Our Lady of Medjugorje has appeared to six visionaries since 1981, telling us God exists, and that we need to return to a life of prayer. She has told them these will be her last apparitions on Earth.

This blog is here to help you live a the full, holy, and enriching life Our Lady says God wants us to live, by providing you with reviews of books related to the apparitions and messages.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

5 Reasons to read Medjugorje: What's Happening? by James Mulligan

Well, it's been a long hiatus in writing a review of a Medjugorje-themed book. It's great to be back and spreading the Gospel, through recommendations of resources about the reported apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje.

I hope, in the meantime, you've been taking to heart Our Lady of Medjugorje's monthly messages. If you would like to receive the messages in a vivid email format, you can join my mailing list, in the right column of this blog.

Today's post is about a book I just finished reading this week: Medjugorje: What's Happening?, by Fr. James Mulligan. Below are 5 reasons I think you'll enjoy this book.





1. Offers the most complete history of Medjugorje I've found. If you're someone who knows generally about Medjugorje, but has questions about it, such as "Where does the Vatican stand? What did Pope John Paul II and what does Pope Benedict XVI think about these supposed apparitions? Why did God choose this little village to appear? What does Mary look like, when she appears to the visionaries?", all of these questions and many more are answered in this book. The book actually starts with a thorough and early history of the region around Medjugorje - putting into perspective how the region came to have a strong Christian faith - and going right up into 2011, with the latest occurrences. I have not seen such a complete encapsulation of everything Medjugorje in any other resource.

2. Addresses the good, the bad, and the ugly. Medjugorje is not without its share of controversy, including the fact that its local bishop does not approve of the apparitions and there have been many outspoken against them. This book thoroughly addresses the main opponents of Medjugorje and lends their perspective. I think this is important, because it's healthy to be skeptical about reported apparitions and most accounts of Medjugorje avoid the questions of why should we believe and perhaps push too hard to get the reader to believe without asking questions. Fr. Mulligan doesn't shy away from those questions, or at least why others are asking them.

3. Put in perspective of other Marian apparitions. You might believe in Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe, and other Marian apparitions. Fr. Mulligan takes us through the main components of those previously-approved apparitions and how Medjugorje compares.

4. Good interviews with the visionaries. I think, like anyone interested in the reported Medjugorje apparitions, you have questions you would love to ask the visionaries. Fr. Mulligan interviewed each of them individually but presents different sets of questions for each visionary (instead of presenting the same questions asked to each). I found this a really nice way to learn a lot about Our Lady of Medjugorje and why she is reportedly giving messages from Heaven.

5. The best pictures I've seen in any Medjugorje book. Having one of the most-recent Medjugorje publications means Fr. Mulligan has the advantage of the latest photographic and printing technology, and he packed this book chock-full of great photos (you'll see old, grainy photos, from when the apparitions reportedly began, in the '80s, too, but also plenty of new ones). I've visisted Medjugorje and the photos really took me back there, in spirit. For those who haven't visited, you'll see everything from the apparition sites to the main Medjugorje "players" to all of the beautiful Medjugorje artwork, villagers, and so much more. This book is as much a photographic journal as it is a written one. You can actually see some of these photos and read a few pages at Amazon.com (click here and then click the book cover, when you arrive at Amazon).


Happy reading and mir ("peace", in Croatian)

Image credit: http://bit.ly/XMzDtz


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Our Lady of Medjugorje's Latest Message - December 2nd, 2012



"Dear children, with motherly love and motherly patience anew I call you to live according to my Son, to spread His peace and His love, so that, as my apostles, you may accept God's truth with all your heart and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you. Then you will be able to faithfully serve my Son, and show His love to others with your life. According to the love of my Son and my love, as a mother, I strive to bring all of my strayed children into my motherly embrace and to show them the way of faith. My children, help me in my motherly battle and pray with me that sinners may become aware of their sins and repent sincerely. Pray also for those whom my Son has chosen and consecrated in His name. Thank you."


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The preceding is a message reportedly given by Our Lady of Medjugorje to Medjugorje visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo. 

Mirjana allegedly receives messages from Mary, the mother of Jesus, on the 2nd of each month, as well as during special occasions, including her birthday. She says she has been asked by Mary to pray for "unbelievers", whom she says are those who have not yet come to know God's love.

Mirjana has shared she has received 10 secrets from Our Lady, and that she will play a role in their unfolding.  Learn more about Mirjana.







Image credit: http://bit.ly/TMYSK8