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Dear Children, Also today I rejoice with you
and I invite you to the Good. I desire that each of you meditate on
and bear peace in your heart and say: "I want to put God first in my
life!" That way, my children, each of you will become holy. My
children, say to each person: "I love you," and they will pay you
back with good, and the Good, dear children, will dwell in the heart
of each person.
My children, this evening I bring you the Good of my Son Who gave His
life to save you. So, my children, rejoice and hold out your hands to
Jesus Who is only good. Thank you for responding to my call.
In the place of a Christmas which creates anguish, Mary offers the man of today a Christmas which heals. In the simplest of terms She points out what Christmas really is and the changes it should bring about in us, so that it becomes a programme of life. I rejoice with you: At Christmas Our Lady naturally rejoices for the gift which God gives us through Her and She invites us to accept it as the only Good. We are invited to do three things:
1. Stop for silent meditation. How easy it is to be distracted by "things of Christmas" which create sensations and emotions, but impede us from contemplating the true meaning of Christmas! Instead, we are being asked to open our hearts to God and meditate on the way He came down to be with us, and we will understand the greatness of the man in us and in others, and we will understand how to love that man: 'just the way God loves me.'
2. Then each of us will carry peace in his heart, above all from the acceptance of the forgiveness which He offers us. After all, how can one accept Jesus if in a state of sin which is denial of love?
3. Then say: I want to put God first in my life. Love the Lord
your God with all your heart... All else comes from the accep-tance
of Jesus Who looks at no one but the Father. And the Angels will
sing: peace on earth! It's useless to talk of peace when God, the
Truth, does not occupy first place in our lives. To decide is enough
to become holy. See how Mary makes everything so simple?!
Here is how to obey the Father: Jesus says to me from the crib:
accept my love and love as I love. Our Lady adds: My children, say to
each person, "I love you." How often have we seen the youth from the
"Upper Room Community" look each other in the eyes and say, "I love
you," as they exchange the sign of peace? It is the natural
consequence of Christmas. Then why should we not do the same, and
say: "I love you" to our parents, relatives, the aged, our
neighbours, the not-so-friendly persons, our spouses? Why should we
create barriers between ourselves and the others when God descended
from His throne to come among us? Who are we to say no to others?
Note that Our Lady did not say to love everyone in a general sense
(too easy!), but to say to "each person": "I love you," thus, also to
those you do not like. This is conversion and true peace! With the "I
love you," Our Lady means: "I care for you", "you are important to
me." If it's other sense of "attraction" has prevailed perhaps it is
because we stopped using its deeper sense. The Bible specifies: agape
love (agape in Greek means love). Moreover, the dictionary lists as
the #1 meaning for love as: " paternal benevolence; etc." So let us
not fear when we say: "I love you"; a pure look in one's eyes cannot
be mistaken for passion.
This rather unusual task entrusted to us by Our Lady is also full of
promises: our brother/sister will pay us back with good - sooner or
later (a drop of water will erode a rock). And: the good will enter
the hearts of each person. This is the only way for the world to find
peace. Like every mother, Mary is always optimistic because She can
see that in God it is possible for every person to bow down to the
forces of love so that one big family is formed.
So, rejoice and hold out your hands to Jesus, as He holds out His to
you. It is in not wanting Him, Who is only Good, that you harm
yourselves. So decide to look only at Him and to tell Him always your
"yes" so that you and the world around you begin to change.
Fr. Angelo
* Pope has been telling enemies for some time: "I love you," and these have been "paying back with good." Bit by bit "the ice has melted" (23.1.86). Fidel Castro visited the Pope in the Vatican, then invited him to his forbidden Cuba. Now, after decades, Castro has restored Christmas as a civil holiday, and at the end of January will welcome his one time enemy to Cuba.
* Also to his would-be assassin the Pope has repeatedly said: "I love you" and has even visited him in prison. Now, Alì Agcà does not conceal his affection for the Pope, offering a wonderful testimony of Fatima and of the certainty that God loves everyone and that "Paradise is open also for the other religions." The frequent exchange of letters with Fr. Furlotti, "the first priest who wrote to me," attests to this.
* Catholics in South Korea say "I love you" to North Korean. Animated by Card. Kim, they launched a prayer movement in 1995 for peaceful reunification, and work to help the North Koreans by providing food and technicians. They also created a committee to promote mutual forgiveness and reconciliation - part of this programme being the formation of pastors and mission-aries to work in the North after reunification. The miracle, it seems, is close at hand.
We search for good in every situation; we want physical, material
and spiritual well-being. We wish to stay well, live well and go well
in our jobs, in our towns, with our relatives and friends. The
adjective our, however, reveals the bad root that disorients our
search. It happens that for "our own good" we mortify the good of our
brother/sister and whether fully intentionally or not we thereby
degrade our true nature: from creatures made to the likeness of God
we lower ourselves to the same level as animals.
To put God first in our lives, more than an objective, must be an
ardent desire dictated by love, by our response to God's Love. This
is the way to holiness and is a way which everyone can find. Let
yourself be loved by God; let His love penetrate into your life and
then accept It. The rest will follow naturally.
So hold out your hands to Jesus, accept this God Who came into the
world to offer His divinity and His very life to you. All together,
let us hold out our hands in a single gesture of acceptance and of
offering: Jesus in us and us in Him. With simple hearts (it does not
take intellect) meditate on the love He has for us, look up at Him,
contemplate Him and He will fill your heart with peace which will
spill out onto the world.
So not "our" good, but the Good which is Jesus, is what we must
search for. Then, nothing will curb the Love, and the Good will dwell
in the world, among us and in each of us. Then our joy will not be to
the detriment of the joy of our brother or sister and it will not
depend on external circumstances, because it will be in us and
nothing will be able to remove it because it springs from God, from
that God Who lives in us. Nuccio
Our Lady's message 25 November 1997:
Dear Children, Today I invite you to
understand your Christian vocation. My children, I have been and
still am guiding you in this time of grace so that you may become
aware of your Christian vocation. The holy martyrs died giving
witness: "I am Christian and I love God above all else."
Children dear, also today I invite you to rejoice and to become
joyous and responsible Christians aware that God has invited you in a
special way to become hands joyfully outstretched towards those who
do not believe and who with the example of your lives receive faith
and love for God. Thus I ask you to pray, pray, pray, that your heart
be open and sensitive to the word of God. Thank you for responding to
my call.
This is what the message for the new year of the Church means: recognize, oh Christian, your divine call, and spread the fragrance of awareness-of-God to those who ignore Him. With prayer you will understand and fulfil this great task.
1. Our Lady is inviting us to understand our Christian vocation,
adding that She has been with us in this time of grace so we can
become aware of our Christian vocation. This vocation is the reason
why we live; it is God's call to share in the divine life (1 Pt 1:4).
It began with our Baptism, with which we entered into communion with
the three Divine Persons.
It didn't come from us, but from God Who chose us before the world
was made to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his
presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons through
Jesus Christ and share in his inheritance (cf. Eph 1), and Who called
us out of the darkness (a life of sin which leads to a dead end) into
his wonderful light (1 Pt 2:9). For this reason we rejected Satan,
his works and his empty promises, and we professed our faith in
Christ and His Church: an immense fortune which requires also that we
change our ways. I implore you, writes St. Paul, to lead a life
worthy of your vocation... do not go on living the aimless kind of
life that pagans live who are made blind by their whims. (It is a
good thing to read all of chapter 4 of Ephesians.) How can we then
play with fire and go back to being slaves of sin and lose God's gift
of eternal life (Rom 6:23)? Yet, there is so much indifference and
refusal of God's gift which should instead fill us with joy and awake
in us a desire to respond accordingly.
2. At this point Our Lady offers us the example of those who lived
their Christian vocation to the point of giving their lives. The holy
martyrs died giving witness: I am Christian and I love God above all
else! And we, perhaps, feel ashamed to be Christians in the presence
of others.
It takes a radical decision on our part, so that we can say: "I have
been called to follow the Truth even if this means the cross." Jesus'
way is narrow; it is contrary to the way of the world, but we know
where it leads, and Jesus has never let anyone down. We must not
hesitate: we were not given a Spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of
power, and love, and self-control (2 Tim 1:7).
3. We must rejoice at being Christians, says Our Lady, and be happy
that we can return God's love, but also that we can take our gift to
those who do not know Him; we are responsible for them. To stretch
out one's hands does not mean to conquer; Mary wants to use us to
reach Her many far-off children, and in particular She means through
our example. People do not want to hear talk about God; they need to
see those who love Him above all else. So, not sad Christians, but
Christians who are happy to believe and love Him such. Thus, always
be happy in the Lord... and your kindness will be evident to everyone
(Ph 4:4).
4. The insistence used by Mary in repeating: pray, pray, pray, brings
to mind those precepts that God said we should say at every step,
with each breath, so they can be written in our hearts (cr. Deut.
6:6).
No prayer means no spiritual growth; it means being stuck on the wide
way of the world, and so what could we give others? You cannot
communicate to others that which you do not live. With prayer,
instead, the heart opens up to the Word of the Father and thus can be
filled with His love.
Being knowledgeable, or knowing how to distinguish the truth is not
enough, for that is still not knowing how to love, and is the old
error of Gnosticism. Knowledge gives self-importance - it is love
that makes the building grow (1 Co 8:2). Paul also insists that piety
(love) should be added to the doctrine (cf. 1 Tim 6:3-6). If we open
up to God in prayer, He will enter with His light and make us
comprehend His Word, and the good news will be irresistible.
Fr. Angelo
The second year of preparation to the great Jubilee of the year
2000 is dedicated to the Holy Spirit and we are called to re-discover
His presence and action in the Church and in each of us. "Disfigured
by sin and death, man remains in the image of God, in the image of
the Son, but is deprived of the glory of God, of his likeness. The
Son himself will assume that image and restore it in the Father's
likeness by giving it again its Glory, the Spirit who is the giver of
life" (CCC 705).
The Holy Father says in the Letter on the Third Millennium: "The
Spirit makes present in the Church of every time and place the unique
Revelation brought by Christ to humanity, making it alive and active
in the soul of each individual (no. 44). In our day too the Spirit is
the principal agent of the new evangelization. Hence it will be
important to gain a renewed appreciation of the Spirit as the One who
builds the Kingdom of God within the course of history and prepares
its full manifestation in Jesus Christ, stirring people's hearts and
quickening in our world the seeds of the full salvation which will
come at the end of time" (45).
It continues: "Christians are called to prepare for the Third
Millennium by renewing their hope in the definitive coming of the
Kingdom of God, preparing for it daily in their hearts, in the
Christian community to which they belong, in their particular social
context, and in world history itself ... There is also need for a
better appreciation and understanding of the signs of hope present in
the last part of this century, even though they often remain hidden
from our eyes," and he stressed those in society: "scientific,
technological and medical progress in the service of human life, a
greater awareness of our responsibility for the environment, efforts
to restore peace and justice," and those in the Church: "greater
attention to the voice of the Spirit through the acceptance of
charisms, and the promotion of the laity, a deeper commitment to the
cause of Christian unity and the increased interest in dialogue with
other religions and with contemporary culture" (46).
To conclude: "The reflection of the faithful in the second year of
preparation ought to focus particularly on the value of unity within
the Church, to which the various gifts and charisms bestowed upon her
by the Spirit are directed" (47). ... "Mary, who conceived the
Incarnate Word by the power of the Holy Spirit and then in the whole
of her life allowed herself to be guided by his interior activity,
will be contemplated and imitated during this year above all as the
woman who was docile to the voice of the Spirit, a woman of silence
and attentiveness" (48).
It is good to remember: Jesus stood up and proclaimed: 'If any one
thirst, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as
scripture says, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'
Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him
were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because
Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn 7:37-39). Edit. team.
LISTEN
Listen, let your heat keep seeking,
Listen to his constant speaking,
Listen to the Spirit calling you.
Listen to his inspiration,
Listen to his invitation,
Listen to the Spirit calling you.
(From "We Pray and Sing to the Lord," St. Paul Publications, Africa)
Padre Pio from Pietralcina was proclaimed "heroic in the practice of virtues" by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Thus the Church proclaims him "venerable," making us hope that he will soon be proclaimed "blessed." The Congregation said that the holiness of Padre Pio's life, which sprang from an intense love for the Church, was severely tried by the Church and is an extraordinary model of identification with the crucified and risen Christ."
Many have asked us to publish the Act of Love as revealed by Jesus
to Justine Klotz, for the salvation of many souls. It has ecclesial
approval. "Jesus and Mary, I love you! Save priestly souls, save
souls. We beseech you, allow us to repeat this act of love a thousand
times, with our every breath, our every heart beat." The same was
revealed to Sr. Immaculate Bretone: "Jesus, Mary, I love you! Save
souls." Each act of love is a soul saved, Jesus promised.
John Paul takes glance
at present tragedies...
(From the Urbi et Orbi Christmas message)
"Today, a day full of joy for all, a day filled with so many calls
for peace and brotherhood, more intense and sharp become the
imploring cries of peoples who long for freedom and harmony, in
situations of disturbing ethnic and political violence.
Today there resound more strongly the voices of those who give
themselves generously to breaking down barriers of fear and
aggression, promoting understanding between peoples of different
origins, colour and religious creeds. Today there appear more tragic
to us the sufferings of peoples fleeing to the mountains of their own
land or seeking a safe haven on the coasts of neighbouring countries
in order to pursue the faint hope of a less precarious and more
secure existence.
More distressing today is the tense silence of the ever growing
multitude of the new poor: men and women without work or shelter,
infants and children injured and violated, adolescents enlisted in
the wars of adults, young victims of drugs or attracted by deceptive
myths. Today is Christmas day, a day of confidence for peoples long
divided who have finally come back to meet one another and talk.
These are often timid and fragile prospects, slow and tiring
dialogues, but animated by the hope of eventually reaching agreements
which respect the rights and duties of all.
It is Christmas! This straying humanity of ours journeying towards
the Third Millennium, awaits you, Oh Child of Bethlehem, who come to
manifest the love of the Father. You, the King of Peace, invite us
today to fear not, and you open our hearts to prospects of hope.
[...] God made man lies here today in the manger and silently
the universe contemplates him. May humanity recognize him as its
Saviour!"
... and at future hopes
(Audience of 19 Nov. '97) Though he called this century about to
end a "century of death," the Pope, like the old Prophets, sees the
present darkness and confusion as preparation for the return of God.
"Not darkness, but God's love will envelop the year 2000," describing
the future as "time of grace" during which "the divine plan of love
for all humanity and each one of us is fulfilled. That is why, as we
look to the future, we are full of hope and are not overcome with
fear." Instrument necessary for the fulfilment of this plan is the
great Jubilee of the year 2000.
"Before the turmoil felt here and there in the continents, before the
pressing rhythm of things and values being overthrown, undermining
convictions and even the life of nations, I make mine St. Augustine's
hope expressed before the assault of the Vandals: Do not fear, dear
children, this is not an old world about to end, but a new world
about to begin. A new dawn is breaking in history's sky which is
inviting Christians to be light and salt in a world greatly in need
of Christ, man's Redeemer..."
Mary's living miracle. Pope and people's apostle. Martyr of our
century. Curved over the weight of his Church shaken by crisis. Dead
tired and marked by illness, he suffers, thinks, prays. He knows what
to say and has the courage to say it. He reads, every now and again
looking up, and word after word, he finds the strength to announce
his message. And he becomes youthful again.
And then: a tornado of love, of veneration, of respect! The old guard
are thankful, many young people are ready to follow him. All over the
world those united to fight the Lord and his Consecrated one tremble.
Let us pray for the Pope, for his friends and his enemies and for the
new youth.
(From Eco dell'Amore, 50th anniversary of Aid to the Church in Need)
Enter 3rd Millennium with Mary
(At the Angelus of the Immaculate) "Humanity in our time, now preparing to enter the third millennium, find in the Immaculate Virgin the model of expectation and the Mother of hope. She teaches us to avoid fatalism and passive resignation and every temptation to millenarianism. She teaches us to look to the future, knowing that God is coming towards us; we are called to prepare for this meeting in prayer and in watchful expectation."
To Mary Immaculate
(Rome, Piazza di Spagna, 8 Dicembre): ...Abide with us, Immaculate Mother, in the heart of our preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. ... We would like this eventful century of ours and the second Christian millennium to close with the seal of the Trinity. ... Thus, in the sign of the Trinitarian mystery, the Church in Rome, united with believers throughout the world, approaches in prayer the end of the 20th century, to enter the third millennium with a renewed heart. ... We greet you, Immaculate Mother of God! Accept our prayer and, as Mother, deign to bring the Church in Rome and throughout the world into that fullness of time towards which the universe has been advancing since the day your divine Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, came into the world...
"From the justice of each
comes peace for all"
This was the theme for the World Day of Peace, 1 January 1998.
Justice: "moral virtue and legal concept," is most complete when
founded on love, which in turn "is most significantly expansive
within a concept of mercy." Hence, justice is indispensable for
peace, and the Pope warns against the danger of marginalization of
vast sectors of mankind, tied perhaps to the globalization process,
and in doing so exhorted Heads of State all over the world to
eliminate all forms of injustice within their countries and in their
relations with other countries.
More specifically, the Holy Father indicated four concrete ways to
intervene: total remission (or at least partial) of foreign debts;
fight against corruption; healing of the scourge of usury; adoption
of suitable ways (including on a legal level) to stop all forms of
violence and/or exploitation of women and children. The promotion of
justice and the building of peace are closely interacted, and justice
must be founded on respect for human rights which are universal,
inviolable and inalienable.
"In the cold slumber of man's refusal of God his Mother protects him with her mantle"
The Holy Father participated in spirit at the celebrations for the
80th anniversary of Fatima with a Message that reveals his prophetic
vision of our century. After asking Mary to prepare the Christian
people for the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, he said: "Fatima helps
us see the hand of God, our providential Guide and patient and
compassionate Father also in the 20th century," marked by positive
and negative signs of the times both for the Church and for the
world: "the crises, desertions and many sufferings of the Church's
members, but also a renewed and intense feeling of solidarity and
mutual dependence in Christ's Mystical Body; the separation from and
abandonment of God by individuals and societies, but also the
in-breaking of the Spirit of Truth in hearts and communities to the
point of sacrifice and martyrdom to save 'God's image and likeness in
man.'
In analysing the human separation from God in the light of Fatima, we
should recall that it is not the first time that, feeling rejected
and despised by man but respecting his freedom, God allows man to
feel distant from him, with the consequent obscuring of life which
causes darkness to fall on history, but afterwards provides a refuge.
This already happened on Calvary, when God Incarnate was crucified
and died at the hands of men. And what did Christ do? After invoking
the mercy of heaven with the words: Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do (Lk 23:34), he entrusted humanity to Mary, his
Mother: Woman, behold your son (Jn 19:26).
A symbolic interpretation of this Gospel event enables us to see
reflected in him the final scene of the well-known and common
experience of the son who, feeling misunderstood, confused and
rebellious, leaves his father's house to wander into the night... And
his mother's mantle protects him from the cold during his sleep,
helping him to overcome his despair and loneliness.. Beneath the
maternal mantle, which extends from Fatima over the whole world,
humanity senses anew its longing for the Father's house, and for his
Bread (cf. Lk 15:17).
Dear pilgrims, as if it were possible to embrace all humanity, I ask
you to say in her name and for her sake, We fly to thy patronage, Oh
holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but
deliver us from all dangers, Oh glorious and blessed Virgin.
Woman, behold your son. Thus Jesus spoke to his Mother, while
thinking of John, his beloved disciple who also stood at the foot of
the Cross. Who has no cross? To carry it day after day, following in
the footsteps of the Master, is the condition the Gospel imposes on
us (cf. Lk 9:23), certainly as a blessing of salvation (cf. 1 Cor
1:23-24). The secret lies in not losing sight of the first Crucified
One, to whom the Father responded with the glory of the Resurrection
and Who began this pilgrimage of the blessed.
That contemplation took the simple and effective form of meditation
on the mysteries of the Rosary, popularly venerated and recommended
with great insistence by the Church's Magisterium. Dear brothers and
sisters, recite the Rosary every day. I earnestly urge Pastors to
pray the Rosary and to teach people in their Christian communities
how to pray it. Help God's people to return to the daily recitation
of the Rosary, this sweet conversation of children with the Mother
whom they took into their house (cf. Jn 19:27)."
In the end our Holy Father invoked "for everyone, and in a special
way for those who suffer, God's comfort and strength, so that they
may be willing to complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions
(cf. Col 1:24), recalling that "the salvation of many depends on the
prayers and voluntary mortification of the members of the Mystical
Body..."
Says bishop, Mons. Paul Hnilica: "Sadly, this appeal by the Pope
was not made known when it should have been. The letter signed by
John Paul II on the 1st October 1997 was published only on 15 October
by Osservatore Romano. Thus, more than half a million faithful, plus
20 bishops and 500 priests, present in Fatima on the 13th October,
were unable to hear these inspiring words.
Despite this inconvenience, this message remains one of the deepest
comments to the meaning of Our Lady's appeal in Fatima, given for our
times. We are convinced that with these words the Pope has given us
in condensed form the fruit of lengthy reflection on the importance
of the Fatima events for the entire world. Not only, but he
courageously made an unprecedented appeal, I would say, to bishops
and priests all over the world to pray and teach others to pray the
Rosary every day. We are therefore obliged to confront ourselves with
this message. In fact, it is our faith that allows us to see in the
Pope not only a human figure, but the Vicar of Christ who, more than
all the other bishops put together, is inspired by the Holy Spirit to
guide the Church on the way of salvation.
If John Paul II called Fatima a "refuge" which God gave to the man of
the 20th century who has fallen into a "cold sleep" because he
abandoned God and lives in the dark, then we should not underestimate
his analysis. The Pope is not one to be pessimistic; what he is doing
is reminding us of the way things are and offering us a remedy: God's
Mercy which is given to us through the maternal mediation of our
Co-redeeming Mother, our Mother of Sorrows, at the foot of the Cross.
It is She who spreads over all of us what the Pope calls Her
"maternal mantle," that we may "sense anew the longing for the
Father's house and for his Bread" (cf. Lk 15:17)...
Let us treasure these words, especially now when the serpent is
biting down harder. That old serpent, Satan, is furious and uses all
his means to suppress the Mother and the Child (cf. Rev 12:4). So we
don't fall asleep, let us grasp onto the Word of God which is being
offered to us in this time when floods of other, senseless, words
threaten us..."
"The months of November and December," says pastor, Fr. Augusto
Baldini, "were extremely busy with pilgrims arriving by the bus-load
and every other means, particularly on feast days and the eves of
these. There has been a noteworthy increase in the number of foreign
pilgrims." The four priests who help the pastor, busy full time with
Holy Mass, evening adoration, and confessions, say that they have
witnessed real miracles of conversion, and that testimonies by
pilgrims who have received spiritual graces and physical healings are
being registered continuously.
For the feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated with a solemn
Mass, the shrine was brimming over with faithful. The Filippino
community of Rome organized a pilgrimage for the day, with Salesian
priests from various parts of the world, present in Rome for a course
of studies, concelebrating. On the occasion a big statue of the Queen
of Peace (2m high) was inaugurated, together with a big cross (7.5 m
high) donated by faithful from Dozulé in France.
The Bishop announced the publication of a pastoral letter, in
accordance with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which
will serve to guide the devotion to Our Lady of Tears. Mons. Grillo
has also published a book about the facts of Civita-vecchia, and a
local poet has dedicated to Our Lady of Civitavecchia a book of
poetry, written in the local dialect.
Besides the interest shown by Frs. Laurentin and Amorth, also the
press and television continue to follow the events.
* Formative Seminar for guides of prayer groups, charity centres
and pilgrimages at Hotel Sunce in Neum from 9-13 March '98. Theme:
The Spiritual Movement of Medjugorje. Bookings at fax 387-88651444.
Double room: DM280 (single: +40DM). To book transfer from Split
airport to hotel, fax 385-21361354. For simultaneous translations
bring ear-phones (can be purchased in hotel)
From 28-30 November, a national meeting for organizers and guides
of Italian pilgrimages and prayer groups was held in Pescara.
The parish priest of Medjugorje, Ivan Landeka, held a talk on Mary's
role in the history of salvation and on the spiritual movement of
Medjugorje, drawing on the historical context. Among other things he
said: "The events of Medjugorje (Mary's presence, Her messages) must
always be of prime importance, while the people involved in the event
(the visionaries, priests, etc.) must remain secondary. Woe betide us
if the people become more important than the events! It would be a
signal of danger," he said.
Fra Miljenko Stojic, director of the Information Centre of
Medjugorje, spoke on what is done to welcome the pilgrims and on the
activity of the information centre which opened 4 years ago. He
recalled that the information office is open every day from 8 - 5 to
assist the pilgrims and to co-ordinate the meetings. He spoke on the
importance of advising the Centre well in advance of the arrival of
pilgrims so that the Centre can better organize meetings, etc. (at
fax no. 00387-88-651444). The official news of the Shrine is
published twice a month in the main languages by the Centre in the
Press Bulletin. Fra Miljenko reminded those present that there are
380 cases of healing accompanied by medical documentation.
Observations
Various observations and proposals were made by the
participants:
- It should be considered that the majority of pilgrims present at
the evening liturgy in Medjugorje is not Croatian.
- So that the life of the parish is not suffocated by the enormous
flow of pilgrims, it was suggested that a separate church be built
for the pilgrims and that the church of St. James be left for the
parishioners. The representatives of Medjugorje replied that there
already exists a project to substitute the big tent with a large
building which may house three separate halls, and is expected to be
ready for the 17th anniversary.
- It is felt that there should be priests from the various languages
permanently available in Medjugorje so that the pilgrims are always
able to avail of confession (it has happened that for the Italian
pilgrims a confessor has not always been available). However, it is
not easy to find priests who wish to stay on for a certain period of
time, such as a year.
- So that Medjugorje may become a true ecumenical centre, it was
recommended that certain nationalistic forms of ostentation be
avoided, since Mary is the Mother of all, including the Orthodox, the
Muslims, etc.
- Medjugorje, centre of charity for all the poor of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Friends of Medjugorje should continue to provide aid
because unfortunately the situation has not changed for the many
refugee camps which are still in grave need.
- That meetings be organized for the pilgrims with the friars and the
visionaries is fine, but they should also be guaranteed moments for
silent meditation.
- Those who accompany pilgrimages should always remember that it is
above all Our Lady who conducts the pilgrimage.
- Groups who decide to follow in the wake of the Medjugorje messages
should not try to seek special recognition, but simply become members
of the Church who work for the Church.
Alberto Bonifacio
At the beginning of November 1997 the auxiliary bishop of Brasilia
(capital of Brazil), Monsignor Juan Evangelist Martins Terra, visited
the Shrine of the Queen of Peace and spoke to the Press Bulletin
about his experience.
The Bishop gave a general description of the Church in Brazil and in
particular in Brasilia (a city of 3 million inhabitants with a
Catholic majority) and said that the presence of the sects is
counteracted by an excellent charismatic movement within the Catholic
Church. He went on to say that with 45 members from this movement he
travelled to the Holy Land and that on the way back they stopped in
Medjugorje. He said that in Medjugorje he was able to perceive a
special devotion to the Virgin, adding that also in Brazil Our Lady
is especially venerated at the shrine of Abresida.
Q. When and how did you hear of Medjugorje for the first time?
A. It was 15 years ago when I was in Europe. In Brazil there is a
cathedral dedicated to the Queen of Peace. Marija Pavlovic and Fr.
Leonard Orec were present when the first stone was laid and blessed.
The Catholic Radio of Brasilia, which is named in honour of the Queen
of Peace, keeps listeners informed on the events of Medjugorje.
Q. Is this your first time in Medjugorje?
A. Yes it is. We hadn't planned to stop here; it's rather a miracle
that we are here. You know, I give Bible lessons and right now I
should be teaching, but some rather inexplainable circumstances led
me here instead. Both for me and the entire group this pilgrimage has
been miraculous for the way we have been able to pray so intensely
without tiring.
Q. What are your impressions, as a Catholic, Bishop and pastor of the
Church?
A. I have been quite a number of times to Fatima and Lourdes where
the events have already concluded. Here, instead, the apparitions
still happen and for this one is able to perceive a special divine
presence. It seems to me that the entire area lives for the Virgin;
is that not so? The whole place lives for the Virgin. I'm surprised
that the town hasn't developed more, like Fatima which became a large
city. But things are different here: simplicity has been preserved
around the church. Yesterday I had lunch with the monks and I was
fascinated by their simplicity which I noticed also during the prayer
and confessions.
The atmosphere here makes me think of the first churches of
Jerusalem. I lived and worked there for 2 years as archeologist and
teacher of Holy Scripture and I also worked as a pastor in the desert
of Syria. I think that the work I did there prepared me for this, so
that I could be aware of the wonderful grace and blessing of the
Virgin here.
Q. You are a bishop and pastor of the Church. Does it bother you
that the local bishop is not in favour of these events?
A. No, because there are other bishops who think differently to him.
I could mention those bishops, and priests, who every year go to
spiritual exercises in San Marino with Fr. Gobbi. One of these is the
archbishop of Pescara, my great friend. He once told me that he asked
the Holy Father: "What should I do when the faithful from my diocese
want to go on pilgrimage to Medjugorje?" The Holy Father asked what
they do there, to which the archbishop replied: "They pray and
confess." The Holy Father then said: "Isn't this a good thing?"
I worked with the Holy Father and with Card. Ratzinger for ten years.
Card. Ratzinger is a wonderful man, so full of spirit and such a nice
person. At times I hear people say he is severe, but I think he is
very kind-hearted. Once I asked him what he thought of this movement
and he replied that the tree can be seen by its fruit, because good
fruits are a sign of God's presence.
Q. Did Card. Ratzinger tell you that?
A. Yes.
Q. In reference to Medjugorje?
A. In reference to Medjugorje and to Fr. Gobbi; both movements.
Q. When you return to Brazil, what will you tell your faithful?
A. In Brazil we have organized pilgrimages to Medjugorje and to other
Shrines. Medjugorje is the one which receives most enquiries, and
that is why I have come to give thanks to the Virgin for this great
gift. I think that this visit has gladdened many faithful of our
diocese.
Q. Will you support those who want to come to Medjugorje?
A. Of course. In Brazil we also have a monthly publication with all
the Medjugorje news [the Brazilian edition of the Echo of
Medjugorje edited by Servos da Rainha - editor's note]. It is
free and is read by many people.
Is Medjugorje aware of this grace?
Q. To conclude, would you like to say something to those who live
and work here every day with the pilgrims ; leave a message for the
parishioners of Medjugorje?
A. It is said that no one is a prophet in his own town. Many come
here to pray, but I wonder if the locals do the same, or if the youth
of Medjugorje are aware of the grace which is here, and if they are
able to take this responsibility upon them and testify to the faith
received from God. This responsibility does not belong only to the
priests, but to all the parishioners who consecrated themselves to
the Virgin. The inhabitants of Medjugorje should remember this
always.
Q. Well, in thanking you, we humbly ask you to remember us in your
prayers, and on behalf of our readers we promise to pray for you and
all the pilgrims who come here.
(Press Bulletin)
On Tuesday 25th November 1997, the new radio station, "MIR Studio
Medjugorje," began its activity. It is directed by Fra Miljenko
Stojic, and edited by Marija Dugandzic.
The aim of the radio station in Medjugorje is to serve the pilgrims
who come here. We hope that with time it will also reach their homes,
wherever they are. The radio station was blessed on the 7th November
by Mons. Lazaro Pezer, bishop of De Autlan Lalisco in Mexico.
Any donations are welcome. We invite pilgrims to send a CD containing
music from their country for us to use to welcome you to the Shrine,
and for which we thank you in advance.(Press Bulletin)
Number of pilgrims on increase - The number of pilgrims in
October was greater than in previous years, even pre-war times. The
number of Communions was 139,000 and the Holy Mass was celebrated by
3,364 priests who came here from all parts of the world - that's an
average of 108 priests per day! At the end of October, as usual,
there were great numbers of French people, who generally choose this
period to visit the Shrine. There were about 2,000 in all.
Thanks also to the good weather during the Christmas novena many
pilgrims climbed the Hill of Apparitions every day at 2 pm to recite
the Rosary and other prayers. At Christmas there were mostly
Croatians and groups of French pilgrims. The boys from Sr. Elvira's
"Upper Room Community" (Comunità Cenacolo - Cenacolo means
Upper Room) prepared a splendid nativity scene around the church,
using live subjects.
All the visionaries were present at Christmas, except for Ivan who is
in the States with his family.
After 16 years and 6 months, 4 visionaries (Vicka, Jakov, Ivan and
Marija) continue to receive daily apparitions. For Mirjana and
Ivanka, these terminated on a daily basis in the early years.
Over the days following Christmas the Shrine filled with pilgrims, in
particular from France, Italy, and Germany, who were arriving for the
new year which was celebrated with a prayer vigil which began at 10
pm and ended with the Holy Mass. The Consecration, at mid-night,
signalled the beginning of the new year. (A.M.)
Peace Centres from Latin America in Medjugorje -
Representatives from 20 Peace Centres from various countries of Latin
America held their 8th international meeting during the last week of
October in Medjugorje. The centres arose to serve as a meeting place
for all those who felt touched by Our Lady's call in Medjugorje. The
centres spread Our Lady's messages and organize prayer groups and
pilgrimages. This was the first time that the meeting was held in
Medjugorje.
The 350 participants prayed, reflected and shared experiences and
discovered the importance of collaborating to ensure that the
Virgin's message reaches the world. (Press Bulletin)
Fr. Daniel Ange's defence of Medjugorje against attacks by the French press, entitled Why bombard the Oasis of Peace? which we published in Echo 136, was welcomed by many. The father, at the moment in Brazil, wrote another article as a follow-up. Published by Cahiers d'Edifa, the editor commented: "Daniel Ange's first letter has done a great deal of good to the cause of Medjugorje, which Famille Chrétienne would never have imagined, given the number of French pilgrims present in Medjugorje in October. Many have discovered Medjugorje thanks to his wonderful letter (through our Echo, it reached more than a million readers). His straightforward presentation of the facts makes it is easy for people to discern the truth. (EC)
Sr. Emmanuel, together with Denis and Cathy Nolan and two members of Enfants de Medjugorje, was received by US Congressman, and pro-lifer, Chris Smith. To a group of about 30 people, representatives of various religions, Sr. Emmanuel spoke of the Virgin's messages and cited various testimonies. The climax of the meeting was the moment of prayer - a suggestion put forth by one of the participants - which no doubt was decisive in opening up the useful contacts which followed. "I thank all those who prayed and fasted so that the grace of Medjugorje could enter also this door. Forgive me if I cannot let you in on the details."
"Come to Medjugorje; fix a date now for your 1998
pilgrimage: the fruits are so abundant! Those who receive or help
the pilgrims are witnesses every day to the wonderful graces. Just
recently we heard the testimony of some healed of their addiction to
alcohol, others found peace of mind after years of anguish following
the death of a loved one, and many youth have decided for chastity
prior to marriage, and more. Fr. Jozo says that to come here is a
great gift. So why not ask for this gift?"
(From the diary of Sr. Emmanuel)
On 30th November the Mir i Dobro Association (which supports Fr.
Jozo's works) organized a day of prayer with Fr. Jozo in the Basilica
of Our Lady of Ghiara, with about 2,000 people present. In his
catechesis Fr. Jozo asked the participants to live the messages which
Our Lady gave in Fatima and is giving in Medjugorje, adding that we
should live them with faithfulness and simplicity, and to have
absolute faith in Mary and to place our every hope in Her.
It was a surprise for some that the participants could remain for
more than four hours at a prayer meeting, and all the time be
recollected and attentive. And it was so heart-warming to hear of the
conversions which God stirred in people's hearts during his recent
voyages, in particular to the American continent. The day was a true
grace and helped us reflect on the power of the faith and love of
Mary's chosen witnesses, when these are open to Her messages!
1. Why pray? ...Many Christians are like a student who forgets
what he wanted to become. Think of a student who wanted to become a
good doctor and then, during the years of study, he forgets that that
is what he wanted. What will become of his studies? Each hour of
study is time lost. Why study if he can't remember why he studies?
Likewise, many have stopped praying because they have forgotten why
they pray! For many, to pray means to lose time. For many, to fast
means to feel hunger and nothing else. Naturally, if they think like
this, they will surely not pray or fast. But when you know why you
pray and why you fast it is easier to have peace.
2. When does prayer become joy? - Our Lady has said: "Live all the
words I have given you during this time of grace and renew your
prayer till it becomes joy for you." To pray is our prime duty! But
can prayer become joy? The answer is yes because Our Lady says so.
But let us observe the people who pray. On Sundays when you go to
Mass in your parish do you get the impression that there is great joy
in the hearts of the faithful? How many pray no more! Many pray very
little! Many come to Mass, but never pray, so Mass is too long and
too annoying.
Where is the joy in prayer? Well let us consider what happens among
us. When you love someone you feel joy in his/her presence and the
time spent together is always too brief, and if you can't be with
this person you feel sad. If you do not love someone you can never
feel joy when with him/her. Even thinking of a person you don't love
can be distressing.
Thus, if there is love for God in our heart, then we will feel joy
because prayer means to "be with God." Without love joy is not
possible. This is why many don't pray and don't have joy. And please
don't ever say: "I have no time to pray," because this is not true.
Instead, it is true that you lack love, and this helps us see the
importance of Our Lady's prayer with Mirjana on the 2nd of every
month when She prays for the people who have not experienced God's
love. One must pray to receive the grace of love!
3. Do you have a corner for prayer? - Our Lady has also invited us to
create a corner for prayer. You have heard it many times: a corner
where you can place the Bible, a cross, your beads... It should be a
corner with atmosphere which helps you pray. For example, if the
family eats in the kitchen or dining room, after the meal the mother
(or father) will say: now let's go into the room (or corner) for
prayer. This makes it easier to be more concentrated, to enter into
the prayer. Look: when you built your homes, you asked the architect
to think of everything. In the richer nations space is created also
for a second or third car... but who asks their architect to create
space for a corner for prayer, or who, when buying a home, looks to
see if there is a suitable corner for prayer? It's important that you
pray in the family, and for this that there be a suitable corner.
4. Do you pray as much as you eat? - We have to be sincere and admit
that prayer of the Catholics is in crisis. Many do not pray at all.
Many say they pray, but if you ask them how much per day they often
respond: "a sign of the Cross, a prayer to my Guardian Angel, a Hail
Mary," and nothing else! Yet they say that they pray! Whoever prays
like this cannot say they pray. Prayer is an encounter with God, and
if you want to meet someone you need time. We, instead, find excuses
by saying we don't have time. Catholics, it seems, are specialized in
this excuse!
On the subject of prayer, I have begun to say that if Catholics began
to eat as much as they pray then it would only take two weeks to have
two thirds of them in the grave and one third with the parish priest;
that's if the parish priest survives. I am certain that many of us
would be dead already if we'd eaten as much as we'd prayed, and the
following would be engraved onto our tomb stone: "Here lies a good
Catholic who decided to be honest and eat as much as he prayed." But
if we begin to pray as much as we eat then the situation would change
drastically!
God created our heart and soul in a way that we need to meet Him on a
daily basis. Whoever does not eat dies. Whoever does not keep in
touch with God dies spiritually. Whoever is spiritually dead is
unable to love, unable to forgive, unable to be a friend and unable
to find peace. That is why Our Lady asks us to respond to Her call to
prayer, as She wants Her children and families to live, and that the
whole world live in peace, for ever.
I hope that this pilgrimage will help you find the response to
prayer.
5. Do you pray because you want to? Our Lady also invites us to
personal prayer. Personal prayer is prayer that you do with love; it
is prayer that does not depend on whether others pray or not, as you
will pray anyway because you have decided, out of love, to do so. It
is not easy today, especially for the youth, to make a personal
decision for prayer. The mentality that we are creating does not help
the spirit of prayer or decisions for God to flourish.
For example, I know of some Catholic countries which let 1st grade
children decide whether or not they want to go to catechism lessons.
It's a type of freedom which could be accepted if extended to the
other subjects as well - but perhaps there wouldn't be too many
wanting to do maths! Again, some say that they'll let their children
decide for or against religion when they turn 18, as they don't want
to impose it on them. Okay, but why impose the rest on them?
Everything is imposed! Just look at the TV! Our Lady is certainly not
one for fanaticism, and She doesn't like to impose things on people,
but She does want a personal decision.
Another example: if you see a drunkard in the street drinking two or
three bottles at a time, no one says he's mad, but that he has
problems and that "the poor thing" drinks. But if you see someone in
the street with rosary beads in his hands, what would you say, that
he's wise or mad? Most would call him mad! See how difficult it is
for some to decide for God, for prayer, for Mass! It's not easy to
decide to be different to the others, and often the family doesn't
help. That's why Our Lady recommends to join a prayer group which can
help you.
So, decide for God and for prayer and you will see that all is
possible.
(From a talk by Fr. Slavko - 16.08.97)
Marked by sin, weighed down by problems, fears and insecurity, man
is in great need of meeting God, to be helped and sustained. In His
infinite fatherly goodness, God never fails to open out His arms to
whomever searches for Him with faith and a sincere heart. However, to
obtain what is necessary for a complete healing, you must sacrifice
that which you already possess.
The most difficult thing to offer up as sacrifice is one's own logic;
those convictions of ours which we consider perfect and which are
loaded with experiences and habits (especially on a spiritual level),
and which block God's creativity and make us rigid and severe, as
with the pharisees of Jesus' time. Another thing is our justice which
urges us to say "I'm all right," or, "that is an injustice." So also
our justice must be offered to God in sacrifice, otherwise we are
dead to the life of Grace. In fact, it often happens that virtues
cannot enter us because our hearts are all taken up by logic, justice
and human formality, relentless judges and severe advocates...
[We could say that God writes the stories of our lives
continuously into our hearts, but that we would like to see the end
of the book so we can confront ourselves with others, live on the joy
from our experiences and be in possession of something stable. But
while we have stopped to look back, God continues with His
unpredictable project, and we get left behind.]
Hence it is necessary to enter into a profound silence in which we
can encounter God, and from Him expect every reply. In this inner
silence where we encounter God, human words neither help us nor
offend us, because nothing and no one could ever remove from us "that
hope which hopes beyond all hope." There will no longer be reason to
fear because God will provide for our every need in all situations
and circumstances.
Being totally surrendered to God helps free our soul from the slavery
of sin, so it can open up to the action of Mercy. The Pharisees
instead possessed a perfect sense of human justice and logic, but
they were closed to the divine Mercy.
For this reason prayer must not be the quest for goods or solutions,
but rather a desire to be filled with God's Mercy, Grace and
forgiveness. Of course this entails sacrificing all the rest, in the
certainty that we will receive what we truly need. It's a question of
knowing how to place everything on the altar; the more we give to
God, the more He can give to us.
The basis of a spiritual life is feeling that God is God, that God is
the Lord, that God is the Saviour, and knowing how to exclaim with
trust: "My Lord and my God," as St. Thomas did after Jesus'
Resurrection. To do this, however, we must be free of every certainty
and experience of which we are so 'rich.' In fact, these are
generally loaded with expectations which end up impeding the
liberating action of the Holy Spirit in us. Moreover, the expectation
of success and spiritual fruits becomes an obstacle in us, even more
so than material impediments, because the former is created in the
name of God.
If we allow God to proceed in which ever way He wants, and change our
previous experiences, He is able to lead us onwards, drawing us
closer to Him. However, this also means wanting to die to our own
knowledge and predictions and deciding to cross the bridge of our
weaknesses, fears and darkness with courage.
Our relationship with Grace is able to develop and mature when we are
aware that we can do nothing on our own, so we pray and wait on God's
help with faith. This is the only way that God can use us according
to His design which is unknown to us. The only spiritual experience
of any value is our capacity to believe unconditionally in the divine
Providence, in the truth that God is God, and in the certainty that
our passage through darkness, sorrow, and weakness is an offering
which pleases Him.
(From a conversation with Fr. Tomislav)
For the celebration of 'Pro-Life Day' (1 Feb.) we offer to our
readers this moving testimony: a letter to the Mother Superior of her
Congregation.
"My name is Lucia Vetruse. I'm one of the novices who were raped by
the Serbian soldiers. I'm writing to tell you about what happened to
me and my sisters Tartina and Sendria.
Spare me, I beseech you, from providing the details. The whole thing
was atrocious, so atrocious that it can't be spoken of if not to God,
under Whose will I placed myself when I took my vows and consecrated
myself to Him. The tragedy is not only in the humiliation that was
forced on me because I am woman, nor in the irreparable damage done
to my way of life and vocation, but also in the difficulty I have in
comprehending the event in the light of faith. I have no doubt that
it is all part of the plan God has for me, and I still consider Him
my divine Groom.
Just a few days before I had read Dialogue of the Carmelites by
Bernanos and I had thought of asking the Lord to allow me to die a
martyr. Well, He didn't waste any time, and what martyrdom! At the
moment I am going through an anguishing inner darkness. They
destroyed the project of my life which for me was already definitive,
and in doing so they drew up a new one which I am still unable to
decipher.
As an adolescent I wrote in my diary: "I own nothing, I belong to no
one and no one belongs to me." Instead on a night that I'd like to
forget, somebody took me and robbed me of myself, making me his.
When I came back to my senses it was dawn and my first thought went
to Jesus in agony in the Olive Grove. A terrible battle was going on
inside me, not understanding how God could allow me to be destroyed
right there in those things which had become my reason for life, and
at the same time I was asking myself where this would lead me. I got
up, exhausted, to prepare myself and to help Sr. Josephine. I heard
bells tolling; it was the near-by monastery. I crossed myself and
mentally recited the hymn of the liturgy: "On Golgotha, Christ, the
true paschal Lamb, paid the ransom for our sins, that we be saved..."
So, Mother, what is my suffering compared to that of Jesus to Whom I
promised a thousand times to give my life? I said to Him, "May Your
will be done now that I have nothing else but the certainty that You,
oh Lord, are near me."
I am writing to you Mother, not to be consoled, but to ask you to
help me give thanks to God for having united me to the thousands of
fellow countrymen whose honour has been wounded, and to help me
accept this unwanted pregnancy... My humiliation is added to that of
the others and all I can do is offer it as atonement for the sins
committed by the anonymous rapists and for the peace between the two
ethnic groups, and accept the dishonour, offering it to God's mercy.
Don't hold it against me if I ask you to share in this seemingly
absurd "grace." I had cried over the loss of my two brothers,
assassinated by the same people who terrorize and attack our towns. I
thought I had cried all my tears, that it couldn't be possible to
suffer more than that or with such intensity.
Every day hundreds of people, hungry and trembling with cold, with
desperation written on their faces, come knocking on the door of our
convent. A few weeks ago an 18 year old girl said to me: "You're
lucky because you chose to live in a place where evil doesn't enter,"
adding: "You don't know what dishonour is." After having reflected I
understood that this was my people's sorrow, and I felt nearly
ashamed for having remained outside of it.
Now I am one of them; one of the many anonymous women of my people,
the body of which has been torn to pieces and the soul plundered. The
Lord has made me penetrate the mystery of that shame, and more, He
has given me, a nun, the privilege of understanding the diabolic
force of evil... My story is their story, and my resignation,
sustained by faith, will serve if not as an example, at least as
comfort for their moral and emotional reactions.
The slightest sign, a word, a helping hand, may suffice to stir up
the hope of this 'unknown army.' God has chosen me - forgive me the
presumption - to guide the humiliated persons towards the dawn of
Redemption and freedom. They will not be able to doubt of my
sincerity or my intentions because I too come from the borders of
abjection...
It's all over Mother, but it is also just beginning. When you
telephoned me, after saying words of comfort for which I will always
be grateful, you asked me: "What will you do with the life that has
been forced on you?" I felt your voice trembling when you asked me
that question to which I could not reply immediately. Now I have made
my decision: the baby is mine and I will keep it. I could give it up,
but he or she has the right to receive its mother's love even if I
had neither desired nor wanted it.
You can't separate the plant from its roots. The seed which falls on
the earth has to grow there where the mysterious - though evil -
sower threw it. I do not ask anything of my Congregation which has
already given me everything. I thank my sisters for their solidarity
and care and above all for not having made indiscreet questions.
I shall go with my baby, I don't know where, but God Who unexpectedly
broke my greatest joy will show me the way. I will be poor; I will
put on my old apron and clogs which the women here use to work in and
I shall go with my mother to gather resin from the pine trees of our
forests. I will do all I can to break the chain of hatred which is
destroying our country and to my baby I will teach only love. My
baby, born out of violence, will be a testimony that only one great
thing can render man honourable and that is forgiveness." (From
Notizie Gesuiti Italiani)
When God touches man with His grace, everything in and around him
changes. It's the age-old story of God's mercy... At times God makes
Mary His delegate, instrument of His grace, such as at Lourdes and
Fatima and now Medjugorje since 1981. Since the Blessed Virgin spoke
to the six children, that forgotten place amid the mountains of
Herzegovina has become a place of life for millions of people.
Countless is the number of youth who have found God and His Church,
and countless are the spiritual and physical healings, the many saved
from the clamp of drugs, the priests who have discovered new fervour
for their vocation, and people, the majority young, who offer a year
of their life as volunteers for humanitarian or religious services.
No less important are the social activities and works in favour of
the orphans, disabled and drug addicts.
Now, the association named Solidarietà e Aiuto from Parma has
decided to build a hospital in Medjugorje, for which all the building
permits have already been obtained. The paper from Split, Dalmazia
Libera (6 Aug. 96), called it a 'temple of medicine and faith' which
the hospital, dedicated to Padre Pio, aims to be.
The land (65,520 sqm) has already been purchased and is near Vionica.
For 1998 they plan to start operating with a Sanitary Centre. The
Queen of Peace has already helped: Fr. Onelio Ciani, director of a
community for disabled people in Udine, has donated to the
association a house for the handicapped which he began in Medjugorje
and is still unfinished. Further help came from Padre Pio who set up
an encounter between the association and Capuchin Fr. Michele
Piacentino, director of a Rehabilitation Centre in Puglia. Together
they plan to open up a house in Medjugorje called 'Regina Pacis', God
pleasing in the Spring of 1999, with medical and physiotherapy
services, pathology lab and more.
Donations are welcome. Send direct to them: Solidarietà e
Aiuto, Casella Postale 206, 39100 Bolzano, Italy. Fax 0471-283706 P.
Mannes M. Ghizzardi, OP (Bolzano)
[Readers are asked not to send donations to us for the various associations, groups, etc. mentioned in the Echo.]
* International Prayer Meeting for Youth. The 9th Youth
Festival will be held in Medjugorje from 31 July to 6 August. The
theme: Come, Creator Spirit. We will publish the programme in a
future issue.
"Go towards Third Millennium without fear" - The Pope echoes Mary
when he says: "Christians are wrong to think of the future in terms
of wars and evil. There is only one way for Christians to consider
the future: it is our hope of salvation. To think of evil, of
chastisement, of war, is to take the way which leads precisely to
these things. Your responsibility is to accept the divine peace, to
live it, to spread it, not with words, but with your life."
* For Priests there will be an international retreat, led by Fathers Slavko, Cosimo Cavalluzzo and Jörg Müller from 30 June to 5 July 1998. For information telephone 00387-88-651988, fax 00387-88-651888/651444.
* Spiritual Exercises held by Fr. Jozo in St. Joseph's House
for 1998: January 11-15 in German, 18-22 in French, February 8-12
in Italian, 22-26 in Spanish, March 1-5 for Croatians, 8-12 in
English, 22-26 for only priests.
The courses begin on Sundays at 3 pm and finish on Thursday
afternoons. Fr. Jozo would prefer groups of no more than 40 for each
course and he'll be happy to see lots of priests. Book with the
father's secretary, Lidia, at fax no. 00387-88-705450.
SOS from aid deliverers - The Queen of Peace is calling all Her children to help the poor. The Kraljica Mira Association is asking for donations of money for the city of Glamoc which was completely destroyed and is now out of reach for aid deliverers' vehicles. For information: Alberto Bonifacio, Via S. Alessandro 26, 22050 Pescate (LC). Fax 0341-368587.
* The main language editions of Echo of Mary are available in Medjugorje at the MIR-Shalom shop opposite the church, to the right, and also in the shop Ain Karim, last shop of the Gallery under the International Hotel: behind the presbytery.
* The 4 volumes of meditations by Frs. Tomislav and Slavko (Open Your Hearts to Mary, Surrender Yourselves Totally to Me, Pray with the Heart, I Beseech You: Heed my Messages) are wonderfully sincere to the Medjugorje message and spirit. For a free copy write to: Amici di Medjugorje, Via Nirone 9, 20123 MILANO, Italy.
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 - From 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.
On Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Word-made-Eucharist, Card.
Newman wrote:
"It is difficult, impossible to imagine, I grant; but how is it
impossible to believe? I cannot indeed prove it; I cannot tell how it
is. But I say, "Why should it not be? What's to hinder it? What do I
know of substance or matter? Just as much as the greatest
philosophers, and that is nothing at all."
(This and other wonderful thoughts on the Eucharist can be found in
Mary and the Eucharist by Fr. Richard Foley, S.J. by Veritas
Publications, Dublin, Ireland.)
For British readers we have opened an account at: Royal Bank of Scotland, 26 George St., Oban, Argyll, PA34 5SA. Acc. no. 8326 0400 154351
Our thanks to readers for their donations, in particular from France and Switzerland and all those who send regular donations who with their generosity enable us to send Echo free to the many who can't give anything.
What joy when we hear from our readers who tell us that they've
seen copies of our publication in different and at times unexpected
places around the world (the Cathedral of Sydney, various churches in
London, missions in Sudan where persecution of Catholics is still
underway, far-away islands). The missionaries, in particular, write
to say how useful they find our little Echo both for their personal
formation and for that of their people, seeing in it a gift from the
hands of the Queen of Peace.
Above all, we thank all those who have prayed with faith and were
thus able to obtain from Mary, through unexpected and incredible
interventions, that also this copy of Echo could be completed, as my
state of health had severely compromised its publication this time.
The future of Echo is entirely in Her hands...
May Mary, who donated to us the Good of Jesus, open the hearts of all so we can receive the Holy Spirit in this year dedicated to Him, and become holy and able to tell everyone: "I love you." To all of you I say: "I love you," and I bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Villanova M.
12 January 1998