Though its Christian majority is readily apparent, the U.S. has innumerable other devotional followings. From Catholics to Pentecostals and Native Americans to Voodooists, there is no place as wildly diverse on the planet! In the third and final episode of my Travel Channel series, Miracle Quest (airing at 8 PM on Friday night) I investigate the differences between these unique cultural miracles, and uncover the extraordinary origins behind them. How real are crosses of light and the healings associated with them? Are Serpent handlers really immune to the dangers of snakes, poison, and fire? Can eating dirt actually heal the sick? Do Voodoo miracles extend beyond zombies and dolls? And what does the birth of a White Buffalo portend for our future? I sift through the improbable and inexplicable in a country that is one of the top 3 places in the world where miracles are reported and where 82% of the people believe that God still works miracles today.
Santa Fe, N.M.
Unexplained Healings
* Located 25 miles north of Santa Fe, the little mountain town of Chimayo is known as the "Lourdes of America." A small church there, El Santuario de Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas (The Shrine of Our Lord of Esquipulas), draws nearly 300,000 people a year from around the world for its healing powers.
* A tiny well of dirt, from the area in the chapel's floor that once held the miraculous cross, is said to heal the sick. This "tierra bendita" is why many pilgrims make the journey to the tiny pueblo church.
Appalachian Mountains (East of Knoxville, Tenn.)
Edwina Church of God in Jesus Christ's Name
* There are 75 serpent-handling churches in southern Appalachia (Tennessee).
* Members believe in the signs of the Book of Mark, passage 16.
* The practice is illegal, but we were able to film the sermon and the Pastor handling poisonous snakes.
Twenty Miles Outside Flagstaff, Ariz.
Legend of the White Buffalo
* The only white buffalo herd in existence lives 20 miles from Flagstaff.
* A white buffalo is extremely rare and said to be a sign from nature.
* According to Native American mythology, a white buffalo is said to bring harmony and peace to her tribe.
* The herd, which now numbers eight buffalo, resides at the Spirit Mountain Ranch. Owned by Jim and Dena Riley, the ranch can be seen on the way to the Grand Canyon.
* Native American legend holds that white buffalo can heal the sick..
* In the 1800s, the U.S. government advocated for the destruction of the white buffalo to subdue native tribes.
New Orleans
Voodoo
* In this ancestral religion, the spiritual world takes center stage, and miracles are a part of everyday life.
* Voodoo originated in West Africa. It was brought over to the New World by African slaves, who continued to practice some of its rituals.
Comments (29)
Living in New Orleans, I am very fascinated by the culture of the region. So rich and mysterious, I am sure you will do it justice when you delve into the mystery of the Vodun religion. Interesting and compelling to watch. I will definitely catch it.
Posted by: Maspero on April 12, 2007 17:02
Anyone familiar with Billy Graham's last visit to New Orleans?
Posted by: Todd Levari on April 12, 2007 17:44
I remember when Pope John Paul II came back in 1987. It was so wonderful to have him here!
Posted by: Maspero on April 13, 2007 09:11
If you missed the first two episodes of Miracle Quest, you better tune in for the third. If you saw either one of the first two episodes, I don't have to tell you to watch. Great job, Flavia!!!
Posted by: Steve Urbanski on April 13, 2007 09:12
In 2006, Billy Graham lead thousands of recently born again Christians to the assembly hall where they had been all day over to Bourbon Street. Billy was in a mobile scooter. The police were initially concerned that a riot would occur. Instead, many joined in and the crowd of walkers and singers increased during the march. When they got to Bourbon Street, the music from inside the night clubs and strip joints subsided and was displaced by Amazing Grace from thousands of voices. On that night, thousands that went out for a night of thrills instead repented and turned their lives over to God. The evening went on into the wee hours filled with hyms and prayer, weeping and joy.
Posted by: Todd Levari on April 13, 2007 10:23
I was glued to my set for the first two. I even watched the first one twice! I can't wait for America--I only wish there were more. Amazing job Flavia, we are all so proud of you. Use to seeing you eat people alive on TV, you are so sweet and playful and curios, so much fun to watch.
Posted by: Julie on April 13, 2007 10:31
All religion is superstitious nonsense believed by the weak-minded. The only thing that's amazing is that a lot of people actually believe this stuff.
Posted by: tony on April 13, 2007 12:21
Religion isn't superstitious it is real and Living you should experience Gods Mercy. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday stop walking away from him turn around and embrace him he will forgive and Love you unconditionally, unlike me I am a mere wretch of a human a sinner.!
Posted by: Kevin in Kuwait on April 15, 2007 05:16
Kevin is right Tony. I have a personal relationship with Jesus, and I am just a mere wretch of a human sinner too. Because He walks with me every step of my life, I know He will walk with anyone who turns their life over to Him, and then will be by my side for eternity when I can actually look upon His glorious face.
I can understand why you or anyone for that matter would be turned off to religion. Man has turned Jesus's message and work at Calvary into a series of rituals and traditions. Statues and candles and now we sit and now we stand and now we kneel and gold chalices and trays and ringing bells and hocus pocus. Looks like voodoo.
Crusades, murders, abominations all claimed to be in the name of God. This is the act of man, not of God.
But your relationship with Him can only be persona. Between you and Him and no one else. Right now it appears that your relationship is to deny Him. Well He doesn't deny you. He is knocking at your door, but will not force Himself on you and will not come in unless you open the door for Him. That is His promise. The gift of free will, which right now you are turning into a tradgedy.
He loves you so much that He came down from heaven and made Himself lower than the angles for a brief period at Calvary because He saw your face and He wanted to spend eternity with you. The One who hung from that cross was also the one who was holding the molecules of the nails which were holding Him to the cross together. All for you. That is how much He loves you.
I beg you to stop trying to fool yourself and accept Him into your life. For the eternal salvation of your soul. That is all that I can do. He will have to do the rest. If He can change my heart, then He can change your too.
Keep the faith.
Posted by: Todd Levari on April 15, 2007 16:28
i watched Miracles in America while i was in NYC for the last month, great show, really interesting, keep up the great work.
Posted by: Paul on April 15, 2007 21:24
Give you all the credit in the world for the segment with the snakehandling...there's no way I could have been that close to those snakes; but, then, I guess that's the point of having faith, isn't it?
Posted by: John on April 15, 2007 22:03
Outstanding job!! I look forward to more episodes. How many more episodes will be airing? Is this a test run for Travel Channel? If so, I'll be the first to write them a note and give you a big thumbs-up.
Havin a read a little about you in your bio, we seem to share similar lives and I have a great deal of respect for the time and effort that you're putting in to your career. I feel that God blesses everyone with talents and we'd be making big mistakes if we didn't utilize those given talents to our utmost potential.
Keep up the great work!!!
Hope all is well with you.
Posted by: K on April 16, 2007 00:22
Flavia,
You looked terrified while in Tennessee and I ain't talkin' because of the snakes.
Don't worry I would be too. A little strange to say the least.
Posted by: TheBoss on April 16, 2007 04:15
Want you to know that there is a woman here in Vietnam geting a lot of attention for determing where the remains of people killed during the war are at.
I don't know how I can help you but I would like to be there for you even though I am in a place that doesn't broadcast your network.
Thanks Flavia!
Posted by: Heath on April 16, 2007 12:35
I discovered you the other day when I was flipping the channels and came across Miracle Quest on the Travel Channel – it was the show on Padre Pio and Eucharistic miracles.
I was impressed to see a young refreshing face on television seeking to understand the religious experiences of others. It’s certainly needed.
Posted by: Jimmy on April 16, 2007 13:03
Well,I hear you're a democrat, but it makes me no difference eiter way. You prove that not all dems are out to destroy the world. I'm kidding of course. In anycase, I love your show on Travel Channel. You make my Friday nights not so boring and more thought provoking. By the way, I wonder if you've ever personally experienced anything miraculous. I'd like to know.
Take care.
Posted by: levar on April 16, 2007 13:22
The work you are doing is outstanding, not only your show Miracle Quest but what I have read what you wrote on this website. We need more people in the world like you.
A few quick inspirational notes:
God does not mind if you want to be Number 1 but try to play by His rules!
That was the entire sermon at morning mass the other day.
Talent is God-Given Be Humble; Fame is Man-Given, Be Thankful; Conceit is Self-Given, Be Careful!
Sign in the UCLA basketball team's locker room.
Have a great day and Vaya Con Dios!
Posted by: Tom on April 16, 2007 16:29
I liked your program, although maybe we possibly have different position about miracles! (I am a traditionalist catholic by the way!) because the feelings you show there seem to me really genuine, and i really appreciate that. You seem a very honest and respectful person. Very good! however, I was a bit disappointed that you didn't talk of the greatest miracle of all, the one that the catholics call "THE" miracle, happend in Spain in 17th century where a man was given back a leg. This is really astonishing. El Miraglo.
Posted by: Luigi on April 16, 2007 17:35
Go wants to be number one in our lives. In fact He demands it. He is a very jealous God.
I am glad that things are going so well for you Flavia. Keep the faith.
Posted by: Todd Levari on April 16, 2007 19:25
I watched your visit to Lourdes, France and was so touched by the candlelight vigil and the scene where you actually met miracle #59. You should have seen your face!
You are doing a wonderful job and I am proud that someone like you actually cares to study religion. Katie Couric only wishes she were as talented as you! I'm going to enjoy to watch you grow. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Christal on April 16, 2007 19:27
Miracle quest was good, I'm not convinced regarding religion, I am convinced that the sky is the limit regarding your tv future!! Good Job, You have a natural talent for connecting to your audience!! Keep me posted on future projects. PEACE!
Posted by: John on April 17, 2007 12:52
"Though its Christian majority is readily apparent, the U.S. has innumerable other devotional followings. From Catholics to Pentecostals and Native Americans to Voodooists, there is no place as wildly diverse on the planet!"
I see.
The whole goal of Flavia's erstwhile attempt to quest for miracles was actually another attempt to quest for political correctness, multiculturalism, doubt and moral relativism. Oh well. I guess this is what happens when you violate that old saying "never send a boy to do a man's work." In other words, leave theological questions to theologians, Flavia.
Posted by: George Tomezsko on April 17, 2007 13:32
George, did you watch the show or are you just makign stuff up as usual? The first two one hr. episodes were onlyl on Christian miracles, which I for one think is pretty unusual for TV. I don't think I have ever seen a special on the Virgin Mary for an hr. or Padre Pio that was so respectful and very pro-faith. Get a grip. Theologian? it was nice to have someone who was informed and not some stuffy academic and is a degree from Harvard in Religion not worth something--where did you study religion?
Posted by: Julie on April 17, 2007 14:54
Last week's show was very entertaining and the scenery was beautiful. I think you and everyone involved with the show should be very proud. Very nice cinematography and production values.
Posted by: otto on April 17, 2007 18:08
so informative, thanks to tell us.
Posted by: Esonjoycloppy on September 29, 2010 22:30
skill saw hd77
Posted by: skil saw hd77 on September 6, 2011 10:42
PV9y4Q comment6
Posted by: buy cheap oem software on January 15, 2012 20:52
BNkjmL comment6
Posted by: cheap oem software on January 16, 2012 06:11
Thanks for all the answers:) In fact, learned a lot of new information. Dut I just didn`t figure out what is what till the end!....
Posted by: name on January 30, 2012 16:50
Strange but true. Your resource is expensive. At least it could be sold for good money on its auction!....
Posted by: name on February 1, 2012 08:34