Some Catholic prophecies indicate that during the tribulation times, Christians will be persecuted and will have to go into hiding, living in community in places of refuge. The community of consecrated lay people at Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario, Canada (www.madonnahouse.org) is a perfect example of Christian community life. Mark Mallett wrote about Christian communities in his blog, The Coming Refuges and Solitudes. At the same time, he warns of parallel communities “based on a new religious idealism, built on the footings of moral relativism and structured by New Age and Gnostic philosophies. AND these communities would also have food and the means for comfortable survival. The temptation for Christians to cross-over will be so great that we will see families split, fathers turned against sons, daughters against mothers, families against families (cf. Mark 13:12). Many will be deceived because the new communities will contain many of the ideals of Christian community (cf. Acts 2:44-45), and yet, they will be empty, godless structures, shining in a false light, held together by fear more than by love, and fortified with easy access to the necessities of life. People will be seduced by the ideal—but swallowed by the falsehood. [Such will be the tactic of Satan, to mirror true Christian communities, and in this sense, create an anti-church].” http://www.markmallett.com/blog/2011/03/the-coming-refuges-and-solitudes/
Angelie, I re-read Mark Mallett's blog on refuges after your post. It is interesting that Mark foresees people people joining them after the Warning/Illumination of Conscience (of course the the Holy Spirit has been guiding some in secret to lay the ground work for these refuges). Consecration to Jesus through Mary (in union with St Joseph to complete the Holy Family) seems to be a key component in Heaven's plan as well as revealed at Fatima. http://www.familyland.org/content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=599
You're right, Daniel, about the Holy Family being the perfect model of families. And the Immaculate Heart of Mary is our secure refuge in these times. Has anybody watched the movie Hardwired (Cuba Gooding and Val Kilmer)? Although it's science fiction, its premise is plausible. The implanted microchip (the mark of the beast in Revelation) could be not only an ID, tracking/monitoring device, advertising tool, etc. but also a means of mind control.
