The Third Luminous Mystery

By June Klins

  In August, we featured a story by Mike Golovich, who related that after going to Confession in Medjugorje a few years ago, he noticed when praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, the third decade only had two beads. Eight Hail Mary beads were missing, but the rosary was still intact. He wondered what that was all about, since the visionaries say that there is a reason for everything.

   When I told the story to my prayer group, immediately one of our members suggested that the TWO beads might be to highlight the fact that the Third Luminous Mystery has TWO parts, although most people just call it, “The Proclamation of the Kingdom.”  In his Apostolic Letter, “Rosarium Virginis Mariae,” Pope John Paul II actually named the Third Luminous Mystery, “His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion.”

    This seems credible, especially in light of the fact that Mike had just come from Confession. Pope John Paul II, writing about the Third Luminous Mystery in his apostolic letter, said:  “Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to Him in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which He continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which He has entrusted to His Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23).”

   Priests often remark how long the Communion lines are, while the Confession lines are short or non-existent. Although Our Lady requests that we go to Confession once a month, many Catholics do not know that we are required by the Church to go at least once a year. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.” (CCC #2042)

   Confession is one of the “best kept secrets” of the Church. When Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, OFM, Cap. was in town for the Carmelite Days of Prayer this summer, he spoke often about Confession. He said, "Life without peace is like hell on earth. And God never intended us to live that way. You must make your peace with God."  Father made himself available morning, afternoon and evening for Confession every day for five days.  He said that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI both recommended monthly Confession.  Father said that Confession not only heals our souls, but that it heals our heads as well when we feel the burden lifted. He said that Carl Jung, the famous psychiatrist, remarked that in his whole life of seeing patients, he only had five or six that were believing Catholics, and he attributed that to Confession!    

  Whether this was the reason for Mike’s missing beads remains a mystery, but it was a great lead-in for a catechism lesson on Confession, wasn’t it? 

Prophetic Painting

   Viewing the artwork above, one might suppose that it was painted to illustrate Our Lady’s appearances at Medjugorje – yet the painting was done in 1974, seven years before Our Lady first appeared in Medjugorje! The simple painting is the work of Vlado Falak from the hamlet of Šurmanci, which is part of the Medjugorje parish. It used to be displayed in the choir loft of St James church.

                                                                                                                                                The Medjugorje Message

Priests and the Rosary

by Louise Lotze 

   In Sister Emmanuel's newest book, The Hidden Child of Medjugorje, she devotes a chapter to priests and the Rosary and she titles it:  “No Time to Pray?”

   She remembers fondly a Father Michel, a pastor of a big parish in Paris. While on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, he asked Sister what special messages Our Lady had given to priests. She cited several of them and added, “Our Lady is also asking priests to live all of Her messages, especially that on the daily Rosary.” “Let all priests pray the three parts of the Rosary every day.” Father Michel immediately said this was impossible due to his busy schedule.

   Sister Emmanuel then said, “It's not me who is asking you, but the Mother of God!”  Father Michel said, “Impossible!”

So Sister Emmanuel said, “OK Father, perhaps I am mistaken. Maybe She actually said, ’Let all priests do this, except Father Michel who is way too busy!’ ” Sister Emmanuel then suggested that Father just try it for two or three weeks. Father Michel did agree to give it a go.

   Two years later, Sister Emmanuel saw him again in Medjugorje with a group of pilgrims. She timidly asked him how the Rosary was going.  Beaming with happiness, he put his thumbs up and said, “It works!” He then related how he felt an unusual sense of calm that first night of saying the Rosaries. The next day, he was not only calm but had spare time to read before going to sleep. Each following day gave him peace and more time to do other things as well. As the days went on, he realized that Our Lady was actually walking before him, opening doors for him and preparing his ministry. He was no longer alone. Instead, he had an awesome partner by his side, working with him and guiding him. He said he now lives with much more peace and no longer rebuffs his parishioners as he used to do. Basically, he said he is now a much happier priest.

   Coming to the conclusion that one has no time to pray, is just false arithmetic. Our Lady walks ahead of us, opening the doors that need to be opened. She guides our thoughts and choices, and helps us avoid so many mistakes. Put simply, She saves so much time for us -  much more time than we take to pray!    “If you don't have time to pray in your families, pray, and you will have time!”

   Finally, Sister Emmanuel reminds us what dear Father Slavko would reply, “It's rather a matter of love! When we love, we find means. When we don't love, we find excuses!”

Editor’s note: Louise is from Ashtabula, OH.

Fishers of Men Rosary

By Mary Momot

   During this "Year of the Priest" I have vowed to offer a Rosary each day for vocations. I was given a very special rosary from my pastor.  It was commissioned as the "Fishers of Men" rosary. It is truly very beautiful, made of cord (as fishermen would use for their nets) and fishing sinkers. It also has the Pope John Paul II crucifix. The center was especially-made for this rosary, and shows Jesus calling the fishermen on the back. An ichthus (fish) charm is attached with a swivel clip.

   I have not missed a single day of praying with this special rosary. I will continue every day as I feel led by the Spirit to do so.  My pastor said he got the rosary from www.luminagifts.com. Ten percent of the net proceeds from the retail sale of this rosary is donated to priestly vocations. A prayer card with the following scripture verse was included:

   As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  Then they abandoned their nets and followed Him.  He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.  Then He called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed Him. (Mk 1:16-20)

Editor’s note: Mary is from Depew, NY.

Mirjana’s Message September 2, 2009

Dear children, Today, with a motherly heart, I call you to learn to forgive, completely and unconditionally. You suffer injustice, betrayals and persecutions, but by that you are closer to and dearer to God. My children, pray for the gift of love. Only love forgives all, as my Son forgives – follow Him. I am among you and am praying that when you come before your Father you can say: 'Here I am Father, I followed your Son, I had love and forgave with the heart, because I believed in your judgment and trusted in you.' Thank you.

"Receive My Mercy and Forgiveness Now!"

By: Barbara Kleaveland

   It was May of 1986. I was a single mother of a young son, and engaged to be married in August. My gynecologist told me that I was probably not pregnant, but as a precaution, he had a procedure that would take care of the problem. He assured me it was not an abortion and that it was too early to tell if I was pregnant. My fiancé informed me that there would be no wedding if I did not have this procedure. He reminded me that I had already conceived a child out of wedlock. What would people think, if it happened again?   I was sitting on the examining table when the doctor walked in. “I have some bad news,” he said. “You were pregnant, and my staff have all quit. They told me if I performed one more abortion they would leave.”  I left his office feeling shame and remorse. This abortion became my deep, dark secret. The marriage took place, and we soon had a baby boy, but it all ended a few years later. Relationships usually fall apart after abortion takes place. In the years to follow,  I had two more abortions.

   Coming home from the third abortion, I felt a presence in the car. I knew at once that it was my child, and she was a girl. I begged her to forgive me. With tears pouring down my face, I realized that abortion was murder. I was never the same again.

   A few months later, I started having panic attacks. I had several while driving my car home from work, and soon I became paralyzed with fear. I never went anywhere, unless someone could drive me. For seven years I did not drive my car into town. My past played over and over in my mind. I was sure that I could never be forgiven for what I had done. My oldest brother called me one day and said, “I don’t know what is wrong with you, but I want to tell you that the Blessed Mother is appearing to six children in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. She is asking us to put God first in our lives and to pray for peace. Barb, you need peace more than anyone I know.”  When I was growing up, I had a deep love for Our Lady, and the excitement of Her apparitions sparked a new faith in me. A few days later, I received a rosary and a scriptural rosary book as a birthday gift from him. I started praying the Rosary, and Our Lady went to work.

   The anxiety was getting worse, so I went to see a psychologist, and he happened to be Catholic. For the first time, I was able to tell someone about my abortions. He insisted that I go to the sacrament of Confession. This scared me to no end, but I was given a special grace to go. I will never forget the relief I felt when I was able to unburden myself of my sins. The priest, standing in for Jesus, made me feel loved and accepted. When I walked out of the confessional, I was totally forgiven of all my sins, but it would take time for me to forgive myself. That was OK, because the spiritual doors of my soul were now open for grace to come flooding in.

   During my years of anxiety, I tried to relax by doing yoga and meditation. This led me to a new age book written by a well- known actress. Since I had gone to Confession, I started to feel uneasy about this book, and so I asked the Lord to show me if it was evil. The next day, at a family reunion, my sister-in-law, out of the clear blue, mentioned this book by name, and said it was evil. She then said, “We are so blessed to be Catholic. We have the Sacraments and that is all we need.”

   My cousins from Pittsburgh were there, and they had just come back from Medjugorje. Once again I was stirred spiritually by their stories. They had also been to a retreat in Malvern, PA,  and had copies of the talks on tape, which were given to me.  I started the first tape, and heard a woman say, “I want to show you how to fall madly in love with the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.” The third tape was on the Holy Eucharist. The woman told about her Protestant friend who was a cripple. She did not believe that Jesus was truly present -  Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Host. If she did, she would fall on her hands and knees to receive Him. At that moment, my entire body was burning up. I knew in my head that the Eucharist was Jesus, but now I knew it in my heart. I decided that I had to receive Him often, and I would be healed. To do this, I would have to overcome a phobia of driving. 

   One day, I decided that if I professed to love Jesus, I had to trust. I sprinkled holy water over my car, grabbed Our Lady’s weapon, the rosary, and asked the Holy Family to come with me. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. When I knelt down before Mass, I looked up at a life-size crucifix over the altar and said, “Jesus, I am here, but I’m never going to make it home.” I then heard these words, “If you come, I will always get you home.”  I went from going to Mass periodically to becoming a daily communicant.

   My brother counsels post-abortive women for Project Rachel. He explained to our family the steps he uses to heal post-abortive women, and I was all ears.  “First,” he said, “she has to remember her abortion. It is very painful and sometimes blocked from her memory. I then ask her to imagine Jesus coming with her baby. Jesus hands her the child, and I ask her if it is a boy or a girl. She seems to know instinctively. She then names her baby, asks her child to forgive her, and symbolically baptizes the baby. Finally, Jesus takes the baby back to Heaven.”

    I decided that I was going to try this on my own. Through many tears, I was able to name my children: William, Mary, and Jeanne. My children really took on an identity after this, and I decided to write a song for them. It had to remain a secret though, just like they were. I could not afford to let anyone find out about my abortions, for fear of what they would think of me.

   A church in town put on a Life in the Spirit Seminar, and I attended. The last night I noticed people being prayed over. This kind of scared me, but a friend insisted I go up. A woman surrounded by five people laid hands on me. After a few seconds I was resting in the spirit. All of a sudden she pulled me up and said, “What is wrong with you?” Not wanting to bring up the abortions, I said the problem was my husband. When she asked what my husband did to me, I knew I had to confess.  I answered in trepidation, “He convinced me to have an abortion.” Well, they all started praying and then I heard these words: “Come on, tell them you had three.”  So I blurted out, “I’ve had three abortions.” A man groaned in pain, and then I heard a stern voice say, “Receive My mercy and forgiveness now!”  I knew that I was not accepting God’s forgiveness.  I then heard it again, “Receive My mercy and forgiveness now.”  When I heard it the third time it scared me. I felt as though it was now or never, and I let it all go. Peace flooded into my heart. They say the truth shall set you free, and so it did. That evening, I sang the song that I had written in secret for my children.

   The next day, I went early to Mass and felt as though everyone in the church knew that I had three abortions. I looked up at the St. Joseph Statue and asked him to help me. I heard these words in my heart, “Jesus has forgiven you, so what do you care?”  That really eased my mind.

   After Mass, I decided it was time to tell my parents.  As we sat around the table, with all the courage I could muster, I explained to them the reason I had been so filled with anxiety. For seven years, they had driven me wherever I needed to go. Before I could even finish, they jumped up and wrapped their arms around me. They assured me that they would always love me, no matter what I had done. With tears in my eyes, I sang the song written for their grandchildren, William, Mary and Jeanne. On the way home, I decided to tell my two sons.  I had to apologize to them, because I put them through a lot over the years. After singing to them, my youngest son said, “Mom, can I say something?” I replied “Yes, what is it?” He then said something that I will never forget, “I’m glad it wasn’t me.” I replied, “I am, too.”

    I wanted to tell my oldest brother, since he was so instrumental in helping me, but I just could not find a way to do it. Finally I sent him a letter.

   In 1995, I was invited to go to Ireland with three friends. I told them that it was impossible, with my phobia of flying and the lack of funds, but I said I would pray. A few weeks later my mother came into some money quite unexpectedly, and offered to pay my way. I went down to the beach and, while praying the Rosary, I felt joy -  something I had not experienced in a long time.  All of a sudden, I smelled roses, and I knew that Our Lady was calling me to Ireland.

   On the way to the airport I was so fearful; I wondered how I would be able to fly without fainting. All of a sudden, I heard a man’s voice say, “When will you trust me?” I instinctively knew it was Jesus. He then said, “Do you know how happy I would be if you would just trust me?”  I wanted to make Jesus happy, and so in my heart I just said, “OK, Jesus, I will trust You.”  At that very moment my fear completely vanished. I yelled out, “Alleluia, my fear is gone!”  I boarded our airplane without a hitch.

   Our first night in Ireland, we went to Maynooth. We visited a priest who told us about the Inter-generational Healing Masses that he was saying. He then said, “If a woman has had an abortion, we say prayers for the baby, too.”  I began to cry, because he did not know about my abortions or that I had been praying to have a Mass like this said for me. I am Irish, and what better place to pray for my ancestors than Ireland. Father agreed to offer the Mass for me the day before we were to leave for the States. During the Mass, Father prayed for the release of mental illness in my family. All at once, a gush of wind came from my chest and blew up through my head with such a force it threw me backwards. I couldn’t help but think of the demons Jesus cast from Mary Magdalene.  After the Mass I was given some wonderful advice: visit the Blessed Sacrament often, attend daily Mass, go to weekly Confession, and pray the Rosary daily. This would bring about a total healing.

   In 1996, my dream came true. I was able to go to Medjugorje with the help of some good friends who were also going. Most of the people that attended daily Mass went, and that made it even more special. The war was ending, and we were able to bring supplies to an orphanage and a refugee camp. We saw the sun spin, the moon dance, and the cross light up at night, but the most wonderful thing of all was the peace that enveloped us. There is nothing else like it on earth.

   The following year, I went back to Ireland. When we arrived in Maynooth, I was asked to give my first witness talk to a prayer group that was meeting that evening. All the readings that night were on fear, and it was pretty comical because I was scared to death. When I got up to speak, the Holy Spirit took over and the fear left. My son had come on the trip with me, and when I took my seat next to him, he said, “Oh Mom, I am so proud of you.”  After telling about my past, I wondered if the Irish people would think poorly of me but my fears were relieved when, one by one, they came up and hugged me.

  After my return the long awaited letter from my brother finally arrived. I choked back the tears, as I read these words: “Praise be Jesus and Mary. The cloud is lifted. Your children now are in Heaven. Pray to them, as they are your greatest advocates.”

Editor’s note:If you would like a recording of Barbara’s talk and song, you can contact her at her address, Barbara Kleaveland 822 Moulton Ave. N. Muskegon, MI 49445 or email her at  recievemymercy@gmail.com.

Barbara is scheduled to speak at the Totally Yours Conference at the DuPage Marian Center, St. Charles, IL, October 17-18. Visionary Ivanka will be speaking also. For more information on the conference visit www.totallyyours.org.

“Oh, if sinners knew My mercy, they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me. Speak to them of My great mercy.” ~ Jesus to St. Faustina (feast day October 5)

The Presence of Satan and the Existence of Hell

The following is an excerpt from an interview with Vicka, broadcast live by Radio Maria Italia from Medjugorje on 1/2/08

PADRE LIVIO – The Madonna mentions Satan in almost one hundred messages, 80 of which are messages that have been directed to the parish [of Medjugorje] and these messages reveal the nature of [Satan's] activity. In the first years of the apparitions the Madonna gave a rather particular message which however finds confirmation in the experience of other mystics and also in the experience of Pope Leo XIII; She said: "The time has come in which Satan is allowed to operate with all his strength and force. This present hour is Satan's hour" (February 10th, 1983). What does it mean that to Satan is conceded such power?

VICKA – For sure Satan is strong but not stronger than God or the Madonna. But he is in a position to disturb us. In our families today Satan can do whatever he wants because all the windows and the doors are open and so he enters however he wants; also because today no one prays in the family--today, the families do everything but pray. But Satan tries to disturb the families where there is prayer; Satan tries to disturb those people for whom God has the first place in their hearts, but I am very certain that where there is a person who prays, who is faithful, who loves Jesus and the Madonna--Satan sees there is prayer and so he tries for a little while [to bring down this person or family] but Satan sees he can do nothing and so  he soon runs away,

PADRE LIVIO – In fact the Madonna said, "Confront Satan and defeat Satan with the rosary in your hand" (August 8th, 1985).

VICKA – That's right, the only thing the Madonna told us, "Keep the rosary in your hands and pray. Praying the Rosary is the only way you can keep Satan away".

PADRE LIVIO – Anyway it's incredible how the Madonna saw 30 years ago that Satan would attack above all young people and families.

VICKA – Yes, for the youth and for families it's a very difficult period: divorce, drugs...everything--everything, all the evil that is in the world can be seen [in the way young people and families are destroying themselves].

PADRE LIVIO – Listen, Vicka, the Madonna said that She came to save souls, "I want you all with me in paradise"--it is underlined that the Madonna is here in order to save us, but She also said a certain phrase, which She pronounced on two different occasions and which gives an impression--well, which makes us very concerned. She said: "Today, many people go to hell" -- She said this also at Fatima. She said that the souls of the damned do not repent and they continue to refuse God; they become part of hell and they do not want to be freed from that place. So the Madonna is here, She speaks to us about the devil, She warns us that he wants us to go to hell, She tells us that the souls in hell do not want to convert, that they refuse God and that from many pulpits in many churches it is preached that Satan doesn't exist, that there is no one in hell--etc. etc.. .

VICKA – Well, the first thing I want to say, it's like when we spoke about that sign that will be given that many will see but won't believe--that they refute this sign. As for the people in hell, what else can they say or want? They went there with their own free will--God sends no one to hell [against their wishes]. He gives us freedom to choose and so they chose that and went down there. And I want to say this, the Church cannot say what people want to hear; people say they do not agree with the Church--but I can tell you this truth because I saw it for myself that hell is not empty, in hell there are a lot of people [...] with my body--the Madonna took me by the hand and took me there and I saw that there are a lot of people in hell. And the Madonna told us that those people went there with their own free will. God did not send them there, the Madonna did not send them there. They wanted to go there and so that's where they went.

PADR E LIVIO – In this there is for us a very great responsibility for us--at Fatima the Madonna in fact said that many go to hell because they have no one who prays for them or makes sacrifices for them. We should feel responsible for souls, that they should be saved.

VICKA – Padre Livio, we pray for all of them, you know, and we also make many sacrifices and everything but they also need to make us feel some pity for them. Do you understand? I do not say that our prayers and sacrifices are useless, no--and with all our hearts and love we are near them but they too need to say something, asking for prayers--they must verbalize this desire to change. [...] We pray for them that they may be able to change and we pray that we may be a good example to them--that [by changing ourselves and] making a good example of our lives they may be able to change too.                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                    www.radiomaria.it

“It is almost impossible to reach Jesus except through Mary.”  ~  St. John Bosco.

Our Lady in the restaurant 

Thank you to Chris Maxwell, Dianne Yochim, Vickie DeCoursey, Louise Lotze, and Vilma Smith for their help with the September mailing, and to Fran Stadler for making goodies for the mailing.  Thank you to Simone O’Keefe for making us more prayer cloths.  Thank you to Mike Golovich, Bernard Gallagher, and Fr. Milton Process for their photos in this issue.

Our proofreader Ginny Spaeder  went to be with the Lord on September 25. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for the consolation of her family. More about this in the November issue.