THE MEDJUGORJE WITNESS

There’s something in the way she moves,

Or looks my way, or calls my name,

That seems to leave this troubled world behind;

And if I'm feeling down and blue,

Or troubled by some foolish game,

She always seems to make me change my mind.

And I feel fine anytime she’s around me now;

She’s around me now almost all the time.

And if I'm well, you can tell she’s been with me now;

She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.

James Taylor

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Dear children! I am calling you to that love which is loyal and pleasing to God. Little children, love bears everything bitter and difficult for the sake of Jesus who is love. Therefore, dear children, pray that God come to your aid, not however according to your desire, but according to His love. Surrender yourself to God so that He may hear you, console you and forgive everything inside you which is a hindrance on the way of love. In this way God can move your life, and you will grow in love. Dear children, glorify God with a hymn of love so that God's love may be able to grow in you day by day to its fullness. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, June 25, 1988

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When John went to confession in Medjugorje he was greeted with a warm welcome from the Irish-American priest who was sat in the box sheltering from the cold and rain outside. All went well, and before he gave absolution the cheery priest asked John if he was familiar with the parable of the Prodigal Son.

John replied, “Yes, Father, I am.”

“So you will know about the significance of the father giving his son sandals to wear?” responded the priest questioningly.

John was hesitant in his answer, “Now, about that, I am not sure.”

“Well, it’s like this,” said the priest, “In those days only slaves and servants went barefoot. Free men wore sandals. So before you go I am going to put sandals on your feet to make you a free man!”

John wasn’t sure about this and glanced around to see where the priest would produce the sandals from. He didn’t realise the priest was referring to absolution until he heard the words: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Shortly afterwards John decided to go to Mt Krizevac and pray the Way of the Cross. The rain had stopped and John took his time to pray at each station and gaze at the amazing detail cast in the bronze reliefs. It was at the fifth station, where Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus, when John’s eyes were drawn to the base of the plaque. All of a sudden, the words the priest had spoken to him in the confessional came echoing back: “In those days only slaves and servants went barefoot. Free men wore sandals...”

And as John stared at the plaque, he could clearly see that it was Jesus who stood barefoot and Simon who wore sandals.

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Dear children! When in nature you look at the richness of the colours which the Most High gives to you, open your heart and pray with gratitude for all the good that you have and say: ‘I am here created for eternity’ – and yearn for heavenly things because God loves you with immeasurable love. This is why He also gave me to you to tell you: “Only in God is your peace and hope, dear children”. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Medjugorje Message, September 25, 2012

• Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. Genesis 37 : 3

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Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, “hell” - Sheol in Hebrew or Hades in Greek – because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God. Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the Redeemer: which does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus who was received into “Abraham’s bosom”: “It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Saviour in Abraham’s bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell.” Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him. 

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church: Christ Descended Into Hell

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May the poverty of my sweet and suffering little Child be your riches. His sighs and His tears the consolation of your days. The love of His adorable Heart your earthly treasure, your all. And the clear vision of His adorable and glorified humanity be your eternal joy and recompense. Amen

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The picture above is detail from a head study of St Joseph for the Visitation Altarpiece

painted by Federico Barocci (1526-1612)

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Sons and daughters are brought back to life at Medjugorje – daily.

Every day dead men and women sit up again and begin to talk, begin to witness to the resurrection in their lives, begin to inspire and fill people with awe and bring new hope to those who have lost hope, lost faith and lack love in their lives.

At a town called Medjugorje, God’s compassion turns tears of sorrow into tears of joy as he restores his children back to life, entrusting them to the care of the Blessed Mother and the Sacraments of Mother Church. “Woman, this is your son!”

A great prophet has appeared at Medjugorje; God has visited his people.

Dear children! Today I call you to love. Little children, love each other with God’s love. At every moment, in joy and in sorrow, may love prevail and, in this way, love will begin to reign in your hearts. The risen Jesus will be with you and you will be his witnesses. I will rejoice with you and protect you with my motherly mantle. Especially, little children, I will watch your daily conversion with love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Medjugorje message, March 25, 2005

• Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. “Do not cry” he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, “Young man, I tell you to get up.” And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people. And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside. Luke 7 : 11-17

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A few years back, I spent the morning of St Patrick’s day in a hospital whose main entrance is opposite a church named after St Patrick. I was there for a procedure generally referred to as a “box change”, a change of pacemaker with a built-in defibrillator.​

The pacemaker has three leads which feed into my heart, the leads remain in place while the “box change” is made. Ever since the leads were first inserted into my heart seven years earlier, I’ve always referred to them as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, because they stimulate and resynchronise my heart, physically and even spiritually. (More details at this link).

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St Patrick used the shamrock with its three petals in one leaf to describe the Holy Trinity.

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Sometimes God can manifest himself in our lives in the most mysterious and surprising ways.

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Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high

mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his

face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses

and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus,

“Lord,” he said “it is wonderful for us to be here...” (Matthew 17 : 1-4)

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Dear children! As a mother I beseech you, do not go on the way you have been going. That is a way without love toward neighbour and toward my Son. On that way, you will find only hardness and emptiness of heart, and not the peace that everyone is crying out for. Genuine peace will be had only by the one who sees and loves my Son in his neighbour. In whose heart my Son reigns, that one knows what peace is and tranquillity. Thank you having responded to my call. Medjugorje message to Mirjana, March 18, 2007

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Jesus said to his disciples: Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread?

Matthew 7 : 7-9

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Around 1480 Leonardo da Vinci entered “a great cavern” in the Tuscan countryside and having discovered the remains of a fossil whale embedded in the walls of the cave, wrote in his notebook:

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O powerful and once-living instrument of formative nature, your great strength of no avail, you must abandon your tranquil life to obey the law which God and time gave to creative nature. Of no avail are your branching, sturdy dorsal fins with which you pursue your prey, plowing your way, tempestuously tearing open the briny waves with your breast.

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Oh, how many a time the terrified shoals of dolphins and big tuna fish were seen to flee before your insensate fury, as you lashed with swift, branching fins and forked tail, creating in the sea mist and sudden tempest that buffeted and submerged ships!

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 O Time, swift despoiler of created things, how many kings, how many peoples have you undone? How many changes of state and circumstances have followed since the wondrous form of this fish died here in this winding and cavernous recess? Now unmade by time you lie patiently in this closed place with bones stripped and bare, serving as an armature for the mountain placed over you (Leonardo da Vinci, Codex Arundel, fol. 156r).

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• Michelangelo, when painting the Creation of Adam panel on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, depicted Leonardo da Vinci as both Adam and God the Father. The cave reference is the pod-like feature enclosing the Creator and his subjects, while the whale reference is the blue hill shaped as a large fish in the background behind Adam’s head.

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If you forgive others their failings, your Heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.

Matthew 6 : 14-15

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Dear children! Today I wish to tell you that God wants to send you trials which you can overcome by prayer. God is testing you through daily chores. Now pray to peacefully withstand every trial. From everything through which God tests you come out more open to God and approach Him with love. Thank you for having responded to my call. August 22, 1985

As many of us grow older we become familiar with the routine medical tests we have to undergo to maintain our health; blood tests, blood pressure, eyesight, hearing, cholesterol, scans and smear tests are all part of the service offered by our GP’s these days – and usually we take these in our stride knowing that they are designed to help us keep a check on our health needs. We appreciate they are in place for our benefit and we co-operate.

However, some of us are less than willing to be tested on other fronts, particularly in a spiritual sense. We often view these as trials we can do without, and pray hard that they will not come our way for ourselves and our family.

Some years ago, I was invited to hospital as an outpatient to undergo an exercise test on a treadmill, designed to check the condition of my heart. It didn’t happen, not because of any reluctance on my part, but simply because an initial ECG reading caused the doctor enough concern to tell me I wasn’t going home and would be admitted to the CCU immediately. Now I must admit that that news did send my blood pressure through the roof and I began to wonder what might be the outcome.

It was then that morning’s Gospel reading at Mass came to mind (Mark 8 : 23-27), when Jesus was in the boat and calmed the storm. I held on to that scenario for most of the next nine days I spent in hospital. It prompted me to take a closer look at Mark’s Gospel during the long hours of waiting and lying in bed and I quickly came to realise that this hospital journey was in fact a spiritual test and not just a medical one. While doctors and others became concerned for the condition of my heart and all roads that lead to it, I began to understand that it was actually my spiritual heart that was really being tested, especially my faith and attitude to others.

Later, when my wife brought our bible on a visit to see me, I began to take a serious look at Mark’s Gospel. What struck me very early on was how after Jesus was baptised he was driven by the Spirit out into the wilderness, remaining there for 40 days where he was tempted by satan. He was among the wild beasts and the angels looked after him. I began to look on my stay in hospital as a long period in the wilderness where I had to struggle with my own temptations and face demons within me. Thank God for the kindness of the nurses that took care of me.

Another passage in St Mark’s gospel that jumped out at me was the time when Jesus stood in the boat and spoke the parable of the Sower to the large crowd on the shoreline. There were four outcomes in this teaching (seed scattered to four corners of the world?) which Jesus later explained to his disciples:
1. Seed that fell on the edge of the path and was carried away.
2. Seed that fell on rocks and took no root.
3. Seed that fell on thorns and choked
4. Seed that fell on good soil and produced fruit.

Little did the disciples realise that they were soon to be tested on this teaching and questioned as to which seed was sown in their hearts. If they were to be true followers of Jesus then their faith could not just remain in the teaching but also had to be lived and put into practise. The test got underway when Jesus spoke these words: “Let us cross over to the other side.”

Soon the winds struck up and the waves began breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. Through this crisis, Jesus slept until eventually he was woken up by the panicking and fearful disciples. After calming the storm, Jesus challenged them: “Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?” It seems that the disciples were those who had received the seed on patches of rock who, when they first heard the word, welcomed it at once with joy, but when some trial or persecution came their way, they fell away at once. But the test didn’t end there.

A little later in Mark’s Gospel (after the first miracle of the loaves) Jesus repeats the boat trial, making his disciples cross the lake to Bethsaida. This time he didn’t go with them. Instead, he went off to the hills to pray. When evening came and the boat was far out, Jesus watched from the shoreline and could see the vessel struggling against the winds and the disciples worn out with rowing. There is no mention that they cried out for help. Perhaps this time their faith was stronger. Nevertheless, Jesus could see that all was not well. This time he came to the disciples, walking across the water before getting into the boat.

We should never forget that Jesus is in the boat with us – and all will be well; and when at times we may miss his presence and he doesn’t seem to respond to our prayers, he is in fact keeping a close watch on us from the shoreline, ready to reward our faith in often the most surprising way – sometimes doing what seems impossible, like walking on water.

A senior consultant said that I would probably need a couple of by-passes or even three. The following day I was given an angiagram to see where the blocks in my arteries were. (I already had two stents fitted 10 years earlier and these seemed to be the likely problem spots as they don’t last forever). Halfway through the procedure I heard the probing consultant say: “It doesn’t look as bad as we first thought.” The following day I was told there was only a slight narrowing of the arteries (not unexpected for someone of my age). Two further tests, radioactive scans which involved measuring the blood flow to and from my heart, were carried out over the next few days. There was no clear outcome on this to signify any blocks. On the ninth day the senior consultant said I could go home. My blood pressure had been normalised and I was told to take things easy for a while.

I consider my stay in hospital a blessed period. At first I looked forward to the next day hoping it would be the day I would come ashore and return home, but then I began to realise that the course, the journey, had been set by God and that there may just be another headland, another test, to get around before I was home and dry.

Both my heart and spirit had been tested and I truly felt better for the experience. A few days after I left the hospital my blood pressure registered the perfect score: 120/80! As to my spiritual health check, this is always ongoing because, as Our Lady explains in her message below, we are tested because God loves us – and I wouldn’t want him to stop loving me!

Dear children! Thank you for dedicating all your hard work to God even now when He is testing you through the grapes you are picking. Be assured, dear children, that He loves you and, therefore, He tests you. You just always offer up all your burdens to God and do not be anxious. Thank you for having responded to my call. October 11, 1984

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Today’s gospel reading for the First Sunday of Lent (Luke 4 : 1-13) tells of the time Jesus went into the desert for forty days and was tempted three times by Satan. 

The image above is detail from a fresco in the Sistine Chapel. It was painted by Sandro Botticelli and shows the devil disguised as a friar being cast out by Jesus after the third temptation. Behind Jesus are three angels ready to wait on our Saviour after his sojourn in the wilderness.

The three angels represent three artists: Left to right are Domenico Ghirlandaio with hand on heart; Leonardo da Vinci holding fresh garments shaped as dove and representing the Holy Spirit; and Sandro Botticelli ready to serve bread. 

As for the figure of Jesus, you may want to check Michelangelo’s Last Judgement painting, also in the Sistine Chapel, and compare the stance of Christ and his raised arm as he casts down souls to Hell, similar to Botticelli’s figure casting down the devil.

It’s good to remember that in times of temptation we are all blessed to have a Guardian Angel close at hand to call on.

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Courage, little children! I decided to lead you on the way of holiness. Renounce sin and set out on the way of salvation, the way which my Son has chosen. Through each of your tribulations and sufferings God will find the way of joy for you. Therefore, little children, pray. We are close to you with our love. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, March 25, 2006

There is a prayer well-known to recovering alcoholics called the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. It has helped many addicts on the road to recovery, the road to salvation.

In this message Our Lady also uses the word courage when she calls us to set out on the way of salvation, chosen by her Son, the road to recovery and the way of holiness. It is, in fact, the Way of the Cross, a difficult journey that all must undertake in life.

Our Lady knows the way; she has walked the route with Jesus to Calvary. But she promises that through every trial, tribulation and time of suffering, God will find a way of bringing joy to our lives. And she tells us how this will happen – through prayer.

The word courage is representative of the heart. That is why the Serenity Prayer is so powerful in an addict’s recovery programme. God responds to the addict’s plea for courage, for the heart to change and be able to set out on the path of conversion.

At each Station of the Cross, courage is necessary for all of us – in varied measures and for different reasons. Perhaps that is why with this Lenten message Our Lady is offering this special grace to us. She rarely speaks of courage or has used the word in any of her previous messages. But she understands that this is a time of severe agony and suffering for her Son, a time of stress and endurance, of persevering under provocation that will result in public execution in a most brutal fashion.

Our Lady invites us to share with her our own sufferings on this walk with Jesus, this way of holiness. But she makes clear from the start that we should journey with courage, with a loving and fearless heart strengthened by prayer.

I Jesus is condemned to death...

The courage to remain silent when judged and condemned by those who should know better.

II Jesus receives his cross...

The courage to accept the cross in our lives, with our hands and in our heart.

III Jesus falls for the first time...

The courage to accept our own weaknesses and the failings in others.

IV Jesus meets his Mother...

The courage to support and love the child who suffers, courage to accept the death of one’s child.

V Simon helps Jesus carry the cross...

The courage to reach out to others, courage to shoulder responsibility and courage to share in suffering, courage to let go of resentment when seized and put upon.

VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus...

The courage to seek God’s face, courage to discard our many masks, courage to witness our love for Jesus, courage to seek Jesus in others.

VII Jesus falls for the second time...

The courage to hold on to the cross, courage to believe in God’s strength, courage to start again.

VIII Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem...

The courage to speak and accept the truth, to be honest with others and ourselves, courage to weep and repent for our sins.

IX Jesus falls for the third time...

The courage to endure, courage to continue with suffering, courage to keep on walking.

X Jesus is stripped of his garments...

The courage to be revealed, courage to stand naked, courage to stand silent in suffering, to forgive those who abuse, and those who value your possessions more than your life.

XI Jesus is nailed to the cross...

The courage to endure pain, courage to forgive those who inflict pain, physical and mental.

XII Jesus dies on the cross...

The courage to trust and surrender in our final agony, courage to accept death.

XIII Jesus is taken down from the cross...

The courage to grieve, courage to weep, courage to forgive, courage to continue to love, to have courage in loneliness.

XIV Jesus is laid in the tomb...

Courage to let go and the courage to say goodbye, the courage to live Heaven on Earth, the courage to live in harmony with the Father’s will, the courage to love.

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Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.” Luke 9 : 22

Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent. Joel 2 : 12-13

The following press release regarding the writings of Maria Valtorta was recently issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith.

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“The Holy See frequently receives requests from both clergy and laity for a clarification about the Church’s position on the writings of Maria Valtorta, such as her work, Il poema dell’Uomo Dio (The Poem of the Man-God), now known by the title, L’Evangelo come mi è stato rivelato (The Gospel as Revealed to Me), and other publications.

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“It should be reiterated that alleged “visions”, “revelations,” and “messages” contained in the writings of Maria Valtorta—or, in any case, attributed to them—cannot be regarded as having a supernatural origin. Rather, they should be considered simply as literary forms that the author used to narrate the life of Jesus Christ in her own way.

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“In its long tradition, the Church does not accept as normative the Apocryphal Gospels and other similar texts since it does not recognize them as divinely inspired. Instead, the Church refers back to the sure reading of the inspired Gospels.”

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Vatican City, 22 February 2025

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In many ways, last Sunday’s Gospel reading was an eye-opener for me on a personal level. Thank God for the season of Lent and all the opportunities it offers to get back on track again in my relationship with God. 

Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye. Luke 6 : 42

• The image above is a feature from the Angel Musicians panel of the Ghent Altarpiece (1432) by Jan and Hubert van Eyck.

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This is a time, a time for my soul,

This is a time of grace.

This is a time, to open my heart,

This is a time of grace.

Time that God gives from heaven above,

A time to receive his merciful love.

This is a time, a time to prepare,

This is a time, my time to repair,

This is a time of grace.

This is a time, a time to repent,

This is a time, to say I relent.

This is a time of grace.

This is a time, a time to reflect,

This is a time, a time to connect,

This is a time of grace. 

This is a time, to say I believe,

This is a time, to ask and receive,

This is a time of grace.

This is a time, to rest in God’s heart,

This is a time, to make a fresh start,

This is a time of grace.

Time that God gives from heaven above,

A time to receive his merciful love.

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BG

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These days, I don’t get many telephone calls. Any calls I do receive are on my house phone, plus messages left on answerphone. These are mostly invites to respond to surveys and sales pitches. I always ignore them and never respond.

Our Lady makes frequent calls through her Medjugorje messages. She often reminds me that God is also trying to contact me. Do I always respond to these calls? Does anyone?

Perhaps that’s why Our Lady is so regular with her messages from Medjugorje, constantly calling us to herself and to Jesus. They seek a response – and Our Lady, ever the mother who waits in hope, always says thank you in anticipation for the time I do finally get round to responding.

Occasionally  Our Lady also reminds us that time is short. For me personally that isn’t about there not being enough hours in the day to complete everything I want to. No, at my late stage in life I know exactly what she means when she says, “Little children, life is short.” Many friends and relatives left this world unexpectedly at a much younger age than I am at now.

So the message is more than clear to me; make good use of what time is left; don’t waste time getting sidetracked; keep the lamp filled with oil; and at times when I feel pretty useless and don’t seem to be achieving much, there is always prayer.

So much can be achieved for the good through prayer – for others and oneself. Prayer is never a waste of time. It is making good use of time – whether we have years to live or just a single day left in our short life.

Dear children! Pray, witness and rejoice with me because the Most High continues to send me to lead you on the way of holiness. Be aware, little children, that life is short and eternity is waiting for you to give glory to God with your being, with all the saints. Little children, do not worry about earthly things, but long for Heaven. Heaven will be your goal and joy will begin to reign in your heart. I am with you and bless all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, September 25, 2021

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• Today is the feast day of David, the patron saint of Wales.

His last words to his followers were: “Lords, brothers and sisters, be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed, and do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. And as for me, I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”

• Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not conceited. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to HOPE, and to endure whatever comes. 1 Corinthians 13 : 4-7

• This house, to which I was led,

Was made of twigs, yellow, red,

And green too, and some were white,

Of which men make bird-cages tight,

Or of which they make panniers,

Or else the baskets for carriers;

So that because of wind and twigs,

The house was filled with squeaks

And also full it was of creaking

And full of much loose working;

And this house too had entrances

As many as leaves on the trees

In summer when they are green;

And in the roof you might have seen

A thousand holes, or even more,

To let the sound out of it soar.

And by day, at every tide,

All the doors were open wide,

And by night too all unlocked;

No doorkeeper’s there to stop

Any strange tiding, in they race;

No rest is there within that place

For it is always full of tidings,

Of loud ones or of whisperings;

And every corner there does ring,

With gossip and with murmuring

Of war, of peace, of marriages,

Of rest, of labour, voyages,

Of abodes, of death, of life,

Of love, of hate, accord, of strife,

Of fame, of loss, and of winning,

Of health, of sickness, of building,

Of fair winds, and also tempests,

Of pestilence in folk and beasts,

Of diverse transmutations

Of power, and of kingdoms,

Of trust, of fear, of jealousy,

Of wit, of wisdom, of folly,

Of plenty, and of great famine,

Of dearth, of scarcity, of ruin,

Of good or misgovernment,

Of fire, and diverse accident.

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• Adapted from The House of Fame, by Geoffrey Chaucer.

• Translation by A. S. Kline

• Illustration: The Kelmscott Chaucer, archive.org

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• Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14 : 27

• I guess that if I had been one of the fleeing Israelites about to cross the dry land the Lord had made through the sea, I may have been very hesitant to take that first step, especially seeing the high walls of water towering above each side of the path.

And what I would probably be asking of myself is : “What happens if the walls of water come crashing down on me? Will I have any chance of getting back to the shore?”

Yet behind me are the advancing Egyptians and I can’t help thinking that even though God has provided a path through the deep blue sea, submission to the enemy might be an easier option. Why risk losing my life just yet when I can stretch out a few more years labouring for the Egyptians? God won’t mind waiting until another time?

Viewing the path through the sea seems such a long journey to make for God to fulfil his promise. Why couldn’t he make it an easier and less-scary route?

I know at times this is how I have conducted my life, living life in fear and apprehension of what is behind me and what may lie ahead. And if it can happen to me then I’m sure it happens to others as well.

But focusing on potential dangers in life only drives me to seek ways to increase my security from the seemingly constant threats all around.

Unfortunately, it is with this kind of thinking that I get tempted to forget the role of God in my life. I want to be master of my own destiny. My will reigns – or as best as I can make it. Paranoia, driven by fear and insecurity comes knocking on the door, drowning out the gentle tap of Jesus.

The Egyptians only felt secure when they were in control, especially of the Israelites. They just did not want to let them go. God did many things to persuade them, but their hearts were stubborn. Finally they gave chase, equipped to recapture and take control with weapons, armour, horses and chariots. These possessions empowered them, or so they thought. But the outcome was their heavy equipment bogged them down and they couldn’t make any headway along the path the Lord had created. When the waters came over them, the sheer weight of their possessions dragged them to the bottom of the sea. They went down like lead into the mighty waters.

It is difficult to take the path the Lord provides when we carry our baggage and possessions as security. Just ask any person fleeing from their home or land in a war zone. They start out carrying as much as they can, but as they continue to flee from disaster the refugee eventually begins to accept that they will make their escape much more quickly if they discard the load on their backs.

Meanwhile, filled with courage, the Israelites had started out on the path the Lord had opened for them. And with each stride the length of the huge walls of water decreased and their anxieties and fears subsided.

Every step of the march through the sea became an opportunity to unload a burden and not get clogged down as the Egyptians. No wonder the people, their faith renewed, venerated the Lord when they reached the other side!

• Dear children! Today I pray for you and with you that the Holy Spirit may help you and increase your faith, so that you may accept even more the messages that I am giving you here in this holy place. Little children, comprehend that this is a time of grace for each of you; and with me, little children, you are secure. I desire to lead you all on the way of holiness. Live my messages and put into life every word that I am giving you. May they be precious to you because they come from heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Medjugorje message, June 25, 2002

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• Dear children, May this springtime be an encouragement for personal conversion for you, that with your lives you may pray and love God above all, for all those who are in need.

Little children, be my hands of peace and prayer; be love for all those who do not love, do not pray and do not want peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

(with Ecclesiastical approval)

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• I always find the account from John’s Gospel of the Cana Wedding interesting in the way it relates in a sense to the events at Medjugorje, where new wine flows into the hearts of those who accept the invitation to the wedding – to arrive, experience and give witness to a new relationship – and respond to the call of the mother of Jesus when she says: “Do whatever he tells you.”

At Medjugorje, through the intercession of the mother of Jesus, hearts become vessels filled with prayer, purified with the waters of repentance, and when filled allow miracles to take place and new wine – the best of wine – to flow and be enjoyed.

To many, the glory seen and witnessed at Medjugorje is a wonderful confirmation of God’s love for his people; it is clearly visible and makes pilgrims into new disciples, renewed in faith and belief in Jesus, ready to follow him alongside his mother and the brothers and sisters in Christ.

There is a wedding at Medjugorje in Herzegovina. The mother of Jesus is there; and Jesus and his disciples are also in attendance…

Taste and see. All are invited.

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• Throughout the world, countless people choose to believe in the Medjugorje phenomenon and have changed their lives by doing so. Not all make pilgrimages to Medjugorje but instead accept the testimony of those who return from the small village and want to witness to all they have seen and heard there.

Others are able to ‘come and see’ for themselves and visit the well of Living Water.

God thirsts for his people. We thirst for God.

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (St Augustine).

It is said that prayer is the encounter between God’s thirst and our own.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman who arrived at the well to draw water, he was tired and thirsty and he asked the woman for a drink.

In her conversation, her prayer with Jesus at the well, the woman discovers he is the Messiah. “I am he” said Jesus.

The Samaritan woman hurried back to her town to tell the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did; I wonder if he is the Christ?” This brought people out of the town and they started walking towards Jesus (setting out on their pilgrimage journey.)

Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony when she said, “He told me all I have ever done,” so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, “Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the saviour of the world.” (John 4 : 1-42)

Listening to and speaking with Jesus is prayer.

At Medjugorje, the presence of Our Lady is always accompanied by the Holy Spirit, Living Water that becomes a spring inside the pilgrim, welling up to eternal life; the same Spirit that came down upon the apostles at Pentecost and gave them the gift of speech, to speak of and witness to all that they had seen and heard; the same Spirit who spoke to “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome – Jews and proselytes alike – Cretans and Arabs…” (Acts 2 : 1-13) the same Spirit who still speaks to pilgrims from all over the world who travel to Medjugorje and return home and speak about the marvels of God in their own language to their own people.

Medugorje is a perpetual Pentecost.

Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again; but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside him, welling up to eternal life. (John 4 : 14)

Mary said to the angel, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?” “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” the angel answered “and the power of the the Most High will cover you with its shadow…” (Luke 1 : 34-35)

• Dear children! The Most High is giving me the grace that I can still be with you and to lead you in prayer towards the way of peace. Your heart and soul thirst for peace and love, for God and his joy. Therefore, little children, pray, pray, pray and in prayer you will discover the wisdom of living. I bless you all and intercede for each of you before my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, June 25, 2014

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• THE APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY, with the purpose of increasing the piety of the faithful and the salvation of souls, by virtue of the faculties bestowed upon him in a most special way by our Most Holy Father in Christ Our Lord, POPE FRANCIS, BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE, attentively considering the recent petitions presented by His Excellency ALDO CAVALLI, Titular Archbishop of Vibo, Apostolic Visitor for the Parish of Saint James the Apostle in Medjugorje, of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno, graciously grants a PLENARY INDULGENCE from the treasury of the Church's heavenly mercy, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), to the faithful who are truly penitent and moved by charity, which they can obtain throughout the Ordinary JUBILEE YEAR OF 2025, and which they can also use as a prayer for the souls of the faithful in purgatory if they make a pilgrimage to the PARISH CHURCH OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE IN MEDJUGORJE and devoutly participate in the Jubilee rites there or at least dedicate appropriate time to pious prayers, including the Lord's Prayer, the Creed and the invocations of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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The elderly, the infirm, and all those who for serious reasons cannot leave their homes, can likewise obtain the Plenary Indulgence, having conceived the intention of detachment from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as they are able, the three usual conditions, if they spiritually unite themselves to the jubilee celebrations, offering their prayers, sufferings, or the inconveniences of their own lives to the merciful God.

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Therefore, to facilitate access to divine forgiveness through the keys of the Church out of pastoral charity, this Penitentiary earnestly requests that priests endowed with appropriate faculties to hear confessions make themselves available with a prompt, generous, and merciful spirit for the celebration of Penance.

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This decree is valid throughout the Ordinary Jubilee Year of 2025. No contrary provisions shall hinder its execution.

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Given in Rome, at the Apostolic Penitentiary, on the 24th day of December, in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 2024.

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Angelo Cardinal de Donatis
Major Penitentiary

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Krzysztof Józef Nykiel
Titular Bishop of Velli, Regent

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• There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine line and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” 

“My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”

The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” 

“They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.”

“Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent”

Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

Luke 16 : 19-31

• Dear children! Pray with me for peace, because Satan wants war and hatred in hearts and peoples. Therefore, pray and sacrifice your days by fasting and penance, that God may give you peace. The future is at a crossroads, because modern man does not want God. That is why mankind is heading to perdition. You, little children, are my hope. Pray with me, that what I began in Fatima and here may be realised. Be prayer and witness peace in your surroundings, and be people of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call. 

Medjugorje message, January 25, 2023

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With the annual apparition to the Medjugorje seer Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo just a month away, I’m wondering if any significance to the date of March 18 could relate to a possible settlement of the Russian-Ukraine war.

Mirjana has stated in the past that her annual apparition on March 18 has nothing to do with her birthday being on the same date – “Gospa does not come to say happy birthday”, she says – someway confirmed by reports of the seer’s tears and sadness at receiving the news on her birthday in 2021 that Our Lady would not appear to her again on the 2nd day of every month as she had been doing for many years. Happy birthday? Not for Mirjana.

Many have wondered what the significance of March 18 is about Mirjana’s annual apparition. The seer, if she knows exactly, isn’t saying so, but she has said the date is related to the ten ‘secrets’ given to her by Our Lady, and when these are announced the world will understand why Our Lady chose this date.

Mirjana’s announcement on March 18, 2021, saying Our Lady would no longer appear to her on the second day of each month, coincided with another significant declaration made earlier on the same day, an order from the Headquarters of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the two political identities that compose Bosnia and Herzegovina (the other being Republika Srpska), banning all public gatherings. This would have impacted on the seer’s monthly prayer gatherings on Apparition Hill.

The Federation was created by the 1994 Washington Agreement, designed to end hostilities between Croats and Bosniaks during what became known as the Bosnian War.

The agreement was signed on March 18.

March 18, 1965 – Mirjana’s birthday.
March 18, 1983 – Start of annual apparitions to Mirjana.
March 18, 1994 – Federation of Bosnia Herzegovina formed with the Washington Agreement.
March 18, 2020 – Federation of Bosnia Herzegovina orders ban on public gatherings.
March 18, 2020 – Our Lady tells Mirjana she will no longer receive monthly apparitions.

March 18, 2025 – ???

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Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armour on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual arm of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.

So stand your ground, with truth buckled round your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword.

Pray at all times, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints… Paul’s letter to the Ephesian 6 : 10-18

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• The above image is a copy by an unknown artist, later modified by the Dutch painter Reubens, of the lost fresco by Leonardo da Vinci depicting the Battle of Anghiari. As to the identity of the soldier under the shield, its a reference to Leonardo’s rival Michelangelo and his famous sculpture of David who slayed Goliath.

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As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man. “Courage,” they said “get up; he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabbuni,” the blind man said to him “Master, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has saved you.” And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road. Luke 18 : 35-43

• Losing sight of Jesus is not uncommon among those who have started out in faith. For whatever reason, the once-close relationship can disappear. Perhaps our God has not come up to expectations. In disappointment, maybe in anger, our hurting heart turns elsewhere in an attempt to find happiness. And the blindness begins to set in. We start to hold out our hand to receive the transient offerings of the passing world. But no-one ever asks us what we would really like to receive, because the world is only interested in selling us its need. Who but God alone, maker of our heart, can truly know our heart’s desire?

And in our loneliness we reflect on the past relationship we had with God. Was it really that bad? If only I could get the chance to meet with him again? Perhaps this time things would be different? But how? And then an angel of the Lord mentions Medjugorje and the wonderful Godly experiences that are happening there. And so the journey of reconciliation begins...

We know there are countless pilgrims who journey to Medjugorje with their heart silently crying: “Lord, restore me, restore my sight. Let me see again.”

In our searching soul we sense that Jesus will not pass us by when we acknowledge him and call out his name. Our ‘yes’ to pilgrimage is confirmation of this desire to find him. So should we be surprised when Jesus responds to our call with his loving words: “Your faith has saved you, receive your sight!”?

How many millions of times has a loving relationship with Jesus been re-ignited at Medjugorje with these beautiful words of love? “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Dear children! Today the Lord permitted me to tell you again that you live in a time of grace. You are not conscious, little children, that God is giving you a great opportunity to convert and to live in peace and love. You are so blind and attached to earthly things and think of earthly life. God sent me to lead you toward eternal life. I, little children, am not tired, although I see that your hearts are heavy and tired for everything that is a grace and a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message,October 25, 2006

Dear children! These days I call you especially to open your hearts to the Holy Spirit. Especially during these days the Holy Spirit is working through you. Open your hearts and surrender your life to Jesus so that he works through your hearts and strengthens you in faith. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, May 25, 1985

Little children, believe and pray that the Father increase your faith, and then ask for whatever you need. I am with you and I am rejoicing because of you conversion and I am protecting you with my motherly mantle. Thank you for having responded to my call. part Medjugorje message, April 25, 1988

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Dear children! Pray with me for a new life for all of you. In your hearts , little children, you know what needs to be changed. Return to God and His Commandments, so that the Holy Spirit may change your lives and the face of this earth, which is in need of renewal in the spirit. Little children, be prayer for all those who do not pray; be joy for all those who do not see the way out; be carriers of light in the darkness of this peaceless time. Pray and seek the help and protection of the saints so that you also could yearn for Heaven and Heavenly realities. I am with you and am protecting and blessing all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, May 25, 2020

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By listening, I place myself in a position to listen to others: those who have no voice, who are marginalised; listening to those who are close to me, who often become frustrated because of my ‘deafness’; listening to the Word of God with open ears and heart; listening through prayer and fasting. It is only by listening that I am able to respond. This is why Our Lady always says at the end of her messages: “Thank you for responding to my call.” If I listen, I will respond. If I don’t listen, then there will be little or no response – and then I shall find myself walking into brick walls because with deafness comes blindness.

Not listening has its consequences. What happens when a husband and wife fail to listen to each other, or when parents fail to listen to their children, or children fail to listen to parents? And then there are the times we complain about the state of the world or our circumstances. Is nobody listening? Can’t anyone do something? It can be very frustrating when no-one wants to listen to us. There are even moments when we wrongly conclude that God and Our Lady are not listening.

But what I have come to understand is that not listening is the first sign of a closed heart. Our Lady says that we do not know how to love because we do not know how to listen to her words with love. She says she has come to earth to teach us to listen out of love, to listen and to live her messages.

• “May your heart be prepared to listen to, and live, everything which the Holy Spirit has in his plans for each of you.” part Medjugorje message, May 25, 1998

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In today’s Gospel reading (Mark 5 : 21-22) a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for 12 years seeks out Jesus for healing. She believes if she can even touch his clothes she will be well again. The woman does this and her faith draws power and healing from Jesus. The source of the bleeding dries up immediately.

A similarity to this account is evident at Medjugorje. 

The haemorrhaging comes from the Risen Saviour sculpture; not blood, but water (although there are claims as well of a blood-coloured substance oozing from the leg of the towering sculpture). On occasions, also, the flow of water dries up. 

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have made their way to the sculpture since it was erected in 2002; pushing, pressing, and patiently waiting in queues so as to be able to touch the bronze body that weeps water from the right knee; and many pilgrims report and claim healings. 

While there is still a mystery surrounding why the sculpture has been ‘weeping’ in this way for almost the same length of years as the woman haemorrhaged, there is no denying that much faith is placed in the healing power associated with this unusual source of water seepage.

Pilgrims can be seen on their knees in prayer at the feet of the sculpture; others sit, watch and pray silently on the surrounding seats. Many will be blessed to hear in their heart the words: “My child, your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.” 

In the same Gospel reading, Jesus commands a twelve-year-old girl to rise from her bed after the parents had been informed their daughter was already dead. Jesus tells them not to be afraid but only have faith, that the child is not dead but asleep. He takes the child’s hand and she gets up at once to walk about. This was also a sign for the people to believe in the Resurrection. 

Medjugorje is a place of Resurrection for many whose spirit has been entombed and placed in darkness. Apart from the claimed miracles associated with the Risen Saviour sculpture is it any wonder that people return home with a revived spirit and cannot refrain from speaking of all they have seen and heard?

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According to the legendary Acts of St Blaise, while Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking on a fish bone, threw herself at his feet and implored his intercession. Touched by her distress, he offered up his prayers, and the child was cured. Traditionally, Saint Blaise is invoked for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat.

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In many places, on his feast day the blessing of St. Blaise is given: two candles (sometimes lit), blessed on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas), are held in the form of a cross by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat with them. At the same time the following blessing is given: “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness”. Then the priest makes the sign of the cross over the faithful.

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source: Wikipedia

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When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Luke 2 : 22-24

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• Detail from a painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1342), Uffizi, Florence

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It was Fr Brendan’s fifth pilgrimage to Medjugorje. He had never climbed Cross Mountain or Apparition Hill, not even made his way to the Blue Cross. And it wasn’t because he didn’t want to. His physical capability just wouldn’t allow him.

That was until one day when he was asked if he would like to be carried up one of the hills. “I’d love that,” he responded.

And so enquiries were made as to how and when this might be possible. The Cenacolo Community was approached as it was known that the men there sometimes helped carry people in a sedan chair. But on the first approach no definite decision could be reached because of other commitments by the community.

As the week rolled by it looked less likely that Fr Brendan’s dream would materialise but then three days before we were due to return home we were informed that if the weather was suitable (not raining) then Fr Brendan should be brought to the base of Apparition Hill the next morning at 7:00am. There was some rain during the evening prior and we prayed that everything would clear up by the morning.

It did, and so after Fr Brendan, Ian and myself sat down for breakfast at 6:00am we arranged for a taxi to take us to the base of Apparition Hill in good time for the meet-up with the young men from Cenacolo.

Just after the appointed time the boys from the Cenacolo Community were spotted making their way towards us and we were all very happy to see them. Introductions were made and it was agreed that Fr Brendan would be set down at each station of the Joyful Mysteries to lead the rosary.

It was a very special ascent up the hill to the top where Our Lady’s statue stands. When we reached the summit Fr Brendan stood up for a short while, holding onto the railing that surrounds the statue, but not for long, and was helped back into the chair. No other groups were there. Fr Brendan had Our Lady’s full and undivided attention!

And then the helpers from Cenacolo seemed to melt away and leave Fr Brendan alone with Our Lady, posting a ‘guardian angel’ slightly behind him in case he needed any further help. I found this very moving.

Fifteen minutes later, we started to make our descent, by which time large crowds of pilgrims from Italy and French Martinique were making their way up the hill. We were soon back at the base again where we expressed our appreciation to the Cenacolo boys. Without them Fr Brendan’s dream would not have been possible.

A little over four months later, Fr Brendan was called by our Heavenly Father to his eternal rest.

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Fear and insecurity rule the world. In today’s gospel (Mark 4 : 35-41), the disciples are driven to fear by a great windstorm as they cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat with Jesus.

They disturb him sleeping and cry out, “Master, do you not care? We are going down!”

We know the outcome. Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the storm.

It’s a mystery of life that Jesus seemingly prevents disasters happening for some and not for others.

In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, an annihilation. But they are in peace. Wisdom 3 : 2-3

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Dear children! Also today I call you to conversion. May your life, little children, be a reflection of God’s goodness and not of hatred and unfaithfulness. Pray, little children, that prayer may become life for you. In this way, in your life you will discover the peace and joy which God gives to those who have an open heart to His love. And you who are far from God’s mercy, convert so that God may not become deaf to your prayers and that it may not be too late for you. Therefore, in this time of grace, convert and put God in the first place in your life. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, August 25, 2007

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