THE MEDJUGORJE WITNESS

The Medjugorje parish is staging an IT Congress ITM) in March (7-10) next year. It aims to provide an opportunity for spiritual growth and meeting people from the IT sector, and so invites software engineers and technology professionals who want to apply their skills, abilities and expertise in projects related to the permeation of the technological world and spirituality and the spread of evangelisation

Full details and registration via this link

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis will pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary with a Golden Rose placed at the feet of the ancient Roman icon of ‘Maria Salus Populi Romani’. He will travel to the Basilica on 8 December to accomplish this historic gesture which has not been performed in 400 years.

Source: Vatican News

“Has the Lord spoken to Moses only? Has he not spoken to us, too?

Numbers 12 : 2

And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.

Matthew 1 : 22

I do it, so do countless others: that is, cast stones.

I still haven’t forgotten when, as a young child, I stoned another boy who lived across the street. It hurt him enough to report my rage to his parents, and for them to visit my home with a rightful complaint. But I can’t remember the reason why, as two young boys, we resorted to calling each other names and throwing stones.

Nowadays any stone throwing I resort to is of the accusative or judgmental kind, and that can be just as damaging, not only for the person I’m firing off at, but to my own self and soul as well. I guess there can be times for most people when we are plagued by destructive instincts and habits. 

It is said that all wars start in the heart.

“When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child…” (1 Corinthians 13:11)… and though I am now a man I have still to leave some of my childish ways behind.

I know nothing about flowers, but this particular rose in my garden has intrigued me over the past couple of weeks. Why is it still in flower at this time of the year? I took this picture today on a very wet morning after several cold days, heavy frost and even a smattering of light snow. It’s the only flower on the bush. There are no signs of any others that may have bloomed recently. I hope it stays around until Friday.

For Christians, the evergreen leaves, which don’t lose their colour or die during the winter, are seen as a powerful symbol of the eternal life promised by Jesus Christ in the gospels. The sharp, pointy leaves of holly call to mind the crown of thorns, and its red berries are seen as emblematic of the blood shed on the cross. The death and resurrection of Jesus has become associated with the vibrant red and green boughs.

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Dear children! Wake up from the sleep of unbelief and sin, because this is a time of grace which God gives you. Use this time and seek the grace of healing of your heart from God, so that you may see God and man with the heart. Pray in a special way for those who have not come to know God's love, and witness with your life so that they also can come to know God and His immeasurable love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

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Medjugorje message, February 25, 2000

He gives snow like wool;

He scatters the frost like ashes.

He casts forth His ice as fragments;

Who can stand before His cold?

He sends forth His word and melts them;

He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.

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Psalm 147:16-18

In dangers, and difficulties and doubts, think of Mary. Call for Mary’s help. Do not let her name depart from your mind or your mouth, and to obtain the support of her prayer do not neglect the example of her life. Following her, you do not stray: asking her for help, you do not despair; thinking about her, you do not lose the way. You do not fall if she holds you; you have no anxiety if she protects you; with her for guide you do not grow tired; if she favours you, you arrive.

St Bernard of Clairvaux

Fr Svetozar Kraljevic, a former pastor at Medjugorje, will lead a weekend retreat at Roehampton in February 2024.

The event is organised by the Medjugorje Apostolate for England and Wales, and will take place at  the Kairos Centre, Roehampton, London, Friday evening 23rd February to Sunday afternoon 25th February. 

The retreat will be residential although there are places for non-residents.

Full details available from Paul Spencer, email: pilgrimsofmary@hotmail.com

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will never pass away.” Luke 21 : 29-33

Dear children! Today, again, I invite you to pray, so that through prayer, fasting and small sacrifices you may prepare yourselves for the coming of Jesus. May this time, little children, be a time of grace for you. Use every moment and do good, for only in this way will you feel the birth of Jesus in your hearts. If with your life you give an example and become a sign of God's love, joy will prevail in the hearts of men. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, November 25, 1996

Dear children! As nature gives the most beautiful colours of the year, I also call you to witness with your life and to help others to draw closer to my Immaculate Heart, so that the flame of love for the Most High may sprout in their hearts. I am with you and I unceasingly pray for you that your life may be a reflection of Heaven here on earth. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, April 25, 2011

“When you return home… Build the Hill of Apparitions in one corner of your apartment or house. Furnish it with a small crucifix, a candle, the Bible, rosary beads and a kneeler. There you will understand your Krizevac, too, and your passage, and your passing. By the side of the Hill of Apparitions, Krizevac becomes a place of resurrection, for no Krizevac is there to destroy you, but to help you attain to salvation.” Fr Slavko Barbaric OFM

• More at this link.

On November 27, 1989, during an apparition at the Blue Cross to the visionary Marija Pavlovic, Our Lady gave this message: 

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“These days, I want you to pray in a special way for the salvation of souls. Today is the feast day of the miraculous medal, and I want that you pray, in a special way, for the salvation of those people who are carrying this miraculous medal. I want you to spread the devotion and the carrying of this medal, so that more souls may be saved, and that you pray in a special way.”

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• On a personal note I was once very blessed to speak privately with Marija when she made a visit to the UK. At the end of the meeting, she put her hand in her purse and gave me several small, gold-coloured medals – Miraculous Medals – saying they had been blessed by Our Lady during one of her apparitions. I can vouch for several other blessings and miracles associated with those medals when they were passed on to other people.

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• In November 1830, Mary appeared for a second time to St. Catherine at the Rue de Bac Chapel in Paris. This time she was standing on a globe, with dazzling rays of light streaming from her outstretched hands. Framing the apparition was an inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” When Mary spoke to St. Catherine, she said “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be, in a special manner, under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence.”

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With approval of the Catholic Church, the first medals were made in 1832 and distributed in Paris. Source: miraculousmedal.org

Dear children! May this time be interwoven with prayer for peace and good deeds, so that the joy of the expectation of the King of Peace may be felt in your hearts, families and in the world which does not have hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Royal Mail has issued five special stamps and collectible celebrating Britain’s favourite Christmas carols. They feature a lyric from the carols, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and We Three Kings. The stamps are also the first Christmas issue to feature the head of King Charles and can be viewed and purchased on line at this Royal Mail link.

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he she’d tears over it and said, “If you in your turn had only 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 the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave no stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!”

Luke 19 : 41-44

Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs. According to legend, she was a young Christian of high rank betrothed to a Roman named Valerian. Through her influence, Valerian was converted, and was martyred along with his brother. 

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The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church.

[Notice the serrated edge of the plate which the viola’s strings attach to, and how it points down to Cecilia’s neck.]

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Since the time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ.

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Source: franciscanmedia.org

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The image above of St Cecilia is detail from the Musical Angels panel of the Ghent Altarpiece (also called the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb). Painted by by Jan and Hubert van Eyck, it was completed in 1432 and is displayed in St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent, Belgium.

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• Notes concerning St Cecilia

Mary’s Meals will host an art sale at Frame Masters, Canal Road, Letterkenny, Donegal, on Thursday evening, November 23.

Over 150 paintings have been given to the charity which gratefully acknowledges the work and generosity of all the artists.

The sale will take place from 6.30-9pm. All are invited and light refreshments will be served. Any unsold paintings will be left on display at Frame Masters until the following Wednesday (29).

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source: donegalnews.com

Eternal Father, we honour the holiness and glory of the Virgin Mary. May her prayers bring us the fullness of your life and love.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Dear children! Today I thank you for all the sacrifices you have offered me these days. Little children, I invite you to open yourselves to me and to decide for conversion. Your hearts, little children, are still not completely open to me and therefore, I invite you again to open to prayer so that in prayer the Holy Spirit will help you, that your hearts become of flesh and not of stone. Little children, thank you for having responded to my call and for having decided to walk with me toward holiness. Medjugorje Message, June 25, 1996

Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the blind man to him, and when he came up, asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Sir,” he replied “let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.” And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened. Luke 18 : 30-43

Jesus said to the disciples, “As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17 : 26-27

A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr. More at franciscanmedia.org

Armistice Day, also known as Veterans Day, is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War 1 and German at Compiègne, France, at 5:45am for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War 1, which took effect at eleven in the morning – the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. (Wikipedia)

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The feast of St Martin of Tours is celebrated on this day also, and sometimes referred to as Martinmas or St Martin’s Day.

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In This Haven Of Stillness, I'll Find Repose,

As Serenity's Essence Around Me Flows,

A Moment Of Respite From The World's Demands,

Where Tranquility Thrives, Where Peace Expands.

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Ahmad Jahangheer

Peter went up to Jesus and said: “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times? Jesus answered, “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18 : 21-22)

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Happy birthday Nonno!

St Leo the Great was elected pope in 440. He consolidated the organisation of the Church and its government from Rome at a time of civil and doctrinal disorder. Many of his sermons and letters survive, and reveal him a man of clear and forceful intellect and faith.

• The graphic is from a poster advertising the West End show, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 

“The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.”

John 3 : 8

Dear Children! Today I invite you to fall in love with the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Adore Him, little children, in your Parishes and in this way you will be united with the entire world. Jesus will become your friend and you will not talk of Him like someone whom you barely know. Unity with Him will be a joy for you and you will become witnesses to the love of Jesus that He has for every creature. Little children, when you adore Jesus you are also close to me. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Medjugorje Message, September 25, 1995

Dear children! Today I invite you to prayer because only in prayer can you understand my coming here. The Holy Spirit will enlighten you to understand that you must convert. Little children, I wish to make of you a most beautiful bouquet prepared for eternity but you do not accept the way of conversion, the way of salvation that I am offering you through these apparitions. Little children, pray, convert your hearts and come closer to me. May good overcome evil. I love you and bless you. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, July 25, 1995

How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor?

Romans 11 : 33-34

The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! (Matthew 23 : 4)

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Hands behind the back

Here’s a sign sometimes seen at Medjugorje – and in many other places around the world.

It is a supernatural sign of a sort because God can judge hearts by our response to it.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matthew 25 : 31-46)

“And when you come before my Son, in your hearts he will see how much love you had.” Part Medjugorje message to Mirjana, August 2, 2014 

Dear children! Today also I invite you to prayer, a prayer of joy so that in these sad days no one amongst you may feel sadness in prayer, but a joyful meeting with God His Creator. Pray, little children, to be able to come closer to me and to feel through prayer what it is I desire from you. I am with you and each day I bless you with my maternal blessing so that Our Lord may fill you abundantly with His grace for your daily life. Give thanks to God for the grace of my being able to be with you because I assure you it is a great grace. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje Message, July 25, 1992

“The measure of our love is determined by the extent of our giving.”

St Martin de Porres

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Side by side with his daily work in the kitchen, laundry, and infirmary, Martin’s life reflected God’s extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bi-location, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and a remarkable rapport with animals. Source: Franciscan Media