CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - Citing the biblical references to the multiple miraculous healings in the earthly ministry of Jesus - as well as the healings which continued through the ministry of the Apostles in the early Church - the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that miracles are a sign of the Kingdom of God:

"Jesus accompanies his words with many "mighty works and wonders and signs", which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah. The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father's works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God."

"But his miracles can also be occasions for "offense"; they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic. Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons. By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God's sons and causes all forms of human bondage."

"The coming of God's kingdom means the defeat of Satan's: "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Jesus' exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus' great victory over "the ruler of this world". The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ's cross: "God reigned from the wood." (CCC # 547-550)

The Catholic Church has always proclaimed her belief in the existence of many different kinds of miracles. Our tradition and history are replete with examples of miracles. All miracles are due to the Risen Lord's continued ministry of Mercy in our midst. His redemptive work continues through the ministry of the Church which is His Body. All miracles are still signs of the Kingdom of God.Do signs of the Kingdom continue to be manifested in our own day?

Sometimes miracles are accomplished through the intercession of the Saints. They are an integral part of the process which leads to their canonization. The prayer and intercession of Mary, the Mother of the Lord, has brought some of the most extraordinary miracles. Miracles can and do accompany the administration of Sacraments.  The history of Eucharistic miracles is particularly profound and inspirational.  

Great men and women throughout Church history have demonstrated that when the Gospel in its fullness is proclaimed "signs and wonders" still accompany the Church's apostolic and missionary work. The ministry of the founders of many religious communities was accompanied by miracles. Many who are reading this article can attest to miracles in their own lives - and in the lives of others. Those involved in, or touched by, the "ecclesial movements" spreading rapidly in the Church, often give testimony to the reality of miracles.

However, what about the more dramatic miracles, such as physical healing? Do they still happen? Can they happen when "regular folks" in love with the Lord share His Word and believe in His promises? Word out of India affirms what many already know, the answer is "Yes".

LaStampa's Vatican Insider recently published  an article written by the Italian journalist Marco Tosatti entitled "India's Impossible Miracles" It is affirmed by other reports such as this one by John Newton written for Aid to the Church in Need entitled "India, Miracles Happen" Here is an excerp from the Vatican Insidert:

"Strange things are going on in the Indian diocese of Itangar and Bishop John Kattrukudiyl spoke about them during a visit to Germany for the periodic meeting organized by Aid to the Church in Need, the international organization that deals with churches and Christians in countries where they face the greatest difficulties." 

"According to the prelate, the numerous unexplained healings which preceded and resulted from prayer, are the main reason for this extraordinary increase in Catholics  - 40% over 35 years - in this remote corner of India. The bishop is informed of things like this on a regular basis; and the stories, "baffle me. I have a theological mindset and it is easy to become skeptical about this kind of thing. But the interested parties are absolutely convinced that what happened to them was real."

"The prelate mentioned the case of a man who stopped persecuting the Catholic ...