St. James Church

Lou Forbes

My (Lou Forbes) trip to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina was an unbelievable trip which has changed my views and outlook on my being a Catholic. My trip dates were September 27, 2009 to October 6, 2009. 52 pilgrims made this trip.

I feel that if I knew before hand what I know now, that I would have known what to expect. I would like to advise anyone making this wonderful trip to speak to someone who has been there. All pilgrims are most willing to speak on their experience. We all feel that we are messengers for the Most Holy Mother Mary.

Everyone had their reasons for making this trip wheither for personal or family issues. We have now experienced a life changing event. We are all different now that we have been to Medjugorje. The Holy Mother Mary allowed us to feel this feeling of feelings. We are all blessed to have been there. We have been chosen “Messengers” to get the word out to those we touch or know.

The Holy Mother Mary has brought us closer to our Father the Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless!!!!


"lou's Medjugorje morning walk up to the Apparition Hill."

GOSPA GROUP VIEW

The parish of Medjugorje is situated in Herzegovina, 25 km southwest of Mostar. Medjugorje forms a Roman-Catholic parish where today approximately 4000 inhabitants live. The pastoral care of the parish is confided to the priests of the Franciscan Province of the Assumption of Mary. The whole region is inhabited by Croatians who received Christianity 13 centuries ago. In historical documents, the village was mentioned in 1599 for the first time.

The present parish was founded in `1892 and dedicated to St. James the Apostle, protector of pilgrims. Until Jun 24, 1981, Medjugorje lived like all other villages of this region; people worked on their land, planted tobacco and vineyards, produced wine and vegetables to acquire just enough for a modest life for their families. Because of social circumstances, many went out into the world: over the ocean and to Western European countries, as well as into towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. EVERYTHING CHANGED IN 1981.

When the apparitions of Our Lady started in 1981, the life of the parish
Our Lady chose as her witnesses and her co-workers, not only the six visionaries, by the entire parish, and its pilgrims. This was expressly told in following message. "I have chosen this parish in a special way and wish to lead it". (March 1, 1984) Father Jozo Zovko,O.F.M. was the parish priest at that time . It is impossible for anyone to refrain from what has been happening there.

Since 1981, in this small village, the Blessed Mother has been appearing and leaving us her children and the nation messges. She tells us that GOD has sent her to this world and these years she is spending with us is a time of grace from GOD. In her own words she tells us . "I have come to tell the world that GOD EXISTS;he is the fullness of life and to enjoy this fullness and peace, you MUST return to GOD.

COME TO MEDJUGORJE and realize a spiritual relationship with Our Lord and Our Lady. "Blessed are they who have not seen and believe".

Since the apparitions of Our Lady began in 1981, millions of pilgrims of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje on pilgrimage and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Countless unbelievers and physically or mentally afflicted have been converted and healed. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones, to investigate with an open mind and heart the events which are occurring in Medjugorje. I invite you to listen to her and her messages received every 2nd of every month. . Medjugorje will manifests itself in a personal manner for each one of us, so that all may understand that “You are important to HER”. You will see what the parishioners completed. An 8.5 meter cross of reinforced concrete on March 15, 1934. These words are engraved on the cross.

“TO JESUS CHRIST, THE REDEEMER OF THE HUMAN RACE, AS A SIGN OF OUR FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE, IN MEMORY OF THE 900th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSION OF JESUS”


In the center of the cross, they placed a relic of the authentic Cross of Jesus, which Christians venerate as the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This relic was received as a gift from Rome, where the larger part of the authentic Cross is being kept in the Church of “Santa Croce di Gerusalemme’.
There is no seeking of God, if one does not seek what is right and just. “Seek me that you may live!” Issiah says: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near”. Let the scoundrel forsake his way the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God who is generous in forgiving. We have to seek God with our whole heart and our whole soul. Jesus said the same. ‘SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN YOU BESIDES.’ MATTHEW 6:33.

It is not difficult to understand what is going on in Medjugorje. The first apparition of Our Lady took place on the mountain Cmica, which today is called Apparition Hill. Our Lady called us to peace, prayer and fasting, faith and love. She appeared to children, who are already adults today, whom one can meet. Everything began with the call to peace and belief in God in a country where atheism was the official ideology. On the one hand, the government reacted vehemently against it, but on THE HAND OF GOD, the crowd felt an unbelievable urge to come and see, to experience and respond! According to Marijana, the Madonna confided the tenth and last secret to her during the apparition on December 25, 1983. She also disclosed the dates on which the different secrets will come to pass. "Dear Children, I invite you for your individual conversion. The time is for you! Without you God's plan cannot be realised. Dear children grow day by day closer to God through prayer. I GIVE YOU THE WEAPON AGAINST YOUR GOLIATH, HERE ARE YOUR FIVE LITTLE STONES: 1. Pray with the heart:: Holy Rosary, 2. Holy Communion, 3. Holy Bible, 4.Fasting 5. Monthly Confession.

According to nature, man searches for peace. On Apparition Hill, the joyful and the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary are prayed and one remains in silence at a place marked where the visionaries saw Our Lady. You are able to read some of her messages and think about them. Consecrate yourself to her, and accept her as your Mother. Pray for Peace. Pray for those innocent souls aborted, Pray for vocations, Pray for our Priest, Pray for the ill, Pray opposite the second station of the Joyful Mysteries because it is here that on the third day of the Apparitions June 26, 1981 Marija Paviovic saw Our Lady with the Cross, crying and repeating " PEACE! PEACE! PEACE! ONLY PEACE! Peace between God and man and peace between men."

The Blue Cross. In the course of time, another place for silent prayer evolved. Its name was given accidentally. Someone had placed a blue cross at the spot where Our Lady appeared when the police had forbidden any gatherings on Apparition Hill. Ivan’s prayer group, Ivan, met many times here. Mirjana also often prays at this spot the second of the month when she meets with OUR LADY and prays for the non-believers. Pray at this spot for non-believers, and those who have left the church, those who are luke warm in their faith, pray for Vocations, Pray for those with additions, and Pray the Catholic Church remain strong. A pilgrim comes to Medjugorje for many reasons. Health, personal healings, etc. Come and bring your petitions to the feet of Our Lady.

Mt. Krizevac. Here the way of the cross is prayed. Consisting of 16 stations. The first being the Garden of Gethsemane and the last the Resurrection. One goes to Mt. Krizevac to learn how to carry your own cross."With my trembling hands, I will carry my cross until the day I die. God have mercy on me".

Now, we leave you to ponder messages received from Our Lady.: “Dear Children! I invite you to open the door of your heart to Jesus as the flower opens itself to the sun. Jesus desires to fill your hearts with peace and joy. You cannot, little children, realize peace if you are not at peace with Jesus. Therefore, I invite you to confession so Jesus may be your truth and peace. So, little children, pray to have the strength to realize what I am telling you. I am with you and love you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Jan. 25, 1995

A pilgrimage helps you break away from the earthly hostages and frees us from its consequences. A pilgrimage offfers various forms of meeting with God. According to the Bible and the experiences of the Prophets, there is first a CALL to leave the city, to abandon everyday life and to search for a place of peace and silence. Go into the desert, then set forth and climb the mountain where through prayer you encounter the Lord. Experience God's love, mercy, and truth. A pilgrim journeys to walk in the ways of the biblical pilgrim. Take your time to honor God the Father, God the Son, and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Pause, take your time; climb the mountain as Moses did, and surrender yourselves to God who forgives and gives one peace. All Through Mary, to the Son, to the Father.

As important as it is to come here as a pilgrim. It is equally important to come to pray, to remain with Jesus and Mary while praying the Rosary and to hear her voice calling us to Peace. This is the same peace to which the Angels called us when Jesus was born. It is particularly recommended to pray for peace at the cross opposite the second station of the joyful mysteries. It is here on June 26, 1981 that Our Lady with the cross was crying and repeating Peace! Peace! Peace! Only Peace! Help wipe away her tears.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

How Lou touched me!

I'm a friend of Lou's. We have known each other for 10 or so years. I knew of Lou's intended trip to Medjugorje. He came back from his trip so excited and with a glow. He told me of his trip and I was taken by his radiance. I didn't know much about the apparitions of Medjugorje, so I decided to read a book. I picked up "Medjugorje, The Message" by Wayne Weible. I found this book so interesting. After reading the book, I viewed the dvd of his trip and I can tell you "wow". What an experience!! God Bless.

TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE of MEDJUGORJE!!

Please blog your expenience if either you have been to Medjugorje or have been touched by the spirit of Medjugorje.