THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR OF LOVE

Jesus Waits for us

"Of His fullness we have all had a share - love following upon love." -John 1:16

Every day this year Jesus offered Himself to you in the Eucharist. The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14) and made Himself lovingly available in case you wanted Him. To you, who are "His own, He came" (Jn 1:11). Every day this year, Jesus, "the Word" (Jn 1:1), made His holy word available to you. His love letters to you, the Bible, were constantly present to you in case you wanted to listen to Him. Every day this year, Jesus made sure that your lungs kept breathing, your heart kept beating, your body kept functioning. Jesus was always thinking of you this year, staying faithfully with you (Mt 28:20), constantly loving you. It could have been a year of "love following upon love" (Jn 1:16) for you, if you accepted His love.

This year, 2016, has now come to "the final hour" (1 Jn 2:18). At the end of the year, Jesus, "the End" (Rv 22:13), stands waiting for you, in case you want Him.

Notwithstanding all Jesus did for us, the year 2016 is best measured by what Jesus received from us. When Jesus looks for the fruit of holiness, evangelization, and service in your life this year, will He find any? (Lk 13:6; Mt 21:34) If your life falls short, come before Jesus right now and give yourself to Him anew. As He did with the good thief (Lk 23:40-43), Jesus can do wondrous miracles in "the final hour." With Jesus, "all's well that ends well."


Prayer: Father, thank You for pouring out Your love into my heart (Rm 5:5). I love You with all my heart (Lk 10:27).

Promise: "You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, so that all knowledge is yours." -1 Jn 2:20

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

"It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed of the Lord." -Luke 2:26
Sometimes when we look at the manger scene, we don't see how we fit into Christmas. We see figures from ancient times in a distant land. Yet how do we live Christmas in the here and now?

Thank God the reality of Christmas is not limited to a particular time or place. Christmas transcends geography and chronology. It is not a matter of exterior circumstances but of the heart. Christmas is an "inside job," a movement "of the Holy Spirit, Who is within" (1 Cor 6:19). The reality of Christmas does not happen by our might or power but by the Spirit (Zec 4:6).

Without being at the manger and before seeing the Christ Child, Simeon already experienced the Christ of Christmas because "the Holy Spirit was upon him" (Lk 2:25). The Spirit guides us to all truth, including Christmas (Jn 16:13).

Let's ask the Father to stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6ff). "The way we know we remain in Him and He in us is that He has given us of His Spirit" (1 Jn 4:13). The Spirit is also the way we know the reality of Christmas. Come, Holy Spirit of Christmas.

 Father, today pour out anew on me the Holy Spirit of Christmas so I may meet the Christ of Christmas.

Schoolgirl Reduces Adults To Tears With Her Amazing Voice Kaylee Rogers ...

Our Lady's Annual Apparition and Message to Jakov on December 25, 2015

At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition per year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. Afterwards Jakov transmitted the following message: "Dear children!  Today, on this day of grace, in a special way, I am calling you to pray for peace. Children, I came here as the Queen of Peace and how many times have I called you to pray for peace. But, children, your hearts are restless. Sin is preventing you from opening yourselves completely to grace and peace which God desires to give you. To live peace, my children, is to first have peace in your hearts and to be surrendered completely to God and to His will. Do not seek peace and joy in the things of this world, because this is all passing. Long for true mercy and peace which come only from God; and only in this way will your hearts be filled with true joy; and only in this way will you be able to become witnesses of peace in this peaceless world. I am your mother and intercede before my Son for each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Christmas Message

Our Lady’s message to Marija December 25, 2016

“Dear children! With great joy, today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Open your hearts, little children, and be joyful that you can receive it. Heaven is with you and is fighting for peace in your hearts, in the families and in the world; and you, little children, help with your prayers for it to be so. I bless you with my Son Jesus and call you not to lose hope; and for your gaze and heart to always be directed towards Heaven and eternity. In this way, you will be open to God and to His plans. Thank you for having responded to my call. ”

Dear children! In this time of grace

Let us prepare our hearts!

Reflection on the Message of November 25, 2001 

LET US PREPARE OUR HEARTS

"Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you anew to prayer. Little children, pray and prepare your hearts for the coming of the King of Peace, that with His blessing He may give peace to the whole world. Peacelessness has begun to reign in hearts and hatred reigns in the world. That is why, you who live my messages be the light and extended hands to this faithless world that all may come to know the God of Love. Do not forget, little children, I am with you and bless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call." Message of November 25, 2001

---

In the message of the last month, Our Lady told us: “Little children, you are chosen to witness peace and joy”, and today she tells us about restlessness in hearts and hatred in the world.

Everyone seeks joy. Everybody wants to be happy and seeks joy. We all want to be happy. The good and the bad are equal in their desire to be happy. The good ones are good to be happy, and the bad ones would not be bad if they would not hope to become happy in such a way. In his Confessions, the great St. Augustin told us: If we all love joy, it is because we have already known it in a mysterious way. If we had not come to know it – if we were not created for it - we would not love it. The one who knocks at the door of a church – even it he does it with violence and anger – does so because he seeks joy. However, we see that the world around us is mostly sad. Sadness and restlessness strangle our throats and almost suffocate us. There are less and less joyful people and joyful Christians. Nietsche has already criticised Christians because their faces were too gloomy frowning.

Sadness and restlessness walk on our streets, in our villages and in our cities. Sadness has even sneaked into our families. Sadness and restlessness infect even our children to whom, instead of joy, we give things to eat, bigger and bigger and more and more ugly toys to destroy. Joy does not come from things, from toys, from food, from cars, motors, techniques, money or pleasure. Our heart and our soul seek the real food. You cannot cheat your soul while giving it things. If you don’t feed it with God and His Word, it will rebel and seek vengeance. Your soul gives you signs like emptiness, lack of meaning, nervousness, aggressiveness, anger against everything and everybody. You have to recognize these signs, you have to learn again to enjoy in little things and to recognize so many things around us - that everything is given, and that we hove not earned or merited anything.

Gospa, our Mother, walks with us for more than twenty years now. By this message, she prepares us for the time of Advent, which is approaching, and she puts in front of our eyes the King of Peace. Restlessness and hatred govern the world, our Mother tells us in this message, and we know and see that very well. And not only in the world, but they sneaked also into human relationships, families, amongst nations. Our Lady shows us the way, she puts into our hands a powerful means with which we can reach peace, if only we want it and seek it. It is not enough to see and to understand the state of your heart and your soul, of your family. It is not enough to know it, as it is of no use to a hungry man to know that bread is good. It is of no use for us to know that God is love, of no use to know that Our Lady is here out for love for us. We have to follow her words, to make the decision, to start today. We need the encounter and the experience of the God of Love. It is useless to curse darkness; let us light a lamp instead, and darkness is already gone. Sometimes it is enough to lift our eyes just a bit above the mud of this world, above our heads, to pronounce a good and positive word, and darkness is already gone. We have to heal our negative, black, tragic thoughts and pronounce pure words, so that God’s health and peace may reach us. It is not enough to say that there is no prayer in my family, that we can never get together, that every one goes his own way and after his own business. If nobody wants, then you start, have the courage to say to God a word of prayer and a cry, so that through you the light may come down, little by little, on those who are with you.

There are many hearts that follow Our Lady’s messages, which she gives to us still today. Our Lady counts on us, who want to hear her messages; she counts on our perseverance, even when we do not see immediately the fruits and successes. Our security is her presence, her words that she is with us in spite of everything. Let us be and let us remain with Her. Peace and good to you.

Medjugorje, November 26th, 2001
Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic

Wildfire Destroys Everything But Jesus Statue

“Miracle Amid the Destruction”: Wildfire Destroys Everything But Jesus Statue

Dear Family of Mary

   
 

Our Lady of Guadalupe

J.M.J.

December 9, 2016

St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

Dear Family of Mary!

Today is the wonderful feast of the humble and beautiful visionary saint, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. St. Juan Diego received apparitions of Our Lady in 1531, in Mexico. Our Lady gave Juan Diego a job, to go to the bishop and ask him to build a chapel in her honor on Tepeyac Hill. We all know the story. It was a fearsome task for Juan Diego. He was a lowly native. Who would listen to him? But Our Lady had her way, and the incredible miraculous Tilma still hangs in the Basilica in Mexico City, proclaiming to everyone that Our Lady came to Juan Diego!

I want to share something I wrote in 2014 comparing St. Juan Diego's conversation with Our Lady in December of 1531 to a message Our Lady gave to us on December 2, 2014 through Mirjana! The similarities are striking! Here is the message given to us through Mirjana on December 2, 2014:

"Dear children, remember - for I am telling you that love will win. I know that many of you are losing hope because around you, you see suffering, pain, jealousy, envy... But, I am your mother. I am in the Kingdom but am also here with you. My Son is sending me anew to help you. Therefore, do not lose hope, instead, follow me - because the victory of my heart is in the name of God. My beloved Son is thinking of you as He has always thought of you. Believe Him and live Him. He is the Life of the world. My children, to live my Son means to live the Gospel. This is not easy. This means love, forgiveness and sacrifice. This purifies and it opens the Kingdom. Sincere prayer, which is not only words but is a prayer which the heart speaks, will help you. Likewise fasting (will help you), because it is still more of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. Therefore, do not lose hope but follow me. I am imploring you anew to pray for your shepherds so that they may always look to my Son who was the first Shepherd of the world and whose family was the entire world. Thank you."

Here is the conversation Our Lady had with Juan Diego in 1531:

4th Apparition: Two days later, on December 12, as he was going to the Church at Tlatelolco in order to bring a priest to his dying uncle, Juan Diego was stopped by the Lady, who had come down from Tepeyac Hill to meet him in the road. She listened quietly to Juan's excuse for not having kept his appointment with her the day before. When he had finished speaking she said, "It is well, littlest and dearest of my sons, but now listen to me. Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do not fear for your uncle for he is not going to die. Be assured... he is already well."

Let's examine a few of the lines in each encounter:

Our Lady asked Juan Diego to listen to her:

"It is well, littlest and dearest of my sons, but now listen to me."

In the December 2 message Our Lady asked us to listen to her as well:

"Dear children, remember - for I am telling you..."

Our Lady told Juan Diego that she understood his anxiety:

"Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain."

On December 2 Our Lady recognized our difficulty with worries as well:

"I know that many of you are losing hope because around you, you see suffering, pain, jealousy, envy..."

But in both messages she encouraged her little ones to not be afraid:

" Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?" (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

"But, I am your mother. I am in the Kingdom but am also here with you. My Son is sending me anew to help you. Therefore, do not lose hope, instead, follow me - because the victory of my heart is in the name of God." (Our Lady of Medjugorje)

"But I am your mother." "Am I not here who am your Mother?" This is the incredible reality. Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus, was with Juan Diego, and she is with us today! She is our mother and she is not going to leave us in our trials and sufferings. "Do not let anything afflict you!!" "Do not lose hope!!" Mother Mary is by our side to comfort and guide us through everything!

Finally, Our Lady assured Juan Diego that his uncle was healed:

"Do not fear for your uncle for he is not going to die. Be assured... he is already well." (Guadalupe)

And through Mirjana she also affirms to us:

"Therefore, do not lose hope, instead, follow me - because the victory of my heart is in the name of God."

It seems to me that it is the same mother who is speaking to both Juan Diego and Mirjana. It is the same strong, patient, wise and maternal woman speaking then and now! Mary is our Mother, and she is with us!

And Our Lady's promises are to be trusted. She will do what she says she will do. We have nothing to fear. We have only to follow her direction. For Juan Diego it was to give the Bishop Our Lady's message, and the sign on his Tilma. For us it is to witness to everyone the love of God and the presence of Mary. We, like Juan Diego, are called to witness to the presence of the Mother. This will help the plan of God to unfold. We are called to witness with our lives:

"Believe Him and live Him. He is the Life of the world. My children, to live my Son means to live the Gospel. This is not easy. This means love, forgiveness and sacrifice. This purifies and it opens the Kingdom. Sincere prayer, which is not only words but is a prayer which the heart speaks, will help you. Likewise fasting (will help you), because it is still more of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. Therefore, do not lose hope but follow me."

Believe and live Jesus. That is how we witness. We can all be little Juan Diegos. We can all testify to Our Mother's presence and our Savior's love.

"Am I not here who am your Mother?"

St. Juan Diego, pray for us!!

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2014

Hollywood puts the kibosh on Gosnell movie

December 2, 2016 By Admin 1 Comment

The following comes from a November 30 Pregnancy Help News article by  Jay Hobbs: Hollywood may be too afraid to tell the truth about abortion, but the same doesn’t go for AlphaCare, a pro-life medical clinic set to relocate its services just a wall away from Gosnell’s former office this … [Read More..

THE ADVENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him." -Isaiah 11:2
Imagine a world without violence, injustice, tragedy, "harm or ruin" (Is 11:9). Imagine a world where everyone knows the Lord deeply and lives and loves accordingly (see Is 11:9). This is the kind of world that the Holy Spirit is re-creating at this very moment (Ps 104:30).

Get out of the "culture of death" (Pope St. John Paul II). Be a part of the "new civilization of love" (Blessed Pope Paul VI). Renew your Baptism and Confirmation. Be immersed in the Holy Spirit and fire (Mt 3:11). May the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you:  "a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord" (Is 11:2).

Therefore, receive the Holy Spirit as never before. Receive a new and greatest Pentecost. Receive the only true Christmas Spirit:  the Holy Spirit. This Advent, go into the upper room and remain there until you are immersed in the Holy Spirit and in fire (see Acts 1:13). Come, Holy Spirit!

 "May God, the Source of all patience and encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another according to the Spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rm 15:5-6).

 "Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace." -Ps 72:7

 Alleluia! Praise the risen Jesus, Who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit!

Medjugorje, Our Lady's message to Mirjana of December 2, 2016

   


Mirjana Soldo encounters Our Lady on December 2, 2016
(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016

J.M.J.

December 2, 2016

Dear Family of Mary!

Here is Our Lady's message to Mirjana Soldo of December 2nd, 2016:

Dear children, my motherly heart is crying as I am looking at what my children are doing. Sins are multiplying, the purity of soul is all the less important; my Son is being forgotten - honored all the less; and my children are being persecuted. That is why, you my children, apostles of my love, with soul and heart invoke the name of my Son. He will have the words of light for you. He manifests Himself to you, He breaks the bread with you and gives you the words of love so that you may transform them into merciful acts and, thus, be witnesses of truth. That is why, my children, do not be afraid. Permit my Son to be in you. He will make use of you to care for the wounded and to convert lost souls. Therefore, my children, return to the prayer of the Rosary. Pray it with feelings of goodness, sacrifice and mercy. Pray, not only with words, but with merciful acts. Pray with love for all people. My Son, by His sacrifice, exalted love. Therefore, live with Him so that you may have strength and hope; that you may have the love which is life and which leads to eternal life. Through God's love, I am also with you, and will lead you with motherly love. Thank you.

Mirjana said that Our Lady was very sad.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV

Daily Miracle Prayer by Fr. Peter M. Rookey

Medjugorje: Our Lady's message of November 25, 2016

November 25, 2016 Message through Marija:

 

"Dear children! Also today, I am calling you to return to prayer. In this time of grace, God has permitted me to lead you towards holiness and a simple life - that in little things you discover God the Creator; that you fall in love with Him; and that your life be a thanksgiving to the Most High for everything He is giving you. Little children, in love, may your life be a gift for others and God will bless you; but you, witness without interest - out of love for God. I am with you and intercede before my Son for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Medjugorje, 16th death anniversary of Fr. Slavko Barbaric

date: 20.11.2016.

On Thursday, November 24, 2016, parishioners of Medjugorje parish and all pilgrims will commemorate Fr. Slavko’s 16^th death anniversary by climbing Cross Mountain at 2 pm, and by celebration of the Holy Mass at 6 pm in the parish church. Fr. Slavko died on Cross Mountain on Friday, November 24, 2000, at 3.30 pm, after having completed the Way of the Cross for the parish.

Fr. Slavko Barbaric was born on March 11, 1946. When he was 19, he entered into the Franciscan Order and he was ordained as a priest in 1971. He had Ph.D. thesis in the field of religious pedagogy and gained the title of psychotherapist. Fr. Slavko tirelessly worked with pilgrims in Medjugorje, ever since he finished his studying in 1982. His books were translated in more than twenty languages and printed all over the world. He had true passion when he gave talks to the pilgrims, he led many Eucharistic Adorations of the Blessed Sacrament, prayers before the Cross, led prayers of Rosary on Apparition Hill as well as the Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain.

He organised and led annual international meetings for priests and youth, initiated seminar for married couples and led seminars of fasting and prayer in “Domus pacis”. He founded “Mother’s Village”, institution for care and education of children who were left orphans after the homeland war in our country. His psychotherapeutic education enabled him to work with addicts in the community Cenacolo, established by sister Elvira. He also founded similar community called “Merciful Father” for all young people with difficulties of addiction. Help of many benefactors from all over the world was directed towards foundations for young talents and war orphans.

 Fr. Slavko Barbaric travelled all over the world spreading Our Lady’s messages of peace and reconciliation. He was known for excellent virtues of speaking many languages, having great communication skills, education, simplicity, care for those in need, inexhaustible energy, hard work, and above all that he had devotion, humility and love. He prayed and fasted unceasingly, and loved Our Lady with childlike love. The purpose of his life was to bring souls to God through Mary, the Queen of Peace, by fasting and prayer.

A TIME FOR MIRACLES MEDJUGORJE BOB SAWYER PRODUCER

St. Gertrude’s Love for the Sacred Heart Overflows Into Purgatory

St. Gertrude the Great, whose feast day is Nov. 16, was especially devoted to the holy souls in purgatory.

Patty Knap

I recently came across the prayer for souls in purgatory that is attributed to St. Gertrude, and I became curious about her life. I discovered that she is a fascinating thirteenth-century mystic who experienced visions of Christ that transformed her life.
Born in Germany in 1256, Gertrude was educated in a monastery in Helfta. By the age of 24 Gertrude was convinced she had built a “tower of vanity and curiosity” rather than seeking to love God above all things. During Advent of 1281, she received her first vision of Christ, with the words: “I have come to comfort you and bring you salvation.” This brought about a focus on the study of Scripture and theology. She spent hours in prayer and meditation, and began writing spiritual treatises for the benefit of her monastic sisters. Many of Gertrude's prayers were miraculously answered, including the healings of serious diseases of other sisters. Along with her friend and teacher St. Mechtild, she practiced a spirituality known as "nuptial mysticism," seeing herself as the bride of Christ.
Only a few of St. Gertrude's writings survive today, but what we have is beautiful and profound. Her Spiritual Exercises were written in Latin around 1289. This arrangement of prayers, hymns, and reflections was intended for the nuns of her community and was used by Gertrude herself for her own yearly spiritual renewal. With themes of baptism, conversion, commitment, discipleship, union with God, and preparation for death, these Spiritual Exercises are still useful today for anyone seeking to deepen their spirituality through prayer and meditation. In 1289, Gertrude heard Christ ask her to write an account of the many graces she had received. She wrote a short spiritual autobiography, The Herald of God's Loving Kindness, to which the Helfta community later added what they had experienced with her. In it Gertrude describes her transformation as so real she was able to overcome all resistance within herself and surrender unconditionally to God's love.
Gertrude had a special devotion to the holy souls in purgatory. At every Communion she asked God for mercy upon them. He once showed her a table of gold on which were many pearls representing prayers for the holy souls. At the same time Gertrude saw souls freed from purgatory and ascending to heaven. In another vision, our Lord told her that he longs for someone to simply ask Him to release souls from purgatory. "I accept with highest pleasure what is offered to Me for the poor souls, for I long inexpressibly to have near Me those for whom I paid so great a price. By the prayers of thy loving soul, I am induced to free a prisoner from purgatory as often as thou dost move thy tongue to utter a word of prayer."
In another vision she was said to be given the following well-known prayer: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, in my home, and in my family.”
On his own feast day, St. John appeared to Gertrude and placed her by the wounded side of Jesus, where she could hear His beating Sacred Heart. "Why is it, O beloved of God", she asked him, "that you who rested on His bosom at the Last Supper have said nothing of what you experienced then?" St John told her "It was my task to present to the first age of the Church the doctrine of the Word made flesh which no human intellect can ever fully comprehend. The eloquence of that sweet beating of His Heart is reserved for the last age in order that the world grown cold and torpid may be set on fire with the love of God."
Our Lord then showed her His Divine Heart, saying:

"Behold, I manifest to the gaze of thy soul My deified Heart, the harmonious instrument whose sweet tones ravish the Most Adorable Trinity. I give It to thee, and like a faithful, zealous servant, this Heart will be ready, at any moment, to repair thy defects and negligences . . . Make use of It and thy works will charm the eye and ear of the Divinity."

Gertrude was stunned by this gift of Our Lord because she thought it too great a condescension. Jesus encouraged her:

If thou hast a beautiful and melodious voice, and takest much pleasure in chanting, wilt thou not feel displeased if another person whose voice is harsh, wishes to sing in thy stead, and insists on doing so? Thus My Divine Heart, understanding human inconstancy, desires with incredible ardor to be continually invited, either by words or signs, to operate and accomplish in thee what thou art unable to accomplish thyself. Its omnipotence enables My Heart to act without trouble. Its impenetrable wisdom enables It to act in the most perfect manner. And Its joyous and loving charity makes It ardently desire to accomplish this end.

St. Gertrude encouraged others to pray to the Sacred Heart for graces. Jesus told her: "They may draw forth all they need from My Divine Heart." 
These visions continued until the end of her life. As she was dying, Jesus said to her: "Come, my chosen one, and I will place in you My throne."
The Feast of St. Gertrude was extended to the universal Church by Clement XII in 1738 and today is celebrated on Nov. 16, the date of her death in 1301 or 1302. Pope Benedict XIV gave her the title “The Great” to distinguish her from another St. Gertrude, Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn, and to recognize her spiritual and theological insight.
source  National Catholic Register

Let us prepare our hearts!

Reflection on the Message of November 25, 2001 

LET US PREPARE OUR HEARTS

"Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you anew to prayer. Little children, pray and prepare your hearts for the coming of the King of Peace, that with His blessing He may give peace to the whole world. Peacelessness has begun to reign in hearts and hatred reigns in the world. That is why, you who live my messages be the light and extended hands to this faithless world that all may come to know the God of Love. Do not forget, little children, I am with you and bless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call." Message of November 25, 2001

---

In the message of the last month, Our Lady told us: “Little children, you are chosen to witness peace and joy”, and today she tells us about restlessness in hearts and hatred in the world.

Everyone seeks joy. Everybody wants to be happy and seeks joy. We all want to be happy. The good and the bad are equal in their desire to be happy. The good ones are good to be happy, and the bad ones would not be bad if they would not hope to become happy in such a way. In his Confessions, the great St. Augustin told us: If we all love joy, it is because we have already known it in a mysterious way. If we had not come to know it – if we were not created for it - we would not love it. The one who knocks at the door of a church – even it he does it with violence and anger – does so because he seeks joy. However, we see that the world around us is mostly sad. Sadness and restlessness strangle our throats and almost suffocate us. There are less and less joyful people and joyful Christians. Nietsche has already criticised Christians because their faces were too gloomy frowning.

Sadness and restlessness walk on our streets, in our villages and in our cities. Sadness has even sneaked into our families. Sadness and restlessness infect even our children to whom, instead of joy, we give things to eat, bigger and bigger and more and more ugly toys to destroy. Joy does not come from things, from toys, from food, from cars, motors, techniques, money or pleasure. Our heart and our soul seek the real food. You cannot cheat your soul while giving it things. If you don’t feed it with God and His Word, it will rebel and seek vengeance. Your soul gives you signs like emptiness, lack of meaning, nervousness, aggressiveness, anger against everything and everybody. You have to recognize these signs, you have to learn again to enjoy in little things and to recognize so many things around us - that everything is given, and that we hove not earned or merited anything.

Gospa, our Mother, walks with us for more than twenty years now. By this message, she prepares us for the time of Advent, which is approaching, and she puts in front of our eyes the King of Peace. Restlessness and hatred govern the world, our Mother tells us in this message, and we know and see that very well. And not only in the world, but they sneaked also into human relationships, families, amongst nations. Our Lady shows us the way, she puts into our hands a powerful means with which we can reach peace, if only we want it and seek it. It is not enough to see and to understand the state of your heart and your soul, of your family. It is not enough to know it, as it is of no use to a hungry man to know that bread is good. It is of no use for us to know that God is love, of no use to know that Our Lady is here out for love for us. We have to follow her words, to make the decision, to start today. We need the encounter and the experience of the God of Love. It is useless to curse darkness; let us light a lamp instead, and darkness is already gone. Sometimes it is enough to lift our eyes just a bit above the mud of this world, above our heads, to pronounce a good and positive word, and darkness is already gone. We have to heal our negative, black, tragic thoughts and pronounce pure words, so that God’s health and peace may reach us. It is not enough to say that there is no prayer in my family, that we can never get together, that every one goes his own way and after his own business. If nobody wants, then you start, have the courage to say to God a word of prayer and a cry, so that through you the light may come down, little by little, on those who are with you.

There are many hearts that follow Our Lady’s messages, which she gives to us still today. Our Lady counts on us, who want to hear her messages; she counts on our perseverance, even when we do not see immediately the fruits and successes. Our security is her presence, her words that she is with us in spite of everything. Let us be and let us remain with Her. Peace and good to you.

Medjugorje, November 26th, 2001
Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin celebrates a Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in our Nation

Bishop at Election Mass: ‘Without God, a nation has no soul’

PRAYERS FOR A NATION: Many gather at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on election day to offer prayers for the country.

LAURA KILGUS

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Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2016 12:00 am

BY LAURA KILGUS, ASSISTANT EDITOR

PROVIDENCE — On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin celebrated a Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in our Nation, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. More than 150 gathered at the noon Mass to turn to prayer, asking God to grant to the nation moral virtue as well as gifts of peace, harmony and reconciliation.

Wearing her “I voted” sticker, Diane Cardillo felt called to attend the Mass to pray for the country, regardless of the outcome of the election.

“We need to pray for our government no matter who wins today,” she said. “We need to pray that there will be peace, dignity and respect for our nation. I thought that the Mass was beautiful.”

After more than a year-and-a-half, the often tense and divisive presidential campaign between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has come to a close. As of press time Tuesday, the election results had not been announced.

Regardless of the winner of the election, Bishop Tobin shared that his concern will still be the great deal of division, anxiety and fear in the country and in the state. He explained that concern was the impetus of the Election Day Mass.

“We can come together to pray for healing, peace and harmony, gifts that ultimately only God can give us,” he said.

During his homily, the bishop asked how the nation became filled with so much anger and division and confusion.

“It’s because, as a nation we have lost our bearings and that is because we removed God from our public life,” he shared. “More often than not, in our society and in our culture, God is seen as a distraction, as a nuisance. It strikes me that removing God from public life and society, that we have lost our North Star. As a nation we are wandering about without any moral virtue. The heart of our nation is restless and indeed it will not rest until it rests in God.”

History has affirmed the relevance and importance of God in the life of the nation, the bishop said, adding that the country’s founding fathers certainly spoke about their reliance of God.

“They recognized how important God would be in the life and growth of the nation,” explained Bishop Tobin. “Throughout our history, from the founding of our country, religious faith has placed a major role in our culture and in our society. The truth is, without God, a nation has no soul and I think that is what we are experiencing today and what has especially manifested during this campaign.”

Along with her daughter, and grandson who served at the Mass, Patricia McWilliams came to the service to offer a prayer for the country.

“I prayed for the protection and safety of our country and that people will vote with their conscience today,” she said.

Bishop Tobin asked God for his blessing upon the nation and for the gifts of healing, harmony and peace.

“We come to pray for our leaders, whoever we have chosen, that all of our leaders be inspired by God and promote the common good with concern and respect for human life and human dignity above all,” he said. “Regardless of the outcome of the election, as people of faith, and as Christians and as Catholics we should live in hope and confidence. That is the gift that our faith gives us.”

The Medjugorje Message: New website... The Medjugorje Witness

The Medjugorje Message: New website... The Medjugorje Witness: I set up a new website recently: THE MEDJUGORJE WITNESS Its purpose is threefold: (1) To publish Our Lady’s monthly messages to the wor...

Dear Children of Medjugorje

From the Desk of Sr. Emmanuel Maillard November 8, 2016  Dear Children of Medjugorje, Praised be Jesus and Mary! 1. On 2 November, All Souls Day, Mirjana received her monthly apparition at the Blue Cross in the presence of a large crowd that had also come to Medjugorje for All Saints' Day. After the apparition, she delivered Our Lady's message: "Dear children, to come to you and to make myself known to you is a great joy for my motherly heart. It is a gift from my Son for you and for others who are coming. As a mother I am calling you: love my Son above everything. In order to love Him with all your heart, you need to come to know Him. You will come to know Him through prayer. Pray with the heart and with your feelings. To pray means to think of His love and sacrifice. To pray means to love, to give, to suffer and to offer. I am calling you, my children, to be apostles of prayer and love. My children, it is a time of vigilance. In this vigil I am calling you to prayer, love and trust. As my Son will be looking in your hearts, my motherly heart desires for Him to see unconditional trust and love in them. The united love of my apostles will live, will conquer and will expose evil. My children, I was a chalice of the God-man; I was God's instrument. That is why I am calling you, my apostles, to be a chalice of the true and pure love of my Son. I am calling you to be an instrument through which all those who have not come to know the love of God - who have never loved - may comprehend, accept and be saved. Thank you, my children." While the Gospa was leaving, Mirjana saw a chalice. 2.  "I was a chalice of the God-man"   http://www.terapeak.com/worth/our-lady-of-blessed-sacrament-mary-jesus-chalice-catholic-foam-board-18/321909798864/ For the first time in 35 years of apparitions, the Blessed Mother told us that she is "the chalice of the God-man," and today, she invites us also to become chalices. Many wonder what she means by this! We need to pray very deeply to understand this invitation because it must be considered as a revelation on the part of our Heavenly Mother. She clearly wants to lead us on a path which we do not expect.   There is no Mass without a chalice. During the Offertory the wine is poured into the chalice. At the consecration and therefore the transubstantiation, the wine is changed into blood through the words of the priest who, at that moment, is another Christ (persona Christi). "This is my Blood", he says, "shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins."  The chalice becomes the receptacle of the Blood of Jesus which will be offered to the Father.A chalice is therefore a sacred vessel that is strictly reserved for the celebration of the Mass, and it is sacred specifically because of its divine content. From the moment of the Anunciation, Mary became the living tabernacle of the God-man during the 9 months she was carrying Jesus in her womb. But not only in her womb; she bore Him in her entire being! The special union of hearts and soul between the God-Child and His Mother was such that Mary resonated with everything her Son was going through inside her womb, in particular His mad love for humanity which already poured from His Divine Heart like a river. And after the birth of her Child, she continued to bear Him with increasing intensity. The chalice is the place of overflowing love. In fact, when the Jews perform the Kiddush, in other words the blessing of bread and wine during the Shabbat meal, they pour the wine into the cup until it's overflowing, as a sign of the superabundance of God's gifts to man. In the Gospel, Luke 22: 42, the chalice is also what Jesus sees coming to Him when He prays for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. That chalice is a chalice of great suffering. Jesus even says, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me!" Always adding, however, "Yet not as I will, but as You will."  3. We're looking for watchmen! In this message, let us not forget the above: "My children", Mary told us. "This is a time of vigilance. In this vigil, I call you to pray, to love and to trust."    kzlam36.wordpress.com Now, a vigil is a period of waiting, where we are poised for what comes next. We prepare ourselves. It is a time where we increase our vigilance, because something very important is going to follow soon. It is also a way of not being surprised by the enemy, should he attack us. So we are like the watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (IS 62:6-7) that Our Lady saw repeatedly at their stations during her pilgrimages in the Holy City. The Gospa is preparing us through her messages, without saying clearly what awaits us. She does not need to tell us, because if we are prepared through her care, that is enough. But she specifies that, when her Son will look into our hearts, "her motherly heart would like Him to see in them an unconditional trust and love."  "Will look" ?  Why did she suddenly use the future tense when in fact Jesus is constantly looking into our hearts? It is because she sees the future! She wants to reassure us: Jesus will be there, He will look at us, He will not abandon us, we have nothing to fear.That is why, more than ever, we are invited to give ourselves over to unconditional trust and love.  I believe that we must learn this message by heart. Let us ask for the grace to become, as Mary did, a living chalice in which Jesus can pour out his love until it is overflowing! A purified chalice containing the divine Blood and enabling this Blood to be lifted up to the Father for the Eucharistic offering. This chalice is offered to some who may be called to martyrdom, enabling them to participate in a special way in the offering of Jesus to the Father for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of humanity. James and John asked Jesus to sit with Him at His right and His left side in His glory. They actually dared to do that! But Jesus answered them by saying, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" (MT 20:22) http://davidcharlton.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-24-2013-walking-in-way-of.html It was the most effective way to answer their request, but not at all as they themselves would have wanted or expected. You do not obtain a seat in the glory of God by a wave of a magic wand, but rather by identifying with Christ in his death and resurrection.  Sharing the chalice of Jesus and becoming a chalice ourselves, like Mary, enables us to extend salvation much further, especially to those who do not yet know the love of God or to those who refuse it. Then, as disciples intimately united with Jesus, following Mary's example, we see our Christian life becoming a continual mass celebrated with joy in this world that is struggling in great darkness.  4. November is the month where we think of those who have left this world before us.  Since we live 10 minutes away from Komarica cemetery (where Fr. Slavko is buried), near the church, I often go there to pray for 9 days in a row, asking the poor souls for a few specific favors. I always find that they intercede in a very powerful way! Besides, Our Lady told Vicka and Jakov, when they visited Purgatory with her: "When you pray for the souls in purgatory, you are enabling them to become intercessors who, in turn, will help you in your life, especially to not get attached to earthly things..." In her Diary, Saint Faustina tells the following: "Before All Souls' Day, I went to the cemetery at dusk. Although it was locked, I managed to open the gate a bit and said, 'If you need something, my dear little souls, I will be glad to help you, to the extent that the rule permits me.' I then heard these words, 'Do the will of God; we are happy in the measure that we have fulfilled God's will.' Later on, these souls came and asked me to pray for them, and I did pray very much for them.  In the evening, when the procession was returning from the cemetery, I saw a great multitude of souls walking with us into the chapel and praying with us. "(Diary §518-519) 5. Here is a good prayer for obtaining from Jesus the grace of a good death:  O divine Heart of Jesus, grant me the grace to always live according to your will, both in the most beautiful, joyous and important hours in my life, and in difficult times. Grant me to be always ready for the last hour. Give me the courage to give everything for your love, including my life if necessary.O Jesus, by your holy and painful Passion, please grant that the hour of my death will find me awake as a loyal servant, a true penitent after a good confession and graced with the last rites.O Lord, do not forsake me in my last struggle on earth, when I have to fight against Satan who may be in a fury. May your holy Mother and Mother of Mercy, St. Michael and the angels assist me and protect me against any temptation at the moment when I will have to let go of this world. May they then comfort me and fortify me in the midst of torments.Grant me, Lord, in that hour, a living faith, a firm trust, an ardent love and much patience. Grant that I may be fully aware and give myself over into your hands and abandon myself like a small child in your holy peace.In your infinite goodness and your great mercy, O Jesus, remember me! Amen. 6. Please note! The next Live Broadcast will be held on December 3rd, at 9 PM (BiH Time). I will talk about the message of the 2nd in French.  The Live program of November 3rd as well as the older broadcasts can be seen at http://www.enfantsdemedjugorje.fr/index.php/le-direct-du-3.html Dearest Gospa, with you as a Mother we are safe, and your messages are excellent signposts for us in this chaotic world.  Sister Emmanuel + (Translated from French

Donald Trump's message to Catholics

My heart always stays in Medjugorje

Testimony of Healing in Medjugorje

date: 26.10.2016.

Linda Christy, a pilgrim from Canada, came recently to Medjugorje for another pilgrimage and on that occasion she spoke on radio Mir Medjugorje about her healing that took place here. She told us that she was in a wheelchair for a while and for 18 years she could only walk with crutches. She was healed in June 2010, on Apparition Hill, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She said how her only mission is to give testimony on risen Jesus, to talk about her healing, love and hope. She brought all medical documents, diagnosis and all papers regarding her healing to Medjugorje parish office for the second anniversary of the healing she had.  

Mrs. Linda said: „I did not know much about Medjugorje. I came her accidently, in a wheelchair. I was in the constant pain. The journey took 24 hours and it was not easy. It was very hard to go to Apparition Hill and people tried to put me off. I climbed the hill for few hours, but I knew I had to go up”, said Linda, who told us that her miracle took place on the hill.

“I was in such a state that my husband had to dress me up for 18 years, as I was not able to do anything by myself. I owe my life to Medjugorje and to the Queen of Peace, as my life is completely different now. Since I know what it means to suffer great pain, I decided to devote my time and my mission is to help people who suffer pain. You are so blessed to be able to live here in Medjugorje. Once I return to Canada, my heart always stays in Medjugorje”, said Linda Christy.

Today is All Souls Day, Our Lady Tells us

November 6, 1986 "Dear children! Today I wish to call you to pray daily for souls in purgatory. For every soul prayer and grace is necessary to reach God and the love of God. By doing this, dear children, you obtain new intercessors who will help you in life to realize that all the earthly things are not important for you, that only Heaven is that for which it is necessary to strive. Therefore, dear children, pray without ceasing that you may be able to help yourselves and the others to whom your prayers will bring joy. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Medjugorje Our Lady's message to Mirjana

  

   Mirjana encounters Our Lady, Nov. 2, 2016
    (c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016

November 2, 2016

All Soul's Day

Our Lady's message through Mirjana Soldo of November 2nd, 2016:

Dear children, to come to you and to make myself known to you is a great joy for my motherly heart. It is a gift from my Son for you and for others who are coming. As a mother I am calling you: love my Son above everything. In order to love Him with all your heart, you need to come to know Him. You will come to know Him through prayer. Pray with the heart and with your feelings. To pray means to think of His love and sacrifice. To pray means to love, to give, to suffer and to offer. I am calling you, my children, to be apostles of prayer and love. My children, it is a time of vigilance. In this vigil I am calling you to prayer, love and trust. As my Son will be looking in your hearts, my motherly heart desires for Him to see unconditional trust and love in them. The united love of my apostles will live, will conquer and will expose evil. My children, I was a chalice of the God-man; I was God's instrument. That is why I am calling you, my apostles, to be a chalice of the true and pure love of my Son. I am calling you to be an instrument through which all those who have not come to know the love of God-who have never loved-may comprehend, accept and be saved. Thank you, my children.

While Our Lady was leaving, Mirjana saw a chalice.  

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV

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(c)Mary TV 2015 J.M.J. October 31, 2016 Dear Family of Mary! On October 28, 2016 Ivan Dragicevic met with his prayer group on Apparition Hill. Here is the translation of his comments after the apparition that night.   Message through Ivan, October 28, 2016 After the meeting with Our Lady, i would like to draw closer to you and  describe to you tonight's meeting.  Also today she came to us joyful and happy.  At the beginning she greeted all of us with the motherly greeting "Praised be Jesus, my dear children."   Then Our Lady especially prayed here over all of you present who are sick.  Then with her arms extended she prayed over all of us.   Afterward Our Lady said,  "Dear children, also today in a special way I desire to call you to open your hearts to my messages that I am giving you.  And I call you to pray for peace.  Peace dear children.  May it be. The mother prays for all of you. And intercedes for all of you before her Son.  Thank you dear children, also today for having responded to my call."   Afterwards Our lady blessed all of us with her motherly blessing, and she blessed all of your religious articles that you brought to be blessed.  I recommended all of you, your needs and your intentions. your families, and in a special way the sick.   Then Our Lady continued to pray and in that prayer she left in an illuminated sign of the cross, saying "Go in peace, my dear children." This is an approximate translation. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2016