Today, I am going to speak on the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje. Recall the Vatican Commission voted 13 out of 14 in favor of the apparitions for the first week and while the rest of the apparitions up today the commission was evenly divided. In the past 40 years the Church has not condemned them. We are able to believe if we want. The pope will make a declaration on their authenticity. If the apparitions are approved by the Church, we would not be required to believe them because they are private revelation.
Today I will explain some of the first week apparitions and then give some of the messages. In the future, I hope to tell you about the 10 secrets and the permanent sign to be left on the hill of appartions.
On June 24, 1981, the feast of St. John the Baptist, six children (Ivan, Maria, Viscka, Mariana, Jakov, Ivanka) ages 10 yrs. to 19 yrs. were walking along the road and in the sky they see a figure of a beautiful and luminous young woman with a child in her arms. The apparition does not speak, but made a gesture to approach Her, but frightened, they run away.
The next day, June 25th, Mary appeared on a cloud and without a child. The visionaries ran fast among rocks, brambles and weeds towards the top of the mountain. They did not even get a scratch and said they felt “transported” by a mysterious force. Our Lady appeared smiling, dressed in a shiny silver-gray dress with a white veil covering her black hair; She has loving blue eyes and is crowned by 12 stars. Our Lady says: “Praised be Jesus!” Ivanka’s mother had died several months before and she speaks: “Where is my mother? Mary replied: “She is happy. She is with me.” The visionaries ask: “Will you return tomorrow?” Mary nod’s her head. Mirjana interjects: “No one will believe us. They will say that we are crazy. Give us a sign!” The apparition responded only with a smile and departs.
On June 26, 1981, more than 3,000 people gathered, and all were attracted by a bright glow. At the request of her grandmother, Vicka sprinkled holy water on the apparition. Viscka said “If you are not of God leave, if you are of God stay.” Our Lady smiles. Ivanka then asked why Our Lady is here. Mary responded: "I have come because there are many true believers here. I wish to be with you to convert and to reconcile the whole world." Mirjana asked: "Who are you?" The lady said, "I am the Blessed Virgin Mary." Why are you appearing to us? We are no better than others.” "I do not necessarily choose the best." While Marija goes down the mountain, she sees the Virgin again. Our Lady is carrying a wooden cross crying. "Peace, Peace, Peace! Be reconciled! Only Peace. Make your peace with God among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast, and to go to confession."
On June 27th the 6 visionaries are summoned to the police office and undergo interrogation including medical-psychiatric examinations, after which they are declared perfectly sane. They run to the hill not to miss the fourth Apparition. When Mary appears She says, “Praise be Jesus" The children said, "How must we pray?" "Continue to recite the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be seven times, but also add the Creed. Good-bye, my angels. Go in the peace of God."
On June 28, 1981 more than 15,000 people were waiting for the Apparition. The visionaries asked Mary what do you want of us? And Mary said, "That people believe and persevere in the faith."
On June 29th the six young visionaries are picked up again by the police and taken to a psychiatric ward at the Mostar hospital. The doctor who leads the medical team, a Muslim, declares the kids are not crazy, but rather those who led them there. 10 yr. old Jacov, said he is willing to give his life rather than deny the apparitions.
The parents of a handicapped child Danielle Setka ask the visionaries to intercede on behalf of the child. They ask the Virgin to cure the child so people will believe them. "Have them believe strongly in his cure. Go in the peace of God." By the end of the summer the child can walk and talk. Since then there has been a long series of miraculous healings.
Between June 30, 1981 and December 31, 1981, the visionaries were being tracked by the police. They had to find discreet places for the apparitions. Here are some of the messages of Our Lady.
August 2, 1981 From Marija's room, Our Lady said, "A great struggle is about to unfold. A struggle between my Son and Satan. Human souls are at stake." "Everyone here may touch me." When Our Lady's dress became stained, Marinko invited all to go to confession.
August 8, 1981 "Do penance! Strengthen your faith through prayer and the sacraments."
November 16, 1981 "The devil is trying to conquer us. Do not permit him. Keep the faith, fast, and pray. I will be with you at every step."
July 21, 1982 "The best fast is on bread and water. Through fasting and prayer one can stop wars, one can suspend the natural laws of nature. Works of charity cannot replace fasting... Everyone except the sick, has to fast."
July 24, 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 receives Communion at the end of his life. August 6, 1982 "Monthly confession will be a remedy for the Church in the West."
Nov. 21St 1985 “What I want from you is to show me your love by coming to Mass, and the Lord will reward you abundantly. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Oct. 8Th, 1984 “Dear children, Let all the prayers you say in your homes in the evening be for the conversion of sinners because the world is in great sin. Every evening pray the rosary.”
October 18, 1984 "Dear children, today I call you to read the Bible everyday in your homes and let it be in a visible place so as always to encourage you to read it and pray." (February 14, 1985) "Every family must pray family prayers and read the Bible."
(April 25th, 1987) "Today also I am calling you to prayer. You know, dear children, that God grants special graces in prayer... I call you, dear children, to prayer with the heart."
To love the Lord your God with all your heart, you will put Him first in your life, making Sunday Mass the most important thing we do and come to daily Mass when we are able. If we love Him with all our soul, we will watch over and protect our soul by avoiding sin and going to Confession monthly. If we love God will all our mind, we will pray read about God in the bible daily, and meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary daily praying the Rosary. If we love God will our strength, we will fast on Wed. and Friday to strengthen us and protect us.
Today, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us that we may love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, as She did throughout Her life, that we may enjoy heaven at the end of our life.
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