Anniversary message 2009

Dear children! Rejoice with me, convert in joy and give thanks to God for the gift of my presence among you. Pray that, in your hearts, God may be in the centre of your life and with your life witness, little children, so that every creature may feel God’s love. Be my extended hands for every creature, so that it may draw closer to the God of love. I bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. June 25, 2009

New Medjugorje stamps.

With the 28th anniversay of the Medjugorje apparitions approaching, the Bosnia & Herzegovina postal authority has issued five new commemorative stamps each valued at 1km.

The stamps, available in sets of 10, were designed by Vijeko Lučić.

The B&H Postal Service regularly issues commemorative Medjugorje stamps.







25th Anniversary stamps
Fr Slavko stamps

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear children! I desire to share my joy with you. In my Immaculate Heart I feel that there are many of those who have drawn closer to me and are, in a special way, carrying the victory of my Immaculate Heart in their hearts by praying and converting. I desire to thank you and to inspire you to work even more for God and His kingdom with love and the power of the Holy Spirit. I am with you and I bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. August 20, 2000

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water. John 19 : 33

Seeing one’s heart...

by Henri Nouwen

• Although the remark “Change the world, begin with yourself” has often been used to individualise or spiritualise the urgent task of bringing peace to our planet, it points to the undeniable truth that peace in the world cannot be made without peace in the heart. This is beautifully illustrated by a little story found in the tales of the Desert Fathers.

There were three friends who were eager workers, and one of them chose to devote himself to making peace between people who were fighting, in accordance with “Blessed are the peacemakers.” The second chose to visit the sick. The third went off to live in tranquillity in the desert.

The first toiled away at the quarrels of men, but could not resolve them all, and so he went to the one who was looking after the sick, and found him flagging too, not succeeding in fulfiling the commandment.

So the two of them agreed to go and visit the one who was living in the desert. They told him of their difficulties and asked him to tell them what he had been able to do.

He was silent for a time. then he poured water into a bowl and said to them, “Look at the water.” It was all turbulent. A little later he told them to look at it again, and see how the water had settled down. When they looked at it, they saw their own faces as in a mirror. Then he said to them, “In the same way, a person who is living in the midst of people does not see his own sins because of all the disturbance, but if he becomes tranquil, especially in the desert, then he can see his own shortcomings.” (Benedicta Ward, The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers)

This story leaves little doubt that the tranquility of the heart is not a way to “feel good” while the world is ripped apart by violence and war, but a way to come in touch with our being part of the problem. Prayer leads to spiritual tranquility and spiritual tranquility leads us to the confession of our sins, the sins that lead to war.

Making peace between people and visiting the sick are important, but doing these things without a repentant heart cannot bear fruit. When we see our own sinful self in a tranquil mirror and confess that we too are war-makers, then we may be ready to start walking humbly on the road to peace.

• Adapted from the book: Peacework, by Henri Nouwen

Our Lady says...
• In prayer you shall perceive the greatest joy and the way out of every situation that has no exit...

• In prayer you shall come to know the greatness of God...

• Pray, because in prayer each one of you will be able to achieve complete love...

• In prayer with the heart you shall encounter God...

• You will discover God’s will in prayer...

• I invite you to prayer because only in prayer can you understand my coming here...

• Little children, I call you to leave sin and to accept prayer at all times, that you may in prayer come to know the meaning of your life...

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. “Take it,” he said “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many.” Mark 14 : 22-24

Our Father’s Love

My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found. Luke 31-32

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him...
Matthew 6 : 8

Be of just and innocent heart that I may lead you to your Father... part message, March 18, 1996

Each one of you shall become in simplicity, similar to a child who is open to the love of the Father.
part message, July 25, 1996

If your hearts are open to the Father and if they are full of love toward him, then why any fear of what is to come?
part message, March 18, 1995

I am your Mother and I always want you to be closer to the Father and that He will always give abundant gifts to your hearts.
part message, January 31, 1985

Dear children, these are the days in which the Father grants special graces to all who open their hearts.
part message, December 25, 1986

Learning to pray...

• County-Down-born Jim McMullan first travelled to Medjugorje in April 2008. Two months later he returned for a second visit, and in October the same year he made a third pilgrimage to Medjugorje. It was on his third visit that Jim gave this witness as to why he keeps on going back and to the gratitude in his heart to Jesus and Mary for his conversion late in life.

GOD WAS NOT PART OF MY LIFE FOR 60 YEARS...

• What first brought me to Medjugorje? Well, it was my sister, actually, in Belfast. She’s a widow and I am very close to her. I take her cruising now and again. I rang her, it must have been about February, and I just said, “I’m fed up with this winter weather, love, would you fancy coming on another wee cruise?” “No,” she says, “I’m going away next week to Benidorm with the pensioners. But if you’re looking for a bit of sunshine, my daughter Christine is going to Medjugorje.”

Now I thought she had only said that because she would have known that Medjugorje wasn’t up my street at all. But when I heard that, my ears popped up and I said to my sister, “Can you ring and find if there are any tickets left?” She rang me back in ten minutes and that morning I put a cheque in the post and, to cut a long story short, I was here! No one can believe that Jimmy went.

I went with an open mind but not because of the religious aspect but because I had been into the paranormal for many years. I only went there to take a look. Well, when I went to take a look something extra-ordinary happened to me in my thinking.

I didn’t care anything about religion. God was not a part of my life for over 60 years since I was a kid. I went to confession a couple of times before receiving Communion, but I only did that when my mother and father died, and the only reason was because if I hadn’t, people would have said that Jim fella is a proper heathen. I never bothered again after that.

But when I arrived in Medjugorje I saw how friendly the people were, no pressure at all, and I felt this was great.

Now there’s a little fella that ran the trip to Medjugorje from Belfast – Reggie – and he had me down to the church for confession. I got myself a bit nervous and worried at the time, I really did, and I said, “You know, Reggie, maybe I should just write all my sins down on a toilet roll and give it to the priest!” Easy way out.

But this guy that I met down there, this priest, was a Franciscan from Dublin, a lovely, lovely person. And he said to me when I sat down with him, “Jimmy, you and I have something in common.” And I said, “What is that, Father?” He says, “I’m crippled with arthritis, the same as yourself.”

But we got on great and after the confession was over – which took a long time – I said to him, “Well now, Father, that’s grand. I feel happy and you’ve taken a load off my shoulders – but where do I go from here? I don’t even know how to pray. I could say a Hail Mary or an Our Father, but I don’t even know how to say the rosary or anything. I know there are Glorious and Sorrowful mysteries but I wouldn’t even know one from the other. I just don’t know how to pray.”

And he put his hand on my shoulder he said, “Son, before you leave Medjugorje, you’ll be able to pray.” And I thought, “Well, that’s grand now; thank you Father” and off I went.

The next day I took myself to the Blue Cross. I was on my own, and when I arrived a big group of people was already there saying the Rosary, the Chaplet of Mercy (which I had never heard before) and singing hymns. To see such a mixed group of people praying in this way really touched me – I can be emotional at times – and something in me made me reach for my pocket and take out the rosary beads that belonged to my father. I walked up to the statue of Our Lady and hung the beads over her outstretched hand and thought. “Well. maybe something will happen to me and come out of this lot.”

As the prayer group began to break up, a lady walked forward in front of the blue cross and started reading out loud a prayer from a piece of paper she had. After a few lines I burst into tears, because this prayer, this prayer was me... to a tee. This was like a kind of an answer in asking God. It was like a questionnaire, also like a sort of an apology for the sort of person I was. So this prayer, I thought, was made especially for me.

When she finished the prayer the woman walked out of the circle and left. I went to one of the tour guides and asked; “Where’s that lady gone? I would love a copy of that prayer.” And the guide just went to her pocket and said, “I’ve got it here for you.” Well, I never was as grateful in my life, and I took that back to the house where I was staying, read it and re-read it, and I cried each time I read it.

So that evening, I thought to myself, “Well, that’s just daft altogether, where the priest told me that I’d learn to pray and this was a prayer, boy. This was good!”

My niece came to my room later on and she said, “Jimmy, uncle Jimmy, we’re going down to the church for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Are you coming with us?” I said, “I don’t think so.” I was in bed and I could not stand up with the pain, excruciating pain, in my hips and legs. My niece said, “Don’t worry, Jimmy, we will see you later.”

I turned around on the bed and had stopped crying and I started talking to Our Lady. I wasn’t saying Hail Mary, Holy Mary, or anything like that. I just lay there and talked to her as I’m talking to you. I said, “Mother, help me, I haven’t come all this distance not to do these things, you know (Adoration). I need a bit of help, please.” Well, within three-quarters of an hour I was up, I was showered, and I was down at the Exposition. I still had pain, but very little. I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. When I got back to my room later that night I still had pain, but not intolerable, and I started talking to her again.

The next morning we were supposed to go up onto the mountain where the white cross is on top, and the people from Derry and Belfast were all giving me good advice and were saying, “Jimmy, don’t even try it. Don’t feel bad about it. Instead you can go around the Stations of the Cross beside the church. But I thought, “No, I’ve got to get up on to that mountain!” So I turned again to the Blessed Mother (I had started calling her Mum by now) and I said to her, “It’s time. You’ve got to help me again. I’ve got to get to the top of that mountain.” And then this little fella from Belfast, Emmanuel, says to me, “Jimmy, don’t go, but if you want to go and you have made your mind, I’ll look after you, I’ll help you. And if you can’t get to the top of the mountain, just sit down somewhere and we’ll collect you coming back.” I said, “I’m going to try it. I’ve got to do this!”

In the morning something told me: “Don’t take your pain-killer too early.” Now I’m supposed to take one painkiller but I waited until later and I took two. To be honest, I think I overdosed myself a little bit because I felt dizzy and a bit drunk, but I went up to the top of that mountain! I couldn’t believe I had got up there. It was great.

Back home, I’ve had a routine for many years. I would get out of bed, normally take a shower first, then put the kettle on for a coffee and a cigarette, and switch the television on to watch the news, That was my routine. Well, it’s still something similar to that, but when it’s all finished, that’s it. I lift my rosary beads, and my little prayer books and all, and I say my prayers. I don’t say the rosary in the morning, I say the chaplet of Mercy, and at night I say the rosary and the chaplet again. Many people have given prayer cards and I use these most days as well. And I think of what that priest said to me in Medjugorje about learning to pray before I left there!

I have lots of time to myself as I lost my wife in difficult circumstances 12 years ago and since then I must admit to being lonely at times. But all this has changed since my first pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Now I know that Our Lady is here for me. I always say to her, “Please keep your hand on my shoulder and just keep me company.” And I talk to Jesus the same way, and I can tell you now, I am not lonely anymore and my house if full of people now.

• Jimmy walks with the aid of two sticks and is in constant pain from his hip joints. He due to have one of his hips replaced this month on June 17, and hopes to return to Medjugorje again this Autumn.

• This is the prayer Jimmy was given at the Blue Cross, the prayer that opened his heart to Jesus and Mary.

• Lord, teach me to love. Lord I am in need. How you know it. But why am I so often the last person willing to admit this? Help me to realise my need. How I need, how I need you.

You are near, Lord, but where am I? What am I searching for? What’s holding me back? I know my fear, my shame, my guilt. If only I hadn’t.

I have suffered and caused suffering. Give me the grace and strength to turn to you and to accept your forgiveness. What is life without your mercy, O Lord? Heal my soul.

Help me to understand that every saint has a past, and that every sinner has a future.

My Saviour, this is who I am.

I lack nothing from you, but it is because you are so Holy that I want to offer you not only my best but also my worst. I humbly lift up to you everything about myself, the gifts and blessings you have given me, the weaknesses and regrets that are mine, Lord. I’m yours, love me.

But why am I so pleased, Lord Jesus, when others notice me, praise me and choose me? Do I want to feel loved more than to love? Is what I do more important than who I am? It’s as if I’m hoping that they will convince me that I am worthy in your sight, O Lord.

Let not what has happened to me crush me or make me bitter. Turn my wounds into fountains of compassion. May the pain purify and sanctify me.

Almighty God, draw an abundance of good out of evil that has touched my life. Remind me that I have not just yet reached my final home.

I ask why, Lord, not in doubt but with desire to understand. Increase my faith so that I may see things as you see them.

Jesus I trust in you.

My God, here was a time when I did not exist, and you in your overflowing goodness brought me into being. You hold me in existence. You could have created countless other people, but you created me. It amazes me; because of your love, Lord, I am irreplaceable.

Put deep into my heart, Lord, the knowledge that I can never lose the goodness and dignity that you have placed in the depths of my being. Not even the evil of sin can destroy this.

However, you have called me not merely to be your creature but your child, to share in your intimate life of grace. For this wonderful destiny, dear God, I praise you. Help me to be worthy of the words: “This is my beloved child in who I am pleased.” In your mercy, Lord Jesus, keep me faithful.

And Lord, you want to love others through me. In wonder of your providence you choose to need me, for nobody else can love with my heart. You have shared your goodness with me that I may find myself in giving myself. I can do this because the Son of God loved me and gave himself for me.

Grant me the grace to see beyond myself and to rejoice in the happiness of others, for they are worthy, Lord. Open my eyes to see you in those who are dear to me. Grant me a special love for those who appear unloved, and for those who do not return love for love.

Mother Mary, whose heart is all pure, teach me to love. Free my heart to welcome all with joy.

I want to love you my Lord, not because of what you have given me or do for me, but because of who you are. And when my heart feels empty and dry, this will be my gift. How worthy you are of my love, poor though it may be.

Show me how to love you. Lord, you are worth living for and worth dying for. I want to know you more so that my love for you may continue to deepen.

My God, in loving you I continue to be amazed at how much you love me. You know no other way except love. I praise you, for you have loved goodness into me.

For all that is in my past, Lord, thank you.

For all that is yet to come... yes!

Reconcile

If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Matthew 5 : 23-24

Peace, Peace, Peace! Be reconciled! Only Peace. Make your peace with God and amongst yourselves. June 26, 1981

A first for Fr Brendan...

It was Fr Brendan’s fifth pilgrimage to Medjugorje. He had never climbed Cross Mountain or Apparition Hill, not even made his way to the Blue Cross. And it wasn’t because he didn’t want to. His physical capability just wouldn’t allow him.

That was until May 2009 when he was asked if he would like to be carried up one of the hills. “I’d love that,” he responded.

And so enquiries were made as to how and when this might be possible. The Cenacolo Community was approached as it was known that the men there sometimes helped carry people in a sedan chair. But on the first approach no definite decision could be reached because of other commitments by the community.

As the week rolled by it looked less likely that Fr Brendan’s dream would materialise but then three days before we were due to return home we were informed that if the weather was suitable (not raining) then Fr Brendan should be brought to the base of Apparition Hill the next morning at 7.00am. There was some rain during the evening prior and we prayed that everything would clear up by the morning.

Fr Brendan, Ian, Brendan and myself sat down for breakfast at 6.00am and arranged for a taxi at 6.30am to take us to the base of Apparition Hill in good time for the meet-up with the young men from Cenacolo.

Just after the appointed time the boys from the Cenacolo Community were spotted making their way towards us and we were all very happy to see them. Introductions were made and it was agreed that Fr Brendan would be set down at each station of the Joyful Mysteries to lead the rosary.

It was a very special ascent up the hill to the top where Our Lady’s statue stands. When we reached the summit Fr Brendan stood up for a short while holding onto the railing that surrounds the statue, but not for long, and was helped back into the chair. No other groups were there. Fr Brendan had Our Lady’s full and undivided attention!

And then the helpers from Cenacolo seemed to melt away and leave Fr Brendan alone with Our Lady, posting a ‘guardian angel’ slightly behind him in case he needed any further help. I found this very moving.

Fifteen minutes later, we started to make our descent, by which time large crowds of pilgrims from Italy and French Martinique were making their way up the hill. We were soon back at the base again where we expressed our appreciation to the Cenacolo boys. Without them Fr Brendan’s dream would not have been possible.

Of sorrow and consolation...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves. (2 Corinthians, 1 : 3-4)

Dear children! I am calling you to that love which is loyal and pleasing to God. Little children, love bears everything bitter and difficult for the sake of Jesus who is love. Therefore, dear children, pray that God come to your aid, not however according to your desire, but according to His love. Surrender yourself to God so that he may hear you, console you and forgive everything inside you which is a hindrance on the way of love. In this way God can move your life, and you will grow in love. Dear children, glorify God with a hymn of love so that God’s love may be able to grow in you day by day to its fullness. Thank you for having responded to my call. June 25, 1988

Blessed are the poor in spirit;
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed the patient;
they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are those who mourn;
they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness;
they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful;
they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart;
they shall see God.
Blessed are the peace-makers;
they shall be counted the children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution in the cause of right;
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely, because of me. Be glad and light-hearted, for a rich reward awaits you in heaven; so it was they persecuted the prophets who went before you.
Matthew 5 : 3-12

Trinity Sunday

PRAY... with the daughter of the Father

PRAY... with the mother of the Son

PRAY... with the spouse of the Holy Spirit

and glorify the THREE in ONE

• Saint Patrick would hold up a shamrock and challenge the people, “Is it one leaf or three?”
“It is both one leaf and three,” was their reply.
“And so it is with God,” he would conclude.

• The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time.” Matthew 28 : 16-120

Bless God...

Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for all the favours he has given you.
Bless and extol his name.
Proclaim before all men the deeds of God as they deserve, and never tire of giving him thanks.
It is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right to reveal and publish the works of God.
Thank him worthily.
Do what is good and no evil can befall you.

Prayer with fasting and alms with right conduct are better than riches with iniquity.
Better to practise almsgiving that to hoard up gold.
Almsgiving saves from death and purges every kind of sin.
Those who give alms have their fill of days;
those who commit sin and do evil, bring harm on themselves.

I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord.

Book of Tobit 12 : 6-10, 15

Pope Benedict XVI, Mary, and Medjugorje

Check this links...
Pope shines light on Medjugorje...
Voices in the wilderness...
When Pope Benedict calls on Mary
Breath of prayer...
Message to the world
Message of Our Lady
Discovering the love of the Mother
Why Mary is close to humanity
Pontiff puts world into Mary’s hands
Our Lady, Mother and teacher
Remaining United in Christ
Be reconciled
Pope prays before image of Our Lady of Medjugorje

June 2nd message to Mirjana

Dear children! My love seeks your complete and unconditional love, which will not leave you the same as you are, instead it will change you and teach you to trust in my Son. My children, with my love I am saving you and making you true witnesses of the goodness of my Son. Therefore, my children, do not be afraid to witness love in the name of my Son. Thank you. June 2, 2009

• Today’s Gospel reading (on tribute to Caesar) is interesting when considered in the light of today’s message. (Mark 12 : 13-17)

The denarius coin was stamped with the image and name of Caesar, Emperor of the World. Those asking the question of Jesus were made in the image of God, but had been conquered to serve the Empire. The Pharisees and Herodians also showed themselves to be counterfeit. Jesus recognised their hypocrisy when they attempted to trap him with their question. They had fallen into the ways of the world and become unrecognisable as people of God.

It is only when we give back to God what belongs to God (ourselves) that we can truly be identified as Christian by action and name.

To restore the image made dull and drab by the handling of the world requires much tender and loving care. The grubby coin needs to be polished and made clean again so that our image can give true witness to whom we belong. My children, with my love I am saving you and making you true witnesses of the goodness of my Son.