At what very many consider the most valid current Marian apparitions — those at Medjugorje in Hercegovina — comes now a monthly message, given to seer Maria Pavlovi-Lunetti, that perhaps says very much in few words. In fact, it may be the shortest monthly message, or at least one of the very briefest, from the Queen of Peace, as she is known there, ever.
+
These are apparitions in progress since 1981. And perhaps that tells us something.
+
The missive yesterday (January 25, 2024, to this world in turmoil):
+
“Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer.”
On January 25, 2023, just one year ago, Our Lady of Medjugorje pleaded with us, “Dear children! Pray with me for peace, because Satan wants war and hatred in hearts and peoples. Therefore, pray and sacrifice your days by fasting and penance, that God may give you peace. The future is at a crossroads, because modern man does not want God. That is why mankind is heading to perdition. You, little children, are my hope. Pray with me, that what I began in Fatima and here may be realized. Be prayer and witness peace in your surroundings, and be people of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
From elsewhere come anecdotal tidbits from the mystical or possibly metaphysical realm.
“I’ve been sending you this photo for a few years now, as each Christmas approached,” writes Pam from Plymouth, Connecticut. “It was taken on December 18th, 1997 during prayer. At the time my youngest son was being born, my friend was praying for us. As was her habit, she pointed her camera towards the sky and this image which I believe to be miraculous appeared.
++
“Can you see a figure to the left of what may be the sun? (There also seem to be numbers and letters on the bottom left corner which I’ve always wondered about). For each of my babies I had prayed for the gift of one of them to be born on one of Mary’s feast days, as I have a devotion to her. December 18th is not a feast day of the Church. But later and joyfully found out this date had been celebrated in the Church at one time and was known as the ‘Expectation of Mary.’ I think that this is a beautiful and miraculous image of the expectant Mother of God.”
+
We always let you discern. (We do not, as perhaps too many do, despise the potentially supernatural.)
+
Is this also a manifestation (or an artifact)?
+
+
“My wife and I were at the Fatima Blue Army Shrine (in New Jersey) and my wife took the attached picture of the sky and beautiful pond on the grounds,” writes Deacon Brian Mizzoni. “We noticed in the picture another sun type image and it was blue. What is neat is that my wife had an inspiration the day before whereby she felt she heard the word ‘miracle’ come to her in prayer at Mass at the shrine itself. The next day she took the picture. You will see the blue dot sun in the lower part of the picture. We believe it is a beautiful gift and tribute from Our Lady. None of her other pictures have this image so it is not the camera. Wanted to share.”
+
Just lens flare? The dots that appear on cell photos? Or Mary’s turquoise?
+
We report. You discern.
+
+
These are not claimed to be supernatral but certainly are beautiful, from Medjugorje, circulated by guide Miki Musa:
+
+
And lastly, a point of view.
+
+
[Resources: Michael Brown online retreat, 2/10/24]
+