"More than ever, humanity needs prayer”

Organizers estimate that visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic met a quarter of the Christian population during her one-week stay in Israel and Palestine. Devotion to prayer was revived and will continue, priest says. Mary assured attendees that she and Jesus never left The Holy Land.

Vicka greets the crowd of about 10,000 people in Bethlehem on August 25. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic was seen and heard by 25 percent of the Christian population during her August 19-26 stay in The Holy Land, organizers of the first international Maranatha pilgrimage are estimating.

“I am completely satisfied with the response. Having Vicka with us here fulfills my dream. Today, Medjugorje is present in every Christian family and community in The Holy Land. People are asking questions about how to connect to the Maranatha Movement for the healing of humanity. I do not have words to describe my feelings” Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic tells the Croatian daily Vecernji List.

Vicka kissing a child before her apparition in Bethlehem. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

Vicka returned to Medjugorje on Monday, also very much pleased with the events of the week.

“I am overjoyed. I have been in the Holy Land before, but I never could bring Our Lady’s message. I do not know why I could not, only God knows. Obviously it was time for people to hear. But, behold, the time has come. People have heard and will hear the message. But this should not stop here, prayer for the healing of people should continue. More than ever, humanity needs prayer” Vicka tells the Croatian paper.

Procession before Vicka’s apparition in Maelia on August 21

And devotion to prayer will continue, says Fr. Nadeem Shakouri, the pastor of Maelia where Vicka’s apparition was attended by about 13,000 people on August 21.

“I am delighted. Only the Lord could muster this crowd. I thank Him for the gift of Vicka’s arrival. It gives us hope that peace is possible in these regions. He asks us to continue to pray not only during Vicka’s stay in the Holy Land, but also after her departure. Pray for all the sick hearts awaiting recovery, and for all who witnessed these precious days and who will themselves become carriers of the messages” Fr. Shakouri tells Vecernji List.

Vicka addressing the crowd in Bethlehem on August 25. Photo: Jeries Photography / Facebook

The priest was further uplifted by the message the Virgin Mary passed on from the apparition in Maelia.

“Our Lady’s message today encourages us because she told the faithful of the Holy Land that she has been with us all the time with her Son, and that they never left. We believers from Galilee will never forget these days. In her honor we bless the statue which we brought from Medjugorje one month ago, that we will be constantly reminded of this day” says Fr. Shakouri.

With Fouad Boutros Ibrahim Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem far right, Vicka’s visit united the highest ranking clerics in The Holy Land. Photo: Jozo Ivankovic / Facebook

On August 24, Fouad Boutros Ibrahim Twal, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, ”expressed his fraternal hospitality” and thanked for the devotion to recollection and prayer, and for the joy offered to all who met Vicka whom he welcomed to The Holy Land, Vecernji List further reports.

Both he and Elias Shakouri, the Bishop of the Melkite Catholic Church, were invited by Maranatha organizers to participate in the international Youth Festival in Medjugorje next year, Maranatha world coordinator Sabrina Covic-Radojicic informs.
source  http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/

In God's Company 2

A Marian Apparition Unites Believers in Galilee

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."   Matthew 4:18-19

Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic’s public apparition on Wednesday was attended by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike, and also brought together the three Bishops of Galilee along with Orthodox priests when Mass was celebrated. Organizers estimate 13,000 people were present.

“It was the biggest man-made event in the history of Galilee. Never before have we had this gathering with Our Lady and this huge number of people” Charbel Maroun, the President of the Marian Movement of Lay People in Galilee, tells Medjugorje Today.

“Lots of people were crying of joy, crying because of the grace the experienced. They listened to what they heard about Medjugorje, and loved it. Thousands of young people were there. And one of my co-workers told me about a huge number of confessions” he says.

 “There were a lot of Muslims. They liked it so much, they started crying because they were so happy to be present. There were also many members of the Israeli army. Never mind ethnicity or religious background, everybody was present and happy” Charbel Maroun reports.

“You could feel the Holy Spirit in the entire area. The people of Galilee will never forget this meeting. The majority of people here are weak in devotion and spirituality, and so for many it was the first time they saw such a huge manifestation of prayer.”

During Vicka’s apparition, the Virgin Mary asked the attendees to pray for the Church in Galilee.

We need to make a commitment.

 In a message given Ivan and Marija in the context of a prayer group meeting, on August 19, 1988, Our Lady said the following:

“Dear children, I would like this to be a time of decision for you. Make a commitment to follow me, follow me! I wish to do so much, but I cannot do anything without you: your resolve is too weak.
So pray during this time dear children. Only through prayer can you receive the strength of commitment that you need. I am here to help you my children .  

Today Our Lady asks for our commitment so that her plans in Medjugorje will succeed. In prayer today, let us ask Christ and the Blessed Mother to strengthen our commitment in following them with enthusiasm and courage.

1. Medjugorje Today

2. Medjugorje Day by Day 

Lonely Writer’s Song

 God has always shared His grace to me through others, and this morning was one of those times of sharing.

 As I finished my daily scripture  readings, I came across this heartfelt poem from a young Catholic mother. The words she wrote reminded me that the Lord alone is my comfort and my rock. He is all I will ever need.

 

Love and Be Loved ~ A Daily Practice

 

Posted on July 28, 2013 by amysecrist

    

“When my spirit is failing within me,
still, Lord, you know my paths.” ~ Psalm 142:4

The middle of the day
is dead of night to me,
the evening even more;

But Lord, you know my heart,
my mind, my soul; you are near me
upon this desolate shore.

When everything is darkness,
when everyone has fled
and I am left alone,

You, Lord, are my comfort,
the rock
upon which I build my home.

And though you seem to hide,
to forget,
to care not where I go,

Each morning I awake,
I remember,
it is you whom I should love more.

For it is you who brings the morning,
brings the sun
and wakes my soul,

You who lifts my spirit,
calms my mind,
and makes me whole.

 

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.

This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.

He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.

According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.

A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”

Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.

The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf

Pope to Consecrate World to IHM in October

Posted on August 15, 2013 by SBrinkmann

Pope Francis is planning to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13 while kneeling before the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from Fatima which will be flown to Rome for the event.

According to the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal, the statue of Our Lady which is currently housed in the Little Chapel of Apparitions will be brought to Rome on October 12-13 to be present for the Marian Day celebrations. The actual consecration will take place on October 13.
In a letter addressed to Bishop Antonio Marto, of Leiria-Fatima, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, wrote: “The Holy Father strongly desires that the Marian Day may have present, as a special sign, one of the most significant Marian icons for Christians throughout the world and, for that reason, we thought of the beloved original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima”.
This will not be the first time the world was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first consecration took place on October 31, 1942, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart.
He followed this consecration 10 years later with another, only this time he specifically consecrated the Russian people to the Immaculate Heart in keeping with a request made by Our Lady during the apparitions of July 13, 1917. Pope Paul VI renewed this consecration in 1964.
According to correspondence by Sr. Lucia, one of the three children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima, these consecrations did not yet fulfill Our Lady’s request; and so, in 1982, Pope John Paul II invited all the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart. However, because so many bishops did not receive the invitation in time for the consecration, Sr. Lucia said that Our Lady’s request still had not been fulfilled.
A year later, in October of 1983, Pope John Paul II tried again, this time at the Synod of Bishops. He followed this with another consecration in March, 1984, in which he was “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond”. Both the pope and Sr. Lucia were uncertain that the conditions had been met, but in 1989, Sr. Lucia confirmed that it had been accomplished and that “God will keep His word.”
Three months later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Within a month, peaceful revolutions took place in Soviet satellite states such as Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1990, East and West Germany were unified. On Christmas Day, 1991, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic was dissolved.
The Marian Day celebration in Rome, which will take place Oct. 12-13, will include a recitation of the Rosary with those gathered in Marian shrines throughout the world; a prayer vigil; Marian catechesis; and Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

- See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=23520#sthash.YAQZDAH6.dpuf