December 1993, Month of the Immaculate Conception - Orig.Italian Edit: Eco di Medj., C.P.149, 108 46100 Mantova, Italy. Yr.8#9 - All mail to: Echo of Medj., Cas. Post.27, 31030 Bessica (TV), Italy. Our Lady's message - 25 Nov. '93: Dear children, I invite you in this time The secret of fertility to prepare yourselves as never before for The law of spiritual fertility concerns all the coming of Jesus - that little Jesus Christians, who cannot remain in isolation. may reign in your hearts; for you will be To become the Mother of God (Mt12:50) happy only when Jesus is your friend. though, one needs Mary’s disposition - i.e. It will not be difficult for you to pray, a virgin heart like Hers: virginitate or offer sacrifices, or testify to the great- concepit; and in intimate communion of ness of Jesus in your lives, for in this time adoration before God, offer space to His He will give you strength and joy. I am creative omnipotence. The Lord says: close to you with my prayer and my "I want you to believe in my omni- intercession. I love you and I bless you potence, not in your doing, so you will try all. Thank you for having responded to putting Me into action, not yourself or my call. others. Look for my intimacy, fulfil my desire to have you, to enrich you, to love you the way I want. Let yourself be loved, Friendship with Jesus let me find rest in you, let me vent my brings happiness that helps us omnipotence on you continually. If you remain before Me and depend overcome every difficulty on My will, without worrying about doing things your way, racing to get things done Our Lady mentions this time twice in and say what you’ve done. you show Me Her message. Every time is a great you believe in my omnipotence, and I will opportunity of grace for us that we can’t work intensely on you when you speak, go, afford to lose. Like each year at Christmas, work, pray, sleep; for I give to my beloved when the apparition of the Child born for what they need even when they sleep. us, of the Son given to us, opens hearts to If you stay with Me without rushing, and the goodness and love that God has for men worrying about your needs, but totally (Tt 3:4). Our Blessed Mother says we need trusting in Me, I will give you all you need to prepare ourselves like never before, for Be like Mary, to generate Jesus according to my eternal plan. I will give the times are sad and being distracted by you the feelings that I want from you, great anxiety makes us insensible to heaven’s cally worthless; but for those who believe, it compassion for others, I will make you say gift. So we need more concentration, a is the greatest gift we could ever receive. and do what I want. Then your doing will return to prayer, fasting, participation in Indeed, what is man without Him? come from My love. I alone, not you with Holy Mass as much as possible, sincere In the second part, the message doesn’t all your activity, can generate new children confession that comes from true conversion, seem to promise easy times, but it does say that are born from Me. The more you want and reconciliation with all. if we are really His friends, we'll have no to be a true child, like my Only Begotten But perhaps She is saying now like difficulty in being His testimonies in this Son, the more children I can make, for you never before, because we need to receive a adverse world, even with great sacrifices, know that if you do my will you are my much greater grace, to be able to face much because He will give us the strength and brother, sister and mother: so as to generate more serious events, in which the Lord will joy. A special grace then to make us Me in others - for I shall give life to other come to purify the earth. Jesus must be our perseverant in prayer and in testifying to children by serving myself of true children. viaticum for the great battle. Jesus’ greatness before the nothingness of The effort you put into doing things is Mary does not promise a finish to wars, the world. He will make us witnesses of smoke compared to what I do in the secrecy disagreements, raging hate; but to those hope for those, who in this chaos, will lose of the hearts of those who love Me." who prepare themselves as never before, everything because they have lost God. She ensures an enormous help: little Jesus For all those who have responded to Her Those silvery rays! and His friendship. She doesn’t say that at call, She says: I am close to you, you can Christmas we’ll see Jesus reign in the always count on my presence. I pray and 2nd apparition to St Catherine Labouré in world, but that if we really want it, we’ll be intercede always for you all, so you may rue de Lubac, Paris (27.11.1930): Our Lady happy in discovering Him close to us open yourselves to my eternal gift of Jesus, was holding a small golden globe, repre- because He reigns in us as our friend. and Satan’s deceipt will disappear. Fr.A. senting the world in Her hands. As She held Jesus says his friends are those who it up lots of golden rings with precious listen to His word (Jn15). The word friend gemstones appeared on Her fingers. Light has an extraordinary power: it can move a Our Lady’s feasts in December shone from these all round. When the globe person to the very core. Jesus the friend is disappeared, She put Her arms down and Besides the feast of the Immaculate outwards; curtains of light shone out over not a distant God, but a God that is close to Conception (8 Dec.) we also celebrate: us and eternally faithful. To experience this the earthly globe beneath Her feet. Some of 10 Dec.: Translation of the House of these rays were golden, others were silvery. friendship is to experience how great and Nazareth to Loreto in 1294 - it doesn't St Catherine later explained that the golden powerful He is in us. matter whether by angels or a family named rays were the graces that Mary has already Then praying won’t be difficult, for we Angel. At first it was taken to Tersatto near showered upon us, and the silver ones were will joyfully make time to stay with a Fiume, then to a laurel wood near Ancona the graces that She holds in reserve for us. friend. For this Friend it will be easy to (hence the name Loreto). It is the Marian She will give them to us if we ask for them. offer sacrifices, to renounce, to overcome Shrine we cherish the most for in that Let us renew our "alliance" with our temptations, to flee from sin. Jesus with us house, the Word became Flesh. Mother: I am all yours Mary and all that I is a happiness that can’t be compared with 18 Dec: A week before Christmas many have is yours! And you, Mother, will give any other. Churches celebrate Mary’s Expected Child- me all that I, in my ignorance, have not This is heaven’s gift to us. To possess it birth. This feast has now been moved to the asked for, and which is much greater than we must give all we have, like we would for liturgy of the 4th week of Advent. anything I have so far asked for. a treasure or a precious pearl. For the world, Then there’s the Holy Birth of Jesus - This alliance, similar to the one God the Christmas gift of little Jesus is practi- undoubtedly His Mother's greatest feast. made with His people, is a perfect » pg.2 Refusal of absolute moral law Advent: for consecrated souls see God’s will. There’s a blindness (cf. Jn is mistrust in God’s wisdom, 9) that corresponds to lack of faith and this and leads man to self-destruction Oppose paganism of the heart is the greatest sin for a Christian. The mystery of Incarnation (Jesus with Pilate’s question: "What is truth?" reflects and live Eucharist us: the real discerning point for us all) the distressing perplexity of one who often as gift of self demands reverence, zeal, respect, and total no longer knows who he is, whence he adhesion to the Blessed Eucharist. The comes and where he is going. Hence we not The worst way to affront Advent is to be world needs authentic faith in the Divinity infrequently witness the fearful plunging of sluggish and not search for God’s will. This and Humanity of Christ Who is present. the human person into situations of gradual is called paganism of the heart, and comes Without a return to the Eucharist, paganism self-destruction. For some, it appears that from voluntarily refusing God, and replac- will advance in all senses - even if actions one no longer need acknowledge the ing Him with idols. We can’t wait for Lent not leading to God are justified inHis name. enduring absoluteness of any moral value. to purify ourselves. Destroying sin in us is Christ is present: a Christian knows that his All around us we encounter contempt for a task we must do always. A will for self- hope and his happiness, even in times of human life after conception and before purification is undoubtedly accompanied by sorrow, is founded on Christ. If every day birth; the ongoing violation of basic rights immense hope that the world will change, our hearts are full of hope it’s because of persons; unjust destruction of goods for only through personal change can a new Christ, alive and real, offers Himself for us minimally necessary for a human life. But humanity be born. If we Christians lose every day. The Eucharist is the live more serious still: man is no longer sight of this, we lose all. When you are presence of God in His perpetual offering convinced that only in the truth can he find rooted in God you also change and for man’s salvation. Indeed, Christ is: He salvation. The saving power of the truth is transform what is around you. Who offers Himself eternally to save us. contested, and freedom aloneis left to decide Conversion means being totally changed, Advent is also time for announcing the by itself what is good and what is evil. totally accepting God’s will. If a person Truth, with all our might. Christians often This relativism becomes, for theology, a says he is converted, but keeps his own suffer from an inferiority complex and lack of trust in the wisdom of God, who ideas, opinions and tastes, his conversion is don’t know how to announce. The first task guides man with the moral law. (...) It is no false! Too many cling on to their old and that comes from our consecration is to serve longer maintained that, when all is said and sinful habits for the sake of personal taste or and announce the Truth, which can’t be done, the law of God is always the one true sentimentalism. Like this faith can’t grow! substituted by just serving the poor, for this good of man." VS, #84 Faith can only grow where a free heart says is just humanism, not Christianity. an unconditional yes to a will that is not To be able to announce, invoke the Holy Pope ours, like in Gethsemane: that’s true faith! Spirit, so He can convince us that our spirit sign of contradiction Our God speaks, acts, intervenes; and is not a spirit of timidity, but of power (2 there is only one way of knowing if we Tm 1:7). We can’t hide the truth in the Sadly, in the western bloc countries it have faith in Him: if we accept His name of false humility. The truth has to be seems that every word, letter or document of manifested will, like for example in Fatima announced, always, in every way. Serving the Pope is object of bitter criticism, dispute or Medj. And justifications are a waste of the Eucharist is constantly bending one’s and refusal. St Paul’s words to Timothy are time, like saying it’s not necessary to be- knees, bending down to Christ alive and indeed true today: The time will come when lieve in apparitions in the Catholic Church. real because that way truth and hope can people will not be happy with sound No, you don’t have to believe, but it’s pride reach all corners of the earth. The real teaching ... and will be avid for teachers and stupidity that stop you from using gifts possibility of new heavens and a new earth according to their own tastes (2 Tm 4:3). of God. You can't believe in the dogma of is found in the authentic presence of the Our Lady, in Her apparitions in Slovenia, the Immaculate Conception and not believe mystery of the Incarnation. Everything said to the priests: Return to the founts of that the Immaculate is alive and active! must return to serving the Eucharist: our Christianity ... In the documents emitted by God’s will is manifested in many ways: actions, thoughts, pastoral work, our the Church under the guidance of the Holy God is always new and He moves us announcing and leading hearts to Christ. Spirit, can be found the foundations for the through signs that we have to accept. That The Sacraments are for making known spiritual revival of the Church... Many do isn’t easy because it means taking up some- the Eucharist, and it is in the Eucharist that not care about knowing what they say. They thing we hadn’t planned or even thought they find their full sense. are works of the Holy Spirit... Ignoring about and which often we can’t see clearly. Advent is time for conversion to the Most these documents of the Church is impeding St Paul says: If we already see it, how could Holy. Mary would say: Live the Eucharist a new breath of the Spirit, who desires we hope for it? A condition of a mature well. So: become part of the dynamics of reviving the Church and protecting Her faith is walking - always - behind the Holy Jesus Who offers Himself eternally. from the streams of evil and the dark forces Spirit, and His ways are not ours. Faith is Niki that assail Her. (Sept. ’93) not determined by us; that’s why old habits You cannot imagine what danger - with harden the heart. It’s like, in good faith, regards to doctrine and morals - the peoples having already planned everything; and so Pure chance ... who lived under Communist dominion are the Spirit does not dare to speak to you any or loving response? now exposed to; like how Satan tries to ruin further because you’ve already predeterm- their priests now that all of a sudden they ined it all. It surprised us that in Her last message are exposed to the western theories and Our "good" Christian way of living also (25.10) Mary spoke for the first time about deviations, that they had not known before. means having to learn to be turned upside- the war in ex-Yugoslavia. It was as if She Too many are "soaking" them up! down every day, for the Holy Spirit can were replying to that query put by one of This is what one young man said after always intervene. Following the Holy Spirit our readers in the previous issue of Echo: hearing the Sunday sermon: "The new is the first real, great prerogative of our «Why does Our Lady not talk about the Catechism and the Encyclical on morals faith. You see, Our Lady had not counted war, as if She weren’t interested in it?» (Ver. Splendor) are examples of abuse of on the announcement, but since She had not She not only talked about the war, She the power of the Church." I fear that many planned anything, She was able to let revealed its causes: You do not live, or think like him; but not all. Fortunately, some Herself be involved and taken by God. you live too little that which I tell you... I think differently: "It’s impressive how the From that moment on Her journey was done cannot help you if you do not live God’s new Encyclical of John Paul II confirms with difficulty of the heart: in going after Commandments and Holy Mass and if man’s dignity and vocation in God’s things She could see but not completely you don't reject sin. creative plan. Amid all the opposition, he understand, from Simeon’s prophecy to the It seems to confirm what we have been once again makes a point of explaining what finding of Jesus in the temple. saying for some time about the causes of man’s true freedom is; and in his good and It’s time every consecrated person was the horrific tragedy: Jerusalem, if you had loving manners, he makes us see the true spiritually freer, more energetic in their only understood on this day the message of meaning of moral values in the life of man spiritual lives, and knew how to transmit peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes and all society." (Mir 24.11.93) strength to those searching for something. ... truly: you did not recognize your Priests in particular should start risking their opportunity when God offered it! (Lk19) own lives a bit more, and forgive their We should not be surprised that Our pg1» consecration to Mary, so She may give brothers and thus give the Spirit the chance Lady replies to Her children who ask, and us what She wants, as long as we let ourselves to speak to them too. We’ve got to get out that She confirms their reasoning given by be used by Her the way She wants (as in St of those man-made schemes; otherwise the Spirit. She seems to say: Yes it is so, Louis de Montfort's way). faith dies, and without faith one is unable to just as my Son Jesus has said. SALVATION WILL COME Her life with Jesus was, and now She is with weight, because you were forced. Had you Him in the glory, and intercedes for all men. been a mature, redeemed Christian, you Her invitation to the faithful in Fatima was would have given yourself over to God Letter for Advent to the "victim souls" in this sense. The visionaries in Medj. out of love. Then you would be pleasing to and all those who wish to be one transmit the same message: «Offer your God, happy with yourself, and light for Peace to you sister, peace to you brother! lives for the salvation of the world. I am others. Give yourself over to God willingly. I am writing again, for I wish to travel with you and I thank you. In heaven you Present yourself to Him with love, with your with you towards salvation, with Mary, in will receive from the Father the reward cross over your shoulders and say: "Father I Her Immaculate Heart. We shall read the He has promised you.» (25.2.88) If we do willingly carry this for my salvation and for Scripture for Advent, divide it into 4 weeks, not obey Our Lady, by offering our lives to the salvation of those who laid this weight and thus reach Christmas. Our Advent will God, Satan will reap lives, like what he is on my shoulders. Forgive me and them. I be one of prayer, adoration, fasts and doing now in former Yugoslavia. (25.10.93) thank you for enlightening me with Your renunciation. Christmas is before you. It Complete donation to God is fully love, enabling me to see how my sufferings will not delay - for it is certain it will be on realizing oneself (cr. Mt 6:24). When man bear fruit. Grant that I may walk to you with 25 Dec. What do you expect for yourself, gives himself over to God, he is reborn; so serenity and fidelity, like Your Son Jesus." for your family, for the Church, for the persecutions no longer keep him back, but The darkness in you will gradually be world? What security do you expect? make him happy. The man who fulfils the transformed into light which will illuminate Is there desperation, sadness, obscure divine law of love, experiences full your face and your cross will become thoughts in you, that you are unable to free realization of his being, for in doing so he is treasure. Cross and sufferings, reality not yourself of? Are tragic prophecies making similar to the Almighty One and transmits to redeemed: in you these will be redeemed, you feel terrified, nervous or discouraged? the others divine life. So, a person who they will become a means of salvation for Have the liturgical messages of Advent makes this offering of love regenerates the others. Turn your burden into treasure! become a reality that no longer move you? and saves the world with God’s grace. 4. Offer yourself for your neighbour! Has individualism, coldness, rejoicing for A person who lives this total donation, Your greatest sufferings are caused by those the misfortune of others become your can do everything! (cf. 1Co 13) He sees the closest to you: family, friends, neighbours. virtues? Or do you even consider these to be invisible in all things; through scientific and You cannot get away from them, but you your indefeasible rights, and this encloses mystical knowledge he can understand the are not at peace with them! To some you are you in sadness, ire, disrespect, bitterness, most hidden secrets, because he goes as far bound by family ties, to others by external and you argue continually? So you have as the infinite (idem.). Who can you give circumstances. Relations with these people become sick, and without hope. But oh, you yourself to totally if not to God? Who have been torn. You cannot escape! Either only need to be aware of this, and you can wishes to give you so much as God? Who you make peace with them in God, or you start looking out for salvation! I wish to can bring you to such complete fulfilment? suffer. Common realities and grace tie you make an announcement of hope to you: He is the only One who will not exploit you, to them. Reconcile yourself with them! But SALVATION WILL COME! Open the rather, He will multiply everything in you how, if they don't want to, or if they become doors of your heart to it. one hundred fold. So get rid of your fears, even worse? Don’t let this disturb you! God needs your consent, just like He your narrow-mindedness; reject questions Hand over to God all that they robbed needed Our Lady's. Open yourself from that come from egoism, born in hearts that you of or what you were denied and forgive within. Don’t go looking for who caused only care about themselves. Give all to God, them. To God hand over your most inner this closure, nor why it came about of your so you can receive everything from Him. soul - where you accumulate words, own accord. Just simply start opening 2. Decide unconditionally for God! thoughts, hate, aggression. Present Him also yourself from within - because no message Don’t worry about who you are, how you with your wounds, and starting from them, that remains outside of you (whether it be are, what you do. Poverty, being refused by implore forgiveness for those who hurt you. from Jesus, Mary, the saints, through you or others, life's failures, past sins and sickness Then God’s life will enter you: His peace, others) can change you if you do not are not obstacles that impede God from His joy. Though nude, like Jesus in the experience it as a message of salvation. God manifesting Himself in you! These are cradle, you will be pleasing to the Father speaks to every soul in the depth of each obstacles for people who think in a worldly, and in you the others will be able to find person’s heart, calling each one by name. pharisaic manner. The important thing is reconciliation; they will find the child of The Saviour calls men in every situation and that nothing conditions you before God, just God that reconciles. aberration, and man can hear Him, even like nothing conditions Him in His donation there where he least expects it. to man, because He loves the good and the Conclusion. Christianity is not a difficult bad (cf.Lk15). Your shortcomings should way: it penetrates to the marrow of stones Pray with Mary! She heard the Lord become the conditions whereby you look and makes them tender. It is not a dark way: beyond Her every expectation. for Him and desire loving Him uncon- it reaches out to the depths of darkness and She conceived in a humanly impossible ditionally. In this case, your shortcomings mortal desperation and regenerates people way, She bowed down before the Invisible, would become your good qualities and back to life. It is not a way that conducts to a the Incomprehensible, but the Almighty. salvation would be close at hand. pathological state, but life from which we She believed in God and in Her, salvation are born. Those who wish to enter this was realized. Her whole being blossomed 3. Turn your burden into treasure! reality must offer themselves totally and with salvation. For you Mary is Guidance, Do you suffer in your family, or marriage; simply, like Jesus. So that in Him and redeemed Reality; She is the Mother who do you feel betrayed by society, not fulfilled through Him, new life is born: a totally makes salvation come about in you, like for in the Church? Are you carrying crosses, divine and totally human life! Elizabeth. And like Elizabeth, approach Her wounds? Do you feel crushed by the burden Walk on with courage then, you too, with simplicity and sincerity,in prayer. Then on your shoulder? This is the cause of your through the intercession of Mary. If you you will experience salvation. This is an illness, your unhappiness. You go to church, keep on like this, despite your poverty, you invitation for you to listen to what in you is pray, you consider yourself to be a good can make the world rich. Though you are a not being heard or accepted by you, so you Christian - but your appearance betrays sinner, a failure, you will be saved. From can take another step towards the fullness of your unhappiness, your state of death. death-desperation you will be reborn. So to life; and allow the sorrow, death and Beneath that same burden, you can be- those who robbed you of everything you unhappiness still in you to bloom. Proceed come happy. If you carried a treasure over will be able to give everything. To the earth along the way to fulfilment of hope. May your shoulders of the same weight as your that moves towards desperation and your offering be complete joy in the Lord. cross, you would be happy. So TURN darkness, you will bring light. AND YOU YOUR BURDEN INTO TREASURE! WILL EXPERIENCE SALVATION! 1. Victim souls are nothing special for Your cross is the weight of your sins and the the Church! sins of your loved ones. Jesus wants you HAPPY CHRISTMAS! They are Christians that desire giving all and them happy. Who will help Him carry May the Lord bless you and keep you. to God, to receive fullness from Him. These the cross for you? Can you see He needs Amen. May the Lord let his face shine on faithful are the heart of the Church, because you? Offer yourself willingly. Carry this you and be gracious to you. Amen. May the their wish is to do what Jesus wants of His cross out of love for Jesus. This burden will Lord uncover his face to you and bring you Church, with all their heart. Only Jesus, become a treasure. peace. Amen. And the blessing of God Head of the Church, completed this "way."If It's not enough that you, as a Christian, Almighty, the Father, and the Son and the you wish to remain with Him in simplicity, have a cross. That which you did not offer Holy Spirit descend on you and remain with put yourself in communion with Him, like willingly, which you did not carry with you always. Amen. Mary at the foot of the Cross. That is how complete trust has remained in you like a Fr. Tomislav Vlasic’ - Chieti Academy "rejuvenated" in Lourdes pilgrimage Thanksgiving for the 15 years of Pontificate of John Paul II Card. Andrej Deskur, President of the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate recently guided a pilgrimage to Lourdes. More than 100 members of the Academy went to thank the Father for the 15 years of Pontificate of John Paul II. The Cardinal, together with the youth from the "House of Mary," the priests and laymen from the Academy, sang the Magnificat in front of the Grotto to thank God for the great things He has done in these 15 years of Pontificate. To Mary he offered his Totus Tuus; that the Pope and his Magisterium be always Group photo in front of Grotto. Card. Deskur is in centre; behind him are the priests stronger than every form of darkness. The youth from the House of Mary, and under the pretence of Christocentrism, there wants simple people to be helped in their the members of the"All Yours" Association, are attempts of putting aside Our Lady, who devotion to Mary, not just on an emotional entrusted themselves to the Immaculate is the concrete way in which God, in His level, but also effectively; drawing from the Virgin - refuge of sinners and most loving freedom, chose to be born into the world; treasure of piety that goes back as far as the Mother - so as to receive the strength and and through Whom He still chooses today first centuries - which also requires a love needed in putting into practice the task to enter the lives of souls. certain amount of self denial, eg. the that the Pope entrusted them with: In a So the creation of a pontificial Academy difficulty of a pilgrimage. Our life too is a certain way you should be Our Lady herself is to remind us that the truths regarding pilgrimage with Mary following behind who speaks, lives and works in the world. Mary are of prime importance. Many Jesus, like She followed Him to the cross. With the third millenium of Christianity "broken-away" Churches look for this There’s too much "mind" in this world, and fast approaching, the Cardinal desired Marian devotion in Catholics. When some not enough heart. placing everything in the hands of Our Lady Orthodox patriarchs entered the Basilica of The fear of asking Mary too much in the place where She appeared with Her St. Mary Major and saw the mosaic of Mary comes from the Lutheran concept of most glorious title. (Osserv.Rom. 10.11.93) being crowned they said: "This is where we Christocentrism. For Luther, Christ has are united!" But in some German towns already done everything, He paid for all, so So the Immaculate there is very little devotion to Mary after the men have nothing further to do. In the same is not just a name Council - because of the tendency to forget way they believe that any space given to or eliminate Mary’s role in the Redemption. Mary will compromise Christ’s central role. The following comes from a meditation The Academy is dedicated to the But it’s quite to the contrary: placing Mary by the Cardinal to the Associates of the Immaculate Conception because this back in the centre is replacing God and His Academy in Lourdes. He began by talking mystery has a message in it which is plan back in the centre. Mary is Mater in about the ties that bind him to the Pope, extraordinarily up-to-date: capite ed in membris, i.e. She is the mother from when the priestly vocation and devot- 1) the life of man is sacred right from of the Head (Jesus) and of His members ion to Mary of the youthful Wojtyla took a the moment of conception, because in that (us). Thus She is mother of all Christ’s turn under the influence of Montfort’s moment the creature is donated a soul by mystical body. It was Jesus’ will that Mary Treatise; of when he was tonsured in the the specific creative act of God; 2) the be at the foot of the cross, in full acceptance Mass where Karol Wojtyla became a priest; grace of God is necessary, without which of His offering and of the mission She was and when he worked as his collaborator nothing in man is neither pure nor holy; 3) entrusted with; and in doing so She when Wojtyla was still Auxiliary Bishop of sin exists; men must be reminded of their collaborates in the spiritual birth of every Cracow. Then that gesture of charity which responsibility before it, so they may purify child of God (Redemptoris Mater). surprised nearly everyone: Wojtyla had just themselves through prayer and penance. That is why God’s children can ask Her been elected Pope and the first thing he did Our Lady says this also in Medj., but it’s for everything with complete confidence was go to the hospital in Rome to visit his as though She were talking to the wall, not and total trust; and this is why they should seriously ill friend (Deskur). to Her children! When I was in Switzerland be docile to Her motherly guidance. D.M. The Cardinal then asked himself: The many children came to me, asking me to Marian Academy of the Immaculate had confess them because they had no one to Our friend Armando Reschini, a been inactive for more than 70 years; why confess them anymore. consecrated member of the "All Yours" has the Pope chosen to revive it now? Consecrated people are a cry of alarm community and brother of our collaborator After Vatican Council II, in an atmos- against sin. This is why a revival in Marian Niki, died in a car accident shortly after his phere of ecumenism not fully understood, devotion is necessary, with stress on the return from Lourdes. Let us offer prayers devotion to Our Lady was being judged by value of the Immaculate, which consists of for his family. May this time of trial be a some as an obstacle for the reunification of contempt for sin, the necessity of grace, and fount of grace for his daughters, Elena and the Church. During a meeting on Mariol- purification: the same things that She says Chiara members of the House of Mary, and ogy, some even proposed dividing the most in Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje. for his wife, Alma, who was to join him in important truths on faith regarding Jesus Also the title, Academy, is meaningful. It the Community with little Marco. from others regarded secondary. reminds us of the Académie Française This was an attempt to give Mary second which was founded by Richelieu to save the Efficacious method place. But this is not possible because the identity of the French language. Here too for obtaining vocations mystery of Jesus also includes that of Mary. we have something precious to save. When Card. Wojtyla became Arch- By the will of God, the Immaculate became The Academy of the Immaculate: bishop of Cracow in 1964, the seminary the place where God became visible in the 1) wants to save the identity of our was nearly empty. His consecration to form of man, like in a new earthly paradise, devotion to Our Lady, also by means of Mary (Totus Tuus) gave him a certain and more again, She became the condition theological research of the dogma of the confidence. He made a vow to Our Lady: "I by which humanity was able to meet God. Immaculate starting from the first centuries will go on pilgrimage by foot to as many We need Mary, like every life needs a of the Churh; 2) wants there to be consecr- Marian shrines (small or large, near or far) mother. Neither Christian life, nor evangel- ated people free of sin who make them- as the number of vocations you will give ization is possible without Mary. At times, selves available to serve the Church; 3) me each year." » pg.6 Hail Marys, Glory Be’s and the Creed, we quite a few experiences, allowed by God, to MEDJUGORJE NEWS began straight away and we still say them. better understand the fight against the devil. The same with fasts; She asked on a One day Our Lady showed her how he was Wednesday and we began that same day, intent at preparing some perverse plans to Extraordinary healing and we still fast on bread and water on destroy God’s plans and so have access to The signs of Mary in Medj. have not Wednesdays and Fridays. the whole world. His great power was stopped, for She continues to work, with or When our Blessed Mother said we evident. On another time Jelena was aware without publicity. All those who go there on should reconcile, we prayed for as much as of his extremely violent desire to destroy pilgrimage tell of graces received, but it half an hour before each Mass to renounce Medj., her prayer group and all that is good does us good to hear also of those Satan and his evil ways. Our Lady wanted in the world. extraordinary cases of exterior healing. this reconciliation for it is only when we see * Love is the scope of spiritual life - Luciano Bossi from Varese (Italy) is a each other as brothers that we can pray Our Lady is looking for our love; it is Her 45 year old, thin and shy man with two together and understand His word. Hate wish to renew the world through us. Infact daughters (10 and 5). His malignant tumour makes us unable to understand anything. to Ivan, She taught a basic point for the had reached its last stage; the doctors gave Grudges and worries that come from harm growth of prayer groups. The visionary him a further 30 days. In spite of this he done to us impede us from praying. says that in prayer groups love should decided to go to Medj. with a group of aid That is why Our Lady repeats: pray circulate liberally, that it must never allow workers. It was early August (1993), right before the cross (...) A.Bonifacio - Siroki prayer to become monotonous. Even a walk when the Youth Festival was being held. Brijeg, 16.10.93 or an excursion can help us to grow in our Though he was exhausted and in pain, spiritual life. Love in a prayer group is his wife encouraged him to take part in the News from the Blessed Land more important than prayer itself. To Jelena evening functions; and he’d mumble: «If I (from Sr. Emmanuel’s diary) too, Our Lady said that the purpose of life died now I’d be happy.» On the 6th August, * The bridge of Mostar, which gave the is not prayer, but the love of God, and Feast of the Transfiguration, he was taken to prayer is a means to reach that. the feet of Mt Krizevac at 3 a.m. to begin city its name (Stari Most = old bridge) has the climb and so reach the cross in time for been destroyed. It was the last of 17 bridges * Resurrection of a drug addict - Sr. the Conclusive Mass at 5 a.m. that united the Muslim part to the Croatian Elvira’s Cenacle Community in Medj. is a In front of him there were 6 youth from part of the city. It fell piece after piece into place of constant victory over death. An Sr. Elvira’s Community carrying up a the Neretva River under a storm of grenades example: A young man with Aids at the last person with cerebral palsy, while Luciano on the 9th November. Built 4 centuries ago, stage, arrives and asks to die there with was being helped up with great effort it was a work of art of Turkish architecture them. In that environment of prayer, because of the lack of light and the people and a symbol of the history of Bosnia and brotherly love and total trust in God (Who in movement. Stephen, the young man in Herzegovina. Now the city has been cut in can do anything), his health starts charge of the Community, noticed when two. Some families took refuge in their improving in an extraordinary way and he they were half way up and started clearing cellars months ago out of fear: stepping out is now living praise to Mary’s mercy. the way for him. while the Croats and Muslims fight could be When he arrived he weighed 40 kg, he now From that moment on the fatigue left fatal. But there are also magnificent weighs 80 and is able to work 8 hours a day him. He practically flew up and rapidly examples of enemies helping one another like the others. Medical tests show the virus reached the top, even before the others. He out, despite the hate that hangs so heavily in is still present, but not active. was asked to sit down, but he made it clear the air. that something extraordinary had happened. * Croatian refugees continue to pour in. In Medjugorje Mary donates peace to After the Mass he made his way back down The number of camps which receive them is refugees. Philippe, a member of the French on his own and went with the others to Fr. increasing. Winter is upon us and we can’t aid association has been in Medj. for quite Jozo. He felt well and had started eating . imagine the suffering of these mutilated some months to help the many victims of Back at home he says little and is easily families, of these people torn from their the war. He started up a new form of moved. He shuns publicity. He returned to land. They have nothing left, but the apostolate by organizing weekly pilgrim- Medj. to thank Our Lady at the wheel of an Kingdom of God is theirs! ages for refugees. He has already brought aid vehicle. He is now in good health, while many buses from various places. He arrives * Vicka’s arm causes her to suffer with them early in the morning, then the doctors are unable to give an from time to time, but she is not explanation. They are waiting on the results someone from the parish takes them up preoccupied about it. Some friends from Podbrdo. They are given breakfast and of a final blood test: the doctors say the abroad, worried about the mysterious tumour cells are the last to disappear. CD lunch and in the afternoon they have time to illness, had suggested she have it examined relax (see a film, confess). In the evening by specialists, but after having discussed it they participate in the Rosary and Holy Fr. Jozo: with the Gospa, Vicka told them it was not Mass. Listening to them we learn that inner like in the first days necessary. We are therefore relieved. It is all healing is taking place, that they start in the hands of Our Lady. hoping again and find a new serenity; and (...) Our Lady says we need to accept * Prayer for non-believers in France - this tells us what a great gift Medj. is for the prayer with enthusiasm like in the first days Marija was here in Medj. for a few days. suffering soul of the Croatians. (25 Sept. ’93). I remember how we used to Her trip to France moved her a great deal. Justice for 2 (suspended) Franciscan pray day and night in the church. We were She felt an urgent need to pray for this so anxious to understand what Mary wanted monks has finally arrived. Ivan Prusina and country. Every day she and Paolo would go Ivica Vego were suspended by Bishop from us. We told the visionaries to tell us to a different church to pray and receive the everything that She asked, for we wanted to Zanic’. Vicka had asked Our Lady about apparition. She said: "The faith is almost this at the time, and now 10 years later the do everything She wanted. dead, the churches are neglected, empty, When She said Pray, we prayed as one Supreme Court of the Apostolic Seal, on lifeless. What a tragedy!" March 27, 1993 said the penalty inflicted big family. Our people were already used to There is good news too, however, for praying, but in the beginning of the upon them by the Bishop on 7 Jan. ’83 is in precisely in France Mirjana’s invitation to contrast with Canon Law. Their expulsion Apparitions there was a special enthusiasm pray for non-believers is spreading. On the in us all. Many worried about finishing the from the order and reduction to a lay state is 2nd of every month, in communion with the thus not valid. Unfortunately, Ivica Vego, prayer and said: "Let’s stay a bit more, it’s Mother of God and Mirjana, people are not nice to finish praying." unable to stand the state of inactivity forced gathering in small groups and praying for upon him, had in the meantime married. New groups would keep on coming, atheists. These small groups are multiplying even during the night. Midnight and midday and the many signs seem to confirm that the The wife of Arafat, (a Christian) visited were the same: the church was never closed. Virgin is happy for this. Fatima "to thank the Virgin for the holy People prayed everywhere: on Podbrdo, peace between Palistinians and Israelis." Krizevac, in the village ... the homes had * During a brief visit by Jelena to her The Palestinian leader had planned to become like houses of prayer. When Our family, She was asked about Satan’s role accompany his wife, but had to cancel Lady asked us to pray the 7 Our Fathers, in the world today. She told us she’s had prior to departure. Anguished Appeal Franic: a personal miraculous Hushing those who lie Fr. Leonard Orec’, who has taken care experience made me certain The Church has not "warned against of refugees since the beginning of the war, about Medj. Medj." as some have said. To put us and has broken his silence to say: "Evil has gone these people at peace, the following is what beyond all bounds. A few days ago the Archbishop emeritus of Split, Franjo the Bishop of Mostar, Ratko Peric, declared Muslims occupied Vares which they had Franic, is one of the most respected bishops during a Confirmation celebration last June, been holding under siege for some time. in Croatia and one of the most authoritative when he brought up the three points More than 15,000 Croats have now been in the Church. A good and wise bishop, he established by the last declaration of the turned out of their own homes. After Jajce, opposed Marxist atheism with wisdom and Bishops’ Commission (11 April 1991): Travnik, Kakanj, Bugojno, Fojnica, Konj- loyalty; he foresaw the end of Communism Medj. has been officially accepted as a ic’, etc., another city is without a Croatian well before it could have been imagined; place of prayer and cult. A liturgical/ population. Don’t you find it sad that after and he has fully accepted the messages of pastoral team has taken upon itself to ensure having defended their own Catholic faith Medj., as we can see also in this interview the correct form of cult to Mary is main- and national identity for 530 years, they are by Stipe Pudja in Glas Mira, Nov. issue: tained in the celebrations of the parish. now turned out of their own homes while Q. Father Bishop, what is Medjugorje The Commission declared a NON the whole world just sits back and for you, and how has it effected your life? CONSTAT DE SUPERNATURALITATE. watches?! These people will engross the A. The phenomenen of Medj. is to me a This Latin expression means that in the stream of refugees who have no where to go continuation of the messages of Lourdes actual study phase it is still not possible to - now at the end of the 20th century! The and Fatima. These messages invite people affirm a supernatural presence in the appar- same thing will probably happen to many today to convert to God through prayer, itions, but that the question remains open. other Croatian towns, from Kiseljak to penance (especially fasts) and reconcil- There is another expression that the Church Prozor, bound to be ethnically cleansed by iation of persons, populations, religions and uses to express a negative (definite) Muslim forces who feel freer and stronger, cultures through daily forgiveness and judgement: constat de non supernatura- now that the hostilities with the Serbs in brotherly love. This is the same thing as litate, but the Commission did not use it. central Bosnia have come to an end. Christ’s warning: Unless you convert, you The two Latin expressions are similar, From the start of the war we have always will all perish in the same way! and that’s why many misinterpreted the helped the Muslim refugees who came to us Q. Does your opinion on the messages former with superficiality, thinking it was for help, and we’ll keep on helping them. coincide with what many pilgrims say about negative and forbidden to go to Medj. The But it hurts to see that they who were once having experienced a change in Medj. too contrary is the case: i.e. that the ways are our friends are now persecuting the difficult to explain in words? still open to a recognition of the super- Croatian peoples. Like we protested before A. I personally experienced a profound natural in the events. Of course, the Church against the genocide of Muslims by the inner invitation in Medj. that made me cannot make a definite declaration while the Serbs and for all the crimes committed in understand that I too had to convert. The events are still going on. whatever part of the country, we will now same thing has been felt in this holy place (cf. Stella Maris, Sept. ’93) protest much more firmly against the by many pilgrims from all over the world. genocide and damage done to the Croatian We know God is present everywhere with Sound advice by St Francis De Sales: Catholic population of Bosnia." His mercy and that He can distribute His «Our Lord loves with a most tender love Fr. Orec’ asks us to make appeals to our graces wherever He wants. Nonetheless. we those who are so fortunate as to abandon governments and organizations; and to send know since the beginning of the Church that themselves totally to his fatherly care, aid to these exhausted and abandoned there are places where God grants graces letting themselves be governed by his peoples. (Split, Nov.’93) and spiritual and bodily healings more than divine providence, without amusing in others. I became aware of this also themselves in considering whether the News regarding Bosnia-Herzegovina because of the many healings that have effects of his providence will be useful, has unfortunately not changed. In spite of happened in Medj., and which continue to profitable, or harmful to them. They are well assured that nothing will be sent from all the agreements, the UN humanitarian happen. his fatherly and most loving heart, nothing convoys are not getting through to the Besides this, I had my own personal allowed to happen to them from which he peoples most in need. The lives of nearly 3 experience, which I consider miraculous, does not draw good and profit for them. All million civilians, already suffering from and this convinced me that the messages of that is required is that they place their glacial temperatures, depend on this aid that Our Lady in Medj. are authentic. I have confidence in him and say from their heart: is not arriving. The Muslim offensive never seen Our Lady, and I prefer not to "I commend my spirit, my soul, my body, continues to tear away territories and towns talk about my particular experience because and all that I have into your blessed hands from the Croatians in central Bosnia. A new it involves other people. I have written it all to act in accordance with your will."» diplomatic initiative proposes compensating down and keep it as a secret in my files. It the Muslims with territory that had been can be revealed only 30 years after my occupied by the Serbs, and in exchange the death, if anyone will be interested in it then. pg.4» From that year the seminary started sanctions imposed on Serbia will be It regards a prophecy that has come true. being populated with young men. In some reduced. A miracle is needed here though Since then Jesus’ rule: you can see what years as many as 50 entered the seminary. for an agreement to be reached. the tree is from its fruit, is my guide. * * When he was elected Pope, there were nearly 500. He of course kept his promise SOLIDARITY with joy; and so his life as Archbishop was We are our brothers’ keepers! » Eco di Medj. Mail same to us at: Casella a continual pilgrimage... which continues! Postale 149, 46100 Mantova, Italy. (Deskur) It is now very difficult to get into Mostar In GB the Medj. Appeal accepts donat- and many other centres in Bosnia and ions and material. Contact them at Unit J Herzegovina that were previously receiving URGENT APPEAL - Pressing appeals Lambs Bus. Park, Tilburstow Hill Rd., reach us from friends involved in aid aid; but it is urgent that we help the South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JZ, England. refugees, spread all over from Herzegovina The Medj. Appeal advises: "we have delivery to the refugees. Fr. Orec’ says to the coast. The UN and other int'l aid opened up a warehouse in Medj, with full what they need the most, besides food agencies are able to deliver to the peoples of approval and support of the Franciscans and supplies, medicinals and detergents is central Bosnia. Let us pray that they can do the local community. It is being manned by wood stoves (for heating and cooking), so without danger. two men and is a joint Anglo-American woollen hosiery, underwear and footwear. initiative. Already deliveries on a daily basis An appeal for Europe; if you own a van Urgent appeal from the hospital of are being made to various refugee camps. or truck: your help is needed! Contact a Mostar: medical and sanitary material The plight of the thousands of refugees collection centre near you. desperately needed! is desperate. No report can describe the fear, the desperation and the horrendous situation Fr. Jozo’s initiative for sponsorship Contact your nearest Medj., or other of Croatian and Bosnian orphans - collection centre. If you wish to send in which confronts these human beings. They are people, not just refugees, and if we can contact: Matteo Rossi, Casella Postale 54, donations through us, please say what the 54100 Massa, Italy. (phone: 0585-43653). money is for and make cheques out to: » we must help them." MODERN "I’ve rediscovered my faith ... they’ve couldn’t find. She feared everything and done me good ... they pray and they teach everyone and didn’t have the strength or SPIRITUALISM me to pray ..." All these statements are the will to return to her family; though she Bible speaks clearly: based on error, because the objective did try once but was met with a few harsh, abomination to the Lord goodness of a message is not enough to say arrogant words of accusation. its origin is good. When the devil speaks in "It was another time though," she tells, Many write to ask about the practice of the NT (eg. when he calls Jesus the Son of "that I felt things were different. My communicating with the dead - which God, or when he invites others to go and parents were calmer and there was some- seems to be spreading. It is done in various listen to St Paul’s teachings) he is saying thing in them that attracted me. It was then forms: at times messages are given through things that are true and good. The devil is that they spoke about Medj., Our Lady, the automatic scripture, or recorded on cassette crafty - like those magicians who fill their messages, prayer, fasts and peace. And my recorders, or other ways again, like asking studios with sacred pictures even though heart had almost reached out to it, but I "visionaries" for answers, who receive they are connected with the devil. closed it up with a sense of contempt and surprising replies from their "spirit guides." The Lord wants our faith to be founded profound hate. After that meeting, with all There’s even a movement (going under the on His word (the Bible) and on the those radiant faces, talks of prayer and name of hope ) for parents whose children teachings of the Magisterium of the Church. monthly confession, I was just irate. I went have died a sudden or tragic death. It shows That is why Jesus founded the Church, and back to my old friends, but my parents these parents how to communicate with gave the Apostles and his successors that were being more patient with me, they their children. Some say they’ve found their commitment to: "Go ... preach ... baptise ...; didn’t get as angry; and this made me faith through the messages received, having listening toyou means listening to me." This furious. The emptiness in me was found comfort, joy to live and help in alone is the way of God for Christ’s frightening, it dried up every drop of joy prayer. So what can we say about all this? followers. God can also reveal Himself still in me and reflected on my face I’ll try to be as clear as possible, even if through other "supplementary" ways so as mutilated by ire. the space is limited. It must be said straight to reach all those people to whom the My parents decided to return to Medj for away that the desire to communicate with evangelical message does not arrive direct - Easter. Dad, Mum and my brother were so the dead is as old as man has lived; because and this is because salvation is offered to all happy; and I was out of myself with anger. of emotional ties, or to ask for counselling, men, even those who lived before Christ. As much as my mother had tried to or enquire about the future. The dead live in another dimension and persuade me, with all her patience and love, These days, besides the traditional method have other interests. They can intercede on I refused to go with them. I stayed home on of asking mediums who give messages our behalf and receive our prayers (of praise my own, but I felt so tormented: where to when in a trance, other methods have of God and of intercession). Trying to make go, what to do? Thinking of my friends, the become popular: like the use of a glass or them become involved in our problems is drinks and amorous meetings didn’t help. I coin and lettered cards ("Ouija" board), just pure egoism - and the devil takes felt totally lost, and amid this confusion I automatic scripture, psychophony or advantage of this tendency, even in a direct decided to go to Medj. I got there after a 30 psychovision (with recorders, TV sets, manner. Real apparitions are something hour trip and found my family with the radios, computers, telephones etc.). Accor- entirely different. They are permitted by help of a priest. I told him that I didn’t ding to Mons. Casale, archbishop of Foggia God; they are a free and unexpected gift; really know why I was there, but he smiled and president of the Study Centre on New and they are never provoked by human and said: "The important thing is that Religions, 36% of high school children (in means. Fr. Gabriel Amorth you’re here. Our Lady will do the rest." Italy) have participated in seances, and 17% That sounded wonderful, but the first of these believe they truly made contact days weren’t good. I went up the hills, but I with spirits. Silent love thought it was all crap and thought the What does the Church say? All the forms others were so naive. Then it was Holy [of inovking the dead] listed above are a sin makes impression in Thursday - but I didn’t even know what it against the first Commandment. The young woman’s cheated heart meant anymore - and my mother invited Bible, i.e. God Himself, says that those who me to the evening functions. "How long invoke the dead, practise divination or The many accounts of personal stories and boring," I thought. magic are abominations to the Lord. In involving Medj. show how only the hand of After the Mass there was adoration, so I Deut. (18:10-12) there is a complete list of God can get to the bottom of a person’s went to the chapel too and knelt down. these aberrations which all depend on lack heart and radically change it. Then all of a sudden I understood: God of faith, and consequently from searching This is the story of a young woman who exists, love exists, life is a gift. And after for truth outside of God. The [new] lives in a religious community in Medj. She the bitterness and the anxiety, my heart Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. was born in a Catholic family; her parents experienced serenity, peace and tenderness. 2116) confirms this condemnation. practised their faith, but from when she was And I understood: parents are wonderful, Let us also take a look at what two a little girl, she felt nauseated by everything prayer is meeting God, the Church is our Ecumenical Councils (those of Lyons and they did. At first, out of respect, she hid mother, Our Lady is the Mother of Florence) say: that the souls of the dead, these feelings from them, but when she was pureness, goodness, love and consolation, immediately upon their death, go either to only 13, her heart was already distant from She is the woman who wins. Everything heaven, to purgatory or to hell. Spiritualism them, from prayer and from God. was new; and now I live in a community. I makes people fall quite easily into various One day she took flight, as it were to say. pray, fast, adore, and act as interpreter for errors that are totally incompatible with our She started going out with her friends till the youth." (From Glas Mira, Sept. ’93) faith. For example, the belief that after late at night, drinking and smoking. Drugs death, souls are given other chances of became an ordinary part of her life; she left being able to save themselves. The Bible school, and gave herself, soul and body, to Excellent spiritual guidance, thanks to clearly tells us that only in this life does man "free thinking programmes," which her our Blessed Mother, is found in the books have the possibility of choosing his eternal friends offered her. She quickly sank into we mentioned in Echo 106 (page 3). The destiny, which in God’s plan is eternal the muddy stream of immoral life. meditations of Frs. Slavko and Tomislav happiness for all. Her dream had come true: no one could are sent free to whoever writes asking for Another common error is believing in tell her what to do. For her the others were copies. Available in the principal languages reincarnation. Let it be clear to all that it is all cowards, failures or just ignorant. None- Address your enquiries to: Amici di Medj., not possible to believe in reincarnation theless, she was tormented by a constant Via Nirone 9, 20123 Milan, Italy. and in resurrection. They are utterly empty feeling, which contributed in making incompatible! Christians believe in her more nervous and aggressive. She had resurrection. If a Christian believes in everything she had ever dreamed of, but she Donations for October-November: reincarnation then his faith is vain, like St was neither happy nor satisfied, and she Medj. in the East ...... US$ 4,555.00 Paul strongly says. Yet these days it is threw herself all the more into drink and Bosnia-Croatia ...... 4,280.00 calculated that one quarter of the Italians drugs; but things just got worse. In front of Radio Maria Poland ... 970.00 believe in reincarnation, though they call her friends she feigned happiness, but her Mother Theresa ...... 606.00 themselves Christian. soul was in anguish for something she Other ...... 100.00 Satanism in the world of The picture of the Pope in Our Lady's arms (Echo 105) is not a miraculous photo pop music come out of who knows whose camera. It is At the Youth Festival we met twin a painting from Cracow in Poland. sisters, Anna and Maria Barrett, who told us Running around after the "fantastic" of their incredible experience. We say stories of miraculous photos impedes our incredible because they both work next to conversion. Enjoy the photos; don't worry the stars of pop music; one as a wardrobe about the whys and wherefores of them! mistress, the other in the editing of records and cassettes. Their sound faith is indeed a Off the Bookshelf: Marija and the Mother pleasant surprise. of God, by Heather Parsons. Available in Anna says: "We’ve worked for 10 years Ireland, UK, Australia, USA. Contact: Robert and by now we really are tired. It’s hard, Andrew Press, 2 Herbert Cr, Blanchardstown, especially because of the heavy satanic Dublin 15, Ireland for details. presence that we’ve discovered exists in this world. We’ve had lots of strange experi- ATTENTION - Echo is free! ences with the negative, with Satan and the If you would like to make a donation, people consecrated to him." send your cheques to Echo of Medj. at our Q. What type of experiences? address in Italy, or through a local Anna: Well for me I thought it was distributor who will forward it on to us. strange that when the various companies The Holy Father with his Cross For material other than Echo please do ordered the costumes they always wanted not ask us for we are unable to satisfy your satanic symbols, or something that mocks Church not afraid to say no ... requests. Medjugorje centres usually carry the Church, priesthood and Our Lady. other material or know where to obtain it, At first I thought it was just a fashion Not even to international organizations that she supports when fundamental laws of so please contact the one nearest you. that didn’t mean much, but then I found out life are at stake. So, though she supports Please remember: when writing to us it was done on purpose to glorify Satan. Of UNICEF, the Church observes: "It is with pop an address label into the envelope as course I didn’t have anything to do with it, deep regret that the Holy See takes notice well. That way we won’t get confused and but it made me feel anxious about the youth that ... the original positive thrust of the end up making double entries in our file. who are so enthusiastic about their concerts. agency for the well-being of mothers and On the other hand, if you receive your copy It saddens me to see them so infatuated by children and the nurturing of life has shifted of Echo from a distributor, you might like the "stars" while these are surrounded by ambiguously but significantly." to mention this fact when you communicate darkness and deceipt. Thus the Church openly dissociates her- with us. Thank you for helping us! And These singers are so full of satanic self from "involvement of UNICEF in the remember, if you want extra copies, just let symbols, and they participate in such areas of family planning which could in- us know. horrific rites, it would make your skin clude methods of family planning consid- FAMILY NEWS creep. If only the youth knew what they’re ered morally unacceptable to the Catholic being captured by when they buy their Church and a broad representation of Thank you to our readers for all the concert tickets! people throughout the world. (...)" support. Our needs are always greater. May Maria: There’s little attention given in (Osservatore Romano, 10 Nov.’93) the good Lord bless you one hundred fold. the Church to the role of Satan. The young These could be methods of contraception Our immense gratitude to the Blessed people in particular still think of him as a and sterilization with world-wide support Mother, for Echo continues to reach out in cute little angel with horns; and yet to limit population growth in certain poor the Eastern bloc countries, which are so thousands of youth celebrate the devil, countries: but this is contrary to the dignity dear to Her Immaculate Heart. The Russian without knowing it, in the words and notes of women and to the gift of life. edition is received with great enthusiasm. of songs. The editors of these songs know "God is Father" - (English translation), The requests are many, both from Catholics only too well though what they’re doing, introduced by Fr. Andrea D'Ascanio. Write and our Orthodox brothers who look upon for their job is to multiply souls for Lucifer. to: I Nidi di Preghiera, Cas.Post. 135, 67100 Medj. as a beacon. The very nice Roman- Did you know that last week a self-declared L'Aquila, Italy ian edition (20,000 copies) of Echo is very satanic group appeared in Denver, right popular. It is requested also by many priests ECHO IN OTHER LANGUAGES in Orthodox parishes. when the Pope was there? I was amazed and Italian: Eco di Medj., C.P.149, 46100 Mantova, Italy. asked the organizer why? He replied: "The English: Echo of Medj., Cas. Post. 27, 31030 Bessica The complete Hungarian edition has Pope’s there; it’ll be interesting ..." His tone (TV), Italy. Fax # 0423-470331. French: Echo de also made much way. It is translated by was decidedly sarcastic and evil. Medjugorje, 18 Allée Thévenot, 39100 Dole, France. Elisabeth Varga who doesn’t worry about German: Echo aus Medj., Via C. Balbo 3, 36015 suffering (post-operative chemo-therapy): We often go to the priests and tell them Schio (VI) Italy. fax: 0445-575856 Spanish: Roger to help the youth open their eyes on this Watson, Fermo Posta centrale, 22100 Como, Italy «working for Echo relieves the suffering, satanic presence; but not to frighten them, Catalan: Amics de Medj., c.Carme 11 baixos, 08700 and Our heavenly Mother always helps the only to teach them how to defend Igualada-Catalugna, Spain. Portughese: a) Gilberto two Elisabeths and Catherine» (translator Correia, rua de Brito 24, 4915 Vila Praia de Ancona, and helpers). themselves. Our Lady teaches us that the (ph.911181), Portugal; b) Servos da Rainha, Caixa best means are prayer and the sacraments p.02576, 70279-970 Brasilia DF, Brazil. Dutch: Int. Though Martha Mirkiewicz, a living (confession, Mass and communion) and Medj. Comité afd. Nederland-Belgie, Misericorde- miracle, is bed-ridden, she continues to blessings. Not all priests are ready though to plein 12C, 6211 XK Maastricht, Holland. Polish: prepare the 30,000 copies of Polish Echo Czeslawa Mirkiewicz, ul.Ign.Krasickiego 21a/3, every month, with the valid help of friends. accept us. Some don’t seem to believe that PL30-515 Krakow-Podgorze, Poland; Magyar: Satan even exists. Denying him and his Fraternitas, 1399 Budapest, p.f. 701/85, Hungary. fax: With regards to the Portughese edition, our works is like a sleeping drug and allows 36-2176183 Romanian: Ecou din Medj., P.O.Box friends from the Servos da Rainha group in him greater success. 41-132, Bucharest, Romania. Brazil are extremely quick at producing Reduced Editions: Greek: Soeur Despina de la St 112,000 copies. Another near-complete Here in Medj. Our Lady keeps on warn- Croix, 69 Rue Epirou, Agia Paraskave, 15341 Athens, ing us about the devil who is very strong. Greece. Czech: Medzugorské ozveny, Ilbenstädter, edition, also in Portughese, is prepared by But She’s on our side; She protects us and Str.6, D-60385 Frankfurt, Germany. Gilberto da Cunha from Vila Praia de we have nothing to fear if we pray. We too Distributors: USA: Peter Miller, POB 2720-230, Ancora in Portugal. Huntington Beach CA 92647. Ph 714-9637240. Fax For all of you indeed, we give thanks to have decided to stay by Her and fight Satan. 9631432; Giovanna Ellis: 9809 Stoneybrook Dr, (From Glas Mira, Oct. ’93) Kensington MD 20895. Ph. 301-5883198; Canada: God our Father Almighty. Through Mary, Giuseppe Bozzo, 8324 Nicolas Leblanc, Montreal He sends us His Son; it is Their desire that * Trieste-Medjugorje bus service Que H1E 3W5, Ph: 648-3420. Spain: Josè L. Lopez He be born in us, and for this They grant us continues. Departure from bus station de S. Roman, Ap.246, Palencia, Spain. grace upon grace and blessing upon Australia (all editions): Medjugorje Sentinel, P.O.B. (adjacent to train station) in Trieste 6 p.m. 531, Drummoyne NSW 2047. Philippines: Raquel blessing. every evening. Ring Italy 040-360300. D. De Leon, P.O.B. 789, 1099 Manila. Return from Medj. every evening 6 p.m. Return price Lit. 86,200 - valid 10 days. Sped.Abb.Post.3/70,Aut.Trib.Mant.#13,8.11.86; Legal Dir: A. Lanzani; Printed by DIPRO Italy, Fax: 0422-840804