Who is your Hero ?

Heroes

Everyone needs heroes--to look up to, to model their lives after, even from whom to request intercession. You can tell a lot about a person by the heroes they have. Young people many times choose animated superheroes, sports stars, rock stars, and/or Hollywood celebrities. As they grow older, those heroes may change to successful business leaders, politicians, and or military leaders. As they mature still further, clarifying just what it is that's really important in their lives (love, faith, courage, self-sacrifice, humility, and commitment over, say, fame and riches), then their heroes change yet again.

Certainly Jesus is the Ultimate Hero. As God-Made-Man, He is not only our Savior and the Savior of the Universe, but THE One we Christians through grace most seek to imitate. Apart from Jesus, who do you look up to? In my life, I'm listing ten heroes who inspire me by their lives to live a better life. 1. Mother Mary. Can our Spiritual Mother also be a model and a hero? I say, most definitely. Our Lady, throughout the ages, has shown a great desire to work through the power of her intercessions for the salvation of all her children. She is like "the Hound of Heaven" (Chesterton?) who never gives up on her children. Her perseverance inspires me greatly. As Our Lady of Medjugorje, she has shown patience, commitment, humility, and forebearance in her determination through her messages to the visionaries and to us to encourage people to turn back to God in prayer, repentance, fasting, and reconciliation. 2. Mother Teresa of Calcutta--she loved the poorest of the poor as Christ did and does. 3. Pope John Paul II--great love, great strength, great leadership, great energy--in travelling the world in an unprecedented way to spread the mesage of Christ to all peoples. 4. St Maximillian Kolbe--at Auschwitz, he gave his life so that a father of a large family could live (and eventually go back to that family after the war). 5. Anwar Sadat--he demonstrated incredible courage in hopes of peace between warring peoples. 6. St Peter Clavier--"The slave of the slaves" who for over three decades treated the wounds of those disembarking from the slaveships at Cartegena. 7. Harriet Tubman--At great risk to her life, she journeyed down to Virginia through the Maryland Eastern Shore to rescue untold numbers of slaves. 8. Simon Weisenthal--he never forgot. But he did so not out of vengenance, but out of love. He lived simply (had the same car for fifteen years and the same modest home for longer). 9. Abraham Lincoln--he worked wisely and patiently--among a number of people representing opposing interests--for the freedom of the most marginalized and oppressed. 10. George Washington--at the height of his power, he willingly gave up that power. On his deathbed, he freed his slaves. Who are your heroes? -- Author Vrichc

Need A Hug

God has shown us how much he loves us... it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!
- Romans 5:8

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs during his baseball career, but on this particular day toward the end of his career, the Braves were playing the Reds in Cincinnati, and the great Bambino was no hero. He bumbled the ball and threw badly. In one inning alone, his errors were responsible for most of the five runs scored by Cincinnati.
As the Babe walked off the field and headed toward the dugout after the third out, a crescendo of angry cries and boos rose to greet him. Then a boy jumped over the railing and ran out onto the field. With tears streaming down his face, he threw his arms around the legs of his hero.
Ruth didn't hesitate for a second. He picked up the boy, hugged him, then set him down and patted his head. The cries from the crowd abruptly stopped. A hush fell over the entire park. In that brief moment, the fans saw two heroes on the field: Ruth who, in spite of his own dismal day in fielding, cared about the feelings of a young fan and a boy, who cared about the feelings of another human being.
No matter what your performance has been on the playing field of life, God has a hug waiting for you. He is your number-one fan. " God Speaks "

Our Lady's Message to Ivan

Tonight in Medjugorje Our Lady Gives An Important Message at the Blue Cross.
With many thousands of pilgrims present, Our Lady uncharacteristically gives a special long message.

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The sunset over Cross Mountain, as seen from Apparitoin Hill, tonight, August 28, 2009.

Temperatures were extremely hot in Medjugorje today, but even so, there were those who climbed the mountains during the heat of the day, willing to offer this sacrifice to Our Lady for Her intentions as well as their own. Early evening dark clouds floated toward Medjugorje eventually covering the village making the sky overcast for the rest of the night, so there were no stars seen above as many thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Blue Cross for Our Lady’s apparition tonight to Ivan. Many were thankful that the clouds did not bring rain, while others would have been thankful for a cool sprinkle of rain on this hot sultry evening.

The summer crowds are still here in Medjugorje. The areas all around the Blue Cross were packed with pilgrims and they continued to arrive up until just moments before Our Lady appeared, causing confusion and disruption with their flashlights and talking as they tried to find even the smallest open space to settle down in. Despite the inconveniences of being shoulder to shoulder in such a large crowd, in the darkness, sitting on uncomfortable stones and the dusty ground, on a hot summer night in Medjugorje, the realization hits suddenly that all these people are here for a single purpose, to be with Our Lady—out of love for Her, wanting conversion or a grace for a loved one or an answer to prayer—but all have come tonight to be with Our Lady. To Our Lady the large numbers of pilgrims bring great joy and typically, just as She came tonight, Our Lady demonstrates Her joy in the apparitions when She appears to Ivan on Apparition Mountain. Though Our Lady’s apparition tonight was shorter than normal, being just over five minutes, the length and depth of Our Lady’s message given tonight to Ivan was a surprise. Following is Ivan’s description of tonight’s apparition.

“Tonight, most important from the meeting with Our Lady is that Our Lady came joyful and happy and, at the beginning, as always, greeted all of us with Her motherly greeting, “Praised be Jesus, my dear children, my little children.” Then, with Her hands extended for a while, She prayed over us here and then She prayed for the sick present. She then blessed us all with Her motherly blessing and then blessed all the articles you brought for blessing. Afterwards She said:

**“Dear children, also today, I call you in a special way: accept my messages, renew my messages. Dear children, today, more than ever, I need your works and not your words. Therefore, dear children, live my messages so that light may illuminate your hearts and fill your hearts. Dear children, know that the Mother is praying with you. Thank you, also today dear children, for having accepted my messages and for living my messages. Pray [to be] my sign.”

Then I prayed an Our Father and a Glory Be with Our Lady. I then recommended all of you, your needs, your intentions and your families and especially the sick. Then Our Lady left, in prayer, in an illuminated Sign of the Cross with a greeting: “Go in peace, my dear children.”

On The Light Side of the News

I saw this while driving by a Handy Mart fueling station on U.S. Highway 70 in Goldsboro, N.C. Thought it was funny so I stopped to take a photo. How often do you see a llama at a gas station?

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Greg Sousa
Chief Photographer
Goldsboro News-Argus
310 North Berkeley Blvd.
Goldsboro, N.C. 27534
(919) 778-2211 ext. 865

Totus Tuus--Totally Yours

TOTALLY YOURS
TOTUS TUUS

Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother.
Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me.
Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart.
Give me your dispositions and feelings.
Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus.
Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior.
Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life.
Replace it with yourself.
Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving.
Pray in me and through me.
Let me live in you and keep me in this union always.
Pope John Paul II

Our Lady's Medjugorje message of August 25, 2009

Message of August 25, 2009

"Dear children! Today I call you anew to conversion. Little children, you are not holy enough and you do not radiate holiness to others, therefore pray, pray, pray and work on your personal conversion, so that you may be a sign of God's love to others. I am with you and am leading you towards eternity, for which every heart must yearn. Thank you for having responded to my call."

The Syro-Phoenician Women

"She keeps shouting." —Matthew 15:23 Contrast the Israelite scouts and Israelite people in the first reading to the Syro-Phoenician Gentile woman in the Gospel. The former did not believe in God's liberating power, even though they had just seen what God did to the Egyptians at the Red Sea, even though they had just passed between walls of water at the Red Sea! "They forgot the God Who had saved them" (Ps 106:21). "They waited not for His counsel. They did not remember His great love, which is tantamount to defying God. The Syro-Phoenician woman, in contrast, heard only what must have seemed like discouraging words from Jesus rather than great promises. She believed in Jesus anyway, because she had heard of His great works (Jn 14:11). Like the man born blind, she must have intuitively known that no one could do such healing works if God was not with Him (Jn 9:33). She knew that what Jesus was saying had to be outweighed by His power, and that His compassion was evident in His works. So she persevered in imploring Jesus for her request, believing in Jesus' ultimate power, refusing to be discouraged by what she saw and heard in the present moment.To whom do you listen? We hear many negative, discouraging voices. We must shut out these voices and make it our priority to listen only to God. Yet, even when what the Lord says seems discouraging, we must pray without ceasing and not lose heart. "Do not give in to discouragement. The Lord is looking for faith (Lk 18:8). Will He find faith in You? Have faith in Jesus (Jn 14:1). Have faith in God (Jn 14:1). Lord, help me. "I do believe; help my lack of faith" (see Mk 9:24).

Ave Maria gratia plena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQS0YhVfAE0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebing%2Ecom%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dmedjugorje%2Byouth%2Bfestival%2B2009%26qs%3Dn%26docid%3D1209528746156%26mid%3DCDF40710834A6A74908ECDF40710834A&feature=player_embedded#t=59

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6zG0j6n42o&feature=related

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy7j-qJrktI&feature=related

Ivanka Speaks with pilgrims at Youth Festival

Ivanka speaks with pilgrims at Youth Festival
This short talk by the visionary Ivanka was given at Medjugorje on August 1, 2009 and concurrently translated into six languages from Croat. Ivanka rarely gives talks to pilgrims and lives a discreet, almost private life, close to the village of Medjugorje. She was the first of the six visionaries to see Our Lady at the start of the apparitions in June 1981. She has been married for 22 years and has four children.• I would like to greet you all with the most beautiful of greetings: Praised be Jesus and Mary. I am so pleased to be here with you today and even more pleased that you are ready to hear the message of Our Lady.For 28 years I have been asking God the very same question: Why did you choose me? I know that I was given a great grace and also I know that at the same time I was given a great responsibility.I have accepted this as a gift but at the same time I have been praying all the time that God gives me strength to fulfil all the assignments he has for me.I lived with my family at Mostar at that time and as always, after school, I used to come to Medjugorje. This is what happened that day on June 24, 1981 when I saw Our Lady for the first time.On that day, like every day, I was outside the village with Mirjana and we were waiting for other friends to come. I do not how long we were waiting but we got tired of that and then we started walking towards the houses.While we were walking towards the village I was really forced by something to look towards the hill and then I saw Our Lady. I said to Mirjana, “Mirjana, I see Our Lady on the hill” but Mirjana said, “ Don’t tell me these foolish things.”I followed Mirjana who was walking back to the village and then we met Milka, the sister of the visionary Marija. Milka saw that something was wrong with me and she asked me what happened, and I told the girls to come back with me, that I had seen Our Lady. We went back and then all three of us saw Our Lady. Vicka also came to us and then two boys, the two Ivans. The apparition kept calling us but none of us dared to climb the hill.Our Lady was four or five hundred metres away from us. She kept calling us and emotions we felt in our heart were huge. We felt all kinds of emotions in our heart and none of us dared to get closer to her.Whoever we told that we saw Our Lady that evening, they did not believe us. They told us not to tell such things. That night was the longest night in my life. I was only 15 and I questioned myself the entire night whether what I saw was true or not.So the next day at the same hour we went back together to the apparition hill. Before we saw Our Lady we saw the light, three times, and when we finally got to her, I cannot describe that moment of meeting with Our Lady because we felt so much love, felt so secure, so much happiness in our hearts.When we came to her we saw this most beautiful person, maybe 19 or 20 years of age. She had a crown of stars, white veil, greyish dress, and she was standing on a cloud She had the most beautiful blue eyes and long black hair.I knew that it was the Blessed Mother You see, two months before that day my mother had passed away. Because I knew in my heart that this was the Blessed Virgin Mary I asked her, “Mother, where is my mother?” And she said, “Do not worry, my child, your mother is with me.”Our Lady told us, “Do not worry. I’ll pray with you always. I’ll come again tomorrow.”The word spread very quickly so that on the third day people started following us because they saw something was happening with us, so they gave us holy water to bless the apparition. On that third day when Our Lady came, Vicka blessed her and she said, “If you come from God, stay. But if you do not come from God, please leave us.” And then Our Lady smiled back at us and said, “I am the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.On that day Our Lady gave the first public message, which was the message of peace. As the days passed by Our Lady asked us to convert, to fast, to do some penance, to pray and go to confession and attend Holy Mass. These are the main messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje.From 1981 until 1985 I received the apparitions on a daily basis. During that period Our Lady dictated to me her biography. I wrote everything down. She also told me the future of the world and the future of our Church. When I have permission from Our Lady, this will be published. On the 7th May, 1985, I had the last daily apparition and that was the longest apparition that I have ever had because Our Lady stayed with me one hour. On that day Our Lady gave me the final and tenth secret and I was told that I would not have the apparitions on a daily basis anymore, but Our Lady promised me that she was going to appear to me once a year on June 25.From 1985 to today I received the apparition once every year on June 25. But at that last daily apparition I was given the greatest gift, not just for myself but for the entire world. And because every single human being is asking is there a life after this life on earth, I am standing before you here today, I am standing before the entire world and I can easily answer that question. Yes, there is a life after this life, because by God and Our Lady I was given this great grace, that I was able to see my late mother during that apparition time and my mom told me: “My dear child, I’m proud of you.”For 28 years Our Lady has been telling us which road we need to take in our life. She is showing us the way and we have to decide which road we are going to take in our life.Our Lady has given a different mission to each one of us visionaries. My mission is to pray for families. So every day I pray for families.The last apparition I had was this year on June 25 and that apparition lasted ten minutes and Our Lady spoke to me about the tenth secret and she advised for all of us to become apostles of peace and to pray for peace. Our Lady ended her message with “Peace, peace, peace.”Let us be reminded in prayer. Let us pray for each other. Our Lady wants us to be be in peace, not to be afraid, to know that she is there for us all of the time.Finally, when you leave Medjugorje I would like you to take peace and love from Medjugorje back to your home and to your country. Thank you all for everything.

Spiritdaily: - The Sun Still Spins in Medjugorje

http://www.spiritdaily.com/prophecyfoloaug09.htm

Youth Festival-Medjugorje

From Spain,Spanish Author Maria Vallejo Nagera giving her testimony of her conversion in Medjugorje. .
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=maria+vallejo+nagera&qs=n&docid=986916061735&mid=A342C56FC2D88A884A63A342C56FC2D88A884A63&FORM=VIVR13
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsxNnHbR28Q
Maria's interview on Abortion in Spanish. Go to minute 29 or 30.
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http://www.mladifest.com/medjugorje/audiovideo/festival2009/
Testimonies



Patrick and Nancy Latta of Medjugorje at the 2009 Medjugorje Youth Festival. Photo posted by Pilgrim at
http://www.crownofstars.blogspot.com/

Stay in the Light of Jesus

NOW OR NEVER" Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools." —Ephesians 5:15

Pope John Paul II and prophets from other Christian denominations have proclaimed the prophetic word that we must take advantage of the opportunities we have now because these doors will soon be closed. Jesus said: "The light is among you only a little longer. Walk while you still have it" (Jn 12:35). "We must do the deeds of Him Who sent Me while it is day. The night comes on when no one can work" (Jn 9:4). Jeremiah prophesied: "Give ear, listen humbly, for the Lord speaks. Give glory to the Lord, your God, before it grows dark; before your feet stumble on darkening mountains; before the light you look for turns to darkness, changes into black clouds. If you do not listen to this in your pride, I will weep in secret many tears; My eyes will run with tears for the Lord's flock" (Jer 13:15-17)."Make the most of the present opportunity, for these are evil days. Do not continue in ignorance, but try to discern the will of the Lord" (Eph 5:16-17). "You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow. Therefore, witness and work for the Lord now.

Sojourners of the Burning Heart

http://histube.tv/video/Sojourners-of-the-Burning-Heart

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http://histube.tv/video/Sojourners-of-the-burning-Hear-2

Send Your Angel to Mass

*This very special prayer was written by a devout woman named Ruth Merz from Cincinnati, Ohio. Ruth was the mother of eight children who was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually and sadly claimed her life. Unable to attend mass because of her illness, she wrote this wonderful prayer. We hope that her words will convey special meaning to those who are ill and to their friends and families who care for them. Please feel free to share it with anyone that you feel might benefit from it.

SEND YOUR ANGEL TO MASS:

O’ Holy angel at my side Go to church for me Kneel in my place at Holy Mass Where I desire to be. At offertory in my stead Take all I am and own And place it as a sacrifice Upon the Altar throne. At Holy Consecration bell, Adore with Seraph’s love My Jesus hidden in the Host Come down from Heaven above. There pray for those I dearly love And those that cause me grief That Jesus’ blood may cleanse all hearts Give suffering souls relief. That when the priest Communion takes Then bring my Lord to me That His sweet heart may rest in mine And I His temple be. Pray that the sacrifice divine May all man’s sin efface Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home The pledge of every grace. Amen

Thought for Today

We set out in the pursuit of pricey possessions, profitable portfolios, impressive careers, and busy social calendars because we have been led to believe that these things will bring us joy. However, when we secure our pursuits, we quickly learn that lasting joy doesn't come from getting what we want.
When we reach our goals, we only experience temporary happiness — a happiness that will end as soon as we lose the object of our pursuit. Happiness fades as our retirement portfolios decline. Happiness disintegrates as our business deals go south. Happiness eludes us when we place unrealistic hopes in the people and things of this world.
Joy, on the other hand, has only one source and His name is Jesus. The Apostle Paul tells us about this genuine joy in his epistle to the Philippians. In fact, he shares about the kind of joy that people can experience when they face the toughest times. Have you ever met someone who is experiencing inexplicable joy? They may be walking through the deepest, darkest valley, and yet they are content, peaceful, and joyful. You may have also met their polar opposites — people who have everything in this world but are absolutely miserable. The best of circumstances cannot provide lasting joy, nor can the worst squelch it.
Today there are more Christians who are fearful, anxious, worried, discouraged — and yes, joyless — than I have seen in a long time. They need to learn how to reclaim their joy. As Christians we all received joy in connection with our salvation. When we live in obedience to the Lord, we are going to fully experience that joy. Yet disobedience to the Word of God will diminish our joy; it will cover up our joy. Anything that comes between us and Jesus will rob us of our only lasting joy.
Whenever we are obedient to the Word of God, our joy is going to deepen, even in the tough times, even in the difficult times, even in the dark days. And that is why James said, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2).
No matter what difficulties we face today, whatever financial hardships or internal struggles, we can still rejoice because everything in this world is only temporary. When our hope is in Jesus Christ and in our eternal home with Him in heaven, we will remain joyful in the midst of the most turbulent storm. But when we become so focused on this world, on our strategies, on our styles, on what we like and dislike, we forget about our eternal home.
What is the secret of Paul's joy? We find the answer in his own words: "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:4-6).
Paul was confident that the God who brought us salvation will keep us in His hands. What can touch us when we have the assurance of everlasting life? In light of our daily struggles, our hurting relationships, our dwindling bank accounts, none of these things can possibly compare to the joy of knowing that our salvation is secure.
No matter what losses we face in this world, we can find joy in our eternal relationship with our Creator. Our houses may foreclose, but we can never lose our heavenly home. Friends and loved ones may disappoint us, but our Savior will never leave us. Government and society may become godless, but God will prevail in Truth for eternity. Our lives may crumble around us, but our eternity in heaven will always be secure. And that is reason for great joy!
Greg S.

Fr. Jozo speaks on Prayer

Message of July 25, 2009
“Dear children! Let this time be a time of prayer for you.
Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Here we have a very short message of Our Lady, and maybe we are more intrigued by its shortness than by the call itself. But, if we get into it a bit more deeply, we will come to realise that this message contains all the messages that the Queen of Peace has given in these last 28 years.

It is obvious that even after so much time we have failed to understand the importance and purposefulness of prayer. So, for some people prayer has become a pattern recited by heart, which they rattle off without being aware of the importance and beauty of the words. For some people prayer has become an obligation, which they fulfil at a precisely set time, with a routine ritual. There are even those for whom prayer has become a burden, and they themselves have become a burden to others, because they do not live what they pray.

Our Lady speaks about the “time of prayer”. She calls us to make a time of prayer out of every hour, day, and moment of ours.

We cannot ponder over this call without first defining what prayer is?!

– Prayer is seeking of God.
– Prayer is a dialogue with God.
– Prayer is surrender to God.
– Prayer is consecration to God (of oneself and others)
– Prayer is friendship with God.
– Prayer is living together with God.
– Prayer is singing praises to God.
– Prayer is exaltation of God
– Prayer is “filling the empty water-pots” like at Cana, and Jesus does the miracle.
– Prayer is the “place and time” of transfiguration – Tabor

The call to let “this time be a time of prayer” is a call for us to live our time with God, immersed into Him, that by living the experience of the meeting with Him we become a blessing for others. A Christian is a happy man because he has got something to give away! We are called to refresh the tired, to comfort the sorrowful, to nurse the sick, to feed the hungry… In order to be able to respond to this call, we should pray, fill our time with God and with the blessings He bestows on us abundantly.
By imbuing our time with God, we bring God into the time and space of our generation, and in this way people are being blessed. By imbuing our time with God, we are being enlightened, becoming so the beacons showing the right Way.

Our intentions for this month:

Let us pray for the gift of a pure and open heart so that God could make His abode in it.
Let us pray for the necessary gifts of the Spirit so that we could live the Glad Tidings and imbue with joy the time we live.
Let us pray for the young gathered at the Festival in Međugorje. Let us pray that they may be Mary’s army of praying people and joyful Christ’s worshipers, and to bear out that in our time, too, one can be Jesus’ disciple and witness. August 10, 2009

Family of Mary

August 10, 2009 St. Lawrence Dear Family of Mary!"Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you. Thank you for having responded to my call." (July 25, 2009)

Our Lady wants this to be a time of prayer for us. And prayer is supposed to be a two way conversation between us and God! So Our Lady's desire is that this would be a time when we speak to God and He speaks to us. Her prayer is that this would a time of communication with the Lord in which we can pour out our hearts to Him, and He can respond with His healing and His love which will lead us onto new paths.

*Our Lady once said, "Pray with me to the Holy Spirit for Him to lead you in the search of God's will on the way of your holiness." (May 25, 2007) Our Lady knows that the Holy Spirit is the key to our communion with God. It is the Holy Spirit that we need if we are going to be able to communicate with the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the medium of love through which the Father and the Son love each other, and through which we can join in that communion of love. We need the Holy Spirit to really hear from God. During this time of prayer, let's ask for the Holy Spirit to anoint us every day, to come upon us with His love and His power so that we can truly enter into prayer and hear from the Lord. Come Holy SpiritCome Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through ChristOur Lord, Amen.
In Jesus and Mary,Cathy Nolan

Photo from the Medjugorje Youth Festival August 2009

Thank You Mary F. for the Photos.

Interview with Medjugorje visionary Vicka

The Period of Conversion and the Ten Secrets
The following is an excerpt from an interview with Vicka. This was broadcast live by Radio Maria Italia from Medjugorje on January 2, 2008:

PADRE LIVIO – One of the reasons these apparitions are so important has to do with something the Madonna said after the first year the apparitions began. The Madonna made certain pronouncements which I would like for you to comment on, giving your interpretation of them. The Madonna said: “My apparitions at Medjugorje are the last ones for humanity. Hurry to convert” (April 17, 1982) and, “I came to call the world to conversion for the last time. In the future I will come no more upon the Earth. These are my last apparitions” (May 2nd, 1982). Do you think this means that Medjugorje are the last apparitions of the Madonna here on Earth?
VICKA – For me the message that the Madonna has given is very clear: this is the last time that She will be present here on Earth in the way She has been present at Medjugorje for such a long period of time. I heard Her speak those words because I was the one who received them personally; the words of the other message I did not receive personally and maybe the other seers could add something more. Still today the Madonna is inviting us to conversion, because it is today that we are living this time of grace. We must not wait for tomorrow in order to convert, we must do so today because tomorrow could be too late. The Madonna says, everything that you can do today, do today. And also, our conversion isn't something that happens on just one day, but it continues over our entire life. Mary calls us in order to bring us closer to Her Son. She has never said that She should have the first place. I have never heard this from Her mouth. Always when the Madonna speaks She says, "Put my Son first; I come second." She says, "When you pray, always pray to my Son first, and then afterwards to me, and then the many graces God gives to me, I can give to you." The Madonna is only a go-between between God and men. God gives these graces to the Madonna and then She gives them to us.
PADRE LIVIO – I was really struck by what the Madonna said about the third secret, which concerns the sign on the mountain. You seers said that it will be a visible sign, an indestructible sign that comes from God. However, She also added, “Hurry and convert yourselves. When the promised sign on the hill will be given, it will be too late” (Sept. 2, 1982). Another time She also said, “And even after I've left this sign on the hill which I have promised to you, many will not believe. They will come to the hill, they will kneel, but they won't believe” (July 19, 1981). Why is it, in your opinion, that people will see the sign but they won't convert?
VICKA – The third secret is about a sign that She will leave here [Medjugorje] on the mountain of the apparitions. This sign will remain forever. It is given above all for those people who are still far away from God. The Madonna wishes to give these people who will see the sign a chance to believe in God. I was able to see this sign...
PADRE LIVIO – You have already seen the sign?
VICKA – Yes, I saw it in a vision.
PADRE LIVIO – Jakov once said in an interview with Radio Maria that in order to see the sign it will be necessary to come here to Medjugorje, is that true?
VICKA – Yes, it's true. The sign will remain on Podbrdo and one will have to come here to see it. This sign will be indestructible and will remain in that place forever. I want to say about those people who will see it and not believe, the Madonna leaves everyone free to believe or not, but those are ones whose hearts are too closed. It's the same thing as the Madonna said to us, "If one wants to go to Heaven, he will go to Heaven, if one wants to go to hell he will go to hell". Those people who are far away from God and do not want to believe, these will not believe in the sign. For those who [do not know God] but have good intentions and a desire to love, these will be benefitted by the sign. But I think that those who do everything against God, they will run away from the sign, they will not believe.
PADRE LIVIO – [...] So, this is a time of grace, this is the time of conversion, "Don't wait for the sign in order to convert yourselves," the Madonna said. Well, so why leave a sign like some last extreme help: is it in order to move the Church to recognize the apparitions as authentic?
VICKA – Yes, certainly it will be for the Church, so that they will have no doubt that the Madonna had been among us and it is also for those who are still far away from God. So the Madonna is thinking about both groups of people, and then it is up to us how to be ready to respond to the sign. To respond to Her call through the sign. Everyone who comes, who will see, you know, you can say, "I don't believe it" and that is your personal idea, that's what you believe, but that the Madonna is here, that She is present, that She leaves this sign, a sign that no man can make; it is something only God can make and so nobody will be able to say that it is a small thing or something else. This arrives in such a way that they won't have words to say what it is.
PADRE LIVIO – This means that when the time of the secrets comes, the fourth through the tenth secrets, secrets which are evidently rather arduous, it means that in any event, in the time of the secrets, we will always have the sign of the Madonna which will comfort us. But you also said the last time, last year, that during the time of the ten secrets one of the seers will still have the daily apparitions [of the Madonna].
VICKA – Yes, it is certain, it is something I repeat now. We will see who it is, there is still me, Marija and Ivan. Afterwards we will see who the Madonna has chosen, who [of us three] remains with the apparitions. Or maybe it will be someone else that the Madonna has chosen.
PADRE LIVIO – Well, you know me, I have no scruple about asking certain questions... Someone said something to Mirjana like "Vicka said that during the time of the ten secrets there will be one seer who will continue to have the daily apparitions" but Mirjana said that she didn't know anything about this. What does that mean? That this was told to you personally by the Madonna?
VICKA – Yes, the Madonna told me personally. Afterwards we shall see, the Madonna didn't say, "Vicka, it will be you" [...]. Now we just wait to see who it will be. She said that when the time comes, to the person who will continue to have the apparitions, She will explain every 'how and what' to that person.
www.radiomaria.it

Youth Festival in Medjugorje

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsheBwT7YY

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COME SWEET HOLY SPIRIT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK8NGMo5pSIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=357SpYz4zSE

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Our Lady's message of July 25, 2009-Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you. Thank you for having responded to my call. July 25, 2009

Medjugorje Youth Festival-Cumbaya my Lord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvrgGwVGSmc

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpeZWOG_PTg&feature=related

Medjugorje Youth Festival-August 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbQ-IcPqWOc

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCe5B0PEkM

Medjugorje Headline

A Great Cry Burst Forth From Thousands of Pilgrims During Mirjana's Apparition Today, August 2, 2009.

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Many were seeing the sun dancing or spinning, others saw a cross illuminated in the sun, still others saw different colors within or streaming out of the sun.

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http://www.medjugorje.com/medjugorje-today/headlines/670-august-2-2009-message.html

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Message to Miriana

Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje’s August 2, 2009 MessageTo Mirjana Soldo Given on the Day for Non-Believers“

*Dear children, I am coming, with my Motherly love, to point out the way by which you are to set out, in order that you may be all the more like my Son; and by that, closer to and more pleasing to God. Do not refuse my love. Do not renounce salvation and eternal life for the sake of transience and frivolity of this life. I am coming to lead you and, as a mother, to caution you.- Come with me.”

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Mirjana reported that Our Lady appeared with the sun shining behind her during the entire apparition. At the same time, thousands of onlookers also reported seeing what is commonly called the miracle of the sun, where a person can look directly at the sun without any discomfort.

Medjugorje: Youth Festival

20th International Prayer Meeting of Youth – Medjugorje Youth Festival
20th International Prayer Meeting of Youth – Medjugorje Youth Festival will be held in Medjugorje from August 1st to 6th. Theme of Meeting is “Do whatever He tells you!”(Jh 2,5). Youth Festival will be directly broadcasted through Internet both in picture and sound.

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http://mysite.verizon.net/bernieheath/medjugorje/Medjugorje.html

Why is Roman Catholicism attacked so much?

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said: If I were not a Catholic and were looking for the True Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates. My reason for doing this would be that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, he must still be hated as he was when he was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world.

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Look for the Church that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the times as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior as they sneered at our Lord because he came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil as our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Look for the Church which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God.

Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible as Pilate rejected Christ because he called himself the Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as our Lord was rejected by men.

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Look for the Church which amid the confusion of conflicting opinions its members love as they love Christ and respect its voice as the very voice of its founder, and the suspicion will grow that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ himself. But only that which is divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is divine. (slightly edited for readability)

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Message to Marija

July 25 2009 Medjugorje message of Our Lady to Marija

Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you. Thank you for having responded to my call. July 25, 2009

Fr. Joe Whalen at the Tomb of Ven. Solanus Casey

Father Joe Whalen of Saint Raphael Oil ministry praying over the Tomb of Ven. Solanus Casey.

Detroit, 9-28-08

http://www.straphaeloil.com/

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You can contact Fr. Whalen by mail at Saint James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson Ct. 06239 or call 860-774-6553 or 802-343-0573

The Third Commandment

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT" Remember to keep holy the sabbath day." —Exodus 20:8 The Lord commanded us to remember to keep holy the new covenant's sabbath, that is, Sunday. Do you remember? Is the whole day set apart as special? Or do you just go to church on Sunday? If Jesus isn't "Lord of the sabbath" (see Mk 2:28), then He's not Lord of your life. If He's not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all. The Lord's word about the Lord's day for many people has fallen on the footpath. We don't understand what God has sown in our minds, so the devil comes to steal it away (Mt 13:19). Some of us used to observe the Lord's day. In fact, it was the most joyous day of the week. However, we gave all that up as our society changed. We had no roots. Some still believe in keeping Sunday holy; nonetheless, the pressures of work, the lure of shopping centers, and the spell of television (especially pro football) have choked it off. However, there are a few, a remnant, who obey the third commandment, and they will bear fruit "a hundred — or sixty — or thirtyfold" (Mt 13:23). Let those who have ears, hear (Mt 13:9).

God Has An Answer

God has a Positive Answer:
YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34)
You say: "I can't go on
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able”
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself“
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always Worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "Ifeel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Medjugorje Net

Father Solanus Casey and Miracles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VH1qmPWzSY

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Fr. Solanus Casey and Miracles

Body of Christ Prayer Meeting

Father Randall's Body of Christ Prayer Group Meeting
Prophecies
7-8-2009

My Children raise up you hands in praise for I am near and the sound of your praise tells Me you trust me. When you praise and worship it opens My heart and My love pours out into your souls. When you receive My love they cleansed and refreshed and when they are refreshed, they are open to receive the many blessing I have for you.
What hurts, what worries you, whatever troubles you will soon be no more--for victory is coming. My victory that I share with you. My resurrection power shall raise those who have died and I shall bring home those who praise me now.
So praise and rejoice my little ones-for your time of suffering is short.

Moses Had, Nothing But Jesus

NOTHING BUT JESUS" I will be with you; and this shall be your proof that it is I Who have sent you." —Exodus 3:12 The proof to show Moses that he was sent by God was that, after Moses brought the people out of Egypt, they would worship on Mount Horeb. A proof after the fact is not a very good proof by human standards. Moses realized this and asked for another assurance, for God to reveal His name. With this, Moses could name for the people the One Who had sent him. "God replied, 'I Am Who Am.' Then He added, 'This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you' " (Ex 3:14). This also was less than ideal. If you go up to people and say, "I AM sent me to you," do you think they'll understand what you're saying?In effect, the Lord sent Moses to Egypt with nothing but faith. Even Moses' miraculous staff wasn't that much help because the Egyptian magicians could perform the same signs. *The key to power in ministry is not having a few things to fall back on but having nothing to fall back on. When Jesus sent the apostles out for ministry, He set them up by giving them nothing and taking away the little they had. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking staff nor traveling bag; no bread, no money" (Lk 9:3). Jesus is still trying to leave His workers with nothing but faith in Him.-- Will You Accept This?

Prayer: Jesus, "give me only Your love and Your grace. That's enough for me" (A Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola).

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular

Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Feast of the Brown Scapular
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! Let's pray today for all the Carmelites throughout the world and especially for those who are cloistered and praying for the world!
Also, the Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is mentioned in the rule of Saint Benedict as worn by monks over their other dress when they were at work, and it now forms a regular part of the religious dress in the old Orders. But it is best known among Catholics as the name of two little pieces of cloth worn out of devotion to the Blessed Virgin over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The devotion of the scapular, now almost universal in the Catholic Church, began with the Carmelites. The history of its origin is as follows: During the thirteenth century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and on 16 July 1251, while Saint Simon Stock, then general of the Order, was at prayer, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, holding in her hand a scapular. Giving it to the saint, she said,"Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order, as the distinctive sign of my confraternity, and the mark of the privilege which I have obtained for thee and the children of Carmel. *It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, and a special pledge of peace and protection till the end of time. "Whosoever dies wearing this shall be preserved from eternal flames." It is much to be wished that people should everywhere join this confraternity, for the honor of Mary and for the salvation of souls, by a life fitted to that end. In order to have a share in the merits of the sodality every member must:1. Shun sin, and, according to his state of life, live chastely.2. Say every day, if possible, seven times, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.3. Strive to serve God by venerating Mary, and imitating her virtues. Also, this feast is well celebrated in New York City in a most unusual and interesting way!

Posted by Padre Steve at 8:31 AM

Burning Love

THE BURNING LOVE OF GOD "The bush, though on fire, was not consumed." —Exodus 3:2

Consider a burning candle. The flame on the candle eventually burns out when the wax is all consumed. In Jesus, however, we are not like candles which burn out, but rather like the burning bush, which is neither burned out nor consumed (Ex 3:2). Some people are afraid to receive God's love. They fear that the fire of God's love will consume them and they will never be the same. Immersed in God's love, they know they'll have to repent and be dedicated to holiness (Ex 3:5). Yet just as Moses was drawn to the burning bush by the awesomeness of the sight, God's love attracts people despite their fears.God's burning love is a Trinity-love, the fire of love which perpetually arcs between the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. God pours this burning Trinity-love, consuming but not destructive, into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from this love. Be like Moses. Walk toward God, not away from Him. Remove not only your sandals, but any love for the things of the world. Don't be afraid of the overpowering love of God. Many have been hurt by failed human love, but the love of God never fails. Abandon yourself to God's love. Your entire life has been a search for His love. Be true to yourself and true to God. Live in His love. The Lord secures justice, and the rights of all the oppressed." —St. Bonaventure advised: "Look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervor and glowing love."

The Vision Sister Briege McKenna Recieved in 1981

The vision that Sr. Briege McKenna got for Fr. Tomislav Vlasic during a conference in Rome one month before the apparitions in Medjugorje began. Sr. Briege saw a white church with two towers -- and inside the church she saw Fr. Tomislav sitting in the chair of the main celebrant. Living water was flowing from the chair, thousands of people came and drank from the water, and then hurried outside to bring their friends, too.
Neither Sr. Briege nor Fr. Tomislav could identify the church, but only four months later Fr. Tomislav was assistant pastor of Medjugorje, immediately recognizing the church of Sr. Briege's vision when he first saw St. James Church.

Aborting the Future- The mother of Moses disobeyed the unjust law.

ABORTING THE FUTURE"Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, 'Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.' " —Exodus 1:22 Today many babies are aborted just because they're girls, or black, or handicapped, or whatever might be the abiding prejudice of the moment. In the days when the Israelites were in Egypt, the government decreed that baby boys were to be thrown into the river. Moses' mother disobeyed this unjust law, and through a series of miracles her son became the leader that would set the nation free from slavery. Could it be that babies saved from abortion today will grow up to be among the greatest leaders in human history? When we save a baby's life by praying in front of an abortion chamber, we may be saving the life of a new Moses and thereby saving the lives of millions. We may be saving the lives of a whole nation. The Lord promised a reward to those who give a cup of cold water to a lowly one (Mt 10:42). How much greater is the reward for those who save the lives of the lowly ones in the womb? Moses' mother, Jochebed (Nm 26:59), is one of the most important people in history because she resisted an unjust law that condemned her baby to death. Go and do likewise (Lk 10:37). Prayer: Father, may I be willing to give my life to save the lives of children in the womb. Promise: "He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is." —Mt 10:39- St. Henry wrote: "Present glory is fleeting and meaningless, while it is possessed, unless in it we can glimpse something of heaven's eternity."

Body of Christ Prayer Meeting

Body of Christ Prayer Meeting, Saint Charles Church, Providence, Rhode Island.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE RECIEVED

My Little Children,
I am placing my arms around all of you. I am lifting you and placing you into my heart. I want to fill you with a new anointing. I want to fan the flames. I want to bring you to a place of worship. My commend to you is to rejoice. Rejoice for near is the day when your tears will be wiped away and your souls shall dance, and your hearts shall be at peace.
That day is coming and when it does may it find you living your lives in praise and worship.
For that will be the key that unlocks the gates to my Kingdom.

Darleen

Servants to the World

http://www.servantstotheworld.com/recent-releases.html

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Recent video releases from Medjugorje

Da Mihi Animas: Get prayed up!#links#links

Da Mihi Animas: Get prayed up!#links#links
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Matthew Ch. 10 I'm sending you like sheep in the mist of wolves.

You will be like sheep among wolves

MARTYR"

You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them and before the Gentiles on My account." —Matthew 10:18 Jesus is the Truth the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. He does not conceal from us the more difficult realities of following Him. He bluntly states we are sent out "like sheep among wolves" (Mt 10:16).

The government will bring us to trial; the religious leaders will flog us; even our families will turn us over to the police because of our Christian witness. We "will be hated by all" on account of Jesus. We are followers of Jesus, not because we don't know any better, but because we love Him. Naturally, we don't want to suffer or be rejected. Nonetheless, our love for Jesus is stronger than our love of self or our fear of pain. We want to be with our Lord, even at the foot of the cross. We prefer to die with Jesus rather than live without Him. We love Him "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health."Even death will never separate us from Him, for love is stronger than death. Jesus, the Bridegroom, I love You; I live for You.

Jesus, if it be Your will, may I die a martyr's death for love of You.

Father Manlio speaks on Medjugorje

FROM THE ECHO OF MEDJUGORJE: MARY, OUR 'SHEPHERDESS' FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS
[The Echo of Medjugorje in Italy]

Every year thousands of priests fill the presbytery of the Parish of Medjugorje to directly draw from the grace that is abundantly flowing forth from that blessed site. Many bear witness to how their priesthood is constantly renewed by their meeting with Gospa, the Mother of the Church and the mediatrix of grace. With the approach of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the apparitions, we interviewed a priest from Italy’s Marche region, Father Manlio, who is an assiduous visitor to the Shrine.
1. What is Medjugorje for you?
Beginning from what I have read and from the readings and reflections made, Medjugorje is the final point and the completion of the message of Fatima. John Paul II even went so far as to say that today Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world, although he did not officially speak about this, in order to avoid compromising himself and to avoid compromising a phenomenon that is still ongoing.
Our Lady appeared a total of three times in Fatima; in Medjugorje Our Lady has been coming down from Heaven every day for 28 years!
2. Why such prolonged apparitions?
Because the situation of Christianity is very critical and Our Lady is working to change it.People still do not want to accept conversion of the heart. Mary prays for this and she urges people to pray; she wants to save the Church, the family, couples, young people, she wants to save the whole world! She has been appearing for such a long time because she wants to create a model of a Christian community that might know how to welcome her messages and transform them into life!
*3. Why does Medjugorje continue to encounter opposition?
Because so many bishops and priests are not informed, they have failed to take an interest in this phenomenon from the beginning and therefore they are indifferent and apathetic, as though it were a fact of devotionism.
4. What is most surprising about Medjugorje?
The rediscovery of faith, conversion. Those who confess, personally touch this reawakening. There people touch the miracle in various moments, under various forms. Many people who pray and convert, countless prayer groups and charitable associations that were founded there, the expansion of the message everywhere. It is a continuous miracle! The Church will have to deal with this miracle. Medjugorje is the last step in the work that Mary is doing in order to prepare the coming of Jesus; because the triumph of Mary will be the conclusion and it will come about through the preparation of the Kingdom of Christ.
5. Is it right to return often to that place?
Yes, it is right, because we need to recharge ourselves and enrich ourselves spiritually. Nowadays life is rife with problems and if we do not refuel with graces that come to us from Mar, it will be difficult for us to face up to the burdens of everyday life. It is known that the Church is currently undergoing a serious crisis from the point of view of vocations, while many vocations come about in Medjugorje from a living meeting with the Lord.
6. Do you think that this is meaningful?
Certainly! After the conversion of hearts, vocations vocations represent one of the best fruits. One of the criticisms that these apparitions often come up against is that Our Lady speaks too much.
7. In the Gospel Mary limited herself to contemplation, saying very few words, how can weexplain so many messages today?
I have my own opinion on this point. I had also prepared an article in reference to the synod of bishops which took place last October on the Word of God. I compared the theme of the Word of God with the word of Mary.
8. Why does Our Lady speak so much?
In all the latest apparitions,Our Lady has done nothing other than represent the Gospel to us. This insistence has a precise significance: Mary’s intention is to bring us back to the essential, she wants to re-evangelize the Church of today and I believe that She is the personbest suited for the job! This is why the Word of God is not understood and accepted today; it is as though people have become accustomed to it: people think they already know everything! I am convinced that Our Lady, as our Mother, wanted to say to us that the Word as it is communicated to us, is monotonous, cold, stale, a Word that no longer touches our hearts. We need a warmer Word, a Word that comes from our Mother’s heart. Our Lady wants to be today’s catechist. First of all, she listened, she assimilated, as saint Luke wrote. Mary listened, observed and kept…This is because the moment was to come when she would unveil the casket in which she concealed God’s Word. Within the family the father has one role and the mother has another: she is more affectionate, she is more capable of being understood and of sensing the needs of her children. Our Lady wants to give this help to the Church of today.
There is a title that Our Lady attributes to herself during these times: she defines herself as the Divine Shepherdess. If Christ is the Shepherd, Mary is She who continues Christ’s work. Our Lady has many titles!
9. How do Mary’s monthly messages enrich your life as a priest?
I believe that we need to read them, meditate on them, screen them better and make them an exegesis to come to an understanding of the logic that connects them. They would appear to be the same, almost monotonous. But there is something deeper that cannot always be understood, like for example the concept that it is only though prayer that we can come to know God and His Will as regards us. I refuse to say that they are simply repetitive; they are as repetitive as the extent to which we are unable to welcome them and experience them!
I hope that the day will come when all these messages that Our Lady gave in Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje are welcomed and become the object of a more in-depth study; I hope that an international committee might be established on these messages, because Our Lady cannot speak heedlessly, and up to now she has not been given the attention she deserves.
10. Jesus was "a sign of contradiction so that the secrets of many hearts might be unveiled." Is this the case for Mary today?
This goes without saying, there is no need to be surprised about this! It is good that nowadays there are some generous souls who diffuse her messages and who have welcomed the invitation to be Mary’s witnesses.
11. What is the future of Medjugorje?
The time will come in which the Church will have to make a stance…

Tongue Tied

TONGUE-TIED"

Some people brought Him a mute who was possessed by a demon." —Matthew 9:32

In Matthew's Gospel, we go with Jesus on a miracle and healing tour (Mt 8 and 9). Matthew saves the best till last when Jesus looses the tongue of a mute by expelling a demon (Mt 9:33). Three chapters later, Matthew recounts the healing and deliverance of another mute.

The deliverance of the mute is very important to Matthew because he knows that all of us are tongue-tied by the devil in some way. We may not be able to spontaneously pray, enthusiastically praise, or boldly evangelize. We are like Zechariah during the nine months John was in the womb. The devil's got our tongues. If he controls our tongues, he controls our entire bodies.

The Holy Spirit is poured out to free our tongues so we can pray and praise both in our native language and in foreign tongues (Acts 2:4). Either the Spirit looses our tongues and the devil is tied, or our tongues are tied and the devil set free. Our sword against the evil one is the Holy Spirit using our tongues to wield the prophetic word of God. Let's unsheath our tongues and attack the gates of hell.

Holy Spirit, use my tongue for warfare against Satan.

Holy Cards For Your Inspiration: Independence Day..........July 4#links

Holy Cards For Your Inspiration: Independence Day..........July 4#links

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"If My people,
which are called by My name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land."

Medjugorje: Our Lady's Message to Mirjana of July 2, 2009

Here is the message given to the Medjugorje visionary Mirjana when Our Lady appeared to her at the Blue Cross at the base of Apparition Hill this morning.

Dear children! I am calling you because I need you. I need hearts ready for immeasurable love; hearts that are not burdened by vanity; hearts that are ready to love as my Son loved; that are ready to sacrifice themselves as my Son sacrificed himself. I need you. In order to come with me, forgive yourselves, forgive others and adore my Son. Adore him also for those who have not come to know him, those who do not love him. Therefore, I need you; therefore, I call you. Thank you. July 2, 2009