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Medjugorje, April 7, 2020
Dear Friends, may God's peace be always with you!
A few words to keep you up to date on what's going on in Medjugorje, in case you're tempted to forget us!
Rest assured that we have not forgotten you; far from it, our hearts are constantly bound to yours, firstly through prayer and supplication, and also through our concern that you may be comforted and fed with our humble videos, which may not be the most professional, but are made with so much love. May they plant some seeds of hope in your hearts, and remind you in the midst of this tragedy attacking the whole world that Our divine Shepherd is still alive and is standing beside us! Yes, he is all love, and he keeps every one of you as the apple of his eye. This ordeal has brought many people closer to Him and to His Mother, Our Blessed Mother. This friendship, whether rekindled or newly discovered, has become a true beacon in the storm!
Keep this lighthouse in sight! We are faced with the disconcerting, but beneficial evidence that valid and lasting help does not come to us "from the world" and earthly securities, but from the Living God! He knows and will always know how to draw good from evil, even if our enemy is presently acting out in such a violent way. We, however, want to choose a different kind of violence to defeat the enemy, namely the kind of weapons Jesus uses to establish His Kingdom and of which He sets an example for us. Did He not overcome death with meekness and humility? Did He not overcome death through mercy lived out to the extreme, by sacrificing His life for our eternal salvation?
The village remains empty and silent, but a secret life is continuing inside the homes, ready to reappear at the first announcement of our newfound freedom. In these moments of suffering and uncertainty, prayer becomes more intense, as does serving our brothers and sisters in Christ!
As for our Franciscan brothers, thanks be to God they are fine. Even Father Ante, who was infected with Coronavirus and ended up in Mostar hospital, is doing better. The others have not yet finished their self-isolation, and it seems that none of them are showing any symptoms of Coronavirus so far. The Franciscan Sisters are also doing well, except for one of them who was infected, namely the Sister who was taking care of the laundry for the priests, so let us pray for her! In Miletina (one of the 6 hamlets of Medjugorje), on the other hand, the virus has hit hard in the retirement home of the Sisters, and several have been hospitalized in Mostar. Father Tomislav Pervan, their Chaplain, has come out of this well.
The members of my Community of the Beatitudes are all safe too, praise God! They bring us food from the market when needed.
Because of a number of complaints about elderly people being forbidden from going out at all in this area, the ban has been lifted for a few days, during the mornings at least, so I will enjoy that... Long live the Blue Cross and the walks along the narrow red paths in the plain! And of course, I will comply with the mandatory social distancing of 2 meters, if I happen to meet anyone.
The Bishop of Mostar has allowed some churches in his diocese to remain open, Masses are celebrated there, but with a maximum of 10 people. In one of them, there is a Mass every 30 minutes, with 10 people allowed!
The livestream of the Medjugorje evening Mass was joined on 4 April by 3,541,024 people, including 125,311 English speakers, and this number is growing with each passing day. It is beautiful to see how spiritual Holy Communions are increasingly well understood and practiced, despite us longing to partake in sacramental Holy Communion again!
Here are a few words from the Saints that will inspire you:
Saint Anthony Marie Claret: "I will have a chapel erected in my heart, and in it, day and night, I shall worship the Good Lord by giving Him spiritual worship".
Saint Leonardo da Porto Maurizio: "If you practice the holy exercise of spiritual communion several times a day, after a month you will see your heart completely changed."
Saint José Maria Escrivà : "What a source of grace is spiritual communion! If you practice it frequently, you will have more of God's presence and greater union with Him in your works."
Saint John Vianney: "A spiritual communion acts on the soul like a gust of wind on embers that are on the verge of dying out. Every time you see your love for God growing cold, quickly make a spiritual communion!"
St. John Paul II: "It is very profitable to cultivate in our minds the constant desire for the Holy Eucharistic Sacrament. That is where the practice of spiritual communion stems from."
Upon entering the Easter Triduum, know that we are more than ever together, all united around our Savior and His Mother, weeping with them, praying and giving thanks for the ineffable gift of salvation and eternal life obtained at such great cost.
"We remember your death, Lord Jesus, we proclaim your Resurrection and we await your coming in glory!"
With all my heart I say to you: Stay courageous, and be blessed in this Easter celebration of tears and glory!
Community of the Beatitudes
(Translated from French)
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