Same. I remember the many Sunday drives, and family picnics. The day always ended with a big Sunday dinner.
Yes. Sunday was truly family time. Early Mass ( the old fasting rules!) Big breakfast after. Then rides or visits and then a big Sunday meal.
Well I finally got to find out why I was called here while I was sitting outside last night. David, a young waiter at a nearby hotel chanced by with his wife and we got to talking. After mentioning to him that I was puzzled why I had been asked to come here. He thought about it and said that maybe it was not about me , that it was about other people. Then I recalled what our Lady had told me the last time I was here that I would never be back here again. She was right, I would never come back as a pilgrim, the next time I would come back would be as a victim. Then all the feelings of sadness, of uselessness, the tirednes the feelings of being stupid for coming,the temptations against the faith came together. I was brought here to suffer. David was right. It was never about me. It was always about others. If I had understood all this before I came there would have been no suffering, I would have shrugged it all off. It was the not knowing that made it so hard.
So as you can imagine I am one happy camper on this last day and woke up with a smile on my face. So it's 5:18 and up apparition mountain one last time, but this time maybe singing and very, very happy. I would have so hated all this to have been a waste of time.
Everything has purpose even if we can't comprehend it. There is a very heightened spiritual awareness in Medjugorje and it can be disconcerting. It's highs and lows.
Say hello to Our Lady from me and enjoy your last day. I'm sure your prayers and sacrifice have helped Our Lady's work. I don't know if I will be there again ever.
Yes we are, all of us fast running out of time. The days of International Travel for anyone but military draw to a close.
Thank you Padraig for sharing your journey with us. Please say a prayer to Our Lady for my oldest son… he is having a brain mri tomorrow…. Peace. Safe travels home.
I've been feeling that it's pretty much now or never for me to get out of the land of 117 degree summers (Arizona - that's Fahrenheit, like 47 degrees C). Hopefully by year's end.
I am heading down to 10am mass now doing 1 hour Adoration and then back up Apparition Hill so I will be keeping your son all the forum members prayer intentions in mind.
It's true, I am afraid we are reaching the end of our rope and if we are not moving it's a good time to get dug in. My guess would be that things were just about to kick off but we got bought a little more bonus time. But that's all it is, bonus time. It was no accident Joe Biden bombed last night. We have at most two years at the outside. I not trying to frighten anyone but it is always good to consider our options, to pray for Heavenly Counsel.
I remember feeling the same thing last time I went to Medjugorje. Why did I come again? I felt I had been brought there for a reason, but didn’t know why. Then I got home and immediately Covid began. I felt it was calling to prepare me spiritually for what would unfold. I also feel the same thing now and wonder if this year something big is on its way again. Perhaps, Padraig you will only know fully why you were brought there in the coming months. That’s how it works sometimes. But I do feel something is in the works very soon again. We shall see…
Fr Michelle Rodriguez has a big three hour podcast on utbe. I just don't believe in him myself , but in case anyone is interested. He has some very big hitters backing them With respect I don't think any one of them understands discernment in mystical theology. But.. whatever
This rings so true. Of course you couldn't know. You had to come to the edge so to speak. But Our Lady is never late. She is always right on time. This is very beautiful Padraig. Thank you for telling us.
I tried to listen. For a bit. But then I found Bishop Barron talking about the Holy Eucharist. It brought me to tears. So heart felt and so correct theologically. I had hoped I would fall asleep listening but it was so riveting it actually woke me up and I prayed a good while. I just can't go along with Fr Rodrigue but I pray God blesses him and protects him. He has been badly off on his prophecy about the popes. True prophets are always 100% accurate.
Revelation 16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. I am not sure how hot it is going to get, or where it will get hot, but it appears there will be times ahead where it will become a lot warmer.
I listened to most of the podcast. Skip the first 15 mins. It's introduction. At the end he deals with objections people have expressed. He was asked about the 2 Pope's prophecy. He pointed out prophecy is really a call to pray about situations. Prayer can change outcomes. Think of Nineva. He dealt well with all the questions raised. It's well worth watching. I have changed my mind on him.
I have a real "soft spot" for Father Michel. Can't help it. Having known and worked with many Quebecois a lifetime ago, to me he seemed sincere in what he was saying. Given the vast majority of the episcopate in Canada wants absolutely nothing to do with people like Father Michel, he was most likely left to his own devices for a very long time.....ie no real spiritual help. I didn't take the "big hitters" to be backing him so much as hearing him out, which imho, was a fair and charitable thing to do. He has support now from good laity, as should any good priest, and we can each take or leave what he says. The Canadian Bishops are full on with the "new ecumenism" thing from what I've seen. They appear to be willing to accept the blame for the ongoing residential school system, etc etc. Nothing they say or do at this point will help their credibility, imho, for many reasons. All that said, Archbishop Vigano has a statement out today. It very interesting reading. He appears to have laid many cards on the table, but is still holding back....
