THE MEDJUGORJE WITNESS

In Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary has her right arm outstretched and hand placed on an open holy book, the Torah.

Closeup, the black and red writing on the open page appears to be an indistinguishable script, although some individual letters are recognisable but not any words.

However, there is a string of five consecutive letters from the latin alphabet  – m n o p q – that suggests the sequence is there for a reason – a code of some kind.

Although the answer can stand alone, it also connects to other features in this section of the painting and particularly Dante Alighieri and his famous poem, Divine Comedy.

In number terms, “m n o p q” represent “13, 14, 15, 16 and 17” out of the 26 letters of the alphabet, so absent from the string are the first 12 and the last 9 letters of the alphabet.

Together, both numbers, 12 and 9, are only divisible by 3 and 1. And here Leonardo is referring to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as three persons in one – a hidden and incomprehensible mystery of life. The Divine Comedy concludes with Dante’s vision of the Trinity.

Three is the most important symbol in Dante’s Inferno in which there are nine circles of Hell and 33 cantos. 

More about Leonardo’s Annunciation at this link

​

From the archives…

I’ve been handing out a few crosses recently – also been on the receiving end as well. I can almost liken the exchanges to the games kids play – ‘pass the parcel’ and ‘tit-for-tat’.

Observers and those not close to the situation probably would. But what I have found helpful in this struggle is praying the Way of the Cross each day. If I didn’t, then I’m sure things could be a lot worse, for me and for others!

A short time in reflection at each station is, in my experience, the most powerful way of starting a conversation with Jesus. And when that happens, then the truth speaks loud and clear. There is no escaping the truth when I walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus. No kidology, no self delusion, no excuses. Just the plain, honest, home truth arrives in my heart at every station.

The walk is never the same and differs for each person. It’s a journey of self-discovery where the heart is opened and exposed to all the healing Jesus desires to give. It’s a time of being honest with oneself and others, allowing Jesus to share our burden and help carry our cross. It’s a time when Jesus teaches us how to carry our own cross and also be a Simon for others. More than anything else, the walk is a lesson in love – as Jesus loves.

It is said that when Jesus was nailed to the cross and then taunted by spectators to come down to prove he was the Son of Man, it was an impossible task for him because he loved, and to do so would be a denial of his love. So he chose to remain nailed and to bear all suffering before final death, not for his own salvation but for ours.

Sometimes we are invited to love in this way, to remain nailed on the cross for the sake of others, especially when “they know not what they do”.

Very recently I imposed a ‘demanding’ cross on someone. In return the person made demands on me, for proof. And it went downhill from there.

Thank God, the Son of Man is strong and willing enough to bear the demands and crosses we impose on each other. But we have to walk with him and want to offer the burden, relinquish our demands, as well as taking our turn to be Simon. Then we rediscover and are blessed by the Truth we may have forgotten or closed our hearts to during these ‘demanding’ times.

​

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my hearts, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

​

“Continue calmly and rest upon the divine Heart without the slightest fear, because there you are well sheltered from the storms and not even God’s justice can reach you.”

St Pio, September 1916

​

Yesterday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone, focusing especially on the war in Ukraine.

​

More details at the Vatican News website.

​

Then Jesus looked around at them all and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was better. Luke 6 : 10

God blessed me with two hands, both to receive and to give. Which hand will I stretch out today? Will it be the hand that I have always kept to myself, the hand I refuse to offer to others, the hand that has withered in time.

Will today be a sabbath day for me, a time to allow Jesus to heal and make my withered hand better and so become a willing hand once more?

Little children, tonight I bring to you the good of my Son who gave his life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus who is only good.

part Medjugorje message, December 25, 1997

​

When he finished speaking he knelt down with them and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms around Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship. Acts 20 : 36-38

​

Recently, I read three writings which have a connection with Paul’s leaving of Ephesus and the sadness of everyone concerned.

One was an attachment to an email received from a relative in America – a copy of a letter sent by my maternal grandmother to a niece living there. It was dated August 1959, and reading it stirred many fond memories of my silver-haired ‘granny’.

My grandmother’s sister and other siblings emigrated to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Only one ever returned to visit their birthplace, and once only.

The photograph above is a location that serves as a reminder of many departures and farewells. Locally it’s known as The Bridge Of Tears and some of my family have passed this spot between the hills, never to return.

Families would escort the emigrant as far as this bridge, make their tearful farewells, and then wait and watch their loved one continue their journey until they disappeared over the brow to head for the boat sailing to America or Australia or Britain. 

For many, it was the last time they set eyes on the ‘emigrant’.

Of course, contact would continue by letter, and news and photos exchanged this way. Money and gifts would also be sent ‘home’ to support the family left behind. 

But for some, parting was like experiencing a death. “They would never see his face again.”

The second reading I came across was a homily by Pope Francis when he spoke about our lives being marked by farewells and added that each of us should reflect on our own final farewell from this life.

And this leads into the third writing and a meditation by the Dutch priest Henri Nouwen from his book Bread For The Journey. 

“How do we make our deaths gifts for others? Very often people’s lives are destroyed, harmed, or permanently wounded by the deaths of their relatives or friends. We have to do whatever we can to avoid this. When we are near death what we say to those who are close to us, whether in spoken or in written words, is very important. When we express gratitude to them, ask forgiveness for our shortcomings and offer forgiveness for theirs, and express our sincere desire that they continue their lives without remorse but remembering the graces of our lives, then our deaths can become true gifts.”

Our Lady once emphasised in a Medjugorje message to Marija how fleeting life on earth is and that we should prepare with prayer for passing into eternity.

Dear children! Pray in this time of grace and seek the intercession of all the saints who are already in the light. From day to day may they be an example and encouragement to you on the way of your conversion. Little children, be aware that your life is short and passing. Therefore, yearn for eternity and keep preparing your hearts in prayer.

I know my grandmother is one of those saints who is already in the light that Our Lady speaks of in this message. The copy of her letter I received is a reminder of what a beautiful gift she was, and still is, to her family.

I look forward to meeting her again when I cross the bridge.

​

When the Medjugorje apparitions began in 1981 there were no records of sermons, talks, etc. But in 1984, when the weekly messages of Our Lady first started for the parish and the world, the local priests Fr Tomislav Vlasic and Fr Slavko Barbaric began not only to preach about the apparitions but also to refer to earlier messages.

Transcripts of these were translated into a number of languages by an Italian initiative, The Association of Friends of Medjugorje. The books of these talks continued until 1987, when the monthly messages began.

The publications were free in Medjugorje, and handed out as a way of letting the world know about the Our Lady’s messages.

The grey, blue, red and yellow books (referred to by the colour of the covers) are no longer available. But Taunton-based Bill Sheppy has published many of Fr Slavko’s meditations and commentaries from these four books at his website: www.gospa.org.uk

After a difficult period in his life Tomislav Vlasic requested to be laicised and this was granted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. In 2020, he was excommunicated.

​

Today, the British government launched a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which Prime Minister Keith Starmer – a confessed atheist – claimed its purpose is “to deliver peace through strength”.

The SDR includes building 12 new nuclear powered submarines, six new munitions factories, as well as embracing AI technology.

The Queen of Peace recommends delivering peace through prayer. She says, “Without prayer there is no peace… Let peace reign in the whole world which is without peace and longs for peace… I call you all to build a new world of peace with me through prayer…”

Jesus said: “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

The first words of Pope Leo XIV to the world were, “Peace be with you all. Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who has given his life for God’s flock. I too would like that this greeting of peace enters into your heart, reaching your families, and all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to all the earth. Peace be with you.”

​

In Mark’s gospel (7 : 24-30) a pagan woman approaches Jesus and asks him to cast out the devil in her little daughter. 

Jesus replies in a way that at first appears derogatory. He says: “The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.” But then the pagan woman answers: “Ah yes, sir, but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.” 

And for saying this Jesus tells the pagan woman that she can go home happy because the devil has gone out of her daughter. 

It seems that we all have a place in life. Rank plays an important role in our day- to-day existence. Some are blessed to have their fill, while others can only feed from scraps. But we can see from this gospel passage that God provides for all, whatever our status, pagan or true believer. 

The pagan woman is a concerned mother who brings her worry to the feet of Jesus. She shows faith in doing this. And Jesus accepts her as she is, a pagan woman looked down on by those he first sets out to proclaim the Good News to, the House of Israel. He is prepared to nourish her with the same bread, the Word of God, himself. He provides what she pleads for, the need of healing for her little girl. 

I watched a video recently that showed the visionary Mirjana speaking about the first days of the Medjugorje phenomenon. One thing she said stayed with me: “She (Our Lady) needed us the way we were.” The visionaries admit they were not chosen because they were the best, or the worst. 

And which mother can ever say that she does not “need” her children. All mothers have a “need” in some way for their children, just as the pagan woman had a need for her child. Why else did she come to Jesus to seek healing for the little girl? Our Blessed Mother also has a “need” for ALL of her children, and accepts us as we are, whatever our state or condition, but she also sees the need to take steps to bring the healing of Jesus to her children. 

A Medjugorje priest tells of the time when his country was at war. Many local mothers, many families, provided sons to fight at the front line. The priest relates that the mothers would pray every day for the safe return of their sons. But then the reality began to unfold. Some of these men would not return to their mothers in the same state that they left home. Some would come back wounded, some scarred and disfigured, some with missing limbs, some with psychological damage. 

By now the mothers had started to accept that their children may return not in the condition they would want them to, but every day the mothers would continue praying for their sons to come home. This was their need – only for their sons to come home, whatever their state. 

Unfortunately, in life we do not always want to accept certain people into our lives, especially into our hearts, if they are not wholesome, if they are damaged. We may even describe them in a derogatory way. We may even consider them no better than animals and call them dogs when we observe their way of life and see them living off discarded scraps. 

But Jesus provides. Jesus has need for them, and so does Mary – just the way they are. One word from Jesus – a scrap or a morsel – can be enough to nourish and heal. 

​

• Picture shows my godson Luke Emanuel and his mother Lucia during their Medjugorje pilgrimage.

​

June is the month set aside for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.

Matthew 11 : 28-30

​

Today, I’ve added a new feature on the website’s homepage called Medjugorje Moments. I have many photographs taken at Medjugorje, some already published, some not, and I shall present these, one by one, on a daily basis.

​

Mary set out as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah… 

(Luke 1 : 39)

Why should Medjugorje be honoured with visitations from the mother of Our Lord?

Why should Medjugorje be honoured with visitations by pilgrims from all over the world?

Why is Elizabeth’s response to Mary repeated in every Hail May prayer ever said in time – “Of all women you are most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”?

It’s impossible to comprehend or even count the number of Hail Mary’s offered over centuries of time to the Mother of God. 

It is a perpetual prayer, as are the perpetual visitations by pilgrims to Medjugorje that started in 1981, when the people from the village between two hills first began to ask the question, “Why should Medjugorje be honoured with a visit from the mother of  Our Lord?”

To this question, the Queen of Peace gave the answer to the visionary Ivanka: “I have come because there are many true believers here. I wish to be with you to convert and to reconcile the whole world.”

And so began Mary’s mission at Medjugorje with her call to the world to reconcile with God and each other.

​

Today is the Feast of the patron saint of France, Joan of Arc.

She is featured in two places in the famous Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) painted by the Flemish brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck.

Joan was martyred on May 30, 1431. The Ghent Altarpiece was completed in 1432 and officially celebrated on May 6.

Hubert had died some years earlier in 1426, so the inclusion of Joan in the altarpiece was down to his brother Jan. Joan’s military role as a defender of France did not begin until 1428.

Joan appears in two panels: The Just Judges (shown above – in blue), and The Singing Angels.

More details at my catchlight.blog

• Maid by Jan Van Eyck

• Joan of Arc, battering ram

​

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, “If you in your turn had only on this day understood the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in from every side; they will dash you and your children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – all because you did not recognise the opportunity when God offered it.

Luke 19 : 41-44

This reading could also be appropriated to the time of the Balkan War which began in 1991, ten years to the day after Our Lady appeared to Marija on Podbrdo. Appearing in front of a dark cross she said: “Peace, peace, peace! Be reconciled! Only peace. Make your peace with God and among yourselves.”

But the people failed to recognise the opportunity when God offered it.

I think we face a similar time of upheaval now and in the future (possibly related to the secrets), because people still fail to accept or heed the message Our Lady is giving from Medjugorje.

We all complain about the state of the world yet Gospa’s message of Peace seems to struggle to make itself heard. If we could only understand.

Many say Our Lady’s messages are repetitive and so therefore discount them as authentic. Yet the Church’s Liturgy of the Word is repeated daily, year after year, and I have yet to hear any Catholic say that because Scripture is repeatedly proclaimed it can’t be authentic.

Our Lady’s message is not a new slant on the Gospel or a substitute for it. It is, in fact, proclamation of the Gospel message. Our Lady is a prophet – Queen of prophets. She transmits the message of God; but for some who choose not to listen or cannot see because they are blinded by the bright lights of the world, then the truth is hidden from their eyes. They fail to recognise the opportunity of peace that God offers.

As Our Lady has said: “For some it will be too late”.

Finally, we often hear of Our Lady shedding tears for us, but for Jesus to shed tears for souls destined to be ruined and laid to waste and for our children that may be dashed as well, this has to be a reality check for all of us.

No wonder Our Lady is spending so much time with us in this way, unprecedented in the history of the Church.

She has told the visionary Mirjana that she will not appear in this way again. We should not fail to take the opportunity of Peace that God is offering to us in this most unique period in history, this very special “time of grace”.

​

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven.

While here on earth, like the apostles, we are left to contemplate and ponder on the time we shall be called to leave the temporary life of this world.

Yet there is a reality that can be sometimes overlooked, that when we pray, part of our being also ascends into Heaven.

The picture above shows detail from a painting of the Ascension by John Singleton Copley. I overlaid the rising balloons with prayers attached. 

Sometimes, at the Medjugorje Youth Festival, balloons can be seen ascending up into the sky, tagged with personal prayers of the pilgrims.

​

This morning I was browsing through a sales catalogue for an art auction when I came across this lot by the famous British artist Tracey Emin.

Titled “Meet me in Heaven – I will wait for You”, the phrase reminded me of today’s Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. 

The artwork is listed for auction on June 5, by the Berlin auctioneer GRISBACH, with an estimate of 100,000 EUR - 150,000 EUR

​

Inns, hotels, guest houses all have doors that can open or close. Like the door to our hearts.

A cave doesn’t have a door. It has an open entrance. Despite the dirt, filth and smells, Mary carried Jesus into the cave, helped by Joseph. It was a welcome place for the Holy Family.

The lesson in all this is to understand that we do not have to be perfect, or spotlessly clean for Jesus to come into our hearts. Just welcoming with an open door. Jesus is always standing at the door, waiting for us to open it and invite him in.

I discovered this truth on my first visit to Medjugorje, where I felt the love of God as I have never experienced at any other time in my life; not because of how good I was, or how many prayers I said, or how much praise I offered. My contribution was minimal, almost nothing. But I did accept the call to go and realised later that this was all that was needed – the key – my ‘fiat’. By saying ‘yes’ I had in fact turned the key in my heart (without knowing at the time). That was enough for Our Lady and the Holy Spirit; and the rest, as they say, is history.

I used to say to pilgrims who traveled with me to Medjugorje, “You can lie in bed all day, or sit in Colombo’s for the week, or be on your knees all of the time – it doesn’t matter. The gift is unconditional, the key has been turned, and Our Lady will not let any of her children return home empty-handed.”

My God loves me, and don’t I know it! I’m sure this is what the apostle John meant when he referred to himself as “the one who Jesus loves.” This was his way of saying “My God loves me!” – he knew it. This is why Our Lady is always asking us to “pray for those who have yet to know the love of God.”

​

The Italian artist Carmelo Puzzolo died on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1:15 p.m., in Italy. We owe him, among other things, the Stations of the Cross on Mount Krizevac, the mysteries of the Rosary on Apparition Hill, and the statue of Father Slavko Barbaric in the Mother's Village. He was 94 years of age.

Source: Chere Gospa website

​

Philip possessed a playful sense of humour, combined with a shrewd wit. He considered a cheerful temper to be more Christian than a melancholy one and carried this spirit into his whole life: “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.” This was the secret of Neri’s popularity and his place in the folklore of the Roman poor. Many miracles were attributed to him. When his body was examined after death, it was found that two of his ribs had been broken, which was attributed at the time to the expansion of his heart while fervently praying in the catacombs c. 1545. He founded the Congregation of the Oratory.

​

Source: Wikipedia

​

Dear children, In this time of grace, I am calling you to be people of hope, peace and joy, so that every person may be a peacemaker and a lover of life. Pray, little children, to the Holy Spirit to fill you with the strength of His own Holy Spirit of courage and surrender. And this time for you will be a gift and a walk in holiness towards eternal life. I am with you and I love you. Thank you for having responded to my call. (with Ecclesiastical approval)

​

This headline grabbed my attention this morning. It’s from today’s online edition of The Art Newspaper that introduces a very intersting article by Angelica Hankins.

It reminded me of the some of Our Lady’s messages from Medjugorje when she invites us to meet God in nature.

• Dear Children! Today I invite you to go into nature because there you will meet God the Creator. Today I invite you, little children, to thank God for all that He gives you. In thanking Him you will discover the Most High and all the goods that surround you. Little children, God is great and His love for every creature is great. Therefore, pray to be able to understand the love and goodness of God. In the goodness and the love of God the Creator, I also am with you as a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, October 25, 1995

​

When Rita, an Augustinian nun, was approximately sixty years of age, she was meditating before an image of Christ crucified. Suddenly, a small wound appeared on her forehead, as though a thorn from the crown that encircled Christ's head had loosened itself and penetrated her own flesh. It was considered to be a partial Stigmata, and she bore this external sign of union with Christ until her death in 1457.

At the time of her death, the sisters of the convent bathed and dressed her body for burial. They noticed that her forehead wound remained the same, with drops of blood still reflecting light. When her body was later exhumed, it was noted that her forehead wound still remained the same, with the glistening light reflected from the drops of blood. Her body showed no signs of deterioration. Over several years, her body was exhumed two more times. Each time, her body appeared the same. She was declared an incorruptible after the third exhumation. Relics were taken at that time as is the custom in the Catholic Church in preparation for sainthood.

Pope Leo XIII canonized Rita on 24 May 1900. Her feast day is celebrated on 22 May. At her canonization ceremony, she was bestowed the title of "Patroness of Impossible Causes"

Source: Wikipedia

​

The sisters sent this message to Jesus, “Lord, the man you love is ill.” On receiving the message, Jesus said, “This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.” John 11 : 3-4

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.  Annual messages to Mirjana, March 18, 1997

​

Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he spoke to Thomas, “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.”​

John 20 : 26​-26

I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

John 11 : 26​

Just over a month ago in a post on April 6, 2025, I made a brief mention of the time my mother was blessed with seeing the Holy Face of Jesus miraculously appear on the wall of the church she attended (shorts 17).

More recently, there was an interesting report on the Spirit Daily website (May 12, 2025) about a Eucharistic miracle where the face of Christ appeared on a sacred host in a Kerala church some 12 years ago.

The name of the church where the Eucharistic miracle took place is Christ the King, the same name of the church in Donegal where my mother witnessed the miraculous image of the Holy Face – Teach Pobail Chríost Rí

​

Stefan, a Scot, was a lapsed Catholic, and for many years his life “became endless darkness as a result of self-centred fulfilment.”

​

In desperation he started turning back to God who, “appeared deaf to my prayers, before answering in dramatic fashion.

“The summer of 1985 saw me on holiday in Dubrovnik, waiting for three days to join up with some friends. I was bored on my own, and whilst considering how to amuse myself, the words of a Sunday Times article from a couple of years back were put into my mind: ‘Medjugorje – people are going there and being changed’.

“I caught a bus to Medjugorje that day. Apart from the vibrancy and charged atmosphere of the place, what completely penetrated my heart was the intense and visible expression of faith being shown by the local people as they worshiped – this patent and tangible sincerity, in effect, triggered the start of my conversion experience. And with all these things came great joy and

willingness to do anything for God.”

Whilst it is reported that some pilgrims assert supernatural experiences at, or after returning from Medjugorje, Stefan’s experience, and many like him, was effected by normal and visible means, through human example and inspiration.

Stefan’s life continued its dramatic course when on 13 October, 2001, he was ordained an Augustinian priest. In his words, “God is amazing!”

​

Dear Children! Today also I invite you to prayer, now as never before when my plan has begun to be realized. Satan is strong and wants to sweep away my plans of peace and joy and make you think that my Son is not strong in His decisions. Therefore, I call all of you, dear children, to pray and fast still more firmly. I invite you to self-renunciation for nine days so that, with your help, everything that I desire to realize through the secrets I began in Fatima, may be fulfilled. I call you, dear children, to now grasp the importance of my coming and the seriousness of the situation. I want to save all souls and present them to God. Therefore, let us pray that everything I have begun be fully realized. Thank you for having responded to my call.

​

Medjugorje message, August 25, 1991

​

​

“Never mind if you haven’t kept your word, or if you have fallen lower than yesterday. If you despise yourself and tell Me so in sorrow, you needn’t be afraid to believe that you are in My heart. This heart so great and good, so little like the hearts of men.

“I am compassion, not malice. I carried you as a mother when I carried My cross. Then you can imagine what tenderness I feel when I hear you telling Me of your shortcomings, what eagerness to forgive you...

“Oh, the tenderness of a Saviour – who could ever fathom it? Who could even hear about it without being scandalised?

“So from time to time, be glad to be counted as nothing; to look at all you lack, at the good that you failed to do; to see yourself in the faults that you didn’t want to commit but committed after all. You may be sure you don’t see them all. I alone know the number and the weight of them. And yet, I love you. I am Love. Don’t offend me by being afraid and running away. That’s what hurts love. 

“Enter into My immensity like a little child who joyously seeks to drink and sleep on a mother’s breast. Rest. Take strength for yourself. Take joy. Everything is in Me. For you.

“Renew your trust and come back to your humble path ever nearer to Me. You know that your spiritual house is not firmly built and that its only foundations are in Me. When it topples down, I take the debris and build a new temple more beautiful than the last because you have humbled yourself. Think of this; it will help you to take pleasure in humiliations. Wasn’t I Myself intimately acquainted with humiliation during My entire life on earth? I – God. What company My child!

“You see, what pains love is indifference, apathy, stagnation. When it comes to Me many people act as if I were still dead. But My child, I am still alive and I’m near them, in them, waiting for them to talk to Me, to smile at Me. Waiting for their heart to beat a little for Me.

“I require so little, am so readily pleased. I only ask to be invited and I look after the banquet.”

• Reproduced from the book: He and I (Meditations by Gabrielle Bossis, Éditions Médiaspaul

​

​

For his first trip outside the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV chose to visit the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome.

​

The shrine has been run by the Augustinians since 1200.

​

• More details about the Pope’s visit to Genazzano at the Vatican News website.

​

I first became acquainted with Fr Brendan O’Malley many decades ago when he served as a curate for the church I attended.

My memory of him was as a gentle and sympathetic priest, particularly as I was going through a very difficult period in my personal life at the time, and I found him approachable and accommodating.

Sometime later he moved to another city in the diocese and I never heard of Fr Brendan again until many years later when I was told he was not well and had retired and returned to Ireland.

One time before I was due to travel to Medjugorje with a large group of pilgrims, two of the accompanying priests had to withdraw. I spent the next few weeks trying to replace them, without success.

With just over a week to departure I telephoned Tony, another pilgrim, and mentioned that I was struggling to find a priest, and Fr Brendan’s name came up. “But he’s in Ireland,” I said. “Not anymore,” came the reply and with it Fr Brendan’s telephone number. I still wasn’t certain whether it was the same priest.

“Give me a day or two to think about it,” he said when I rang him. It WAS the same Fr Brendan! A day later he came back with his answer: “Yes” – his “Fiat” – and I could sense Our Lady replying. “Thank you for responding to my call.”

Fr Brendan was a revelation on pilgrimage. Despite his infirmities he blossomed through the week. Our Lady blessed him from day one and it was evident for all to see. Even he was surprised by the transformation, as he said in his letter: “Is this really me?”

I am often aware of how Our Lady puts people together for a purpose (ultimately for the glory of God). I did not ever expect to be reunited with Fr Brendan again after such a long time. And in another sense, I don’t suppose he ever expected the ‘broken instrument’,  as he describes himself, ever to be put together again in such a wonderful and fulfilling way.

Such are the joys and graces of Medjugorje, where brokenness is mended, where the weak become strong, where sinners are reconciled with God and each other, where hurts are healed, where we are truly set free, where God’s peace really does reign, and Our Lady gently bestows amazing graces on all who visit. Her call is to everyone...

• Dear Bernard, Where do I start? Perhaps a very sincere thank you for the wonderful invitation to accompany your group to Medjugorje.

I had my doubts to begin with, wondering if I would be able to cope with the journey and the heat. But Our Lady saw me through.

It was such a revelation to me, about myself and the faith of so many people, young and not so young. When I got back home I was tired, but felt so renewed and affirmed. I just could not believe that God and Our Lady could use this broken instrument in so many ways. I kept wondering: ‘Is this really me?’ as the Lord enabled me to find words to speak to so many different people and address their problems.

I am now facing, once again, the reality of daily life and am trying, with Our Lady’s help to build on what she gave me in Medjugorje.

​

I look forward to the reunion and with God’s help further pilgrimages.

Many, many thanks. I have received so much from the pilgrimage. You are all in my daily prayers and I hope to offer Mass weekly for all the group and all those who celebrated Confession with me.

Yours sincerely, Fr Brendan O’Malley

​

Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Little children, when you pray you are close to God and He gives you the desire for eternity. This is a time when you can speak more about God and do more for God. Therefore, little children, do not resist but permit Him to lead you, to change you and to enter into your life. Do not forget that you are travellers on the way toward eternity. Therefore, little children, permit God to lead you as a shepherd leads his flock. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, November 25, 2006

​

I attended midday Mass this morning at a parish church served by Augustinian Friars.

The congregation was larger than usual as it was a healing mass. People were invited by two priests to come forward and be anointed with holy oils, on the forehead and both hands.

The main celebrant preached on the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (9 : 31-42), and Peter’s healing of a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years, followed by the account of Peter raising the dead Tabitha back to life.

At the end of Mass I met two friends of mine, a husband and wife. Their life has not been easy. They had three sons, two of whom had died in their formative years, one as a teenager. Their third son, although ill for some time, died unexpectedly last Tuesday.

In the year 390 Adeodatus, the son of Augustine and an unknown woman, died before reaching his eighteenth birthday.

• In baptism we have died with Christ, and we have risen to new life in him, because we believed in the powerful God who raised him from the dead, alleluia. (Entrance Antiphon)

​

The pectoral cross worn by Pope Leo XIV on the day of his election carries a powerful message of episcopal holiness. Embedded within it are fragments of bone from St Augustine and his mother Saint Monica.

​

• More information at this Vatican website link.

​

You listen to all who pray to You. And You answer them all. You answer clearly, but not all hear You clearly.

All ask what they want, but do not always hear the answer they want.

Your best servants are those who are not so much concerned to hear from You what they will, as to will what they hear from You.

St Augustine of Hippo

​

The emblem and motto of the Augustinian Order symbolises the basis of Augustinian spirituality.

The latin motto translates as: One mind and one heart intent upon God.

The emblem is composed of three parts:

The open book is the symbol of St Augustine’s own conversion to Christianity and the scriptures. It also represents quest for wisdom.

The flaming heart symbolises Augustine’s love for God and his fellow humans.

The arrow represents the Spirit of God piercing our hearts, calling us to continue growth in faith, home and love.

​

“…help each other to build bridges – with dialogue, with encounter, uniting all of us to be one people always in peace.”

Pope Leo XIV

​

Dear children! God permits me to be with you and to lead you  on the way of peace, so that through personal peace,  you build peace in the world. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son Jesus, that he may give you a strong faith and hope in a better future, which I desire to build up with you. You be courageous and do not be afraid, because God is with you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Medjugorje message, August 2022

​