ON FIRE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." -Luke 4:18
Father Al Lauer, founder of One Bread, One Body, considered Luke 4:18 to be his personal mission statement. As he prepared for his ordination to the priesthood, he chose this Scripture verse as his theme. The passage was quoted on his funeral Mass card. Fr. Al was on fire with the Holy Spirit and operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout his priesthood.
 
Jesus said: "I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" (Lk 12:49) Jesus came to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8). On Easter, He told His disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). After Jesus ascended, the gifts of the Spirit were poured out on us all (Eph 4:11; Acts 2:17) and the Church was born.

At Baptism, you received "the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit" (Catechism, 1266; see also Mk 1:8). Yet the world, the devil, and our flesh constantly fight against the Holy Spirit for control of our lives (Gal 5:17). Therefore, "I remind you to stir into flame" the Holy Spirit in your lives (2 Tm 1:6-7).
Fr. Al once told me: "The more I say 'No' to myself, the more I say 'Yes' to the Holy Spirit." In that spirit, repent immediately of all sin. Deny yourself and take up your daily cross (Lk 9:23). Be on fire with the Holy Spirit, living so as to never stifle or sadden the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30). "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:25).

Archbishop George Pearce, friend of Medjugorje Dies

The Most Reverend George H. Pearce, S.M., D.D., Retired Bishop in Residence, Diocese of Providence, RI, Archbishop Emeritus of Suva, died on Sunday, August 30, 2015. May he rest in God's peace. 


Msgr. George Hamilton Pearce, retired archbishop of the Fiji Islands, came with a group of American pilgrims on a private visit to Medjugorje at the end of September / beginning of October 2002. He has already been in Medjugorje in the eighties and in the nineties: he believes in the apparitions and in the authenticity of Our Lady’s messages. Msgr. Pearce is a religious, member of the Congregation of Marist Fathers. Since retiring from active Episcopal service, he lives and serves in the Archdiocese of Providence, Rhode Island, USA, where - in the cathedral - he leads a Marian prayer group. Fr. Mario Knezovic spoke with him.

Father Archbishop, when someone mentions the word “Medjugorje”, what do you think about and what do you say about this place?

I have no doubt about its authenticity. I have been here three times already and I say to any priest who asks about it: just go and sit in the confessional, and you will see miracle after miracle after miracle… through Mary’s intercession and the power of God. We were told: “By their fruits you will know them”. Certainly, the heart and soul of the Medjugorje message is the Eucharist and the sacrament of the reconciliation.

Father Archbishop, the Church still examines the events of Medjugorje. What is your personal position? Do you believe in the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this place and in the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary generally?

I have no doubts whatsoever. This is the work of God. As I said: you cannot but believe when you spend a little time in the confessional. Signs and wonders are merciful gifts of God too, but this is the greatest of all miracles for a priest to see the people around the altar of the Lord. I have been in several shrines, I have spent quite a bit of time in Guadalupe, I have been about eight times at Fatima, and also in Lourdes, it’s the same Mary, the same message, but here at Medjugorje this is the “now” word of Our Lady for the world. There is so much anguish and suffering. Our Lady has been with us all the way through, and in a special way in Medjugorje.

Do you know that, in the world, there are several thousands of prayer groups inspired by Our Lady’s messages from Medjugorje? There are more than a thousand groups in your country, the USA… How much is this a sign that the Church recognises God’s words in the words of Our Lady?

We had many humorous remarks from the Pope John Paul II. Somebody asked him why he had not been to Medjugorje yet, and he answered: “It has not been approved yet!” Mirjana told us this morning that he told her that, if he were not Pope, he would have been to Medjugorje long ago!

 We have a little group in the Cathedral in Providence, where I am. They call it “Little St. James”. They meet every evening; they have exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, benediction and Holy Mass.

We see that there is much tension in the world. America has felt the violence of the terrorism. How much America today can listen to the message of Peace and work on a just peace in the whole world?

I think that we have not got the message yet. There was a great turn to the Lord right after September 11th, but we need more then that, I think, before that country really turns to the Lord. So we just pray for that day, we hope we will turn to the Lord before we have to learn too many lessons, but this is also an act of the mercy of God. Everything is an act of the mercy of God. We know very well that God in his merciful love, in his permissive Providence, will take all the means possible that none of the least of his children will be totally lost. That’s all that really matters.

Father Archbishop, what would you say to those who want to come to Medjugorje? What would you say to those who doubt?

I would say: come in the spirit of an open mind, in prayer, entrust your journey to Our Lady. Just come and the Lord will do the rest.

Powerful Help

Apostolic Pardon Prayer

by REV. MSGR. PATRICK GAALAAS | AUGUST 20, 2015

The Church provides powerful help to persons who are dying. Most importantly she obliges her children to seek the grace of the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion (Viaticum), and the Anointing of the Sick. And she obliges her priests to see to it that the faithful in their care are not deprived of an opportunity to receive them.

In addition to these, there is a little-known, but important, plenary indulgence that is granted to the dying. If it is administered by a priest, it is called the“Apostolic Pardon” or “Apostolic Blessing.”

In the old instruction manual Father Smith Instructs Jackson, Father Smith is asked, “Has the Church any other help for the dying [in addition to the sacraments]?” Father Smith responds: “Yes. The Church empowers the priest to impart a plenary indulgence by what she calls a ‘last blessing.’”

These words of Father Smith’s to Jackson are entirely in accord with the present-day teachings of the Church.

The current ritual of the Anointing of the Sick states that the priest “may add the apostolic pardon for the dying” after the penitential rite or after the sacrament of Penance. When Viaticum is given within Mass, “the apostolic pardon may be added after the final blessing.”

And The Handbook of Indulgences puts it more forcefully: “Priests who minister the sacraments to the Christian faithful who are in a life-and-death situation should not neglect to impart to them the apostolic blessing, with its attached indulgence.”

The Apostolic Blessing has two forms in the ritual for the Anointing of the Sick. Both are short and easy to memorize. Form A: “Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may Almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May He open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.”

Form B reads as follows: “By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit.”

The question, of course, arises: “What if there is no priest present when a person is dying?”

The Handbook of Indulgences reassuringly stipulates that “If a priest cannot be present, holy
mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime.” Note the two conditions. The dying person must be “rightly disposed” and have “regularly prayed.”

Being rightly disposed means to be in the state of grace and without attachment even to venial sin. This is required in the gaining of any plenary indulgence. But what does it mean to have “prayed regularly in some way during their lifetime”?

The Apostolic Constitution on Indulgences, Indulgentiarum Doctrina,promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1967, puts it this way. If one of the faithful in danger of death is unable to have a priest to administer the sacraments and to impart the apostolic blessing, “the Church, like a devoted mother, graciously grants such a person who is properly disposed a plenary indulgence to be gained at the hour of death. The one condition is the practice of praying for this all during life. Use of a crucifix or cross is recommended for the gaining of this indulgence.”

The one condition necessary in such a situation, then, is that the dying person should have desired this indulgence – and prayed for it! No doubt, this can be accomplished in many ways; but one of simplest and clearest ways would be to ponder prayerfully the words of the Apostolic Pardon itself.

To that end, my friends and parishioners Bud and Barbara Kehew have provided us with an attractive presentation of those very words.

More information on the Pardon Prayer can be found here

Pardon Prayer cards can be purchased here

The Medjugorje Message: Pope Francis, Medjugorje and the New York Times

The Medjugorje Message: Pope Francis, Medjugorje and the New York Times: An article on Medjugorje published by a major news portal this week claims that pilgrims numbers visiting the ‘shrine’ are down since commen...

Medjugorje: Our Ladys message of August 25, 2015

"Dear children! Also today I am calling you to be prayer. May prayer be for you the wings for an encounter with God. The world is in a moment of trial, because it forgot and abandoned God. Therefore you, little children, be those who seek and love God above all. I am with you and I am leading you to my Son, but you must say your 'yes' in the freedom of children of God. I intercede for you and I love you, little children, with an endless love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Review of Our Lady's Messages for this year

January 02, 2015 "Dear children, I am here among you as a mother who desires to help you to come to know the truth. While I lived your life on earth I had knowledge of the truth, and by this alone, a piece of Heaven on earth. That is why I desire the same for you, my children. The Heavenly Father desires pure hearts filled with the knowledge of the truth. He desires for you to love all those whom you meet, because I also love my Son in all of you. This is the beginning of coming to know the truth. Many false truths are being offered to you. You will overcome them with a heart cleansed by fasting, prayer, penance and the Gospel. This is the only truth and it is the truth which my Son left you. You do not need to examine it much. What is asked of you, as I also have done, is to love and to give. My children, if you love, your heart will be a home for my Son and me, and the words of my Son will be the guiding light in your life. My children, I will make use of you, apostles of love, to help all of my children to come to know the truth. My children, I have always prayed for the Church of my Son, and so I also ask the same of you. Pray that your shepherds may come to shine forth with the love of my Son. Thank you." 01/02/2015

January 25, 2015 "Dear children! Also today I call you: live your vocation in prayer. Now, as never before, Satan wants to suffocate man and his soul by his contagious wind of hatred and unrest. In many hearts there is no joy because there is no God or prayer. Hatred and war are growing from day to day. I am calling you, little children, begin anew, with enthusiasm, the walk of holiness and love; since I have come among you because of this. Together let us be love and forgiveness for all those who know and want to love only with a human love and not with that immeasurable love of God to which God calls you. Little children, may hope in a better tomorrow always be in your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call." 01/25/2015

February 02, 2015 "Dear children! I am here, I am among you. I am looking at you, am smiling at you and I love you in the way that only a mother can. Through the Holy Spirit who comes through my purity, I see your hearts and I offer them to my Son. Already for a long time I have been asking of you to be my apostles, to pray for those who have not come to know God's love. I am asking for prayer said out of love, prayer which carries out works and sacrifices. Do not waste time thinking about whether you are worthy to be my apostles. The Heavenly Father will judge everyone; and you, love Him and listen to Him. I know that all of this confuses you, even my very stay among you, but accept it with joy and pray that you may comprehend that you are worthy to work for Heaven. My love is upon you. Pray that my love may win in all hearts, because that is the love which forgives, gives and never stops. Thank you." 02/02/2015

February 25, 2015 "Dear children! In this time of grace I call all of you: pray more and speak less. In prayer seek the will of God and live it according to the commandments to which God calls you. I am with you and am praying with you. Thank you for having responded to my call." 02/25/2015

March 02, 2015 "Dear children! You are my strength. You, my apostles, who with your love, humility and silence of prayer are making it possible for one to come to know my Son. You live in me. You carry me in your heart. You know that you have a mother who loves you and who has come to bring love. I am looking at you in the Heavenly Father - your thoughts, your pains, your sufferings - and I offer them to my Son. Do not be afraid and do not lose hope, because my Son listens to his mother. Since he was born he loves and I desire for all of my children to come to know that love. I desire that all those who left him because of their pain and misunderstanding may return to him and that all those who have never known him may come to know him. That is why you are here, my apostles, and I as a mother am with you. Pray for the firmness of faith, because love and mercy come from firm faith. Through love and mercy you will help all those who are not aware that they are choosing darkness instead of light. Pray for your shepherds because they are the strength of the Church which my Son left to you. Through my Son, they are the shepherds of souls. Thank you." 03/02/2015

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March 18, 2015

The visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo had daily apparitions from June 24th 1981 to December 25th 1982. During the last daily apparition, Our Lady gave her the 10th secret, and told her that she would appear to her once a year, on the 18th of March. It has been this way through the years. Several thousand pilgrims gathered in prayer of the Rosary.. The apparition lasted from 13:47 to 13:53.

"Dear children! With a full heart I am asking you, I am imploring you children: cleanse your hearts of sin and lift them up to God and to eternal life. I am imploring you: be vigilant and open for truth. Do not permit for all that is of this earth to distance you from the true cognition of the contentment in the communion with my Son. I am leading you on the way of true wisdom, because only with true wisdom can you come to know true peace and the true good. Do not waste time asking for signs of the Heavenly Father, because He has already given you the greatest sign, which is my Son. Therefore, my children, pray so that the Holy Spirit can lead you into truth, can help you to come to know it, and through that knowledge of the truth that you may be one with the Heavenly Father and with my Son. That is the cognition which gives happiness on earth and opens the door of eternal life and infinite love. Thank you."

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March 25, 2015 "Dear children! Also today the Most High permits me to be with you and to lead you on the way of conversion. Many hearts have shut themselves to grace and have become deaf to my call. You, little children, pray and fight against temptation and all the evil plans which the devil offers you through modernism. Be strong in prayer and with the cross in your hands pray that evil may not use you and may not conquer in you. I am with you and pray for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

April 2, 2015 "Dear children, I have chosen you, my apostles, because all of you carry something beautiful within you. You can help me to have the love, for the sake of which my Son died and then resurrected, win anew. Therefore, I am calling you, my apostles, to try to see something good in every creature of God, in all of my children, and to try to understand them. My children, you are all brothers and sisters through the same Holy Spirit. You, filled with love for my Son, can speak of what you know to all those who have not come to know that love. You have come to know the love of my Son, you have comprehended His Resurrection, with joy you cast your gaze towards Him. My motherly desire is for all of my children to be united in love for Jesus. Therefore, I am calling you, my apostles, to live the Eucharist with joy, because in the Eucharist my Son gives Himself to you anew and with His example shows the love and sacrifice towards the neighbor. Thank you." 04/02/2015

April 25, 2015"Dear children! I am with you also today to lead you to salvation. Your soul is restless because your spirit is weak and tired from all worldly things. You, little children, pray to the Holy Spirit that He may transform you and fill you with His strength of faith and hope, so that you may be firm in this battle against evil. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call." 04/25/2015

May 2, 2015 "Dear children, open your hearts and try to feel how much I love you and how much I desire for you to love my Son. I desire for you to come to know Him all the better, because it is impossible to know Him and not to love Him - because He is love. I, my children, know you. I know your pain and suffering because I lived through them. I laugh with you in your joy and I cry with you in your pain. I will never leave you. I will always speak to you with motherly tenderness. And I, as a mother, need your open hearts to spread the love of my Son with wisdom and simplicity. I need you to be open and sensitive to the good and mercy. I need you to be united with my Son, because I desire for you to be happy and to help me to bring happiness to all of my children. My apostles, I need you to show everyone the truth of God, so that my heart, which suffered and today suffers so much pain, can win in love. Pray for the holiness of your shepherds, so that in the name of my Son they can work miracles, because holiness works miracles. Thank you." 05/02/2015

May 25, 2015 "Dear children! Also today I am with you and with joy I call all of you: pray and believe in the power of prayer. Open your hearts, little children, so that God may fill you with His love and you will be a joy to others. Your witness will be powerful and everything you do will be interwoven with God's tenderness. I am with you and I pray for you and your conversion until you put God in the first place. Thank you for having responded to my call." 05/25/2015

June 2, 2015 "Dear children, I desire to work through you, my children, my apostles, so that, in the end, I may gather all my children there where everything is prepared for your happiness. I am praying for you, that through works you can convert others, because the time has come for acts of truth, for my Son. My love will work in you - I will make use of you. Have trust in me, because everything that I desire, I desire for your good, the eternal good created by the Heavenly Father. You, my children, my apostles, are living an earthly life in union with my children who have not come to know the love of my Son, who do not call me 'mother' - but do not be afraid to witness Truth. If you are not afraid and witness courageously, the truth will miraculously win, but remember, strength is in love. My children, love is repentance, forgiveness, prayer, sacrifice and mercy. If you will know how to love, by your works you will convert others, you will enable the light of my Son to penetrate into souls. Thank you. Pray for your shepherds. They belong to my Son. He called them. Pray that they may always have the strength and the courage to shine with the light of my Son." 06/02/2015

June 25, 2015 "Dear children! Also today the Most High gives me the grace to be able to love you and to call you to conversion. Little children, may God be your tomorrow and not war and lack of peace; not sorrow but joy and peace must begin to reign in the heart of every person - but without God you will never find peace. Therefore, little children, return to God and to prayer so that your heart may sing with joy. I am with you and I love you with immeasurable love. Thank you for having responded to my call." 06/25/2015

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Annual Apparition to Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez, June 25th 2015

At her last daily apparition on May 7, 1985, Our Lady confided to Ivanka the 10th secret and told her that she would have an apparition once a year on the anniversary of the apparitions. It was that way also this year.

The apparition, which lasted 4 minutes, took place at Ivanka's family home. Only Ivanka's family was present at the apparition. After the apparition, Ivanka said: "Our Lady gave us her motherly blessing and said: Peace, peace, peace."

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July 02, 2015 "Dear children, I am calling you to spread the faith in my Son - your faith. You, my children illuminated by the Holy Spirit, my apostles, transmit it to others - to those who do not believe, who do not know, who do not want to know - but for that you must pray a lot for the gift of love, because love is the mark of true faith - and you will be apostles of my love. Love always, anew, revives the pain and the joy of the Eucharist, it revives the pain of the Passion of my Son, by which He showed you what it means to love immeasurably; it revives the joy for having left you His body and blood to feed you with Himself - and in this way, to be one with you. Looking at you with tenderness, I feel immeasurable love which strengthens me in my desire to bring you to a firm faith. Firm faith will give you joy and happiness on earth and in the end the encounter with my Son. This is His desire. Therefore, live Him, live love, live the light that always illuminates you in the Eucharist. I implore you to pray a lot for your shepherds, to pray so as to have all the more love for them because my Son gave them to you to feed you with His body and to teach you love. Therefore, also you are to love them. But, my children, remember, love means to endure and to give, and never, ever to judge. Thank you."

July 25, 2015 "Dear children! With joy I am with you also today and I call all of you, little children, pray, pray, pray so as to comprehend the love which I have for you. My love is stronger than evil, little children, therefore draw closer to God so as to feel my joy in God. Without God, little children, you do not have a future, you do not have hope or salvation; therefore leave evil and choose good. I am with you and, with you, I intercede before God for all of your needs. Thank you for having responded to my call." 07/25/2015

August 02, 2015 "Dear children, I, as a mother who loves her children, see how difficult the time in which you live is. I see your suffering, but you need to know that you are not alone. My Son is with you. He is everywhere. He is invisible, but you can see Him if you live Him. He is the light which illuminates your soul and gives you peace. He is the Church which you need to love and to always pray and fight for - but not only with words, instead with acts of love. My children, bring it about for everyone to come to know my Son, bring it about that He may be loved, because the truth is in my Son born of God - the Son of God. Do not waste time deliberating too much; you will distance yourselves from the truth. With a simple heart accept His word and live it. If you live His word, you will pray. If you live His word, you will love with a merciful love; you will love each other. The more that you will love, the farther away you will be from death. For those who will live the word of my Son and who will love, death will be life. Thank you. Pray to be able to see my Son in your shepherds. Pray to be able to embrace Him in them." 08/02/2015

August 25, 2015 "Dear children! Also today I am calling you to be prayer. May prayer be for you the wings for an encounter with God. The world is in a moment of trial, because it forgot and abandoned God. Therefore you, little children, be those who seek and love God above all. I am with you and I am leading you to my Son, but you must say your 'yes' in the freedom of children of God. I intercede for you and I love you, little children, with an endless love. Thank you for having responded to my call." 08/25/2015

The Statue of the Virgin Mary

is Left Miraculously Intact After Violent Fire

http://www.newsandfaith.com/

The Medjugorje Message: Newborn gifts – daily!

The Medjugorje Message: Newborn gifts – daily!: Two of my young grandsons accompanied me to Mass today. It was a joy to have them sitting beside me. There were many other young children in...

MARY, JESUS AND MEDJUGORJE SAVED MY LIFE

CHRISTINE WATKINS – “I SHOULD NOT BE HERE ON EARTH” – MARY, JESUS AND MEDJUGORJE SAVED MY LIFE

AUGUST 12, 2015MYSTIC POST  LEAVE A COMMENT

By Christine Watkins FROM NEAR-DEATH TO NEW LIFE I was raised in an anti-religious home, and I did not like Christians. I was never going to be one—of that much, I was sure. In my youth, I perfected the fine…Continue Reading →

Special Medjugorje Theme Song

"Our Lady of Medjugorje - Holy Queen of Peace" Now on YouTube!

The Mary Our Mother Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a new inspirational recording on Medjugorje, "A Time of Grace, Messages of Medjugorje." Our Lady's messages come to life in this recording as they are read with a motherly voice that is gentle and loving. Included is a special theme song dedicated to Our Lady of Medjugorje. Enjoy the video! Click here to watch!

The Medjugorje Message: Medjugorje, where dead priests are resurrected

The Medjugorje Message: Medjugorje, where dead priests are resurrected: Writing in her latest newsletter from Medjugorje, Sr Emmanuel shares an anecdote relating to Pope Francis and Medjugorje: “For my part, P...

ALL WERE FILLED WITHTHE HOLY SPIRIT" (Acts 2:4)

"Be filled with the Spirit." -Ephesians 5:18

At our Baptisms, we became the temples of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; see also Acts 2:4). Paul taught that those filled with the Holy Spirit do the following four things. They:
   * address "one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs" (Eph 5:19),
   * "sing praise to the Lord" (Eph 5:19) in their hearts,
   * "give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20), and
   * "submit to one another out of fear of the Lord" (Eph 5:21, our transl).

Those filled with the Holy Spirit have set their hearts on higher realms (Col 3:1). In spirit, they inhabit the throne room of God. They have entered "His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise" (Ps 100:4). Those filled with the Spirit upbuild, encourage, and submit to those around them. They can love their neighbor in this way because they love themselves (Lk 10:27). They love themselves because the Holy Spirit cries out in their hearts "Abba!" ("Father") (Gal 4:6) Secure in their Father's love, those filled with the Spirit are a people of praise, thanksgiving, submission, and love. Accept the grace to be filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

 "To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!" (Rv 5:13)

 "I Myself am the living Bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this Bread he shall live forever; the Bread I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world." -Jn 6:51

 Praise the risen Jesus, Who baptizes us and fills us with the Holy Spirit! (Mk 1:8)

Be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit

AUGUST 11, 2015

Holiness in a Nutshell

FR. ED BROOM, OMV

The essence of holiness is union with God. The third Person of the most Blessed Trinity is the Holy Spirit. Many names can be given to Him: the Paraclete, the Counselor and Consoler, the Interior Master or Teacher, the Sanctifier, and finally the Sweet Guest of the soul.

Union of God means living in the state of sanctifying grace. However, one of the key challenges is to be constantly open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This is the key: being open and docile to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Transformation of the Apostles

We read in the Gospels quite frequently the defects and downright failure on the part of the Apostles. For example, Peter wanted to prevent Jesus from His Passion and Crucifixion. Then Peter denied Jesus three times—as Jesus had predicted shortly before at the Last Supper. However, there was a key turning point in the life of Peter and the other Apostles. It can be the same turning point in our lives depending on one interior attitude and action: allowing the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives.

The Apostles, united with the Blessed Virgin Mary, spent nine days and nine nights in silence, penance (fasting) as well as deep and constant prayer.  Then the Holy Spirit descended upon Our Lady and the Apostles in wind and fire. The Apostles were never again the same. Just read and meditate the Acts of the Apostles and see for yourself. Weak and cowardly men were transformed into valiant soldiers of Christ, even ready and willing to  shed their blood for the sake of the Name and Person of Jesus!

We will offer you three short but hopefully powerful hints that if taken seriously could change the course of your life. Why not accept the challenge?

1. A Good Confession

Why not spend a longer period of time to examine your conscience in great detail? Not only to spot your sins, but also the reason why you sinned as well as your inner motivations. Then beg from the bottom of your heart for a true, sincere, sorrow for these sins. Beg for the grace to recognize that sin is not only breaking the Commandments, but even more important, sin is breaking the Sacred Heart of Jesus who is the Incarnation of the love of God.  Then make a firm purpose of amendment, making the purpose to avoid any person, place or thing that can lead you into sin. Beg the Lord from the depths of your heart, even before entering the confessional, that this confession will be your best and that it will result in a transformation of your life.

One key concept of sacramental theology is what is called Dispositive Grace. This means, in lay terms, that the better you prepare or dispose yourself for the Sacraments then the more abundant graces you will receive.

In other words, the more generous you are in preparing to receive God in the Sacraments then the more generous will God be in the outpouring of His graces. So, right now prepare yourself, better yet, prepare your whole family to make the best confession of your life. You will never regret it!

2. Be Docile And Open To God’s Heavenly Inspirations 

God is always ready and willing to speak to us, but we are not always ready to listen to His voice. God spoke to the young Samuel in the temple, but he needed the help of the spiritual direction of the priest Eli. God spoke to Elijah on the mountain top—not in the earthquake, the thunder or lightning, but rather God spoke in the gentle breeze. God spoke to Our Lady through the instrumentality of the Archangel Gabriel, the messenger of God. God spoke to Saul as he lay blind on the road to Damascus. “Who are you, Lord?  I am Jesus of Nazareth who you are persecuting!”  God spoke to Philip the deacon in the Acts with the purpose of moving Philip to instruct the Ethiopian eunuch, baptize him and send him on his way to be missionary to Ethiopia.

Therefore, we must cultivate a listening ear. If you like this image: we must be like the huge dish that picks up the waves or “Vibes” (vibrations). Saint Ignatius teaches us that the good vibes and bad vibes are constantly at work within us. It is up to us to discern between the good vibes and the bad. We must recognize and accept the good vibes which are the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. But we must be prompt to reject the bad vibes which are the temptations of the evil spirit that we call the devil! In other words, to listen to the Holy Spirit and to be docile to His promptings we must cultivate the art of spiritual discernment.

3. A Strong And Growing Devotion To Our Lady

The Blessed Virgin Mary has many different but beautiful titles. This is expressed most clearly in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many of these attributes or praises of Mary are poetic symbols, and many are actually Biblical derivations.

However, relating to our topic on docility to the Holy Spirit, Our Lady can help us immensely! Why? For this simple but profound reason: Our Lady’s relationship to the Blessed Trinity and to specifically to the Holy Spirit. Our Lady is the Daughter of God the Father; she is the Mother of God the Son; finally, she is Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

A Cardinal once asked a group of charismatics the key to deeper union to the Holy Spirit. He gave the answer: union with Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. As soon as he finished there were peals of thunder and lightning bolts that responded to the Cardinal’s assertion. For that reason, St Louis de Montfort affirms this statement with these words: “Those who love Mary, the Holy Spirit flings Himself into their souls.” Our Lady’s prayers open the gateway to the Divine Invasion of the Holy Spirit.

In conclusion, if you find yourself floundering in the spiritual life, going nowhere fast like a hamster running around the wheel, and experiencing a sense of frustration, a sense of stagnation in your spiritual journey, why not try the three steps? You can make the best confession in your life, be open and docile to the Holy Spirit and learn the art of spiritual discernment, and finally cultivate a deep and filial love for Our Lady. Indeed this could be the turning point in your life—the start on the highway to holiness!

The Medjugorje Message: Apparition to Marija transmitted via internet tv

The Medjugorje Message: Apparition to Marija transmitted via internet tv: The CDF’s attempts this past year to restrict prayer meetings and gatherings around the world that promote the Medjugorje phenomenon does no...

Fr. Jozo Zovko - Our Lady calls us to pray

We must be honest with ourselves and look at how much time out of 24 hours in a day we dedicate to prayer. How much do I pray for my family? When the Lord has given me 24 hours in a day, how can I then say that I do not have time for prayer? How can my children find time for a television program they like? Why have we not succeeded in inspiring our family for longer and daily prayer? Can we sleep in peace while Our Lady calls us to pray the Rosary every day – to pray it together and to pray it with the heart? If I feel myself losing enthusiasm and love for prayer and my meeting with God, I must ask myself what is happening with me. I must not turn prayer into a habit or a form of an effort. Instead, as Our Lady said, for me, prayer must become “as breathing,” – absolutely necessary and natural…

Dear brothers and sisters, never say that prayer is too long, or that we have remained in prayer for a long time. Always remember Our Lady’s motherly words which are meant to awaken us: “Spend all the more time in prayer.” Never give crumbs or remnants of your day to God. To the contrary, give Him the gift of the most beautiful time and in abundance. May your prayer not become shorter, but flow into your life and your work throughout your entire day. This is because prayer blesses your life. Prayer unites your family and keeps it in peace. It removes all evil and temptation. Prayer is a meeting with the living Lord in our hearts. …

If the Mother is calling all of us with such persistence and love, how much greater must our love be in responding and recognizing our call and our way? This call and way are right. We need to persevere on this way of the messages.

LISTEN TO HIM, NOT HIM

"As they were coming down the mountain..." -Mark 9:9

Peter said to the transfigured Jesus: "How good it is for us to be here!" (Mk 9:5) Peter may have been "beating around the bush." He may have been speaking not so much of the goodness of being on the mountain as of the badness of carrying the cross with Jesus in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Ps 23:4, RSV-CE; see also Mt 16:22). Compared to the valley of the shadow of death, the mountaintop looked great.
After Peter had made his remarks, "a cloud came, overshadowing them, and out of the cloud a voice: 'This is My Son, My Beloved. Listen to Him' " (Mk 9:7). The Father may have said, in effect: "Don't listen to Peter, who has just spoken. Listen to Jesus, Who says: 'It is good for us to get off the mountain and into the valley from which we can carry the cross up another mountain, Mt. Golgotha, Calvary.' "
St. Augustine preached on the transfigured Christ: "Go down to toil on earth, to serve on earth, to be scorned and crucified on earth. Life goes down to be killed; Bread goes down to suffer hunger; the Way goes down to be exhausted on His journey; the Spring goes down to suffer thirst; and you refuse to suffer?" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 556)

 Father, give me ears to hear the crucified Jesus (see Rv 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

 "We were eyewitnesses of His sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to Him out of the majestic splendor: 'This is My beloved Son, on Whom My favor rests.' We ourselves heard this said from heaven.' " -2 Pt 1:17-18

 Praise You, transfigured and glorified Lord Jesus. You are the Light of the world and of heaven (Rv 21:23). Alleluia!

Youth Festival 2015 Medjugorje

Published on Aug 2, 2015

I Adore You - The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir ft Myrhael Angel.

Medjugorje Mirjana's Apparition, July 02, 2015

Medjugorje: Our Lady's message to Mirjana of August 2, 2015

"Dear children, I, as a mother who loves her children, see how difficult the time in which you live is. I see your suffering, but you need to know that you are not alone. My Son is with you. He is everywhere. He is invisible, but you can see Him if you live Him. He is the light which illuminates your soul and gives you peace. He is the Church which you need to love and to always pray and fight for - but not only with words, instead with acts of love. My children, bring it about for everyone to come to know my Son, bring it about that He may be loved, because the truth is in my Son born of God - the Son of God. Do not waste time deliberating too much; you will distance yourselves from the truth. With a simple heart accept His word and live it. If you live His word, you will pray. If you live His word, you will love with a merciful love; you will love each other. The more that you will love, the farther away you will be from death. For those who will live the word of my Son and who will love, death will be life. Thank you. Pray to be able to see my Son in your shepherds. Pray to be able to embrace Him in them."

CARDINAL SCHOENBORN’S MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YOUTH FESTIVAL IN 2015

date: 31.07.2015.

A friend of the youth, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, sent a message at the beginning of the Youth Festival 2015. The Cardinal sent this message from California, where he is at the moment participating in one big conference. The message is as follows:

 «Dear young people, who gathered in Medjugorje again in the great numbers! I am with you intensively united in the heart and in the prayer in the last few days. Today we are celebrating the memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He had only one desire: to completely place himself at God’s disposal for spreading of His Kingdom! That readiness brought so many great fruits. Finally, we have our dear Holy Father Francis, the first pope from the Jesuit order. Let us entrust him and his service to Gospa! Jesus tells us what St. Ignatius was doing: Here I am! In the communion with You I would like to go in my life! May Lord bless you and your days that you will spend here with Him and His Mother in Medjugorje! Please pray for Synod on the Family!