To Jesus through Mary.
Janet, an Irish pilgrim full of joy, told
me her story:
"I was a cradle Catholic. I
went to Mass every Sunday, but only out of habit. My husband was not a Catholic
- in fact he was a Hindu, but we both decided that we wanted to bring our three
children up as Catholics, that is, I always took them to Mass on Sundays and
sent them to Catholic schools, etc. I thought that this was all I was obliged to
do. I never prayed with them or taught them about God! The reality was that I
was practicing my faith superficially, not living it with my heart. In addition
to this, a Christian man told me that Jesus is not present in the host, and that
to believe in the real presence was ridiculous, so I ended up doubting. During
Mass I was thinking of everything but God and was looking forward to the end
because I was bored.
*"I have a very good friend
who had often been to Medjugorje. She kept pleading with me, 'Come with me to
Medjugorje!' Finally despite great protest in my heart, I said yes. We were a
group of six friends. As far as I was concerned, I was going for a girly week in
the sun, to enjoy nature, and lots of chatting amongst friends. I didn't think
prayer would be on my agenda. It was May 1997.
"The first days went as
planned. I enjoyed the food, fresh air, sunshine and even going to daily Mass. I
thought, 'This is good!' On the third day we went off with John, our Irish
guide, in an old ratty van to a Mass being celebrated by Fr. Jozo at
Siroki-Brijeg, where 30 Franciscan priests were martyred during World War II. It
was a huge church that filled up quickly as I remained outside in the sunshine,
chatting with friends. Mass was about to begin and the church was packed. All
the benches were full and the isles so crowded that it was impossible to move.
It was then that the most surprising thing happened!
"A man, whom I had never
met before, took my hand very gently and walked me through the crowds. I didn't
feel as though we were pushing; it was as if the space opened up and we walked
gently through. He took me to the altar steps and placed me right in front of
the priest who was about to start the Mass. Then he suddenly disappeared. I had
the best spot there! I had a most surreal but calm feeling, as though it was all
normal.
"I remember nothing of the
Mass until the priest elevated the Host at the Consecration. The Host became
huge to my eyes and Christ our Lord appeared alive in the Host. He was looking
up. From that moment on, my whole life changed. I probably never stopped crying
for the time I remained in Medjugorje.
"When I returned home, I
got into the habit of going to daily Mass. I drew all my strength and my joy
from there. Jesus became my essential food. My Hindu husband listened
respectfully to my testimony, and in spite of the great change which had taken
place in me, he did not seem shaken. Moreover, I have never tried to convince
him to share my faith, and equally he has allowed me to practice my faith
freely. I prayed a lot for him. Several years later, as I was getting ready to
go to Mass one day, he simply said to me, 'I am coming with you!'To
make a long story short, he is now a baptized Catholic and we are united in the
same faith.
"I wish so often that I
could start my life again, so that I could spend all my younger years with
Jesus! How I regret losing time and how ashamed I am that I didn't always
believe! But now, I do not let a single day go by without thanking God for
revealing Himself to me. I pray daily for lukewarm Catholics! That
Mary our Mother may touch many, many souls and bring them to the living
Jesus!"
“Dear
children, I am calling you and am coming among you because I need you. I
need apostles with a pure heart. I am praying, and you should also
pray, that the Holy Spirit may enable and lead you, that He may
illuminate you and fill you with love and humility. Pray that He may
fill you with grace and mercy. Only then will you understand me, my
children. Only then will you understand my pain because of those who
have not come to know the love of God. Then you will be able to help me.
You will be my light-bearers of God’s love. You will illuminate the way
for those who have been given eyes but do not want to see. I desire for
all of my children to see my Son. I desire for all of my children to
experience His Kingdom. Again I call you and implore you to pray for
those whom my Son has called. Thank you.”
