Visions at Medjugorje
Medjugorje is a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s been an unofficial place of Catholic pilgrimage since the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared on Apparition Hill in 1981. There is a “Queen of Peace” statue marking the site of the 1st apparition and one in front of the St. James Church. Liquid has been said to drip from the “Risen Christ” statue near the church. A concrete cross tops Cross Mountain, to the south. The Medjugorje prophecies, as described by the visionaries, include ten secrets that are gradually being revealed to the world, starting with three warnings or admonishments. These secrets involve both blessings and potential chastisements, with the goal of leading humanity towards conversion and a closer relationship with God. A permanent, supernatural sign will also be left on Apparition Hill as a testament to the apparitions.
Apparition Hill
What She wants from you
PEACE: Our Lady defines peace as, Man + God= peace. Our Lady’s definition of peace excludes war, injustice, fear, anxiety and even death. Peace cannot be found apart from God. True peace is only in God and must be the object of man’s permanent search. The search for peace is the search for God. In Medjugorje it is said that a man stands tallest on his knees. This peace is universal. It includes everybody & everything: the soul, the mind, the body, the spirit of each person, each family of every race, color, religion, culture, country and age. Man will find peace when he surrenders to and reconciles himself with God.
PRAYER: Our Lady wants us to pray from the heart with fervor. Do not just recite the words. Think & meditate on each word and phrase. She has advised us to pray the Rosary; Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious and in addition to pray the chaplet of peace specifically for peace in the world. Prayer is the way we associate with Mother Mary and communicate with God. Our Lady says we should pray to Jesus. “I am his mother, and I intercede with him, but say all your prayers to Jesus. I will help you pray, but the strength of your prayers is more important. Every prayer is pleasing to God.”
FASTING: This is a form of penance. Fasting breaks the cycle of wants. It frees us from earthly material goods and develops our spiritual fitness. Our Lady asks us to fast on bread and water every Wednesday & Fridays. Fasting strengthens our faith. When we fast, we can control ourselves, we can give ourselves to God and to others as well. I had to achieve this slowly. I found this to be a difficult part of Mother Mary’s request. I suggest starting with one meal at a time or one day a week.
FAITH: Faith is a personal liberation whereby man does not imprison himself in himself but willingly reinstates God as the core or center. Faith gives man purpose and hopes in living and dying. Faith is a confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing. God extended his hand to man through the prophets and the fathers at the church and, of course through Jesus Christ, Gods ever present and extended hand to man. Faith conversely is man’s extension of his hand to God.
PENANCE: The Sacrament of Confession. It is not just three Hail Mary’s and one Our Father. Its apologizing to an injured party, healing divisions within our families, fasting during the Lenten season, or graciously accepting the menial tasks of life. The purpose of penance within the sacrament of confession is to ask for true forgiveness for one’s transgressions. It is not to diminish life but to enrich it—to remain in the state of grace.
CONVERSION: “Cleans your heart of evil” (Jer 4:14). Mother Mary wishes to bring each person into Gods kingdom but only those with a clean heart may enter. The sin in this world is so intense that it has brought mankind to the brink of self-destruction. God offers the option: Conversion. Look into your own hearts. You know how you conduct your life. You know deep inside if you are a sinner or not. You cannot hide from God. So, if you fall in this category of a sinner, seek counsel, get guidance from a priest and change your sinful ways. If you do little in your faith, get a fire underneath you and become active in your faith. And very important, Our Lady request we get back to regular confessions.