Wednesday, June 26, 2013

MEDJUGORJE IN THE BEGINNING
JUNE 24, 1981

        
She came, sent by God, to prepare us for the 
Chastisements Coming Soon, 
to Save as many Souls as possible.
 Medjugorje in the Beginning, June 24, 1981


The Franciscan parish of St. James, in the village of Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, became known in Herzegovina and the world because of six young people who claim to have seen visions of Our Lady. One of the nearby hills, called Crnica, has another hill attached to it, called Podbrdo (“sub” or “under hill”), and the village of Bijakovici is at the base of this hill. Podbrdo is the locale of the apparitions that are alleged to have started on June 24, 1981. Another hill, on the other side of Crnica, was called Sipovac until 1933, when the parishioners built a large cross on it to mark and honor 1,900 years since the death of the Lord. The name of the hill was then changed to Krizevac (“cross mountain”). Since then, people from the parish and from the surrounding areas have gathered there every year on the first Sunday after the feast of the Birth of Mary to celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross.  

The Franciscans, who came to the area in the fourteenth century as missionaries, preserved the Catholic Faith in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Holy See gave them the responsibility of being in this very difficult region under Turkish-Muslim rule from 1478 to 1878. It was a time of many tough trials and much suffering. Hard work in this small, dry land - in its vineyards and tobacco fields - constant struggle in good times and bad - has taught the villagers persistence in their ways and their goals. Unfounded optimism has never carried them away, nor has pessimism impaired their zeal for life. Emerging from this varied and rather hidden history, Medjugorje has become a destination for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.   [(Adapted from The Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje by Father Svetozar Kraljevic, 3rd edition published by Informativni Centar, Mir, 2005. Some excerpts from the beginning days have been extracted from Vicka…Her Story by Finbar O’Leary, published in 2006) ]
THE FIRST DAY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH 1981



IVANKA'S STORY:  In an interview with Fr. Svetozar in February 1983, Ivanka, the first young person to see Our Lady, spoke about the extraordinary events that took place on June 24, 1981, the feast day of John the Baptist: “We were together in my house, Mirjana and myself, and we went for a walk. When we were returning home, for some reason I looked toward the hill and saw a bright figure. I said, ‘Mirjana, look, the Madonna!’ Mirjana waved her hand and said, ‘Come on, you think Our Lady would appear to us!’ And we continued on our way home. We came to Milka's house, (younger sister of visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti), and she said, ‘Let us go to bring the sheep home.’ So we went there (near where the Community of Sr. Elvira is now located), talking along the way. When we arrived I saw Our Lady holding Baby Jesus in her hands, and then Mirjana and Milka looked and saw her too.” 
VICKA'S STORY:  In an interview with Fr. Tomislav Vlasic on March 15, 1982, Vicka recounted what had happened: “I went to look for Ivanka and Mirjana, because every summer we are together all the time. When I reached the road where they were, I noticed they were waving with their hands and calling me to come. I was wearing slippers. When I got to where they were, Mirjana said, ‘Look up there - Our Lady!’ I said, ‘What do you mean, Our Lady?’ I did not even look -did not take the time to bother to look. I kicked off my slippers and ran barefooted, toward Cilici, along the macadam road.
"On my way back, I met Ivan Dragicevic and Ivan Ivankovic. They were picking apples, and asked me if I wanted some. I said, ‘No,’ and then I said, ‘Ivan (Dragicevic), Our Lady - they said that Our Lady has appeared up there. Let's go there, you and me because I'm afraid.’ Ivan said, ‘Of course we'll go, but why are you afraid?’ I thought, ‘He's not afraid’. But when we got there and I turned toward Ivan to ask, ‘Do you see anything?’ he was already gone. I saw him running away. Then I asked Ivan Ivankovic, ‘Do you see anything?’ He said, ‘I see something completely white, turning.’ Milka was with us then, and I asked her if she saw anything. She said, ‘I see Our Lady.’ I said to myself, ‘If they are not running away, I will not run away either.’ 
"This was after 6:30 in the evening. It was raining a little and beginning to get dark…I was in shock. I felt stiff and could not move. The girls were describing Our Lady. They described how beautiful her gown was, the color of her gown and the way she was standing. I felt something strong was blocking me inside. It would not allow me to even look towards Podbrdo. Then in one moment, I could feel something unblocking inside of me. Something was coming out of my own heart and soul. As it did, my head went up and I was able to look towards Podbrdo. As I looked up, I was able to see exactly what the three of them, were describing to me. 
"We were standing on the road and Our Lady was up on the Hill. What I saw was very white. I saw a gown, dark hair. All the time, she was covering and uncovering something she held in her left hand. I was not able to see what else she was doing, but it looked like she was showing something. Then she called to us to come closer - but who was going to get any closer? We were saying to each other, ‘She is calling us, but who is going to go?’ I went home before the others. They remained there five or six minutes after me.
"Then I and little Milka went to Marija and told her that we had seen Our Lady on the hill. She just laughed and did not want to talk about it seriously. Then some people tried to tease us. ‘You should have caught her,’ Marija's uncle said. ‘Did she send greetings to your mothers and fathers?’ My sister said, ‘Maybe they saw a flying saucer.’ This is what happened the first time; but we did not pay any attention to what people said. We thought, ‘Let them talk’.”
A silent and distant apparition of the white silhouette on the hill of Crnica; the first time in the afternoon, the second time, towards 6:00 p.m.  



Vicka, Jakov, Ivanka, Mirjana, 
Marija, and Ivan in ecstasy, 1981
 THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 1981
The date of the first apparition for the group of six seers, who see the Gospa nearby on the hill: "Praised be Jesus!" (DV.1).
Ivanka: "Where is my mother?" (Her mother had died two months previously.) "She is happy. She is with me." (A variation on this wording is) "She is your angel in heaven." (Lj.15).

The seers: "Will you return tomorrow?"

The apparition acquiesces with a nod of the head.

Mirjana: "No one will believe us. They will say that we are crazy. Give us a sign!"

The apparition responds only with a smile. Mirjana believed she had received a sign. Her watch had changed time during the apparition. (Bu 24; D4; K21).

Goodbye, my angels." (BU.24).

"Go in the peace of God." (DV.1).

FRIDAY, JUNE 26TH 1981  
In the presence of a crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people, drawn there by the luminary signs coming from the hill of the apparitions, Vicka sprinkles the apparition with holy water and says: "If you are the Gospa, stay with us, if not, go away."

The apparition only smiles.

Ivanka:"Why have you come here? What do you desire?"  "I have come because there are many true believers here. I wish to be with you to convert and to reconcile the whole world." (According to others: "To convert all of you.") (K.26).

Ivanka: "Did my mother say anything?"

"Obey your grandmother and help her because she is old." (K.26; Lj.16; BU.28).

Mirjana: "How is my grandfather?" (He had recently died.) "He is well." (K.26).

The seers on a request from the crowd: "Give us a sign which will prove your presence."

"Blessed are those who have not seen and who believe." (L.2,24).

Mirjana:"Who are you?"

"I am the Most Blessed Virgin Mary." (L.1, 37).

"Why are you appearing to us? We are not better than others."

"I do not necessarily choose the best."

"Will you come back?"

"Yes, to the same place as yesterday." (L.2, 25).

On returning to the village after the apparition, Maria sees the Virgin again, in tears, near a cross with rainbow colors: "Peace, Peace, Peace! Be reconciled! Only Peace." (D.7). "Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast, and to go to confession." (F.2, 126; D.5).

SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH 1981
 "Praised be Jesus!"

Jakov:"What do you expect of our Franciscans?"

"Have them persevere in the faith and protect the faith of others." (DV.1).

Jakov and Mirjana:"Leave us a sign because the people treat us as liars."

"My angels, do not be afraid of injustice. It has always existed." (L.2,33).

The seers: "How must we pray?"

SUNDAY, JUNE 28TH 1981  

The seers: "What do you wish?"

"That people believe and persevere in the faith."

Vicka:"What do you expect from the priests?"

"That they remain strong in the faith and that they help you."

"Why don't you appear to everyone in church?"

"Blessed are they who believe without having seen."

"Will you come back?"

"Yes, to the same place."

"Do you prefer prayer or singing?"

"Both, pray and sing."

Vicka:"What do you wish from the crowd which has gathered here?"

This question remained without any response except for a glance of love, with a smile, said the seers.

Here the Virgin disappeared. The visionaries prayed so that she might return because she had not said, "Goodbye, my angels."

During their song, "You Are All Beautiful," she reappears. Vicka: "Dear Gospa, what do you expect of this people?" She repeated the question three times and finally was given this answer: "That those who do not see believe as those who see."

Vicka:"Will you leave us a sign so that people believe that we are not liars nor comedians?"

No other response, only a smile.

"Go in the peace of God, " she said, as she disappeared.

(The responses for the 28th of June were taken on the tape recorder of Grgo Kozina.) (L.2,37-38).

MONDAY, JUNE 29TH 1981

The seers: "Dear Gospa, are you happy to see so many people here today?"

More than happy ("She smiles," writes Vicka).

"How long will you stay with us?"

"As long as you will want me to, my angels."

"What do you expect of the people who have come in spite of the brambles and the heat?"

"There is only one God, one faith. Let the people believe firmly and do not fear anything."

"What do you expect of us?"

"That you have a solid faith and that you maintain confidence."

"Will we know how to endure persecutions which will come to us because of you?" "You will be able to, my angels. Do not fear. You will be able to endure everything. You must believe and have confidence in me."

Here Vicka writes a question from Dr. Darinka Glamuzina: "May I touch Our Lady?" She gives this response: "There have always been doubting Thomases, but she can approach."

Vicka shows her where to stretch out her hand. Darinka tries to touch her. The Gospa disappears, then reappears in her light. (L2,33).

The parents of a three-year-old child, Daniel Setka, who had suffered from septicemia since the fourth day of his birth, asked the seers to intercede for the handicapped child. "Dear Gospa, is little Daniel going to speak some day? Cure him so that they all will believe us. These people love you very much, dear Gospa. Perform a miracle ... It is watching... it ... Dear Gospa, say something."

They repeated this petition and conveyed the response: "Have them believe strongly in his cure. Go in the peace of God." (L.2, 42-43).






The name of the hill was  changed to 
Krizevac (“cross mountain”).
 
Love, Jeanne

Saturday, June 22, 2013

OUR LADY SAYS
"GO TO CONFESSION REGULARLY"


I'm sooo sorry!

 
 Make your peace with God and among yourselves.
 
Our Lady talked about reconciliation (Confession) already on the second day!  On returning to the village after the apparition, Maria saw the Virgin again, in tears, near a cross with rainbow colors: "Peace, Peace, Peace! Be reconciled! Only Peace." Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast, and to go to confession." FRIDAY, JUNE 26TH 1981
 
The Gospa told us that: "A good many people have been converted and among them some had not gone to Confession in 45 years, and now, they are going to Confession." WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND 1981
 
Maria sees the Virgin in her room:  "All of you together go to the meadow at Gumno. A great battle is about to take place. A battle between my Son and Satan. Human souls are at stake."  The seers, accompanied by some 40 people, went to the praire of Gumno, 200 meters from Vicka's house. The Virgin said, "Everyone here may touch me."  After many people had touched her, a black stain appeared on the dress of the Virgin. Maria cried. Marinko, invited the people who were present to go to Confession. SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND 1981
 
Ivan's diary: "The students in the seminary prayed the rosary after they had gone to Confession."  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH 1981 
 
Jakov and I (Vicka) were alone. Just as every evening, we prayed, conversed with the Blessed Virgin, and asked many questions. To [one of ] them she responded: "Pray, Pray! It is necessary to believe firmly, to go to confession regularly, and likewise receive Holy Communion. It is the only salvation."  WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH 1982 

"A number of those who have been very enthusiastic will cool off. But you, persist, and be proud of each of my words. Have the people pray very much. Have them pray more for salvation, and only for salvation, because it is in prayer, and let the people be converted so long as it is possible. There are many sins, vexations, curse words, lies and other bad things. Let them be converted, go to confession and receive Holy Communion." WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23RD 1982 
 
"Whoever has done very much evil during his life can go straight to Heaven if he confesses, is sorry for what he has done, and received Communion at the end of his life."  SATURDAY, JULY 24TH 1982
 
A response to questions which were asked concerning Confession: "One must invite people to go to Confession each month, especially the first Saturday. Here I have not spoken about it yet. I have invited people to frequent Confession. I will give you yet some concrete messages for our time. Be patient because the time has not yet come. Do what I have told you. They are numerous who do not observe it. Monthly Confession will be a remedy for the Church in the West. One must convey this message to the West. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6TH 1982 (Feast of the Transfiguration) 
 
To Jelena: "Do not go to confession through habit, to remain the same after it.  No, it is not good. Confession should give an impulse to your faith. It should stimulate you and bring you closer to Jesus. If confession does not mean anything for you, really, you will be converted with great difficulty."  MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH 1983

"The true fast consists in giving up all our sins, but one must also renounce himself and make the body participate in it.  Monthly confession will be a remedy for the Church in the west. Whole sections of the Church could be cured, if the believers would go to confession once a month." (Bl. 224). DECEMBER 1983

To Jelena: "For you, I only wish that this new year will really be a holy one. On this day, go then, to confession, and purify yourself in this new year."  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31ST 1983  
 
The celebration of the second millennium of Mary's birthday was preceded by three days of fasting and continuous prayer. Seventy priests heard confessions without respite there were conversions in great numbers. Mary exclaimed, "Never in my life have I cried with sorrow, as I have cried this evening with joy. Thank you!"  In anticipation of this day the Gospa had said: "The priest who will hear confession will have great joy on that day."  During these 3 days of fasting and continuous prayer the seers say the Blessed Virgin was "very joyful," and she repeated: "I am very happy, continue, continue. Continue to pray and to fast." Her joy seemed to have reached a peak Sunday, August 5th. Like a flower when it blooms, and full of joy, she said: "Continue, continue, open your hearts, ask God and I will ask for you."  SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH 1984  
 
"Today I invite all of you to Confession, even if you have already gone to Confession during the last days. I wish that you would live my feast in your hearts. You are not able to, if you do not abandon yourselves completely to the Lord. It is for this reason that I call all of you to reconciliation with the Lord."  SUNDAY, MARCH 24TH 1985 (vigil of the Annunciation)  
 
“You do not celebrate the Eucharist, as you should. If you would know what grace, and what gifts you receive, you would prepare yourselves for it each day, for an hour at least. You should go to confession once a month. You should consecrate three days to reconciliation, each month: the first Friday of the month, followed by Saturday, and Sunday.”  The parish at Medjugorje had established an hour of adoration, before the Most Blessed Sacrament, the first Friday of the month. On the Saturday which followed, [there would take place] an hour of devotion before the cross, with prayers for sinners. And on Sunday, the Holy Mass was followed by a meal of reconciliation. TUTTO 58 (1985) 
  
"Dear children! I invite you to open the door of your heart to Jesus as the flower opens itself to the sun. Jesus desires to fill your hearts with peace and joy. You cannot, little children, realize peace if your are not at peace with Jesus. Therefore, I invite you to confession so Jesus may be your truth and peace. So, little children, pray to have the strength to realize what I am telling you. I am with you and I love you. Thank you for having responded to my call."  January 25, 1995 

I want Divine Mercy!
  
"Dear children! Today I call you to prepare yourselves for the coming of Jesus. In a special way, prepare your hearts. May holy Confession be the first act of conversion for you and then, dear children, decide for holiness. May your conversion and decision for holiness begin today and not tomorrow. Little children, I call you all to the way of salvation and I desire to show you the way to Heaven. That is why, little children, be mine and decide with me for holiness. Little children, accept prayer with seriousness and pray, pray, pray. Thank you for having responded to my call." November 25, 1998
 
Jakov receives his annual apparition from the Blessed Mother on Christmas Day.  He prayed with his family.  He prepared himself for the apparition with Confession and Holy Mass. After the apparition, he cried for a while.  December 25, 1998

"Dear children! I call you also today to conversion. Open your heart to God, little children, through Holy Confession and prepare your soul so that little Jesus can be born anew in your heart. Permit Him to transform you and lead you on the way of peace and joy.  Little children, decide for prayer. Especially now, in this time of grace, may your heart yearn for prayer. I am close to you and intercede before God for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."  November 25, 2002
 
"Dear children!  Open your heart to God's mercy in this Lenten time. The Heavenly Father desires to deliver each of you from the slavery of sin. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time and through meeting with God in confession, leave sin and decide for holiness. Do this out of love for Jesus, who redeemed you all with His blood, that you may be happy and in peace. Do not forget, little children, your freedom is your weakness, therefore follow my messages with seriousness. Thank you for having responded to my call."  February 25, 2007
 
Mirjana Soldo received her monthly apparition at the Cenacolo Community.  After the apparition, she transmitted the following message to us:  "Dear children!  In the great love of God, I come to you today to lead you on the way of humility and meekness.  The first station on that way, my children, is confession.  Reject your pride and kneel down before my Son.  Comprehend, my children, that you have nothing and you can do nothing.  The only thing that is yours and what you possess is sin. Be cleansed and accept meekness and humility.  My Son could have won with strength, but He chose meekness, humility and love.  Follow my Son and give me your hand so that, together, we may climb the mountain [Our Lady referred to the spiritual climb]  and win.  Thank you!"  Again Our Lady spoke about the importance of priests and their blessing. July 2, 2007
 
“Dear children! In this time of renunciation, prayer and penance, I call you anew: go and confess your sins so that grace may open your hearts, and permit it to change you. Convert little children, open yourselves to God and to His plan for each of you.  Thank you for having responded to my call.” February 25, 2009 
 
I am calling you to resurrect in my Son. Along with confession of sins renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say 'yes' to the Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which He is calling you through the Holy Spirit."  May 2, 2011
 
"Dear children; today I call you to a difficult and painful step for your unity with my Son.  I call you to complete admission and confession of sins, to purification.  An impure heart cannot be in my Son and with my Son.  An impure heart cannot give the fruit of love and unity.  An impure heart cannot do correct and just things; it is not an example of the beauty of God's love to those who surround it and to those who have not come to know that love.  You, my children, are gathering around me full of enthusiasm, desires and expectations, and I implore the Good Father to, through the Holy Spirit, put my Son - faith, into your purified hearts. My children, obey me, set out with me." As Our Lady was leaving, to her left she showed darkness and to her right a Cross in golden light.   July 2, 2011
 
"I desire that by your example you help sinners regain their sight, enrich their poor souls and bring them back into my embrace. Therefore, pray, pray, fast and confess regularly. If receiving my Son in the Eucharist is the centre of your life than do not be afraid, you can do everything."   June 2, 2012
 
“Dear children! In this time of grace, I call all of you to renew prayer. Open yourselves to Holy Confession so that each of you may accept my call with the whole heart. I am with you and I protect you from the ruin of sin, but you must open yourselves to the way of conversion and holiness, that your heart may burn out of love for God.  Give Him time and He will give Himself to you and thus, in the will of God you will discover the love and the joy of living. Thank you for having responded to my call.” November 25, 2012


There is light in this place.
Saint (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy
 

 
ACT OF CONTRITION
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and  I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offended Thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.   I firmly resolve, with the help of they grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.   Amen   CATHOLIC SUPPLY OF ST. LOUIS INC.
 
 
Love, Jeanne

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

"PRAY WITH THE HEART,"
SAYS OUR LADY OF PEACE

That is, "Let the Holy Spirit fill your Soul,
then Pray in the Spirit?"

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love. 
Send forth Thy Spirit and They shall be created
and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

I Want the Theological Virtues!
"There are three theological virtues: They inform all the moral virtues and give life to them.  Faith - Hope - Charity"
I Want the Gifts of the Holy Spirit! 
"The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Wisdom - Understanding - Counsel - Fortitude - Knowledge - Piety - Fear of the Lord" 
I Want the Fruits of the Holy Spirit!

"The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve:
Charity - Joy - Peace - Patience - Kindness - Goodness - Generosity - Gentleness - Faithfulness - Modesty - Self-control - Chastity"
THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ONLINE (1830-1832,1841)

Medjugorje Theme, Prayer of the Heart
"I invite you, again, to prayer of the heart. If you pray with the heart, dear children, the eyes of your brothers will melt, and every barrier will disappear. Conversion will be easy for all those who want to receive it. It is a gift which you must implore for your neighbor." (Message to the parish, January 23, 1986)

"...Continue to pray, but pray with the heart. Dear children, again it is necessary for you to pray to the Holy Spirit ... " (Message from Mary at Medjugorje, June 2, 1984)

"In prayer, abandon yourselves to God. Pray with the heart." (August 9, 1984, Medjugorje)

"I offer some special graces to all those who pray with the heart."  (February 6, 1986, Medjugorje)

"I am with you and I wish to teach you to pray with the heart. In prayer with the heart you shall encounter God." (October 25, 1989, Medjugorje)

"I invite you to pray with the heart in order that your prayer may be a conversation with God. I desire each one of you to dedicate more time to God." (September 25, 1990, Medjugorje)

"Dear children, pray with the heart to know how to forgive and how to be forgiven. I thank you for your prayers and the love you give to me." (June 25, 1997, Medjugorje)

"Dear children! Also today I call you to pray for peace. Pray with the heart, little children, and do not lose hope because God loves His creatures. He desires to save you, one by one, through my coming here. I call you to the way of holiness. Pray, and in prayer you are open to God's will; in this way, in everything you do, you realize God's plan in you and through you. Thank you for having responded to my call." (March 25, 2003, Medjugorje)

“Dear children! At this time, in a special way I call you: 'pray with the heart'. Little children, you speak much and pray little. Read and meditate on Sacred Scripture, and may the words written in it be life for you. I encourage and love you, so that in God you may find your peace and the joy of living." (February 25, 2012, Medjugorje)  ALL MEDJUGORJE MESSAGES (this blog)


"My secret is quite simple - I pray!"
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught, "Prayer is a conversation with God; a piece of the inner, spiritual life; the characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian's heart; a continual movement of the Holy Spirit; a work of divine healing. Prayer is an indicator of a true and faithful Christian, a powerful living witness of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a precious work and the highest honor, to be offered to God alone. It must be done in the love of God and the joy of faith with total resignation to God's will and certain expectation of divine help.  Prayer unites people with God and brings them into the realm of the Divine." [Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta] 

"How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer." [Saint Teresa of Avila]   


I need the Holy Spirit to Pray!

I close my eyes. The Holy Spirit Comes!

I pray the Sign of the Cross.
The Holy Spirit Comes!

I ask the Holy Spirit to Come,
and He comes!

COME HOLY SPIRIT!


Love, Jeanne