Medjugorje snowscape

Medjugorje hasn’t escaped the severe cold weather and snow conditions that has swept across Europe this week.

February message to Mirjana

You have seen many things but not observed them; your ears are open but you do not hear. Isaiah 42 : 20

You may be quite sure that in the last days there are going to be some difficult times. People will be self-centred and grasping; boastful, arrogant and rude; disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious; heartless and unappeasable; they will be slanderous, profligates, savages and enemies of everything that is good; they will be treacherous and reckless and demented by pride, preferring their own pleasure to God. They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it… 2 Timothy 3 : 1-5

Dear children; I am with you for so much time and already for so long I have been pointing you to God’s presence and his infinite love, which I desire for all of you to come to know. And you, my children? You continue to be deaf and blind as you look at the world around you and do not want to see where it is going without my Son. You are renouncing him – and he is the source of all graces. You listen to me while I am speaking to you, but your hearts are closed and you are not hearing me. You are not praying to the Holy Spirit to illuminate you. My children, pride has come to rule. I am pointing out humility to you. My children, remember that only a humble soul shines with purity and beauty because it has come to know the love of God. Only a humble soul becomes heaven, because my Son is in it. Thank you. Again I implore you to pray for those whom my Son has chosen – those are your shepherds. February 2, 2012

He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. Malachi 3 : 1-4

Prompted by the Spirit Simeon came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God: and he said: “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2 : 22-40



• It is reported that 25,000 people were present in the stadium in Naples where Mirjana received her apparition. Crowds started to gather at 3.00am in the morning for the appariton at 8:45am and came from all parts of Italy, braving the snow and hazardous weather throughout the country. Mass was concelebrated by more than 60 priests prior to the apparition. Last year, on the same date, Mirjana was also in Naples to receive her apparition.

The Presentation of the Lord

• Today we celebrate the close of the Christmas festival of light. Candles are blessed and we carry them in procession to welcome Christ, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people.

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Luke 2 : 22-24

Dear children! Today also I call each one of you to decide to surrender again everything completely to me. Only that way will I be able to present each of you to God. part message, November 25, 1987

Become my extended hands...

“Become my extended hands...” In light of these words from the most recent message of Our Lady, this article by Fr Jozo Zovko is very edifying.

• A mother told me that her son, about fifteen years ago, was hospitalised in Germany. He was in a coma for six months. Initially she and her husband were not allowed to see their son because the doctors thought that the boy would be traumatised if he saw his parents. The young boy had fallen from a tall building and had fractured all of his bones. When the physicians felt they could not do anything more for the boy they told the parents, “We do not expect your son to live. Now you may visit him.”

His mother had prepared herself for that visit through prayer and fasting. She, her husband, and their other children went to the hospital. The doctors accompanied them to the boy’s room. There they saw what appeared to be a long white stone upon the bed; he was completely covered in a cast except for his forehead. His mother laid her hand on her son’s forhead and began praying. During the prayer her son awoke from the coma and said, “Mama.”

The doctors were taken aback. They tried to explain this phenomenon. They said that when the mother touched her son’s body she transmitted her heartbeat to him through her pulse, and the boy recognised it and was awakened. When the mother heard this explanation she said, “No, it is not true. What does pulse mean? I prayed for my son, and Our Lady awoke him.”

Today this man is in good health and comes often to Medjugorje. His mother was right. Our Lady for the past years has been holding her hands upon the body of the Church, as she held her hand upon the body of the young man in a coma, and watched and prayed for him every day. Now she is watching over you every day.

Our Lady has given us the Son, whom one does not lose. Our Lady holds your hands. Will she succeed in awaking you? It depends on you. Medjugorje is more than a clinic; it is a large candle always burning brightly for prayer, love and peace. People pray everywhere in Medjugorje. They pray together in church, on the mountain and in their homes. They pray throughout the day.

• Adapted from Fr Jozo’s book: Medjugorje, A Testimony

The child is not dead, but asleep

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then of of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.” Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him...

While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagoue official to say, “Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?” But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, “Do not be afraid; only have faith.” And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.” But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, “Talitha, kum!” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up.” The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5 : 21-24, 35-43

January 2012 message of Our Lady to Marija

Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call. January 25, 2012

Bearing and sowing the Word

Mark 4 : 13-20 ... Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word.

Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them.
I am inviting you to a complete surrender to God. Pray, little children, that Satan may not carry you about like the branches in the wind. Be strong in God. part message, May 25, 1988
Dear children! Today again I call all of you to prayer. Only with prayer, dear children, will your heart change, become better, and be more sensitive to the Word of God. Little children, do not permit Satan to pull you apart and to do with you what he wants. I call you to be responsible and determined and to consecrate each day to God in prayer. part message, January 25, 1998

Those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once.
I am close to you and I invite you all, little children, into my embrace to help you, but you do not want and in this way, Satan is tempting you, and in the smallest thing, your faith disappears. This is why little children, pray and through prayer, you will have blessing and peace. part message, March 25, 1995
Live my messages and put into life every word that I am giving you. May they be precious to you because they come from heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call. part message, June 25, 2002

Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing.
Do not permit Satan to open the paths of of earthly happiness, the paths without my Son. My children, they are false and last a short while. My Son exists. I offer you eternal happiness and peace and unity with my Son, with God; I offer you the Kingdom of God. Thank you. part message, August 2, 2010
Dear children, Today, while I am looking at your hearts, my heart is filled with pain and shudder. My children, stop for a moment and look in to your hearts. Is my Son – your God truly in the first place? Are His commandments truly the measure of your life? I am warning you again. Without faith there is no God’s nearness. God’s word which is the light of salvation and the light of common sense. December 2, 2007

And then there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.
Dear children! With the time of Lent, you are approaching a time of grace. Your heart is like ploughed soil and it is ready to receive the fruit which will grow into what is good. You, little children, are free to choose good or evil. Therefore, I call you to pray and fast. Plant joy and the fruit of joy will grow in your hearts for your good, and others will see it and receive it through your life. Renounce sin and choose eternal life. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son. Thank you for having responded to my call. January 25, 2008
Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer and silence. Rest your body and spirit, may they be in God’s love. Permit me, little children, to lead you, open your hearts to the Holy Spirit so that all the good that is in you may blossom and bear fruit one hundred fold. Begin and end the day with prayer with the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call. July 25, 2011

Willing to love...

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him. “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.” He replied. “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3 : 31-35

Dear children, Today I call you to open your heart to the Holy Spirit and to permit him to transform you. My children, God is the immeasurable good and therefore, as a mother, I implore you to pray, pray, pray, fast and hope that it is possible to attain that good, because love is born of that good. The Holy Spirit will reinforce that good in you and you will be able to call God your Father. Through this exalted love, you will sincerely come to love all people and, through God, consider them brothers and sisters. Thank you. Medjugorje message, November 2, 2007

With God we remain secure...

No one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle the house. Mark 3 : 27

Dear children! These days you have experienced God’s sweetness through the renewals which have been in this parish. satan wants to work still more fiercely to take away your joy from each one of you. By prayer you can completely disarm him and ensure your happiness. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, January 24, 1985

Dear children! Today I am grateful to you for your presence in this place, where I am giving you special graces. I call each one of you to begin to live as of today that life which God wishes of you and to begin to perform good works of love and mercy. I do not want you, dear children, to live the message and be committing sin which is displeasing to me. Therefore, dear children, I want each of you to live a new life without destroying all that God produces in you and is giving you. I give you my special blessing and I am remaining with you on your way of conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, March 25, 1987

Seeing beyond the sin

• by Fr Slavko Barbaric OFM

To understand Christianity only as a battle against sin reminds us of the gardener who is so busy clearing his garden of weeds and other damaging elements that he never has the opportunity to plant a tree in the garden. Such a gardner might ask himself the question, “Why am I always clearing and caring for this garden when nothing ever improves? The same weeds keep returning.” He may become disheartened and waste his whole life, or he may give up that part of his work, or even abandon everything. However, when he plants good seed into well-prepared ground, and the good seeds begin to grow, he will no longer tire of clearing the garden and creating better conditions for the good seed that is growing.

In a similar manner, Christianity is not only a fight against sin, but it is also a fight for positive values. That fight continues until death and may even require the sacrifice of one’s own life by fully giving oneself for others. The real meaning and beauty of the Christian call, the call to discipline, prayer, fasting, and confession, is a call to heroic deed of love and charity.

The following analogy might be helpful. If someone told you, “God gave me legs so that I wouldn’t fall.” Certainly you would not agree with that. You would insist that legs are given to enable you to walk, not protect you from falling. If people were convinced that legs were simply given to protect them from falling, then they would sit for their entire life, because if they got up they might fall. Ironically, then, the one who sits in one place and does not move becomes a greater problem than the one who walks and occasionally falls. If we transfer this analogy into our Christian life, we may suggest that a person who refuses to stand up out of fear of falling is destroying himself more than one who gets up and walks, even though occasionally he falls.

• adapted from Fr Slavko’s book: Give Me Your Wounded Heart

The revealing ways of Jesus...

It was Thursday, and there was all-day Adoration in St Finian’s church. I popped in a short while around midday on my way to visit Sarah in the nursing home across the road from the church. Before the Blessed Sacrament I asked Jesus for a big blessing to take with me for Sarah as she lay bed-ridden and close to death.

Weak and very jaundiced, Sarah struggled to take any food or liquids, and was sustained mostly through a drip. The loving and patient carers persevered and brought her tea and liquidised food, but seldom anything passed her lips – until that day.

That afternoon a bowl of custard and milk was left on the portable table that stretched across Sarah’s bed. It lay there as she slept. She must have sensed someone was in the room and opened her eyes, not even recognising her own son.

“Try this, Sarah, you’ll like it,” I said, and started slowly spoon-feeding my mother. It must have taken 15 minutes or more but Sarah finished the whole dish. My heart was full of joy and I couldn’t help think of the many times she must have done the same for me as a child. But now the roles were reversed and it was me doing the cajoling and giving encouragement with every spoonful she accepted.

It was a real effort for Sarah and it wasn’t long before her eyes closed again in sleep. But the joy remained with me and I suddenly remembered about the blessing I had asked Jesus for earlier in the day. He had responded big-time.

I needed to talk with him again, to say thank you. I rushed back across the street to the church. The Blessed Sacrament was still exposed.

And when I thanked and told Jesus of of the joy in my heart I heard these words: “Now you know the joy and delight I have in feeding and nourishing my Father’s children!”

It was a revelation to discover Jesus could experience joy and delight in feeding us with his own body and blood. And in Jesus we see the Father wanting so much to care for our every need.

Feed my sheep….

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.” Matthew, 15 : 32

Dear children, the Father has not left you to yourselves. Immeasurable is his love, the love that is bringing me to you, to help you to come to know him, so that, through my Son, all of you can call him ‘Father’ with the fullness of heart; that you can be one people in God’s family. part Medjugorje message, April 2, 2011

Bearing the Word of God...

Just suppose that the Holy See declares the Medjugorje phenomenon worthy of belief. Presumably such a decision would also be seen as an endorsement for the messages given by Our Lady to the six visionaries. And if the messages were to be accepted by the Church as worthy of belief then how much attention should be given to them?

Are we to believe the words of Our Lady? Does she bear the Word of God when she speaks through her Medjugorje messages?

If the commission inquiry set up by the Holy See and the subsequent study by the CDF is unable to reach a conclusion one way or another on the validity of the Medjugorje phenomenon but instead takes the middle position of remaining undecided either way, then will it be reasonable to assume that nothing also will decided for or against the messages Our Lady has given the world for the past 30 years?

The apparitions, locutions and the messages are intrinsically entwined. To accept the messages invites us to accept the apparitions. To accept the apparitions is an invitation to accept the messages.

After 30 years of claimed apparitions, the Church has not condemned the messages as a danger to the faith and morals of the faithful. It has never officially stated that the messages give false teaching or contradict Scripture. Its silence on this matter speaks volumes because Canon Law clearly states that the Church has an obligation to protect the faithful from falsehoods and reprove writings which harm correct faith or good morals.

So, in the Medjugorje messages, is Our Lady teaching on her own account, or is she bringing the Word of God to her children, compatible to the teaching of the Church? And if Our Lady bears the Word of God is there not an implied obligation for us to listen and accept her teaching, especially as the Church has not condemned the messages and even more so if the Church ever declares that the Medjugorje phenomenon is worthy of belief?

What kind of wisdom do we possess if we insist that we have no need to listen to the Mother of our Saviour? If I was to call at the house of my friend and his mother answered the door, should I ignore her, not speak to her, or ask how she is? Surely not, because she will be the one to give me the answer to my question: “Is my friend at home?” And if he’s not, I’m sure she will be more than pleased to tell me where to find my friend.

Alleluia, alleluia! Accept God’s message for what it really is: God’s message, and not some human thinking. Alleluia! Hebrews 4 : 12

Two million hosts sets new record

Record number of communion hosts distributed in Medjugorje.

For the first time ever in the 30 year history of the Medjugorje phenomenon the number of hosts distributed to pilgrims and parishioners in a single year has exceeded two million (2,027,900), and the year-on-year average has now surpassed one million (1,039,783) since the parish office started compiling records in 1985.

Shaped like the two hills of Medjugorje, the year-on year average growth shown in the chart below is a clear indicator that all efforts by antagonists to diminish interest and belief in the events of Medjugorje is not succeeding. The opposite is happening. The “phenomenon” continues to grow in interest and support. The number of communicants and restored hearts keeps on climbing.

Only during the onset of military conflict in surrounding regions in 1991 and then the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1995 did the numbers reduce. But by 1994 the number of communicants in Medjugorje began to rise again and has continued ever since. Not even war and the continual scaremongering is able to douse the flame of faith that burns brightly in Medjugorje as a beacon to the world.

Feed my sheep...

Two million hosts equates to an average of 5,700 communions fed to Medjugorje pilgrims every day for a whole year!

Fishers of men...

It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Have you caught anything friends?” And when they answered, “No”, he said, “Throw the net out to the starboard and you’ll find something.” So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” At these words, “It is the Lord”, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak around him and jumped into the water the other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about 100 yards from land. (John 21 : 4-8)

Light of the world...

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5 : 13-16)

The wisdom of Gamaliel...

If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5 : 38-39)

The summit of our prayer...

Dear friends, let us ask the Lord that, after having worthily prepared ourselves, also through the Sacrament of Penance, our participation in His Eucharist, which is indispensible for Christian life, might always be the summit of our prayer. Let us ask that, by being united deeply to His own offering to the Father, we too may transform our crosses into a free and responsible sacrifice of love to God and to our brothers and sisters. Pope Benedict XVI, January 11, 2012

Private revelation

by Fr Ljudevit Rupcic OFM

The term “private” revelations has already for a long time become customary in theology. In contrast to it is public revelation. However, public revelation would be the one given in the Bible, and private the one given apart from the Bible. Accordingly, it would be more justifiable to speak of biblical and extra-biblical revelation. Assigning a greater honour and significance to the biblical than to the other has no real reason whatsoever. Because if they are both true, if they both come from God, according to their origin they are both divine and equally valuable. Both, the one and the other, God intends for people and wants them to accept both of them. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to speak at all. If there may be some justifiable difference between them, it can never be in the sense that one is obligatory and the other is not. They are both obligatory. For every one that has been reached by them and for the one who has attained sufficient reasons and moral security regarding their authenticity, both of them oblige equally.

Revelation contained in the Bible is called “the canon,” that is, the rule of faith. The authenticity of every other revelation is in some way measured according to it. First of all, everything that might be contrary to that revelation would be unauthentic or false. Accordingly, the biblical revelation provides the guarantee of certainty, and that in a negative way, the contrary revelation is false. Moreover, the authenticity of biblical revelation is guaranteed by the church’s magisterium to which the Holy Spirit is given by Christ in order to preserve that revelation faithfully and to interpret it infallibly. For the extra-biblical revelation, the magisterium does not have that authority directly, but indirectly. That means that, if it would establish that an extra-biblical revelation is contrary to the biblical, it would be certain that it is not at all authentically divine. Because, “for even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel not in accord with the one we delivered to you, let a curse be upon him!” (Galatians 1:8). On the other hand, if the Church’s magisterium would in any way even affirm an extra-biblical revelation, one would not be obliged just by that to accept it as authentic. If one has his own reasons, he must accept it with fide divina. But if one does not have his own reasons, he can either reject it or doubt it. In that case, a person is not obliged fide catholica.

The history of the Church witnesses that it has always had extra-biblical revelations. According to their structure and form, they are equal to biblical revelation and are regularly connected with apparitions or visions. Usually it was Jesus appearing, angels and saints. But in recent times, it is most frequently the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Locutions [auditiones] are also connected to visions. The most recent apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in La Salette, Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje confirm that. The visionaries, in addition to seeing Our Lady, also hear her messages, which usually call to conversion, prayer, especially the rosary, and penance. Thereby they all the more direct toward the renewal and flourishing of Church life rather than giving some new truth of the faith.

No one can close God’s mouth. He has not finished his conversation nor his revelation to people. It goes on continuously in the Church and the world in different ways. God’s speech, in a broader sense, takes the form of vision or at least no one can dispute that. Therefore, extra-biblical revelations are not only possible but actual. The Spirit of God whom Christ has sent to the Church constantly reminds it of the words of Jesus and leads it into all truth (John 16:13). He does not accomplish this just through the hierarchy, but also through charisms and their bearers because the Church is not only hierarchical but also charismatic. That is why the Holy Spirit is not bound to the hierarchy, but vice versa. He is free and breathes wherever he wills. He gives incentives to the Church and leads the Church also through charismatics. Neither the hierarchy nor charismatics can usurp to themselves the exclusive right to speak and act in the name of the Holy Spirit. Their ministries originate from the same Spirit and must be harmonized. Therefore, neither the hierarchy nor the Church must be self-satisfied and indifferent toward visions, apparitions and revelations. The hierarchy must not only not reject them, nor merely tolerate them, but it must both accept and foster them. Otherwise, it would be rejecting the Spirit himself.

Vision and revelation belong to the prophetic charism of which the Church cannot be lacking and that, not because some new doctrine or truth would be necessary after biblical revelation, but because a new light is necessary, a better understanding of that same doctrine or truth and, especially, because a new direction and impetus for human activity is necessary.

A critical posture toward extra-biblical revelation has been expressed more or less throughout entire history. With the beginning of modern times, greater and more numerous debates on them have begun. According to them, the best sign of authenticity of extra-biblical revelation and vision is their agreement with biblical revelation. If that is affirmed, the content of extra-biblical revelation, which surpasses the capabilities of the visionaries, speak much in its favour. In that, the mental and physical health of the subject plays an important role. Personal holiness and the state of grace contribute to its authenticity even though they are not indispensable. In principle, even great moral defects are not an obstacle to the authenticity of the revelation. Moral heroism of the subject of the vision contributes positively to the authenticity of the truth. In that, attending circumstances also mean something, although accompanying errors are not necessarily considered a negative criterion. These internal criteria are accompanied by the external: miracle and approval of the Church. Involvement in some controversial question and political matter speaks against the authenticity of the vision because visions serve the kingdom of God and not curiosity and some purpose entirely of this world.

Extra-biblical revelations, in general, do not bring any new truths, but perhaps just a better recognition of the biblically revealed truths and all the more certainly the demand for a better and more urgent application of biblical revelation on a particular position of the Church or individual groups within it. In general, they want to inspire people to faith and conversion and thus, to bring them to salvation. They are rather requests and incentives than assertions. Their purpose is to direct the behaviour of people toward God. In that sense, St. Thomas of Aquinas says, “When there are no more revelations, people will be without guidance” (Summa II-II. q 174 a.6). This is the reason there have always been prophets in the Church who admittedly, did not proclaim some new doctrine, but gave direction to human activity. The same St. Thomas of Aquinas emphasises, “Revelation is given for the benefit of the Church” (Summa II-II. q 172 a.4). It calls to a more authentic Christian life and points toward the necessity and the means that are of a higher priority. It is heaven’s response to particular questions of the times and it thereby helps more than any intellectual and theological endeavours.

Since extra-biblical revelations are extraordinary and conspicuous, they usually produce more attention than the ordinary proclamation of biblical truths and Church directives and they act as “shock therapy.” It is well known that the apparitions in Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje intensified devotion and they have awakened spiritual life throughout the world. They contributed a great deal to the renewal of confession and reverence for the Eucharist.

Too great an emphasis on extra-biblical revelation in place of the gospel would not be healthy or normal. Biblical revelation takes preference but extra-biblical must not be rejected, simply because it also comes from God and because with it God wants to say something to man. That is why both cases God’s word is obligatory.

• Adapted from an article prepared in 1995 by Dr. fra Ljudevit Rupcic OFM and published by the Medjugorje Information Centre under the title “Private Revelation and Medjugorje”.

From darkness to light...

A Cenacolo Community testimony...

I am Henri, I’m thirty years old, and I come from Belgium. I am thankful to be able to share that which is beautiful and successful in my life. Since I was a child, God was present in my life. True, in my family there were events and things that happened that weren’t so nice, but even in those moments God was present, he didn’t abandon us. I remember that when my father and mother argued and when bad things happened, and I’d go behind the house, where there was a path that lead to the Church; I’d enter, and go in front of the tabernacle and ask Jesus that my father and mother would stop arguing. If you’d ask me how I could do such a thing, or who taught me how to do this, I wouldn’t even know how to answer! It was something that was inside of my heart, independent of everything else.

Like many other youth of the Cenacolo Community, I was also an addict. I was addicted to heroin and cocaine. I came to the Community at a very young age; I was a teenager who was already desperate, already dead. I came to know the Community through a friend of my aunt, who had been to the house in Medjugorje, and there, had heard a testimony. And so, I found myself amongst those guys, and even today I don’t really understand how it all came to be. When I entered I experienced a sensation of being at home, of being in a family; seeing the guys, I felt that this was truly my place. Inside myself I denied this, every day I wanted to leave because there were too many difficult things that I had to deal with, but then I decided to accept everything that was being proposed to me, and I experienced the true friendship, the work, and the discipline that I was lacking.

Once I had known freedom, I had the opportunity to travel around, helping the other guys, I was also at the house in the United States for two years. Through all these beautiful experiences of life, I encountered God, I felt like he was with me, on my walk. But then I realized that it wasn’t enough to discover this just once to resolve all the problems of a lifetime: I found myself in a difficult situation in Florida.  I realized that I still had many difficulties to overcome, but on the other hand, I wanted to stop fighting, walking, and suffering, and I wanted to convince myself that I was already ready. So I turned my back on God, I didn’t trust anyone anymore. I returned to Belgium, where I immediately found a job and even a girlfriend… but shortly after, I fell and began to use drugs again, this time falling deeper then I had before, because I needed a lot more of this evil to suffocate the truth that was inside of me. I knew very well that God existed, and my conscience screamed out to me, but I didn’t want to hear it anymore.

I ended up on the streets, I was a bum, I put a needle into my veins every two or three hours, I begged, stank, and stole, I had lost my dignity as a man. I went forward with this lifestyle for two years, and the only reason I didn’t die was for the fact that many people were praying for me, until one day, while I was on the streets, in an underground parking lot, and high, a woman that I knew tapped me on the shoulder and said to me, “Henri, I have a letter from Mother Elvira for you.” I said to myself, “But, how in the world?  She’s in Italy!” The amazement I felt caused the effects of the drugs to pass immediately, I opened the letter: she told me to return to the Community, she spoke to me of Medjugorje, she knew that I was in a pitiful state, and that I couldn’t continue living like this.

I was baffled, I questioned myself, but I didn’t know how I could return to the Community, I was afraid of the “withdrawals,” I didn’t have any contacts, but God placed a lady at my side, a real “guardian angel.” With her I began to take my first steps to taking myself off the drugs, and to overcome the “withdrawals,” to put me on my knees, to cry, to repent for the errors that I had committed. Then I re-entered, but this time with the desire to change for good. I already knew that I wouldn’t be staying for a short while, because I was returning to my home. I met Mother Elvira (pictured) and when she saw me, she said to me, “I was waiting for you,” and she embraced me! I should have deserved a gigantic slap, but instead, she told me, “Finally, I know that you have come back.” This “upset” me very much: I wasn’t able to forgive myself, I wasn’t able to accept myself because I had “spat” on the plate that I had eaten from. This was the biggest wound, the wound that I had caused with my own two hands:  to have received a lot of good, and to have done a lot of harm to this good. But all of this was transformed into peace thanks to the Mercy of God and of my brothers!

It’s been a few years now, but I realize all the more that my life doesn’t belong to me. Even in the Community, if I stop praying, I immediately stop smiling, I don’t love anymore, I’m not able to love myself, or the others. Instead when I pray, I don’t know why but I love and I’m able to do unimaginable things, I discover gifts that I didn’t even know that I had, I’m happy. Today I thank God that I’m still alive and I thank all the people who prayed for me. I’m sorry that I hurt my parents and that I suffered for many years because I saw that there was still a gap between us. But this year a “miracle” happened, they began to frequent the meetings for the parents, and this was a great joy for me.

Today I love my parents very much, I don’t feel hate or anger towards them anymore: something has changed, as if inside myself a new horizon opened up, a space of freedom and peace that I never knew before. I love you, Mom and Dad, thank God and thank you for the gift of my life!

Further information about the Cenacolo Community at:
FRIENDS FOR A UK CENACOLO COMMUNITY
CENACOLO COMMUNITY
COMUNITA CENACOLO AMERICA

Courage, little children...

Courage, little children! I decided to lead you on the way of holiness. Renounce sin and set out on the way of salvation, the way which my Son has chosen. Through each of your tribulations and sufferings God will find the way of joy for you. Therefore, little children, pray. We are close to you with our love. Thank you for having responded to my call. March 25, 2006

There is a prayer well-known to recovering alcoholics called the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. It has helped many addicts on the road to recovery, the road to salvation.

In this message Our Lady also uses the word courage when she calls us to set out on the way of salvation, chosen by her Son, the road to recovery and the way of holiness. It is, in fact, the Way of the Cross, a difficult journey we that all must undertake in life.

Our Lady knows the way; she has walked the route with Jesus to Calvary. But she promises that through every trial, tribulation and time of suffering, God will find a way of bringing joy to our lives. And she tells us how this will happen – through prayer.

The word courage is representative of the heart. That is why the Serenity Prayer is so powerful in an addict’s recovery programme. God responds to the addict’s plea for courage, for the heart to change and be able to set out on the path of conversion.

At each Station of the Cross, courage is necessary for all of us – in varied measures and for different reasons. Perhaps that is why with this Lenten message Our Lady is offering this special grace to us. She rarely speaks of courage or has used the word in any of her previous messages. But she understands that this is a time of severe agony and suffering for her Son, a time of stress and endurance, of persevering under provocation that will result in public execution in a most brutal fashion.

Our Lady invites us to share with her our own sufferings on this walk with Jesus, this way of holiness. But she makes clear from the start that we should journey with courage, with a loving and fearless heart strengthened by prayer.

† I Jesus is condemned to death...
The courage to remain silent when judged and condemned by those who should know better.

† II Jesus receives his cross...
The courage to accept the cross in our lives, with our hands and in our heart.

† III Jesus falls for the first time...
The courage to accept our own weaknesses and the failings in others.

† IV Jesus meets his Mother...
The courage to support and love the child who suffers, courage to accept the death of one’s child.

† V Simon helps Jesus carry the cross...
The courage to reach out to others, courage to shoulder responsibility and courage to share in suffering, courage to let go of resentment when seized and put upon.

† VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus...
The courage to seek God’s face, courage to discard our many masks, courage to witness our love for Jesus, courage to seek Jesus in others.

† VII Jesus falls for the second time...
The courage to hold on to the cross, courage to believe in God’s strength, courage to start again.

† VIII Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem...
The courage to speak and accept the truth, to be honest with others and ourselves, courage to weep and repent for our sins.

† IX Jesus falls for the third time...
The courage to endure, courage to continue with suffering, courage to keep on walking.

† X Jesus is stripped of his garments...
The courage to be revealed, courage to stand naked, courage to stand silent in suffering, to forgive those who abuse, and those who value your possessions more than your life.

† XI Jesus is nailed to the cross...
The courage to endure pain, courage to forgive those who inflict pain, physical and mental.

† XII Jesus dies on the cross...
The courage to trust and surrender in our final agony, courage to accept death.

† XIII Jesus is taken down from the cross...
The courage to grieve, courage to weep, courage to forgive, courage to continue to love, to have courage in loneliness.

† XIV Jesus is laid in the tomb...
Courage to let go and the courage to say goodbye, the courage to live Heaven on Earth, the courage to live in harmony with the Father’s will, the courage to love.

Happy at the end...

This is the story of a young girl addicted to drugs who, by the grace of God and the help of Our Lady, found her way back to God.

Gabriele, or Gabi as her mother called her, was a pleasant and quite-often serious child She was happy at school and studied well.

Although she loved her younger brother, she was at times, jealous of him, and when her mother gave birth to another daughter, a real sunshine, it seemed that Gabi suffered.

She became difficult and moody. By the time she reached 15 Gabi would lock herself in her bedroom and by candlelight burn joss sticks and play loud music. It was about this time that she started to experiment with drugs.

The peace in the family was gone and Gabi could not wait to leave home – a most painful experience for the family to see her leave in the condition she was. Gabi lived in various communes, worked here and there, but stayed away from her family.

In 1987 Gabriele’s mother, Inge, heard of Medjugorje and decided to make a pilgrimage there to ask Our Lady for help, after all She was a mother, too, and would know.

At Medjugorje Inge was blessed with the grace of inner peace, hope and even joy, despite her concerns for Gabi. But even more graces awaited.

Three days after Inge returned home, Gabi also came back. For Inge and her family, this truly was a prayer answered – a miracle. Inge was able to forgive her daughter and love her just as she was – a grace she believes she received from Our Lady of Medjugorje.

Because Mary asks us to pray and to fast, Inge, her husband and youngest daughter started to do just this, imploring Our Lady for help – and the Lord answered their prayer!

Later, Gabi said to her mother about this reconciliation: “Mama, I could feel a change in you. All of you gave me so much love. Your faith and trust became my safety anchor.”

After a while Gabi informed her mother that she had begun to say one Our Father each day. And it was the prayer that Jesus taught us that gave Gabi the strength to return to Mass. “All because of one Our Father, the Lord gave me the grace to overcome my reluctance to go to Mass,” said Gabi.

Gabriele then started to study theology in Innsbruck, and it was there that she met with a community of sisters known as The Family Of Mary, The Co-Redemptress, who gave her much support and help. It was around this time she decided to give her life to God – she had what she had been looking for at last.

On July 8, 1974, Gabi entered The Family of Maria, The Co-Redemptress and took the name of Sr Maria Gabriele.

Her mission work took her to Kiev, capital of Ukraine. It was there she discovered she had breast cancer.

Despite returning to Austria for surgery, the family were informed that there was no hope of a recovery. However, the following year Sr Maria made an amazing recovery – a great joy for the family but Sr Maria expressed her disappointment. She had been looking forward to going to Heaven!

Sometime later the cancer returned and once more the family were plunged into sadness – they did not know that Sr Maria had offered her life to the Lord for the intention of the Holy Father and healing of priests.

A week before she died, Sr Maria said to her mother: “Mama, promise me not to be sad when I go to Heaven. I will help you.” And help she did.

Inge said: “After her death, I experienced such deep inner joy and peace, in the knowledge that she is home with God.”

And to her spiritual director, Fr Paul Maria, Gabi said: “When people hear of my death, tell them to rejoice.”

Remind me who I am...

Somedays, I just forget...

Drunk who became priest through Medjugorje

At forty-one, Fr Francis Ferry was ordained a priest on July 1, 2007, at St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, in Donegal. Medjugorje played an important part in forming his vocation. This is his witness.

• I first went to Medjugorje in 1995. I was 29 years of age and very lost. At that time in my life I was a taxi driver, making good money and had my own house in Dublin.

My faith before I went to Medjugorje was very shallow. My father was a policeman all his life and I have a brother in the police. I also wanted to be a policeman, but instead I worked for four years as a truck driver. I enjoyed driving, and when I was 22 I began to work for myself as a taxi-driver in Dublin. I worked five nights a week and I made good money for a young person. But material things did not bring happiness.

I drove people to drink... and at the end of the day, I went on to drink as well. I sought happiness in drink because I saw that what the world had to offer was very shallow. I felt emptiness in myself, and I began to drink very heavily. Within my family, we all were drinking; in Ireland it is often a family problem. And when there is a problem within the family, peace is gone. My relationship with my family was very much broken.

I would work four or five nights a week, and the rest of the week I would be drinking. I thought I could control my drinking. It became a big problem and it was getting worse. Every weekend, after two or three days of serious drinking, I would say: never again, but I could not control it. I did not know where to turn.

One night in 1993 – I was 27 years of age – I became very angry and very drunk. I was driving my car and was involved in a very serious car accident. I hit a tree at high speed and the car was totally written off, from front to back. I ended up in hospital for five weeks. I broke my hip very badly, damaged a sciatic nerve, and injured my right foot.

After a few weeks in the hospital, the doctors said that the sciatic nerve was not healing because of the damage. When I eventually left hospital I was on crutches for another six months. That gave me time to slow down, to think, to realise that I had to get some control over my actions and life. It was a miracle as such that I got alive out of that car. It was a very, very bad accident.

When I am asked how I became a priest, I answer: I met the Lord by accident. That was the turning point. At the time of the accident, I was seeking God very much. I was angry with myself, I was angry with life, with the family situation as well. There was no peace in my life. It was so empty and I was making so many mistakes. I was asking from the depth of my heart: if there is a God, that I would find him.

About a year later, I got back to work. My leg was still very bad. My brother came to me one day and said that there was a healing priest in Dublin and, as the doctor said that they could not heal the sciatic nerve, I should go to him. His name was Aidan Carroll. I went to his Mass and he happened to speak during the Mass about Medjugorje. I did not know anything about Medjugorje. He said if anyone wished to go to Medjugorje, he had tickets at a reduced price. I approached him after Mass and said I would be free to go.

I knew nothing about Medjugorje and I found out that I did not know much about my faith, God, or Our Lady until I went to Medjugorje. I experienced a very, very enjoyable week, and found great joy and a peace that I had been seeking for a long time and could not find anywhere. I had been seeking in the wrong places. I was empty, and did not know how to fill this huge emptiness.

That week was a huge turning point in my life. I came to realise that, as the messages say, God exists. I felt after leaving Medjugorje that Our Lady was a real mother, and that had a huge impact on me – the reality that my Mother cares so much for me. My family was broken at that stage. I needed the sense of coming home with Our Lady.

I returned home and started going to daily Mass and praying the Rosary. I still struggled with the alcohol. I thought I could control it again, but I couldn’t. I thought I could drink socially, but I couldn’t. My last bout of drinking was in 1996, on Christmas Eve, after working a couple of hours in my taxi. I drunk all that night. Later, I called to someone’s house very drunk and very hurt within. I told this person that, if she would forgive me something I did, I would never drink again. She said that it was all right.

I thought that I would have no social life without drinking, but I realised that I was happier. My peace was growing, I could trust myself and I felt a sense of serenity.

Medjugorje helped me a lot on that road to sobriety because I was going to Mass every day, and I asked the Lord for the grace to stay sober one day at a time, from one Eucharist to the next. That is what I did, and Our Lady helped me by way of the Rosary.

In Medjugorje, it was recommended that, when we go home, we should get involved in a prayer group. In Dublin, I looked around for a suitable group – Marian, Eucharistic and charismatic. I started going to a group every Monday; they were very good and very helpful. I found friendship and support. It was providential.

In June 1997, the prayer group went for an annual retreat. We were about 15 in number, and about five other people joined the retreat. During the retreat there was a healing service, Mass and Blessed Sacrament exposed. Anyone who wished for healing prayer was invited forward. I was seated at the back, and then I stood up, went forward and knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I prayed with my heart for healing, and the group prayed with me. At that stage, I was hoping for inner healing of my brokenness, rather then physical healing of the injury on my leg. I heard somebody saying behind me: “Lift up your tired hands and straighten your trembling knees. Keep walking on the straight path, so that your lame foot may not be disabled but instead healed.” I think this was coming straight from the Lord, from the Blessed Sacrament. It spoke straight to my heart. I did not know this lady. She told me later that this was from the Bible, (Hebrews 12,12). She did not know me or about my car accident and injury.

The following evening, I went home to my father with this good news. I was chatting to him in the kitchen for many hours. I shared my experience of the day before and was very excited. He opened up the Bible, but his translation was different. Only the Good News Bible had the words “lame foot”. I was amazed that God was so caring. He knows me so intimately, and He knew which Bible translation to take! There is no coincidence with God. He was promising me a physical healing! I was not even asking for this! My accident was in June 1993. The conversation with my father was in June 1997. My father looked up in his diary: the accident happened precisely four years ago, at ten minutes past one in the morning. He answered that prayer exactly four years later, to the very minute! God was saying that this was not a coincidence. He was confirming the healing, he knew every second of my life.

In Medjugorje, I came to the awareness that God exists. In Medjugorje, I found a home. After Medjugorje, my faith was becoming stronger and stronger. Daily Mass became the centre of my life.
The call to priesthood came in 1998. I was on retreat in England. I was afraid of this call, but I felt it in my heart. I knew that I had to respond. I knew that God was with me. Here I am now, as a priest. Holy Mass that I have celebrated in St James in Medjugorje was one of my first Masses. In Medjugorje I heard my first confession and gave my first absolution. I knew that I am not worthy to hear anybody’s confessions, so I went for confession to Fr Svetozar before I heard my first confession.

I have total trust in the message of Medjugorje. I have been here 20 times, most of the time on my own. I have learned obedience to the Catholic Church in Medjugorje. Medjugorje is a part of my spiritual and emotional formation, one of the best parts of my formation. I am happy to be a priest.

• Adapted from a report published by the Medjugorje Information Centre.

Pointing out the Lamb of God...

• In light of today’s Gospel reading (John 1 : 29-34) I republish this post from nearly four years ago... The next day, seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, “Look there is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.”

From the archive... March 15, 2008




Sometimes light can play tricks, especially at night, but I can’t help wondering when I photographed the Risen Christ in Medjugorje just over a week ago, if I really did see the “Lamb of God” at the head of the bronze sculpture.

Shown here are three enlargements of the area from full length shots of the figure, so the results are soft and grainy.








Compare them to the above illustration and the one below which shows how the face of Christ normally appears to pilgrims on the ground. Did the sculptor intend to achieve this double image effect?

I have no problem with seeing an imposition of the “sacrificial Lamb” on the sculpture, especially at Medjugorje – where the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world and grants us peace. The eye, jawbone, snout, nostril and floppy ear features can be identified as the head hangs to one side.


UPDATE... March 20.

Be purified of sins and in Jesus, my Son, recognise the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the entire world. part message to Mirjana, March 2, 2008

These photographs of the “Lamb of God” were taken in Medjugorje five days later, March 7.

Just as John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God to two disciples at the River Jordan, Our Lady is also telling us to to repent of our sins though Jesus and recognise the ‘sacrifice of atonement’.

Looking at photographs of the Risen Christ taken by other photographers, the Lamb of God feature is often visible – if you know what to look for. Even though the sculptor has since confirmed the lamb’s head was not intended when he designed the sculpture, nevertheless the feature is there to be seen. It is visible but unrecognised. It requires pointing out, and even then, there are some who are unable to recognise the “lamb”.

Jesus, remained unrecognised in this way for 30 years until John the Baptist made reference to the Lamb of God: “Look, there is the lamb of God”. Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. John 1 : 35-36

New Year message to Mirjana

Dear children; with motherly concern I look in your hearts. In them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see my children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the Father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves his children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this you will be happy; your search will end; you will love and you will not be afraid; your life will be hope and truth which is my Son. Thank you. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged.
Medjugorje message, January 2, 2011

Keep alive in yourselves what you were taught in the beginning: as long as what you were taught in the beginning is alive in you, you will live in the Son and in the Father; and what is promised to you by his own promise is eternal life. 1 John, 2 : 24-25

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

I am the Mother of God and the Queen of Peace.

October 12, 1981

A New Year Day message of Our Lady

• Our Lady gave the following message 25 years ago on New Year’s Day, 1987. It was the penultimate weekly message given by the Blessed Mother. The following week (January 8) she announced she would no longer give her weekly messages but instead further messages would be announced on the 25th day of each month. More than two decades years later Our Lady is still with us and continues to invite and remind us to live the messages she is giving.

Dear children! Today I wish to call on all of you that in the New Year you live the messages which I am giving you. Dear children, you know that for your sake I have remained a long time so I might teach you how to make progress on the way of holiness. Therefore, dear children, pray without ceasing and live the messages which I am giving you for I am doing it with great love toward God and toward you. Thank you for having responded to my call. January 1, 1987

Hope in the Light...

This is the time of year when we look back on the past 12 months and turn our attention to the new year and what may lie ahead. According to the sages and pundits, even the experts, there is not much to hope for, especially on the economic front. Hard times, we are repeatedly informed, will continue into 2012.

So where is the good news to be found? Where is the chink of light to be seen in the darkness and gloom predicted to hang over us for a considerable time to come?

It is interesting to recall that less than a year ago Our Lady was telling us that she was not losing hope that the world will change for good and that peace will reign in the hearts of men. That was in January. This month, December, in her final message of the year she speaks again of God’s peace prevailing in the hearts of men, not the peace that the world brings but the peace that comes from God. Big difference.

So amid all the turmoil of the current year we learn from Our Lady that there are people living in peace amid the chaos and hardship of everyday existence in this world, who take steps to live in the promised joy of Jesus and desire to share this grace with others.

Throughout the year Our Lady has encouraged us to become a witness of God’s peace in this world, so that joy will begin to reign, but she makes it very clear that to achieve the peace her Son offers to everyone, we must first start with our own daily conversion; we become a witness to others by our own example. It’s hard to give a good example to anyone if we lack joy and peace in our own heart so, as Our Lady reminds us in her February message, we must work on our own conversion if we are to be a sign and incentive to others.

This was the constant theme of Our Lady’s monthly messages throughout the year – to give witness to the peace and joy of God through our own conversion and to be a light for others.

In March Our Lady made another call to conversion, to say ‘yes’ and begin a new life. In April she said she was praying unceasingly for our lives on earth to be a reflection of Heaven. In May she was praying for all of us to seek the grace of conversion, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In her anniversary message of June 25 Our Lady confirmed that many have responded to her call for conversion but she is still waiting for hearts to awaken from the sleep of unbelief. There is some consolation in July when Our Lady says there is much good in our hearts, but she also asks we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit so this goodness can blossom and bear much fruit.

And then in August she asks the hearts who have said “yes” to be strong and resolute in difficult times, especially as there is an enormous number of souls who have still not listened to or accepted her call to peace through conversion. In September Our Lady called for everyone to give witness to the love of God and his gifts, and testify to this joy with our words and deeds. October was no exception; another call to conversion and to experience the joy of the Risen One. In November, Our Lady expressed her desire to give us hope and joy, not through the attraction of worldly things, but through God’s grace. Finally, we reach December and the last message of the current year, another reminder that the peace our soul desires is not the peace of the world but the peace that God gives, and we are invited to be witness to this peace, to be Our Lady’s extended hands to the world which yearns for God and peace.

• In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to the light.
John 1 : 1-8

Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for him to give you his peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God’s peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which God gives to those whom he loves. By your baptism you are all, in a special way called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, December 25, 2011

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Dear children! This is a time of grace for the family and, therefore, I call you to renew prayer. May Jesus be in the heart of your family. In prayer, learn to love everything that is holy. Imitate the lives of saints so that they may be an incentive and teachers on the way of holiness. May every family become a witness of love in this world without prayer and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, October 25, 2004

The Lord honours the father in his children, and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons. Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins, he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune. Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own, he shall be heard on the day when he prays. Long life comes to him who honours his father, he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord. My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life. Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength; for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins. Ecclesiasticus 3 : 2-6, 12-14

• Images show a young Lebanese family on their first visit to Medjugorje, and the statue of the Holy Family in the Adoration Chapel at Medjugorje.

Our Lady’s Christmas Day message, 2011

Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for him to give you his peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God’s peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which God gives to those whom he loves. By your baptism you are all, in a special way called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.
Medjugorje message, December 25, 2011

HOLY LORD... bg, november 2010

best listened to with headphones

Holy, Holy… Holy Lord
God Almighty… Holy Lord
Was and is… Holy Lord
Is to come… Holy Lord

Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.
Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.

Abba, Father… Holy Lord
Jesus Christ… Holy Lord
Holy Spirit… Holy Lord
Three in One… Holy Lord

Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.
Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.

Wonder Counsellor… Holy Lord
Mighty God… Holy Lord
Eternal Father… Holy Lord
Prince of Peace… Holy Lord

break

Living Bread… Holy Lord
Living Water… Holy Lord
Living Truth… Holy Lord
Living Light… Holy Lord

Word Made Flesh… Holy Lord
Word Incarnate… Holy Lord
Word of God… Holy Lord
Word of Life… Holy Lord

God our Saviour Holy Lord
Our Redeemer… Holy Lord
Lamb of God… Holy Lord
True Messiah… Holy Lord

Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.
Blessed is he who comes
In the name of the Lord.

Son of David… Holy Lord
Son of Man… Holy Lord
Son of God… Holy Lord
Son Most High… Holy Lord

God of Faith… Holy Lord
God of Hope… Holy Lord
God of Mercy… Holy Lord
God of Love… Holy Lord

Holy, Holy… Holy Lord
God Almighty… Holy Lord
Was and is… Holy Lord
Is to come… Holy Lord

Our Lady’s annual apparition to Jakov Colo

This was the message Our Lady gave today to the Jakov Colo.  The Medjugorje visionary receives an annual apparition from the Queen of Peace on December 25. Today’s apparition began around 3:30pm and lasted 11 minutes.

Dear children! Today, in a special way, I desire to take you to and give you over to my Son. Little children, open your hearts and permit Jesus to be born in you, because only in this way, little children, you yourselves will be able to experience your new birth and set out with Jesus in your hearts towards the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call. Message to Jakov Colo, December 25, 2011

The message of peace...

Peace, peace, only peace!

Reconcile yourselves. 

Peace must take place between

God and man and between men...

Medjugorje message, June 24, 1981

Do not be afraid.

Listen I bring you news of great joy,

a joy to be shared by the whole people.

Luke 2 : 10

Don Oíche Úd I MBeithil

Permit me to lead you...

photo © dino olvieri

Dear children! In these peaceless times I am coming to you to show you the way to peace. I love you with an immeasurable love and I desire for you to love each other and to see in everyone my Son – the immeasurable love. The way to peace leads solely and only through love. Give your hand to me, your mother, and permit me to lead you. I am the Queen of peace. Thank you. Medjugorje message, August 2, 2006