Published in "Vecernji List" May 18, 2004 

CHARISMATIC Presentation of the book "Prayer does miracles" 

Fr.James in filled up concert hall 
"Vatroslav Lisinski" 

It was collected 40.000 kunas for blind girl Mateja Poje 

Written by:
MARIO SIROTKOVIC                                  Click here to read the original source in Croatian
MARIJANA JAKOVLJEVIC

Two days ago, late in the evening in filled up concert hall "Vatroslav Lisinski", the well known catholic charismatic preacher Fr.James Manjackal (MSFS) gave a check of 40.000 kunas to blind girl Mateja Poje. Mateja is one of the nine children of Poje family from Slavonski Brod and her blindness is caused by chemotherapy. 

The motive of this gathering of several thousands people was not only for collecting money for medicines for Mateja, but also for the presentation of the book "Prayer does miracles" by father James Manjackal. The whole program was designed as a combination of songs, meditation and prayer to the Holy Spirit. The popular music group "Apostles of Peace" from Madjarevo promoted their new album "Love of all centuries" and they performed their songs to support Fr. James' meditations with music. 
Msgr. Ivan Seso from Slavonski Brod, who wrote the preface of the book "Prayer does miracles", spoke highly about the book. 
The author, Fr. James said: 
"I was lead by the Holy Spirit while writing this book. In the book, I speak how to follow Jesus in His prayer life. If you sincerely, from your heart call Jesus, your prayers will be answered" 
Fr James also mentioned that every day he receives about 50-60 e-mail messages from Croatian people who ask and invite him to come to Croatia. He expressed his love for Croatia and also he regrets that he can not perform full seminar program here. He emphasized that Croatians have strong faith and that is why so many people receive  God's blessings. "When your country enters to the European Community, the whole Europe may be filled by the Spirit of Jesus" concluded Fr. James. 
He also invited Croatians to “Feast for Jesus” in Graz, Austria,  which will take place on Pentecost. 
The whole program was organized by the company "Laudato". 

Pfatter. Preacher Father James Manjackal from South India, who preaches world-wide, is presently giving a retreat in the parish church of Pfatter, which is filled with visitors from all over Germany. Not very many locals are taking part, the parishioners of Pfatter tend to be sceptical towards the “miracle-preacher”. After the evening service on Tuesday, the priest gave our paper a short interview. The people are more open for God, was Father James’ answer to the question, if he notices a change in the retreatants, compared to last year. They are not afraid of him anymore, they know he is a Catholic priest, who comes with love and tries to convey a message – about authentic Christian life, a life in obedience to the Word of God, and to the Church. He sees himself as God’s mouthpiece, who with this attribute, is able to bring about healing of sickness. This gift of God helps 80% of those seeking help to health, through intensive prayer. When he closes his eyes, he sees the names of people, as if they were written on a white screen. Beside some of the names, he sees the parts of the body that are sick. At his retreats, healings are confirmed daily.
 In spite of having given talks for hours, conducted prayers and personal counselling sessions, Father James doesn’t show the strenuousness of the day’s work. He claims he never gets tired, even  a sleepless night doesn’t bother him. In spite of a large swelling on his shinbone, he stands for hours during his talks and retreats, the discomfort doesn’t hinder his preaching. His answer to the question, if he never prayed to God to heal his sick leg, is clearly no. He accepts his suffering like Jesus Christ. God called him and his suffering is necessary for his ministry.
The main goal of the Charismatic Renewal is not miracles or physical healings, but a conversion to God. Politics cannot change the world but prayer can. Many problems could be solved by turning to God, praying intensively and going to daily Mass. Unfortunately, disoriented people often seek support in natural religions like Hinduism, or in esotericism, instead of turning to the Catholic faith again. Nobody shows the people how to pray, they are like sheep without shepherds. Especially the young people complain that nobody shows them the way. As a preacher, he has been trying to move Christians to conversion for years, but much more preaching is still necessary, according to the priest.

Right from the beginning of the four-day retreat, which was conducted under the motto “God is love – come and see”, Fr. James Manjackal preached before a full house, that is, church. Faithful from all over Germany had come, once again, to the country parish on the Danube, to personally experience the charismatic priest who is reputed to be a miracle healer.
On April 23, 1973 Father James Manjackal was ordained a priest. After one year in the missions, he worked as a professor for psychology in the seminary in Kerala. Shortly after attending a retreat for prayer and healing he became seriously ill with tuberculosis of the kidney. One day a converted Hindu who believed in Jesus; visited the seriously ill priest, laid his hands on him and prayed to God to grant Fr. James mercy and healing. During the prayer, he experienced a cleansing he had never known before, severe pain in the kidney area was a sign of healing for him. Father James was shocked by what he experienced. After a time of intensive prayer when he was plagued by great self-doubt, Jesus appeared to him and showed him the right way. Shortly thereafter Father James was able to leave the hospital in full health, healed in body, mind and soul. His greatest wish now, is to preach and work in the healing ministry.

The formerly shy, introverted young priest became a charismatic preacher, who tries, especially in Europe, to promote a new evangelisation, with his talks, parish missions, and retreats. In Zagreb, Croatia, alone, more than 7,000 faithful heard his sermon on February 9, 2003, the churches and halls, from Austria to Ireland, from Spain to Montenegro, are always filled. At the retreat at Pfatter, the Indian priest speaks especially about willingness to forgive and give pardon, which is the only way to establish a personal, living relationship to God, which, in turn, leads to healing of body and soul.
Seek support in prayer
 In his talks Father James challenges the people, to get involved with God and to seek support in prayer. In times when hatred, envy, fighting and war rule the world, the people are looking for meaning in their lives. Therefore the retreat for inner and physical healing with Father James is intended to reach young and old of all social stratums. The days of the retreat are divided into a morning and afternoon program, musically accompanied by Hans and Magdalena Gnann. Speaking in the English language, which is translated into German by a helper, Father James talks about his life, reads from the Bible, preaches, prays and challenges the faithful to accept Jesus in their lives – because only then miracles and healings will become possible.
Intensive prayers
The theme of the second day of the retreat, yesterday, Wednesday, was penance. After a very intensive talk in the morning, all the retreatants had the opportunity to go to confession, some even had the chance to make their confession in a personal talk with Father James. There is an evening Mass at 6.30 pm, which also takes place this Thursday evening, also the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a short service with prayers for healing, which close the daily program. Father James repeatedly challenges his listeners to intensive prayer.
These “Days for spiritual renewal” were organized by the Evangelisationswerk for the diocese of Regensburg, of whose board of directors Father Gustav Krämer is a member. This service group within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was founded in 1990 and is also led by Fr. Krämer. The charismatic retreat with Father James will continue until tomorrow, Friday afternoon, and will end at about 1.30 pm with the celebration of the Mass.
After the retreat at Pfatter, numerous programs in Austria, Switzerland and France follow. At the end of this year, Father James Manjackal’s call to evangelise the world will even take him to Australia.