MARY'S MESSAGE AT MEDJUGORJE
   In the tiny hamlet of Medjugorje (pronounced Med-u-gory) there has 
been an apparition of Mary which is unique in its message.  The message 
of Medjugorje may well explain why, in a recent seminar in Waynesboro, 
Pennsylvania, the pastor reported that the local Lutheran Church has 
initiated prayers to Mary.

   What is the connection?  One link is that one of the main avenues of 
information from Medjugorje is from a Lutheran, Wayne Weible, whose 
report, MIRACLE AT MEDJUGORJE has had 7, 000,000 copies printed.  The 
other link is that Mary, unlike her message at other apparitions, has 
adopted a thoroughly ecumenical tone and now promotes not her own 
veneration, but a worldwide understanding of all religions.

   At Lourdes, four years after Pius IX had proclaimed her Immaculate 
Conception, Mary appeared to a peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, as 
"The Immaculate  Conception." In 1917, when she appeared to the 
children at Fatima, Portugal, it was her "Immaculate Heart" that was to 
be honored and the prayer promoted was the Rosary.

   Now Mary has appeared and she said, "religions are separated in the 
earth, but  the people of all religions are accepted by her Son." (page 
4; all quotes taken  from MIRACLE AT MEDJUGORJE, Weible.)

   When asked if that meant that all people go to Heaven, Ivanka, one 
of the young seers who supposedly hears directly from Mary replied, "It 
all depends on what  they deserve."

   Mary is quoted as saying, "I am His Mother and I intercede for you 
with Him" (page 2).

   Mr.  Weible reports on how he became involved. Although from a 
Lutheran background, his interest was first aroused by a statement of a 
Sunday school classmate about the miracles in Yugoslavia.  Inquiries 
were made and a video procured.  Weible says something happened during 
the viewing of the video that changed his life completely.

   We will quote from his own account.  "About midway through watching 
the film, I suddenly 'felt' a strong message within myself.  I heard no 
audible voice, but the message was just as clear as though I had 
actually heard it.  In essence it said, 'You are my son, and you are to 
do my Son's work.  Write about events in Medjugorje.  . .' There was no 
doubt in my heart about the source of the message.  It was from Mary, 
the Blessed Virgin. . . I began a series of four columns on the 
apparitions . . . I hope you will read these columns . . . (and). . 
offer penance to God . . .".

   The reported apparitions have been to a group of six local young 
people.  These apparitions have gone on daily since June 1981, and are 
supposed to be an urgent message to the whole world to reconcile now 
with God and bring peace to a dangerously troubled world.

   Mary, who is referred to as "She" [note capital letter] by Weible, 
has given numerous messages.  She said that every family should have at 
least one sacred object in the house, and that houses should be blessed 
regularly.  She is constantly calling for fasting and prayer, and one 
of the evils that threatened the world has already been thus 
eliminated, according to seer Mirjana, who believes we are close to the 
events of judgment predicted by the Blessed Virgin.  Because of this, 
Mirjana says to mankind, "Convert yourselves as  quickly as possible."

   Weible gives selected bits of conversations between the seers and 
Mary.  On June 24, 1981, Ivanka asked the lady her name.  "I am the 
Blessed Virgin Mary" was the reply.  Later, Vicka said, "If you are Our 
Lady, stay with us. If you are  not, be gone!" The lady smiled and 
remained.

   Mirjana reports, "Then She told me there are levels in Purgatory: 
levels close to Hell and higher and higher toward Heaven.  Most people, 
she said, think many souls are released from Purgatory into Heaven on 
All Saints' Day, but most souls are taken into Heaven on Christmas Day. 
 Prayers that are said on earth for souls who have not prayed for their 
salvation are applied to souls in Purgatory who pray for their 
salvation.  Mary said that, today, most people go to Purgatory, the 
next greatest number go to Hell, and only a few go directly  to 
Heaven."

   Mirjana also reported an unusual revelation.  "God allowed the devil 
one century in which to exercise an extended power over the world, and 
the devil  chose the twentieth century." This is a departure from usual 
Catholic theology which states that we are now living in the 
Millennium.

   Jesus is not absent in these apparitions; once Ivanka reported 
having seen the Madonna holding the Baby Jesus.  When asked , "What did 
seeing the Madonna mean   to you?", Ivanka replied, "It meant 
everything in the world." Apparently the Baby Jesus in "Her" arms did 
not have much significance to the seers.

   The Lutheran involvement and the ecumenical overtures have great 
significance. Medjugorje is just another step toward Satan's ecumenical 
super-Church!

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