New Feature... Medjugorje Messages

There will be a new feature on the right hand side of this page. It will be called Medjugorje Message. Medjugorje is a small village in the Balkan region of Bosnia-Hercegovina (Croatia) where many Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary has been appearing to six people since 1981.

At the time the apparitions began, the six people were children. Today they are in their 40's and continue to receive apparitions and messages. I have been to Medjugorje three times, the first time in 2001 before I joined the Capuchin Franciscans. I returned in the summer of 2002 and again in 2004. Medjugorje and the messages had a lot to do with my return to the faith and my vocation to religious life.

There are five key aspects stressed in the messages over the years:
1. Prayer (especially the Rosary and family prayer)
2. Holy Mass
3. Monthly Confession
4. Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
5. Reading Scripture daily

The Catholic Church has not yet recognized the authenticity of these apparitions, but allows Catholics to discuss them and make private pilgrimages to Medjugorje while the Church continues to study and investigate. This means that the apparitions are not approved by the Church as official, like Fatima and Lourdes.

I encourgae all of you to read these messages and reflect on how they apply to your lives. Remember, Mary is your mother and she loves you. Her words are meant to guide you to holiness.

Peace,
Br. Joseph

p.s. For more information on Medjugorje, visit http://www.medjugorje.org/medpage.htm