3/30/13

JESUS HAS RISEN


Sing Alleluia to the Lord
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yD10i8H3x0

Daily Grace: The Crucifixion

Daily Grace: The Crucifixion: The Crucifixion The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) ...

3/29/13

The Passion of our Lord

Joan Grayson  http://catholicsacredart.blogspot.com/

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

Daily Grace: The Carrying of the Cross

Daily Grace: The Carrying of the Cross: The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery "And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself …" ( Luke 9:23) ...

3/28/13

Daily Grace: The Crown of Thorns

Daily Grace: The Crown of Thorns: The Third Sorrowful Mystery So Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him and said...

3/27/13

Daily Grace: The Scourging at The Pillar

Daily Grace: The Scourging at The Pillar: The Second Sorrowful Mystery. Posted by dad. They bound you to a post in Pilate's court and scrounged you mercilessly. Followi...

Women in Wheelchair Healed in Medjugorje

Women in wheelchair healed in Medjugorje. See video of her testimony at Mary TV Episode 60
http://www.marytv.tv/

3/26/13

Daily Grace: The Agony in The Garden

Daily Grace: The Agony in The Garden: The First Sorrowful Mystery They went to a place called Gethsemane…And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly...

COMING ATTRACTIONS



"For now the Lord has spoken Who formed Me as His Servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to Him and Israel gathered to Him." -Isaiah 49:5

Jesus is like "a sharp-edged sword" or "a polished arrow" (Is 49:2). He can pierce us and cause us pain. Jesus is like a concealed sword or hidden arrow (Is 49:2). Unless we are attentive, we won't notice Him. Jesus' work in our lives at first often appears to be "in vain, and for nothing" (Is 49:4). Consequently, to be open to Jesus, we must suffer pain, be attentive, and persevere in walking "by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). It is difficult to be open to Jesus.
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In one way, Jesus is the most attractive Person Who has ever lived. After being lifted up in His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus draws all people to Himself (Jn 12:32). Yet, in other ways, Jesus is not attractive. "There was in Him no stately bearing to make us look at Him, nor appearance that would attract us to Him. He was spurned and avoided by men, a Man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from Whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held Him in no esteem" (Is 53:2-3).
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Jesus simultaneously attracts and repels us. If we focus on ourselves, we will spin away from Him. If we die to ourselves, we will gravitate toward Him. Sin disrupts the attraction of Jesus' love. Repentance and faith lock us into his love. "Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you" (Jas 4:8).

 Jesus, may I be baptized into, immersed in, and preoccupied with Your love.

Promise: "God will, in turn, glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him soon." -Jn 13:32
Isaiah 53  http://www.gloria.tv/?media=417746

3/25/13

Our Lady's Medjugorje to Marija of March 25, 2012

Dear children! In this time of grace I call you to take the cross of my beloved Son Jesus in your hands and to meditate on his passion and death. May your suffering be united in his suffering and love will win, because he who is love gave himself out of love to save each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message. March 25, 2013

Dear Family of Mary!

 

       
  Michelle from Hong Kong 
I love Our Lady. I love her so much!   
I really want to love her more tomorrow than today!   
Michelle from Hong Kong   
(c)Mary TV 2013   
 
 
J.M.J.      
 
March 25, 2013
 
Dear Family of Mary!
 
"Dear children! Again today I invite you to live the passion of Jesus in prayer, and in union with Him. Decide to give more time to God who gave you these days of grace. Therefore, dear children, pray and in a special way renew the love for Jesus for in your hearts. I am with you and I accompany you with my blessing any my prayers. Thank you for having responded to my call." (March 25, 1991)  
  
 Today is Monday of Holy Week. We will accompany Jesus on His way to Calvary. I wanted to share with you the transcript of the testimony of Michelle from Hong Kong, given to Mary TV several years ago in Medjugorje, and aired last week on "Fruit of Medjugorje, Episode 59. Michelle glows with the love of Our Lady, and her words are pure and simple. You can still see this testimony on our webpage today, on the home page. After tonight, it will be in the archives. Let's be inspired by Michelle's testimony as we enter Holy Week!
 
 Michelle from Hong Kong (Fruit of Medjugorje Episode 59):
 
Well Medjugorje is my home. I feel at home here in Medjugorje. After my first visit my prayer life changed. I love the Eucharist. I love the Daily Mass, and I don't know why, because I had tried to love it before, but I could not. But after I came back from Medjugorje I found Jesus was so real, because of Mother Mary...
 
And then my family changed. My husband converted and he was baptized just eight months after I returned. So I said, "I need to come back. At least I need to say, thank you!" And wondrous things keep on changing in my life. Changing everybody around me. And I see so many people with a joyful heart and peaceful heart coming back to Hong Kong, so I keep on coming.
 
The first time I came I started to try to pray as she wants it. And I could not do it at first, but when I got back home I really could feel the peace, and I didn't need to say, "Oh I need this or I need that...I didn't need to mention so many questions. Now when I stand before her, I just feel that she knows everything. Even when I don't know something, she knows it. And it just makes me stop with my mouth shut! And she knows everything!!
 
So my prayer life changed, and I can really just sit in the chapel for hours and hours of Adoration...I remember once I adored Jesus for the whole day. It was really wonderful.
 
For myself, I think there are many things that she knows that I don't know about God and about other people's lives, though I know that so many people are suffering. She came just to give some simple messages. Just to pray, to listen, to live. They are so simple that you can start at any moment of your life. So I believe she is really here....in my heart, beside me.
 
The importance of prayer is that it keeps the relationship with God. We are really living on earth, and so many people are talking to us, and if we don't spend time to let God talk to us, our relationship will be cut off. And if this relationship is cut off, we will never remember the peace we need, why we are born on this earth. We will forget about each other's life, and what we have done on earth will really destroy our salvation.
 
I pray to Our Lady directly because I feel she has such abundant love that if I have done something that really offended Jesus, Our Lady will turn my words into good words, like a filter. She knows and she will teach me "No, No, don't talk like this...speak more for Jesus..." And so because of what she taught me, I said I better stick around with people who really love me and can help me to be more near to Jesus.
 
The greatest suffering that I brought here the first time I came to Medjugorje was the conversion of my husband, because he was very cool, and he never believed in God. And I said to Mary, "I came here and I want to bring graces back, not only for myself, but for my family, especially for my husband." And I didn't know what she was going to give me. But when I returned and I saw his changes, and when he was baptized, I really cried with joy. Because I did nothing. But of course I had to endure a lot, I needed to be patient, to listen, and not be too preachy. But she will give me the strength, because Our Lady said that we can never comprehend what is God's plan for us. So we just have to live as simply and purely as she wants us to. So I tried with the little things, instead of trying to do great jobs. I tried to love him [my husband] more, to love him as much as I could.
 
And the method I used was fasting for him. I learned fasting from the tapes of Sr. Emmanuel, and I listened to the testimonies. It was so simple! I just have to eat bread and water and somebody is going to be changed! So I started, it was so easy to start! Because I had a target. I just had bread and water. It was very, very joyful.
 
But then after many months, something changed. I said it was boring. My husband is converted! Did I really need to keep on fasting? But then when I met so many poor people, I mean not only poor in their living, but poor in their hearts, they really are suffering. But you really can't help them. You can't help them with any materials, even though you might say words to comfort them, but they are asking for more. So the best source is from Jesus. So then I remembered that the best way is to fast. And I didn't know which people my fasting could give graces to, but I remembered that Our Lady said that she would collect all these sacrifices and offer them to Jesus, and Jesus will hand them to those who are really in need of these sacrifices. So this keeps on giving me strength. Wednesday comes...Oh Wednesday, I need to fast! So I try to fast together with my husband, I try to fast together with my community, and it makes the road easier.
 
I love Our Lady. I love her so much! I really want to love her more tomorrow than today! (Fruit of Medjugorje, Episode 59, March 18, 2013 at www.marytv.tv )
 
  
 Michelle's words are simple. But they come straight from her heart. If you watch the video you will receive much more from her testimony, because of the light that flows from her face as she talks about Jesus and Mary! She communicates a great deal from her face.
 
Today Our Lady will give a message for the 25th of the month, through Marija. I will send it out as the reflection for Tuesday!
 
God bless you all. Let's pray for each other during Holy Week. As Michelle said, it is easier when we pray and fast together as a community!
 
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV, 2013
 
PS. "Fruit of Medjugorje" tonight is a dramatic healing! Tune in at www.marytv.tv !!!! 8:00 pm EDT.  
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3/24/13

Hosanna to the Son of David


And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" THE HOLY LAND REVEALED
is a video that will take you on an unforgettable trip through the most cherished place on earth. See where Jesus of Nazareth lived and preached a message that reached out across eternity, radiating from the Sea of Galilee and its fertile mountains to parched southern deserts, from the rolling hills of Samaria to the sacred slopes of Jerusalem. THE HOLY LAND REVEALED can be ordered from the Holy Land DVD & Videos catalog. BiblicalProductions.com

Medjugorje: Apparition to Mirjana of March 18, 2013


Latest Medjugorje Message, March 18, 2013 http://www.medjugorje.ws/en-mini/messages/130318a/minibrowser?css=messages-latest&type=latest&findmode=aa - The annual apparition of Our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo The apparition lasted from 13:52 to 13:58.

Dear children! I call you to, with complete trust and joy, bless the name of the Lord and, day by day, to give Him thanks from the heart for His great love. My Son, through that love which He showed by the Cross, gave you the possibility to be forgiven for everything; so that you do not have to be ashamed or to hide, and out of fear not to open the door of your heart to my Son. To the contrary, my children, reconcile with the Heavenly Father so that you may be able to come to love yourselves as my Son loves you. When you come to love yourselves, you will also love others; in them you will see my Son and recognize the greatness of His love. Live in faith! Through me, my Son is preparing you for the works which He desires to do through you – works through which He desires to be glorified. Give Him thanks. Especially thank Him for the shepherds - for your intercessors in the reconcilliation with the Heavenly Father. I am thanking you, my children. Thank you.

3/23/13

Eucharistic Healing Service--Fr. Jose Maniyangat


A priest who saw heaven, hell, and purgatory
The death experience of Father Jose Maniyangat

Fr. Jose Maniyangat is currently the pastor of St. Mary’s Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida. Here is his personal testimony:

I was born on July 16, 1949 in Kerala, India to my parents, Joseph and Theresa Maniyangat. I am the eldest of seven children: Jose, Mary, Theresa, Lissama, Zachariah, Valsa and Tom.

At the age of fourteen, I entered St. Mary’s Minor Seminary in Thiruvalla to begin my studies for the priesthood. Four years later, I went to St. Joseph’s Pontifical Major Seminary in Alwaye, Kerala to continue my priestly formation. After completing the seven years of philosophy and theology, I was ordained a priest on January 1, 1975 to serve as a missionary in the Diocese of Thiruvalla.

On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, I was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and I had a fatal accident. I was riding a motorcycle when I was hit head-on by a jeep driven by a man who was intoxicated after a Hindu festival. I was rushed to a hospital about 35 miles away. On the way, my soul came out from my body and I experienced death. Immediately, I met my Guardian Angel. I saw my body and the people who were carrying me to the hospital. I heard them crying and praying for me. At this time my angel told me: “I am going to take you to Heaven, the Lord wants to meet you and talk with you.” He also said that, on the way, he wanted to show me hell and purgatory.

Hell

First, the angel escorted me to hell. It was an awful sight! I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, worms crawling, people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons. The angel told me that all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins. Then, I understood that there are seven degrees of suffering or levels according to the number and kinds of mortal sins committed in their earthly lives. The souls looked very ugly, cruel and horrific. It was a fearful experience. I saw people whom I knew, but I am not allowed to reveal their identities. The sins that convicted them were mainly abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, hatefulness, unforgiveness and sacrilege. The angel told me that if they had repented, they would have avoided hell and gone instead to purgatory. I also understood that some people who repent from these sins might be purified on earth through their sufferings. This way they can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven.

I was surprised when I saw in hell even priests and Bishops, some of whom I never expected to see. Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example.

Purgatory
After the visit to hell, my Guardian Angel escorted me to purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in purgatory committed numerous mortal sins, but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face.

I had a chance to communicate with the souls in purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly. When we pray for these souls, we will receive their gratitude through their prayers, and once they enter heaven, their prayers become even more meritorious.

It is difficult for me to describe how beautiful my Guardian Angel is. He is radiant and bright. He is my constant companion and helps me in all my ministries, especially my healing ministry. I experience his presence everywhere I go and I am grateful for his protection in my daily life.

Heaven
Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and priests who were shining like stars. And when I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: “I want you to go back to the world. In your second life, you will be an instrument of peace and healing to My people. You will walk in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with My grace.” After these words, the Blessed Mother told me: “Do whatever He tells you. I will help you in your ministries.”

Words can not express the beauty of heaven. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination. Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; She was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with Her real beauty. Heaven is our real home; we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever. Then, I came back to the world with my angel.

While my body was at the hospital, the doctor completed all examinations and I was pronounced dead. The cause of death was bleeding. My family was notified, and since they were far away, the hospital staff decided to move my dead body to the morgue. Because the hospital did not have air conditioners, they were concerned that the body would decompose quickly. As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt an excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream, and then the people became frightened and ran away screaming. One of them approached the doctor and said: “The dead body is screaming.” The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: “Father is alive, it is a miracle! Take him back to the hospital.”

Now, back at the hospital, they gave me blood transfusions and I was taken to surgery to repair the broken bones. They worked on my lower jaw, ribs, pelvic bone, wrists, and right leg. After two months, I was released from the hospital, but my orthopedic doctor said that I would never walk again. I then said to him: “The Lord who gave me my life back and sent me back to the world will heal me.” Once at home, we were all praying for a miracle. Still after a month, and with the casts removed, I was not able to move. But one day while praying I felt an extraordinary pain in my pelvic area. After a short while the pain disappeared completely and I heard a voice saying: “You are healed. Get up and walk.” I felt the peace and healing power on my body. I immediately got up and walked. I praised and thanked God for the miracle.

I reached my doctor with the news of my healing, and he was amazed. He said: “Your God is the true God. I must follow your God.” The doctor was Hindu, and he asked me to teach him about our Church. After studying the Faith, I baptized him and he became Catholic.

Following the message from my Guardian Angel, I came to the United States on November 10, 1986 as a missionary priest... Since June 1999, I have been pastor of St. Mary’s Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida.

Fr. Jose Maniyangat

3/22/13

The "Hail Mary Prayer" of a Protestant is powerful!---( A True Story)



The "Hail Mary" of a Protestant is powerful!---( A True Story)

A little six-year-old Protestant boy had often heard his Catholic companion reciting the prayer 'Hail Mary.' He liked it so much that he copied it, memorized it and would recite it every day. 'Look, Mummy, what a beautiful prayer,' he said to his mother one day. 'Never again say it,' answered the mother.' it is a superstitious prayer of Catholics who adore idols and think Mary a goddess. After all, she is a woman like any other. Come on, take this Bible and read it. It contains everything that we are bound to do and have to do.'

From that day on the little boy discontinued his daily 'Hail Mary' and gave himself more time to reading the Bible instead. One day, while reading the Gospel, he came across the passage about the Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady. Full of joy, the little boy ran to his mother and said: 'Mummy, I have found the 'Hail Mary' in the Bible which says: 'Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women. ' Why do you call it a superstitious prayer?'

On another occasion he found that beautiful Salutation of St. Elizabeth to The Virgin Mary and the wonderful canticle. MAGNIFICAT in which Mary foretold that 'the generations would call her blessed.' He said no more about it to his mother but started to recite the 'Hail Mary' every day as before. He felt pleasure in addressing those charming words to the Mother of Jesus, our Savior.

When he was fourteen, he one day heard a discussion on Our Lady among the members of his family. Every one said that Mary was a common woman like any other woman. The boy, after listening to their erroneous reasoning, could not bear it any longer, and full of indignation, he interrupted them, saying: 'Mary is not like any other children of Adam, stained with sin. No! The Angel called her FULL OF GRACE AND BLESSED AMONGST WOMEN. Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ and consequently Mother of God. There is no higher dignity to which a creature can be raised.

The Gospel says that the generations will proclaim her blessed and you are trying to despise her and look down on her. Your spirit is not the Spirit Of the Gospel or of the Bible which you proclaim to be the foundation of the Christian religion.' So deep was the impression which the boy's talk had made that his mother many times cried out sorrowfully: 'Oh my God! I fear that this son of mine will one day join the Catholic religion, the religion of Popes!' And indeed, not very long afterwards, having made a serious study of both Protestantism and Catholicism, the boy found the latter to be the only true religion and embraced it and became one of its most ardent apostles.

Some time after his conversion, he met his married sister who rebuked his and said indignantly: 'You little know how much I love my children. Should any one of them desire to become a Catholic, I would sooner pierce his heart with a dagger than allow him to embrace the religion of the Popes!' Her anger and temper were as furious as those of St. Paul before his conversion. However, she would change her ways, just as St. Paul did on his way to Damascus.

It so happened that one of her sons fell dangerously ill and the doctors gave up hope of recovery. Her brother then approached, her and spoke to her affectionately, saying: 'My dear sister, you naturally wish to have your child cured. Very well, then, do what I ask you to do. Follow me, let us pray one 'Hail Mary' and promise God that, if your son recovers his health, you would seriously study the Catholic doctrine, and should you come to the conclusion that Catholicism is the only true religion, you would embrace it no matter what the sacrifices may be.'

His sister was somewhat reluctant at the beginning but as she wished for her son's recovery. She accepted her brother's proposal and recited the 'Hail Mary' together with him. The next day her son was completely cured! The mother fulfilled her promise and she studied the Catholic doctrine. After long preparation she received Baptism together with her family, thanking her brother for being an apostle to her.

 *The story was related during a sermon given by the Rev. Father Tuckwell. 'Brethren, he went on and said, 'The boy who became a Catholic and converted his sister to Catholicism dedicated his whole life to the service of God.  He is the priest who is speaking to you now!

What I am I owe to Our Lady. You, too, my dear brethren, be entirely dedicated also to Our Lady and never let a day pass without saying the beautiful prayer, 'Hail Mary', and your Rosary. Ask her to enlighten the minds of Protestants who are separated from the true Church of Christ founded on the Rock (Peter) and 'against whom the gates of hell shall never prevail.'

The Hail Mary Prayer
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women,
and Blessed is the Fruit
of Thy Womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.

 

3/21/13

What Parent Do I Not Need


An 11 year old girl Grace Evans asked a question that silenced the Minnesota legislature yesterday by asking the question "What parent do I not need, My Mom or My Dad?  No answer was given.

3/19/13

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Joseph over 1900 years old

JOSEPH

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen
Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail if in accordance with God’s will.
This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1500′s, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle.
Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.
Make this prayer known everywhere.
Imprimatur
Most Rev. George W. Ahr
Bishop of Trenton

3/18/13

Our Lady's Message to Mirjana of March 18, 2013


"Dear children! I call you to, with complete trust and joy, bless the name of the Lord and, day by day, to give Him thanks from the heart for His great love. My Son, through that love which He showed by the Cross, gave you the possibility to be forgiven for everything; so that you do not have to be ashamed or to hide, and out of fear not to open the door of your heart to my Son. To the contrary, my children, reconcile with the Heavenly Father so that you may be able to come to love yourselves as my Son loves you. When you come to love yourselves, you will also love others; in them you will see my Son and recognize the greatness of His love. Live in faith! Through me, my Son is preparing you for the works which He desires to do through you - works through which He desires to be glorified. Give Him thanks. Especially thank Him for the shepherds - for your intercessors in the reconciliation with the Heavenly Father. I am thanking you, my children. Thank you."   (03/18/13 through Mirjana)
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Revelation From Saint Maria Faustina

Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1216
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
      May the light of Your love
      Enlighten the souls in darkness;
      Grant that these souls will know You
      And, together with us, praise Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1217


3/17/13

New Pope Approved Of Medjugorje Visits


By Jakob Marschner

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis opened his diocese to Medjugorje priests, and asked Fr. Jozo Zovko to bless him. And shortly before he left for the papal conclave in Rome, he approved of visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s public apparition arrangements that drew 10,000 people.

pope francis cardinal archbishop jorge mario bergoglio welcomed approved medjugorje visits visitors guests buenos aires argentina jozo zovko ivan dragicevic
Pope Francis

Medjugorje is far from unknown to Pope Francis.

In the recent newsletter of the organization Children of Medjugorje, Sr. Emmanuel Maillard summarizes three occasions when the new Pope, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, approved of public talks from prominent Medjugorje visitors in his diocese.

The most recent of these approvals was given just a few weeks ago:

medjugorje visionary seer veggente ivan dragicevic apparition apparicion apparizione luna park buenos aires argentina march marzo 8 2013 cardinal archbishop jorge mario bergoglio pope francis approved approval
Part of the audience present at visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s public apparition on March 8 at Luna Park, Buenos Aires, an arrangement approved of by Cardinal Bergoglio

“He welcomed Fr. Jozo Zovko while on his mission in Argentina. He welcomed Fr. Danko last year, for his mission through Argentina. And Cardinal Bergoglio allowed (visionary) Ivan to spread his witness in Buenos Aires early this March. Only a few days before leaving for Rome to join the conclave, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio gave his approval for Ivan to receive the apparition at Luna Park” Sr. Emmanuel informs.

Ivan further visited the Malvinas Microstadium where he drew about 5,500 people on March 6, a slightly higher number than at Luna Park two days later.

fr fra father jozo zovko medjugorje buenos aires argentina meeting pope francis cardinal archbishop jorge mario bergoglio 1990s late blessing
Fr. Jozo Zovko

Fr. Jozo Zovko, parish priest in Medjugorje by the time the apparitions began, tells the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija that he spent a long time with then-Archbishop Bergoglio during his visit to Argentina in the late 1990s.

“We spent a long time together and talked about everything in Buenos Aires. And he was interested. We prayed together and at the end he asked me for a blessing. I touched one fine and good man. He is a good choice for a Church that is getting better, and there is no better person than Francis to rebuild the Church. Pope Francis’s gift to the Church is a fruit of the grace at this time. He dares to talk about our failures” Fr. Jozo tells Slobodna Dalmacija.

Pope Francis with flowers to Mary
Francis with flowers to Mary

“He called for prayer, and his first move (as Pope) was going to Our Lady with a bouquet of flowers. There is a man who, like Mary at Cana, sees and feels and knows where to go.”

“We need such people deeply rooted in prayer. He holds a Rosary in his hand, and draws on the Gospel. It is the key that opens all closed doors, and the Pope is showing us the way.”
Source of this Article   http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/

 
Children of Medjugorje, INC
© Children of Medjugorje 2013  
Permission is given to spread the text of these reports under two conditions:
1) No words are changed,
2) "Children of Medjugorje" is cited along with our website    www.childrenofmedjugorje.com
 
March 15, 2013
Dear Children of Medjugorje, praised be Jesus and Mary!
 
1. On March 2nd, 2013, Mirjana received her monthly apparition at the Blue Cross. After the apparition, she gave us the following message:   
 
"Dear children! Anew, in a motherly way, I am calling you not to be of a hard heart. Do not shut your eyes to the warnings which the Heavenly Father sends to you out of love. Do you love Him above all else? Do you repent for having often forgotten that the Heavenly Father, out of His great love, sent his Son to redeem us by the Cross? Do you repent for not yet having accepted the message? My children, do not resist the love of my Son. Do not resist hope and peace. Along with your prayer and fasting, by His cross, my Son will cast away the darkness that wants to surround you and come to rule over you. He will give you the strength for a new life. Living it according to my Son, you will be a blessing and a hope to all those sinners who wander in the darkness of sin. My children, keep vigil. I, as a mother, am keeping vigil with you. I am especially praying and watching over those whom my Son called to be light-bearers and carriers of hope for you - for your shepherds. Thank you." 
 
2. Ivan in Argentina. After having seen his venue cancelled in Uruguay, Ivan was able to give his testimony in Buenos Aires. Only a few days before leaving for Rome to join
the conclave, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (our dear Pope!) gave his approval for Ivan to receive the
apparition at Luna Park. According to Ivan, during the apparition the Blessed Mother prayed at
length in Aramaic, her mother tongue, over each priest present and she gave this message:
 
Dear children! Today I invite you to open yourself to prayer. You are living a time in which God gives you great blessings and you don't know how to take advantage of it. You are preocupied by lots of things except your soul and your spiritual life. Wake up from this tired world, awaken your soul from its sleep and say to God with all your strength, "Yes!" Decide for holiness and conversion. Dear children, I am with you and I am calling you with all my soul to the perfection and the holiness of your soul and of all what you do. Thank you for having responded to  my call today".  
At Luna Park, which was packed, Ivan said that the Gospa is shedding tears of blood for her children who have been killed by abortion.
3. Viva Francis, Pope of the Americas! On the evening of March 13th (Marthe Robin's birthday), we were glued to our computer screen, waiting for the red curtain to open. Then we saw an unknown figure appear, a Cardinal whom no journalist made mention of, a Cardinal whom the  Holy Spirit had secretly set apart. He is one to Our Lady's liking:  humble, determined, firm in the Church's faith, a fighter for the Gospel  before a hostile government - in short a friend of simplicity and filled  with charity for all! While the journalists are still talking, the Christian  media is giving good commentaries on his person and his work. I don't  need to add anything else to these reports, but here are a few points    closely related to Medjugorje for which we give thanks to God:
 
- For years the Archbishop of Buenos Aires had been following the events in Medjugorje and gave them credit.
- He welcomed Fr. Jozo Zovko while on his mission in Argentina.
- He welcomed Fr. Danko last year, for his mission through Argentina. (Fr. Danko is a Franciscan from St. James parish in Medjugorje, well known by pilgrims.)
- Cardinal Bergoglio allowed Ivan to spread his witness in Buenos Aires early this March. 
- One of his first initiatives, the day after his election, was to consecrate his Pontificate to the Blessed Mother. He went to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica at 8:00 am, brought a bouquet of flowers for the Virgin Mary and prayed silently in front of her Icon. Didn't the Gospa ask in Medjugorje that we always begin our work with a prayer and finish it with giving thanks?
- For the past 3 years his confessor has been a Franciscan from Herzegovina! For the previous 30 years his confessor had been Fr. Berislav Ostojic, a Jesuit and a Croatian (now deceased).
- Last, he is the one who will enfold the workings of the Vatican Commission on Medjugorje once Pope Emeritus Benedict hands over the file to him, which is hopefully positive. Let's pray that its contents will be released soon.
 
4. In the depths of China... Recently I heard a story about two Austrian missionaries, Father
Gotsch and Brother Gervasius, that I would like to repeat here.Gervasius, who had travelled through Tibet and India, tells that one day in 1976, in southern China, he went along with Fr. Gotsch to visit a dying man from Kaotai. They rode their horses for 200 kms (124 miles) through hills and over mountains passes to arrive at the house of the dying man, too late. He had already died. After the burial, as they made their way back over the mountains, they met a young man who seemed to be waiting for them on the side of the road. The man asked them to follow him to his ailing mother. They followed him to a small hamlet 15 kms (9 miles)away. They found the dying woman in a very poor dwelling. When she saw the priest, she asked, "Stranger, will you answer the truth if I ask you questions?"
"Of course, Mother!" the priest responded.
"Is there a God in whom there are three persons? Is there another life, a place of happiness for good people, and a place of terror for bad ones? Is it true that God came on this earth to die for men and open the place of happiness for them? Stranger, is this all true?"
Astounded, the priest answered "YES". And he wondered how this woman learned all these things.
The woman continued,
"You have the water with you, so wash me so that I may go to the place of happiness!"
Father Gotsch couldn't believe what she was asking.How did she know that he had baptismal water with him? Her determined attitude was somewhat childlike yet convincing. The priest briefly explained to her the liturgy and the meaning of the sacrament, and he baptized her. The sick woman, full of joy, said,
"You also have the bread with you. It is special bread because God is inside. Give me some of that bread!"
The priest took out of his bag the consecrated Host that he was carrying with him. He explained to her the meaning of the sacrament of the Eucharist and gave her Holy Communion. He also gave her the last rites (the confession of sins and the anointment of the sick). He then said to her,
"Until now, you are the one who asked questions, now it's my turn to ask questions! From whom did you learn the truths of our faith? Did you meet Catholic believers or Evangelists?"
 "No, stranger" she replied.
"So did you read Christian books?"
"I can't read, Stranger, and I did not even know there were such books."
"Then from where and from whom did you receive this knowledge of our faith?"
"I always thought that it should be like this, and I have lived this way for 10 years. I have also taught my sons this way and you can wash them all (baptize them)."
"But you knew that we were going to come this way today?"
"Certainly! I saw a man in a dream. It's him who told me to send my younger son to the road and call the 2 strangers that were about to pass by. He told me that they were going to "wash" me to go to the place of happiness after death."
 The missionaries were deeply moved. The woman's attitude toward death was so peaceful that it left no room to doubt. Before leaving, the missionaries gave her a picture of Saint Joseph, patron of the dying. Filled with joy, she exclaimed,
"But this one, I know him! He often came to visit me. He is the one who told me to send my son on the road to call you!"
She couldn't say for sure if Saint Joseph came to visit her in person, or if it was in a dream, but
knowing that did not matter to her. What mattered was what Saint Joseph had taught her.
Later on, the missionaries learned that this woman died that very night.
(From the German publication « Weite Welt » N˚ 1, Jan. 1976)
 
On March 19, we will celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph. Let's not forget to honor him and ask much from him, especially for those who do not known yet the love of God. He will always surprise us with his goodness!
 
Dearest Gospa, Mother of the Church, you has given us a magnificent present with Pope Francis! With you and all the elected ones in Heaven, we want to pray for his protection and to watch as sentinels around him, in this crucial time for the Church.
Sister Emmanuel +  
(Translated from French)
 

3/16/13

Daily Grace: Reflections of Your Love

Daily Grace: Reflections of Your Love:       And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”  ...

3/15/13

A Catholic Mom in Hawaii: Rush Limbaugh on Pope Francis

A Catholic Mom in Hawaii: Rush Limbaugh on Pope Francis

If I didn't know better, I would believe Rush Limbaugh was a staunch Catholic defending his church! Read it here.

LENT'S LAST JOYFULLY PAINFUL DAYS



"To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us. Because his life is not like other men's, and different are his ways." -Wisdom 2:14-15

The lives of the just are a bright light and a prophetic witness against the deeds of darkness (Wis 2:12ff). Therefore, "everyone who practices evil hates the light; he does not come near it for fear his deeds will be exposed" (Jn 3:20). Those in the darkness of sin show their hatred for those who are the light of the world (see Mt 5:14) by reviling and torturing them (Wis 2:19). They may even condemn them to a shameful death (Wis 2:20).
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During Lent, we try to imitate Jesus in fasting for forty days (see Mt 4:2). As this inspires us to imitate Jesus in other ways, we walk more and more in the light (see 1 Jn 1:7). This means we are a greater irritation to those in darkness and therefore more likely to be persecuted more often and more severely. Therefore, the last days of Lent can be exceptionally difficult.
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Two weeks from today is Good Friday, the day on which we especially remember Jesus' saving death. As Jesus neared the first Good Friday, His opponents tried to seize and kill Him (Jn 7:1, 30). Likewise, as you near Good Friday, expect increasing persecution (2 Tm 3:12). If you are "judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name" of Jesus, you should rejoice that you are walking in the light more deeply (Acts 5:41). "Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God's Spirit in Its glory has come to rest on you" (1 Pt 4:14). "Blest are those persecuted for holiness' sake; the reign of God is theirs" (Mt 5:10).

 Father, make me worthy of being persecuted more. May I love You so much as to desire to suffer for You.

 "He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father." -Wis 2:16

79th Anniversary of the Cross built on Cross Mountain



        Medjugorje         

 

On Saturday, March 16th, we will celebrate 79 years since Cross on Cross Mountain was built and blessed during the solemn Holy Mass. It took parishioners only 52 days to build the cross, after their parish priest Fr. Bernardin Smoljan, had given them that proposal on January 21, 1934, all because the whole world was celebrating Jubilee Year of our Salvation.
 The construction plan was made by engineer Simun Boras from Mostar and construction was supervised by Ante Dugandzic Redzo from Medjugorje. Next year, on April 12, they have organised procession of penance to the top of Cross Mountain and Holy Mass was celebrated at the top. In September 1935, they have celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, after the decree of local Bishop at that time, Fr. Alojzije Misic. Cross Mountain has become one of the most visited pilgrims’ destinations in Medjugorje, and parishioners and pilgrims gather every Friday for prayer of the Way of the Cross on this mountain.
Medjuorje Official

3/14/13

Pope Francis Brought Our Lady Flowers



Pope Francis at St. Mary Major - March 15, 2013
Pope Francis at St. Mary Major, March 15, 2013
J.M.J.
March 15, 2013
Dear Family of Mary!
Our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, went to the Basilica St. Mary Major first thing the morning after his election to the Chair of Peter. He brought Our Lady some flowers, and spent some quiet time with her. It was a beautiful moment.
Later that day he celebrated Holy Mass with the Cardinal Electors in the Sistine Chapel. His homily was brief, but strong. But I was struck by one image he used. He spoke about the Church's call to journey, build and confess. Here is what he said about building:
Building... Building the Church. Stones are spoken of: the stones have a consistency, but they are the living stones, stones anointed by the Spirit. Building the Church, the Bride of Christ, upon that cornerstone that is the Lord himself. Building is another form of movement in our life. [Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic] (You can find the homily on Zenit... http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-1st-homily )
Living Stones! We have recently heard that phrase somewhere else:
"Dear children! Also today I call you to prayer. May your prayer be as strong as a living stone, until with your lives you become witnesses. Witness the beauty of your faith. I am with you and intercede before my Son for each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call." (January 25, 2013)
I don't want to make too much of it, but Pope Francis used the same image for the faithful that Our Lady used in January. We are called to be "living stones"! Our Lady told us that our prayer must be as strong as a living stone, that the anointing we receive through prayer must make us strong believers and witnesses to Christ. Pope Francis said that we need to be "living stones", stones anointed by the Holy Spirit that are built upon the cornerstone, Christ! It is the same Holy Spirit that inspired Our Lady and Pope Francis to speak about "living stones"! This is consoling to me, hopeful, exciting!
There is another interesting connection between Pope Francis and Our Lady of Medjugorje. In his homily for last year's Easter Vigil Cardinal Bergoglio's spoke about Our Lady and how she keeps vigil:
"That night she, too, the Mother, was in vigil. Her insides made her intuit the closeness of that life which she conceived in Nazareth and her faith strengthened that intuition. We ask her, the first disciple, to teach us to persevere in the vigil, to accompany us in patience, to strengthen us in hope. We ask her to lead us to an encounter with her Risen Son; we ask her to free us from fear, so that we too can hear the angel's message and run off... not out of fright but to announce it to others in this Buenos Aires that needs it so much!"(Zenit.org) Dr. Edward Mulholland
Almost in answer to this call, Our Lady told us on March 2, 2013:
"...My children, keep vigil. I, as a mother, am keeping vigil with you. I am especially praying and watching over those whom my Son called to be light-bearers and carriers of hope for you - for your shepherds. Thank you." (March 2, 2013)
This was the call we were given, during the days before and during the conclave. Our Lady knows best how to keep vigil. She helped us to pray in vigil during this most important moment, and I believe we were given this most holy Pope as a result. He will help us become living stones, strong believers who will help to build the Church into the strong haven of safety it is meant to be. He seems to be very close to Our Lady, and with her he will lead us, free of fear, out into the world to announce the Risen Lord!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2013
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Pope Francis Happy when Archbishop from Argentina vistited Medjugorje

This is from the official Medjugorje website...

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An Archbishop from Argentina visited Medjugorje

Mons. Emilio Ogñénovich, retired Archbishop of Mercedes-Luján (Argentina) visited Medjugorje from the 25th to the 31st of May, 2006. During his visit, he met Fr. Ivan Sesar, the parish priest. Having founded both a catholic television station and a catholic radio station in Buenos Aires, Mons. Ogñénovich expressed his desire to visit Radio Mir Medjugorje, which he considers to be the vital organ of communication for Medjugorje. In an interview given to Huanita Dragićević, Mons. Emilio Ogñénovich said the following about Medjugorje:

“Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of ignorance within the Church about the great supernatural reality that is happening in Medjugorje, at the heart of the modern world. What fills me with hope, are the words of John Paul II who told us, both priests and bishops, to accompany pilgrims to Medjugorje, because here they are praying, converting, fasting and changing their lives. The Church needs some more time to state its position in relation to Medjugorje, just as in its wisdom, it took time to state its position towards Fatima and Lourdes.

Concerning Medjugorje, I will share my own personal conviction with my fellow bishops in the Bishops Conference of Argentina, and also with our cardinal, Mons. Bergoglio, who was very happy when I told him that I was going to Medjugorje. If you ask me for my opinion about Medjugorje, I will tell you that it can be compared to a mother, a pregnant woman in the sixth month of pregnancy, who impatiently awaits the moment to see her child born, but nobody can hasten it, because the right moment will come in its own good time.”

_________________
"Pray! Pray! Pray!" -Our Lady of Medjugorje

MedjAdmin
Sean Bloomfield
Queen of Peace Productions

Dear Family of Mary


Pope Francis I
Habemus Papam!!!
Pope Francis I
J.M.J.
March 14, 2013
Dear Family of Mary!
"...My children, keep vigil. I, as a mother, am keeping vigil with you. I am especially praying and watching over those whom my Son called to be light-bearers and carriers of hope for you - for your shepherds. Thank you." (03/02/13)
Last night the Vatican News Service sent out this simple announcement:
Vatican City, 13 March 2013 (VIS) - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., was elected as Supreme Pontiff, the 265th successor of Peter, and has chosen the name Francis.
The Cardinal proto-deacon Jean-Louis Tauran made the solemn announcement to the people at 8:12pm from the external Loggia of the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica following the white "fumata" which occurred at 7:06pm.
Following are the words pronounced by Cardinal Tauran:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
habemus Papam;
Eminentissium ac Reverendissium Dominum,
Dominum Georgium Marium
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum.
[I announce to you with great joy;
We have a Pope;
The most eminent and most reverend Lord
Lord Jorge Mario
Cardinal of Holy Roman Church Bergoglio
Who has taken the name Francis.]
With this announcement the whole Church rejoices! We have received our Holy Father Francis with great joy!
Our Lady asked us to keep vigil with her for the Shepherds, "those whom my Son called to be light-bearers and carriers of hope for you". So our vigil of prayer is not over. It has actually just begun! We can join Our Lady in praying for Pope Francis I. He is Our Papa now!!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c)Mary TV 2013
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PS. Ivan was just in Buenos Aires at the beginning of March! Our Lady appeared there. Maybe she wanted to visit the home of the next Pope, to confer an advance blessing!!
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PPS. We note that Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) is on the list of pro Medjugorje Cardinals on p.43 of "Medjugorje and the Church" by Denis Nolan. And on p. 91 Archbishop Emilio Ognenovich is quoted as saying in 2006 that Cardinal Bergoglio "was very happy when I told him that I was going to Medjugojre." He is a friend of Medjugorje!