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THE VISIONS OF THE CHILDREN: MESSAGES FROM MEDJUGORJE

by Wayne Peterson
The daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother (Mary) at Medjugorje, Bosnia, have now passed their 11th anniversary. Six children in the village first saw the apparition in 1981. Since then, millions of people have visited this small village to experience what many say is a profound peace and even personal miracles.

In VISIONS OF THE CHILDREN, a new book on these apparitions, Janice Connell focuses on the most important messages from the Blessed Mother. Connell, a prominent US attorney, first travelled to Medjugorje in 1987. She experienced for herself the miracle of healing, and witnessed the miracle of light surrounding a concrete cross. During the same visit, Connell was unexpectedly pulled from a crowd of tourists to meet with the visionaries during the daily apparition. Since then, she has met many times with the six young people.

In addition to her work as an author, Connell is a prolific and dynamic lecturer who has spoken across the US and abroad. Sharing the messages of Medjugorje with the world has become her most consuming task. Unlike many other works on this topic, VISIONS OF THE CHILDREN includes original interviews with the six visionaries. The words of these young people reveal a fascinating mix of traditional Catholic theology and esoteric teachings.

Although recent apparitions of the Blessed Mother are claimed by many in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe, only the six visionaries from Medjugorje have continued to see apparitions and receive messages daily over a period of 11 years. Many of the messages from the Blessed Mother are for the world, and the visionaries often have opportunities to ask her questions during the apparition. Reading the questions of Janice Connell and the responses of the visionaries, one immediately becomes aware that these messages touch on familiar themes.

The visionaries, for example, talk about awareness, fear, illusion, attachment and service. On attachment, visionary Vicka was asked to explain a pure heart. She said: A heart not attached to things. As for service, Christians usually refer to humanity as servants of God. However, Vicka says, referring to God, He serves us, and uses the phrase: God as our servant. She goes on to say: To whomever has been given much, very much will be required. The Blessed Mother is sad because often God's children won't serve each other as He serves us.

The main focus of the messages, however, is the Blessed Mother's call for the world to convert, pray and fast. Although these are ordinary terms used by Christians, the visionaries give them deeper meanings.

Conversion

When asked for a meaning of the word conversion, one visionary said: Conversion is awareness that we live before God day and night. The visionaries tell us that God is very close to us, within us, and that awareness of this fact brings conversion. Vicka, one of the visionaries, says: Those who live in love live in God and God lives in them. Visionary Marija says: Each person created by God has access to God in the silence of his heart. The conversations between Mrs Connell and the visionaries make it clear again and again that God and man are not separate but one.

Prayer

In addition to conversion, prayer is a major topic during the apparitions of the Blessed Mother. It is important to know that the messages call everyone to pray with their hearts. The messages suggest this is a learning process. The visionaries insist that we can change the world when we know how to use correct prayer. Group prayer is suggested. Visionary Marija says: The first condition for any effective prayer group is to put away all fear from your heart for ever. Marija suggests that we will never fear for anything if we are at one with God.

Fasting

Visionary Ivanka says: A person who does not fast does not know God. She continues by saying the Blessed Mother says we must fast with our eyes, our tongue, our hands, feet and ears. If we love God we will fast from people, places and things, says Ivanka. These experiences free us from attachments that are transitory. The Blessed Mother told her that fasting must be done with love or it has no value.

Another subject of interest to many following the story of Medjugorje is the visionaries message that signs will precede an expected great sign. The visionaries hold 10 secrets about these signs or events which are expected to take place in their lifetime. Visionary Marija says: There are signs in many places in the world now. Many people see luminary signs. Many experience personal healings, both physical and spiritual, and also psychological. Many have private signs. The great sign referred to by the visionaries is the permanent sign that will be placed at Medjugorje when the apparitions are completed. Visionary Jacov says: It will be something that has never been on the earth before.

Each of the 10 secrets will be released to the world 10 days before the actual event or events which it describes. Although almost nothing is known of these secrets kept by the visionaries, visionary Mirjana has said that the power of Satan will be broken after the first secret is realized. When Marija was asked if these secrets and events are related to the biblical Second Coming of Christ, she answered, I never speak of the Second Coming of Christ. Christ is alive. He is risen. He is among us.

Many have asked the visionaries if the secrets are great catastrophes. Visionary Marjana said: God is peace. God is love. The messages of the Blessed Mother here are messages of peace so that all her children of the earth may experience God's love. It is intriguing that the visionaries say these will be the last apparitions on earth of the Blessed Mother, since she will no longer be required after the great sign and the 10 secrets are revealed.

Although this book will appeal mostly to those in the Christian world, the visionaries make it clear that all religions are dear to her and her son. Many non-Christians, in fact, are attracted to Medjugorje. Visionary Vicka said: Medjugorje is a condition of the heart. Medjugorje is also a message of hope for those who have lost their belief in God or those who never felt the presence of God in themselves or their daily lives. These visionaries tell us again and again that God is within us and we can be aware of that presence if we wish. They tell us that the Christ, our Brother, as the visionaries call Him, has never left humanity and is always serving humanity.

Since these apparitions began, people have wondered why these six visionaries were selected to receive messages from the Blessed Mother. Even the visionaries themselves, after 11 years of visions, admit to their continued failure to perfect their devotion and prayer to God, just as most humans fail at times to meet their own expectations. The visionaries speak of their unworthiness to receive such important messages. It is well-documented that their educational backgrounds are mostly very limited and several come from homes with serious problems. Nevertheless, these six visionaries learned that perfection is not necessary to receive visions and speak directly with the Blessed Mother, nor necessary for conversion (knowing that God is within). They know this is true no matter how unworthy they feel themselves to be. Thus, these common and humble visionaries actively live and express the message that all humanity is one with God. Man has free will to recognize this fact and become aware if he wishes.

THE VISIONS OF THE CHILDREN, by Janice Connell, published by St Martin's Press is now available in book stores.

(SHARE INTERNATIONAL, October 1992)

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