tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78209428833621920292024-02-18T19:24:09.924-08:00Darryl GreerDarryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-84966069926750639382019-07-08T16:02:00.001-07:002019-07-08T16:02:06.821-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- PROF. DR. LJUDEVIT RUPCIC<div style="text-align: justify;">
[The following is an excerpt from an article by Prof. Dr. Ljudevit Rupcic which I have copied from www.medjugorje.ws. He goes on to cite miracles which I have already commented upon so I have restricted my extract to his first two paragraphs -- a generalisation of various phenomena occurring at Medjugorje].</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the beginning, the Medjugorje apparitions were accompanied by many unusual phenomena, both in the sky and on the ground, especially by miraculous healings. I myself, with about a thousand pilgrims, experienced one unusual dance of the sun. That manifestation was so unusual and obvious, that everyone without exception classified it as a miracle. None of those present remained indifferent, which I myself was convinced of by questioning the others who were present. The joy, the tears, and the statements of those present strongly confirmed it. From their words, it could be seen that they understood that manifestation as a confirmation of the authenticity of the apparitions, and as an incentive to respond to the Medjugorje messages by accepting them. And that is the real purpose of miracles: to help people believe and live by faith because they stand in the service of the faith and of the salvation of people.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Regarding the luminous phenomena in Medjugorje, a professor employed in Vienna, an expert in that field, admitted to me that he studied them in Medjugorje for a week. At the end, he told me: "Science has no answer to these manifestations." Although judgment about miracles does not belong to any natural science nor to science in general, but to theology and faith, nevertheless, the judgment of science is very important because where it leaves off, faith takes over. It is very significant that many events were understood by the faithful as a real miracle. They understood their significance and, whether they experienced them for themselves or through others, they felt themselves obliged to accept the Medjugorje messages as an obligation. It is difficult to say precisely how many of these miraculous events have taken place in regards to the Medjugorje apparitions. However, it is well known that several hundred of them have bern reported and attested to. Several of them have been thoroughly examined and scientifically-theologically elaborated, and there is no serious reason whatsoever to doubt their supernatural character...</div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-45473604911631385792019-01-30T13:50:00.003-08:002019-01-30T13:50:20.248-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- FR. JAREK CIELECKI
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Courier; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Courier; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There have been many reports of people smelling a strong odour of roses at certain sites around Medjugorje. So far, I have not recorded any of these. However, the following, slightly edited by me, has been extracted from website <i>Mystic Post </i>authored by Antonella Sanicanti<i>.</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This is the story of Father Jarek Cielecki who had the Madonna Assunta painted, to carry it to parishes all over the world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>One day, Fr. Cielecki arrived in Medjugorje with that painting. Prior to this, he had not been inclined to believe in the apparitions but something happened there that changed his mind forever.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He began to smell roses and in the afternoon of the day when the Virgin appeared to the seer, Ivan, he felt that the smell came from the painting and it was so strong that it came to all those who stood next to him. Then all together they also saw the sun that was expressed in a “dance” and then turned into a pulsating host.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<br />Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-38350799216298416752018-08-23T18:03:00.000-07:002018-08-23T18:03:05.922-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- ELEANOR HAHOUAD[I picked up the following article from the newsletter of Sr. Emmanuel, a Catholic nun who I believe resides, or at least spends a lot of her time, in Medjugorje. The article was dated 22 August 2018. It was accompanied by a <i>YouTube </i>video of the little girl, the subject of the article, walking. By the way, when someone believes they have been cured of some incurable disease or affliction as a result of either a visit to or some connection with Medjugorje, they must submit details to the local parish office whereupon the matter is subjected to a detailed medical and scientific investigation before it is accepted or circulated].<br />
<br />
In the little village of Abeline, where Saint Maryam of Bethlehem was born, the Hahoud family was deeply distressed. Their three-year-old daughter, Eleanor, born with a disability, was doomed to never walk. A month earlier, an Israeli Catholic frier went to visit this stricken family. <br /><br />Seeing the little girl, he had the idea of giving her son rose petals which he had brought back from Medjugorje and which had been blessed by the Mother of God during an apparition. The Gospa (Blessed Virgin Mary’s name in Croatian) when she appears to the visionaries actually blesses religious articles that are presented to her: rosaries, icons, crucifixes, medals as well as rose petals. Pilgrims then give them to those who cannot come, especially to the sick, as signs that their Heavenly Mother is willing to reach out to them through her maternal blessing. <br /><br />With such simple signs received in faith and prayer, Mary does what she wants for the person who is suffering, giving them the graces she deems necessary.<br /><br />Our friend, upon seeing little Eleanor, was overcome with compassion and began to hope for the impossible. He explained to the family where the petals were from, and left after having prayed with them. In the evening, the grandmother said to the mother, “Did you put the petals on your daughter’s legs?” “No,” answered the mother. “Well, what are you waiting for?” The mother placed the petals on her daughter’s lifeless legs, and after praying many Hail Marys, she went to bed, crying all night long because her heart was so heavy.<br /><br />In the morning, the father, a construction worker, asked his wife, “Why don’t you go and see if Our Lady has done anything for Eleanor?” The mother went, tried to lift her daughter upright but — to her amazement — the little girl stood up on her own; she was comfortable standing on her two feet and started to walk in front of everyone. She went out into the courtyard and turned around several times, so amazed that she was finally able to walk.<br /><br />Since then, Eleanor’s walking has come on in leaps and bounds, and the whole family continue blessing God for this miracle. Medical records attest to this healing which cannot be explained by science. The Gospa of Medjugorje visited this stricken family — how can we not cry out with joy?Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-89321055599319569002018-06-26T21:42:00.001-07:002018-06-26T21:42:52.366-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- BERNIECE DUELLO[The following article, by Berniece Duello, was posted on the web with permission by Chicken Soup For The Soul LLC. I have copied it to here. It doesn’t necessarily describe a miracle. Then again, it might. You decide].<br /><br />For all of my ninety years, I’ve had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary. I didn’t believe that Mary could answer prayers, but that she was an intercessor to her son, Jesus. While I was raising eight children, I needed all the interceding I could get! I turned to her often, mother to mother. A statue of the Blessed Virgin sat prominently on our buffet and fresh flowers adorned her, especially in May.<br /><br />I knew Mary had appeared to youngsters in Lourdes, France, and to children in Guadalupe, Mexico. Then in the 1980s, I read new accounts of Mary appearing to youngsters in Medjugorje, Bosnia (and Hercegovina). Intrigued by the modern-day miracle, I bought books about it, subscribed to the Medjugorje Magazine, attended seminars on the topic… and bought a ticket to Bosnia (and Hercegovina).<br /><br />At eighty years old, with back problems and a mild heart condition, I didn’t know if I could climb the mountain, but I just knew I was supposed to go… to be there… to see where Mary had appeared.<br /><br />I didn’t go planning to see a miracle, but many who had been there did. There were hundreds of accounts of miraculous healings and faith conversions.<br /><br />Our tour group arrived in Medjugorje late one damp November night. The next morning we learned our scheduled trek had been postponed, due to the rain and slippery slopes. One younger man who had made the trip twice before, said he could wait no longer… he was climbing the mile-long mountain path right then.<br /><br />I said, “Me too.”<br /><br />So with more determination than strength, I set off for the climb. I was surprised to see the trail was only jagged rocks. Step by cautious step, I slowly hiked upward, past a woman even older than I kneeling in prayerful meditation… past a half dozen rowdy ten year old boys running and yelping with joy. They raced ahead of me; later I came upon them again kneeling in quiet prayer.<br /><br />Within two hours, I stood in breathless wonder and awe at the top of the mountain, on the very site the virgin had appeared. I knelt in the sprinkling rain and did what I always do… I prayed for her children. <br /><br />The trek was even more difficult than the ascent. Each step on the rugged rocks jarred me as I struggled to find stable footing. The rain intensified as we wound our way through the foreign streets of the city. I returned to the group, soaking wet but marvelling that, not only had I made the climb, I had done so without my usual pain. “Maybe that was the miracle,” I mused.<br /><br />The next day was just another day in war-torn Bosnia (and Hercegovina), but it was Thanksgiving Day in the States… and the tour guide had a plan to make it a day of Thanksgiving in Medjugorje too. On every tour the staff purchased and distributed groceries and supplies to the most needy in the community. All of the dozen members of our tour group readily offered to contribute to the fund and help with the deliveries.<br /><br />Our large bus stopped at the grocery store where the ordered bags of goods were loaded into the back. Carefully, we counted the twenty-four garbage-size bags. Local church and government officials had made a list of the twenty-four families in most desperate need, and the bus headed off to share Thanksgiving with them.<br /><br />The first stop was a shanty with the roof partly blown off. My new friends and I filed past damaged household furniture sitting on the dirt lawn and entered the one room the family of four occupied. Laughing, smiling, and crying, the old couple accepted the food and supplies. Two young boys in clean ragged clothes chattered their gratitude while their toddler brother clung to the grandma’s leg, whining and fussing. Their parents were tortured and killed by the enemy, the tour guide had explained. Yet the family jubilantly hugged us goodbye and we headed off to the next stop. <br /><br />The bus driver seemed to have the route and stops memorised from the many trips before. At the next run-down house, a wrinkled old woman in a headscarf stood waving from her cluttered front porch. As our group entered, she placed her hands on each of our faces and kissed us, one by one, thanking us in her native tongue. Inside we gathered in one of the two rooms left standing in her once three-bedroom home. There she prayed, not for herself, but for us, her guests. <br /><br />The driver stopped next at a ramshackle house at the end of a lane, and before the tour guide could say, “They aren’t on our list this time,” a man and two young boys raced toward the bus clapping for joy. At the directive of the tour guide, the bus pulled away, leaving them looking forlorn and rejected.<br /><br />“Can’t we please leave them some food?” I politely protested as I looked back at the family waving sadly.<br /><br />“We only have twenty-four bags,” the guide explained, her voice thick with sorrow. “We have other families waiting for these. We promised them.”<br /><br />The team sat, despondent, until the driver stopped at yet another war-damaged home. There, a couple who looked even older than I cared for two grown sons, both suffering from a wasting muscular disease. Yet their faith and joy exceeded ours as they crowded the entire group into their tiny kitchen to pray… and share food the old woman had prepared for us.<br /><br />And so went the day, house after house, family after family, each physically destitute and spiritually wealthy.<br /><br />“That’s twenty-four!” the guide said as she checked the last name off the list after the final stop.<br /><br />“No, twenty-three,” someone corrected. “there is one bag of food left.”<br /><br />Dumbfounded, the group looked in the back of the bus to see one lone bag of food.<br /><br />“We all counted the bags and the people on the list three times,” one member said.<br /><br />“There was no error,” our guide said, then beamed. “Are there loaves an fishes in that bag?”<br /><br />The entire team stared at each other first in confusion, then in awe, then in elation. We cheered. “Let’s go!”<br /><br />The bus returned to the ramshackle house at the end of the lane and the man and two boys raced out, as if they were expecting us.<br />Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-39631226917753786792017-11-17T21:04:00.001-08:002017-11-17T21:04:39.738-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- VARIOUS CLAIMS<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[There is a seemingly never-ending supply of information on the Internet regarding alleged miracles of one kind or another associated with the phenomenon that is Medjugorje. The following are some extracts from a 1988 article by Monte Leach entitled <i>Manifestations from Medjugorje</i>,<i> </i>only slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Eighteen members of a Catholic prayer community in Northern California say that their rosary beads changed from a silver to gold colour both during and after a recent prayer retreat. The eighteen believe the changes are miracles performed by the Virgin Mary as part of her manifestation in Medjugorje…Changes in rosary beads have been reported in other parts of the U.S. and around the world, including some 50 parishioners in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, who say their beads changed form silver to a gold colour after a member of their congregation returned from Medjugorje last year.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Like Somers, one of the Northern California Catholics who attended the prayer retreat, says she was reciting the prayer of the rosary when her beads changed colour. “I looked at the rosary in my hand and it was glowing,” Somers says. She has had rosary beads for 40 years, she says, and has never seen any of them change colour the way hers did that day at the retreat. In other parts of the U.S., metallurgists have examined beads that people claim have changed colour. The metallurgists have found the rosaries not to be gold, but have yet to determine their actual metallic composition.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Phenomena of all types have been reported at Medjugorje. Physical healings are common; the cross on one of the mountains lights up, and a woman’s figure is seen on the cross; the word MIR, the Croatian and Russian word for peace, has been written across the sky in bright lights, and seen by thousands of people; rosary beads in Medjugorje change from silver to gold.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Mary Ann Serrano actually witnessed one of the more commonly reported miracles at Medjugorje. “I had just come out of Mass. The sun was over Mount Krisevac, a hill where people pray every day and where Mary has actually appeared. All of a sudden I saw a crowd of people with the faces in awe. And gold light on their faces. I turned and looked and the sun was spinning across the sky, with great rainbows of light coming out of it. Rainbows of light and most prominently a cross. You could stare straight into the sun and you didn’t have to blink. It didn’t hurt your eyes. And then all of a sudden it came back and was a normal sun again.”</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-53266613337609063162017-08-18T22:49:00.002-07:002017-08-18T22:49:14.850-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- JOANIEE SCHLAGEL<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[After nine months of undertaking this exercise, it seems there are countless stories on the Internet about miraculous cures attributable to Medjugorje, many more than I thought I’d be able to find. What follows, only slightly edited by me, is the testimony of Joaniee Schlagel, a woman from Colorado in the U.S. who was inexplicably cured of an inoperable and life threatening tumour simply by visiting Medjugorje]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“It all started in my home state of Colorado. I hadn’t been to church since the time of the Latin Mass and for some reason, this Easter in ’92, it was like someone was dragging me to church by the collar. I went and met these people. They had back packs that said “Queen of Peace” on them. I asked them who they were and they said they brought medical supplies into Bosnia. I responded that I would like to go and we exchanged numbers.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I thought to myself — <i>Where’s Bosnia and why do I want to go there? </i>Then I found that something else happened that was strange. I couldn’t stop saying the Rosary even though I had never liked the Rosary. Basically, I had no idea what was happening to me.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Anyway, as I was preparing for my trip I found out I had a rare tumour wrapping around my heart and kidneys and that it was inoperable. It was called <i>Retroperitoneal Fibrosis. </i>(From an international search it was discovered that I was only one of 500 with it in the world, with most people dying from it because it is undetectable. As it is not cancerous, chemotherapy was not an option. Instead, steroids were used as a last ditch effort. My surgeon had actually asked me not to take them because of the damage they would do. As it happened, I blew up to 250lbs and it wasn’t just the weight — I looked almost disfigured). I called and cancelled the trip.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then when I found out I had three months to live, I got a call from the same people and they told me they had to postpone their trip to Medjugorje — they were going in April 1993 instead. They asked if I’d like to go. I decided I would.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important to understand that I wasn’t going for a miracle. In fact, the way I behaved while I was there it was interesting that I had even said yes at all. When I got there, I really wasn’t doing much praying. I remember spending a lot of time in the pizza place and soon enough I was back on the plane returning home, thinking — <i>Here I am in this holy place with three months to live. I should have been on my hands and knees praying.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Then something happened which I didn’t expect. Suddenly, I felt so good in my heart like if I were to die it would be okay.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“When I returned home, I went to my doctor for another CAT scan. He called me in and said something was wrong. Of course, I thought I probably had a week to live. But he had other news for me. He said ‘Your CAT scan says your tumour is drastically decreased. There’s something wrong. They must have made an error. Would you please take another test?’ So I did.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“When that report came back the tumour was all gone. Praised be Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I am left with the sense that it is not about the physical healing but the conversion of heart. I never thought I could feel this way.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Joaniee Schlagel, Colorado, United States</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">19 January 2009.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-44869771064258925022017-08-04T21:33:00.002-07:002017-08-04T21:33:19.052-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- LOLA FALANA<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Said to be the most famous person to have received a healing courtesy of Medjugorje, details of Lola Falana’s cure appears on multiple websites. The following is a short extract from one of them, only slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The most famous person to claim that she had been healed by Our Lady of Medjugorje was entertainer Lola Falana who was also suffering from multiple sclerosis. By 1989, she was confined to either the wheelchair or her bed. One day, she was watching a documentary about Medjugorje. According to her, “When the television showed the crowd of pilgrims which ascend the Hill of Apparitions, I experienced a desire to go there, to walk with them, but my legs were inert, dead. Then, with tears in my eyes, I prayed to the Blessed Mother to heal me, promising her that if one day I would be able to walk again, I would go there.” Within a month, all the symptoms of her illness had disappeared.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As promised, she went to Medjugorje.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-65674683475291483582017-07-27T20:52:00.000-07:002017-07-27T20:52:01.813-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- CHIARA ZOCCANTE<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Articles relating to Italian girl Chiara Zoccante appear all over the web, mainly in Italian. I have found the following on <a href="http://andamazinggrace.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">andamazinggrace.blogspot.com.au</span></a>. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">10 year old Italian girl Chiara Zoccante suffered from a pituitary tumour when she attended visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo’s apparition on 02 January 2006. Afterwards, Mirjana told Chiara’s parents that the Virgin Mary had put her hands on their girl. One month later doctors discovered that the tumour was gone.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The cure must be immediate, permanent and unexplainable by medical treatments. When the Catholic Church investigates claims of miraculous healings, these three criteria must be met before a cure can be declared a miracle.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">And so, when the medical experts assigned by the Vatican Commission charged with investigating the events in Medjugorje sift through the more than 400 case files of claimed healings, they might set aside Chiara’s case, now in her seventh year of good health.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">At age 10, Chiara was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour. She was first hospitalised on 24 June 2005, on the 24th anniversary of the Medjugorje apparitions.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“By chance, at the hospital we met a friend who told us about the apparitions,” Chiara’s parents, Patrizia and Mariano, told the weekly Italian magazine <i>Oggi </i>in June (this year — possibly 2012). We promised to take Chiara to Medjugorje as soon as she felt good enough physically. And we kept our word.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“On 31 December 2005 we arrived in the town of the Virgin. We were excited by the grace of the place where everyone invited us to pray. Meeting with Father Jozo (Medjugorje’s parish priest at the time of the first apparition) was a balm, but the most touching moment was the meeting with Mirjana during her monthly apparition.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“On 02 January 2006, Chiara was taken near the visionary. After the apparition Mirjana told us that he Virgin had put her hands on Chiara. Exactly one month later, on 02 February 2006, we went to the hospital for a routine MRI. The cancer had completely disappeared. And not only that: her hair also came back though the doctors told us that Chiara would remain bald, as a consequence of chemotherapy.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Though Chiara’s story is only now breaking in English, it has been known for a while in Italy. On 18 April 2010 Chiara testified before about 20,000 people gathered for a Medjugorje prayer meeting in Milan.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-84661874568465045732017-05-18T20:53:00.003-07:002017-05-18T20:53:54.322-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- SUSAN TASSONE<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Susan Tassone’s story appears on many websites. She has authored a number of books, including <i>Praying with the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. </i>The following is an extract of her testimony in her own words with just slight editing by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">On August 11, 1983, the feast of my patron, St. Susanna, I was hit head on and injured by a cab, which left my leg damaged. My doctor told me that my leg was permanently damaged, and that I would have constant bouts of painful swelling and tenderness of the leg for the rest of my life.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The date was even more significant. Fifty years earlier, on that very same day, my great aunt, known as “Little Mary,” who was ten years old at the time, was also injured in a car accident. She died. I survived. A priest told me that my life was spared and that I had a mission. He said that sometimes a sacrifice is made in the family for a greater cause. It shook me up.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have had a special bond with the Blessed Mother since I was a child. My mother was very active in the parish, and we were very young when she planted the seed for the love of Our lady in our hearts. (I remember, for example, we had the Pilgrim Virgin statue in our home).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 1993, with the permission of my doctor, I decided to go on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, to pay a visit, experience closeness with Our Lady, and to return home. Our Blessed Mother had other plans. During an apparition on Good Friday night, 1993, I saw an image of Our Lady within a cobalt blue colour. I knew it was Her. They say the white flashes are angels that appear before Her. My knees shook. I knelt to steady them. I was in amazement and awe.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">My rosary links turned to gold and my leg, my permanently damaged leg, was healed on Mt Krizevac (Cross Mountain). My doctor said it was a miracle and I was blessed. However, he waited three years before he would document the healing. He wanted to be sure it was real. Three years later, I flew back to Medjugorje to deliver the letter. It is one of the documented medical cases of registered healings in Medjugorje. Fr Slavko Barbaric interviewed me for “Mir Magazine,” the local magazine of Medjugorje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-27044994677754240152017-04-28T22:26:00.002-07:002017-04-28T22:26:05.385-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- SILVIA BUSI<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The following testimony, or articles relating to Silvia Busi appears on many websites. This one has been extracted from an article by Jakob Marschner on <a href="http://www.medjugorje.ws/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.ws</span></a>. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">All the medical tests were negative when Silvia Busi fell very ill at 16. Within days, the normal Italian girl found herself in a wheelchair, unable to move her legs. Nine months later Silvia’s illness disappeared as suddenly as it had come about, during an apparition to Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic. “The gift of faith is the biggest one I got,” she says.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Instantly ill and crippled for months, then just as instantly cured. Life took place in drastic turns when Silvia was 16 and 17.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">For nine months from October 2004 the student from Padua, Italy was a paraplegic confined to her wheelchair, unable to walk or move her legs. Silvia’s time as an invalid ended in June 2005 on top of Apparition Hill in Medjugorje when she stood up and walked after an apparition to visionary Ivan Dragicevic.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Until the beginning of October 2004,” Silvia testified during a recent prayer meeting in Italy, “I was a normal girl going to school, having friends, dancing and swimming. Suddenly, within a few days, all that was blocked, though all the medical tests were negative.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“When I found myself in a wheelchair, my family and I lived through hard and painful moments. In the following months I began losing weight and my seizures got worse, limiting my life even more, and leading me to an emotional breakdown.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Early on, Silvia’s mother turned to faith as the solution to her daughter’s condition. The home was Catholic but Silvia says she attended Sunday Mass only out of habit:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“My mother was our strength,” Silvia said. “Finding no answers with doctors, she turned to a priest who was very devoted to a Marian group. So we started to follow the group every Friday, along with praying the Rosary, going to Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. I followed my parents, though, only because I could not stay at home alone.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“In May, the month dedicated to the Madonna, my mother decided to attend the group every day and not only on Friday, and at least pray the Rosary and go to Mass. At first it was not easy for me but after a few weeks, I began to feel the need to go there because only there could I feel a little peace. Not being able to do the same things as my peers, in that place I felt the weight less.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Silvia’s decision to go to Medjugorje was as sudden as her illness and her later cure:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“On June 20,” Silvia told the attendees at the prayer meeting, “my physical therapist told me that next week she would accompany her mother to Medjugorje. I asked if I could go with them, and after three days I found myself on the bus to Medjugorje with my father. We arrived in the morning of June 24, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, but also the anniversary of the first apparition.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When Silvia heard that visionary Ivan was to have a public apparition in the evening, she immediately decided to go there, though she thought it would be impossible to bring her wheelchair to the top of Apparition Hill. Instead, she was carried to the hilltop where she arrived at 8:00 pm, two hours before the apparition.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“That is my earliest memory of prayer really done with the heart. Those two hours flew away. Sitting next to me, my group leader told me to address the Madonna because shortly thereafter she would come down from Heaven to listen to all of us. Then I asked Her for the strength to serenely accept and face a life in a wheelchair because I was seventeen, and the future terrified me so.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“During Ivan’s apparition,” Silvia testified, “I saw a light to my left: white, beautiful, very vocal and loud but I could look at it because I did not get blinded. When I saw it, I was afraid and I lowered my eyes not to look at it but it was also good and I could not help but watch it. Thus, throughout the apparition, I always looked at this light through the corner of my eye.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">After the apparition, Silvia’s carriers lost her, and she fell on the hard hillside stones. But Silvia did not feel the rocks, she said. Instead her healing took place:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I remember it as if I was being on a soft mattress and not on those hard and sharp rocks. I also remember a very sweet voice which spoke to me and calmed me. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and my father was crying. But for the first time in nine months, I could feel my legs; I felt I leaned on something. Then I told my father ‘I am cured; I can walk!’</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“There was a hand stretched out in front of me. I grabbed it and I found myself on my feet as if it were the most natural thing. I burst into tears because this was something bigger than me. I could never have imagined this. Then I started to walk. My legs were very thin but I was sure I would never fall because I felt some invisible strings that held me from behind, and I was sure that I would not fall and get hurt.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next morning, at about five o’clock, Silvia climbed Cross Mountain to pray the Way of the Cross along with her group. When she returned from Medjugorje, only the seizures were left of her illness. For them to disappear took another Medjugorje involvement:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I continued to have seizures,” Silvia said, “but thanks be to God they went over. At first I was very shy and did not witness, and then I had many seizures during the day. Then Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, a priest from Medjugorje, came to Turin for a prayer meeting and he told me to give thanks and praise to God for the gift He gave me.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">She was happy to pray the Rosary and give her testimony, then thought that was it. But it was not:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Before I went away, Fr Ljubo prayed over me, blessed me and a few days later all the seizures disappeared. After a year I stopped taking medicine and now, thanks be to God, I am fine.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Though Silvia is now completely healed, she does not consider that the biggest gift she got:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The greatest grace that God gave me and my family was to rediscover the grace of God, faith and conversion. The road is very long; we just started and then it continues for a lifetime. The difficulties are there and no-one is immune to this but with the power of faith and prayer, you are able to overcome and deal with them.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“With this conversion, it is as if God has lit a fire inside me. But as fire is being fed with wood, so faith must be nourished by prayer. And by the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, reading the Bible, fasting and Confession at least once a month. With all this, the fire is not quenched, even if a little wind is blowing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“For me this is really the most important and beautiful in life. I pray with all my heart to every day experience more of the love of God and the Madonna which is immense, and the same for each of us.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-87005954105682288022017-04-22T20:20:00.002-07:002017-04-22T20:20:42.311-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- DOMENICO MASCHERI<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The story of Domenico Mascheri appears on numerous Internet sites. The following is an article about him I have taken from <a href="http://www.medjugorjemiracles.com/">www.medjugorjemiracles.com</a>. I have only slightly edited it]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">An 87-year-old man from Italy, who had been using a hearing device since the 1970s, suddenly started to hear during a Mass at Medjugorje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Domenico Mascheri says his wife still cannot understand that she does not have to shout anymore. It all happened at an outdoor service on September 27 of this year (2011). During the Mass, he started to hear by himself after 40 years of being totally dependent on hearing devices. When he went to the Mass that evening, it was after two days of total silence, as the batteries in his hearing devices had run out, and he did not have spares. He had climbed Apparition Hill that day with the help of a wooden cane.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Domenico sat on the bench with a small group of pilgrims and about half-way through reciting the Ave Maria — he told reporters back home — he started to hear the pastor’s voice, which slowly became stronger until he could hear everything. He began to cry, and did not even tell his companions.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Later that evening Domenico told everyone in the group what had happened. They spent the rest of the evening partying and praising God for the beauty of the miracle of Domenico. (Source: <a href="http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/">www.medjugorjetoday.tv</a>).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Medjugorje is a fountain of spiritual fruits for the world. As of October, 2011 Medjugorje parish archivist Marija Dugandzic has confirmed that 532 healings were medically documented; 520 men became priests as a result of a visit; 123 women became nuns as a result of a visit and 540,000 visits were registered from cardinals, bishops, priests and nuns. (Source: www.medjugorjetoday.tv).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">And it is likely that hundreds, if not thousands of healings, vocations, and visits have gone unreported to the Medjugorje parish. On this Thanksgiving Day, 2011, let us give praise and thanksgiving to God for Medjugorje.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-79471067188165514372017-04-18T17:28:00.001-07:002017-04-18T17:28:23.284-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- NICOLO PACINI<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Nicolo Pacini’s testimony or articles about his experience appear on various websites and feature in a book by author and theologian René Laurentin’s <i>Ten Years of Apparitions. </i>Nicolo’s case is also mentioned in <i>Miracles of Healing:Inspirational Stories of Amazing Recovery </i>by Brad and Sherry Hansen Steiger.<i> </i>The following is from <a href="http://johnbarrysblog.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">http://johnbarrysblog.blogspot.com.au</span></a> with only slight editing by myself]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thirteen year old Nicolo Pacini, who lived with his family near Florence, Italy, had been confined to a wheelchair for five years with muscular dystrophy when his parents decided to take him to visit the site where the Virgin Mary had appeared in a small village, Medjugorje, in December 1991.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In spite of the popularity of Medjugorje as a healing shrine, Nicolo did not want to go; he told his parents that he would rather have them save the money that such a trip would cost. He thought it would be useless to go and that the pilgrimage would only bring all three of them additional heartache and disappointment.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">He argued that he was but one of millions of handicapped people in the world, and he would be but one of thousands of pilgrims who would be crowding around the statue of Mother Mary at Medjugorje praying for a healing. Why would the Queen of Heaven choose him before all the others?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">But at last, after much discussion and prayer, Nicolo agreed to accompany his parents to the holy place where Mother Mary had appeared wearing a crown of twelve stars.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The bus trip was exhausting, but when the Pacini family arrived at the shrine on December 8th, Nicolo’s mother wasted no time in pushing his wheelchair directly in front of Mary’s life-size statue. Perhaps more to please his parents than to get a miracle, Nicola began to pray.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then, to his astonishment and his parent’s great joy, he felt his right hand slowly open.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Encouraged by such a marvellous sign of divine energy, Nicolo was eager to return to the shrine the next morning. In his prayers, however, he asked that his healing not be done for his sake alone, but also for that of his parents. Then, Nicolo simply felt like getting up and walking for the first time in five years.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“It was the strangest feeling,” Nicolo said later. It was as if something were moving inside of him, and he had an overwhelming urge to get up and walk. An irresistible force seemed to be lifting him up from the wheelchair.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although he thought that it was impossible, he found himself standing upright and walking.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">After he had taken the first few steps, he called out to his mother and heard her cry of joy, as a miracle had occurred. Mrs Pacini instinctively rushed to her son’s side to help him but Nicolo asked her to leave him alone. He knew that he could walk on his own.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Pacini family will always remember how the hundreds of pilgrims who were gathered around the shrine burst into applause when Nicolo kept walking.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The boy’s mind was filled with the wonder of it all. Mother Mary had heard his prayers and those of his parents.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When the Pacinis returned to Florence, Dr Rosella Mengonzi, their physician, was shocked when she saw Nicolo standing and walking. Dr Mengonzi had been certain that Nicolo would be forced to spend his life in a wheelchair. After a thorough examination, Dr Mengonzi told journalist Silvio Piersanti that somehow Nicolo Pacini had completely recovered from an incurable disease in a manner that she could not medically explain. A healing miracle had been performed.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-49365789224473662802017-04-16T21:34:00.002-07:002017-04-16T21:34:51.479-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- HEATHER PARSONS<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Testimonies by and articles about an Irish journalist, Heather Parsons appear on numerous websites and she has written books about her experience (one of which, <i>A Light Between The Hills</i>, I have read)<i>. </i>The following article, by Michael H Brown appears at <a href="http://www.spiritdaily.net/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.spiritdaily.net</span></a>. It is obviously dated; I would guess it was written in the 1980s. Since the Church’s investigation he alludes to in the fifth from last paragraph, there has been a more high profile one which has been completed but whose findings are yet to be revealed to the world. Meanwhile the Pope has sent an emissary, Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser, to Medjugorje on his own fact finding mission and to assess the needs of the millions of pilgrims who go there. Michael H Brown’s article has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">An Irish journalist asserts in a new book, <i>Vicka, Touched by a Mother’s Love</i>, that she encountered extraordinary sights in the skies above the famous apparition site of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovina.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The journalist, Heather Parsons of Dublin — who at the time was Protestant — says that during her initial visit there in June, 1985, she witnessed what has became known as the “miracles of the sun,” but at a level unusual even by the standards of this reputedly miraculous place. Others too, witnessed the display which Parsons, a sceptic, never expected. “Lifting my hands to shade my eyes from the bright light of the sun,” she writes in the book, “I followed the direction of their pointing fingers — and for one short, sharp moment doubted the reality of my own sight. Closing my eyes momentarily, I looked again and saw exactly the same thing. There, in the sky above me, the sun was spinning like a top. As I watched, colours appeared to come streaming from behind it — red, green, yellow, blue — to circle it independently, while all the time the sun continued to spin.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Then the centre of the sun turned to red and then to black before returning to its usual brightness. Above it, slightly to the right, I suddenly saw what appeared to be white cloud-like letters begin to form. As I watched, the word “Peace” appeared in the sky above the dancing sun — in English, but in what I would have described as Celtic script, just like that in the Book of Kells. Remaining for what seemed like twenty or thirty seconds — although to be honest I was not counting time as I witnessed this extraordinary and unbelievable phenomenon — the word disappeared and the sun continued to spin and dance.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Native villagers have made similar claims, asserting that a bright, inexplicable inscription appeared in the sky above the holy spot of Mount Krizevac one summer evening in 1981. But in that case the letters had formed a word, “Mir,” in Croatian. “Mir” translates as “peace.” During the 1990s Americans from the New York area snapped photos from Apparition Hill that later showed the word “Christ” in an otherwise clear sky.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Parsons, who has written in Ireland for national newspapers and magazines, reveals that the entire episode lasted about 35 minutes. At one point, the journalist says that the sun appeared to “break away from the heavens” and come rushing toward the crowd — similar to the “great miracle” reported in 1917 at Fatima.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“All around me, I heard cries of fear mingled with terror-filled prayers, as the sun’s brightness came closer and closer and all I could see was a total golden light,” the journalist, who is now Catholic, continues. “Strangely, I realised, I felt no fear before the descent of the sun stopped and then withdrew back into the sky, where it continued to spin.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This is not what the entire book is about. It is a book about the experiences of others, including the seer Vicka Ivankovic Mijatovic (who recently bore her first child). It is a story of the Blessed Mother’s message. But the phenomena reported by Parsons were profound and of potential prophetic significance. “As I continued to stare at the sun,” she writes, “I saw what seemed like a fountain of light gush up from it. Just as with a fountain of water, where it reached its highest point this fountain of light separated and there appeared, to my utter astonishment, a bright, shining figure with arms outstretched. So bright and shining that I could never describe the whiteness of the garment, but a figure that I immediately recognised, despite my own lack of religious interest for many years, as the Risen Christ.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Parsons says that other witnesses seemed to be seeing what looked like a Communion Host in front of the sun — a frequent claim at Medjugorje, where a disc-like shape blots out the harmful centre rays. Parsons reports that she could see the sleeves that hung from the wrists of the figure as the cloth flowed down to meet the hem of the garment where it touched the figure’s feet. “But I could not see the face,” she explains. “Try as I might, I could not make out the features on his face, although I knew it was there, framed by hair that fell to the shoulders.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Ten times this figure disappeared, to return again almost immediately, always preceded by the fountain of light. At one point I recall holding my hand in front of my face — and continuing to see the figure as if my hand was not there. And then the realisation, as I stood in this place and continued to look up into the sky, that tears were pouring down my face and the only thought in my mind was that I was in the presence of God.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Church has not yet ruled on Medjugorje, with an investigation of such phenomena currently in the hands of a national commission composed of the Cardinal in Sarajevo, his auxiliary, and two other bishops. A spokesman for the Cardinal, Father Mato Vovkic, told <i>Spirit Daily </i>that a decision on authenticity will not be rendered until after the apparitions stop. What is the significance of this? Is there a sign for us all in the alleged manifestation of Jesus?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the coming weeks the Vatican is expected to release guidelines for discerning such claimed apparitions and other phenomena currently sweeping across every habitable continent, and when those strictures come out, we must strictly obey them, as we should obey all that the Pope directs through his congregations. Then we will better discern such reported signs — along with the message.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">That message has been peace. It has been love. It has been that the world is only a passing place and we must not allow evil to steal our happiness.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">With God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus — with the prayers of His mother — we have all we need to get through even the most challenging times.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This we have known now for 2,000 years. As Parsons says, “I had gone (to Medjugorje) in 1985 as a Protestant journalist. What I expected to find was Marian propaganda. What I actually found was the gospel message.”</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-54102572436476891652017-04-15T22:43:00.002-07:002017-04-15T22:43:19.679-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- REPORT OF DR NIKOLA BARTULICA<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Articles and testimony of Croatian psychiatrist, Dr Nikola Bartulica appear all over the Internet. The following was extracted from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Name: Dr Nikola Bartulica, a Croatian psychiatrist, originally from Split, but now lives in the USA.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Place and date of testing: Medjugorje, October 1981 and 1989.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Test or procedure: Dr Bartulica was among the first to examine the visionaries. In October 1981, he examined Vicka for nearly two hours, all the while she was unaware that he was a psychiatrist. He stated the following about that visit:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“When a psychiatrist hears that a person has visions, he first wonders if that person is mentally healthy. So I asked Vicka what did she see, hear, how did she react. She answered spontaneously, without fear or hesitation, and you could see that this was a determined, completely normal person…in psychiatry, you can quickly determine if a person is sincere.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 1989, Dr Bartulica returned to Medjugorje to carry out new psychiatric tests on the visionaries. In Medjugorje, he spoke to Marija, Ivan, Vicka, Mirjana and Ivanka. Only Jakov Colo was absent. “I examined each of them for half an hour and a pilgrim from California recorded it with a video camera so there is evidence of the event.” Dr Bartulica presented his conclusions on the Medjugorje phenomenon in the book <i>Are the Visionaries Telling the Truth? </i>published in 1991 in Chicago.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Conclusions:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In October, 1981</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I asked Vicka what did she see, hear, how did she react. She answered spontaneously, without fear or hesitation, and you could see that this was a determined, completely normal person.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In watching Vicka in ecstasy for the first time, four years after his first interview with her, he said:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“She was very expressive. I was watching her moving her lips, nodding…It made me think, if she doesn’t see the Blessed Mother, and is just staring into the wall like the rest of us, and behaves in such a manner then she is making fools of all of us. You have to ask yourself if it is possible that she is deceiving us. The answer is that it might be possible, but if that was the case, all the six seers are capable of this simultaneously for a period of 25 years. That in itself would be a phenomenon. And anyway that cannot be because it has been established scientifically that their ecstasies are authentic. Besides, there is no such case in the history of psychiatry that six children start simultaneously hallucinating at 6:40 pm (every evening)” says the psychiatrist. “It does not take an expert though to tell that the children were normal, sincere, and that their experience was not invented.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">He said that he has met many people in his line of business that were faking their experiences. But in the case of the visionaries of Medjugorje he is completely convinced that they have had the experience they testify to. He has visited Medjugorje more than 20 times and has often attended the apparitions.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-46104619585594827732017-04-14T23:17:00.002-07:002017-04-14T23:17:12.805-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- TESTIMONY OF DR MARCO MARGNELLI<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Dr Marco Margnelli is a specialist in ecstasy and altered states of consciousness. He is mentioned on numerous websites as an avowed atheist who went to Medjugorje and, as a result of what he discovered, converted to Roman Catholicism. The following article is just one of the many I have come across. In it, Dr Margnelli relates his own experiences. I have only slightly edited it]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">One impressive testimony comes from an Italian neurophysiologist, Dr Marco Margnelli, a specialist in ecstasy and altered stats of consciousness. He was part of the group of Italian doctors who tested the visionaries in 1985. He was unprepared for how the visionaries’ testimony would impact him personally.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>An Atheist Tests the Children</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I am a non-believer and therefore I went to Medjugorje in a critical spirit, ready to welcome any evidence of what would contradict it or show up as a fake. Insofar as I am concerned, that is from my studies on change in states of consciousness in the children, I must say that I have, with my instruments, verified and documented a genuine state of ecstasy.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Certainly, as far as my opinion goes, there is no lying, and certainly the children enter a different state of consciousness, that which is scientifically called the ‘alfa’ state. If they then really see the Madonna, or if it is a case of suggestion phenomenon inexplicable to us, is a matter for theological competence, on which I cannot express myself.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Certainly, we were in the presence of an extraordinary phenomenon. Since my return from Yugoslavia, I continually think of it, and I confess that I also ask myself questions which are not scientific, and I question myself on the meaning of all that.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“As a man the events surrounding this phenomenon also surprised me. There is the videotape of a colleague which records our work, in which one can see the absolutely synchronous movement with which the children act, their looks which all together follow the apparition; there are films taken by people I know and who appear to be honest, of the cross which dominates the hill nearby, which disappears; there is the absolute silence of the birds which gather before sunset in the square and they go silent, all together, suddenly as soon as the apparition begins.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“A lady living in Milan, and who seems to me to be a very responsible person told me a curious fact. Gravely ill with leukaemia, she had gone to Medjugorje, wishing to be embraced by the Madonna; at the end of the ecstasy, one of the children ran to embrace her, among hundreds of people present, saying to her: ‘That’s the embrace you wished from the Madonna.' She is now healed of her illness. Another doctor from the Mangiagalli of Milan, Luigi Frigerio, to whom we were indebted for the organisation of our journey, tells that he was singled out in the same way by one of the visionaries who asked in a loud voice, in Croatian: ‘Where is the doctor from the Mangiagalli in Milan? The Madonna asked me to tell him that she is pleased with the work he is doing.’</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“If anyone had told me these things before my journey there, I would have laughed at it. We are certainly in the presence of an extremely interesting phenomenon. Whether we are dealing with an authentic apparition or something else that we cannot explain, I cannot say; it is a question I prefer not to put to myself.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As Dr Margnelli confessed, he continually thought of all the things, asking questions that were not scientific, but pondering the meaning of what was happening in Medjugorje. His ponderings led him out of his unbelief. He is now a practising Catholic.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-83152737920446206782017-04-09T22:24:00.001-07:002017-04-09T22:24:10.416-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- REPORT OF PROF. HENRI JOYEUX<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Although not devoid of controversy, Professor Henri Joyeux of the Cancer Institute of Montpellier, France has reported on the phenomenon of Medjugorje. The text of a full interview with him appears at <a href="http://www.medjurorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjurorje.com</span></a>. The following is a report which has appended to it a question (with the professor’s answer) from the French publication <i>Paris Match. </i>Editing by me has been limited]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The phenomena of the apparitions at Medjugorje cannot be explained scientifically. According to experiments carefully conducted, we can affirm that there has been no pathological modification in the parameters which have been investigated. In one word, these young people are healthy and there is no sign of epilepsy nor is it a sleep or dream state. It is neither a case of pathological hallucination nor hallucination in the hearing or sight faculties connected with an abnormality in the functioning of the peripherical sensorial receivers, the hearing faculty or sight. Neither are there any paroxystical hallucinations as testified by the electro-encephalogram nor delirious hallucinations nor acute mental confusion. It is neither hysterical nor a nervous disorder nor a pathological ecstasy because the visionaries show no signs of these conditions in any of the clinical examinations. It cannot be a cataleptic state, for during the ecstasy the facial muscles are operating in a normal way. We can also ascertain that the intentness of the movements of the orbs of the eyes of all the visionaries is in perfect timing with each other at the beginning and the end of the ecstasy. During the ecstasy there is a perfect convergence of their eyes and there is a strong feeling of a face to face encounter between the visionaries and a person we cannot see.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Their behaviours presents no pathological signs. During the ecstasy they are in a state of prayer and inter-personal communication. They are not drop-outs, dreamers or people who are tired or distressed. They appear to be free and happy, well-rooted in their country and the modern world. At Medjugorje, the ecstasies are not pathological or a trick. They do not belong to any scientific denominations. It is more like a state of deep, active prayer, in which they are partially disconnected from the physical world, in a state of contemplation and sane encounter with a person whom they alone see, hear and can touch. We cannot reach the transmitter but we can ascertain that the receivers are in a state of sane and good working order.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Paris Match: </i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">So you really believe that the Virgin Mary is appearing to them?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Prof. Joyeux:</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As scientists we can reach no conclusion in such a matter. This can be answered only by competent people such as the local bishop and the theological commission which is advising him. In Lourdes the Catholic Church did recognise the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette. At Medjugorje, if the Virgin Mary is appearing, she will have appeared more than 1500 times…(in June 1986 it will be over 1800); it would not surprise me if one day the Church does recognise these apparitions.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-37039232904009277622017-04-08T23:19:00.003-07:002017-04-08T23:19:59.408-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- REPORT OF DR JAMES PAUL PANDARAKALAM<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The following is a lengthy, incredibly detailed report by James Paul Pandarakalam, British psychiatrist which I believe was prepared in 2001. I have extracted it from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Are the Apparitions of Medjugorje Real?</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">JAMES PAUL PANDARAKALAM</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Department of Psychiatry</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Soho House 362 Soho Road</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Handsworth</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Birmingham B21 9QL</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">6 Fountain Lane</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barming</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Maidstone</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Kent ME169AR</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Abstract — This article presents the history of six young healthy adults experiencing an apparition on a daily basis over a prolonged period. The medical tests suggest that there is objective and subjective or nonobjective visionary experience. There is partial and variable disconnection from the outside world at the time of apparitional experience, and sensations travel in a normal manner to the brain of the Medjugorje seers, but the findings of evoked auditory potential tests and screening tests show that the cerebral cortex does not perceive the transmission of the auditory and visual neuronal stimuli received from the immediate environment. Electro-oculographic recording confirms that their eyes are converging at the same point. There are both normal and altered physiological parameters. There is a cluster of synchronisms suggesting objectivity. Complementary psychological and parapsychological observations are presented. There is no evidence to suggest the probability of autohypnosis. The collective percipience, stronger motivation on the part of the apparition, quasi-physical features of the apparition, integration of the apprearer to the natural environment, utmost loyalty and obedience of the percipients to the agent, and controlled ‘psychokinetic-like’ manifestations point toward a true apparition at Medjugorje. The voice phenomenon observed at the time of the Medjugorje apparitional experience is reported in other sites of Marian apparition and not in any other religious or paranormal phenomenon.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Introduction</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Reportedly, Our Lady first appeared in Medjugorje, a small village in the heart of the western region of the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Hercegovina) on June 24, 1981. It is a collective vision, involving six visionaries: Ivan, Ivanka, Jakov, Marija, Mirjana and Vicka. That afternoon, Ivanka and Mirjana had gone for a walk and on their way home they saw a figure bathed in light, floating above the ground, which identified Herself as the Queen of Peace. The apparition lasted approximately 30 minutes. From that day, Mary has been appearing to the seers, giving them messages for the whole world. The visions are said to continue until the visionaries are given 10 special messages each; Mirjana, Ivanka, and Jakov have already received 10 special messages and no longer have daily apparitions. During the last 18 years many authors have contributed to the Medjugorje literature (Connell, 1990; Craig, 1988; Kraljevic, 1984; Laurentin, 1987a, 1987b; Manuel, 1992; O’Carroll, 1986; Parsons, 1989; Pervan, 1985; Roberts, 1992; Rooney, 1984; Rupcic, 1991; Sivric, 1986).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Daily apparitions at Medjugorje usually take place in the late evening. At the time of the apparition, visionaries used to gather in a particular place. They sat down on little stools along with a priest and other witnesses. An anxious expression of expectancy is obvious on their faces. They recite the Rosary in a very thoughtful manner. Suddenly the young people stand and line up facing one of the walls. All of them gaze upward at the same time, without ever looking at each other. There is no verbal or nonverbal communication between the visionaries. They appear to stare intently at something outside the room and beyond the reading distance. They keep their hands joined together in prayer and some of them move their lips. At a certain point, all of them withdraw collectively from the place they were standing. Their faces become more relaxed. Then they go toward a table and write down quickly in a notebook the messages, which were given to them during the vision. Afterward, they leave the room each going about his or her own business. Nowadays, they assemble together only on special occasions but have private apparitions at their own homes.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">According to the percipients, the apparition stands out in an objective space and is three-dimensional. All the visionaries see the apparition alike. She appears no more than 19 years of age. She appears real and solid. The apparition is just as clear and vivid in matters of detail such as colour and texture of skin and clothing as a material person. She has dark hair and blue eyes. She wears a grey dress with a white veil down to her feet and a crown of 12 stars. The apparition was viewed at different distances. The brightness of the figure is irrespective of light; it does not fade in dark light and does not become brighter if there is more light. The apparition obscures the background, and during the apparitional occurrences, everything in front of the visionaries disappears.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Medical Observations</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">A few medical scientists before the detailed tests of the French and Italian medical teams conducted individual tests on the visionaries. Dr Stopar Ludvick, a neuropsychiatrist from Belgrade who is the founder of Theistic para-psychology, studied Medjugorje events, staying there incognito for several weeks. He only directed me to visit Medjugorje in December 1985 and I have visited this place more than twenty times. Professor Joyeux from Montpelier and his team conducted various medical tests from March 24, 1984 to December 30, 1984, as per the desire of the French Marian theologist René Laurentin (Laurentin & Joyeux, 1987). They studied all visionaries except Mirjana, whose apparitional experiences had ceased in 1982. They have reported both normal and altered physiological parameters.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">During the apparitional experience, the EEG recordings of Marija and Ivan show the presence of beta rhythm to begin with, which is replaced by alpha waves, the rhythm of relaxation and mediation. The ocular and visual functions of the seers within the scope of the apparitional experience were studied by Dr Jacques Philipott, an ophthalmologist from Montpelier, with a series of tests conducted several times before, during, and after the apparition. Dr Philipott found that before, during and after the apparitional experience Ivan, Marija and Ivanka’s direct and conscious photomotor reflexes were normal and symmetric. The corneal reflex, although present before and after the event, was absent during the apparitional experience, when shining a blinding light did not cause their eyes to blink. Dr Philipott’s tests demonstrated that Ivanka and Marija’s eyelid movements during the apparitional experience were two times slower than before and after. In fact, Ivanka blinked 10 times during the vision, against her normal 22, and Marija 7 times instead of 12. A decidedly less frequent rate than normal state. To determine whether a material object could obstruct the see’s visual perception, the medical team placed a sheet of opaque cardboard before their eyes. Ivanka and Marija’s celestial vision was in no way interrupted by the intrusion.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ivan and Marija were subjected to an important test to study their eye movements using electro-oculogram readings. The seers reacted to the vision simultaneously to within 0.1 to 0.4 seconds; their eye movements ceased simultaneously, almost to the second, as the apparitional experience commenced. The only evident muscular movements during the vision were those related to gesticulation and conversing with the apparition; their eyes were motionless. After the apparition, however, eye and muscular movements resumed at exactly the same time. Electro-oculographic recording demonstrated that their eyes converged at the same point. Papillary contraction was found to be normal and unchanged before, during and after the apparition. During the apparitional experience, blinking reflex was absent but was normal before and after. Dott Santini, the Italian investigator, used an estesiometer to confirm the absence of corneal reflex; the hundred-watt bulb used during his tests failed to make the seers blink.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr F Rouquerol, whose report concluded that the auditory pathways included normal conductivity before the apparitional experience, monitored Ivan’s hearing. Records show that conductivity remained normal during the apparition; yet, when a 90 decibel sound was introduced into Ivan’s right ear, after the apparitional occurrence Ivan declared to have heard nothing. Prior to the apparitional episode, he was startled when 70 decibels were applied.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The medical team with an impedanceometer carefully studied the visionaries’ uncommon voice activity, distinguished by unmistakable axiomatic articulation without phonation. Their tests revealed a number of exciting findings. The instrument’s needle showed extensive movements of larynx muscles while the seers recited the Rosary before the apparitions, but as soon as the apparitional episode began and the voices became inaudible, the larynx stopped moving and the needle was still; during the conversation with the apparition, the seers’ lips moved without phonation. As the voices returned, in the middle of the apparition, to recite the Our Father, which, according to the visionaries, had been started by the Virgin, the needle moved again. Articulation without phonation occurred once more during the final phase of the apparitional experience, as the visionaries voices were replaced by silence, although their lips were moving. As the seers began to speak at the end of the apparition, the movements of the larynx resumed, showing that the vocal extinction experienced at the beginning of the apparitional experience is linked to the absence of movement of the larynx, and although the lips were moving quite normally, the act of exhaling did not vibrate the vocal cords.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The findings of the French team were confirmed in September 1985 by a series of important tests performed by Italian doctors. The sensitivity of the visionaries to pain was tested with an algometer, and while prior to the apparitions their reaction to pain was normal (between 0.3 to 0.4 seconds), during the apparition they did not perceive any pain.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The medical teams conclude that there is partial and variable disconnection from the outside world at the time of the apparitional experience. Sensations travel in a normal manner to the brain of the Medjugorje seers, but the findings of evoked auditory potential tests and screening tests show that the cerebral cortex does not perceive the transmission of the auditory and visual neuronal stimuli received from the surrounding environment. This indicates a disconnection located somewhere in the cortex, and it can be thought of as functional dualism, comparable to a motorcar being functionally divided into two by pressing the clutch.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Dual Modes of Perception</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Medical tests with Medjugorje visionaries at the time of the apparitional occurrence point toward an objective and subjective or nonobjective visionary experience. As pointed out by René Laurentin, there are two pieces of evidence supporting subjective vision. The screening test does not impair the vision; therefore, the normal visual pathways are not used, and the evoked auditory potential tests proves that during the apparitional experience the auditory pathways remain normal but are not used. René Laurentin presents three pieces of evidence indicating objectivity: the convergence of their gaze as confirmed by video recording made face-on to the visionaries during apparitional experiences is an obvious feature observed by all the witnesses. The simultaneity of the cessation of eyeball movements as established by electro-oculography is another evidence indicating objectivity. The simultaneous raising of their eyes and hands as the apparition disappears upwards is the third one. René Laurentin, who led the medical teams, concludes if the vision is objective, and the above points would seem to indicate that these modalities of the vision are not those of ordinary perception, itself objective, but not measurable by our tests.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The above medical observation can further be clarified by the ESP-PK theory of apparition (Rull & Beloft, 1980). According to this theory, the psychokinetic powers of the appearer and the ESP powers of the seer result in the actual sighting of the apparition, who is present at the physical site. The ESP powers of the seer and the psychokinetic abilities of the appearer are involved in the apparitional experience of the percipient. The appearer is capable of psychically interacting with the physical reality, resulting in his images perceived by the seer through normal sensory channel. At the same time, the ESP powers of the percipient are activated and the self-image of the appearer, in turn, is perceivable through ESP. Thus, there are dual modes of perception. There is both objective and subjective perception. There is a mutual involvement in the apparitional perception without any mental contribution from the percipient. There is paranormal perception as well as physical perception.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">To use an analogy from the physical world of sensory experiences, we are able to see an object because of light reflecting on the object and also because of the sensory ability of vision. In case of the objective vision of the apparition, the reflecting on the object is analogous to the psychokinetic powers of the apparition. The objective vision is also possible because of the visual senses. The subjective vision is independent of the physical senses.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the case of Marian apparitional experience, the objective vision is due to the ‘Psychokinetic-like’ powers of the apparition and the physical visual senses of the visionaries. I believe that the apparition, to facilitate the subjective vision probably enhances ESP powers of the visionaries. Similarly, the voice extinction phenomenon may also be due to ‘psychokinetic-like’ powers of the apparition. The Marian apparitional experience is the fruit of the mutual cooperation of the appearer and the percipients. It is interesting to note how the medical findings tally with the ESP-PK theory of the apparition. I am not conjecturing that the ESP-PK theory explains the whole Marian apparitional experience. It supplements and illuminates the medical findings.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Contrary to popular belief, it is reported now in the scientific literature of parapsychology that one does not have to go through a trance state of complete sensory deprivation to experience an apparition. Thoughts and images can be projected on to the seer in mild sensory deprivation. The preceding medical studies have shown that the Medjugorje visionaries are only partially cut off from the sensory world.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Voice Phenomenon</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">A noteworthy feature of many of the Marian apparitions is the selective inaudibility of the voices of the visionaries while they communicate to the apparition. This phenomenon has been well investigated in the current apparitional occurrences at Medjugorje. The voices of the witnesses present at the physical site of Marian apparition do not become inaudible which makes it a selective inaudibility. The voices of the Marian visionaries are not continuously inaudible, but become periodically audible like in Medjugorje; the voices of part of their prayer with the apparition can be heard. In that way also, it is a selective inaudibility. The fact that the voices of all people present at the apparitional site do not vanish rules out the possibility of an unknown geophysical force causing the disappearance of the voices of the percipients. So the selective inaudibility makes it clear that the voice phenomenon is outside the control of the visionaries. More simply, it is like pressing the sound button on a remote TV control.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">On closer scrutiny, some form of clashing sound can be heard at times when the visionaries converse to the apparition in the silent manner. Milona Von Habsburg (Girard, Girard & Bubalo, 1988) who had stayed at Medjugorje for several years and witnessed the apparitional experiences more than a hundred times, supports this observation, which has been further confirmed by amplifying the sounds of the apparitional event in the laboratory. It only means that the visionaries are attempting to produce the sounds but their voices are masked. According to the report, in the early stages of apparitions at Medjugorje, verbal communication has taken place up to three quarters of an hour, but the voices of the visionaries vanish in private conversations (Bubalo, 1987). The current apparitions last only for a short time.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">During verbal communication, we have an auditory control of our voices, which in turn affects the speech movements including the movements of lips (Greene, 1980). This is one of the reasons why the lips movement of deaf and dumb people are different from normally speaking persons while the former people attempt speech movements. Even though the voices of Medjugorje visionaries are inaudible during their verbal communication with the apparition, their lips movements appear to be as if they have auditory control of their voices. The visionaries themselves have admitted to hearing their own voices of verbal communication as normal during the apparitional experience and are surprised that others cannot hear them. This observation itself rules out manipulation and psychogenic aphonia, if at all a sceptic of the apparitional experiences proposes them as distant possibilities.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The selective inaudibility of the voices of the visionaries was observed in Lourdes (France, 1856), Fatima (Portugal 1917), Beauraing (Belgium 1932), and Banneux (Belgium 1933) (Sharkey & Debergh, 1973; Ashton, 1958; Trinity, 1984). This phenomenon is not at all reported in any other paranormal or religious experiences and characteristic of Marian apparition. The voice phenomenon had never been highlighted in the Marian apparitional literature, and the visionaries were not under any pressure to communicate in a silent manner. So the allegation that the voice phenomenon is artificial does not hold water.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Synchronisms</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr Lucia Carpello from Mostar noticed that during the apparitional experience a number of synchronistic behaviours occurred, and René Laurentin elaborated on them. This type of behaviour is defined by simultaneous occurrences of certain objective actions having an identical frequency of speed of movement. A good example is given by a flock of birds flying in V shape. Having studied the Medjugorje apparitions in detail, Laurentin (1984) reported seven occurrences of synchronism during the apparitional experiences suggesting objectivity — three voluntary and others probably involuntary. The disappearance of the visionaries’ voices is worthy of particular notice (Laurentin & Rupcid, 1984). As the apparitional experience commences, the visionaries kneel down together, usually simultaneously, although it was noticed that reaction times differ; the quickest seer to react is usually Ivanka. In the beginning this particular synchronism, which may be defined as a voluntary behavioural pattern, received great attention. The voices disappear simultaneously and return simultaneously when the visionaries say “…who are in Heaven.” To those who asked why the first two words of the “Our Father” had been omitted, the visionaries replied, “Our Lady says <i>Our Father </i>and we follow on.” The voices return practically at the same time, depending on the reaction time of the seers, and when they finish reciting the Our Father and the Glory Be, the voices disappear once more. As the apparition draws to a conclusion, the seers look up simultaneously and they justify this movement explaining that “the Virgin Mary disappears upwards.” This is also defined as a voluntary activity. The eye movements of a person looking at a real moving object are different from those of a person looking at an imaginary moving object; the visionaries’ eye movements at the end of the apparition correspond to the former, as I had occasion to witness in a person in Medjugorje. At that point, one visionary, or more, utter more or less simultaneously the word “Ode,” which means “She is gone.” This is also a voluntary action. Before the apparition, Ivan and Marija’s eyeballs are mobile, as shown by the electro-oculogram taken simultaneously for both visionaries, yet, this movement ceases at the beginning of the apparitional experience, within 0.2 seconds. The eyes of the visionaries resume simultaneously normal movement, again within 0.2 seconds, at the end of the apparitional experience.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr Georgio Sanguinetti from the Institute of Criminology of the University of Milan noticed another synchronicity, which is “a fleeting bodily tremor” at the end of the apparition. During my 19 visits to Medjugorje, I have observed the visionaries 21 times at the time of the apparitional experience and the “fleeting bodily tremor” caught my attention (Pandarakalam, 1992). I also noticed transient facial movements of perplexity at the end of the apparition. They appeared to me like the perplexed facial movements a person with poor eyesight would make when another person suddenly removed his or her spectacles.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Schwartz and Russek (1999b) have suggested that shared spiritual belief can produce systemic interpersonal energy and intention synchronisation. As they themselves admit, brought up in the former Yugoslavian communist regime, the visionaries were not deeply spiritual individuals, and so it is unlikely that their visions were initiated by a subtle energy system produced by the collective faith. But it is possible that collective faith has helped the progress of the Medjugorje visions. Four of the synchronisms are probably non-intentional as they appear to be involuntary and may go particularly in favour of objectivity.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The eye movement patterns differ in sequence when our eyes are focussed on an external object and when we visualise or remember something. The patterns of eye movement are not random. Both the eyeballs converge to a point on the object when we are actually looking at an object in the three-dimensional space. Both the eyeballs move upward and to the right when we just visualise only an object in our mind’s eye, whereas the eyeballs move upward and to the left when we try to remember certain details. The eyes are simply straight when unfocussed. The position of the eyes at any given time gives us even an indication as to the part of the brain being accessed. So if the Medjugorje visionaries were only imagining a vision for about three minutes, the direction of movements of their eyeball during the claimed apparitional experience would be different from a true perception of an external object. But the eyeballs of the visionaries are converging toward an external point indicating true objectivity and do not follow the eye movement patterns of remembering or visualising.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Not a Case of Autohypnosis and Auto Apparitions</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Pseudo-hallucinations indicate a special class of psychological phenomenon and are a type of mental image which although clear and vivid lacks the substantiality of perception. Hypnotic hallucinations come under this group. They are seen or are heard in full consciousness and are not located in objective space, but in the subjective space (Kunzendorf & Anees, 1990). They are usually black and white and are less colourful. The movements of the figures are highly restricted and are very much under the voluntary control. The hallucinatory figure is also within the imaginary capabilities of the individual. Self-hypnosis, like hallucination, is a word used against true apparitional experience by the sceptics. None of the Medjugorje seers were aspirant visionaries. Ivan was a reluctant visionary. There is no evidence of any intense concentration before the visionary experience. It is to be remembered that self-hypnotic and true hallucinations have some distant similarities to true apparitional experience, but they are not at all identical experiences. These apparitional experiences are not occurring on the demand of the visionaries or the witnesses. The pre-apparitional and post-apparitional mental state do not tally with the pre-hypnotic and post-hypnotic mental state. Medjugorje visionaries are seeing the apparition in the objective space and the apparition is three-dimensional. In general, people function on three different modalities, viz. visual, auditory and kinesthetic modalities. Everyone is tuned predominantly to one particular modality. Those people who function best on visual modality are the ones capable of pseudo-hallucinations of visual nature. If the Medjugorje seers are having self-hypnotic visual hallucination for such a prolonged period, one has also got to convince him that all of them are functioning on visual modality. It would have been an extremely strange coincidence that six “visual” people assembled together to have these visionary experiences without an expert selection. These arguments rule out the possibility of pseudo-hallucinations.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As in true apparitional cases, the apparition controls the Medjugorje visionaries and not the opposite way. There have been a few incidences to prove the overruling power of the apparition giving due respect to the free will of the visionaries and the other participants. The visionaries initially refused to cooperate with the medical tests in spite of strong persuasion. So they were requested to consult the apparition, and the visionaries changed their attitude on the instructions of the apparition. They became totally cooperative with the medical team if they were against the tests before this heavenly consultation.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Mirjana’s daily apparition ended in December 1982; Ivanka’s daily apparition ceased in May 1985; Jakov’s in September 1998; and other visionaries’ apparitional experiences continue to date. Even though these three visionaries would like to have the daily apparition, overruling the wishes of percipient, the appearer does not manifest to them on a daily basis. This assertiveness is an important feature of a true objective apparitional occurrence. This is a controlling apparition and not a controlled one excluding the probability of auto apparitions.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Summary</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr Stevenson argues that collective apparitions cannot be explained away with the telepathic hypothesis of apparitions (Stevenson, 1982). The Medjugorje apparitions belong to this group of collective apparitions. Recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis (RSPK) involves spontaneous physical effect, inexplicable in terms of known physical energies, that occur repeatedly over a period of time. Dr Stevenson also believes that visionary experiences accompanied by controlled RSPK indicate a discarnate spirit at the physical site (Stevenson, 1972). The present author shares the same view (Pandarakalam, 1988). There is evidence to believe that Medjugorje apparitions involve manifestation of controlled superior “psychokinetic-like power.” The externally controlled voice phenomenon is an example. The medical observations and synchronisms suggest that the Medjugorje visionaries are responding to an outside power and not to internal stimuli. The dual modes of perception also suggest that there is a nonphysical agent in front of the visionaries. The stronger motivation on the part of the apparition, compared with percipients; collective percipience and quasi-physical features of the apparition; and the limitless loving capacity of the apparition point toward a true apparitional occurrence at Medjugorje. The selective inaudibility of the voices of the Medjugorje visionaries goes in favour of a Marian apparitional experience, as this is a characteristic phenomenon during the terrestrial visitation of the divine Mother. So we are left with the logical option of trusting the visionaries and believing in the reality of Marian apparitions at Medjugorje. After his investigatory studies, Dr Bartulica (1991) concludes that Medjugorje will remain in the history of either unusual human behaviour or authentic apparitions, regardless of the Church’s final verdict. In the years to come, paraphysics, particularly interdimensional physics, might offer complicated interpretations for the apparitional phenomena (Schwartz & Russek, 1999a; Ruth, 1989). Still, one of the alternative explanations of Medjugorje events would be the visitation of the Mother of Christ at the physical site. Scientists should study the unusual perceptions of mentally healthy persons because physicians can use that knowledge to help people in crisis situations (Stevenson, 1995). Even though all religions have demonstrated periods of greater and lesser creativity with episodes of cruelty and terror, fresh infusions of energy and intuition have saved them from ultimate obscurity (Wolman, 2000). Many observers consider Medjugorje as such a saving grace and an antidote for the afflictions of the present and succeeding generations: a heavenly response to the withdrawing roars of the retreating sea of faith (Pandarakalam, 2000). </span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-23604447649454348912017-03-22T22:27:00.002-07:002017-03-22T22:27:33.021-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- DISCERNMENT & SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE VISIONARIES<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[I extracted the following article from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a> which appears to have been taken from a commentary that appeared in <i>The Catholic Transcript. </i>It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Michael W. Petrides wrote a commentary that appeared in </i></span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><i>The Catholic Transcript</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> September 10, 1993 issue. Dr. Petrides has done extensive study in brain laterality and visual perception research at the Institute of Living, and has doctoral training in clinical psychology at St. Louis University. At the time this article appeared he was the director of the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic’s mental health services for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is extremely noteworthy that the reported apparitions in Medjugorje are the first apparitions in history to be thoroughly investigated by science. Professor Henri Joyeux headed a team from the University of Montpelier, France. Dr. Frigerio and colleagues from Italy did further investigation. The regularity of the apparitions has made for consistent and extremely reliable findings.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Five alleged visionaries tested were found to simultaneously look at precisely the same spot even though no reference point was visible, within one-fifth of a second of each other when the Blessed Virgin Mary allegedly appears. Such synchronisation can only be explained by some external “object” holding their gaze — but one which those around them could not see.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">During the same one-fifth of a second, there is simultaneous kneeling and the cessation of eye movements. There is no eye movement during the entire apparition, from 3 to 45 minutes. There is also the simultaneous raising of their heads and gazing upwards while remaining fixated on a spot moving upwards when the apparition is finishing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Two of the alleged visionaries do not blink at all during the apparition. The eyeball normally dries when there is no regular blinking (15-20 times a minute) to moisten the cornea, but lacrimal secretion does not seem necessary during the apparition. The other alleged visionaries blink about half the normal rate. None of them blinks in response to touching the eye during the apparition (cornea sensitivity to varying pressures is completely absent) although they blink normally at other times.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is no reaction to pain during the apparition. When touched with an algometer, which causes a cetaneous lesion or skin burn, there was complete absence of sensitivity. The alleged visionaries react normally to pain at other times.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The interesting results of a hearing test before and during an apparition showed normal hearing but during the apparition, an input of ninety decibels (equivalent to a loud explosion) showed NO reaction. Auditory evoked potential measurement (electrical activity of the ear) indicated normal ear activity with no transmission to the inner ear during the apparition. It is a measurable inhibition of hearing that is involuntary and inexplicable physiologically.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Electroencephalographic (EEG) tests confirm that the alleged visionaries’ brain functioning is normal and healthy. EEG tests rule out the possibility of epilepsy or psychotic hallucinations. The alleged visionaries are not asleep or dreaming either. Hysterical neurotic reaction or pathological ecstasy is also ruled out by the EEG testing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">What EEG testing showed was that before the apparition, the brain waves are predominantly beta rhythm interspersed by alpha rhythm (normal conscious attentiveness). At the start of the apparition, the beta rhythm remains for a short time and then is replaced by an almost uninterrupted alpha rhythm. Alpha rhythm is most often observed during relaxation, in a state of expectation, or engaged in mediation. It is also usually requires practice to achieve such a diffuse response. Because most of the brain is devoted to visual processing, it is noteworthy that the alpha rhythm over the entire cranium was exhibited while the alleged visionaries had their eyes wide open throughout the apparition. Closed eyes would be expected with alpha rhythm because visual stimulation usually produces interference with alpha rhythm.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">To test visual stimulation further, a 1000 watt light bulb was placed in front of the eyes of the alleged visionaries during the apparition. Not only is a 1000 watt light bulb usually painful to the eye but also it would normally cause increased blinking and influence alpha rhythm. There was no blinking movement of the eyelids to the 1000 watt stimulus. There was an interesting papillary response. The pupil contracted as one would expect in bright light but there was no change in alpha rhythm to the 1000 watt light. This is scientifically inexplicable and never seen before. FOR THE PUPIL TO RESPOND, THE BRAIN MUST REGISTER THE LIGHT BUT NO BRAIN WAVE CHANGE TOOK PALCE. Additionally, such intense stimulation normally causes a significant cortical response, but none occurred during the apparition period.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">During the apparition period, another scientifically inexplicable event takes place. The alleged visionaries’ voices stop during the time that they are having the vision. Even though all the muscles involved in speech continue (all mouth, jaw and throat muscles) the larynx (voice box) shuts off. This is physically impossible. The laryngeal function cannot be physically isolated from the rest of the muscles of speech. The larynx ceases to emit sound during the apparition — except for one exception. In unison, during the apparition the alleged visionaries will be heard simultaneously praying: “…who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name…” When asked, they reported Mary is leading them in the Lord’s Prayer.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In summary, the unique aspects of the results of the scientific investigations point to the conclusion that nothing in the physical realm is allowed to interfere with the apparition experience. Scientific experts have defined the phenomena “as a state of active, intense prayer, partially disconnected from the external world, a state of contemplation with a separate person whom they alone can see, hear and touch.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The current attitude of the Church after fourteen years of scrutiny is a kind of provisional approval. Both the pope and the former bishops are treating and nurturing Medjugorje as a legitimate place of pilgrimage. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II strongly believes in the fruits of Medjugorje. In response to thanks for what he did to free Poland from communism he has said: “No, not me, but by the works of the Blessed Virgin according to her affirmations at Fatima and Medjugorje.” He also said, “Medjugorje is the fulfilment and continuation of Fatima.” American church leaders would do well to offer the same kind of provisional approval and pastoral assistance to those experiencing conversion through Medjugorje.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-68330443058871571602017-03-17T22:16:00.002-07:002017-03-17T22:16:31.974-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- REPORT OF DR GIORGIO SANGUINETTI<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The following article is from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a> and relates to an investigation and report by Dr Giorgio Sanguinetti. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This commentary relates to my experience in Medjugorje, in Yugoslavia on 26, 27 and 28 April 1985. The young people, the visionaries whom I got to know were Vicka, Marija, Ivanka, Ivan and Jakov.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the meeting which took place in Jakov’s house as well as in the presbytery where the visionaries go through their supernatural experience, I tried to draw on, as much as possible, my experience and knowledge as a psychiatrist to observe the circumstances which I shall describe in a simple, clinical perspective, which will have nothing savouring of magic or any special emotional conditioning. I believe that, without too much difficulty, I succeeded in that.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The first thing to strike me both after individual conversations which I had with these young boys and girls, the ‘visionaries,’ and after observing them continuously before, during and after their ‘vision,’ was that I did not find anything psychopathological of a delirious, hallucinatory or hysterical kind in their gestures, their behaviours or their words. In cases of delirium, a syndrome which I know very well because of the numerous paranoid delirious people with a mystical bent seen at the clinic, there always follows, though in different ways, a surge of “omnipotence” not necessarily expressed with noisy insistence or displayed fanatically, but coming across with a quiet, complacent silence. This hides the sense of triumph through a privileged relationship with the transcendent — an illusion. Besides that, a mystical delirious idea is a constant conviction of these patients. It distorts their critical attitude to reality, tainting it with subjective interpretation, with religious practices that are often incongruous, irrational, of a rigid pattern. This conviction is accompanied by a scarcely veiled aggressiveness, distrust and proneness to irritability and it is sustained by a rigid, one-track thought process.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Generally, the relationship of a delirious person towards others is altered, with no genuine ability for spontaneous communication; the interests of such a person are paltry or non-existent, since his whole being hinges on an imperative and overwhelming sense of religious mission and a relationship with the supernatural. Although these individuals declare themselves in different ways to be God’s servants, it seems that, with an apparent show of humility, they identify themselves with God. If their delirious state is criticised or called in question they react resentfully and without restraint, intolerant of any contradiction. Their expression is never calm but shows either an emotional state of tense anxiety and aggressiveness, or in the ecstasy of delirium, a lifeless immobility, which reminds one of a doll’s eyes.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">A person who manifests a conviction (which he himself considers more or less real) of a privileged relationship with the transcendent, as a defence or compensatory mechanism, hysterical in nature, is not such a clear-cut pathological case. In these cases a mystical conviction appears to be less rigid and less cohesive and it is easily intensified by the presence and participation of others. The person could then adopt extravagant behaviour as of mystical fervour, with theatrical gestures. These phenomena can be displayed, even when the person is alone, but there may be a secret intention of attracting other people’s attention. If such a person is asked about his mystical experience, he will strive to heighten curiosity in the person making the inquiry or in the public, either by giving a loquacious account of the facts, or by taking on an ecstatic and dreamy pose, or again by withdrawal and capricious silence.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Such a person will however, give expression to an emotional state that is incongruous — either supreme joy or over-emphatically expressed suffering, or again a slightly snobbish detachment from the mystical experience. He certainly fails on the other hand by a too marked emotional vacuum about the events which he is experiencing. We must remember that mystical exaltation of a hysterical nature can easily be induced by an individual to whom the patient attributes a certain authority, and who exploits the deep suggestibility of the hysterical person. This suggestibility, which is found to some extent in all of us but especially in the immature and in those particularly sensitive to highly emotional stimuli, can induce collective hysteria, wherein, through mutual conditioning, the whole group passes into a state of mystical exaltation; this ends in their having perceptual experience which is hallucinatory. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here I consider it of fundamental importance to emphasise that in all my contacts with the young ‘visionaries’ in Medjugorje I have never discovered, on any occasion, any thought, look, conversation, attitude or behaviour similar to these pathological states which I have listed.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">First of all it must be made clear that the ’visionaries’ live a normal life; they are integrated in their community and in their families and are treated by others, relatives, friends, priests, as if they were not visionaries; they themselves relate to others as if they were no different from other people, or from themselves before they became ‘visionaries.’ The phenomenon of collective suggestion which I mentioned earlier is not present. They differ from others only in the time they give to the practice of religion and to the visions; all this is done in a very natural way, without piosity, meaning apparent fervour, or complacency; their behaviour is by preference discreet and, politely, they try to shield themselves from the overpowering pressure of pilgrims, when this is possible. They are quite open to conversation and seem patiently resigned to always having to answer the same questions; in this they are not effusive, nor are they withdrawn or exhibitionist. On the contrary they look calm and peaceful and gentle. They do not try to convince one, and they do not exceed what is asked of them; their smile is not smug or malicious, and it is not artificial. Their movements reflect only kindness and good will. They certainly are not looking for attention or for an audience; they do not offer interpretations or personal opinions about their mystical experiences; all they want to do is to report the facts and admit that they are happy.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the time of the ‘vision’ they gather in one room in the presbytery, which is filled with a variety of objects. It serves as a bedroom and study for one of the friars. On one wall there are several religious pictures — not very remarkable. By this I mean that even the environment where the ‘visions’ take place is free of all decorative elements which could favour a special feeling of religiosity. Anyone there with the ‘visionaries’ finds that he has only the company of a friar. I found him serious and taciturn, a little abrupt, very much against anything that would tend towards magic or the supernatural. Others present can be admitted for the purpose of research or scientific assessment, but the number is limited, in my case three people.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The friar and the ‘visionaries’ sit down on little stools, and recite the Rosary in a thoughtful, recollected manner. Suddenly, at exactly the same time, which is amazing, the young people stand up and line up in front of one of the walls of the room. All of them gaze upwards at the same time, without ever looking at each other, and they seem to stare intensely at something that is outside the room and very far away. They keep their hands joined in prayer, and some of them move their lips, but their voice cannot be heard. After approximately one minute of time, on the occasion I was there, and again, amazingly all together, they give signs of a fleeting bodily tremor, and all withdraw from the place where they were standing. The expression on their faces becomes like ours. Behaving quite normally and with no haste, but deliberately, they go towards a table, do not speak to each other and each taking a pen and a notebook wherein their names are written, they sit down, and again without talking to each other, write down quickly, without pausing, the message which was given to them during the ‘vision.’ The length of the text differs from one to another. When they have finished, they leave the notebook and the pen, and with a quick handshake they greet us and leave the room, each going about his or her own business.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I know that this description of the ‘vision’ has already been given by other witnesses; however, I considered it useful to describe it after I had sketched a pathological mystical behaviour so that the reader can compare these and take account of the psychic normality of the young ‘visionaries.’</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Something unusual, extraordinary exists but it seems to be strictly limited to the short period of the ‘vision.’ However, nothing authorises us to say that the ‘visionaries,’ because of this experience, manifest any personality disorders. They seem to be in a world beyond the perception of others and, for what concerns them, to have left our sphere of perception.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-67660526974055707782017-03-13T20:40:00.002-07:002017-03-13T20:40:43.947-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- FRENCH-ITALIAN SCIENTIFIC THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Although this blog has so far been identifying individuals who have allegedly benefitted from a miracle in some way attributable to Medjugorje it seems fitting that the following article should be included. It appears at <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a> and lists the conclusions of the French-Italian Scientific Theological Commission relating to the extraordinary events taking place in Medjugorje]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The international French-Italian Scientific Theological Commission ‘on the extraordinary events that are taking place in Medjugorje’ examined the apparitions of Medjugorje the most competently and the most expertly. The assembly of seventeen renowned natural scientists, doctors, psychiatrists and theologians in their research came to a 12 point conclusion on January 14, 1986 in Paina near Milan.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">1. On the basis of the psychological tests, for all and each of the visionaries it is possible with certainty to exclude fraud and deception.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">2. On the basis of the medical examinations, tests and clinical observations etc. for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude pathological hallucinations.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">3. On the basis of the results of previous researches for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude a purely natural interpretation of these manifestations.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">4. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude that these manifestations are of the preternatural order, i.e. under demonic influence.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">5. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, there is a correspondence between these manifestations and those that are usually described in mystical theology.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">6. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, it is possible to speak of spiritual advances and advances in the theological and moral virtues of the visionaries, from the beginning of these manifestations until today. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">7. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, it is possible to exclude teaching or behaviour of the visionaries that would be in clear contradiction to Christian faith and morals.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">8. On the basis of information or observations that can be documented, it is possible to speak of good spiritual fruits in people drawn into the supernatural activity of these manifestations and in people favourable to them.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">9. After more than four years, the tendencies and different movements that have been generated through Medjugorje, in consequence of these manifestations, influence the people of God in the Church in complete harmony with Christian doctrine and morals.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">10. After more than four years, it is possible to speak of permanent and objective spiritual fruits of movements generated through Medjugorje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">11. It is possible to affirm that all good and spiritual undertakings of the Church, which are in complete harmony with the authentic magisterium of the Church, find support in the events in Medjugorje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">12. Accordingly, one can conclude that after a deeper examination of the protagonists, facts and their effects, not only in the local framework, but also in regard to the responsive chords of the Church in general, it is well for the Church to recognise the supernatural origin and, thereby, the purpose of the events in Medjugorje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">So far it is the most conscientious and the most complete research of the Medjugorje phenomena, and, for that very reason it is the most positive that has yet been said about it on a scientific-theological level.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-30731162501200734152017-03-12T22:11:00.002-07:002017-03-12T22:11:10.398-07:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- MICHAEL H BROWN<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[Michael H Brown is an author and journalist. The following article by Michael himself has been extracted from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.ws/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.ws</span></a>. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In May of 1988 when I first went to Medjugorje, the famed apparition site, I was furious.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The first morning there, I was convinced it was a case of mass hysteria.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As a journalist I was geared to observe circumstances, and what I saw concerned me greatly.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It seemed like a classic case of suggestion.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">One person would point to Cross Mountain (Mount Krizevac) and say she saw the cross spinning and those she mentioned it to would then see the same.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When I looked, it was just a cross up there on this rise behind the church, doing nothing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I was angry that I had come all this way and it was a bust and I would have to spend the better part of a week in this rather remote hamlet in Bosnia-Hercegovina without English newspapers and so much as television.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was not that I didn’t believe. My conversion had come years before, starting in the early 1980s in Manhattan. I was a freelance magazine writer and author (and former newsman) who “saw the light” while working on a book about organised crime.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Attacked by the devil, I had sought refuge at a nearby church and instantly became a daily communicant at Our Lady of Good Counsel on East 90th Street near my apartment. Immediately, I was committed to the Rosary.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thus, I believed in visions and had seen and felt things for myself and in fact initially had no intention of going to Medjugorje because I didn’t feel I needed it. I believed. I was already fasting. I felt the Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Instead, I sent my mother to the apparition site, which I first read about in <i>People </i>magazine and later learned more about it in a book by Father René Laurentin, in a widely circulated newsletter, and though home-made videos a priest gave me. Just touching and reading these items gave me a sense of the Holy Spirit. I had never felt anything quite so strong come from a book, save for Scripture (which I read daily). My mother went with a group from Niagara County at the same time that I travelled to Israel on business (visiting the holy sites but doing secular research into paleoanthropology).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had no intention of expanding my travel plans but my mother and everyone with her were so blown away (my brother ended up at Medjugorje as well) that I resolved to go there myself.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had never seen such a strong reaction.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">And in subsequent months, and then years, time after time, testimony after testimony, it would be the same: the vast majority who went there would not only come back believers, but “converts” in the sense that spiritual blinders were lifted and they went to daily Mass (not just Sunday) and they never approached life again in quite the same fashion.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had never seen anything near the strength of those conversions, and if those are not fruits — fasting, daily Rosary, love of God, Mass — I am not sure what is. Like many others, my brother ended up in the seminary. I can only compare it to other places where I have felt the power of God in a special fashion: at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, in the grotto of Lourdes, in the chapel at Fatima, at Turin where the Shroud is. I have had other major experiences everywhere from Knock to Guadalupe. I ended up visiting more than thirty sites of reputed apparition.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">For me, Medjugorje was set apart in the size, the awesome power and the fact that the apparition was ongoing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Initially sceptical, it didn’t take long for the Spirit to begin exploding.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">After listening to a seer named Vicka I had begun to see incredible sights. There was a large moon as I looked across to the church from a balcony one evening and peering up, the lunar orb suddenly seemed to part into two orbs.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In one was the profile of a bearded man. In the other was the profile of a veiled female. A woman in our group from Detroit saw the same thing — “The Blessed Mother,” she blurted (without knowing what I was seeing).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next day when we visited a priest who was there at the start of the apparitions, and who laid his hands on us, I noted that two statues at the front of the altar were of a bearded man with a crow (Benedict? Elijah?) and the veiled Virgin Mary.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Crossing a vineyard at the time of the evening apparition, I looked up and saw the sun suddenly behave in a way that was totally different from anything in my previous experience. I had seen sunsets in Hawaii. I had seen them in Colorado. I had seen them in California. I had seen them in Tanzania — hard to beat those. I had seen them in New Zealand.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">But this was totally different.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The sun spun and moved and threw bands of colours in an impossible wide aura and also around the mountain range below.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">They were purples and pinks and blue and orange and a melding of colours not of this earth, at least not in my experience.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When I dashed up to a couple walking in front of me to ask if they were seeing the same thing, it turned out to be the famous Miami football coach Don Shula and his wife (who was equally excited).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Stars moved in the night sky. At one point, a dozen of us took turns watching a star as it continuously and indisputably split into three smaller stars (blue, red and white) then went back to a single one.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We watched that for fifteen minutes (with binoculars).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I could go on. I was spoken to. On other visits, I saw more remarkable things. I saw a cross of light stream down from the sun and touch a field in front of me. I saw more sun miracles. I saw a huge dove-like light rise from between the towers of the church (observing it from various angles for more than ten minutes on the feast of the Assumption). Most importantly, I saw dramatic conversions — and felt a peace unlike any I had ever encountered (such that “peace” meant something wholly different from my first visit onward).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-90603139555531334582017-03-11T20:52:00.001-08:002017-03-11T20:52:19.008-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- MARIA BRUMEE<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The following brief statement is from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. I could not find any other mention of this subject, Maria Brumee on the Internet but it is another one that has been brought to the attention of the parish office at Medjugorje for investigation and verification. It has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Maria Brumee had a fractured spine. All treatment had failed and she had been told she would be an invalid for the rest of her life. On pilgrimage to Medjugorje, on 08 August 1983 she was instantly and inexplicably cured.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-52605808382862083352017-03-10T22:50:00.002-08:002017-03-10T22:50:52.558-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- MIRKO BRKIC<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[A brief account of Mirko Brkic’s story appears on <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. He is mentioned on other sites but usually in another language. I have only slightly edited it]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Mirko Brkic broke his leg and a pin was placed in it. He was treated first in a hospital in Banja Luka and then in Belgrade. An open sore, under the knee of the broken leg, was treated many times, but the sore became deeper until the bone was visible. Doctors decided to amputate. Meanwhile Mirko’s family had made a vow to Our Lady, and prayed and fasted. The day before the scheduled amputation, the wound suddenly closed. The astonished doctors cancelled the operation. After several days the wound was completely healed over. the healing was made public on March 26, 1982.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-46353621724778449452017-03-09T18:08:00.001-08:002017-03-09T18:08:11.748-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- IVA TOLE<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The case of Iva Tole appears on a number of websites but the only one I could find in English was <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. It is one of the series I have mentioned before of cases handed into the parish office for investigation and verification. The following extract has only been slightly edited by me]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Iva had multiple sclerosis. She was treated in hospitals in Belgrade and Zagreb but did not improve. She retired prematurely due to the disability and stayed at home. Her condition became continually worse. She wanted to go to ‘Our Lady’s home’ at Medjugorje but was not strong enough, so her daughter went for her. There, the daughter prayed, fasted and asked little Jakov (Colo — one of the visionaries, just 10 years old at the time which was only two months since the apparitions began on 24 June 1981) if her mother would get better. He told her, “If she believes, fasts, and prays, her health will improve.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, on September 13, 1981 the woman herself was brought to the church at Medjugorje. She prayed and then went on foot to the Krizevac Hill (now known in English as Cross Mountain) to hear Mass. She returned home full of joy. Her headaches have disappeared. She now does the housework, something she had no longer been able to do. She declared her healing on May 20, 1982 and deposited the relevant medical documents at the parish office. </span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820942883362192029.post-17613632220041828922017-03-08T20:24:00.002-08:002017-03-08T20:24:58.613-08:00MEDJUGORJE MIRACLES -- ANICA BREKALO<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">[The following brief article was extracted from <a href="http://www.medjugorje.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">www.medjugorje.com</span></a>. I haven’t been able to find testimony relating to this person elsewhere but, as before, according to the site it is one of a series of testimonies of reported physical healings given to the parish office in Medjugorje for investigation and verification. I have only slighted edited it]:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Anica Brekalo suffered from blood clots in her legs and also from degenerative rheumatism. She has been treated in a hospital at Split (Croatia) with no relief. She made a vow to go to Medjugorje. In preparation, she prayed and fasted regularly. During the communal prayer for the sick at Medjugorje, she felt herself getting better. Afterwards the sickness simply disappeared. Now, according to her own words, she is completely healed.</span></div>
Darryl Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03527122995309728832noreply@blogger.com0