News from Medjugorje

with Sr. Emmanuel & Cathy Nolan

September 15th 2001
Feast of the Sorrowful Mother
Dear Children of Medjugorje,
Praised be Jesus and Mary!

Last night Our Lady appeared to Ivan on Mt. Podbrdo. According to some friends who were present, Ivan shared afterwards that the most important thing about this apparition was that Our Lady was sad. (Except for her apparitions on Good Friday - Our Lady almost never appears sad. In fact, to our knowledge, she has never before been sad at one of the night prayer meetings on the mountain). Ivan said she was sad because of her many children who had lost their lives in the tragedy in America. Our Lady, as usual, blessed all present and prayed over everyone with her hands extended. She then gave this message: "MIR! MIR! MIR! Pray for peace! Pray together with your Mother for peace! Thank you, because you have responded to my call!"

All of Medjugorje is horrified and deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks against America. One of the visionaries has confirmed that these events are not part of the secrets. Remember, according to Jakov and Vicka the first secret is beautiful (as well as the 3rd one which is the Great Sign) and it will show that Medjugorje is true.

Several updates: We celebrate with Ivan and Laureen the birth of their son, born September 10th. Also last Sunday it was announced in St. James that Fr. Branko Rados, who ran this year's Youth Festival, has been named the new pastor of St. James Parish. Our prayers and welcome to Fr. Branko. There is also now a beautiful statue of Our Lady at the site of the apparitions on Podbrdo, replacing the steel cross, and the cross on top of Krizevac is lit at night!
Dear Mother, we want to live your messages to help bring soon the triumph of your Immaculate Heart!

October 1st. 2001.

In Medjugorje, one person who lives the messages beautifully is Vicka. Here is a testimony that Sr. Emmanuel told some time ago, and would like to share with you today:

One morning, I had an appointment with Vicka at 8:00 a.m. for an important matter. When I arrived in her courtyard, I saw a huge group of Polish pilgrims. Vicka gestured to me that right after speaking to them, she would see me. So I started to pray as I waited, trying to push away from my mind the vision of all the work that was waiting for me at home. The problem was that Vicka's care for the pilgrims wouldn't end. Thirty, fifty, seventy minutes went by. Each time Vicka finished blessing two people, another little group would show up. In one word, I became impatient and got up to leave.

But Our Lady detained me and spoke to my heart. Actually I had neither a vision nor an audible inner locution, rather a clear inspiration that I can transmit in this way: "Stay and look at my servant. She acts the way I like. Her heart is in all that she does. Look! Look with what joy and love she welcomes each person who comes to her. Look at her patience. She behaves as I taught her to do. You, follow her example!"

At once, my impatience collapsed and I started watching the whole scene with the eyes of my heart, in awe. I was enthralled with the loving care she extended to each person she prayed with. At last it was my turn. I left having received a better understanding of the true grace of Medjugorje and how much we need it to be healed, healed from our very human sense of efficiency so that we may bear divine fruit, fruit that will last.