Dear Children, Also today I invite you to
fasting and renunciation. My Children, renounce that which impedes
you from being closer to Jesus. In particular I invite you to pray
because it is only with prayer that you can dominate your will and
discover God's will, even in the least of things.
Through your day-to-day living, my Children, you become an example
and you testify that you either live for Jesus or are against Him and
against His will.
My Children, I desire that you become apostles of Love. From your
love, my Children, it is seen that you are mine. Thank you for
responding to my call.
On the day of the Annunciation Mary invites us to renounce all
those things which impede us from being closer to Jesus. In a
continuation of the previous message, Mary, a true teacher, goes
straight to the heart of the matter. Knowing that Jesus is our life,
She teaches us to remain close to Him and to renounce everything that
removes us from Him.
St. John of the Cross said: "You don't need a rope to tie down a bird
to stop it from flying; all you need is a thread." Threads are the
things which our human nature loves in a disorderly way, and though
they may not appear sinful, they tie us down and occupy space in our
hearts, keeping us detached from Jesus. Thus, we must give priority,
not to the things we like, but to the things God likes, and to what
is dutiful and useful for our fellow men. God will give us the light
to see the things which please Him, and help us discover new
horizons.
The things we renounce for love's sake will help us to dominate our
rebellious will and to discover and love God's will. How can this be
done? It is clear that the way is prayer! "It is only with prayer
that you can overcome your will and discover God's will even in the
least of things."
It is not enough to know God's will in a general sense; we need to
discover God's will even in the little things, and substitute our
will with His. This is possible only with prayer, however the result
will be incredibly great, it will be communion with Jesus in our
day-to-day lives.
Our entire day must be lived in His Name - this is what our prayer
should lead us to. We need to give as much space as possible to God
so He can fill it with His Holy Spirit, to allow Jesus to live in us
- in all our actions, and decisions, and our ways of relating with
others - so that bit by bit we become His and only His. Then we will
be able to say with sincerity: It is no longer I who live, but Christ
who lives in me (Gal 2:20). This indwelling of Christ in us is made
possible by the action of the Holy Spirit; however, we must also do
our part. Hence Mary's constant invitation to prayer and fasting.
These two things must be very important if She keeps on reminding us
to do them!
Fasting is sobriety at meals; it is reducing things to the essential,
and the essential is bread and water. The fasting asked of us,
though, is more than this; it has to do with our way of being at all
times, such as: remaining silent when words might hurt, being humble
before the orgy of pride, submission rather than dominion, donation
rather than possession. It takes prayer, much prayer, before we are
able to live this fast which is renouncement of everything which
impedes Jesus from growing in us.
Mary makes it clear that there are only two possibilities: to either
live for Jesus or be against Him and against His will. He who is not
with me is against me (Lk 11:23). Our every action, our every gesture
is either for, or is against Jesus. No act, no matter how
insignificant, is neutral; our attitude, our thoughts, reflect either
the acceptance of or the refusal of God. St. Paul went as far as
saying: Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Rom 14:23).
Prayer, and nothing else, gives us the strength to overcome our will,
to give it direction and to subordinate it to God's will. Thanks to
prayer we will discover God even in the smallest of things. Hence,
every gesture of love; every sacrifice, no matter how little, bears
with it an infinite capacity for redemption and resurrection, for us
and for others, because Jesus multiplies its effects, as with the
five loaves and two fish (Mk 6:38-44) with which Jesus fed more than
5,000 people. As yeast is hidden in the flour, so are we to be in the
world; without imposing ourselves upon anyone, we are to be the yeast
of Love in the world, to ensure the Bread of Life for mankind.
Our Lady wants Her children to radiate light to everyone so others
are won over by love; that the flame of Her Heart may descend upon
all men. Her wish is that we become apostles of Love. Jesus said:
They will know you are mine if you love one another, as I have loved
you; and Our Lady repeats: From your love it is seen that you are
mine.
Dear Children, I invite you today to open
yourselves up to God through prayer; like a flower which opens up to
the rays of the morning sun.
My little Children, do not fear! I am with you and I intercede for
each of you before God, that your hearts may accept the gift of
conversion. It is the only way, my Children, for you to comprehend
the importance of Grace in these times; and God will be closer to
you. Thank you for responding to my call.
Without tiring, Our Lady again invites us to pray, for everything
depends on it, and without it nothing can be moved. If we open
ourselves up to God, like a flower which opens to the rays of the
morning sun, then life in us is revived, we are given to understand
what God wants from us, and we enter into a new relationship of love
with Him and our fellow men. Prayer which does not take us to
conversion is not true prayer; it is not an encounter with God before
which evil cannot stand.
Why would Mary tell us immediately after not to fear? We have so many
fears for the future, and worries for our health and family, etc.
which impede us from being open to God; they make our prayer anxious
and fruitless. The prayer which Mary speaks of brings us conversion;
it takes us from fear to trust in God. Fear is worry about oneself;
it is restlessness and disappointment. Conversion is an open heart; a
heart lifted up to God which trusts in an almighty Father, which
feels safe in His arms.
Being near to God will cause in us feelings of disgust for sin. Life
with God will be so beautiful that sin will frighten us. To know how
great is His love, which we offended or ignored, will make us cry out
of repentance, but also out of joy.
Conversion is to abandon our pharisaical ways of thinking, our ideas,
our material and spiritual wealth. Our Lady has asked us many times
to be surrendered completely to God; to place all our trust in Him,
but we are afraid to do so. Perhaps we still have too much trust in
ourselves, and the idea of total abandonment in Him frightens us.
Conversion is the target of Our Lady's messages, so far, and prayer
is the means by which to reach it. Prayer which opens us up to the
Lord, is prayer which requires time; during which one may offer
petitions, or let God guide us and penetrate us. A quick, superficial
prayer said out of habit does not open our hearts, just as a flower
cannot open in unsuitable conditions where the earth is poor and air
and water lack.
Conversion is a gift from God; itcreated the saints. Mary assures us
that She will help us receive it. I am with you and I intercede for
each of you. Knowing that She loves and knows us just the way a
mother loves and knows each of her children, and that She intercedes
for each of us, is reason for immense joy and hope, and should get
rid of our fear of failing.
Mary is doing all She can so we receive the great grace of
conversion. Then you will comprehend the grace of my presence here,
as if to say: Can't you see that for the sake of your conversion I
have been amongst you for 17 years? I am here to bring you closer to
God, that you may live in Him and He in you. God is infinite; thus
our flower will continue to open up without ever being able to
contain all the sun and life of God. That is why our prayer which
opens us up to Him, must never cease, and our Christian commitment
must never stop. Fr. Angelo
The Pope on Christ's coming - At the general audience of 22 April
the Pope spoke of Christ's second coming at the end of time. "This
eschatological perspective is a continuous call to hope and to
involvement in the Church and in the world. The final event is to be
understood not only as a future goal, but as a reality which began
with Christ's historical coming." This two-fold dimension, of present
and future, "is apparent in Jesus' words. Hereafter you will see the
Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the
clouds of heaven (Mt 26,64) - this is the historical process which
has already begun and is moving towards its fullness," and is its
present sense. "They will see the Son of man coming in clouds with
great power and glory (Mk 13:26) - these words indicate that the
second coming of the Son of Man will not take place in the weakness
of flesh, but in divine power."
"The apocalyptic images of the eschatological discourse about the end
of all things express the precariousness of the world and the
sovereign power of Christ, in whose hands has been placed the destiny
of humanity. History advances towards its goal, but Christ has not
specified any chronological date. Attempts to predict the end of the
world are therefore deceptive and misleading. Christ has assured us
only that the end will not come before the Gospel of the kingdom is
preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations
(cf. Mt 24:14). The evangelization of the world involves the profound
transformation of the human person under the influence of Christ's
grace...
On the 22nd April a gust of fresh air blew over St. John's Piazza
in Rome, which usually holds left-wing meetings. The square was alive
with the joy of the youth, and oddly enough, the theme of the day
was: "Take up your Cross." Fifty thousand Roman youth turned up for
the preparatory meeting in view of the XIII World Youth Day to be
held in Rome in the Jubilee year of 2000. John Paul II used no half
terms; he spoke the truth, which liberates people from their
illusions and keeps them safe from disappointment. The cross is not a
stranger to the life of man. It is rather the first letter of God's
alphabet. It is written in the life of man, and to desire to exclude
it from one's existence is to want to ignore the reality of the human
condition.
Everyone experiences the cross: We were made for life, yet we cannot
eliminate suffering and trials from our personal history. Even the
youth experience this in their daily lives: when the family lacks
harmony, when study is difficult, when one's feelings are not
reciprocal, when it becomes impossible to find a job, when for
economical reasons one is forced to mortify the project of forming a
family, when one has to fight sickness or solitude, and the risk of
becoming a victim of the dangerous void where values don't exist.
Before all this, says the Pope, you must watch out for the widespread
cult of the ephemeral which assigns values to that which appears
beautiful and pleasing; it wants to make you believe that the cross
should be removed.
In the face of the illusory myths of the world (success, rapid career
and achievement at all costs, sexuality without responsibility,
living without projects and respect for others), the Pope warns, open
your eyes up wide, my dear young people, for this is not the way that
leads to joy and life, but is the path which sinks into sin and
death. Jesus makes no illusions; with the truth of His words, which
sound hard but fill the heart with peace, He shows us the secret of
authentic living.
He is God-with-us, Who came to share our existence. He does not
abandon us on the cross. If the cross is accepted it generates
salvation and serenity; the many testimonies among the young
believers are proof. In St. Peter's a few days later - on Palm Sunday
- another stage in the preparation of the World Youth Day was held
when the young French youth, guided by Cardinal Lustiger from Paris,
handed over the big wooden cross, the symbol of the WYD, to the Roman
youth, guided by Cardinal Ruini from Rome.
The last World Youth Day was held in Paris; the next one will be in
Rome. The young people pass on the 'baton' (which in Italian is
called 'testimony') in an ideal relay among the various countries.
Over the next two years it will go around all the dioceses of Italy.
The significance of the celebration was summarized by the Pope
himself during the homily: Your choice, young Christians, is clear:
discover in the cross of Christ the sense of your existence and the
fount of your missionary enthusiasm. Mirco
After Cuba, the Pope visited Nigeria where he voiced the dramatic
situation and the hope of all Africa. Nigeria is in the grip of a
military regime - the president elected with a liberal vote has been
in prison for 4 years - and social development is undermined by
corruption and internal warfare. To this suffering nation the Pope
took the announcement of resurrection.
A mighty voice rose to demand justice; a man who walks with
difficulty, and exhausted by the heat, he did not hush before the
nation's leaders: All Nigerians must work to rid society of
everything that offends the dignity of the human person or violates
human rights. This means reconciling differences, overcoming ethnic
rivalries, and injecting honesty, efficiency and competence into the
art of governing. It requires men and women who profoundly love their
own people and wish to serve rather than be served.
For the Mass of 22 March in the Catholic city of Onitsha (42° in
the shade), the two million people present for the beatification of
Fr. Tansi arrived hours ahead of the Pope, and danced and sung during
the wait. The Mass continued till 2 pm. With the exposition of the
relics and the unveiling of the blessed's picture, a wave of
exultation and rejoicing broke out over the crowd. The Pope said of
Bl. Tansi: a man of God and a man of the people, he spread the joy of
reconciliation and restored communion with God.
The Pope invited Nigerians to defend the family; and while praising
the African culture and tradition for the way in which it holds
family in the highest regard, he also denounced the racket of
prostitution and child abduction. "We must all work for a world in
which no child will be deprived of peace and security, of a stable
family life, of the right to grow up without fear and anxiety."
The Pope met a group of Muslim leaders (16 years ago when the Pope
first visited Nigeria, they refused to meet him). May Christians and
Muslims collaborate in the defence of life and in the promotion of
human rights for all; that there be no more violence in the name of
religion.
The Pope proposes neither a political nor a social project, but the
project of God in the world; that is his strength and the hope for
all men of good will.
Changes in Cuba; not only due to greater religious freedom, but to a change in US politics. Italian press reported on 24.3.98 that the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright - who met the Pope twice during her visit to Italy - said that the recent humanitarian aperture towards Cuba came about after the Pope's visit to Havana.
The Pope's Cross. He is a man whose daily activities are
enormous, who is weighed down by his years, various operations, and
by moral and physical suffering which accompany him daily, but he has
a super abundance of will power, and for love of the Church and
fellow men he subjects himself to gruelling voyages to bring the
Gospel to the ends of the earth. When he departed from Rome the
temperature was 15°; in Nigeria the temperature was 50°. To
see him damp with perspiration, under the weight of his vestments, to
celebrate a lengthy Mass, read discourses and pronounce words without
giving in to tiredness and fatigue, was to see the Face of the
suffering Christ on his way up Calvary, with the only aim of carrying
out God's Will till the very end..
Thus, the Pope advances amid suffering; ever ready, always prepared,
for his many appointments: with the crowds, liturgical assemblies,
and individuals. If we compare his cross with the little pains that
we are unable to bear we will comprehend what it means to give
oneself totally to the Gospel's cause. But the Lord keeps him: his
mind is incredibly clear, and present, and his moral strength is such
that he lacks nothing to enable him to face his huge job every day.
* The Holy Father will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his election as Pope on the 16th October 1998. May our prayer for him never cease! On that day we could offer him the gift of a Holy Mass, for his intentions.
When St. Paul asked the disciples of Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit they said: 'No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit' (Acts 19:2). There must be a reason why even in our times the Holy Spirit has been called "the great stranger.' In truth He is the true conductor of our spiritual life. Hence, in this year of the Holy Spirit, we will try to know Him and His work with this brief, but rich lesson by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa.
1. Does the old testament mention the Holy Spirit? The opening
words of the Bible are: In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon
the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face
of the waters (Gn 1:1). The world had been created but it was without
form. There was chaos and darkness in the world; it was an abyss.
That is, until the Lord's Spirit began to move over the waters; then,
creation began to emerge. And there was the cosmos.
We have before us a piece of beautiful symbolism. St. Ambrose
interpreted it thus: The Holy Spirit is He Who makes the world pass
from chaos to cosmos, that is, from confusion and darkness to
harmony.
In the Old Testament the features of the Holy Spirit are not yet
clearly defined, but we do learn of the way He acts, and it is
manifested mostly in two ways, as if He uses two different wave
lengths.
Charismatic Action. God's Spirit comes; rather, it bursts onto some
people, giving them extraordinary powers, though temporarily, so they
can fulfil certain tasks for Israel, God's people. It comes onto the
artists who have to plan and realize the objects of worship; it
enters the kings of Israel so they can suitably govern God's people:
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his
brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from
that day forward (1 Sam 16:13). The same Spirit comes onto God's
prophets so His will is revealed to the people; it is the Spirit of
prophecy which animated the prophets of the Old Testament up to the
time of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. I am filled with
power, with the Spirit of the Lord; and with justice and might, to
declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin (Mic
3:8).
This is the charismatic action of God's Spirit; action destined
mostly for the good of the community, through those people who
receive it.
There is another manner in which God's Spirit is manifested; it is
His sanctifying action meant to transform people from within; to give
them a new heart and new feelings. The receiver of the Lord's Spirit
in this case is no longer the community, but the individual. We see
this second type of action towards the end of the Old Testament, in
the book of Ezekiel, where God says: A new heart I will give you, and
a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh
the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my
spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be
careful to observe my ordinances (Ez 36:26-27). It can also be seen
in the famous psalm no. 51, the "Miserere," where the psalmist
implores: Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy
Spirit from me.
We begin to see the Spirit of the Lord as an inner transforming
power, which changes man, raising him above his natural
wickedness.
A mysterious power. In the Old Testament, however, the features of
the Holy Spirit are still not well defined. St. Gregory Nazianzen
said of the way the Holy Spirit was revealed: "In the Old Testament
we clearly get to know the Father (God, the Creator) and we learn a
little of the Son (in fact, some messianic texts speak of Him, though
in a veiled manner). In the New Testament we come to know very well
the Son because He became flesh and came among us, but we also get to
know a little of the Holy Spirit: Jesus announces to the disciples
that after Him will come the Paraclete. At long last," continues St.
Gregory, "in our times, of the Church after the Resurrection, the
Holy Spirit is among us and we can know Him. God's way of teaching is
very gradual; almost light after light, in a slow rhythm, He takes us
to the full light of the Trinity."
The Old Testament is entirely pervaded by the breath of the Holy
Spirit. But, of course, we cannot forget that the books of the OT are
His greatest sign, because according to Christian doctrine, they were
inspired by Him.
His first action was to give us the Bible, which speaks of Him and of
His work in the hearts of men. When we open the Bible with faith, and
not just as scholars or out of curiosity, we meet the mysterious
breath of the Spirit. It is not an abstract or fleeting experience;
many Christians when they read the Bible are aware of the Spirit's
fragrance and are deeply convinced of the living action of the Word:
"That word was for me; it is light for my life."
Is western rationalism a Christian value? - "The limit of
western culture is rationalism, which is wanting to reduce historical
or human events to something tangible. Thus, God of the western world
is no longer mysterious, for he has undergone 'theological
therapy.'
The western world thought it could make others fit God into schemes
and human parameters, so that fear of God appears totally overcome.
One of my fellow brothers said: "They made him so small, it's as
though they needed to put Him in their pocket." But God is the
Supreme Being, the true Lord of the universe. This western way of
thinking inevitably creates tension in the relations with our
cultures and traditions, given that Africa on the whole is still far
from this.
(Msgr. Milingo)
Rationalist theologians - I was convinced that all
theologians were God-fearing men, appointed to give explanations and
to make others 'grow' in the faith. What a surprise when (at least in
some cases) I discovered that their opinions were contrary to Church
teachings, and moreover, widely amplified by the mass media. Rather
than serene and constructive criticism, theirs was dissent. It is all
fruit of rationalism, so domineering that even the 'irrational' has
to respond to the criteria of our 'rationality' and physical
'laws'.
(From "Alla ricerca del Paradiso perduto")
From Bologna Cardinal Biffi said in response to the observation
that too much time is spent on organization and management of the
Church's various structures: "We have all heard of the fight between
David and the giant Goliath. In the beginning Saul made David wear
his armour, but it was so heavy that David took it off and went to
look for five stones in the river.
Well, I believe that present-day Christianity is in a similar
situation. It has been clothed with heavy armour: an incredible
amount of assemblies, meetings, councils and congresses. Commissions
are formed, these are linked to others on a regional level, then on
national and inter-national levels. The armour gets heavier while
David gets smaller.
I calculated that in one year I spent 58 days at meetings; two
months, not for pastoral activity and to announce Christ, but to
discuss how to organize pastoral activity. Too much! We also, need to
rid ourselves of the armour and go looking for the five stones in the
river; that is, for the profound meaning of Jesus Christ, sole
Saviour of the world, and for the deep meaning of man's identity. In
other words, the profound truths of Christianity, and make them
become the start to our life and to our pastoral activity."
("Avvenire", 12 April 1998)
In Medjugorje, the Queen of Peace said that our "five stones" must be: prayer, fasts, the Eucharist, the Word of God, and confession; nothing else.
Archbishop Murillo Krieger from Brazil was in Medjugorje in
February for a 3 day retreat with about thirty priests from his
diocese. Not his first time here, at the Mass on the 27th he
mentioned his other visits (the first time in 1985, immediately after
he was consecrated bishop), saying that Medjugorje is ever present in
his heart. "For me Medjugorje is a gift and a respons-ibility; and a
grace. The Blessed Virgin gives to all those who come here the chance
to find the same tender love that She manifested during the wedding
feast at Cana. The Virgin says to us too: "Do what he asks of
you."
If our hearts were ready to follow Christ then everything that the
Lord wanted to fulfil through Medjugorje could certainly be
fulfilled. Is it so difficult to give our heart to Jesus Christ?
Medjugorje is a great responsibility; I understood that the first
time I came here. By observing and listening to the visionaries I
came to the conclusion that they need our prayer to remain faithful
to their mission. From that moment I decided to dedicate to them my
first Rosary each day. This is my little gift; it is how I offer them
my support and help."
In February 1998 the auxiliary bishop of Canberra, Australia,
Msgr. Patrick Power, visited Medjugorje. This is what he said:
"I have been a priest for 33 years and a bishop for 12. My mother was
a wonderful woman and very devoted to the Blessed Virgin. My father
particularly venerated Our Lady of Lourdes; and I was born on the day
dedicated to Her, the11th February. In January 1993 I took part in a
prayer meeting in Canberra with Fra Slavko Barbaric and the
visionary, Ivan. I was profoundly touched by what I saw and heard.
The message which Ivan referred, and the way in which he said it,
really struck me. He spoke of peace and fasts and of deep faith. I
had heard this type of message before, many times; I myself had
spoken on them, but the simplicity with which it was all said was for
me exceptionally important. I remember how my mother lived it all;
for her it was a unique event.
In May 1993 I visited Bishop Dubrovnik in Puljic, so I decided to
visit Medjugorje. I was already a bishop, but I came in incognito. It
was during the war and there weren't many pilgrims. I celebrated
Mass, and I was moved a great deal by many things. This is my second
visit here; I came with a group from Australia, with my sister and
her three children. I have not come with any particular expectations,
and though I am here for my family, I must admit that the Virgin has
granted me many graces.
I have found a profound peace, in particular after having listened to
Vicka's testimony. It is the same peace which I felt in 1993, when I
first heard of the messages. It all helps me to consolidate my
priestly mission and work as a bishop. Medjugorje is PEACE. I told
all the members in my group of the inner peace which I have
experienced here, and when I see what is happening in my group -
people returning to the faith, prayer, confession - I just have to
tell others to come here.
I was especially struck by the confessions, by the evening prayer
programme and the meetings with the visionaries. Not only I, but also
Msgr. Kennedy who has been here several times, tells his faithful to
come here.
I wish to say: thank you! Thank you to the faithful and the priests
who work here. Your testimony of faith, love and prayer, and the way
you welcome everyone is very important for us pilgrims!"
Bishop from New Zealand, John Dew, came before Easter. He said: "I came here after seeing how my parishioners returned with the good fruits of prayer, fasts and a renewed sacramental life; they became active members of the community and formed prayer groups. The experience of fasts and prayer was very useful to me. I will find the time to pray prior to Mass and to pass on to my diocese what I have received."
Bishop from USA, Donald Montrose, came after being invited by a group of pilgrims. He said: "I feel a special presence of the Blessed Virgin here. What is happening here is wonderful. I am aware of the responsibility and of the suffering of the Franciscans." (Press Bulletin)
Mirjana's extraordinary appointment with Our Lady on the 18th
March was at 2 pm at the basketball field of Sr. Elvira's Upper Room
Community.
At 1 pm, when Fr. Slavko began to guide the prayer, the field was
already filled with pilgrims; I would say that there were a few
thousand pilgrims. Mirjana then arrived with her husband Marko and
other relatives and friends. She kneeled before the platform put
there for the occasion where there was a cross, a statue of Our Lady
and plants. Youth from the Community accompanied the prayer with
guitars and songs. Mirjana and Marko also took turns to lead the
Rosary prayer.
At about 3.30 Mirjana, who had been praying with the others, went
into ecstasy. In the beginning she was truly radiant, then she became
more serious, to the point of appearing sad. More than once she
squinted her eyes as if to see or concentrate better. There were also
moments of serenity.
At the end of the apparition, which lasted 4-5 minutes, Mirjana cried
for the emotion at the moment of separation. She left shortly after,
and the assembly broke up. That evening, Fr. Slavko read the message
in the principal languages, adding that Mirjana said that Our Lady
spoke to her about the messages. Of course she did not say what was
said. The message is: "Dear Children, I invite you to become my
light; to give light to all those who live in darkness and to fill
their hearts with peace, and with my Son. Thank you for responding to
my call."
Testimony by Alberto Bonifacio
It was the evening of 18 March and some members of my group, on
their way back from central Bosnia where they had taken aid, had
arrived at the church just as the Mass was ending.
The evening before, during Mass, they had noticed a young boy in a
wheel chair who, because he was yelling out something
incomprehensible, was taken out. Then we saw him again at the Upper
Room Community, during Mirjana's apparition. Some of us exchanged a
word with him and learnt that his name was Andrea and that he was 15
years old. He was there with his parents and a group of friends.
There was no coordination in his movements; his hands were contracted
and his face disfigured. Therefore, the words he pronounced were
incomprehensible. He was, on the other hand, very social. It was hard
not to notice him, for there was no one else in a wheel chair at that
time.
So, at 6 pm on Wednesday the 18th March, when Mass had just begun,
Andrea started to call out something. His father took him out of the
wheel chair and sat him on the pew. All the time calling out, he
started walking towards the altar in very uncertain steps. As he was
disturbing, Fra Svetozar asked that he be taken out. In the meantime,
Andrea's father, amazed and worried, followed Andrea very closely in
case he should fall.
Andrea turned around and went all the way down the central aisle on
his own. We learnt later that he was saying as he was walking: "The
Lord is telling me to walk!"
Just before 7 pm, other friends from our group noticed Andrea outside
the church. He was in his wheel chair and those around him looked
rather excited. One of them asked him to get up and walk. He repeated
the same phrase, but this time it could be clearly understood. His
face and hands had became normal, relaxed. With someone following him
closely all the time, in his uncertain steps, he walked passed the
front of the church and down to the confessionals.
His father was sobbing; his mother was also in tears. Nori from our
group asked his mother if Andrea had walked before. "No," she said,
"he started just a while ago in church. He was disturbing the others;
we couldn't understand what he wanted, so we brought him out..."
Everyone was crying by then. Andrea was also crying and was very
excited. Perhaps he was beginning to understand that his life had
changed for ever because he had been touched by the immense Love of
God in this extraordinary, marvellous event.
Our group looked on as Andrea's group made its way back to the
hostel; moved by profound admiration, its members sang to God:
"Praise and glory to You Lord Jesus! Infinite thanks to You Mother,
mediatrix of all graces!" (Alberto Bonifacio)
Easter celebrations drew huge crowds to Medjugorje; about 10,000 people. The liturgy of holy Thursday and good Friday was celebrated in 9 different languages. A big bronze statue of the Risen Christ, made by sculptor Andrej Ajdic, was placed in the area behind the church.
Notice for pilgrims - In the summer period the evening
programme will be: 6 pm: first two mysteries of the Rosary; 7 pm:
Holy Mass, followed by the blessings and the third mystery of the
Rosary. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays and
Saturdays from 10-11 pm, and after the evening Mass on Thursdays.
Adoration of the Cross immediately after Mass on Fridays. Every
Sunday at 3pm: Rosary for peace on the hill of apparitions. Every
Friday at 3pm: Way of the Cross on Krizevac. Masses for the various
language groups are held during the morning; times can be agreed
upon.
Enquiries: Information Office. ph. (387) 88651988, every day 8am -
8pm.
"Bulwark of love" is the name of the movement of Croatian
mothers and brides for peace. They organize a novena of prayers for
nine last Saturdays of the month. They were in Medjugorje on the 28th
February, together with relatives and friends; they confessed and
participated in the celebration of the Eucharist, and they prayed for
those who died at war. Many foreign pilgrims joined them, for in the
war years they experienced our suffering as if it were theirs, and
they made our country and our plight known to the world, and they
brought aid to the suffering peoples of our land.
(From the Press Bulletin)
After a long absence, Ivan returned to Medjugorje with his family from the USA. With his arrival, the two weekly appoint-ments on the mountain have also resumed.
Marija was not present with the other visionaries at Easter; three small children don't always allow plans to be fulfilled.
Vicka will not see Our Lady for 45 days. She herself announced it to a group of French pilgrims on the 21st April. The Gospa had told her the day before. Thus, the apparitions to Vicka will resume on 6 June. This is the fourth time that Our Lady has asked this sacrifice of Vicka. The first time, in 1984, Vicka was very sick, and the interruption lasted 50 days. Vicka said: "The Blessed Virgin asked and I accepted." The other five visionaries have never experienced this type of interruption.
God's Heart has reply for everyone. A husband and wife from
France were contemplating separation so one of their sons offered a
novena to Our Lady; love once again reigned in their home. The
spouses say that their home is now a joyful one, that they are not
frightened by the word 'sacrifice' anymore, and that now they have
peace and they love one another. They recite the Rosary every day
with their children and go to Medjugorje when possible to thank Our
Lady for the grace received. "We discovered that God's heart has an
answer for every problem."
(Sr. Emmanuel's diary)
For those who generally fly via Split or Dubrovnik: the civilian airport of Mostar will be re-opened mid May. Mostar is only a 45 minute drive from Medjugorje.
Medjugorje movement sifted at Neum
From 9 - 13 March the 5th international seminar was held in Neum
on the Adriatic coast. The theme, "The Spiritual Movement of
Medjugorje" was presented to more than 150 people from 17 different
countries. The first of the three talks was on new spiritual
movements by Dr. Marianne Tigges; the second by Fr. Dirk Grotheus on
the Medjugorje movement within the Church; and the third on new
evangelization by Fra Dugandzic who also spoke on the division within
the Church of Herzegovina, saying that only sacrifice and love can
heal it.
The meeting with the Franciscans from Medjugorje was very fruitful.
In reply to an English-speaking priest who criticized the translation
of the messages into English, Fr. Slavko said that the messages are
not that easy to comprehend in Croatian either because Our Lady uses
an archaic style. For this reason, he invited everyone not to make
corrections to their translations. [We think that Fr. Slavko did
not refer to the slight linguistical corrections made to the
translations. Editor's note.]
Fr. Rupcic's talk was both profound and enlightening; and Fr.
Slavko's homily on the last day was splendid. Out of the visionaries,
only Ivanka came to greet us, accompanied by her family.
To get to the bottom line, the question is: "What is Medjugorje?" and
the answer is given by Fra Ivan Dugandzic who said: "The spirituality
of Medjugorje is not a spiritual movement within the Church, but it
is the Church in movement. And in Medjugorje there is room for
everyone - for the little and the big, for the faithful and
theologians, and for priests and bishops."
It was suggested that all those who try to live according to the
spirituality of Medjugorje, should recite an Our Father, a Hail Mary
and a Glory Be for the parish, that the Church may ackowledge the
apparitions of the Queen of Peace. At the beginning of the
apparitions, the Blessed Virgin said that She chose the parish of
Medjugorje to be a fount from which the river of Her works would
flow.
Document by Italian group - The Italian group drew up a document
to stress the singularity of the spiritual movement of Medjugorje,
for the spiritual renewal in the Church and the immense charitable
work that came of it for those in need, without distinction of
religion, both during and after the war.
"It is not by chance," it goes on to say, "that God chose to send His
Mother to this place marked by division, to transform it into a
prophetic place of unity and ecumenism. We see in the sufferings of
the Franciscans of Herzegovina and in their desire to obey the Bishop
a concrete reply to the evangelical call to unity and love.
It is important that the faithful not be left on their own to discern
such a big event. We feel the need for a pronouncement, even
temporary, by a Commission nominated by the Holy Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith, to be proposed by the many theologians and
Bishops who care about what Mary, the Mother of the Church, is
telling us. In reference to the message of 25 August 1991, we want to
believe and hope that Medjugorje will be for the entire Church the
fulfilment of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
DECLARATION which concluded the seminar, (12 March 1998):
1. We are grateful to God that He has given to the Church of our
times new impulse through the Holy Spirit, creating at times real
spiritual movements, and we are happy that Medjugorje is one of
these.
2. Through our spirituality, we desire to protect the authenticity of
the spiritual movement in Medjugorje, and to testify to authentic
Christian living based on the Virgin's messages, which are the
essence of the Gospel, and to contribute to the renewal of the
Church.
3. To give more meaning to the spiritual movement which has gushed
forth from the Virgin's messages, it is necessary that the world, and
the local Church to which Medjugorje belongs, be prepared to work in
favour of peace.
(Alberto Bonifacio)
Jelena Vasilj said to the Italian pilgrims on 2 January 1998.
... My experience is different to that of the other visionaries. I do
not have visions in the way they have, although what I experience is
a type of vision. More specifically, it is the gift of an intense
presence of Mary when I am in prayer. We say that it is an experience
of the heart, because it is not just an idea, or a thought which
comes to mind, but a true presence of a true person.
It takes the heart to really meet another person, otherwise the
encounter is superficial; and it is the same with God in this prayer
experience. The heart really is involved and thus we speak of
locution of the heart.
The experience began one and a half years after the beginning of the
ap-paritions, first with the presence of my Angel and then of Mary.
When I think back I see how the Angel had prepared me for what would
come. The first thing he asked of me was con-fession, thus, a
purified heart so I could see.
I think this must be the first step in a serious Christian life; that
is, to ask forgiveness. Our Lady then teaches us to pray the same
way, so that when we are before God we ask pardon and mercy. This is
the first step towards conversion. After two weeks I began to hear
Mary and at times Jesus.
Another girl joined the prayer and in March 1983 she began to
experience the same thing, though in the beginning she said she only
heard Mary. Her name is Marjana. In October that same year she also
began to receive messages. I think that this is our task, to receive
illuminations and inspirations and pass them on, especially to prayer
group which Our Lady asked us to form in the parish. There were about
60 of us and together we tried to give deeper meaning to the messages
which Our Lady gave through the visionaries.
Above all Our Lady was teaching us how to pray. Our Lady always puts
prayer before all else, because our Christian lives get strength from
the encounter with God. Thus, without this encounter, it is very hard
to talk about spiritual life, because it is not something we have to
do. I think that in our Christian life we soon realize that we can do
very little and that it is instead, grace which leads us.
Hence, Our Lady's repeated calls to prayer! Prayer has to become for
us a fount of grace for our journey. Hence, Her call to a sacramental
life: confession and the Eucharist in particular, which is the heart
of our Christian life. You see, it is only through grace that we can
be made perfect.
Our Lady has spoken about different forms of prayer, especially the
Rosary. This prayer is being reproposed after many years, and I think
the reason is that the prayer is very beneficial to our spirituality.
If we are called to imitate Christ, to become like Him, to do it
through the Rosary is the best way; it is a mini catechesis. All the
mysteries of the faith are contemplated in it. To pray the Rosary, I
think, makes us similar to Mary, who "kept all these things in her
heart," said Luke (Lk 2:12, 2:51). I think that we too are called to
keep these mysteries in our heart, through the Rosary.
Mary said we should seek two things. The first thing is the Lord's
face. The risk is that we often look at ourselves, we want good
things, right things, but we do not realize we have someone next to
us. Thus, Our Lady asks us to look up, to see Christ in our prayer.
Our prayer must be Christ centred. The second step is to seek the
Lord's will, because after the encounter with God, it becomes natural
to ask oneself: what do You want of me?
Besides the Rosary, Our Lady insisted on silence; to listen to
others, not to remain inactive. This makes of us a gift for others. I
think that it is rather difficult to do for our human existence,
because we tend to be protagonists, however, also the prayer of
listening teaches us to adore, and to understand who the true Author
of life is.
Penance must be the travelling companion of prayer; it becomes the
prayer of the body. The word penance is barely present in our
vocabulary today; we think that we suffer enough already and that
there is no need for other forms of suffering. However, it seems that
penance, especially in a moment of laziness or spiritual sleep, is
what gives us a shake to permit us to get up and move on.
Thus, Our Lady insists a lot on fasting, especially on bread and
water. I think that this, too, is deeply meaningful. To live with
this material bread in a certain sense becomes the expectation of
that real bread which we receive in the Eucharist. So, I think that a
eucharistic interpretation of this type of fast is right.
Questions and Answers
Jelena was asked if she goes to a particular group in Rome (where
she studies theology). She replied that she doesn't know the groups
much in Rome, and that her study does not permit her to go about
much. "I get together with a group of friends to say the Rosary," she
added.
When someone remarked that Our Lady had led her in a journey of
holiness for many years, Jelena replied: "But that wasn't a movement,
and that's the beauty of Medjugorje. It isn't a movement, so that
everyone can participate. I really like the universal dimension of
the Church and that is why I can't see myself belonging to any
particular movement. I belong to Medjugorje, and perhaps that is my
spirituality: a Marian spirituality.
Asked to speak more on silence, Jelena admitted that it is in silence
and prayer that she feels the physical presence of Mary; though it is
not programmed. Little children ask their mothers for everything, but
when they mature, they have to know how to stay in the Lord's
presence and accept what He gives. Silence and continuous prayer is
necessary so as not to lose this presence which accompanies us in the
heart.
Q. What should we do to keep this presence in the heart?
A. You have to nourish this type of experience, this continuous
prayer, with fixed moments of prayer, because even if there is a
presence which accompanies us, it will disappear if it is not
nourished. So, we have to pray in fixed moments.
Q. Our Lady used you as an instrument for the prayer group for many
years; do you have any suggestions for our prayer groups?
A. Well, really, I have never drawn up a scheme. What I can say is
that the prayer group is practically an inevitable experience for
one's spiritual growth. It is not possible to imagine a faith walk on
one's own. God calls us to communion with others; thus we are called
to be in a prayer group. This could be the family, but the family
should be the prayer group where we first receive our spirituality.
Then there is the parish because it is our most immediate Church;
within the parish there are various groups. I'm only saying how it is
necessary, the type of group depends on your individual
spirituality.
The Rosary is always very useful, as is spontaneous prayer, but the
reading of the Bible is important because our prayer must not be
arbitrary. Its contents must be precise, it must be the revealed
word, not like in oriental religions where the mind wanders. We have
to stick to the Gospel. We also need a moment in which we can
exchange experiences, to encourage each other. This is communion with
God, but also with each other.
Q. How can you tell that it is Mary and Jesus who speak to you, and
not a rebel angel?
A. It is not difficult to tell the difference. The presence of God
brings much peace and tranquillity, and a sense of freedom and
fullness. The presence of the devil brings much anxiety and
darkness.
Q. Do you still have these visions of the heart?
A. They are not as frequent, but yes I still have them.
Asked about her decision to study theology (first in Vienna, then in
Rome), Jelena replied: "I liked the idea of transferring my spiritual
experience to an intellectual level, because the intellect, too, is a
part of our person.
I would like to say that you should try to become interested in what
the Church says through its Magisterium, because we need guides; we
are not self-sufficient and Christ did not want us to be. It is clear
that God wanted a Church, a hierarchy, a Holy Father.
It is wonderful to be able to introduce this experience into the
experience of the Church, because all these gifts are necessary for
the growth of the Church. Furthermore, being in Rome is special to
me, because the heart of the Church is in Rome.
Q. Have you ever thought about getting married?
A. At times.
On the difficulty of being able to dialogue within a group, Jelena
said that also in Medjugorje the large group of 60 had to break up
into smaller groups, then the experiences of the little groups were
shared.
Q. Should I leave them to walk on their own?, the accompanying priest
asked.
A. No; you are a priest. Guides are too precious; people need guides,
even if the world yells out, 'freedom and independence'. When guides
are lacking, people are attracted by a lot of wrong things. We need
someone to push us onwards; the youth in particular need a guide. It
is something precious to have someone who gives you light. Our Lady
has always said that groups should have a spiritual guide.
(Alberto Bonifacio)
At Colle Don Bosco in Turin on the 27th September 1997, the editor
of Medjugorje Torino interviewed Fr. Tomislav Vlasic.
Q. Fr. Tomislav, you were in Medjugorje when the apparitions began;
what can you tell us of your experience?
A. Basically that no matter what heavenly sign we may be faced with,
we are called to seek God - not a vague God, but God Who has revealed
Himself, God our Father Who manifests Himself in the Holy Spirit
through the Son. Communion with God is communion with all creatures,
with the universal Church, that is, with the saints and Angels and
souls in Purgatory and the pilgrim Church here on the earth.
Com-munion with God is to have available all those things that He
puts at our disposition as instruments of Grace. In these times God
gives us His Mother in a special way. Being open to God makes
everything clearer, and it is not possible to remain in the dark
because God reveals Himself.
Q. Why do you refer to a "vague" God?
A. I use it as a key term, or at least that is how I see it. Many
people seek God but at the same time they do not want to rid
themselves of their selfishness, their egoism. What they seek is a
vague God who satisfies their wills and whims. They do not want to
see God the way He truly is; the Eternal God that He is. The search
for a vague God opens the way to many heresies and urges one to seek
God in movements outside the Church, in methods, techniques and ways
of meditation. This search always ends up with the finding of an
idol. We are all called to seek the revealed God and to allow Him to
be revealed in us and through us.
Q. It was this experience that gave birth to the Community for
sisters and brothers in convents and also to the fraternities for lay
people. You guide them and teach them..
A. With regards to the teaching part, my initial intention was to
live the mystery of God, to widen the space and time in my life so I
could deepen my experience with God. Teaching others came as a need
to share my experience, nothing more. It was from here that the
Communities and Fraternities for lay people developed.
Q. Some say that young people who enter Communities or religious
groups are frustrated people who seek refuge in religion.
A. A frustrated person cannot be taken lightly. A frustrated person
in search of God must be helped to experience God on a personal
level, through communion with others, otherwise he will close himself
up within his frustrations and seek God as an antidote to his
immaturity. Those who take in a frustrated person are obliged to take
that person to God, to the great interlocutor, where he has the
possibility to blossom into the fullness of life, the eternal life.
Jesus loves infinitely, but He doesn't pet anyone. He leads to the
Father, to fullness, and He doesn't allow a sick part remain in a
person who desires this fullness. This is the responsibility of those
who take in young people with a vocation.
Q. You chose a radical life for your community; a contemplative
life.
A. Rather than "radical and contempla-tive" I would say we have
chosen a gradual walk towards fullness. We try to touch the bottom
and the top of this fullness; pain and death, to find life (eternal
life begins with pain and death), to make this life rise and take it
to the peak. The Church herself, after the Council, defined the
Eucharist as a source and peak. There is nothing rigid with us, but
simply a way of development which respects each other's pace so that
their various stages of sin can be burnt, enabling them to blossom
into the divine life.
Q. Some find your expressions too committing, eg. "offered life" and
"sacrificed love" and are unable to freely respond to the call to
offer themselves totally.
A. It is also true that the Word of God is at times difficult to
comprehend. One simply needs to wait for God's reply and walk
according to the Lord's indications. A life offered is pure love,
which contrary to egoistic love, offers itself to others. Pure love
is ecstatic and for this reason it is expressed at its most in
situations of sorrow, injustice, cross, and death, as shown by Jesus
in the Beatitudes. To give your life up into the hands of God,
totally and with love, is to enter into communion of life. Ecstatic
love, that of God Who gives Himself in a perfect way, and that of the
creature who gives himself freely, is offered love, it is divine
life, it is the eternal life. It can't be any other way.
Q. What can you tell us about your method of formation?
A. That takes us back to the beginning of our talk. The main
characteristic is simplicity. (I teach) to live the Gospel with
simplicity, to familiarize with the Blessed Virgin, with the Saints
and the Angels and with the entire Church, with all creatures; to
familiarize with the Love of God which is perfect, even when in a
sinner. One has to find it, though, and see it, then adore it and
love it ... because that Love is not loved. This way of acting and
thinking in souls opens up the way for God to act in us, and take us
beyond the boundaries of our way of understanding and wanting. That
is why God leads us to the trials.
Q. How do you see the future of the Church and of humanity,
particularly in the celebration of the Jubilee, and what do you think
of the various catastrophic predictions?
A. I see a beautiful future! We are called to contemplate God, His
greatness, the eternal life.. which can be seen from here on earth.
God isn't a person Who doesn't know how to solve the problems of a
factory, office or school, etc. God is the good Father Who holds His
hand on each of His creatures. Even if He sends us trials, we know
that they are for our purification, for the great work which God
wants to fulfil. All the prophecies speak of God's triumph at the end
of time, of the triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart. All we need to do
is open ourselves to the contemplation of God, then we will be able
to see our future with trust, hope, joy and love.
Q. We're in Colle Don Bosco. Do you see a connection between our time
and John Bosco's dream of the two pillars in the Church; the
Eucharist and Mary?
A. Of course! Mary, with Jesus' conception, is the Lord's bride in an
exceptional way. At the feet of the cross, Mary is the exceptional
bride of the profound sharing in the love of God Who suffers for
mankind. In this paschal, Eucharistic Love - on the Cross - Mary is
the participant par excellence. All the documents published by the
Pope during his pontificate are in preparation, through the Virgin
Mary, of the triennial of the Jubilee. The heart of the Jubilee is
made up of: the Eucharistic Congress, ecumenism and the celebration
of the Holy Trinity.
Q. To conclude...
A. To conclude let us pray! God Father, You created each of us and
you know us perfectly; may it be that we seek You as You really are!
Draw us to You with Your Love! Oh God, Holy Spirit, enlighten our
minds and bodies; descend upon us as You descended upon the Virgin
Mary. Through You She conceived the Son; may it be that our souls
conceive Jesus Christ, that they follow Him and that through Jesus,
and in You, we may offer our souls to the Father, even during all our
trials. May it be that our souls reach the Virgin Mary in the Upper
Room and that they remain open so as to receive all Your gifts, Oh
Holy Spirit.
Oh Holy Spirit, unite us to all creatures; to Mary Most Holy, to the
Angels, to the Saints, to the souls who suffer in Purgatory, to the
creatures who suffer on the earth, that all of us may be in God's
Love. Oh Holy Spirit, descend upon all the readers of this paper,
that they may experience the manifestation of God the Father, God the
Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
One evening - between 27 - 30 October 1886 - Charles de Foucauld,
an elegantly dressed officer on his way back from Africa, went to see
Father Huvelin in Paris.
"Father," he said, "I do not have faith, I have come to ask you to
instruct me." Fr. Huvelin looked at him and said: "Go down on your
knees and confess your sins to God; and believe." "But I didn't come
for that," said de Foucauld. The Father insisted: "Confess your
sins."
Charles de Foucauld went down on his knees and confessed. [St.
John Vianney did the same with people who went to him to talk about
their problems.] When the newly absolved penitent got back up
onto his feet, the abbot asked him: "Are you on an empty stomach?"
and he replied, "Yes," so the abbot told him to take communion. For
Charles de Foucauld that was his second 'first communion.'
God had seized him. From that moment on the life of the former
officer burnt entirely for the Lord. He later discovered that his
vocation would be in the desert.
He built a hermitage in central Algeria and there he spent his life
doing penance and praying for the conversion of the muslim world. He
was killed during a revolt in Tamanrassat.
For twenty seven years he never slept in a bed, but on a mat on the
ground, or on the pavement of a church, or on a chest. One morning an
officer (his friend) found him asleep beside an unfinished wall.
"Don't you sleep in the chapel anymore?" "No," de Foucauld replied.
His friend said: "But you told me that it was comfortable there," and
the reply was: "That is precisely why I don't sleep there
anymore."
Shortly after that he decided to sleep in the sacristy, which was so
little that he couldn't lie down. If anyone pointed it out to him he
would reply that Jesus on the cross was not lying down.
One morning it happened that a Father had to go away. "Forgive me if
I have to leave you alone," he said. Fr. de Foucauld replied: "Oh! I
am never alone."
Certain words, such as the above, truly outline the spiritual
greatness of this man and give us an idea of his inner light.
"Live every minute as though you were to die a martyr tonight."
The sacrament of Confession is experiencing bad times, yet
everyone speaks of it and people desire to confess.
The Pope has spoken on it at various times, and also on the 21st
March he spoke about it during a course promoted by Penitenzieria
Apostolica to say that the confessional is not and cannot be an
alternative to the study of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy.
"The Fathers called this Sacrament the second plank of salvation
after shipwreck (in reference to the falls that happen after
baptism). In fact, Confession cancels personal sins committed after
Baptism, in particular mortal sins, then venial sins. It is right
that in confession, the faithful try to establish the inner process
which leads to superior peace, fruit of conformation to God's will,
but it is wrong to seek in the Confessor a healer in the technical
sense of the word. Should the condition of the penitent seem to
require medical care, the confessor should not attempt to face the
argument himself, but refer the penitent to competent and honest
professionals."
The Pope then said that when he came to know the figure of St. John
Marie Vianney of Ars in 1937, he "became convinced that a priest
fulfils an essential part of his mission in the confessional, by
making himself 'prisoner of the confessional'."
From Montreal - The activity of the group in Canada which
prints the Echo (5,000 copies in English + 6,000 in French) for
distribution there, has become more intense since the death of
Noël, their former animator. "The cross too arrived, with
financial difficulties, however we were able to continue the
distribution of Echo thanks to unexpected aid, labelled Mary. Our
group of 30 young people is praiseworthy; they are preparing for the
Youth Festival and have split up into groups to animate the prayer in
3 different areas of the city."
(Michele Cacchione)
Pentecost All-Night Prayer Vigil at Knock 30-31 May (10 pm-5am) for the re-evangelization of Ireland and its con-secration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Pilgrim images of Our Lady - The 300 statues and iconas
which left France three years ago have now touched 38 countries all
over the world and continue on their pilgrimage, to prepare for the
Jubilee year of 2000 and bring the new evangelization to all. Pastors
of the churches visited so far, including Cardinals, Bishops and
group leaders, testify to the incredible fruits of this mission. The
latest countries visited include Ecuador, Vietnam, Pakistan, Denmark,
Cile, south Africa, Brazil, Mauritius Islands, Turkey, Sweden,
Hungary, Burundi, Germany, Congo.
If the pilgrim image of Our Lady has not yet visited your country,
and you would like to open your home to Her, contact:
Confrérie Notre-Dame de France, 48 avenue de Paris, F-91410
Dourdan, France. Ph. 164596556, fax 164596522.
31 July - 6 August. Theme: Come, Creator Spirit. Daily programme: 9-10 morning prayer; 10-11 lessons; 11-11.30 singing practice; 11.30-12 lessons; 12 midday prayer; 4-5 pm testimonies by visionaries and others; 6-8 evening programme with Rosary and Mass; 10.30-11.30 Adoration (non-stop Eucharistic Adoration during festival).
DAILY THEMES: Friday 31/7, 10pm, presentation of group and Adoration. Sat. 1 "Holy Spirit, you are God" (Hans Buob); 4pm Hans Buob, Ivan Dragicevic. Sun. 2: "The Holy Spirit and Mary" (Andrea Gasparino & Mirjana), 9am on Podbrdo, 4pm A. Gasparino. Mon. 3; "Holy Spirit, open our hearts" (Fr. Cosimo), 4pm Jakov & Fr. Cosimo, 8pm Eucharistic procession. Tues. 4 "Divine Spirit and worldly spirit" (Sr. Elvira), 4pm Vicka and youth from Sr. Elvira's community. Wed. 5 "Medjugorje, work of the Holy Spirit" (Fr. Jozo Zovko), 4pm testimonies, songs to Virgin, consecration to Virgin. Thurs. 6 on Krizevak "Be my witnesses in the world", 3am Rosary, 5am Holy Mass.
NOTICE. bring ear-phones and FM radio, umbrella for sun, candle. Anyone who plays a classical instrument should contact Agostino at fax 00387-88-651888, and advise your name and type of instrument. Accommodation will be made available for you at the Domus Pacis home.
The anniversary of the last time the statue wept whilst in the
hands of the Bishop (15 March 1995) was celebrated with a solemn Mass
before thousands of pilgrims. For the occasion the Bishop wrote a
reflection on the event, entitled: "Should the Bishop have remained
silent?", but for lack of space we cannot publish it here.
Faithful from all parts continue to arrive. On feast days there are
always at least 70 busloads present, and countless automobiles,
without counting those who arrive with other means. Many holy Masses
are celebrated, and in the evening a Eucharistic procession is held,
with the faithful bearing torchlights.
Cardinal Edouard Gagnon remained before the statue for quite some
time and quietly prayed. In the visitor's book he wrote: "May Our
Lady, with Her infinite love, open our hearts that they may accept
the forgiveness of Her Son and become more united to His redeeming
mission as each day passes."
Soon the present church will be made bigger, and suitable buildings
will be made to hold the pilgrims. The idea of a great shrine is
already being considered.
Our thanks to Mary who allowed Her little Echo to be pushlished also this month. For this month dedicated to Her, and for the feasts which adorn Her, we ask Mary to give a special blessing on our helpers and readers, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Happy Pentecost!
Villanova,
28 April 1998
Travelling to Medj. - By ROAD: bus from Trieste (adjacent to train station) leaves regularly every evening 6pm, arrives in Medj. 8am. Reservations ring Italy 040-425001. By SEA: Ancona Italy to Split. Departures Ancona: Mon., Wed., Fri. 9pm, Sat. 10pm. Departures Split: Sun., Tues., Thur., Sat.. Reservations fax Italy, Agenzia Mauro: 071-202618; Agenzia Morandi: 071-202296.
* The main language editions of Echo of Mary are available in Medjugorje at the MIR-Shalom shop opposite St. James church and at the Ain Karim shop, in the arcade under the International Hotel.