the part of the house I use). Keeping in mind that the picture should not be framed, laminated etc., I placed it flat on the dumb-waiter in my all in one room. After some months I felt I had to find a more prominent place, because it could not be seen in that position, so I put it on the wall, securing it with 4 drawing pins - I am enclosing a photograph of my picture with a flower arrangement in front of it.

In March/April last year I had some of my furniture polished. I had this stand in the part of the house that is locked up, which was in a bad state of neglect. Had it cleaned and polished, after which it looked brand new. I placed it in front of the picture and put a little wicker basket on it with a few artificial flowers. In June last year, I thought it was high time, I bought him some good new flowers, especially since he had recently cured my hands. On 8th June (our enthronement anniversary), I went to Akbarally's and bought this arrangement of artificial (cloth) dark maroon roses and old rose pink orchids in a black rectangular ceramic bowl (about 2 1/2" high).

The flowers are held in place with small stone chips that are stuck firm. The flowers cannot be taken out of the bowl. I was very pleased with the flowers and everyone who saw them liked them too.

On 5 July, I was sitting at the dining table stitching a speaker cover, when I happened to glance up and to my utter amazement saw three small white flowers, very low down in front of the arrangement. That was around 4.30 p.m. I was sure I hadn't seen any white flowers when I bought the arrangement. I kept looking and wondering for almost five hours. By 9.30 p.m. I was sure I hadn't seen these flowers and called my neighbour Lucy. She was equally amazed because she could not recall any white flowers either. Lucy then suggested that I light an old lamp near the picture.

After work on 9th July, I went to Breach Candy and bought a French Crystal Candle Bowl for the purpose. That night I placed the bowl on the stand, but since I didn't have any oil, I couldn't light it.

Whenever, I had a lot of washing to do, I would run my fingers on the picture even though they were completely cured. That evening I did a lot of washing and just before I went to bed, I ran my fingers on the picture, and was shocked to feel a mild vibration. My first thought was that there was current leaking from somewhere, so I switched off all the lights and fans - but the vibrations persisted. it was 11.20 p.m. - I phoned Lucy and she came up, but could feel nothing. Lucy started feeling the vibrations only after a month. These occurred on random nights not every night and continued for three months - July to end September.

During this time, the flowers "grew". The entire arrangement was compact, sort of boat shape low and overhanging the bowl. The rim of the bowl and the stone chips could not be seen from the front. Now the rim of the bowl is clearly seen and so are the chips. The white flowers which when first noticed, were slightly above the rim of the bowl, have also grown. One of them in front is 5" tall and another at the side is 6" tall. We noticed an artificial cactus in the middle of the arrangement, which has also grown. Sometimes it is dead center, clearly visible, sometimes it is hiding under the rose petals. The whole arrangement has grown and changed shape. Some of the old rose pink orchids have become much much darker and one now only a couple of shades lighter than the maroon roses. Most recently we noticed that the white flowers are becoming larger and all of them are more obvious. Earlier we had to look at them through the roses, they were smaller and much lower down. We continue to see changes fairly frequently. I asked Father Epy, a good family friend, what this could mean. His interpretation made me feel richer than the Sultan of Brunei. He said "Jesus is telling you that he is present in your home and that he is looking after you"

Do you remember my big Statue of Our Lady that was in the grotto? It is now in the house. The tip of our lady's fingers were badly disfigured - pitted and blackish. I didn't know how to get it rectified because it wasn't just a paint job. At the end of April I noticed that the statue was shining, conspicuously so. I didn't say anything to anyone, but two friends, on separate occasions asked me if I put oil on the statue because of the unusual sheen. Then early last month I noticed, that all the fingers, save two on the left hand were in perfect condition! Lucy couldn't get over sheen and the fingers when she returned from a month long holiday in Goa end May. I'm sure Our Lady, my Queen of Winnifred House is going to do something wonderful - I'm so impatient to know what it is going to be.

I guess I've told you everything about the flowers and my statue. So many other little things kept happening at home seeming to reassure me of mummy's continuing presence and protection. They're too many to recount in this already long letter. Perhaps another time. I'd be happy to hear from you especially since you've been on my mind so much. Till then, here's much love to you, your mum, and all the clan

Sincerely,

Joy

(Since receiving this letter in Kuwait, it has been distributed to various countries by those who wish to spread this message - could this be why Joy was inspired to write to Mariola with whom she had not corresponded for 24 long years??). The artificial flowers continue to grow and the whole arrangement has taken a different shape and form, from that originally purchased from Akbarali's in Bombay.

As you read this message, you too may wish to bring Jesus Our Saviour into the lives of as many people as you can.