STRANGE SIGHTINGS

Are apparitions a possibility?
Excerpts from an Orthodox Lutheran website:
While most Protestants reject the possibility of Marian apparitions outright, it must be remembered that Holy Scripture is replete with visions granted by God to His followers and servants. In the Old Testament we have many apparitions such as:

the vision of Abram during which his covenant with God is established (Gen. 15)
Jacob's dream of the stairway to heaven and angels walking up and down it (Gen. 28)
Daniel's vision in which God explains Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan. 2)
the apocalyptic visions of Isaiah and Ezekiel
In the New Testament, we read of many apparitions of angels. There is of course the angel Gabriel making the Annunciation to Mary concerning the birth of Christ, as well as the vision to Zechariah foretelling the birth of John the Baptist. There is a vision of "a multitude of the heavenly host" announcing the birth of Our Lord to the shepherds and apparitions of angels at Jesus' tomb. Jesus Himself has visions of angels after the temptation in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane, and has a vision of the Holy Spirit at His baptism.

It might be argued that God communicated with mankind via angels and apparitions prior to Christ's death, but since His Son has appeared on earth, lived among us, taught us all things, and died for our salvation, there is no longer any need for such communications. Yet Biblical apparitions did not cease with Christ's Ascension. The Apocalypse of John is the best known post-Ascension apparition. There are many in the Book of Acts alone, including:

the vision of Ananias (Acts 9)
the vision of Cornelius (Acts 10)
the vision of St. Peter (Acts 10-11)
the vision of St. Paul (Acts 16, 19)
St. Paul himself tells in his second letter to the Corinthians of "visions and revelations of the Lord" he himself experienced (2 Cor. 12: 1). The most notable and most transforming was of course a vision of the Lord Himself on the Road to Damascus. Recall that St. Paul's encounter with the risen Lord is quite unlike that of the Apostles in Galilee (Matt. 28; John 21) or Jerusalem (Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20). To the Apostles, Christ appears as a normal person, so much so that he at times goes unrecognized (e.g. Luke 24, John 20). Before St. Paul, however, it is quite different. On the road to Damascus, St. Paul sees a blinding light and hears the voice of the Lord. St. Luke, the author of Acts, is unclear as to whether St. Paul's companions could hear the voice but not see the light (Acts 9) or instead see the light but not hear the voice (Acts 23, 26). What is clear, however, is that the traveling companions do not have the same experience as does St. Paul. It was not a 'normal' physical encounter, but rather a "heavenly vision" (Acts 26: 19) of the Lord, in St. Paul's own words a "revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1: 12).

March Message 2006

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

How comforting!

Fr. JOZO

From www.gospa.com:

Father Jozo Zovko O.F.M., a Franciscan priest has been a part of the history of the phenomena of Medjugorje since the very beginning. As a young priest, Father Jozo enjoyed the assignment as Parish Priest for the Saint James Church in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina when the first apparition occurred on June 24, 1981.

When the children first started to speak of the apparitions, Father Jozo was doubtful that it was more than the excited imaginations of the young. Still, talk of the apparitions was dangerous in an area of Communist oppression. He was torn between trying to keep his parish and the suddenly arriving pilgrims calm and centered and taking care of their spiritual needs and making sense out of the stories of the apparitions.. if indeed they had occurred. It wasn't long before he was convinced that the children were seeing the Gospa and that something wonderful was happening to his St. James parish that would soon affect the world through the Gospa's messages given there.

Towards the end of July, 1981, while Father Jozo was praying inside of St. James, he heard a male voice tell him: "Go outside and protect the children.". Upon opening the door of the church, he found all six visionaries, Ivanka, Ivan, Jakov, Marija, Mirjana and Vicka frightened of the police and begging for help. He gave them sanctuary in the rectory.

After refusing the order to close St. James, Father Jozo Zovko was arrested on August 17, 1981.. barely two months after the first apparition. He was tried and convicted on charges of subversion against the (Communist) state. He was sentenced to three and a half years hard labor.

Despite the many cruel and horrendous tortures he endured while imprisoned, his faith remained strong and grew. Unable to cope with such devoutness in the face of their extensive cruelty as well as the increasing political pressure against his imprisonment, the Communists released Father Jozo after 18 months on the condition he never return to St. James as pastor.

Father Jozo now travels through the world and speaks of the Gospa's messages. He speaks of the immeasurable love of Jesus and he asks us all to respond to the call with all of our hearts. And he teaches these very things by his words and his example.

VICKA

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic - Vicka is the oldest of the visionaries. She was born September 3, 1964, in Bijakovici, and comes from a family of 8 children. Her prayer mission given by Our Lady is to pray for the sick. Our Lady appeared to her for the first time on June 24, 1981. For her, the daily apparitions have not yet stopped. Our Lady has so far confided nine secrets to her.


Vicka married on January 26, 2002, and lives with her husband Mario Mijatovic in the small village of Gradac, a few kilometers north of Medjugorje. They have two children Sophia Maria, and their newborn Anton. Here is a short interview with Vicka about her marriage: vickamarries.htm

Vicka is of medium height and thin. She has sparkling eyes and a wonderful smile. She simply radiates love through her constant smile. She is filled with energy and has tirelessly spoken with pilgrims in Medjugorje for over 21 years.

Vicka: "Before, I prayed from pure habit. Now I've turned completely to prayer. I commit my life completely to God. I feel sorry for those who do not believe in God, because Our Lady wants no one to be lost. We can help each other find the right way to God. It's up to the people to obey the messages and be converted. Great things are happening here: Our Lady is among us. She wishes to attract everyone to Her Son. That's the reason She has been coming so long and so often. Here, everyone feels the nearness and the love of God. As role model and example, Gospa began, in January 1983, to tell me Her life story, which took over two years."

The information Our Lady dictated to Vicka over these two years is contained in two hand written notebooks and will be published when Our Lady tells Vicka it is time.

JAKOV

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
JAKOV COLO - Jakov is the youngest of the seers. He was born on March 6, 1971 in Bijakovici, and was only 10 years old when the apparitions started. His prayer mission given by Our Lady is to pray for the sick. Jakovs' mother Jaca, died on September 5th 1983 and it affected Jakov very deeply since he rarely saw his father who worked in Germany as many men did in those days with no jobs available in Medjugorje or the surrounding area.

He has had daily apparitions since June 25, 1981, and on September 12, 1998, Our Lady confided to him his 10th secret. Our Lady now appears to Jakov only once per year on Christmas Day. Our Lady literally raised Jakov since his mother died when he was so young. It was very difficult for him to accept that he would no longer see Our Lady every day. He wondered how he would continue, and struggled for months until he tells us that through prayer he realized that he was now like all of us who do not see Our Lady. He tells us that Our Lady is with each one of us always, and we can experience her in our hearts. Jakov lives in the parish of Medjugorje, is married and now has three children.

In the early years, the presence of the young fidgety boy among the group of seers is special in terms of the authenticity of the apparitions. It was highly improbable that he would come to church for two to three hours of prayer every single day, in winter as well as in summer, in bad weather as well as in good, and for well over three years, simply to make believe that he is seeing the Blessed Virgin.

Jakov: "From the time Our Lady first appeared to me, my life has entirely changed. Now, I pray more and go to Mass every evening. I try, more and more, to fulfill the messages that Our Lady gives us. I feel I'm closer to God now. I believe we have to pray that God's plans will be realized. I now want to live as a Christian. I begin the day with prayer, then go to school. when I get home, I help wherever necessary. To me, the Mass means an encounter with the living God. Our Lady always tells us to pray more."

MARIJA

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti - Marija is the third oldest member of the group. She was born on April 1, 1965, in Bijakovici. Her prayer mission given by Our Lady is to pray for all the souls in purgatory. She has three brothers and two sisters. When the apparitions started, she was studying in Mostar which is about eighteen miles away.

She is of average height and thin. Marija is most serene and deeply spiritual. She is a retiring and unobtrusive person. Those who know her describe her as "just beautiful" because of her deep spirituality, prayerfulness, and humility.

Our Lady appeared to her for the first time on June 25, 1981. She still has apparitions every day, and is the visionary to whom Our Lady gives the public message to the world on the 25th of each month. Our Lady has confided nine secrets to her so far. Marija is presently living in Italy, is married, and has four children. She visits Medjugorje a number of times each year.

Marija: "Everything has changed in Medjugorje. People started to pray and listen to Our Lady's messages. Before, I didn't pray enough. Now I want to pray more and more. I'm sure God gives much to everyone who's open to prayer. I tell people they should pray more, and Our Lady will give them peace in all that burdens them. It's not I, it's Our Lady who urges us to nurture prayer, to propagate peace, and to fast. She says that everyone who comes to Medjugorje, must be converted. They must encourage other people too, to pray and fast. God wishes us to pray and fast. God wishes to develop the parish and make it grow more and more in faith. If people accept the messages, God will lead them."

IVANKA

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez - Ivanka was the first to see Our Lady on June 24, 1981, and is the youngest of the 4 girls and was born on July 21, 1966, in Bijakovici. Ivanka's prayer mission from Our Lady is to pray for families. Ivanka has one brother and one sister. Her Mother Jagoda, died in May 1981. When the apparitions first began, Ivanka asked the Blessed Mother about her mother. Our Lady told her that her mother was with her in heaven. God has allowed Ivanka to see and speak to her mother, who is in heaven, five times over the years.

She had daily apparitions from June 24, 1981, until May 7, 1985. On that day Our Lady confided to her the last of her ten secrets. Our Lady told her that for her entire life she will have an apparition every year on June 25, the anniversary of the apparitions. And so far it has been just that way. Ivanka is living in the parish of Medjugorje, is married and has three children, and a fourth due in August 2004.

Ivanka: "When the apparitions began, I was only a child. I prayed and went to church when my parents asked me to. Now when I pray, I feel united with God and Our Lady. Before, when I went to Mass, I didn't feel anything special. Now, I know God is alive at the Holy Mass and gives Himself completely to us in the Host. Concerning my own future, I leave it completely to God - my path will go in the direction God leads me. I have some advice for young people: I want to tell them to turn to God as soon as possible because He's the only one who can lead them to happiness and truth. We simply must pray more and live the messages of Medjugorje."

IVAN

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
Ivan Dragicevic
Ivan is the oldest of the two boys who see Our Lady and was born on May 25th, 1965 in Bijakovici. His prayer mission given by Our Lady is to pray for priests and the youth of the world. Although Ivan and Mirjana share the same last name, they are not related.

Our Lady has appeared to him every day since June 24, 1981. Our Lady to date has confided nine secrets to Ivan. He is now married and resides half the year in the parish of Medjugorje, and half the year in Boston, MA. Ivan and his wife Laureen have three children.

Ivan: "The apparitions made a big difference in my life - the difference between heaven and earth. For example, I arrange my day now so that even during the day I find time to pray. Before, my life had no meaning. Now, I'm filled with inner contentment. The first time I saw Our Lady, a change occurred in my soul, and in my heart. Before, I often avoided prayer, but now the difference is so great, I really can't describe it. I'm no longer sorry that Our Lady revealed my future. I'm confident and not afraid, because I know who leads me, and therefore, I'm not afraid of death. People in our parish, and all people, should feel that way."

MIRJANA

From the "Lives of the Visionaries"
Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo - Mirjana was born March 18th, 1965 in Sarajevo. Her prayer mission from Our Lady is to pray for all unbelievers. She is the second oldest of the seers. Mirjana graduated from the University of Sarajevo where her family lived.

Mirjana was the second to see the Blessed Mother that day, June 24th, 1981 in Medjugorje. Although her family lived in Sarajevo, she spent the summers with her grandmother who lived in Bijakovici. That is how she came to be in Medjugorje that summer. She had daily apparitions from June 24, 1981 till December 25, 1982. On this date, Mirjana received her 10th and final secret from Our Lady. Mirjana was the first seer to receive all 10 secrets. Since that time, Our Lady only appeared to Mirjana once a year on her birthday (March 18) until August 2, 1987 when Our Lady also started appearing to Mirjana on the 2nd day of each month to pray with Mirjana for all unbelievers. Mirjana tells us that Our Lady defines "unbelievers" as those who have not yet felt God's love. She tells us that if we only once saw the tears in Our Lady's eyes for all unbelievers that we would all begin praying intensely for this intention.

These special meetings with Our Lady are sometimes apparitions and sometimes locutions. Mirjana's 2nd of the month meetings with Our Lady used to be something very private. Not even her own family was with her during these visits with Our Lady. Mirjana always locked herself into her room and started praying. On January 2, 1997, Our Lady told Mirjana that from February 2, 1997 onward, her apparitions would be public. Our Lady invites all to join them in prayer on this 2nd day of each month for unbelievers. For those fortunate enough to be in Medjugorje on the 2nd of the month, you can join Mirjana for this apparition, which is usually held in the Cenacolo community in Medjugorje.

Mirjana is living in the parish of Medjugorje and is married to Marko Soldo who she knew since they were children. They have two daughters and meet with pilgrims often when they are in Medjugorje. Mirjana also helps out with many orphans at the orphanage in Medjugorje since the war.

Mirjana: "I didn't know Marian apparitions existed. I never heard about Lourdes or Fatima. The first day Ivanka had the vision of Our Lady, she was full of enthusiasm and wanted me to look too. I thought: "This can't be real!" But, Our Lady gave us strength to accept Her as a Mother. I've changed a lot. I realize how empty my heart was. Now, I truly feel God, the Mother of God, and the faith. My relationship with Our Lady has become one of a mother and daughter. Jesus is like a friend, or an older brother. Whoever believes in God, and opens himself up to God, needn't be afraid. God will be with him in the future too. If everyone believed in God, there'd be no war."

Message 3/18/2002

From Mirjana's annual apparition of March 18, 2002
"Dear children! As a mother I implore you, open your heart and offer it to me, and fear nothing. I will be with you and will teach you how to put Jesus in the first place. I will teach you to love Him and to belong to Him completely. Comprehend, dear children, that without my Son there is no salvation. You should become aware that He is your beginning and your end. Only with this awareness can you be happy and merit eternal life. As your mother I desire this for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

SECRETS

From a website: Information about the secrets from Mary to the visionaries.

Our Lady is to give each of the six visionaries a total of ten "secrets" or happenings that will occur on earth in the near future. Some of the secrets pertain to the whole world while others concern the visionaries themselves or their local village. Only one of the secrets so far has been revealed by the visionaries.
Our Lady has promised to leave a supernatural, indestructable, and visible sign on the mountain where she first appeared. Our Lady said: "This sign will be given for the atheists. You faithful already have signs and you have become the sign for the atheists. You faithful must not wait for the sign before you convert; convert soon. This time is a time of grace for you. You can never thank God enough for His grace. The time is for deepening your faith and for your conversion. When the sign comes, it will be too late for many."

When each of the six visionaries has received all ten "secrets", Our Lady will stop appearing to them on a daily basis. Currently, Marija, Vicka, and Ivan have received nine secrets, and Our Lady still appears to them every day, wherever they are, at 5:40pm during daylight savings time, and 6:40pm the rest of the year, Medjugorje time. Mirjana, Jakov, and Ivanka have received all ten secrets, and Our Lady appears to them once per year, and will do so for the rest of their lives. For Ivanka who received her 10th secret on May 7, 1985 it is on the anniversary of the apparitions, June 25 each year. For Jakov who received his 10th secret on September 12, 1998, it is on Christmas day each year. And for Mirjana who received her 10th secret on Christmas 1982, it is on her birthday, March 18 each year. Our Lady has also been appearing to Mirjana on the 2nd of each month since August 2, 1987 for the express purpose of praying for all unbelievers. Mirjana tells us that it is very important that all of us pray for the unbelievers in the world, who are defined as those who do not yet know God's love. Sometimes these appearances on the 2nd of each month are in apparitional form, and sometimes as locutions. No one knows when Our Lady will give the tenth secret to Marija, Ivan, and Vicka.

There will then be three secrets revealed as warnings to the world. Mirjana will witness the warnings and they will occur on the earth. Ten days before each of the warnings, she will advise the priest of her choice (Father Petar Ljubicic), who will then fast and pray for seven days. Then, three days before the warning is to take place, he will announce to the world what, where, and when the warning is to take place. Fr. Petar has no choice and must reveal each warning. Mirjana's testimony will be a confirmation of the validity of the apparitions and an incentive for the conversion of the world. After the first warning, the others will follow within a rather brief period of time. So it is that people will have time for conversion. After the three warnings, the permanent visible sign will be left on the mountain where Our Lady first appeared in Medjugorje. Those who are still alive will have little time for conversion. For that reason, the Blessed Virgin calls for urgent conversion and reconciliation. The permanent sign will lead to many healings and conversions before the messages become reality.

The ninth and tenth secrets are grave matters. They are a chastisement for the sins of the world. The punishment is inevitable because we can not expect the conversion of the entire world. The chastisement can be lessened by prayers and penance, but it can not be suppressed entirely. An evil which threatened the world according to the seventh secret, had been eliminated through prayer and fasting. For that reason the Blessed Virgin continues to ask for prayer and fasting. The invitation to prayer and penance is destined to ward off evil and war and above all to save souls. Our Lady says: "You have forgotten that with prayer and fasting you can ward off wars, suspend natural laws."

What happened to Mary?

In general, Protestants do not pray to Mary. Why not? What happened?
The following are excerpts from the book "A Protestant Pastor Looks at Mary" by Charles Dickson.
Contrary to popular thought among both Catholics and Protestants, many of the early reformers did not seek to devalue the place of the Virgin Mary in God's plan of salvation history. It was the people and events which followed that are primarily responsible for this unfortunate turn...
What did Luther really believe about Mary? For an answer to that question, we must search through his original writings...First, Luther referred to Mary as "the workshop of God"...
Luther believed in the help of the Virgin Mary for all worthwhile endeavors....Not only did Luther believe Mary helped Christians who call on her for assistance, he also supported prayers to her. Again, in his commentary on the Magnificat, he wrote, "O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate."
For those who would follow in the faith, he desired a continued honor of Mary by stating, "the Virgin Mary means to say simply that her praise will be sung from one generation to another so that there will never be a time when she will not be praised."

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If, as Mary has said in her messages, God the Father has sent her to us, a beautiful gift from God Almighty, how can we ignore this gift?