4/30/11

Divine Mercy Sunday

Jesus, I Trust in You
I place all my hope in your mercy

Divine Mercy Sunday - The first Sunday after Easter

Our Lord’s Mercy grants forgiveness of all sins and punishment on Feast of Divine Mercy, Mercy Sunday, mercy for even the most hardened sinners! It was Jesus, Himself who asked for it to be celebrated on this particular Sunday following Easter.

When did Jesus make this promise and how does one obtain it?

Jesus left all the details in a diary that He commanded Saint Faustina to write in the 1930’s. (“Divine Mercy In My Soul”)

Our Lord strongly speaks about this to Saint Faustina:

“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it.” Diary, 742. During the course of Jesus’ revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.

“I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.” - (Diary, 699)

“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” - (Diary, 699)

“On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” - (Diary, 699)

This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of St. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000,the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that “throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come”.

These papal acts represent the highest endorsement that the Church can give to a private revelation, an act of papal infallibility proclaiming the certain sanctity of the mystic, and the granting of a universal feast, as requested by Our Lord to Saint Faustina.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFJrtM2bxLI

Blessed John Paul II: All Eyes Look to Rome for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Blessed John Paul II: All Eyes Look to Rome for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II


Like all great Saints, John Paul was so configured to the Lord Jesus Christ that his life revealed Him to others. He had "put on Christ", (Rom. 13:14) as the Apostle Paul proclaimed and could claim those words written by the same apostle to the Galatians as his own "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - All eyes look to Rome today as millions of pilgrims, some on foot, many more in heart, gather for the Liturgy wherein their Champion, the Beloved and Venerable Pope John Paul II, will be raised to the altar by his friend and successor, Pope Benedict XVI. He will henceforth be known as "Blessed John Paul II. From the day when he passed to the Father and the crowds in Rome spontaneously shouted the prayer which has been raised to heaven ever since, Santo Subito, we have all longed for this day. We long for the one which is sure to follow, when the Church acknowledges that to which our faith already attests, John Paul II is a saint.

4/28/11

Mary TV - Dear Family of Mary

Pope John Paul II at the shrine of Divine Mercy
 in Krakow on June 7, 1997,
 in front of the tomb of Sister Faustina
 and the image of the Merciful Jesus -

April 29, 2011
Easter Friday
http://www.marytv.tv/

Dear Family of Mary!

Our Lady once spoke about Pope John Paul II in a message, early in his pontificate. She said:

"Let him consider himself the father of all people and not only of Christians. Let him spread untiringly, and with courage, the message of peace and love among all humankind." (September 26, 1982)

Looking back we see that the Holy Father did exactly this. He traveled the world, probably personally greeting and seeing more people than any other human being in history. He personally brought his fatherhood to the world. The world felt his fatherly love, it just radiated from him like light. Of course, the power of his love was the Holy Spirit. It was God's love that was flowing from the heart of Pope John Paul II. God's fatherly love!

And so, on Sunday, May 1, 2011, this fatherly Pope, who was so filled with the light and love of God, will be beatified on the Feast of Divine Mercy which he established so prophetically at the turn of the Millennium. The great gift of Mercy which came from Poland for the world, through St. Faustina and Blessed John Paul II, will be magnified on Sunday as we celebrate such a beatification!

Jesus spoke of this gift that was to come from Poland to St. Faustina:

"As I was praying for Poland, I heard the words: I bear a special love for Poland, and if she will be obedient to My will, I will exalt her in might and holiness. From her will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming." (Diary 1732)

Surely Pope John Paul II was that spark, that flash of pure light that burst over the Church and the world at the end of the 20th Century, bringing incredible clarity and understanding to a confused humankind. He reintroduced us to our great destiny as sons and daughters of the Father in heaven. He completed St. Faustina's mission, giving us the Feast of Divine Mercy, so that all mankind could be re-attached to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through the river of grace that would flow through this feast. And he suffered for us, showing us the way to practice mercy in our human condition. And now he is being beatified, as an example of holiness for us all and an encouragement to run the race with joy!

St. Faustina had a vision of a celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated in both Rome and in Poland. She wrote:

"Suddenly, God's presence took hold of me, and at once I saw myself in Rome, in the Holy Father's chapel and at the same time I was in our chapel. And the celebration of the Holy Father and the entire Church was closely connected with our chapel and, in a very special way, with our Congregation. And I took part in the solemn celebration simultaneously here and in Rome, for the celebration was so closely connected with Rome that, even as I write, I cannot distinguish the two but I am writing it down as I saw it. I saw the Lord Jesus in our chapel, exposed in the monstrance on the high altar. The chapel was adorned as for a feast, and on that day anyone who wanted to come was allowed in. The crowd was so enormous that the eye could not take it all in. Everyone was participating in the celebrations with great joy, and many of them obtained what they desired. The same celebration was held in Rome, in a beautiful church, and the Holy Father with all the clergy, was celebrating this Feast, and then suddenly I saw Saint Peter, who stood between the altar and the Holy Father. I could not hear what Saint Peter said but I saw that the Holy Father understood his words..." (Diary, 1044).

Of course this resembles what happened when Pope John Paul II canonized St. Faustina in 2000 and declared the Feast of Divine Mercy. The celebrations in Poland and Rome were simultaneous and huge! And they were connected by television, something unheard of in 1937. But I think that on Sunday there will be another such celebration, simultaneous and huge, in both Poland and Rome! The great Pope from Poland will be beatified, on the great Feast of Divine Mercy! St. Faustina will be at both places that day, because she can be!! How amazing! She and her champion, Pope John Paul II will be together in both places!
I am pumped!!
In Jesus, Mary, Joseph, St. Faustina and Blessed John Paul II!!

Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2011
http://www.marytv.tv/

Our Lady Says, Be Ready, My Children

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Our Lady's Medjugorje Message April 2, 2010 Message Given to Mirjana

“Dear children; Today I bless you in a special way and I pray for you to return to the right way to my Son – your Savior, your Redeemer – to Him who gave you eternal life. Reflect on everything human, on everything that does not permit you to set out after my Son – on transience, imperfections and limitations – and then think of my Son, His Divine infiniteness. By your surrender and prayer ennoble your body and perfect your soul. Be ready, my children. Thank you.”

As Our Lady was leaving, Mirjana saw a large golden Cross behind Our Lady.

The Pope Is Worried


The Pope is worried, deeply worried about the current state of the world and especially the state of many Catholics' souls. His Holy Week homilies are proof of his paternal concern.

4/27/11

Long Live the Charismatics, Pope John Paul

Pope John Paul,
open yourselves to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Long Live the Charismatics, Pope John Paul

Open yourselves docilely to the gifts of the Spirit. Accept gratefully and obediently the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow on us. Do not forget that every charism is given for the common good, that is for the benefit of the whole Church. — John Paul II, 1998..

Popes Paul VI and John Paul II both blessed the charismatic renewal but said that it will fulfill its purpose only when, like the early liturgical movement, it ceases to have a separate identity of its own and is absorbed into the whole Church.

In other words, every Catholic should be a charismatic, baptized in the Spirit, empowered like the apostles. It is needed now, more than ever. Jesus is the one who sends the Holy Spirit. The Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.---Luke 11:9-13
Catholic Charismatic History   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-QDOcDGDWA

Jesus tells us, The Holy Spirit who the Father will sent you in my name will teach you everything.


But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (Jn 14:26). The Holy Spirit will be the Counselor of the Apostles and the Church, always present in their midst—even though invisible—as the teacher of the same Good News that Christ proclaimed. The words "he will teach" and "bring to remembrance" mean not only that he, in his own particular way, will continue to inspire the spreading of the Gospel of salvation but also that he will help people to understand the correct meaning of the content of Christ's message; they mean that he will ensure continuity and identity of understanding in the midst of changing conditions and circumstances. The Holy Spirit, then, will ensure that in the Church there will always continue the same truth which the Apostles heard from their Master.

4/25/11

WITH THE EUCHARIST COMES TREMENDOUS PROMISE THAT WE CAN BEGIN LIVING HEAVEN FROM EARTH


"SPIRIT DAILY"
WITH EUCHARIST COMES TREMENDOUS PROMISE THAT WE CAN BEGIN LIVING HEAVEN FROM EARTH

Heaven is the final value of the Eucharist. Attainment of Heaven. We think of it in this season as we reflect on His Resurrection. And at this time when they are ready to beatify John Paul II!

In his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, that great Pope said the Eucharist and other sacraments create in man "the seed of eternal life." When we receive Christ in Communion we are exerting the ultimate faith in His ability to manifest among us, and opening the door to realization that it is Heaven and only Heaven we must aspire to!

*Nothing else in life matters. The afterlife is all-important. It's the reason for life on earth, which is a test and preparation.

St. Margaret Mary said that a soul in purgatory once appeared to her enveloped in fire and explained that the greatest cause for his suffering (he was a Benedictine) was that in life he had preferred his own interests to those of God. He had been overly attached to his good reputation. His second defect was lack of charity to his brethren, and a third was his all- too-natural attachment to creatures.

But after St. Margaret Mary prayed and suffered for that soul, he was freed of his bondage. She saw him radiant with joy and glory. He had finished his purgation.

Each time we receive Holy Communion, according to St. Gertrude, something good happens to every being in Heaven, on earth, and in purgatory. The Curs de Ars once added that a Communion well received is worth more than a small fortune given to the poor. Each time we receive Communion our place in Heaven is permanently raised and our stay in purgatory is shortened.

While on earth, with limited vision, we will never be able to appreciate the greatness of the Eucharist. We will never be able to comprehend the real fact of reliving Christ's crucifixion.

But we know the importance from places like Medjugorje, which John Paul II endorsed.

*"Unceasingly adore the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar," said Our Blessed Mother. "Special graces are then being received. Be kind to come to Mass without looking for an excuse. Pray, pray, pray only. Prayer should be for you not only a habit, but also a source of happiness. Abandon yourselves to God without any restrictions. Love your enemies. Banish from your heart hatred, bitterness, preconceived judgments. If you knew what grace and what gifts you receive, you would prepare yourselves for (the Eucharist) each day for an hour at least. Pray, dear children, so that God's plan may be accomplished, and all the works of Satan be changed in favor of the glory of God.

*"When I say `pray, pray, pray,' I do not only want to say to increase the number of hours of prayer, but also to reinforce the desire for prayer, and to be in contact with God. Place yourself permanently in a state of spirit bathed in prayer. Dear children, I want you to comprehend that God has chosen each one of you in order to use you in a great plan for the salvation of mankind. You are not able to comprehend how great your role is in God's design.

*"The Mass is the greatest prayer of God. You will never be able to understand its greatness. That is why you must be perfect and humble at Mass. I beseech you, pray to Jesus! I am His mother, and I intercede for you with Him, but everything does not depend solely on me, but also on your strength and the strength of those who pray. The Mass is the most important and the most holy moment in your lives. If you abandon yourselves to me, you will not even feel the passage from this life to the next life. You will begin to live the life of Heaven from this earth."

You will not even feel the passage from this life

An incredible promise that is!

[resources: adapted from Secrets of the Eucharist]
http://www.spiritdaily.com/

Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Marija of April 25, 2011

Marija

Dear children! As nature gives the most beautiful colours of the year, I also call you to witness with your life and to help others to draw closer to my Immaculate Heart, so that the flame of love for the Most High may sprout in their hearts. I am with you and I unceasingly pray for you that your life may be a reflection of Heaven here on earth. Thank you for having responded to my call. April 25, 2011

4/23/11

Testimony of Kathy Jones

Our Lady of Medjugorje

Testimony of Kathy Jones

Date: April 22, 2011

"I was raised in a devout Lutheran home in New York and always believed in God, but from my teen years onward I rejected organized religion, believing it was created totally by man and not by God. After marrying Ed and reluctantly agreeing to raise our children Catholic, I told him, ' Don't EVER expect me to become Catholic. You have to be born that way - you'd have to be crazy to choose it voluntarily! ' I rejected the Church's teachings, thinking they were made up by men who had nothing better to do than make people feel guilty and miserable. I occasionally went to church with my family, but found it profoundly boring.

"In 1987 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had major surgery which revealed that it had spread to lymph nodes. I went through intensive sessions of chemotherapy and radiation, but the future looked grim and the inevitable recurrence constantly loomed over my head. During one of my hospital stays I cried out to God, saying, ' If You're really out there, please take this despair away and let me accept the fact that I'm going to die before my children are grown. ' I waited, but felt no peace and concluded that there wasn't anybody out there that really cared - prayer was just wishful thinking. To make matters worse, Ed's employers relocated to Dallas Texas during my recuperation, and I was sure I would end up dying there without my extended family support system in New York.

"Through a bizarre set of circumstances that only God could orchestrate, I drove my mother-in-law to a prayer meeting in January 1990, and reluctantly ended up in the room with a rosary placed in my hands. I desperately wanted to run out, but politely stayed while the group prayed, and actually began to pray with them. A profound sense of peace suddenly came over me, fear left me and I was filled with hope - my whole life changed that day through the intercession of Our Lady of Hope... the Queen of Peace!

 In October of that year Ed and I went to visit her shrine in Medjugorje (and during the pilgrimage it became evident that God wanted St. Francis of Assisi to be a special intercessor and guide for my life).
 We went to see Fr. Jozo Zovko in Tihaljina. He blessed me and prayed with his hands extended over my body. This was a powerful experience. My friends told me that I had received a healing. Today I am still cancer-free. I still don't know whether this is a miracle or a simple result of medical care. But the most important grace I received then was a spiritual healing.

 This formerly skeptical, irreverent woman joyfully became Catholic the following  Easter of 1991,  and daily reception of the Eucharist has been the heart of my day ever since. My husband Ed, now a deacon, reminds me how I used to tease him about going to Mass every Sunday, and how I refused to let a priest come into my hospital room, even when I was heavily drugged with morphine! As part of my ministry now, I bring our Eucharistic Lord to those who are ill in the hospital and pray with them. With God, NOTHING is impossible.

"Now, I experience a deep joy within me and I'd like to do anything for the Blessed Mother. It is such a treat to be in her school of  love. Pray the rosary! Listen to our Mother's messages and LIVE THEM! She tells us: ' If you knew how much I love you, you would weep for joy. '"
Source: ( www.childrenofmedjugorje.com )

4/21/11

JESUS, A MAN OF SORROWS

Our Lady of Czestochowa Church
Coventry, R.I.  











Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa 53:1-3 RSV)

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:4-6 RSV)

Today is Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday:  This feast, is more than just the lead-in to Good Friday; it is, in fact, the oldest of the celebrations of Holy Week. And with good reason: Holy Thursday is the day that Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass. During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very words that Catholic and Orthodox priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass and the Divine Liturgy. In telling His disciples to "Do this in remembrance of Me,"  He instituted the Mass and made them the first priests.

Our Lady's Message Of April 17th - Given to Ann Vucic by Ivan Dragicevic

Our Lady of Medjugorje, Please pray for us.

Message Of April 17th - Given to Ann Vucic by Ivan
Dragicevic From Our Lady, To Be Shared With Those
Attending The Special Palm Sunday Evening Hosted By
The MIR Center of Arizona

Message of March 25th, 2011

"My Dear Children. Today more than ever before I am inviting you to
be united in prayer to Jesus before the cross. Open your hearts to Him
and give Him all that is within your hearts. Your joys, your sorrows your
illnesses. May this time be a time of grace for you. Pray my little
children and may each moment in the coming days belong to Jesus. I
am with you and I intercede for you before my Son. I bless you with my
motherly blessing. Thank you my little children, thank you for following
and living my messages."

4/20/11

Judas' betrayal of Jesus.


Surely it is not I ?

Today's Gospel (Mt. 26:14-25) is St. Matthew's account of Judas' betrayal of Jesus. In this account, Judas after being identified as the one to betray Jesus questions Him, "Surely is not I Rabbi" (26:25)? Can you imagine the nerve of Judas to actually ask Jesus such a question? After all, he knew what he was going to do and how much he was going to be compensated for doing such a thing. Can you imagine what Jesus was feeling over all this? In reference to His betrayer, Jesus says, "It would be better for that man if he had never been born" (26:24). These are very strong words from Jesus and clearly indicate the severity of Judas' actions and the consequences he may have suffered as a result.

Yesterday, the Gospel was St. John's account on this betrayal. We are being reminded of just how much this hurt Jesus and how not to cause Jesus such distress. We do this each time we fall into sin, especially mortal sin. When we fall, we betray Jesus. If we put this into proper perspective, we should never want to do anything that will cause Jesus such pain and torment. Yes, we know the Lord is always willing to forgive us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, we should also appreciate the love Jesus has for us and allow this to become our motivation to do our best to avoid falling into sin. We need to make sure our lives are in conformity with the values exemplified by the Lord Himself.

Today we pray for the grace to be strong in times of temptation. Through God's grace and the promptings of the Holy Spirit may we not place ourselves in the near occasion of sin. May we do all in our power to resist the temptations of the Devil and remain on the pathway of righteousness.

God bless you always,
~ Fr. Michael J. Slusz

4/19/11

Father Don Calloway on Harry Potter


Father Don Calloway speaks about Harry Potter, the means and the ends.
The ends do not justify the means.
Children's books: CS Lewis, JR Tolkien vs Harry Potter
Power of the characters in the books.
What is the means that they use to get their desired good?
The powers need to be used in the right way.
If deceit and lying are used for the end, not good.
 Increase corporate sales by doing shady business.You sell your soul to get it.
Cannot say one thing, and do another.
Better to read the lives of the saints.

4/18/11

Tatiana Tajci sings Via Dolorosa


Filmed live in 2004 with Tajci's sister Sanya. Available on "I Thirst - The Crucifixion Story" The Television Concerts Special - DVD on http://www.idobelieve.com/
* Can you picture it. close our eyes and see the pain Christ took for you. the beating left him barely able to walk let alone carry a cross, he collapsed from the lack of blood, he did this because of the Love he has for you, he loves you just for who you are, his blood has cleansed you and now by his death you are righteous and by his life you gain eternal life with him. May the Love of Christ always fill your heart. Jordan

4/17/11

Mary tv--Adoration in Saint James Church in Medjugorje with Fr. Slavko October 1996


Mary TV- Denis, while filming adoration in St. James Church in Medjugorje, caught this unexpected but beautiful moment with a group of recovering drug addicts of the Cenacolo community.  http://www.marytv.tv/

4/15/11

Statue of Mary weeping tears of blood in Civitavecchia, Italy and the testimony of Fr. Steven Scheier

The Spinning Sun in Medjugorje


October 2, 2010
The Spinning Sun in Medjugorje

Photo by Barbara Goodier, USA
.
I took this on October 2nd at the time of Mirjana's apparition. A few of us were praying the Rosary at the Crucifix on Sr. Immanuel's property. We were looking towards the Blue Cross on Apparition Hill and saw the sun spinning. That's when I took the picture. May you receive a special blessing from the Lord today!
Barbara G.



.
Dear children; With motherly perseverance and love I am bringing you the light of life to destroy the darkness of death in you. Do not reject me, my children. Stop and look within yourselves and see how sinful you are. Be aware of your sins and pray for forgiveness. My children, you do not desire to accept that you are weak and little, but you can be strong and great by doing God’s will. Give me your cleansed hearts that I may illuminate them with the light of life, my Son. Thank you. Medjugorje message to Mirjana of November 2, 2010

I Am Catholic, I Cannot Go To Hell


I Am Catholic! I Cannot Go To Hell!

My Dear People,

Like Many Cultural Catholics, She Lived All the Pagan Values of Today’s Society

Gloria Polo-Ortiz, a speaker from Colombia SA, shared her near death experience with us a few years ago. She told us of having been struck dead by lightening. Leaving her body, she felt herself rising toward the heavens. Before she reached the eternal light of Heaven, she began to fall backwards into the darkness. Even though she had been baptized and raised Catholic, she never actually embraced or lived her faith. In fact, like many cultural Catholics, she live all the pagan values of today’s society. She never went to confession, and used her faith to promote her professional needs. As she fell closer to Hell, she kept crying out, “I am Catholic, I cannot go to Hell, I went to Church. I performed good deeds.”

As she approached the mouth of Hell, she was suddenly snatched up by an angel and returned to her body. Later, she was shown by Our Lord, that a poor peasant farmer had sacrificed some of his food money to have a mass offered for her soul. Jesus told her that she would have fallen completely into the fires of Hell, had it not been for this man’s heroic merciful act of love for her. This is sobering to say the very least. The Gospel tells us that those who lived pagan lives, and call out, “Lord, Lord”, begging for help, will encounter his Divine Justice. Don’t wait until your deathbed to repent. Convert your lives while there is still time. Live God’s Mercy TODAY!
Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

* Fr. Mark Bozada *

May we always be ready to live in the ocean of Jesus’ Divine Mercy, so as to forego His Divine Justice.

Lord, You are above All


This song brings so much emotion, the way the song is structured brings so much inspiration. It made me cry.. Tekken

4/14/11

Lenten Meditation


A Lenten Meditation

In image I saw a distant view of Jesus nailed to the cross. I seemed to be about fifty yards away but I could clearly hear the noise and din of the crowd. It was heartbreaking to hear how the crowd was laughing and jeering at Jesus. The mocking tones were that of evil and they made me at first angry and then saddened. I kept thinking how can you people be so cruel; don't you know who He is? Don't you know what He is doing, just for you?

As I was thinking those thoughts, I continued walking toward the cross until I was about ten feet away. It was then that I stopped as if waiting for something or some sign of what I was to do next. As I stood there I could see the guards taking Jesus from the cross and lowering Him to the ground beneath it. Then I heard myself say, "Oh, He is already dead". I was filled with a deep sense of loss and knelt to the ground.

As I continued to kneel, I again had the sense that I was waiting to be told what I was to do. Just at that moment I looked up again toward the body of Jesus and saw Mary, His Mother, move up from the edge of the crowd and kneel beside His body. It was a deeply moving scene of a Mother's love for her Child as she put her arms around His lifeless body and drew Him in close to her. She rocked Him back and forth in her arms and pulled her shawl over His exposed and badly beaten body. She comforted Him as I imagined she had so many times when he was a child, brushing the hair from His face and gently patting His wounds.

It was then that the scene grew quiet. The crowds had nearly all disbursed, now that it was evident that Jesus was dead. Only a handful of people remained to guard His body and be there as a comfort to His Mother.

It was in this peaceful stillness that I saw Mary motion to someone to come toward her. I looked behind me to see who she was motioning to but there was no one there. Then she motioned again only this time it was as if my eyes met hers and I knew she was motioning for me. With timid steps I moved a little closer until I was within two feet of Jesus' lifeless body cradled there in his Mother's arms.

Now I could see all of the physical devastation Jesus had endured. It seemed as if there was not a spot on His body that had been left untouched by cruelty. It was so horrible I had to turn away for a minute. But even as I felt the need to turn away, my eyes would immediately be drawn back and my heart would break at the sight and at the thought of what suffering He had endured.

Without saying a word, Mary stretched out her hand motioning me to sit down beside the feet of Jesus. What I sensed within me at that moment was the stunned realization of what a privilege it was to even be invited to draw this close, coupled with a deep sense of unworthiness. I looked at Mary again and it must have been that she sensed my feelings. And again she nodded her assent and pointed to where I was to sit down near His feet.

I sat there for what seemed like an endless time staring at the feet of Jesus, not knowing what else to do and too overcome with what I was seeing to do anything more. His feet were a shredded mass of flesh. In some places even the outline of a foot seemed to have been obliterated. The wounds made by the spikes used to nail Him to the cross had left large gaping, jagged tears. I could see how each movement to steady Himself on the cross, in order to take a breath, had torn away His flesh. I felt an overwhelming sense of awe that Jesus had been so willing to suffer such pure agony for me, for all of us, and my heart seemed to break in pieces.

For a moment I took my eyes from Jesus' feet to steal a look at Mary, His Mother, and I wondered how could she bare to see her Beloved Son like this. My heart went out to her as never before as I realized she too was paying a very high price for the love of mankind. And I remembered the words of scripture, "that her heart too would be pierced that the souls of many might be laid bare". (Lk2:35) As if Mary had heard me quoting that scripture passage to myself, she turned to look at me. Our eyes met for only an instant but in that instant I saw in her eyes a depth of love I had never imagined possible. I realized what I was seeing was not only a Mother's love for me but for all of her children, everywhere. As our eyes met it was as if I could read her thought and I knew she was telling me I was being given the privilege of helping her comfort the body of her Son. I hesitantly reached out my hand to touch one of Jesus' feet and as I did, she gave me a very gentle smile of acceptance and nodded that it was all right.

I laid my hands very gently on each of Jesus' feet and remained that way for some time, just sitting there touching His feet. Then, I became aware of how cold were His feet. All the life had already drained from Him. I looked again at Mary, needing some reassurance that it was still all right for me to touch Him and again came her smile of acceptance. It was her smile, always that smile of acceptance, that gave me the courage to pour out my love to Jesus as I began to caress His feet. Like Mary, I patted His wounds and tried to brush away some of the dried blood; hoping in my heart that I could relieve just a little of the pain He had suffered. As I did I could feel rising within my own Spirit, His desire to relieve the suffering of the world. I sensed in that brief moment what tremendous love Jesus feels for each of us; and how willing He is to lay down His life for us, no matter how brutally painful His suffering.

Again I looked at Mary, and it was in that moment I remembered my prayer of asking her to help me to know her Son better. Through the things I had seen and heard in image, and from her ever accepting smile, Mary had answered my prayer. She had shown me, in a very memorable way, the Mercy of God; and the great value He places in each of us.
  Shari R. Panages

4/13/11

Daily Grace: Open Your Heart


Daily Grace: Open Your Heart: "Just as the clenched hand can neither give nor receive, the closed heart cannot love. Love unifies, it brings us together and makes us one..."

4/12/11

Pope John Paul II, - Medjugorje, Its The Spiritual Heart of the World


Pope John Paul II “Medjugorje – The Spiritual Heart of the World”
by admin on March 16, 2010
By Daniel Klimek, March 13, 2010

Pope John Paul II once powerfully observed, “Today’s world has lost its sense of the supernatural, but many are searching for it –and find it in Medjugorje, through prayer, penance, and fasting.” The late pontiff and future saint, his holiness, spoke these words on August 1, 1989,while addressing a group of Italian physicians studying the apparitions in Medjugorje with medical and scientific investigations.

It is no secret within Rome that John Paul II absolutely loved Medjugorje, once even acquiring the nickname “Protector of Medjugorje” within the Vatican. Even eminent American intellectuals were no strangers to this reality. The great Franciscan intellectual, Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, himself an investigator of supernatural phenomena, once admitted about John Paul II in a revealing interview: “I can tell you for a fact that the pope loves Medjugorje from afar and would go there in a minute if the theologians would let him.”

While it is known that the late Polish pope never personally visited Medjugorje, what is less known is that throughout the last two decades of his life Pope John Paul II held personal meetings and correspondences with Medjugorje visionaries, Medjugorje priests, even Medjugorje inner locutionaries, and numerous pro-Medjugorje bishops. His enthusiasm and love for Medjugorje’s mystics was overwhelming and filled with abundant respect and a joyful beauty overcome with hope. One such example is when Medjugorje visionary, Mirjana Dragicevic Soldo, met with John Paul II. She once shared the details behind this poignant, and somewhat humorous, encounter while addressing a group of pilgrims:

“I personally had a such a great honor to be able to speak with late Pope John Paul II. That was so beautiful. I was in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome with all other pilgrims. Pope as he was walking by, he was blessing everybody. He blessed me and just walked away. And then this Italian priest I was with said ‘Holy Father, this is Mirjana from Medjugorje.’ He came back, blessed me again and he left. And I said to this priest, ‘Father, you see he just thinks that I need a double blessing’ [laughter]. However, in the afternoon we received an invitation tomorrow morning to come to Castelgondolfo, close to Rome in order to talk to Holy Father. I don’t have to tell you that I couldn’t sleep all night. Tomorrow when I reached the place, he saw that I was so excited. We were alone and then he started talking to me in Polish. He thought I would understand because both are Slavic languages. He wanted to make me feel comfortable but I didn’t understand a word because it’s not even close to our language. However, I was crying and I couldn’t catch a breath to say a word. So when I finally succeeded to say a word, I said ‘Holy Father, can we try in Italian ?’ [laughter].
*Then we talked and among other things he said to me, ‘If I were not Pope, I would be in Medjugorje a long time ago. I know everything, I have been following everything. Ask pilgrims to pray for my intentions. And take good care of Medjugorje because Medjugorje is the hope for the entire world…..........’ ”

Beyond such personal words of encouragement and trust for the visionaries and the fruits of faith at Medjugorje, Pope John Paul II frequently displayed his appreciation in officially signed papal blessings as well. Two such official blessings were given by John Paul II to Fr. Jozo Zovko, O.F.M., the pastor in St. James Church at Medjugorje when the apparitions began, and to Vicka Ivankovic, one of the Medjugorje visionaries who still receives daily apparitions. Vicka, like Mirjana, has also personally met with the Holy Father in Rome, exchanging gifts and warm sentiments of faith. The official blessing she received from the late pope hangs on her wall, beautifully framed, in her home.

Fr. Jozo met with Pope John Paul II in 1992, in the midst of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. John Paul II’s words to Fr. Jozo were striking: “I am with you, protect Medjugorje! Protect Our Lady’s messages!” The passion and urgency of the Holy Father’s words for the protection of Medjugorje make clear how much the holy site, as to millions of Catholics, meant to him.
That Our Lady is appearing in Medjugorje, the Holy Father had little doubt about. The papal blessing he signed and gave to Fr. Jozo read:“I grant from the heart a particular blessing to Father Jozo Zovko, O.F.M. and I invoke a new outpouring of graces and heavenly favors, and the continuous protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joannes Paulus II.”

The Holy Father’s own knowledge of Medjugorje and the major figures surrounding the events there was very impressive. Often his knowledge extended beyond the facts that many Medjugorje devotees may even know. For instance, most Medjugorje followers know that there are six visionaries. However, fewer may know that, in addition to the original six children who reported experiencing apparitions of Our Lady in 1981, two also reported experiencing interior locutions (locution cordis), the mystical grace of seeing and hearing Our Lady in an interior way – through the heart, especially when in prayer. Jelena and Marijana Vasilj, distant cousins, were the two youngsters who reported experiencing this grace. At Medjugorje, they acquired the nickname of “the seers of the second generation,” being ten year-old girls (compared to the older visionaries) during the beginning periods of the apparitions.

Of course, such idiosyncratic distinctions, between young mystics who received apparitions and those who received inner locutions—while perhaps a bit perplexing to many observers—were no problem for John Paul II to discern. He didn’t miss a beat. In 1988, John Paul II received a group of Croatian Catholics into his private chapel in Rome. He instantly recognized two members of the group from photographs he had witnessed. Approaching the two young girls, he said, “Ah yes, Jelena and Marijana, who have the interior locutions.” John Paul II greeted the girls warmly and stared into their eyes for some time with much amusement.
Today, both Jelena and Marijana are, of course, mature women. Jelena’s path has especially been interesting. Traveling to the United States for her undergraduate studies, she completed her B.A. at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, Jelena returned to Rome where she pursued a doctorate in theology at the Gregorian University, always displaying a sophisticated mind with a deep appreciation for the Catholic faith.
Only two years after the pope met with “the seers of the second generation,” John Paul II sent his friend and confidant, Bishop Paul Hnilica, S.J., then Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, to accompany Marija Pavlovic, another Medjugorje visionary, on a visit to Russia. Bishop Hnilica continually told Marija how much the pope wished to visit Medjugorje. Similarly to the words John Paul II gave to visionary Mirjana Soldo during their meeting, the Bishop emphasized how the Holy Father explained to him: "If I wasn't the Pope, I'd be in Medjugorje already!

Many bishops from around the world have had similar encounters with John Paul II on the topic of Medjugorje. In June 1986, in response to a group of twelve Italian bishops seeking advice on pilgrims traveling to Medjugorje, the pope recognized the indisputable fruits of faith present in the village: “Let the people go to Medjugorje,” he said, “if they convert, pray, confess, do penance and fast.”
Similarly, in April 15, 1990, the National Catholic Reporter quoted Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo, Texas. Bishop Pfeifer explained:“During my Ad Lumina visit to Rome with the Bishops of Texas in April 1988, I asked our Holy Father his opinion about Medjugorje during the private conversation I had with him. He spoke very favorably about the happenings there, pointing out the good which had been done for people. During the lunch which the Texas Bishops later had with the Holy Father, Medjugorje came up for further discussion. Again His Holiness spoke of how it has changed the lives of people who visit it, and said that so far the messages are not contrary to the Gospel.”
Likewise, during his Mass Homily at the Notre Dame Conference on Medjugorje delivered on May 14, 1989, Bishop S. Treinen, Bishop of Boise, Idaho, related a conversation he once had with John Paul II:

“In the course of it [our conversation] I said: ‘Holy Father, I have just come from Medjugorje. There are wonderful things going on there.’ The Pope replied: ‘Yes, it’s good for pilgrims to go to Medjugorje and pray and do penance. It’s good.’ That’s first hand, I heard him say it myself.”In February 1990, Bishop Murilo Krieger, then Auxiliary Bishop of Florianopolis, Brazil, reported a conversation with John Paul II about the apparitions, wherein the pope enthusiastically told him: “Medjugorje is a great center of spirituality!” Not only that but the Holy Father also happily assented to Bishop Krieger’s request, giving his papal blessings to the visionaries. Bishop Krieger explained:

“In 1988, I was with eight other bishops and thirty three priests on spiritual retreat in the Vatican. The Holy Father knew that many of us were going to Medjugorje afterwards. After a private mass with the Pope, before leaving Rome, he said, without having been asked anything, ‘Pray for me in Medjugorje.’ On another occasion, I told the Pope ‘I am going to Medjugorje for the fourth time.
* ’He concentrated his thoughts and said, "Medjugorje, Medjugorje, it's the spiritual heart of the world'. On the same day I spoke with other Brazilian bishops and the Pope at lunch time and I asked him: ‘Your holiness, can I tell the visionaries that you send your blessing?’ He answered: ‘Yes yes,’ and embraced me.”

In addition to Pope John Paul II’s overwhelming support, in recent years Medjugorje has acquired some very influential supporters in Roman Catholic circles. Critics of Medjugorje, from the bishop of Mostar to German theologian Manfred Hauke, are given a lot of media attention. But what is noteworthy is how many cardinals have voiced their affection for the shrine, including Cardinals Tonini Ersilio, Emmanuel Wamala, Jean Margeot, Frantisek Tomasek and, most recently, his eminence Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, the Archbishop of Vienna who visited Medjugorje as a pilgrim for Christmas 2009. Even theologians have shown their appreciation. The French theologian Fr. Rene Laurentin and the Swiss theologian and cardinal Hansursvon Balthasar have been open Medjugorje supporters. Balthasar, in addition to being arguably the most eminent theologian of the twentieth century, is also known for co-founding—with his friend Joseph Ratzinger (the current Pope), and with others—the Catholic journal Communio. He frequently referred to the events happening at Medjugorje as “a theater of holiness.

*”Most recently, the popular American priest, Fr. Donald Calloway of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, published his autobiography, No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy. Fr. Calloway is the vocation director for the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, the author of numerous books, and a leading proponent of the Divine Mercy devotions of St. Faustina Kowalska. It was a book about Medjugorje, The Queen of Peace Visits Medjugorje, which led to Calloway’s famous conversion, going from an agnostic and destructive youth wrestling with addiction, promiscuous sex, and illegal crime to someone who found hope, peace, and meaning in Medjugorje, leading to the priesthood and to his current life of spiritual maturity and personal unity with Christ and Our Lady.

The messages and fruits of Medjugorje have reached an innumerable amount of people. From the faithful millions who have visited the village to the millions who have read about it, to some of the most influential members of the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II, who many Catholics believe was a mystic himself, had a special relationship (in his immense spirituality and in his devotion to Our Lady) with Medjugorje. He asked others to protect Medjugorje and he believed that Medjugorje was the fulfillment of Fatima.
Monsignor Angelo Kim, President of the Korean Bishops’ Conference, once wrote about his encounter with John Paul II in the Korean national weekly newspaper, Catholic News, in 1990. Prior to the conclusion of the last Bishops’ Synod in Rome, the Korean bishops were invited to a lunch with John Paul II. Msgr. Kim addressed the Holy Father directly and said, “Father, thanks to you, Poland was able to liberate itself from Communism.” To this, the Holy Father responded, “No, this is not my merit. This is the work of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as She had predicted in Fatima and in Medjugorje.”

As mentioned, in the Vatican he was known as the “Protector of Medjugorje.” In reality, this relationship was mutual. According to the testimony of the Medjugorje visionaries, on May 13, 1982, on the anniversary of the Fatima apparitions and on the occasion of an assassination attempt on John Paul II’s life, Our Lady said, “His enemies tried to kill him, but I have protected him.”
Source-Medjugorje Org. Medjugorje Web

4/10/11

Messages of Medjugorje in Poetry: A Simple Prayer


Messages of Medjugorje in Poetry: A Simple Prayer: "A Simple Prayer What is it that I have been searching for? To live in the Heart of Jesus. What does this mean? I want to live a life of virtue..."

Medjugorje has changed my life for the better since my first pilgrimage in 2002. During my visit I had a powerful spiritual experience which has led to a much deeper faith, hope, and love. I am actively involved in my parish as Pro-Life Coordinator and have been a member of a prayer group at my parish for ten years that began in 1989 after a group of pilgrims returned home on fire with love for their faith. My husband and I will be returning to Medjugorje on April 28. This will be my fourth visit and his third. It is so exciting to be going back. I feel like Medjugorje is my home because it is the closest place on Earth to Heaven.

And Jesus Wept. - John 11:33-35

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

Fellow-Feeling

Readings:
Ezek 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; John 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Scripture:
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to him, “Sir, come and see.”

And Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)

Reflection:
The terms are many, the reality is the same. The terms? Compassion, empathy, sympathy, kindness, concern. The reality? Fellow-feeling. Jesus felt deeply the sorrow of Mary and Martha. The loss of their brother brought tears of sadness to their heart and anguish to their soul. The mystery of death overwhelmed them and the future held much ambiguity. Jesus felt the sorrow, the anguish, the ambiguity, and he wept along with them.

Another occasion when Jesus wept arose again out of his compassion and empathy. Viewing the city of Jerusalem from a distance and realizing how many people were confused and lost, Jesus broke down and cried. Jesus knew that his mission was one of universal salvation. For anyone to be lost, much less a whole population, was just too much. These tears reveal to us the infinite compassion and concern of our loving, redeeming God.

What is at issue here is that radical sense of solidarity. We are one family; we are one people, all on the same journey back to the Father. What happens to one affects everybody. The great delusion is to think that we are autonomous creatures, self-reliant and able to go it alone. Nothing could be further from the truth. We come to God together or not at all. We have responsibility for our sisters and brothers.

“And Jesus wept.” These are startling words and words that are to be taken with utmost seriousness. While our faith continually reminds us that Jesus is divine, that same faith tells of the humanity of Jesus. He experienced all that we do, except sin. Thus, we have a Lord and friend who knows what we are going through. Surely, Jesus wept for joy at Cana; surely, Jesus wept when Peter and Judas denied him; surely, Jesus wept, if only interiorly, when the adulterous woman was brought before him for stoning. Why else did he keep his head down while writing in the sand?

Meditation:
Why is it important to keep our tear ducts open? What is the level of your fellow-feeling? What makes you weep? What makes you laugh, laugh with tears of joy?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know our inner pain at the loss of loved ones. Your tears at the death of Lazarus remind us of your tender compassion and rich empathy. Transform our minds and hearts to live deeply the reality of human soli­darity. May no one stand alone. May we weep with those who weep; may we laugh with those who laugh.
Sing Hallelujah to the Lord   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAIKgv1430

4/7/11

A Medjugorje Reflection

Our Lady, Queen of Peace

In May 1986,
Our Lady gave this powerful message.

“Dear children, you are the ones responsible

for the messages. The source

of grace is here, but you, dear children,

you are the vessels which transport the

gifts. Therefore, dear children, I am

calling you to do your job with responsibility.

Each one shall be responsible

according to his own ability. Dear

children, I am calling you to give the

gifts to others with love, and not to keep

them to yourselves. Thank you for having

responded to my call.

4/6/11

NUMEROUS PILGRIMS IN MEDJUGORJE


Numerous pilgrims in Međugorje
date: 03.04.2011.

Numerous pilgrims arrived to Međugorje in the beginning of April. Due to the large number of pilgrims, and thanks to the beautiful weather, the evening prayer programme was held outdoors, at the White Dome, on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The Information Office registered groups from: Mexico, Austria, Germany, the United States, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Albania, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Korea. There were organised groups of Croatian pilgrims from the following towns: Šibenik, Split, Zagreb, Požega, Drvar, and many others.

Anna Maria Brancatelli from Catania, Italy, said in her interview for radio station “Mir” MeÄ‘ugorje: “Pilgrims come to MeÄ‘ugorje bringing their own problems, sufferings and crosses. Many come in a very difficult state, and upon their arrival, I see how they completely change. I think it is a miracle that many of them join our prayer group as soon as they return home. People change and their families change along with them. Every pilgrim comes back again with at least ten other people. This time we had two major conversions in our group”, she said at the end of the interview.
Source-Medjugorje Offical

4/5/11

LOVE HEALS OLD WOUNDS


After years of abuse as a child, Mary was able to find peace and healing through a relationship with Christ.

Polish Bishop visits Medjugorje with 28 Priests.

Mons. Wieslaw Alojzy Mering, Bishop of Wloclawek, Poland
 Polish Bishop visits Medjugorje with 28 Priests
 Medjugorje.hr:
 On September 23 and 24, 2008

Mons. Wieslaw Alojzy Mering, Bishop of the diocese Włocławek, and 28 priests from the dioceses Włocławek, Gniezno, Chełmińskiej and Toruń (Poland) visited Medjugorje.

The diocese Włocławek is known by the fact that sister Faustina, Fr. Maximilian Kolbe and Kardinal Wyszynski were born there. From September 15 to 26, they were together on a journey of prayer and study in Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. They visited different shrines and places of prayer, and one of the important points of their journey was Medjugorje where they were received by Fr. Miljenko Šteko, the Vicar of the Herzegovinian Franciscan province and Director of the Information Center MIR Medjugorje.

He spoke to them about the life in the parish, about the pastoral activities, about Our Lady’s apparitions and messages, and about their significance. The Bishop and the priests participated in the evening prayer program. They also climbed Apparition Hill. On Wednesday, September 24, Mons Mering presided Holy Mass for Polish pilgrims and gave a homily. Some witnesses say that he celebrated this Mass in Polish with a great joy, and that he appreciated very much the encounter with God’s people from all over the world. Mons. Mering and the group also visited the Franciscan church in Mostar, where he also presided Holy Mass.

 "This is what Mons. Mering said about his impressions in Medjugorje:"

"This whole group of priests had the desire to come and see this place, which is for 27 years now playing an important role on the religious map of Europe. Yesterday, we had the occasion to pray the rosary in the church together with the faithful. We notice that everything is natural and beautiful here, although there are some difficulties about the recognition of Medjugorje. There is a deep faith of people who pray, and we hope that all that is happening here shall be confirmed in the future.

It is quite normal that the Church is prudent, but the fruits are visible to everyone and they touch the heart of each pilgrim who is coming here. Some of our priests, who already came here in the past, notice that Medjugorje is growing, and I wish to all those who take care of the pilgrims here to be patient, perseverant, and to pray a lot. They are doing a good work; surely they shall harvest good fruits."_________________"Pray! Pray! Pray!" -Our Lady of Medjugorje

4/4/11

Mountains and Valleys


Mountains and Valleys
by Bishop Robert Moreau

Gen 12:1-4a; 2 Tim 1:8b-10; Matt 17:1-9

Scripture:
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here.

If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matt 17:4)

Reflection:

The camera industry has flourished because we humans long to hang on to experiences of beauty and goodness. So we fill our albums with photos from baptisms and weddings, picnics and anniversaries, mountains and sunsets, stars and rainbows. Since Peter forgot his camera, he thought that by building three shelters, the experience of the transfigured Jesus might be sustained. After all, how could Moses and Elijah leave when such thoughtful hospitality was being offered?

Human life is transitory. Things come and go in successive fashion and we are forever trying to hang on to the patches of beauty and goodness that come our way. These mountain­top experiences are special and powerful graces. Yet, down the mountain we go since our life in the valley has its own significance. The challenge for Peter, James, and John (and us as well) is to have the vision of faith to see Jesus manifest as much in the valley as on the mountaintop.

Brother Edward Seifert, a member of the Christian Brothers, wrote a poem titled “On the Ridge.” In it, the poet raises the question of what it would be like to live up high on a ridge, overlooking the beauty of autumn forests, a winding river, rolling hills. Although this geography offers its special blessing—as does listening to a symphony or having morning tea—we cannot make this “place” a permanent residence. No, down into the valley we must go while not forgetting the “sudden look of creation” that we received.

The transfiguration is about contemplation and action. Our lives are about those gracious moments of loving attention to God’s truth, goodness, and beauty, as well as the summons to serve and to encounter Jesus in the community of humankind. One can feel the tension inside Peter as he longed to remain atop the mountain and yet wanted to do what Jesus asked of him.

Meditation:
What have been some of your mountaintop experiences? How do you deal with the transitoriness of life?Describe the valley God has called you to.
Prayer:
Jesus, you manifested yourself to Peter, James, and John on the mountain. You manifest yourself to us in Scripture and sacraments, in community and the movements of our hearts. Help us to see your glory; help us to serve you in our needy sisters and brothers.

Not by Bread Alone, from Liturgical Press, is available in print, eBook, and App format. Find out more information.

4/2/11

Monthly Apparition of Our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo


Monthly apparition of our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo, April 2nd, 2011 from tunin tunin on Vimeo.

Our Lady's Medjugorje message to Mirjana of April 2, 2011

Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo

Dear children; with motherly love I desire to open the heart of each of you and to teach you personal unity with the Father. To accept this, you must comprehend that you are important to God and that he is calling you individually. You must comprehend that your prayer is a conversation of a child with the Father; that love is the way by which you must set out – love for God and for your neighbour. That is, my children, the love that has no boundaries, that is the love that emanates from truth and goes to the end. Follow me, my children, so that also others, in recognising the truth and love in you, may follow you. Thank you.
Medjugorje message, April 2, 2011

Once again Our Lady called us to pray for our shepherds, our priests, and said: "They have a special place in my heart. They represent my Son."

4/1/11

Fr. Peter Rookey, The Healing Priest, Pilgrimage of Love

Annie Karto-Catholic singer and song writer. 
Fr. Peter Mary Rookey-The Healing Priest


Uploaded by OSMMVandalia on Nov 22, 2010

Watch a clip from the beautiful new DVD

"Pilgrimage of Love: The Story of a Priest". Follow Fr. Peter Rookey as he makes one last journey to the Holy Land, a walk of faith that parallels his remarkable life story, including his own healing of blindness as a child and his 60+ years as a Catholic priest.

Praise God for this holy, humble worker in the vineyard, and for the many healing miracles that Jesus Christ has worked through him.

The full DVD can be ordered from Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry athttp://www.osmm.org