Hi all, Does anybody have any opinions on "A friend of Medjugorje"? Who is this person? I've listened to a couple of episodes of WAVE Radio and find it interesting and I know he presents the show. Also, a lot of the free Medjugorje books available online seems to be written by him. Who is he? Is he affiliated to Medjugorje?
Yes, I have paid quite a bit of attention to this man and the community (Caritas) he leads in Alabama, USA. He and his community have promoted Medjugorje from way back. They are responsible for the widely distributed 'Words from Heaven' printed book of the complete messages from Medjugorje. Their website is at www.medjugorje.com They have been controversial within Medjugorje groups because of a very strong legal and moral campaign against their community, basically accusing them of being a cult which draws in innocent people and harms them in various ways. I followed all the controversy quite closely and believe their accusers have been in the wrong in all cases. The group has won every legal case brought against them. A very significant aspect of the controversy surrounding them is that the visionary, Marija, visits the community for a few days, generally each year. This has not stopped the critics, even Medjugorje promoters, denouncing the group. Interestingly, Terry Colafrancesco (who is the 'Friend of Medjugorje') speaks quite a lot about preparing oneself for the human problems that will occur in America in the near future. Consequently, those who are positive about John Martinez Jr who speaks about 'Refuges' on another thread should be interested in what he has to say. He has written a book about the matter called, 'The Fired the First Shot'. Personally, I am very cautious about this approach.
Yes it's true the have attracted a lot of controversy. I think a lot of it hinged on them being the first to promote money kind of silver ingots based on Marian Medals meant to help people in a total Economic collapse. I am often two sided about this. It seems prudent to prepare, but at the same time .. Money always gets me ears up. As Michael Brown says on , 'Spirit Daily' , 'For your discernment. ' As someone who has not got two cents to buy silver medallions I don't mind. Others do and did.
As this thread has been created, I thought it appropriate to mention a new article written by the 'Friend of Medjugorje' and published at: http://www.medjugorje.com/medjugorj...ensus-fidelium-the-sense-of-the-faithful.html The writing is effectively a forceful response to an event last October when all the bishops in America were sent a letter urging caution regarding the hosting of Medjugorje events. The letter was sent by the Papal Nuncio on behalf of the head of the CDF, Cardinal Mueller. Details at: http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/10112/rome-restricts-medjugorje-in-the-states/ The new article challenges those who believe in the apparitions to be faithful to Our Lady's requests in Medjugorje. I believe the article is sound and raises crucially important points regarding Medjugorje and its relationship with the Church. I have extracted here just 3 (non-consecutive) paragraphs from the article: Even in Medjugorje, during the 33rd anniversary celebration, from the pulpit, it was beginning to be said “the alleged” apparitions, “the reported” apparitions. Do they believe or do they not believe? If one does not believe or is not sure, then say “alleged” or “reported,” but to profess belief in Our Lady’s apparitions, you cannot then say “reported” or “alleged”. You become an apostate (one who abandons a religious belief) if you do. If it is justified as right for those who say such to satisfy those restricting/stymieing Medjugorje, yet who believe, then Marija, Ivan and the other visionaries must refer to their apparitions when speaking in Medjugorje and anywhere as “alleged or reported.” Of which would make them liars. So what of those of the pulpit saying “alleged” or “reported” if they believe? They contradict themselves, in hypocrisy. If they don’t believe and say “alleged,” what are they in Medjugorje for? Did the early Christians run around saying the “reported” Resurrection, the “alleged” Ascension, the “reported/alleged” descent of the Holy Spirit? Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.” This is selling out to save one’s status. If one reflects deeply, they would see through their blindness the selling of one’s soul. Father, forgive them for they know not what “damage” they do. We know there are numbers of people who go to Medjugorje and other Medjugorje events not being 100% sure if they believe in the apparitions, often accompanying a spouse, friend, parents, etc. What would they think hearing it said from the pulpit in Medjugorje, or at a Medjugorje event or gathering, the “alleged/reported” apparitions? Would it make them stronger or weaker in their belief? You will never convict, or be Our Lady’s apostle, if you are not courageous as Our Lady defined Herself, today (July 2, 2014), and say what you believe, rather than give a politically correct statement to stay out of trouble. Woe to those ministers of God who stand in Our Lady’s way of Her children hearing Her call. Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima are giving way to the fulfillment of all Marian apparitions— Medjugorje—the last—because after Medjugorje the Virgin Mary’s apparitions will be in completeness and there will no longer be a need for apparitions where visionaries can see Her, talk to Her, and touch Her. This is the climax of all Marian apparitions in the history of the world and many alive will miss it, sadly, because mortals have mandated that men, Her children, be isolated from Her. Woe to the shepherds not having enough love to recognize and grasp, in this present moment, a “seize the moment” that will break the chains of satan upon the world by giving freedom to that which Heaven is bestowing upon the world. To ignore Our Lady, to be apathetic to Her messages, is dangerous to your future. Not recognizing what gift God is giving, by not accepting Our Lady’s messages, is to make one’s self not to be accepted, for Our Lady comes in the name of God. Our Lady says: “…Do not reject from yourself the name of God, that you may not be rejected. Accept my messages that you may be accepted…” March 18, 1996 Medjugorje is where Medjugorje is supposed to be; neither approved, nor disapproved. This is God’s will. A verdict either way will be harmful to Heaven’s plans through Medjugorje being fulfilled. God uses the adversity between these two directions, approved/not approved, to keep Medjugorje in the middle. FREE. Our Lady is to be unencumbered in all Her actions to call the entire world to conversion. And lastly, She is to have the freedom to release the three secrets. This prophetic evidence will prove the apparitions, which, at that time of unfolding, approval will not be necessary as the whole world will be confronted, causing a great division and separation between those who love God and those who will reject Him. Our Lady has come to bring about a decisive decision within each man; a decision to either believe in or reject Our Lady, Her call and He who sent Her.
davidtlig, If it was a Franciscan who used the term "alleged", and was under orders by his superior to do so, then that Franciscan was not apostate, but obedient. One might consider such a order to be unwise, but if such an order were given it wouldn't be an occasion of sin to obey it. So I think the Friend of Medjugorje was hasty in his conclusion of probable apostasy. One should also disagree with the stated definition of apostasy: the abandoning of religious belief. Apostasy is more precisely understood as the rejection of one's professed faith or articles of said faith. Belief in a private revelation does not fall into this category. I would suggest that a better word would be duplicity or hypocrisy. I believe one best avoid exaggerating any harm done in order to ellicit a more favorable response to one's position. Was that the case here? Perhaps. Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I think a better word might be prudence. For those inclined to question the validity of these alleged apparitions, this kind of over the top rhetoric just provides more evidence. I do not trust this "Friend of Medj" author or his "apostolate."
Well of course those who find themselves doubting the authenticity of Medjugorje will not get anything out of this writer. He is firmly addressing those who believe and is offering guidance on what he sees as the future relationship with the Church authorities. Mr Colafrancesco (the 'Friend of M') has now written a follow up piece to the one I mention above which I also find very interesting. It can be read at: http://www.medjugorje.com/medjugorje-today/headlines/10023-7-33-40.html Interestingly, he sees Our Lady continuing to appear in Medjugorje for another seven years. Here's an extract: We are to be aware that the 33rd year anniversary parallels the 33rd year of Christ, His birth to His death—the life span. Many people years ago thought Our Lady would quit appearing at the 10th anniversary. After we went through that, a passage of time went by and as the 33rd anniversary approached, some began to say Our Lady was going to stop appearing on the 33rd anniversary. I never saw that, I never believed that, and indeed Our Lady has not done that. I always felt for a long, long time that we’re going through 40 years. “Dear children, the Most High is giving me the grace that I can still be with you…” (July 25, 2014). The fact that Our Lady says “still be with you” is very significant because Christ died and He wasn’t with us in His flesh, as the Man-God any longer. And so Our Lady is saying I’m still with you. Our Lady is going to appear daily for 40 years.
Crippled young man cured in Medjugorje By Jakob Marschner on Jul 15, 2014 For three years, Andrea de Luca was suffering from perthes, confined to a wheelchair as his femoral head and hip were flaking. During Mass in Medjugorje, he felt a strong heat, and upon his return he heard a voice tell him to walk. Medical experts confirm a healing they cannot explain. Andrea de Luca in Medjugorje this Spring Unbearable pain and a paralyzed life in a wheelchair are among the consequences of perthes, a rare disease that leads the femoral head and hip to flake. 21 years old Andrea de Luca from Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, lived this condition for three years until he was cured in Medjugorje. The doctors who were treating him, Dr. Anastasio Tricarico, a professor of orthopedics and traumatology at the University of Naples, and Dr. Pasquale Guida, an expert of orthopedics from Naples, testify to Andrea de Luca’s inexplicable healing. In Italian author/journalist Paolo Brosio’s new book, “Ray of Light”, they further present before and after x-rays showing the restoration of bones that had been broken and missing. Andrea’s healing began with a garden statue of the Virgin Mary lighting up “One day, a young man greeted me: ‘Hello professor” while he was riding a bicycle. I could not believe it was Andrea, whose disease I had followed for three years” Dr. Pasquale Guida told the Italian tv station RAI. In September 2009 Andrea de Luca and his parents went to Medjugorje. It was the last hope they had for a cure. The first sign came one evening as he had gone into the garden of the place they were living. “I could not sleep. I went out into the yard, made the Sign of the Cross, and began to pray. Then the head of Our Lady’s statue before me lit up. Although it was a beautiful light, one you cannot describe, I got scared and went back inside. I invited my parents to come and see. When they arrived, two beams came out of the statue, one from the heart, the other from the leg” Andrea de Luca tells the Croatian daily 24 sata. “Then one day, a nun told me: ‘Talk to Jesus. Talk. Tell Him to take away your disease.” The following day I went to Mass and prayed for the first time myself. I felt a heat in my entire back” says De Luca, 16 years old by the time. Because of fear, he would not put his crutches away. That he only did when he returned to Italy. Andrea de Luca “When we returned home, I waited with my crutches in order to get out of the bus. Then three times I heard a voice in my heart saying, ‘You are my apostle. Walk and wear my light’. From that momen ceased the very big pain that I had felt for three years” says Andrea de Luca. He was silent in public for almost five years before he started telling what had happened to him. “I did not want to talk about it then. I was a child. Now I am an adult, and the doctors have confirmed that a miracle happened in my case” he says.
From what I have read he has been encouraging & teaching people how to form new communities in preparation for the coming collapse.
From the theological point of view such a statement from Madonna would be very problematic. Revelation from God is complete with the teaching of Jesus and the New Testament.. Very problematic messages, almost threatening "Accept my messages that you may be accepted…" With this statement the lady intends the new divine revelation.
The full context of the message is outlined below. There is no new divine revelation in this. March 18, 1996 "Dear children! On this message, which I give you today through my servant, I desire for you to reflect a long time. My children, great is the love of God. Do not close your eyes, do not close your ears while I repeat to you: Great is His love! Hear my call and my supplication which I direct to you. Consecrate your heart and make in it the home of the Lord. May He dwell in it forever. My eyes and my heart will be here, even when I will no longer appear. Act in everything as I ask you and lead you to the Lord. Do not reject from yourself the name of God, that you may not be rejected. Accept my messages that you may be accepted. Decide, my children, it is the time of decision. Be of just and innocent heart, that I may lead you to your Father, for this, that I am here, is His great love. Thank you for being here!" No different from Fatima where our Lady not only asked us to accept her messages but obey them for the salvation of souls! After showing the children a vision of hell, Our Lady said to them: "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish throughout the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If people do as I shall ask many souls will be saved, and there will be peace.
Torrentum, I do have an opinion on "a friend of Medjugorje". In short, I am not inclined to trust him. There seems to be a spirit of control over much of what he says and writes. I would take him with a pinch of salt. I spoke to Fr Svet (formerly of st James, Medjugorje) about him and his pamphlets and books. I was very concerned in particular about one called "I see far" and Fr Svet whom I would trust with my life, said that the Caritas intiatives ( books, pamphlets, talks and teachings) were not authorised by the Church in Medjugorje and he would not recommend them. Sometimes I do pick up his books and re-read parts but the commentaries get in the way of any prophetic truth. He is, to my mind, trying to control the messages to suit his agenda.
If it's about the message of 1000 pages, each sentence has weight. Please read this: http://www.cbismo.com/index.php?menuID=98
Thanks Bella. In not sure what to make of him. What exactly do you mean when you say "suit his agenda"? The reason I began this thread was to see what people thought of him. What raised in me was his constant promotion of the man who sells silver, at the end is every show. Though a lot of what he says seems to make sense. So, hence my confusion.
Hi Torrentum. I think his agenda is to control people. What happens is the messages become subverted to cause fear. You often find it with religious leaders.
"Fr Svet...said that the Caritas initiatives (books, etc.)...were not authorised by the Church in Medjugorje." What! Why any group of people even needed to be authorised by the Church in Medjugorje? Don't get it. Strange statement. A Friend of Medjugorje group has nothing to offer me.
What "Gospa" is supposed to said in Medjugorje can not be compared with Fatima messages. There is BIG differences. In Fatima our Lady never asked anybody to accept Her messages. No threatens, no implies that something bad and terrible would happen if people don't believe or accept Her messages. She always spoke politely, well-mannered and gently. As you quoted above "If people do as..." She didn't say "you must", "do" or any similar. She just said If... then something and If not.... then something. And then "God wishes to establish". Not, that She herself wants to establish. On December 10th 1925 when Virgin Mary and Child Jesus appeared to Lucy, the first one who spoke was the Child Jesus who said: "Have compassion on the Heart of your most holy Mother, covered with thorns etc." Then the Virgin said: "Look my daughter at my Heart, surrounded with thorns [explaining the cause of the thorns]. You at least try to console me..." Then adding the first 5 Saturday devotion. The language and the way Our Mother expresses herself in Fatima and in Lourdes is different from the way "Gospa" is speaking. Please, read the book Fatima in Lucia's own words and books about St Bernadette. "Gospa" does not sound like Our Mother. Hmn.
