SHORTS 21 • 20 • 19 • 18 • 17 • 16 • 15 • 14 • 13 • 12 • 11 • 10 • 9 • 8 • 7 • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 • 1
November 11, 2025
A favourite saint of mine... Martin of Tours
“One of the most famous stories about St. Martin’s life occurred during his time as a young soldier stationed in Amiens, France. When Martin saw a beggar suffering from the cold near the city gates, he tore his military cloak in half to share it with the man. That night, Martin dreamt of Jesus wearing the half-cloak, saying, “Martin, yet a catechumen, has clothed me with this robe.” This experience inspired him to pursue his calling to follow Christ more completely.”
Source: Catholic Heroes
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One person is hot, another cold. Let the one who is hot warm the cold.
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St Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 234, 3
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November 10, 2025
The last days in the life of a hermit
Myles Gallagher was a 90-year-old Irish hermit. He died on December 2nd, 2022 while attempting to ascend Mt Errigal close to where he lived in Baltony, Gortahork, Co Donegal.
He led an extraordinary life and was renowned for his devotion to prayer
In the video at the top of the page, Myles talks about his own mortality and what he expects in the afterlife! The video was produced in March 2022, when Myles was 89 years old, less than 9 months before his passing.
A brief summary of his life is as this link:
https://donegalnews.com/sadness-at-passing-of-myles-gallagher/
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November 10, 2025
United in Love
This being the month of the Holy Souls, I find myself thinking back to the many friends, family and acquaintances who have left this earth in recent years.
One such person is a man named Montaz who died a couple of years ago. I met Montaz at a weekly prayer group in support of the Cenacolo Community founded by Sister Elvira.
The prayer group gathered every Friday evening at an inner city church. After the meeting the parish priest would invite us into his house attached to the church for simple refreshments: tea, coffee, biscuits and sometimes cake.
And that’s where I first set eyes on Montaz, not during prayers but afterwards. He sat beside me, introduced himself and explained he was there to collect his mother and bring her back home.
His mother was an Irishwoman, a Catholic, but Montaz was a British-born Muslim. He had been raised in the Muslim faith by his father who was now deceased.
For a moment I was confused when he told me this. I could only come to one conclusion. Catholic mother loves Muslim son; Muslim son loves Catholic mother.
Bridget would often travel to Medjugorje on pilgrimage, accompanied by Montaz on all occasions. Even now I can still picture him walking with Bridget down the main Street to St James’ church, proudly sporting his West Ham United football shirt.
After his mother died Montaz continued to go to Medjugorje. One day he told me was receiving instruction in the Catholic faith. Eventually he made the decision to be baptised.
I later found out that Montaz actually made his First Confession at Medjugorje!
The last time we were in Medjugorje together Montaz spoke about his conversion, and then added with a smile… “but I would still like to go on Hajj to Mecca – just to throw stones at Satan!
RIP Montaz
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Message of Our Lady given at Medjugorje in 1984
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“Those who are not Catholics, are no less creatures made in the image of God, and destined to rejoin someday, the House of the Father. Salvation is available to everyone, without exception. Only those who refuse God deliberately are condemned. To him who has been given very little, little will be asked for. To whomever has been given much, very much will be required. It is God alone, in His infinite justice, Who determines the degree of responsibility and pronounces judgment.”
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November 09, 2025
Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail
On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water from them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.
Ezekiel 47 : 12
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November 06, 2025
Fresh look for Medjugorje parish website
The official Medjugorje parish website is currently undergoing a new design and format. The Croatian language site is up and running, but all other language versions are still under construction.
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November 06, 2025
The stain of sin
This image of Our Lady is detail from the bronze Annunciation station on Apparition Hill.
Over the years the face has been touched so many times by pilgrims that the plaque’s coating disappears and the base metal becomes stained and discoloured.
It reminds me of an occasion during the very early days of the apparitions when. On 2nd August 1981, four of the visionaries were invited to meet with Our Lady in a place known as the Gumno field. They had met with Our Lady earlier in the day and were shown Paradise.
Mirjana Stanislava Vasilj-Zuccarini records what happened in her book: Our Lady’s Call from Medjugorje:
“When Marija, Ivan, Mirjana and Jakov started out in the evening for the Gumno field, they were followed by about fifty people. When Our Lady appeared She told the children to tell the people that everybody there might touch her. As soo as some of them touched her dress the visionaries notice they dirtied it. Our Lady disappeared and Marija cried: ‘Oh my God, what a terrible thing. Our Lady has gone away with a dirty dress!’
“None of the visionaries remembers whose hand stained Our Lady’s dress. This shows the educative role of the Heavenly Mother; because She let them know that she had been touched by sinful people but She did not allow them to identify them. Marinko, who was there, invited everyone to confession the next day.”
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November 06, 2025
Restoration project for Michelangelo’s Last Judgement
Michelangelo’s Last Judgement fresco in the Sistine Chapel will undergo a three-month restoration project beginning in January 2026. The work will fall to Paolo Violini, who heads up restoration projects at the Vatican, to undertake a ‘lighter and shorter’ campaign of work than the previous one that took place between 1979 and 1999. The work is apparently due to finish at the end of March and in time for Holy Week.
Source: Adam Busiakeiwicz: Art History News
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November 05, 2025
“Drink from this, all of you...”
Last night I watched a documentary on tv about the legendary King Arthur. The programme, written and presented by poet Simon Armitage, traces the evolution of the Arthurian legend through the literature of the medieval age.
Part of the documentary touched on Arthur’s connection to the Holy Grail, the cup that many believe Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. Legend states it was brought to Glastonbury in Somerset, England, by St Joseph of Arimathea.
During this segment, the poet visited a woman who had in her possession and handed down through generations of her family, what is said to be the Holy Grail – known as the Nanteos Cup. The wooden cup or bowl, pictured above, is now in very poor condition.
The guardian of this precious vessel was a woman named Fiona Mirylees. She lived alone in a small cottage in Herefordshire. And here I get to the point of the story. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Fiona many years ago. In fact I sat next to her for two hours on a return flight back from Croatia to the UK after a week’s pilgrimage in Medjugorje.
Fiona had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and was a subscriber to my monthly Medjugorje newsletter. She died almost three years ago, on 7th December 2022. May she rest in peace.
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November 04, 2025
Our Lady of the Biscuit Tin
I like most kinds of biscuits, and once the pack is opened I find it hard to resist returning for more. But now, in an attempt to combat my habit and sweet tooth, I’ve placed a statue of Our Lady next to the biscuit tin so as to make me think twice if I really have to take the lid off and start snacking. Lead us not into temptation…
• Dear children! I am calling you to be generous in renunciation, fasting and prayer for all those who are in temptation, and are your brothers and sisters…
part Medjugorje message, September 25, 2017
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November 04, 2025
Mater Populi Fidelis
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has today published a Doctrinal Note – Mater Populi Fidelis – on Some Marian Titles Regarding Mary’s Cooperation in the Work of Salvation.
The Note reaffirms Catholic doctrine, which has always emphasised that everything in Mary is directed towards the centrality of Christ and his salvific work, and also emphasises that “the biblical statement about Christ’s exclusive mediation is conclusive. Christ is the only Mediator”.
The full English language text is is at this link: Mater Populi Fidelis
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November 03, 2025
A light for the new generations
During the Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints, also the culmination of the Jubilee of the World of Education, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Saint John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. His legacy, the Pope emphasised, is to form people “so that they may shine like stars in their full dignity.”
More details at Vatican News
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November 03, 2025
Thank you
Just a brief note to thank all visitors to this website. It’s not a website that figures anywhere near the heights on Google searches, so I appreciate both the occasional and regular visitors which average around 40 each day.
I’m not one into social media, so I don’t post on FaceBook, Instagram, TikTok, X formerly known as Twitter, or any of the other social platforms, although I do have a Wordpress blog for posting notes about another interest I have.
Regulars visitors will be aware that most of my posts for the Medjugorje Witness website are picture led.
I never found it easy to pray at Medjugorje, but always found time to take photographs. I brought this dilemma to the Franciscan priest Fr Svet when he pastored at Medjugorje. He said I should not be concerned and just regard each photograph as a prayer in itself.
Sight, even insight, is a gift that can be shared in so many ways. I recognise new sight as one of the most amazing and beautiful gifts given to pilgrims at Medjugorje.
Some years ago Our Lady said in one of her messages: “I call you anew: open your heart and your sight towards God and the things of God – and joy and peace will come to reign in your hearts.” (part message, May 25, 2012)
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November 02, 2025
All Souls Day
…But a Samaritan traveller who came upon the half-dead man was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.”
Luke 10 : 33-35
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November 01, 2025
All Saints Day
Saints I pray to…
SS Joseph, Gemma Galgani, Jude, Martin of Tours, Thérèse of Lisieux, Teresa of Ávila, Claire of Assisi, Dymphna. Colmcille, Christopher, Bernard of Clairvaux, Augustine of Hippo, John Henry Newman, Patrick, Carlos.
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November 01, 2025
Saint Mary... bound to the Holy Trinity
Daughter of the Father...
Mother of the Son...
Spouse of the Holy Spirit...
October 31, 2025
Tomislav Vlašić has died
The former Franciscan priest Tomislav Vlašić died earlier this month on October 20, 2025, at the age of 83. He served in the Medjugorje parish for less than four years, from September 1981 until 1985, and was later laicised in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI at his own request.
October 31, 2025
Lights that darkness could not overpower...
“While Halloween is a secular holiday—one some consider an unsavoury one—the night of October 31 bears a holy legacy much longer than its association with costumes, slasher films, and wild parties. If you’d been a faithful Catholic in 1450 or 1940, you’d have spent that evening preparing for the solemnity of All Saints with fasting, penance, and obligatory attendance at a solemn vigil Mass.
“You might have joined a communal procession through church burial grounds, decorated graves, or set aside time at home to pray for the souls of loved ones. Only in 1955, when Pope Pius XII halved the number of vigils to simplify the liturgy, was this vigil officially suspended in the Catholic tradition.”
Susan H. Swetnam
• The full article is published at the Franciscan Media website under the title “Autumn’s Mini Holy Season”
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October 30, 2025
Engaging in global fraternity
Somewhere in the large crowd gathered at the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall with Pope Leo XIV this morning is one of my young grandsons, Giorgio.
He is one of many students participating in the Jubilee of the World Education that was invited to the Vatican to listen to an address by the Pope Leo. The Holy Father recalled how his predecessor, Pope Francis, began the Global Compact on Education project in 2020, which is dedicated to engaging younger generations in global fraternity. He reminded the students present that they are not simply recipients of education, “but its protagonists.”
• More details at the Vatican News website
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October 30, 2025
I forgive...
Jesus said to his disciples: “Yes, 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
• In the very early days of the apparitions at Medjugorje, a remarkable event happened in St James’ church where the people of the parish had gathered to pray. Earlier in the day, Our Lady had instructed the visionaries not to just “recite” the rosary but to think about it in their hearts, and to first of all forgive their neighbours. This “message” was brought to Fr Jozo who in turn conveyed Our Lady’s words to the congregation.
At that time, many families in the Medjugorje parish were in dispute and on bad terms with each other, and some of the disagreements stretched back to previous generations for all sorts of reasons.
After Fr Jozo had repeated Our Lady’s words he remained in silence and so did the congregation for quite some time. He refused to continue with the prayer programme and there was tension in the air as time went on and the silence continued.
Then suddenly, a man stood up in tears and shouted, “I forgive my neighbour” As he said this he walked down the aisle and embraced the person. This grace of mercy then suddenly spread quickly throughout the gathering as others held out their hands and embraced with forgiveness in their hearts. Fr Jozo later stated: “This was the moment of conversion for the entire parish.”
In a single day the entire parish had suddenly and completely returned to God. According to one eyewitness, “during the day that followed, neighbours who were on bad terms and had not spoken for years, approached each other in the fields, shook hands, made peace and all five hamlets in the parish were united as never before.”
Medjugorje is a fountain of God’s Divine Mercy, witnessed each day through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through God’s Love we receive God’s Mercy and God’s Peace.
• Dear children, I have chosen this parish in a special way and I wish to lead it. I am guarding it with love and I want everyone to be mine... part message, March 1, 1984
• Dear children, you in the parish, be converted. This is my other wish. That way, all those who shall come here shall be able to convert. March 8, 1984
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October 29, 2025
Long for Heaven
Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.
Hebrews 12 : 14-15
Dear children! I beseech you to take up the way of holiness beginning today. I love you and, therefore, I want you to be holy. I do not want satan to block you on that way. Dear children, pray and accept all that God is offering you on a way which is bitter. But at the same time, God will reveal every sweetness to whoever begins to go on that way, and he will gladly answer every call of God. Do not attribute importance to petty things. Long for Heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call.
Medjugorje message, July 25, 1987
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October 28, 2025
Saints Jude and Simon
Jude is so named by Luke and Acts. Matthew and Mark call him Thaddeus. He is not mentioned elsewhere in the Gospels, except of course where all the apostles are mentioned. Scholars hold that he is not the author of the Letter of Jude. Actually, Jude had the same name as Judas Iscariot. Evidently because of the disgrace of that name, it was shortened to “Jude” in English.
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Simon is mentioned on all four lists of the apostles. On two of them he is called “the Zealot.” The Zealots were a Jewish sect that represented an extreme of Jewish nationalism. For them, the messianic promise of the Old Testament meant that the Jews were to be a free and independent nation. God alone was their king, and any payment of taxes to the Romans—the very domination of the Romans—was a blasphemy against God.
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• More details at Franciscan Media
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• The image above shows Jude and Simon from Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco of the Last Supper
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October 27, 2025
A miracle on the sabbath
“This woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.
Luke 13 : 16-17
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October 26, 2025
May prayer be a balm to your soul
From the Archives...
Just lately, there seems to be a lot of people worrying themselves about the state of the world. There are Christians, even Catholics, who are not exempt from promoting a Gospel of fear... secrets to be revealed, coming chastisements (as if there wasn’t enough suffering in the world), blaming the Church, blaming priests, blaming pagans, blaming other cultures, blaming modernity, and crystal-ball gazing while attempting to predict when and where the heavy hand of God will strike the world and its sinners.
These are not all frightened people. Putting the fear of God into others can be a profitable business. Some welcome this – the kind that pay to watch horror movies. There’s a ready market for anyone wanting to trade in doomsday scenarios and predictions. People will put their hand in their pocket for this kind of stuff, even press the ‘donate’ or ‘subscribe’ button on a website for a nugget of knowledge about the future and what God has planned for down the line.
That’s the attraction for those who buy into information about the so-called Medjugorje ‘secrets’. They want to know what the future holds. It’s akin to reading horoscopes. Two sides of the same coin. Yet in all the Medjugorje monthly messages Our Lady has given to the world over the years through the seer Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, she has never spoken of the “ten secrets”.
In one of her messages Our Lady reminds the world and the people with fear in their hearts that the fruit of prayer is joy and balm for the soul. She does not say that the fruit of prayer is fear. So why are so many Christians fearful and worrying about the future? Why are so many Christians promoting a Gospel of fear and insecurity? Can this be said to giving witness to God? Our Lady has warned in the past that Satan wants to steal our peace. Fear, even some forms of anxiety, is a sure sign when our peace is being stolen.
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• Dear children! Today I call you to prayer. May prayer be a balm to your soul, because the fruit of prayer is joy, giving and witnessing God to others – through your life. Little children, in complete surrender to God, he will take care of everything and will bless you; and your sacrifices will have meaning. I am with you and bless all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje message, October 25, 2019
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• The image is detail from the bust of Giuliano de’ Medici sculpted by Andea del Verrocchio in 1475. It depicts Leonardo da Vinci as a fallen angel on the breastplate.
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October 25, 2025
Medjugorje message, October 2025
Dear children! The Most High in His goodness gave me to you to lead you on the way of peace. Many have responded and are praying, but there are many so creatures who do not have peace and have not come to know the God of love. Therefore, little children, pray and love, create prayer groups to encourage each other to the good. I am with you and am praying for your conversion. Thank you for having responded to my call.
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With Ecclesiastical approval
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October 23, 2025
Together in prayer...
Peace! Peace! Only Peace! Reconcile with God and each other!
Medjugorje message to Marija Pavlovic, Friday, June 26, 1981
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I am reliably told that King Charles III’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, kept a picture of Our Lady of Medjugorje on display in her bedroom !
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• Details of the ecumenical prayer service in the Sistine Chapel at Vatican News
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October 23, 2025
A seed of love
Dear children, as a mother I am with you so that with my love, prayer and example I may help you to become a seed of the future, a seed that will grow into a firm tree and spread it's branches throughout the world. For you to become a seed of the future, a seed of love, implore the Father to forgive you your omissions up to now. My children, only a pure heart, unburdened by sin, can open itself and only honest eyes can see the way by which I desire to lead you. When you become aware of this, you will become aware of the love of God – it will be given to you. Then you will give it to others, as a seed of love. Thank you.
Medjugorje message to Mirjana, December 2, 2011
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October 22, 2025
Sharing with others
“Frankly, even the poor have something they can share with others. Let one lend feet to the lame, another become the eyes of the blind, another visit the sick, and another bury the dead. These are things that everyone can do.
“Lastly, bear one another’s burdens, and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ.”
St Augustine of Hippo, sermon 41 : 9
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October 21, 2025
The free gift of faith
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. […] If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous.
Romans 5 : 12, 15
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Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray until prayer becomes life for you. Little children, at this time, in a special way, I pray before God to give you the gift of faith. Only in faith will you discover the joy of the gift of life that God has given you. Your heart will be joyful thinking of eternity. I am with you and love you with a tender love. Thank you for having responded to my call.
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Medjugorje message, November 25, 2025
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October 18, 2025
Be on guard...
Watch, and be on guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.
Luke 12 : 15
• The bronze sculpture made by Edith Downing (1857-1931) is titled Avarice and displayed at the National Museum, Cardiff
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October 17, 2025
St Luke, evangelist
Saint Luke wrote one of the major portions of the New Testament, a two-volume work comprising the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. In the two books he shows the parallel between the life of Christ and that of the Church. He is the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers. Tradition holds him to be a native of Antioch, and Paul calls him “our beloved physician.” His Gospel was probably written between 70 and 85 A.D.
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Source: Franciscan Media
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October 16, 2025
“My love for you is greater than your sins...”
Our scientific-materialistic age cannot “prove” private revelations. Theologians, if pressed, admit that we do not have to believe in them. But it is impossible to deny the message Margaret Mary heralded: that God loves us with a passionate love. Her insistence on reparation and prayer and the reminder of final judgment should be sufficient to ward off superstition and superficiality in devotion to the Sacred Heart while preserving its deep Christian meaning.
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Source: Franciscan Media
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October 15, 2025
In our weakness...
The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what he means, and that the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit are according to the mind of God.
Romans 8 : 26-27
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• The image is a statue of St Francis at Ards Friary, Creeslough, Co Donegal
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