Are the Medjugorje Apparitions Authentic?
Introduction
The reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bosnia-Herzegovina (former Yugoslavia) have attracted the attention of the world and approximately 30 million pilgrims. Since June 24, 1981, six children began to report daily visits from the “Queen of Peace” and several of the “visionaries” continue to report receiving a daily apparition from the Mother of Jesus over 25 years later.
Is Medjugorje real? Are these authentic apparitions of the Virgin Mary? What is the official position of the Catholic Church about their authenticity? Could these simply be the fraudulent deception of hysteric children (now adults) for reasons of attention and personal gain?
These and other questions concerning…
Read more...
The reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bosnia-Herzegovina (former Yugoslavia) have attracted the attention of the world and approximately 30 million pilgrims. Since June 24, 1981, six children began to report daily visits from the “Queen of Peace” and several of the “visionaries” continue to report receiving a daily apparition from the Mother of Jesus over 25 years later.
Is Medjugorje real? Are these authentic apparitions of the Virgin Mary? What is the official position of the Catholic Church about their authenticity? Could these simply be the fraudulent deception of hysteric children (now adults) for reasons of attention and personal gain?
These and other questions concerning…
Introduction to Medjugorje
What is presently the official Church position concerning the Marian
apparitions at Medjugorje? Our minds and hearts must always be in
obedience to the final and definitive judgment provided by the Holy See
and proper ecclesiastical authority in union with the Holy See.
On April 10, 1991, the Bishops’ Conference of the former Yugoslavia issued a declaration entitled, “Declaration of the Ex-Yugoslavia Bishops’ Conference on Medjugorje.” While the declaration is inconclusive, stating that at this point of the investigation “it cannot be affirmed that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations,” it then goes on to state that “the faithful journeying to Medjugorje, prompted both by motives of belief and other motives, require attention and pastoral care” by the Bishop of Mostar and his brother bishops while the investigation continues.
This declaration makes clear that the Medjugorje apparitions are at present neither formally approved (constat de supernaturalitate) nor formally condemned…
Read more...
On April 10, 1991, the Bishops’ Conference of the former Yugoslavia issued a declaration entitled, “Declaration of the Ex-Yugoslavia Bishops’ Conference on Medjugorje.” While the declaration is inconclusive, stating that at this point of the investigation “it cannot be affirmed that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations,” it then goes on to state that “the faithful journeying to Medjugorje, prompted both by motives of belief and other motives, require attention and pastoral care” by the Bishop of Mostar and his brother bishops while the investigation continues.
This declaration makes clear that the Medjugorje apparitions are at present neither formally approved (constat de supernaturalitate) nor formally condemned…
John Paul II Believed in Medjugorje
Pope John Paul II many times expressed his faith in Medjugorje. The
late Cardinal Tomasek had made public the Holy Father’s remark in his
presence, “If he were not Pope he would like to go to Medjugorje to help
at the work with the pilgrims.” The Holy Father had invited numerous
priests and bishops to go there. He had received several of the
Medjugorje visionaries, (1) among them Mirjana Dragicevic. Upon visiting
Rome in 1987 he spoke for 20 minutes with her in private. The visionary
states that she will reveal nothing about this conversation for the
time being, apart from these words of the Holy Father: “If I were not
the Pope, I would be in Medjugorje already.” (In March, 2004, she
received an invitation from Pope John Paul II to come to the Vatican to
meet with him again. His…
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Heart of the Message of Medjugorje
Peace through faith, prayer, fasting, penance, and conversions
summarize the heart of the Madonna’s messages according to the
visionaries. These six foundational themes are the basis of the message
of Medjugorje upon which other important elements, such as the rosary
and daily Mass are developed.
We will take up each theme by examining individual messages given by the visionaries and then look at how that same theme appears in the Gospels. The similarity between the message of Medjugorje as it appears in these themes and the identical themes found in the Gospels affirms the sound Christian doctrine contained in the reported Marian message.
“Believe Firmly”
The message of Medjugorje indicates both a general summons to a more committed faith in God and to a specific belief in the apparitions themselves.
The call to faith has been central and crucial to the message of Medjugorje since the beginning of the apparitions….
Read more...We will take up each theme by examining individual messages given by the visionaries and then look at how that same theme appears in the Gospels. The similarity between the message of Medjugorje as it appears in these themes and the identical themes found in the Gospels affirms the sound Christian doctrine contained in the reported Marian message.
“Believe Firmly”
The message of Medjugorje indicates both a general summons to a more committed faith in God and to a specific belief in the apparitions themselves.
The call to faith has been central and crucial to the message of Medjugorje since the beginning of the apparitions….
Dr. Mark Miravalle Answers Tough Questions
The following interview was conducted and published by ministryvalues.com. – Asst. Ed.
Last week, Ministryvalues.com was lucky enough to catch Dr. Mark Miravalle between radio broadcasts, and he was kind enough to give us some of his very valuable time to ask him some questions – tough questions, it turns out for many – questions that seem to consistently cause a stir in many circles of a very large family called the Catholic Church.
Today it seems the subject of a Fifth Marian Dogma and the events taking place at Medjugorje, certainly when it comes to debating the issues, can split even the most well meaning Catholics into a veritable Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s family feud. The Fifth Dogma seeks to establish the Blessed Mother as Co-redemptrix and the Mother of all graces. The concept of Co-redemptrix refers to an indirect or unequal but important participation by the Blessed Virgin…
Read more...Last week, Ministryvalues.com was lucky enough to catch Dr. Mark Miravalle between radio broadcasts, and he was kind enough to give us some of his very valuable time to ask him some questions – tough questions, it turns out for many – questions that seem to consistently cause a stir in many circles of a very large family called the Catholic Church.
Today it seems the subject of a Fifth Marian Dogma and the events taking place at Medjugorje, certainly when it comes to debating the issues, can split even the most well meaning Catholics into a veritable Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s family feud. The Fifth Dogma seeks to establish the Blessed Mother as Co-redemptrix and the Mother of all graces. The concept of Co-redemptrix refers to an indirect or unequal but important participation by the Blessed Virgin…
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