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THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
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EDITOR EMERITUS: JOAN WIESZCZYK
EDITOR: JUNE KLINS
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
PHONE: (814) 898-2143
FR. WILLIAM KIEL
E-MAIL: [email protected]
VOL. 28, NO. 2
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
February 2015
Current Monthly Message of January 25, 2015
ON THE 25TH DAY OF EACH MONTH, THE BLESSED VIRGIN GIVES A MESSAGE TO THE VISIONARY,
MARIJA, THAT IS TO BE GIVEN TO THE WORLD.
Pictured above is the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in St. James
Church in Medjugorje. February 11 is the Feast of Our Lady
of Lourdes and also World Day of the Sick. In his message for
this 23rd World Day of the Sick 2015, Pope Francis wrote, “I
entrust this World Day of the Sick to the maternal protection
of Mary, who conceived and gave birth to Wisdom incarnate:
Jesus Christ, our Lord. O Mary, Seat of Wisdom, intercede as
our Mother for all the sick and for those who care for them!”
“Dear children! Also today I call
you: live your vocation in prayer.
Now, as never before, Satan
wants to suffocate man and his
soul by his contagious wind of
hatred and unrest. In many hearts
there is no joy because there is
no God or prayer. Hatred and
war are growing from day to day.
I am calling you, little children,
begin anew, with enthusiasm, the
walk of holiness and love; since
I have come among you because
of this. Together let us be love
and forgiveness for all those
who know and want to love only
with a human love and not with
that immeasurable love of God
to which God calls you. Little
children, may hope in a better
tomorrow always be in your heart.
Thank you for having responded
to my call.”
Lent and Conversion
By Fr. Bill Kiel
The season of Lent should bring Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which
us to an awareness of our need for He is calling you through the Holy Spirit.” During the Lenten
ongoing conversion. It seems that season, we should reflect on what material goods, what
most of us think about conversion as activities and people have been in our way of developing
a major single move in our spiritual a deep relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
life; but conversion – the deepening Reflect on the question: What changes do I need to make in
of our relationship with Father, Son my life to let the Holy Spirit lead my journey to salvation?
and Holy Spirit – can and should be a
“I call you to a difficult and painful step for your unity with
moment-by-moment experience. Lent my Son. I call you to complete admission and confession of sins,
helps us to focus more intently on our to purification. An impure heart cannot be in my Son and with
sinfulness and repentance. We are my Son. An impure heart cannot give the fruit of love and unity.”
Fr. Bill Kiel
reminded through the words, “help me in my motherly battle Conversion within us will change our hearts and we will
and pray with me that sinners may become aware
live a more Christ-like life of love.
of their sins and repent sincerely,” and again “be
One of the great beauties of Saint James
filled with grace, sincerely repent for your sins and
Church [in Medjugorje] is that it offers the
yearn for the good.” Repentance is a change in
Sacrament of Confession several hours each
our attitude toward God and a change in the
day through the generosity of visiting pilgrim
way we live our lives out of love for God. We
priests and resident priests. It is often called
have been given these words, “Open yourselves
the “confessional of the world” because of the
to Holy Confession so that each of you may accept
numerous countries and people represented!
my call with the whole heart. …you must open
What a blessing it is as a priest to be involved
yourselves to the way of conversion and holiness,
in the Sacrament of Confession in this setting.
that your heart may burn out of love for God.” The
This Season of Lent, let us make an extra effort
Sacrament of Confession frees us of darkness,
to participate in the Sacrament of Confession.
gives us great hope, interior peace and joy.
Pray that God gives you the grace to see your
Confessionals inside
During the season of Lent, the Catholic St. James in Medjugorje sinfulness as God sees you. It is a very beautiful
Church encourages Catholics to participate in
and enlightening experience.
the Sacrament of Penance/Confession. As we participate in
May your Lenten experience be one with many gracethe Sacrament, we express our appreciation for the love God filled conversion moments.
has for us by having His Son suffer and die for our salvation.
Editor’s note: Fr. Kiel will be the spiritual director
We are reminded through the words, “Along with confession of on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje from June 13 through
sins renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and June 22, 2015. For more information, call Dennis at
that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say ‘yes’ to the (H) 724-837-7434 or (W) 724-837-6134 x 207.
Our Lady’s Message to Mirjana on January 2, 2015
Dear children, I am here among you as a mother who desires to help you to come to know the truth. While I lived your life
on earth I had knowledge of the truth, and by this alone, a piece of Heaven on earth. That is why I desire the same for you,
my children. The Heavenly Father desires pure hearts filled with the knowledge of the truth. He desires for you to love all
those whom you meet, because I also love my Son in all of you. This is the beginning of coming to know the truth. Many
false truths are being offered to you. You will overcome them with a heart cleansed by fasting, prayer, penance and the
Gospel. This is the only truth and it is the truth which my Son left you. You do not need to examine it much. What is asked
of you, as I also have done, is to love and to give. My children, if you love, your heart will be a home for my Son and me,
and the words of my Son will be the guiding light in your life. My children, I will make use of you, apostles of love, to help
all of my children to come to know the truth. My children, I have always prayed for the Church of my Son, and so I also ask
the same of you. Pray that your shepherds may come to shine forth with the love of my Son. Thank you.
On January 16, 2015, several months after her 100th birthday, Vilma Smith, a former member of our mailing staff, was called home by
the Lord. Vilma was a very special and amazing lady. We extend our condolences to the family, especially Louise Lotze, Vilma’s daughter.
Louise is a member of our mailing staff and frequent contributor of articles. Please pray for the repose of Vilma’s soul. May she rest in peace.
Our thanks to Diane Niebauer, Diana Englund, Mary Tirak,
Irene and Dan Zuba, Rose Leach, Sue Kirby, Kathy Luschini,
Cindy Bielanin, Barb Sirianni, Celeste Migneault, Vickie DeCoursey,
Georgia Chludzinski, as well as the ladies who want to remain
anonymous, for braving the cold and snow to help with the January
mailing. We thank Judy Pellatt and Diana Stillwell for their photos. And as
always, we thank Pat Berrier, our proofreader, and Jason Klins, our webmaster.
Prayer Intentions of Pope Francis for February
Prisoners: That prisoners, especially the
young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity.
Separated Spouses: That married people
who are separated may find welcome and
support in the Christian community.
As of January 25, 2015, the number of Masses reported for Our Lady’s intentions is 12,112.
February 2015
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THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
More from Jakov - March 2014
people in the world nowadays are hungry.
The following is an excerpt from a talk given
So many children are dying of hunger and at
in March of 2014 by visionary Jakov Colo at the
that same time, we can give thanks to God for
Meeting for Organizers of Pilgrimages Leaders
all that we have and for all that we are given.
of Peace Centers, and Medjugorje Prayer and
All the time, we ask from God for more –
Charity Groups.
”Give me this; give me that.” But we never
We need to pray with the heart as Our Lady
give Him thanks for all we have, our bread
says. Each of our hearts should feel the need
everyday served at our table.
for prayer. Every heart should feel that prayer
Our Lady also said in one of the messages,
is our daily nourishment. No one can pray if
“You have many things. You work a lot, but
he feels obliged to pray. Our Lady never ever
without God’s blessing.” So it’s truly so. We
uses the word here: “You must/you have to.”
can have everything, but yet, if God’s blessing
She simply has been inviting us; so we, by
is missing, we are poor. And we actually don’t
ourselves in our heart, have to feel the need
have anything.
for prayer. Once understood what prayer
Jakov
One other important thing that I always
with the heart is, prayer becomes something
different and becomes an answer to all our questions. I share with all pilgrims, ‘Why come to Medjugorje?’ You
know that many of you who come to Medjugorje – and the do not come to Medjugorje for the visionaries – to see
pilgrims you bring here – you, and they, come with so many visionaries. I know that some visionaries are quite pretty,
questions. They look for many answers and often they come some are not that pretty [laughter]. We do not come to
to us visionaries and ask for answers. I cannot give you an Medjugorje to see the signs. Often people come here and
answer. I can simply say to you what Our Lady has been they wander around and they’re wanting to see the signs,
inviting us to do. I can share with you my experience. And see the sun turning around. Very often, unfortunately, at
who can give us the answer? God. And Our Lady teaches the time of Holy Mass, there are people around looking for
us how to receive that answer, how to open our heart and signs, and yet they do not know that the greatest sign that
how to pray. Our Lady had been inviting us to pray in our was left to us on the earth by Jesus is Holy Mass.
I always say that the sign of Medjugorje – and why
families. So many times Our Lady said,”Put God in the first
place in your family, and find time for God within your Medjugorje is so well-recognized – is because of people who
family.” Our Lady also said that nothing can unite families changed their life here, people who converted here. Many
people come and they say, “I was healed; I received grace.”
like family prayer said together.
I am married. I have three children. And truly, when we And the most beautiful thing I can hear is when people say
pray together, I am happy to see that in that moment there to me, “Jakov, after 40/50 years of my life, I truly understand
is joy in the family – family is united and the power of the what my life meant and understand what kind of life I lived
prayer is seen, because when you see your child praying so far; but from today on, a brand-new life starts for me –
or when you see your child being joyful at that time and brand-new life with God.“ And that’s the most beautiful
that moment, I feel that I’m a good parent. Every child we sign of Medjugorje.
I always say to pilgrims, “When you go back from
have is a gift from God, but we parents, we also have a great
Medjugorje, what do you bring?” Very often we see many
responsibility.
Our Lady also has been inviting us to fast, and when the souvenirs bought – and crosses – this and that, but the
word fasting is mentioned, I often meet some pilgrims and greatest souvenir you can bring home from Medjugorje is
we talk about – what do you think – who finds it the most the message of Our Lady. I believe that every pilgrim who
hard to do the fasting? Italians! My wife is Italian, so I know. comes to Medjugorje is invited by Our Lady to come, and I
And when we say fasting, I say that we are afraid to fast, believe whoever returns home from Medjugorje goes home
even before fasting starts. I’ve given advice to everyone that always with something given. So it’s up to you, through
at the moment when the fasting comes, let us not think about prayer, to understand what you received in Medjugorje,
how we will do it, how we will be able to do it without any and whether you will be able to continue living what you
food, but let us recall about – remember about – the words of received here. Our Lady always says, “Dear children, from
Our Lady when Our Lady said, “Dear children, with fasting today on, I want all of you to be apostles in the world.” And
and prayer, you can obtain anything. You can even stop when you say apostles and you say witnesses, witness is not
wars.” And if we think about these words, then we will be just giving a talk or talking…we have to witness with our
able to start fasting. Often in my heart, I feel sad when I see lives, in order to understand and to see God in us, and to see
pilgrims who come here to Medjugorje. They go around and how God works through us.
Often people ask me, “What is happening in this world?
they ask, “What am I to do – what am I supposed to do?” We
know what we are to do, but yet we do not do it! Our Lady Where is this world guiding us to?” I will say, “Let us not
says, “With prayer and fasting, you can achieve anything.” think about what is happening with the world, but let us
So we can do it, but we should start doing it. But one thing think about what we do about this world.” How much did
is important when it comes to fasting, and that’s what we pray for this world? Our Lady says with prayer and
Our Lady says – to fast in silence and to fast in love. I believe fasting, you can even stop wars – and I believe with prayer
once we learn how to fast in silence and with love, through and fasting, we can even change this world. But everything
fasting, we can also be able to give thanks to God. So many depends on us.
THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
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February 2015
Model of a “Pure Heart”
By June Klins
On November 15, 2014, MaryTv.tv streamed an Evening since I was five, I didn’t know how to pray. It was a voice
of Prayer for Peace with visionary Ivan Dragicevic and that came out of me. And a voice said to me, ‘Ania, you must
Cardinal Cristoph Schoenborn at St. Stephen Cathedral forgive.’ Only two words came out of my mouth, ‘Forgive
in Vienna. One of the witnesses to give testimony was 23 me.’ Two simple words, but very hard to say, very hard to
year-old Ania Goledzinowska, a former model and actress pronounce. When I did it, my heart became so light.”
When Ania returned to Italy, she began to change her
in Italian sitcoms. You can view this testimony by visiting
www.marytv.tv and clicking on the video library on the left- life. After two years, she went back to Medjugorje to live
in a Marian community with nuns. Her old friends asked
hand side and then on evening of prayer, Vienna, 2014.
Ania began her story by saying she was born into a poor her, “What are you doing?” Ania answered, “I’m doing
family in Poland. Her father was an alcoholic. When she was nothing. I’m happy. I’m praying, I’m eating chicken and
10 years old, her father died, and her mother began bringing potatoes. And I’m very happy with it. The life in Medjugorje
many men into their home. One of them abused Ania, and has changed me completely.” They replied, “You’re crazy!”
when Ania told her mother, her mother did not believe her. Ania said that what she had found there could not be
This added to Ania’s sadness of missing her father. She soon bought with money, but her friends did not understand.
Ania said, “I want to tell you that money cannot buy
left her home and her school, and ended up on the streets.
But she was not happy on the streets. “When I was 13, I happiness in your life. I have worked with big famous
Hollywood people like Leonardo DiCaprio, but many of
wanted to kill myself,” she said.
When she was 16, Ania left Poland for Italy “to find them – many of us – would look at our homes and look in
happiness.” She had been promised work as a model, even the mirror and we would understand that we are not happy,
though she was not old enough. They took her passport and because what I want – and what each one of you want – is to
other documents, and wanted her to work as a prostitute. be loved, to be really loved. And who is the one who can give
Fortunately, Ania managed to escape, but she didn’t go back love to each one of us? That is Jesus.”
Ania affirmed, “The most important thing is to love and
to Poland.
to forgive.” She said that after
Ania eventually began to work as a model
many years of not seeing each
on TV in Italy and for agencies. She began to
other, she finally met with her
live the life she used to dream about, but she
mother and they hugged. They
was not happy. “I hated everybody. I hated
became mother and daughter
Poland. I hated my family,” she testified.
again. Ania now understood
One day, a friend invited Ania to go
that she could not blame her
to Medjugorje. She had heard about
mother for her actions, because
Medjugorje prior to this invitation, and
as a child, her mother had not
despite the fact that she did not believe in
gotten enough love from her
it, she agreed to go there. While she was
own parents, so she did not
there, Ania was present for Mirjana’s 2nd
know how to give love herself.
of the month apparition, and she climbed
Ania said that whenever
Apparition Hill. “I stayed there and didn’t
she gives her testimony, she
see anything there or sense anything. I
always recommends that each
thought it was all a big lie; it was all about
The Third Station on Cross Mountain
person there should call at least
money, people wanted to make money.”
Her friend replied, “Ania, you do not understand it, but one person that he or she has not been talking to and ask for
forgiveness. “Although those people hurt you, don’t carry it
your heart has changed.”
As Ania and her friend were about to climb Cross with you. It’s not important, because when you forgive, you
Mountain, her friend said to her, “Ania, think about Jesus. don’t forgive for him or her – you’ll be forgiving for yourself.
Think about Calvary.” Ania retorted, “I have my own And that said, you can open your hearts and take your heart
problems, so why should I think about Jesus and His with all bad feelings and all bad thoughts THAT ARE NOT
problems?” Despite her feelings, she went anyway. When ALLOWING GOD TO WORK WITHIN YOUR HEART.
they reached the Third Station, Ania said, “I’m not going MANY TIMES WE ASK GOD FOR MERCY, BUT IF OUR
any farther from this point.” And then she heard a voice. HEART IS FULL OF ANGER AND RAGE, THEN THERE
Ania described the voice as “not a special voice – it’s a voice IS NO PLACE FOR GOD. There is no road that can heal us
that is speaking to each one of us when we were born, but in before we forgive, and there is no way that will take us to
today’s life, we don’t hear that voice anymore.” The voice Paradise, to Heaven, unless we forgive.”
Ania related that the first thing the nuns wanted her to do
said, “Ania, if you don’t climb, you won’t understand the
reason why you are here.” Ania felt a great peace. Then she when she went to live with them was to clean the bathroom.
looked at all the old ladies climbing the hill, and realized Ania snapped, “I’m not doing the bathroom!” The nun said
that if they could make it, then she could, too. When she to her, “Oh yeah? Is that so? Then from today you will clean
reached the top and saw the white cross, she knelt down all the bathrooms of the community.” Ania acknowledged,
and began to pray. “It wasn’t me who was praying, because “And since then, I have cleaned many bathrooms, but I did
February 2015
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THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
totally in chastity. And when he or
it with a big smile on my face, because every
she [your boyfriend/girlfriend] says,
suffering that we are giving to God, offering to
no [to chastity], and he or she leaves
God, is one step on the way to Heaven. Many
you…that means that they are only
times when I was cleaning those bathrooms, it
with you because they want only your
came to me as if I was cleaning my soul – all the
body.” Ania encouraged everyone to
sin that collected in my soul for all those years.”
seek “true love” because everyone
“My life has changed. I was Mary Magdalene
has a need to be “loved truly.” She
before she became holy. In Medjugorje, I have
concluded, “And the true love that is
changed and I started to live in chastity.” A fruit
above all is Jesus.”
of her conversion is an association Ania created –
Ania is certainly a “model” of a
called “Pure Hearts” – for those who have chosen
“pure heart.”
to live in chastity until marriage, respecting
Editor’s note: I read this article into a
God and themselves. As a sign of recognition,
voice-recognition program that did the
there are rings for all members. With that ring,
typing for me. I wasn’t even touching
members go to a priest and take a vow to live in
Ania showing her ring
the keyboard. I did not give a command
chastity until marriage. Ania was told that she
to put the words you saw on pg. 4 in ALL
would never be able to find even 50 people to do
this, but now there are more than 7,000! Ania said, “Today CAPS. Some may say it’s a bug in the program, but I really
that army of Satan is very big and he, with his passion to feel it is important for people to know that Our Lady/God
make us feel like we’re in love, but that’s not the truth.” She wants us to really pay attention to those words, and that they
continued, “Let us try to live how Jesus is telling us to live, are not my emphasis.
Mary and the Eucharist
Editor’s note: I recently found, in my files, the following
reflection from Marifel La O’, one of our subscribers from the
Philippines, and thought it was worth sharing.
I just read a beautiful article on “Mother Mary and the
Eucharist” from Totus Tuus Maria, Oct. 2005 issue, and
thought I’d share it with all of you.
The reply St. Bernadette Soubirous gave was very
beautiful when someone put this tricky question to her:
“What would please you more, to receive Holy Communion
or to see the Madonna in the grotto?” The little Saint thought
for a minute, and then answered, “What a strange question!
The two cannot be separated. Jesus and Mary always go
together.”
We know, too, that united to the Divinity in the Eucharist
there is Jesus’ Body and Blood taken from the body and
blood of the Blessed Virgin. Therefore at every Holy
Communion we receive, it would be quite correct, and a
very beautiful thing, to take notice of our Holy Mother’s
sweet and mysterious presence, inseparably united with
Jesus in the Host...He is Flesh of her flesh and Blood of her
blood. If Adam could call Eve, when she had been taken
from his rib, “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”
(Gen2:23), cannot the Holy Virgin Mary even more rightly
call Jesus “Flesh of my flesh and Blood of my blood”? Taken
from the “intact Virgin,” as says St. Thomas Aquinas, the
flesh of Jesus is the maternal flesh of Mary, the blood of
Jesus is the maternal blood of Mary. Therefore it will never
be possible to separate Jesus from Mary. (From Jesus Our
Eucharistic Love by Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M.)
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
This prayer was said by St. John Paul II during his August 15, 2004 visit to Lourdes,
France.
Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman, Blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope,
dawn of a new era, we join in your song of praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy, to
proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and the full liberation of humanity.
Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin,
holy dwelling-place of the Word, teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, and
to be docile to the voice of the Spirit, attentive to His promptings in the depths of our
conscience and to His manifestations in the events of history.
Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living! Virgin spouse beneath the
Cross, the new Eve, be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience
and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on
which your Son is still crucified.
Hail Mary, Woman of faith, first of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help
us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the
Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of
silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.
Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.
THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
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Lourdes Grotto which is a frequent stop
on the way to Medjugorje
February 2015
Turning Off the TV for Lent
By Sr. Emmanuel
Laureen is an active young woman in a big city of Holland.
She is single and works with much zeal, spreading Gospa’s
messages. She never finds herself jobless when it comes to
serving Her! The experience she shares here may inspire us
to make good use of our freedom!
“I had not watched TV for 15 years. But four months ago
I got a subscription. My objective was to stay in touch with
world events. But after four months I had to cancel my
subscription. I had the clear conviction that this was the
right decision to make. Why?? Because when I watched TV
at night, I became empty. Even if it was a news program
informing me of the day’s events in the world so that I could
pray for them afterwards – no way, it just didn’t work for
me. Each time, the same thing happened: after watching TV
for an hour, I could no longer pray because my heart became
hard, and something in me was cut off from God, from my
source. Then I wouldn’t pray for the events, because my
mind was confused. I asked myself why, and I found the
answer: when I watch TV, the spirit of the world enters
my heart. At the moment I press the button, I plug myself
into the spirit of the world – I consciously say “YES” to it.
Then this spirit eats away what is related to God in me and I
become emptier and emptier.
“Upon deciding to get rid of TV, I acted immediately by
canceling my subscription the next day. As I mailed the
letter, great joy came into my heart. I was immersed in a
light and could feel that Heaven agreed with my decision.
Then I said to the Blessed Mother: ‘Since I will not spend an
hour watching the evening news on TV, I am going to give
this hour to the Rosary.’ From that day onward, I have been
praying a whole Rosary every night. While I used to waste
my time and my life in the Spirit by watching TV, now I
feel I am not wasting my time at all! Besides, since I have
been praying the Rosary, I have felt a great urge to fast. I
can see it clearly: by being consistent in one thing, one gets
the strength to grow and be able to be consistent in other
things too. Praying the Rosary every night has given me
the strength and the space to fast on bread and water as the
Blessed Mother is asking.
“I don’t mean to generalize, since this is my own way to
give God the first place in this time of my life. I’ve discerned
that it was God’s desire for me to get rid of TV, at least the
way TV is offered right now. If we chose to watch TV, then
a great vigilance is needed in order to be protected from the
evil one. He is so active through some programs!”
[Sr. Emmanuel:] In the ‘80s, Gospa sometimes mentioned
TV, however She never forbade it nor asked that we throw
our TV sets away. As a Mother, She knows well that this
would be too hard for some of Her children (those who suffer
from depression or excessive
loneliness have sometimes
only their TV to hear and see
other folks). Besides, some
programs are very good. It’s
up to us to produce many
more good ones! But for the
fasting days, Our Lady said:
- “If you do not have the
strength to fast on bread and
water, you can give up other
things. It would be a good
thing to renounce television,
because after watching some
programs, you are distracted
and unable to pray...”
(December 8, 1981).
- “If you watch the
Sr. Emmanuel
programs, if you look at the
newspapers, your mind is filled with news, then there is no
longer any place for me in your hearts” (April 17, 1986).
To the prayer group of young people formed and guided
by her in Medjugorje during seven years, She said:
- “Renounce all passions and all inordinate desires. Avoid
television, particularly evil programs, excessive sports,
the unreasonable enjoyment of food and drink, alcohol,
tobacco...” (First of their rule, given to Jelena Vasilj on June
16, 1983).
Mary also wishes that we switch off TV during the nine
days before great feast days like Easter and Christmas. She
has asked that our families gather and, with the Bible in
hand, we share about the texts related to the coming feast
(as the Jews do).
Finally, here is another part of Laureen’s letter to us: “At
night, no matter how late it is, I pray for an hour before I
go to bed. This is the time when joy enters my heart and
when everything falls into place. Of course, it is important
to make contact with others in order to grow in the spiritual
life, through telephone calls for example, but I realize that
this becomes possible only after having immersed myself
in God’s presence through prayer. Prayer first, then the rest
follows! Concretely, if I have to decide whether I’ll talk
with someone or pray, I will give priority to prayer. Thus,
I may receive the inner freedom that I need to be led by the
Holy Spirit. It is He who then can inspire me to make contact
with someone or not.”
Children of Medjugorje, www.childrenofmedjugorje.com,
May 15, 2004
There are 40 days of Lent. The number 40 in the Bible signifies a period of testing, trial or preparation. How many
events can you recall from the Bible that involved the number 40? You probably remembered the fast of Jesus in the
desert, and the period of time between the Resurrection and the Ascension, and the flood in the days of Noah. But
did you remember Moses’ fast on Mt. Sinai? Israel’s journey in the desert? Maybe you got those, but how about the
more obscure ones – the twelve spies’ inspection of Canaan? Israel’s oppression by the Philistines? Elijah’s fasting?
Ninevah’s chance to repent at the preaching of Jonah? Pat yourself on the back if you got at least six of them. According
to the Catholic Bible Concordance, the number 40 is mentioned 180 times in the Bible. Have a blessed Lent!
February 2015
-6-
THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
Our Lady and Vocations
By Ray McGreevy
The following is an excerpt from a column called “Medjugorje words to Our Lady in his best handwriting, “Dear Mary,
please make me a priest. Your son, Joseph.” At that time,
Calls,” written for a secular newspaper in Ireland.
On December 28, 2014, the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Joseph said his Rosary without thinking very much about
Mark Davies (Shrewsbury, England) in a Pastoral Letter, it, but happily followed the family custom. He knew, from
spoke of the special vocation and mission of the family: “On all his mother had told him, that Mary was a wonderful
this Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, as we celebrate the woman.
Today, Father Joseph radiates such happiness being a
holiness of family life and begin a ‘Year for Vocations,’ we
should reflect on the Vocation and Mission of the Family.” priest. “For me,” he says, “each time I change the bread into
Practically 100% of vocations to priesthood and religious life the Body of Christ, and the wine into the Blood of Christ, is
begin in the family, where faith and devotion are nurtured a very moving experience.”
Once Ireland was known worldwide as the Land of
and developed by example and prayer.
Our Lady’s message of May 16, 1987: “Dear Children! It is Saints and Scholars. Every parish had not one, but two
a great thing when God calls men. Think how sad it would priests spreading the Word of God. Many more priests from
be to refuse these opportunities which God gives. So do not Ireland responded to the call to become missionaries and
wait for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Say ‘Yes’ to travelled to every corner of the world to spread the Word
of God to many who had never heard of God, and many
Jesus now! And may this ‘Yes’ be forever.”
Father Joseph Quinn travelled from Ireland to Medjugorje gave their lives to do so. Ireland was truly the land of Saints
to give thanks to the Mother of God. At a very young age, and Scholars, each family hoping and praying for at least
he had begun to turn on his “headlights” under Our Lady’s one vocation to carry out God’s plan for the salvation of
guidance. Little Joseph was only nine years old when his mankind.
Our Lady’s message October 25, 1994: “Dear Children! I
uncle, who was suffering from cancer, was preparing to
make a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Joseph was surprised to invite you to open yourselves up and live, taking the saints
see friends and neighbors coming to his house to give as an example. The Mother Church has chosen them that
mysterious envelopes to his uncle. His mother explained they may be an inspiration for your daily life.”
Each one of us should, in these difficult times, through
to him that these people were sending their intentions to
Our Lady of Lourdes, who would read them and answer prayer and sacrifice, give to our children the encouragement
and example to nurture vocations as we had once before,
them according to God’s will.
An idea then took root in the child’s mind. Without saying and assist Our Blessed Mother in Her mission to conquer the
anything to anyone, he ran to his room and wrote these forces of evil so evident in the modern times.
St. Rita and Fasting
By June Klins
As I mentioned last month, St. Rita is our patron saint this
year, and I found many connections between her life and
Our Lady’s messages.
While researching the life of St. Rita, I found an interesting
book from 1916, which is available online for free, The Life of
Sister Saint Rita of Cascia, Order of St. Augustine:… In this
book, the author, Rev. Joseph Sicardo, a Spanish Augustinian
priest, wrote that St. Rita, when she became a nun (after the
death of her husband and sons), observed strict fasting. She
observed three Lents a year! Can you imagine??? We have
trouble handling one Lent.
St. Rita fasted on the vigils of the feasts of Our Lady and
the saints to whom she had devotion. She took only bread
and water for her meals, and ate just enough to sustain life.
She never allowed any excuse to interfere with her fast and
abstinence.
Aware of how powerful fasting can be, the devil besieged
St. Rita to stop her fasting. He told her that if she did not
stop fasting, she would soon die. On the contrary, for more
than 40 years, St. Rita lived a life of penance and fasting but
was not ill for a single day during that time!
Our Lady has requested that we fast on Wednesdays and
Fridays, and has said that the best fast is on bread and water.
Fasting is, by far, the
hardest message to follow,
but it is important enough
for Our Lady to mention
Bread at a breakfast table in
it over 190 times in Her
Medjugorje
messages, including the
January 2 message (see page 2). Our Lady has said that by
prayer and fasting, we can stop wars and can change the
course of nature. How powerful is that?!!! Why don’t more
people do this?
Lent is around the corner – a good time to begin fasting.
As the visionaries advise, start slowly or you could get
discouraged and quit. It is also good to find a prayer partner
or a prayer group for encouragement. There are a number
of good books available about fasting, including those by
Fr. Slavko and Sr. Emmanuel. There is also helpful
information about fasting on the website livethefast.org.
And don’t forget to invoke our saint, St. Rita, who will be
more than happy to help you in your fasting journey.
Editor’s note: I have sometimes found myself in the position
of “fasting coach” for our subscribers who call me, but my time
is extremely limited. If anyone is willing and has time to be a
“fasting coach,” please contact me.
Every issue I try to feature at least one of Our Lady’s “five stones.” When I finished this issue, I realized that all five
stones were mentioned! Can you spot them? If you forgot what they are, you can find them listed on page 8.
THE SPIRIT OF MEDJUGORJE
-7-
February 2015
The Spirit of Medjugorje
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MARY IS CALLING YOU
On June 24, 1981 in Medjugorje, Our Lady appeared to six
children. She identified Herself as the Blessed Virgin, Queen of
Peace, and has continued to appear daily. Her message is PEACE,
peace with God and man. Her words to the visionaries, “I have
come to tell the world that God exists. He is the fullness of life, and
to enjoy this fullness and obtain peace, you must return to God.”
Today, all but three of the visionaries have daily apparitions of
the Blessed Mother. During the apparitions, the visionaries do not
react to light, don’t hear any sound or react to being touched. They
feel that they are outside of time and space. All the visionaries
declare to see the Blessed Virgin as they see other people - in three
dimension. They pray and speak with Her.
The Blessed Mother is confiding ten secrets to each visionary
(some are chastisements for the world) and promises to leave a
visible sign at the place of the apparitions in Medjugorje for all
humanity. This time, this period of grace, is for CONVERSION
and a DEEPENING OF FAITH. After the visible sign, those still
living will have little time for conversion.
Father Jozo Zovko, who was the pastor of St. James when
the apparitions began, has spoken about what he calls “the
weapons” or the “the five stones” of Our Lady. They are: prayer
with the heart, especially the Rosary; Eucharist; Holy Bible;
monthly Confession; and fasting.
The publisher recognizes and accepts that the final authority
regarding the apparitions at Medjugorje rest with the Holy See in
Rome.
To borrow an original prayer cloth from Medjugorje for a
week, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address
below. You must include your phone number. If you want a
prayer cloth we made to keep, send a self-addressed stamped
business size (4 1/8” x 9 1/2”) envelope with $.70 postage on it.
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