Book Reviews2 Bleeding Hands, Weeping Stone: true stories of divine wonders, miracles, and messages

Jul 2, 2010

Ficocelli, Elizabeth.  Charlotte, N.C.: St. Benedict Press, April 2010. ISBN 978-1935302-31-5.  $12.95.

This book is very inspiring and a worthy teaching tool about the Catholic faith. In it, Elizabeth Ficocelli presents some of those old-time miracles and fascinating wonders which in fact are timeless. She covers miracles from all over the world and from various time periods of the Church’s history. 

Ficocelli divides her book into different miracle types:  Eucharistic miracles, the stigmata, incorrupt bodies, levitation, apparitions and visions, weeping images and statues, and a conclusion. She always refers to the authority of the Catholic Church to decide what is authentic or not. 

For example, if a “miracle” is contrary to the Bible or Church teachings it is not a true “miracle” from God. Rather, it isfrom the evil one or from some other source. That is why those involved in the “miracle” must be in line with the Bible and Church teachings.

This is a very entertaining book because Ficocelli mixes facts with humor which livens up the story very much. There are some minor typos, but they do not hurt the flow of the story. 

The author has also inserted some black and white photos that are connected with the subjects she is writing about. She provides a bibliography of books and websites for those interested in further study on the topic of miracles. 

This book is meant to help Catholics and non-Catholics to grow in their faith. It is highly recommended to those interested in miracles and their relationship with the Catholic Church.