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From: "joycelang"
July 15, 2001
Dear Children of Medjugorje, Praised be Jesus and Mary!
1. Bishop Denis Croteau of the Canadian Northwest Territories, went to
Medjugorje last April. Before leaving from Medjugorje, he shared his amazing
testimony with his fellow pilgrims. He has given us permission to also share
it with you!
I came to Medjugorje somewhat like a certain Mgr Paolo Hnilica, who visited
Pope John-Paul II on his return from Russia in March 1984. The Pope asked
him, "Paolo, have you been to Medjugorje yet?"
"No, I haven't, Your Holiness." "What, you haven't?" "No, the Vatican
advised me against doing so." The Pope gestured as if to say, "don't worry,"
then added: "Go incognito, then report back to me."
I am Bishop Denis Croteau, OMI, from the Mackenzie Diocese in Northern
Canada. My residence is in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. I have lived
a week among you as a fellow pilgrim. I have kept my distance and not
mingled too much for fear that I would betray my identity or blow my cover
as they say in "spy" language. Why did I do that? I had two reasons.
- First reason: In Canada, I had been told that priests are treated in a
very special way when they come to Medjugorje. Also, they sit in the church
sanctuary and are not really part of the crowds. They are also asked to
"work" hearing confessions, blessing religious articles, etc. I wanted to
come to Medjugorje as a regular pilgrim. I wanted to taste the full flavor
of the pilgrimage as an ordinary baptized Catholic. No first class
treatment. I did not want to "live" Medjugorje from the sanctuary, but from
the pew.
Easier said than done. Try to live a whole week with a group of seventy
fellow-pilgrims without even once talking about who you are and what you do
for a living. Even for a Bishop it is no small task. I should say it is even
doubly difficult. I consider the fact that I succeeded as a minor miracle of
Medjugorje.
Try to deflect the justified questions of a roommate like Ed inquiring about
who I was without even telling a white lie. One day the conversation went
like this:
Ed: "What do you do in life, Denis?"
Bishop: "I work for the Church in Catholic Education."
Ed: "Oh, you are part of the Catholic school system?"
Bishop: "No, I work at the diocesan level."
That conversation would give me just enough time to steer the inquiry to
less dangerous ground. Another day Ed counter attacked saying:
Ed: "Did you leave a family behind?"
Bishop: "No, I don't have a family."
Ed: "So, you are single?"
Bishop: "Yes, I am single."
Ed: "Have you ever thought of becoming a priest?"
Bishop: "You know, since Vatican II, lay people are given ample
opportunities to serve the Church, in a meaningful way, without becoming
priests or sisters."
That is what you call living on the edge. After a week at Medjugorje, I have
the conviction that I could have had a second career and worked for the KGB.
- The second reason I came to Medjugorje was to see for myself what it was
all about. To make that discovery I had to experience Medjugorje as a
regular pilgrim. I have made the experience and I have made the decision.
Medjugorje is all what it is claimed to be.
I came here under "pressure". My little sister, Micheline, kept feeding me
information, books, and articles. She is a very determined small woman. She
finally got me "hooked". I came, I saw, and I have been won over.
I have been a missionary priest in the Canadian North for more than 40
years. I work mostly with Dene (Indian) people and Inuit (Eskimo). They have
a great devotion to Mary. Their favorite devotion is the recitation of the
rosary. They would be in "heaven" coming to Medjugorje. They would be
strengthened, their faith would be rejuvenated, they would delight and would
take to Medjugorje like a fish to water.
So, I am happy to report that there will be a pilgrimage from the North to
Medjugorje. The date has already been set, (from October 28 to November 7).
I suggested two conditions regarding the rental of the "pension". The first
condition is that it has to have a "prayer room". The crowds in Medjugorje
can be oppressive. My diocese is the size of the province of Quebec but
contains only 20,000 Catholics. They would find the crowds oppressive after
a day or two. Even when you climb Mount Krizevac or walk through the fields
you are never alone. We need a "space of silence" for private prayer, for
reading the Bible, and for silent meditation. The second condition is that
we need a "community room". What makes Medjugorje valuable and beneficial is
the fact that you can share your spiritual experience with other pilgrims.
It is very difficult when you can only do it with your bedroom companion or
at a restaurant over lunch hour. There should be a "community room" where
fellow-pilgrims can meet over a drink and share the events of the day in an
atmosphere of friendship and discretion.
In closing, let me tell you that I have appreciated this experience. It has
been highly spiritual. I understand now why people who come here always want
to come back. It is special. It is unique. I realize that I could have been
a more talkative companion but my aim has been attained. There is a price to
pay for everything we want. My hope now is that one day we will be again on
the same plane, the same bus heading in the same direction - to Medjugorje -
where we leave part of our hearts!
2. The visionary Ivanka Elez had her annual apparition on June 25th 2001, in
the presence of her family. The Gospa was joyful and spoke to Ivanka about
the future of the Church. Our Lady gave the following message: "Dear angels!
Thank you for your prayers, because through them my plan is being realized.
This is why, angels, pray, pray, pray, so that my plan may be realized.
Receive my motherly blessing!"
We should take encouragement from the fact that Our Lady was joyful and
spoke about the future of the Church. Certainly there is a new springtime
ahead for the Church - and through the Church for the world!
3. In the first week of July, 273 priests attended the Priest Retreat.
The priests came from around the world: Vietnam, South Africa, Russia,
Ukraine, USA, etc. Bishop Roberto Kingstones from Trinidad attended and will
be back for the Youth Festival. According to Fr. Henri Martin from Russia,
the great majority of the priests had attended a previous Priests' Retreat
in Medjugorje and many have adopted this precious occasion as their yearly
retreat. The atmosphere was prayerful, profound and joyful. Fr. Henri said
that Marija came to pray the Rosary with them and that during the Apparition
Our Lady gave a message for the priests: "I am your Mother, you are my
children, and I love you all!" In her beautiful way, Our Lady said it all in
a few words! Father shared that for many priests, it was the most beautiful
retreat of their life. Among the speakers, let us note Father Spelic from
Komacek near Ljubjana, Slovenia, who has had several apparitions of Our Lady
(which began during his stay in Medjugorje) that have been accepted by his
Bishop. He lives a hidden life and receives great insights from Our Lady
about the priesthood. He also has the stigmata. He gave a beautiful
testimony about his conversion from atheism and about how he was tortured by
the Communists. The Lord kept him alive in some terrible situations.
Our Lady must rejoice to have her beloved sons, the priests, so close to her
in Medjugorje! The renewal of the priesthood is one of Her greatest desires.
Dear Mother, thank you for renewing our priests and bishops in Medjugorje.
May they carry your blessing back to their homelands to share with all!
07/02/01
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From: "joycelang"
TREASURES OF MEDJUGORJE JULY 1, 2001 REPORT
July 1, 2001
Dear Children of Medjugorje,
Praised be Jesus and Mary!
1. On June 25, the joy was unbelievable in Medjugorje during the celebration
of the 20th Anniversary of the apparitions. At 6:40 PM, Marija shed big
tears of joy while she was seeing Our Lady, dressed in gold and radiant.
At night, the Apparition Hill of Podbrdo was hardly large enough to contain
the thousands of pilgrims flocking up there for the Rosary and the
apparition to Ivan. Our Lady came with three angels, and blessed all
present. She prayed especially for the sick and those who were carried in
pilgrims' hearts. As the pilgrims were climbing down, a gorgeous fireworks
was performed to thank Our Lady, illuminating the whole valley... A
remarkable happening for Medjugorje!
Among many awesome graces, Our Lady surprised us with a special event during
the evening program. Here is the story of one witness as told to Sr.
Emmanuel.
Sr. Marina Ivankovic, 40, was born in Bijakovici next door to the visionary
Marija Pavlovic. Two months after the apparitions started, she felt the call
to join the Franciscan Order, which she did a short time later, at the age
of 20. Her brother Ivan was arrested by the Communists and put into jail
with Father Jozo, simply because he said that he had seen the Cross spin on
Mount Krizevac. Sr. Marina is related to both the visionaries Vicka (who has
the same last name) and Ivan. Like most of the locals in Bijakovici, Sr.
Marina is down to earth and her heart is filled with God. She is
straightforward, cheerful, balanced, hard-working and full of common sense.
Right now she is assigned to the Croatian parish of St. Cyril and St.
Methodius in New York City. She is in charge of religious education, courses
in Croatian language, and the choir. This summer she came to spend her
vacation with her parents in Medjugorje.
During the 20th Anniversary Mass, she helped the sisters in the sacristy
because 273 priests concelebrated the evening Mass outside before more than
50,000 faithful - according to the parish - who were gathered around the
rotunda and on the esplanades bordering St. James church. While she was
helping the priests put on their albs in the sacristy situated under the
rotunda, Sr. Auksilija told her that something was happening in the church.
Sr. Marina didn't pay attention to it, for, as she thought, something is
always happening in this church! However, a few minutes later, she had to go
to the small sacristy of the church and there, through the door opening onto
the choir, she heard very loud cheering coming from the church. She pushed
the door.
The church was packed, many pilgrims had come to find a cool place and
listen reverently to the prayers and the Mass on the public-address system.
In the choir, Sr. Marina noticed Father Branko, a Franciscan priest in the
parish, trying to calm down the people who seemed to see something by the
statue of the Blessed Mother, on the right hand of the choir. Actually, the
pilgrims were stretching their hands towards the statue. Judging from their
traditional clothes, most of them were Croatian pilgrims, many from Central
Bosnia; but they were mixed with many other nationalities who had come to
celebrate the 20th Anniversary. Out of curiosity, Sr. Marina went down the
steps of the choir in order to be among these people and to try to quiet
them since the Mass had started: the Gospel was being proclaimed in all
languages.
Sr. Marina was standing there, and happened to turn her head towards the
statue of Our Lady. A few moments later, to her surprise, she saw a kind of
whiteness behind the statue. The light sparkled and pulsated as if something
was going to come out of it. She was overwhelmed. At the same moment the
pilgrims, also deeply moved, cried out pointing toward the place. Sr. Marina
was amazed to realize that everyone reacted at the very same instant and she
thought: " Boze dragi! (dear God!) What is this? "
This light was not like the lights on the altar, this whiteness seemed to be
beating. Then a silhouette emerged, all sparkling. It was the Mother of God.
She was standing there in three dimensions, she was real, " I could have
touched her if I have been closer to her! " said Sr. Marina. She was wearing
a blue-white veil, bordered by a very distinct gold band covering also the
upper forehead. Looking more closely, Sr. Marina noticed that she had high
cheekbones, she had her hands opened upwards along her body, but her arms
were not extended as they sometimes are portrayed. Her lips were closed, she
didn't say a word. The Gospel was being read in different languages and
broadcast from the rotunda. The Gospa was in an attitude of prayer, her head
was tilted up attentively and her eyes were looking down, as someone who is
listening. Sr. Marina could only see her upper body, the Gospa was standing
behind the statue but a little higher. She was sparkling. Sr. Marina
couldn't believe her eyes: " She is really very beautiful! ", she thought.
She can't say how long it lasted, maybe a few seconds, then the Gospa moved
back and disappeared. Sr. Marina went back to the sacristy, filled with
great happiness, her heart was beating wildly. All the other pilgrims
remained in the church. Apparently this had happened four or five times in
the church since the beginning of the Mass and Sr. Marina had witnessed only
the last time.
The next day, the visionary Ivan shared with Sr. Marina that a pilgrim from
Slavonski Grod (Central Bosnia) had also seen the Gospa at the same time and
the same place. A whole group of German speaking Swiss pilgrims claimed they
also saw her. Yet some pilgrims who were standing in the back of the church
didn't see anything but they heard the commotion from people who were
standing near the statue. A few hours later, when Sr. Marina shared this
experience with her sisters and other people, she was still shaking and
trembling and beaming with joy. Sr. Marina is convinced, she really saw the
Gospa: " If I am told that it is not true, I know for myself that it is true
and I am ready to go on the Cross for it! I think it is a gift the Gospa
gave me for the 20th Anniversary of her apparitions, because I left my
family to enter the convent soon after the apparitions began. I am really
very happy and I feel a great need to pray. The name of Mary has become
dearer to me, and I pronounce it with intense joy. Before, of course I used
to pray to the Gospa, but now prayer to her has become dearer to me and more
beautiful. I pray to her with more reverence. She has given me a very
special gift and I keep telling myself with wonder: She is alive! She is
alive! "
If some readers of this Report were present in St. James church on June 25
between 6:40 and 7:40 PM, they are invited to send their testimony with
their name and details as well as the name of their pilgrimage organization
to the following address: Children of Medjugorje, Box 1110, Notre Dame, IN
46556, USA or at
2. Three bishops (Monsignori) in charge of three Roman Congregations at the
Vatican attended. They wanted to see for themselves the celebration of the
20th Anniversary of the so-called apparitions of Medjugorje. They naturally
came incognito. Actually, some bishops are going to Medjugorje "incognito"
and, when they feel confident, they tell someone who they are before leaving
Medjugorje. We will publish their testimonies after getting their
permission.
3. On June 25, Ivanka received her annual apparition at her home. The Gospa
came very happy and she spoke to Ivanka about the future of the Church. She
received a message but it has not been made public yet, it will be soon in
the Press Bulletin of the parish, along with many other details on the
beautiful celebration of the 20th Anniversary. We recommend to all to visit
at the parish website: www.medjugorje.hr
4. Earlier this year in Medjugorje, Denis and Sr. Emmanuel were asked to
change the name of our organization. The point was to avoid any possible
confusion between "Children of Medjugorje" and the children of the village
or the orphans of the war. Of course, when the Gospa calls us " Dear
children... ", she is addressing each person on earth who is truly her
unique child, and this is what "Children of Medjugorje" signified. However,
we took advantage of this request to pray to Our Lady so that she might give
us our new name. We know from the Jewish and the Christian traditions that a
name is not a simple word but also a light on the identity of a person.
Receiving from her a new name therefore could mean a new step forward in the
revelation of our identity and our role in her plan. When Sr. Emmanuel came
to the USA in May, we all prayed together and agreed upon this new name: "
TREASURES OF MEDJUGORJE. "
The parable in Matthew 13:44 helps us understand this new name. Jesus speaks
of a man who discovered a treasure in a field and sold everything he had to
buy this field. The "Children of Medjugorje" have discovered a beautiful
field in Medjugorje which is the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Motherly
Heart of the Gospa, and within this Heart awesome treasures are hidden. And
we have renounced many things to be able to get closer and closer to Mary's
Heart through her daily coming in Medjugorje. But this Heart is so great, so
big that we will never finish digging and finding new treasures to enjoy and
give to others. Mary's field in Medjugorje contains enough heavenly treasure
to bless billions of her children on earth and she counts on us to give out
these treasures. St. Theresa of Child Jesus from Lisieux wrote a beautiful
statement: " The treasure of the Mother belongs to the child. " And how true
this is for the treasures of our Blessed Mother! They are ours! Indeed they
are ours to share!
The new name does not refer to a group of people - as the previous one - but
rather to the specific mission entrusted to that group. Our Lady is seeking
new hands, new hearts to give out the precious gifts of her Motherly Heart,
and we want to be part of that team of hers. We have received so much
through Medjugorje (with more to come), but we cannot keep the gifts for
ourselves. " Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel ", said St. Paul (1 Cor
9:16). In the same way: woe to us, "Children of Medjugorje", if we don't
give out the treasures of Mary's Heart made so available through her daily
comings to Medjugorje: " The source of grace is here, but you, dear
children, are the vehicles transmitting the gifts... Dear children, I am
calling you to give the gifts to others with love and not to keep them for
yourselves, " (May 8, 1986). In a special way, let all those who do not know
yet the love of God receive the heavenly treasures that are their
inheritance. For many of them, these treasures from their Mother will save
their life.
Putting this new name on our letterhead and on many official papers, in
advertisements, etc, takes time. Therefore, please continue for a while to
write to us under the name of "Children of Medjugorje" and we will let you
know, for each country, when the moment has come to write to us with the new
name of " TREASURES OF MEDJUGORJE. "
Dearest Gospa, help us make good use of this time of grace to share the treasures of your heart.
We love you!
Cathy & Denis Nolan and Sr. Emmanuel
06/15/01
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From: "joycelang"
Children of Medjugorje June 15, 2001
Dear Children of Medjugorje, Praised be Jesus and Mary!
1. Tomorrow, as we enter the novena before the 20th Anniversary of the
apparitions, don't forget to join the novena prayers! (See our PPS.) Our
Lady has prepared us for this event with her latest message of May 25. At
the National Conference on Medjugorje, at Notre Dame, Sr. Emmanuel shared a
key to understanding Our Lady's call:
One day a large crowd had gathered in Marija's courtyard. Her friend and
translator, Kath could barely find enough space next to her. As Kath's eyes
swept through the crowd, she was struck by a face which stood out sharply
from the others. This face was so bright that it radiated like the sun
piercing the mist. What joy! Kath was fascinated. As soon as Marija had
finished, Kath headed straight towards the "sun" that was shining next to
the wall. He was actually very small, a tiny little priest, and so old that
he could have belonged to another century!
"Please excuse me, Father, if I'm being nosy, but I would really love to
know what makes you so radiant with joy. You must have a secret..." Kath
asked.
The priest was Italian. She looked at the expression in his eyes. Despite
his advanced years, he had the innocence of a little child.
"I'll tell you, ma'am," he answered. "I am 95 now. But at the age of 5, I
discovered with great sadness that people were always complaining. They
would complain for trifles, and find 100 good reasons to feel frustrated,
and this shocked me as a child. I also felt that Jesus was saddened by this.
I wanted very badly to console him, so I decided to make a contract with
him. I promised him that during the first 100 years of my life, I wouldn't
complain once. On the contrary, I would bless him and thank him for
everything, for the good and the not-so-good, but above all I would always
celebrate the gift of life. And you know, ma'am, I must say that I've kept
my promise! During all these years that I've spent celebrating life, no evil
could ever touch me; I've avoided all demons!"
"Incredible! But since you are now 95, your contract will come to an end
soon!" Kath exclaimed, smiling.
"Well, yes, I've thought about that, too. But it's okay; I told Jesus the
other day that I was ready to renew the contract for the next 100 years of
my life!"
This wonderful priest became a "blesser" at the age of 5. As Our Lady said,
"Bless and seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit." His life of blessing God for
everything, the good and the not-so-good, gave him a special connection with
the Holy Spirit. He lived a joyful consecrated life as a holy priest, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. We can learn so much from this story. May we learn
to bless God, and in turn all creation. We will then find ourselves open to
the will of God in our own lives, which will in turn serve Our Lady's plan
for the Triumph.
2. The wonderful book, "Medjugorje, The 90's", is finally published in
Croatian. (See references in the PS.) It is a beautiful testimony for the
Croatian people of the great graces that have been made available to the
world through their little village, Medjugorje. It appears just before the
Anniversary as a gift of thanksgiving to the Gospa! Fr. Jozo Zovko wrote a
special preface for the Croatian edition of Sister's book, and here is an
extract:
" Dear reader, [...] This book was written by Sr. Emmanuel. [...]
She is a woman who has been chosen and who knows how to listen attentively
to the most simple experiences of others. [...] She recognized God's mercy
and goodness in them. She captured them on paper and compiled them into a
book. For this reason, this book is a mosaic in which the faces of so many
fortunate can be seen. It is a wise collage which subtly changes colors,
acts and costumes. This book is so easy and sincere that the reader must
take it and read it over and over again. Through it flows a river that is
clear, healing and significant. It is necessary! Its composition is
apologetic, a message backed up by experience as confirmation of truth,
authenticity and fruitfulness. It presents the events accompanying
Medjugorje from the beginning in a new manner. It defends Medjugorje in a
positive way mentioning actual names and lives. It is authentic and original
and so it is fascinating reading. The fact that it has been translated into
nineteen languages attests to its respected value. "
" Dear reader, the emphasis is on a message which bears fruit in the open
heart of a believer. Read this book with the heart and in it you will find
an answer to many questions and a key to many solutions. We thank Sr.
Emmanuel for her sacrifices, for her apostolate and for her love for
Medjugorje and, in this, for her love for the Croatian people. She
irresistibly confers on the reader the question and experience of St.
Augustine, who observing so many saints, situations and powerful witnesses
asked, "When so many were able to, why not you, Augustine?" "
" Fra Jozo Zovko, O.F.M. "
3. A French Muslim was in Medjugorje. A pilgrim asked him, "Why did you
come?" He said, "If Mary herself cares to travel all that way from Heaven to
meet with us, it was the least I could do to come also here and meet with
her!" Don't be afraid to go to Medjugorje in spite of some negative advice
you may hear. Even Bishops show us the example! And countless priests. At
least one Bishop per month has visited Medjugorje during the last three
years.
Recently, four Bishops came from Lebanon, accompanied by some key people
from the local church. Among them, His Excellency Bishop Roland Abou Jaoude,
Vicar of the Patriarch and President of the Catholic Agency of Information
in Lebanon and in all of the Middle East. He is very respected and popular
in Lebanon, considered very spiritual and not tainted by materialism. His
word has a strong impact on the faithful who regard him highly. At hearing
his positive report of his pilgrimage, the Patriarch of Lebanon, Mgr. Sfeir,
expressed that he too would like to go to Medjugorje. On June 11 both of
them were in Rome for the canonization of the Lebanese sister Rafqa. They
had a private meeting with the Pope and Mgr. Abou Jaoude shared with the
Pope about his experience in Medjugorje. Actually, he couldn't refrain from
witnessing about Medjugorje to every Bishop and Cardinal he met during his
stay in Rome, regardless of the topic that was planned for his meetings. He
told everyone how impressed he was with Medjugorje. What impressed him the
most was the fervor of the people gathered in the church for prayer and the
quality of the celebrations. He was also deeply touched by the 120 pilgrims
who had accompanied him to Medjugorje, since he had known most of them
before, and within 3 days of their stay in Medjugorje, their faces had
obviously changed, they became full of light!
Sr. Marie-Raymonde, a Lebanese sister of the Beatitudes in Medjugorje, told
us that on June 6th she spoke to that group, sharing about the fruit of
Medjugorje: conversions, confessions, reconciliation... His Excellency Mgr.
Roland Abou Jaoude was present as well as Bishop Chouckrallah Harb and Mgr.
Helou among others. Sister shared that a man from Lebanon who had not been
to confession for 35 years felt the urge to go to confession in Medjugorje
on the second day of his pilgrimage. Sister mentioned also a French man who
went to confession after 47 years. Then a man stood up in the congregation
and said aloud, "Sister, I had not been to confession for 35 years and
yesterday (the day after his arrival) I went!" Then he sat down. At that
point, the Episcopal Vicar asked this man a question since he was a little
surprised; "Could you please tell us why you have not been to confession in
Lebanon? I hope I am not nosy but why didn't you go earlier in Lebanon?"
The man replied, "My family is very pious, we are strong believers. But my
daughter had an accident and she lost her sight. I just couldn't take it. I
became angry at God. I didn't understand why he had allowed this sorrow to
befall our family. From that day I stopped going to confession."
Then the Bishop was filled with compassion and prayed with the whole
assembly for the daughter of that man who, by grace had been reconciled with
God in Medjugorje after having locked up his heart for so many years.
The Lebanese Archbishop of Tripoli, Mgr. Georges Riachi, also went there at
the end of May, accompanied by the Abbott Nicolas Hakim, General Superior of
the Melkite Basilian Order of Chueirite. As the other Bishops we mentioned
above, he was very impressed to see so much peace and love in the hearts
there. He declared that he had experienced "Heaven on earth" in Medjugorje.
Most of the events, interviews and meetings of this blessed visit of the
Lebanese Bishops, were broadcast by the Lebanese TV, "TELE-LUMIERE." An
interview is also reported on the website of the parish: www.medjugorje.hr
Thank you dear Gospa, for 20 years of visitations! May we pray as you have
asked, and come to understand this time of grace!
Cathy Nolan - USA
PS. The novena "A Gift for Our Lady" may be found on the parish website at
http://www.medjugorje..hr/ulazakenstipe.htm
PPS. The Croatian edition of "Medjugorje, the 90's" is available at: AGM
d.o.o., Mihanoviceva 28, 1000 Zagreb, Croatia. Tel: (385) 14 85 63 07 - Fax:
(385) 14 85 63 16. Price: 96 Kuna.
06/02/01
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From: "joycelang"
June 1, 2001
Dear Children of Medjugorje, Praised be Jesus and Mary!
1. Good news! Vicka is again meeting with pilgrims. Thanks be to God she has recovered from her recent hip ailment.
2. On the mountain Our Lady reminded us again to pray for priests. Her Heart is with them as they make available to us the sacraments that unite us with Christ. They are our physical link with Christ. Our prayers are a great support for them.
3. Mary Gurr, a home schooling mother of 6 in South Bend, Indiana, shared this beautiful story:
"My daughter, Mary Alice, has been waiting for First communion for 2 years. She had to wait until her religious education class was scheduled to receive even though she really wanted to receive Jesus long ago. She was prepared with her class, though I supplemented her training with stories and videos on the saints. Her favorites are Padre Pio and St. Bernadette (who also had to wait for her First Communion). Her First Confession was heard by her uncle, Fr. Bill. The next day she told me: - I need to go again and a lot, so I will keep a white soul for Jesus.
"By the time she made her First Communion she had been to confession 4 times. The last was the day before First Communion, and after THAT one she said she was ready and clean. She was very careful to be good all that day and night until she received. Finally the big day arrived and during Mass, as the Consecration approached, she said: - Mama, I can't wait, I'm going to cry! - No, don't you dare, wait until afterwards.
"After receiving Jesus in Holy Communion (on her tongue at her insistence) she followed me back into the pew, threw her arms around me and said: - Jesus is finally in my heart!
"She cried and cried, she was so happy and kissed me all over my face. Then she thanked Jesus for coming into her heart. Since then, she chooses to go to daily Mass. She says: - When I wake up, something tells me 'Time to get Jesus', so I want to go. I know how Jesus comes. First he comes into my stomach, then he goes to my heart and then he lives in my soul. I have to keep my soul clean and white because Jesus won't live where it is dirty."
Mary Alice models so beautifully the call of Our Lady on May 25, 2001: "Put God in the center of your being so that, in that way, you can witness in joy the beauty that God continually gives in your life." She also is a living example of Pope John Paul II's General Intention for the Church for June 2001: "To make Christ, present in the Eucharist, the beginning and the end of all we do." See how children can lead us!
4. Sr. Vicki, a Peruvian member of the Community of the Beatitudes in Medjugorje, sent us news that Archbishop Jose Antunez de Mayolo of Ayuacucho, Peru, recently visited Medjugorje. He is 74 years old. He spends most of his time taking care of the poor and abandoned ones in his diocese. He also looks after the seminarians. And though he is near retirement age, he is committed to working as much as he can. He said; "I came to increase my faith. I came for my conversion. I came to entrust my diocese to Our Lady and entrust to her all of my country, Peru." He appreciates very much that the events are still occurring in Medjugorje, providing strong graces to the pilgrims.
The Archbishop shared many meals with the Beatitudes, and the members of the community appreciated his simplicity, his joy and his closeness to each one of them. He is a man of heart. He even helped with the household chores! He told them that upon returning to Peru he was going to become an apostle of Medjugorje.
Let us pray for this wonderful shepherd of the Church, who by his humble example teaches us so much about Jesus. And let us pray for Peru, that Our Lady will save and bless many through his ministry.
Dearest Gospa, may we always work with God's blessing, as we seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to lead us.
Cathy Nolan - USA PS Have a blessed Pentecost! Come Holy Spirit!!!
PPS from Denis. We've made two recent TV shows with Sr. Briege McKenna, titled, "Pray For Priests," (V-46 Part 1 & V-47 Part 2). Order and spread these videos in response to Our Lady's constant call that Vicka repeats every day to the pilgrims (and on May 28th she mentioned again during an apparition at the Blue Cross). Videos are 30 minutes in length and are $10 each add $5.00 per order for shipping and handling (American system - NTSC - only). Order today from Children of Medjugorje, Box 1110, Notre Dame, IN 46556 (USA).
Date: Sun Jul 15, 2001 11:15 am
Subject: Treasures of Medjugorje Report- July 15, 2001
Date: Sun Jul 1, 2001 10:34 am
Subject: Treausres of Medjugorje July 1, 2001 Report
Date: Fri Jun 15, 2001 8:05 am
Subject: Children of Medjugorje -June 15, 2001 Report
Date: Fri Jun 1, 2001 5:59 pm
Subject: Children of Medjugorje- June 1, 2001 Report