I think we have to be careful to not place too much emphasis of our own faith in this or that phenomenological event, this apparition, that one, whatever. I'm sure many of us have seen those fixated on spreading the message of this or that apparition. The message we really need to be spreading and following is that of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We have the fullness of Tradition expressed in our Divine Liturgy and liturgical texts, in the theological expositions of the Fathers and Mothers, and through reception of the Holy Mysteries. These are always there as the firm foundation of the Church regardless of any given apparitions, approved or unnapproved. I've seen some Catholics become obsessed with certain apparitions to the point that it becomes the center of their faith. This is not spiritually healthy.

Dear Stefan-Ivan,
It's true, the apparitions ceased at that time. Within a few years, both the visionaries had settled into their own vocations: one joined the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Presov, the other got married and has a child.

The pilgrimages still draw large numbers, although the Eparchy of Presov has very little to say about it.

Here is another site, in Slovak, with the messages: http://www.fakty.sk/mrosa/litmanova/
(This is a Slovak translation of the messages, because the apparition spoke to the girls in Rusyn.)

Here's another page related to the same magazine, M Rosa: http://mrosa.szm.sk/341998/angl/litmkon.htm
The above is in English.

Dear Lemko;

Thank you very much for the updated information and interesting links.

Dekuju,
Stefan

Dear Friends,

While the Church has reserved judgement in the case of Medjugorje, I think we also need to appreciate the good that this phenomenon has done in the lives of thousands of Christians.

I have met people who have been there and who know, to give one example, pray the Rosary at three different times of the day, every day, fast on bread and water each Wednesday and Friday, attend Church most zealously, read the Scriptures etc.

The change in their lives is itself a miracle. So miracles have occurred through Medjugorje.

Alex

Dear Nicky's Babtsia!

I love your use of "Frannies."

In Western Canada, where there were Redemptorist Missionaries, our people couldn't pronounce the name of their Congregation and so shortened it to "Dentrists."

Alex

Is it just me or at the second link is there a Byzantine priest wearing a Latin mitre standing with Bishop Jan?

[ 06-04-2002: Message edited by: Lance ]

Lance

You are rite ! at least as rgards the mitre -not sure about the vestments though - could be a Latin Chasuble - or maybe not.

[ 06-04-2002: Message edited by: Our Lady's slave of love ]

With all due respect, I think the Latin mitre is on the wrong head...

Dear Lemko Rusyn,

Perhaps he is of the Slavonic Latin Rite?

I have pictures of our bishop at my baptismal reception (it's a good thing we have them, somehow I just can't remember anything about it . . .).

Our bishop then looked just like any Latin bishop purple buttons and all.

What is that about clothes making the man?

Alex

Surely he is a bi-ritual bishop and we did not know it, like Byzantine/Maronite, or Armenian, or Chaldean!


Stefan

[ 06-06-2002: Message edited by: Stefan-Ivan ]

[ 06-08-2002: Message edited by: Stefan-Ivan ]