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Fr. Stephen Shin’s Reflections on the Messages
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June 25, 2022
"Dear children, I rejoice with you and thank you for every sacrifice and prayer, which you have offered for my intentions. Little children, do not forget that you are important in my plan of salvation of mankind. Return to God and prayer that the Holy Spirit may work in you and through you. Little children, I am with you also in these days when Satan is fighting for war and hatred. Division is strong and evil is at work in man as never before. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children, I rejoice with you and thank you for every sacrifice and prayer, which you have offered for my intentions.

When the Virgin Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb, she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy" (Luke 1:39-56). In response, Mary sang the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.”
      Mary had every reason to be fearful. She was an unmarried woman carrying a child, a situation that, according to the law, could result in her being stoned to death. Yet, Mary was not afraid. She rejoiced because she trusted that God, her Savior, was with her. Her heart leaped for joy in the assurance of God’s presence.
      On this 41st anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, which also coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Virgin Mary expresses her joy. Why does she rejoice with us? The answer lies in the fact that our Savior, God, is present with us. Because God is alive and with us, we should also rejoice with Mary in Him.
      Mary always works for God's glory and for our salvation. The intentions she calls us to pray for are not just for her sake but ultimately for our good and our salvation. This is why the sacrifices and prayers we offer for her intentions are truly for our benefit, yet Mary graciously thanks us for them.
      While we may feel that our sacrifices and prayers are small, they are incomparable to the immense sacrifices made by Jesus and Mary for our salvation. Thus, we should offer thanks to Mary for her intercession and reflect on the profound sacrifices Jesus and Mary continue to make for us.

Little children, do not forget that you are important in my plan of salvation of mankind. 

Mary is not just the Mother of Catholics but the Mother of all humanity. Her love and concern extend to every person, and she desires the salvation of all. Though God alone has the power to save all souls, Mary plays a vital role in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity, as she was chosen to be the Mother of the Redeemer. She now invites us to join her in this mission, reminding us of the significance of our role in her plan for the salvation of the world.
      But what is our role in this divine plan for salvation? First and foremost, we must strive to live righteous lives in the eyes of God. Like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were destroyed for the lack of ten righteous people (cf. Gn 19:1-28), we must become the righteous ones in today’s world. Additionally, we must go beyond just our personal concerns, offering sacrifices and prayers for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of all souls.
      We can start each day with a simple yet profound prayer: "Lord, I offer this day to You for Your glory and for the salvation of humanity, including myself. I love You, I trust in You, and I thank You." From this foundation, we should strive to align all our actions and thoughts with this intention throughout the day.

Return to God and prayer that the Holy Spirit may work in you and through you. Little children, I am with you also in these days when Satan is fighting for war and hatred. Division is strong and evil is at work in man as never before. Thank you for having responded to my call.

We are living in a time of intense spiritual warfare, as described in Revelation 12 and 13, where the battle between Mary and Satan is ongoing. As children and apostles of Mary, we are called to be spiritual warriors in this fight. To succeed, we must be spiritually trained and armed, and this is only possible through prayer and through our union with God.
      If we follow Jesus’ command to "pray always" (Lk 18:1) and continually seek to return to God, our Father will give us the greatest gift—the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 11:13). When the Holy Spirit fills us, it is no longer we who act, but the Spirit working within us. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles at Pentecost to boldly proclaim the Gospel, so too will the Spirit work in and through us.
      In 2020, Mary mentioned Satan twice, in March and October. In 2021, she also spoke of Satan twice, in March and June. However, by the middle of 2022, she has already mentioned Satan four times—in January, February, March, and now May. This frequent mention underscores that Satan’s influence is growing, and "evil has never been more active in humanity than now." Why is this? Satan knows his time is short, and he is fighting with all his strength to lead as many souls as possible away from God and into eternal destruction.
      Nevertheless, Satan will ultimately be defeated. Mary’s Immaculate Heart will triumph, and Satan will be cast into hell forever. Mary reassures us of her presence with the words: “Even during these times when Satan is fighting for war and hatred, I am with you.” This echoes the words of Jesus: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33).
      Despite the darkness, we can be certain of the final victory, and we are called to stand firm, knowing that Mary is with us, guiding and protecting us in this battle.
   
 
 
May 25, 2022

"Dear children! I am looking at you and thanking God for each of you, because He permits me to still be with you, to encourage you to holiness. Little children, peace is disturbed and Satan wants peacelessness. That is why, may your prayer be even stronger so that every unclean spirit of division and war may be stilled. Be builders of peace and carriers of joy of the Risen One in you and around you, for the good to win in every man. Thank you for having responded to my call."


Dear children! I am looking at you and thanking God for each of you, because He permits me to still be with you, to encourage you to holiness. 


The words "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38) were spoken by the Virgin Mary to the angel Gabriel, who brought her a message from God. Through this response, Mary demonstrated her complete willingness to obey God's will. Her obedience to God's word and will was not just a one-time act but continued throughout her life and into eternity.

      For the past 40 years and 11 months, the Virgin Mary has appeared to us through Medjugorje, acting according to God's will. Her mission to encourage us toward holiness is also part of God's divine plan. Mary continues to act in perfect harmony with God's will, and this is the virtue we must seek to emulate in our own lives. Our will is insignificant compared to God's will. As Mary lived and still lives according to God's will, we, too, must strive to seek and follow God's will in everything.

      Jesus taught us to pray, "Your will be done, on earth as in heaven" (Mt 6:10). He desired that we always seek to align our lives with God's will. However, we often live as though we are asking for "our will to be done on earth as it is in heaven." It is time to return to living in accordance with God's will rather than our own desires. This is the first step toward repentance and holiness.

      We are not alone. Just as Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples to guide them, God the Father has sent us the Virgin Mary as our protector. She watches over us with loving eyes, and nothing can harm us because her protective gaze never leaves us. We should never forget that Mary's gaze is filled with love, protection, and concern for us. She values each one of us deeply and gives thanks to God for entrusting us to her care.


Little children, peace is disturbed and Satan wants peacelessness. That is why, may your prayer be even stronger so that every unclean spirit of division and war may be stilled. 


Throughout the world, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to various conflicts and acts of violence, peace is being threatened. This unrest instills fear in people's hearts, and the negative influence spreads faster than ever in our interconnected world. Even if we experience peace in our own homes, news of wars and disasters constantly disrupts our inner peace. Behind this disruption lies Satan, the spirit of division and war. Mary alerts us to this reality, saying, "Little children, peace is being disturbed, and Satan desires a world without peace."

      Wherever God is present, there is peace. Wherever Satan is, there is division, war, and hatred. To combat the spirit of division and war, we must turn to prayer, entrusting everything to God’s power. Yet, as Mary sees, our prayers are not yet strong enough to combat the evil forces. This is why she urges us: "Your prayer must become much stronger."

      Just as a scale tips when one side becomes heavier, the world’s imbalance must be corrected through fervent prayer. Only through spiritual warfare—prayer, fasting, and sacrifice—can we overcome the evil forces at work. This is the only way to achieve victory in this spiritual battle.


Be builders of peace and carriers of joy of the Risen One in you and around you, for the good to win in every man. Thank you for having responded to my call.


To become builders of peace within ourselves and in our surroundings, we must first receive the peace of the Lord. This peace comes through prayer, repentance, faith, and fasting. When we walk along these paths, God will grant us the gift of peace. Once we have received this peace, we can naturally radiate it to those around us, without any force or effort. The same applies to sharing the joy of the Risen Lord. When we experience this joy in our own hearts, others will sense that it comes from the Risen Christ.

      Although our individual efforts to build peace and spread joy may seem small and insignificant, they contribute to a greater collective impact. Like a single drop of water, which may seem minor, many such drops together form streams, rivers, and eventually oceans. In the same way, our individual contributions of peace and joy will, in time, create a sea of goodness in the hearts of humanity.

      Thus, Mary calls us to be the ones who build peace and spread the joy of the Risen Lord so that goodness may triumph in everyone. This is the path she is urging us to take, and we must respond to her call.



   
 
 
April 25, 2022
"Dear children! I am looking at you and I see that you are lost. That is why I am calling all of you: return to God, return to prayer - and the Holy Spirit will fill you with His love which gives joy to the heart. Hope will grow in you, also for a better future, and you will become joyful witnesses of God's mercy in you and around you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am looking at you and I see that you are lost. That is why I am calling all of you: return to God, return to prayer.

Yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday, also known as the second Sunday of Easter. In 2000, on April 30, Pope John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina Kowalska from Poland and officially established Divine Mercy Sunday, to be celebrated annually. Born in 1905 to a poor family, Sister Faustina received little formal education, yet she had great devotion to Jesus and Mary, and she prayed fervently. In 1925, she joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, living a life of humility and service as a cook, gardener, and porter until her death at the age of 33 in 1938.
      Sister Faustina received many visions and revelations, but Jesus entrusted her specifically with the mission of spreading devotion to Divine Mercy. He gave her three main tasks: to spread the image of Divine Mercy, to promote the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and to establish Divine Mercy Sunday as a feast for the whole Church. While the first two tasks gradually spread through various channels, the third seemed impossible to achieve at the time.
      In 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła of Poland was elected pope, breaking a 400-year tradition of Italian popes. No one had expected him to become pope. Taking the name John Paul II, this Polish pope was very familiar with Sister Faustina and the Divine Mercy devotion. Born in 1920 in Wadowice, near the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, he had lived in the same time period as Sister Faustina. As pope, he canonized her, and during the canonization, he fulfilled her mission by officially establishing Divine Mercy Sunday for the entire Church—a miraculous and mysterious event that took nearly 70 years to accomplish.
      Our God is a God of mercy. Out of love and mercy for the world, God sent His only Son to offer Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. Anyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. When Mary visited Elizabeth while carrying Jesus in her womb, she proclaimed in her Magnificat that God is merciful, and His mercy extends from generation to generation. Mary gave us Jesus, the manifestation of God’s mercy. As the daughter of the merciful Father and the mother of the Son, who is the embodiment of mercy, Mary is the woman of mercy, the mother of mercy, and her mercy is directed toward her children—us.
      When we have no interest in someone, we say we don’t even glance at them. Our gaze reveals what we hold in our hearts. When we love someone, however, we keep looking at them, even when they are not visible, constantly thinking of them.
      In this month’s message, the Virgin Mary says, "Dear children! I am looking at you and I see that you are lost. That is why I am calling all of you: return to God, return to prayer" She calls us "dear children," indicating that our relationship with her is like that of a mother and her children, the closest of human relationships. While earthly mothers may abandon their children, our heavenly mother never does. She never stops loving us. When Mary watches over us, her gaze is filled with infinite love and mercy. If we could meet her gaze, we would likely be moved to tears.
      Although Mary loves us deeply, she does not want us to live in sin. While she desires our salvation and does not condemn us, she truthfully states, "I know that you are lost." She then provides the solution: "That is why I am calling all of you to return to God and to prayer." Here, the key phrase is "all of you." When Mary says, "I know that you are lost," some might think, "She’s not talking about me." But is that really true? In varying degrees, we are all lost. We must ask ourselves how often we forget about God and live as though He is not present in our lives. We should reflect on whether prayer has become a joy for us, whether our lives themselves have become prayers, and whether prayer holds the highest priority in our lives. After serious reflection, we should recognize that we, too, need to return to God and prayer. We should also pray for the world, so that all people, lost like us, may return to God and prayer, responding to Mary’s call.

And the Holy Spirit will fill you with His love which gives joy to the heart. Hope will grow in you, also for a better future, and you will become joyful witnesses of God's mercy in you and around you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Mary assures us that when we return to God and place prayer at the center of our lives, the Holy Spirit will be given to us as a gift. This is the greatest gift of all, for it is the gift of God Himself. Possessing the Holy Spirit means possessing everything; nothing else on earth can compare. When we experience the love of the Holy Spirit—the love of God—we realize that nothing else can take its place.
      We all hope for a better future and work towards it. However, our plans do not always unfold as we expect. Ultimately, our lives are in God's hands, and He is the true master of our future. The psalmist reminds us of this: "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch. It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil—all this God gives to his beloved in sleep" (Ps 127:1-2).
Instead of relying solely on our plans and efforts, we must turn to God, who opens the way for a better future. When we return to God and place Him at the center of our lives, He will lead us toward a future beyond our imagination.
      It is through these experiences that we come to witness God’s mercy. When things that seem impossible by human effort alone become reality, we experience God’s greatness and mercy. A biblical example is the story of the blind beggar in Jericho. He was sitting by the roadside when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" People tried to silence him, but he persisted, shouting, "Son of David, have pity on me!" Jesus stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus said, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." Immediately, the man could see again (cf. Lk 18:35-41).
      The blind beggar had no power to restore his own sight. Yet, though he had never seen or met Jesus before, he had heard of Him and developed faith in his heart. He had prayed constantly. When the opportunity came, he cried out for mercy, and Jesus restored his sight. From that moment, his life changed forever. He would have carried the memory of that mercy within him and shared it joyfully with everyone he met.
      Likewise, when we experience God’s mercy, we become joyful witnesses of His love and grace, not only within ourselves but also to those around us. We share the hope of a better future and testify to the power of God's mercy.
   
 
 
March 25, 2022

"Dear children! I am listening to your cry and prayers for peace. For years, Satan has been fighting for war. That is why God sent me among you to guide you on the way of holiness, because humanity is at a crossroad. I am calling you to return to God and to God's Commandments that it may be good for you on earth, and that you may come out of this crisis into which you have entered because you are not listening to God who loves you and desires to save you and lead you to a new life. Thank you for having responded to my call."


Dear children! I am listening to your cry and prayers for peace. For years, Satan has been fighting for war. That is why God sent me among you to guide you on the way of holiness, because humanity is at a crossroad.


Though we may not be able to see the Virgin Mary like the visionaries can, she sees us, the world, and everything happening on it. She sees with merciful eyes, just as Jesus did (cf. Mt 14:14). Therefore, she can say, “Dear children! I am listening to your cry and prayers for peace."

      The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for a month. Soldiers and civilians alike have been killed in large numbers. About 10 million Ukrainians, one-quarter of the population, have become refugees, fleeing to neighboring countries. Cities and homes have been destroyed, and many are suffering without food or water. Despite all this, there seems to be no end in sight, and the threat of chemical or nuclear weapons looms.

      Amid this devastation, people around the world—especially in Russia and Ukraine—are crying out and praying for peace. On March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, Pope Francis, along with bishops from around the world, consecrated humanity, particularly Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a special prayer.

     The Virgin Mary assures us that she hears our cries and prayers for peace. This is reminiscent of the scripture passage: "God heard their moaning and God was mindful of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Ex 2:24). Mary does not ignore the cries of her children who pray fervently for peace amidst the war instigated by Satan. She offers our prayers to God, interceding for peace on our behalf.

      Mary also warns that humanity is at a crossroads. This is an exceptionally strong and direct statement, highlighting the gravity of our current situation. While we may not fully see it, Mary understands just how perilous our situation is and urges us to make the right choice, knowing the consequences of not doing so.

     Humanity now stands between life and death, salvation and destruction. The choice is ours, but the responsibility for the consequences also falls on us. God and Mary respect our free will, but they do not want us to choose the path of death and destruction. That is why Mary says, "Humanity stands at a crossroads, and that is why God has sent me among you to guide you on the path of holiness." To choose the path of life and salvation, we must walk the path of holiness, living according to God's will. Satan constantly tries to block us from this path, so God sends Mary to guide us and remind us that the path of holiness is the way forward.

      God, who is love itself, never withdraws His love for His children, even in the last moments. If He did, He would not be love, nor would He be our true Father. We must be deeply grateful that our heavenly Father, out of love, sends Mary as His messenger to warn us of the danger we are in and guide us toward making the right choice for life and salvation. Only a mother's love and concern can prompt such action.


I am calling you to return to God and to God's Commandments that it may be good for you on earth, and that you may come out of this crisis into which you have entered because you are not listening to God who loves you and desires to save you and lead you to a new life. Thank you for having responded to my call.


Now is the time for us to be like the prodigal son in Luke 15, who returns to his father saying, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." God is the only one who can give us true life and salvation. No worldly power or person can grant us that.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son believed he could be happy once he received his inheritance from his father. After receiving it, he left home, spent it recklessly, and ended up with nothing but sin and hunger. This was the result of listening only to his inner desires, which led him away from his father's guidance.

      When the prodigal son had lost everything and found himself in a desperate situation, he finally decided to return home. Upon his return, he found life, regained his dignity and freedom, and experienced mercy and joy that he had never known in the foreign land. Similarly, when we return to God and His commandments, we will experience the same.

       The crisis we face as individuals and as humanity stems from our failure to listen to God’s word and our tendency to go our own way. Despite God’s repeated guidance on how to live a life that leads to salvation, humanity often turns a deaf ear, following its own desires instead. When we do this, Satan takes advantage and urges us to follow our cravings rather than God’s word, just as he did in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis—a story that continues to play out today.

      The way out of the crisis we find ourselves in is to return to God and His commandments. To do this, we must adopt the simplicity and humility of a child. As Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3).

      Mary exemplifies this childlike simplicity and purity before God. When we pray the "Hail Mary" and call her "full of grace," her response, like an echo, is always "God." Mary entrusted herself completely to God, and His will was everything to her. When the angel Gabriel told her that she would conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, she responded, "May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38), fully accepting God’s will even though it could have cost her life. Under the law at that time, an unmarried woman found pregnant could be stoned to death. Yet, by embracing God’s will, Mary entered into that crisis, and the result was that God became man, Jesus Christ, and saved humanity from sin and death.

      Responding to Mary’s call is responding to God’s call. It means listening to God’s word and the messages He gives us through Mary, then living according to that word and those messages. Even if we encounter difficulties or crises as a result, we will not be destroyed. On the contrary, God will draw closer to us and help us emerge from those difficulties.  

       Choosing to follow God and His commandments is our only path to salvation.
   
 
 
February 25, 2022
"Dear children! I am with you and we pray together. Help me with prayer, little children, that Satan may not prevail. His power of death, hatred, and fear has visited the earth. Therefore, little children, return to God and to prayer, to fasting and to renunciation, for all those who are downtrodden, poor, and have no voice in this world without God. Little children, if you do not return to God and His Commandments, you do not have a future. That is why He sent me to you to guide you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am with you and we pray together. 

The Virgin Mary tells us that she is with us. Why is she with us? Because she is our mother, and she does not abandon her children like orphans. She is with us because she loves us and wants to help us draw closer to Jesus. She is with us to lead us on the path of salvation and peace, teaching us how to live lives of conversion and holiness. She is with us to remind us that nothing is more important than God in our lives. She is also here to teach us that prayer is the key to all these things.
      Throughout her life on earth, the Virgin Mary prayed with others. Her parents, Joachim and Anne, were members of a devout community and lived holy lives, longing for the coming of the Savior. They lived modestly, gave generously to others, and prayed fervently. Born into such a family, Mary learned to pray with them from an early age.
       At the age of three, Mary was chosen to live and serve as a virgin in the temple in Jerusalem, where she spent 11 years praying with her teachers and fellow virgins. Later, she prayed with St. Joseph and Jesus during their time in Egypt and throughout their 30 years together as the Holy Family in Nazareth. One can only imagine the immense joy Mary experienced praying with her Son, who is both fully human and fully divine.
      As Jesus began His public ministry, Mary followed Him, praying with women such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. She spiritually guided them and prayed with them as they cared for Jesus and His disciples. After Jesus' ascension, Mary prayed with the apostles and other disciples. Notably, on the day of Pentecost, while gathered in the Upper Room with Mary, the apostles received the Holy Spirit.
      Just as Mary prayed with others during her time on earth, she now prays with us. Though we may not see her, we are never praying alone. When we pray, the Virgin Mary is with us, praying alongside us.

Help me with prayer, little children, that Satan may not prevail. His power of death, hatred, and fear has visited the earth. Therefore, little children, return to God and to prayer, to fasting and to renunciation, for all those who are downtrodden, poor, and have no voice in this world without God. 

Mary is not only with us in prayer, but she also asks us to help her through prayer. Although we are her "little children" and seemingly weak, she calls on us to help her in the fight against Satan. Just as children eagerly help their mothers with pride, we, too, should joyfully assist Mary in this spiritual battle. 
      Why does Mary fight against Satan? Not for herself, but for all of humanity. She fights for us, to protect and defend us from Satan's powers of death, hatred, and fear. By helping her in prayer, we are ultimately helping ourselves, ensuring that Satan does not triumph over us.
      On February 24, 2022, one day before this message was given, Russia invaded Ukraine, igniting a war. The media cites various reasons for this conflict, such as Ukraine's desire to join NATO, Russia's perception of this as a threat, or a desire to install a pro-Russian government in Ukraine. These are human reasons, and many other factors may be at play. However, the Virgin Mary's message reveals a deeper spiritual dimension: behind this war is the influence of Satan. War brings death, destruction, hatred, and fear—traits that originate from Satan alone. 
Though this war is between Russia and Ukraine, its effects ripple across the world, affecting many nations. Satan uses this conflict to spread his influence of death, hatred, and fear throughout humanity and the entire earth.
      To counteract Satan's power, Mary calls us to return to God, prayer, fasting, and renunciation. This is especially crucial for the oppressed, poor, and voiceless in a world that has turned away from God. The season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and penance, is soon approaching. Jesus set an example for us when He spent 40 days and nights in the desert, praying and fasting, and overcame Satan's temptations through the Word of God. Though Jesus is God, He renounced everything and became fully human, obedient to God's will even unto death on the cross. Through His sacrifice, Jesus opened the door to eternal life, bringing love, joy, salvation, and peace to all humanity.

Little children, if you do not return to God and His Commandments, you do not have a future. That is why He sent me to you to guide you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Virgin Mary's message that we will have no future if we do not return to God and His commandments echoes the words God spoke to the Israelites through Moses long ago. The Book of Deuteronomy records this as follows:
     "See, I have today set before you life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I am giving you today, loving the Lord, your God, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and ordinances, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. If, however, your heart turns away and you do not obey, but are led astray and bow down to other gods and serve them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.   Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them" (Dt 30:15-20).
      As the Israelites experienced, when they followed God's commandments, they received life, happiness, and blessings. But when they turned away from God, they encountered death, suffering, and curses, losing their future.
      We have the example of the Israelites to guide us. By returning to God and His commandments, we can choose life, happiness, and blessings, securing a bright future. Let us heed Mary's advice and prioritize returning to God and His commandments, making Him the center of our lives. By living according to His laws, we can trust that He will open the way to our future.
   
 
 
January 25, 2022
"Dear children! Today I am calling you to return to personal prayer. Little children, do not forget that Satan is strong and that he wants to attract all the more souls to himself. That is why, you be vigilant in prayer and resolute in the good. I am with you and am blessing all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am calling you to return to personal prayer.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. While the Catholic Church does not commemorate the conversion of any other saint with a feast day, St. Paul's conversion is an exception. Why? Because his conversion had an immense impact on Christianity. He was the apostle who, more than anyone else, spread the Gospel to the Gentiles and established the foundations of Christian faith and theology, greatly solidifying the structure of Christianity.
      Now, let us revisit his conversion story. Paul, originally named Saul, was a fervent Jew, educated under the great rabbi Gamaliel, and was destined to become a prominent Jewish religious leader. He led the persecution of Christians with zeal, even setting out for Damascus to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem. But on the way, something extraordinary happened. As he neared Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
      Saul got up but was blind, so his companions led him into Damascus. For three days, he was blind and did not eat or drink. During this time, he prayed in solitude. Meanwhile, the Lord appeared in a vision to a disciple named Ananias, instructing him to go to Saul and lay hands on him so he could regain his sight. Ananias initially hesitated, knowing Saul's reputation for persecuting Christians, but the Lord reassured him, saying, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel."
      Ananias obeyed, went to Saul, laid hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road—has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He was baptized, ate, and regained his strength (cf. Acts 9:1-18).
      St. Paul's dramatic conversion teaches many lessons, but in connection with this month's message from the Virgin Mary—calling us to return to personal prayer—it is important to reflect on the role of personal prayer in his conversion. After encountering the risen Jesus, Paul was blinded and utterly dependent on others for help. For three days, in his blindness, he dedicated himself to personal prayer. He fasted and spent those days in deep prayer, communing directly with Jesus. Though we do not know the content of his prayer, we can be certain that it came from the depths of his heart. He prayed earnestly, and only Jesus was before him. During this time, he had a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him, and it happened exactly as he saw.
      Those three days of personal prayer marked Paul's first true encounter with Jesus. In that time, he likely reflected deeply on his past and present, repented for his sins, and entrusted his future to Jesus. He must have expressed immense gratitude for the mercy Jesus showed him, knowing that Jesus was fully aware of his past persecutions but still extended forgiveness.
      The Virgin Mary, in this month’s message, calls us to return to personal prayer, which means nurturing a deeply personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. If we do not have such a relationship, like Paul, we need to spend time alone with Jesus, listening to His words, and laying bare all that is in our hearts in prayer.
      Whether before the Blessed Sacrament or the crucifix, we should kneel, gaze upon Jesus, and call upon His name, saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3:9). Even if we are not in a place or time where this is possible, we can still close our eyes, quietly recognize the presence of the Lord, open our hearts to Him, and engage in a conversation of love in the silence of our hearts.

Little children, do not forget that Satan is strong and that he wants to attract all the more souls to himself. That is why, you be vigilant in prayer and resolute in the good. I am with you and am blessing all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Virgin Mary frequently speaks of Satan in her messages, and this month is no exception. She reminds us, “Little children, do not forget that Satan is strong and that he wants to attract all the more souls to himself.” Even after 40 years of apparitions in Medjugorje, the Virgin Mary continues to warn us of Satan's presence and supernatural power. As she says, Satan is real and stronger than we often imagine. Since his time is running out, he is working more intensely than ever, seeking to draw souls away from God and into sin, leading them to destruction.
      But the Virgin Mary doesn’t just warn us; she also offers the solution to protect ourselves from Satan’s attacks: prayer. Prayer heightens our spiritual sensitivity, enabling us to discern between good and evil, and it keeps us close to God, helping us to pursue goodness and avoid evil. Those who remain vigilant in prayer are attuned to Satan's attacks and can resist them with God's strength. Like Jesus, they can say, "Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’" (Mt 4:10).
      Even though Satan is strong, if we stand firm in prayer and say "No" to his temptations with kindness and determination, he cannot harm us. Moreover, with the Virgin Mary by our side, offering us her motherly blessing, Satan cannot claim victory over us. Just as a child feels safe in the presence of their mother, we should entrust ourselves completely to the Virgin Mary and, with her blessing, confidently face and resist Satan’s attacks.
   
 
 
December 25, 2021
“Dear children! Today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Little children, without peace you do not have a future or blessing; therefore return to prayer, because the fruit of prayer is joy and faith, without which you cannot live. Today's blessing which we give you, carry to your families and enrich all those whom you meet, that they may feel the grace which you are receiving. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Dear children! Today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Little children, without peace you do not have a future or blessing.

When we love someone, we give them the best we have and are willing to sacrifice for them. The Virgin Mary, who loves us as her children, desires to give us the most precious gift: Jesus. There is nothing more valuable or essential for us than Jesus. He is both true God and true man, and those who have God possess everything. If we have Jesus, we lack nothing. Therefore, we should open our hearts and arms wide to receive Him, thanking the Virgin Mary for bringing Him to us.
      We should also reflect deeply on the sacrifice the Virgin Mary made to bring us Jesus. She conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, but according to the law of the time, an unmarried woman found pregnant could be stoned to death. Despite knowing this, the Virgin Mary accepted the risk of death to fulfill God's will and bring salvation to humanity. She loved us so much that she was willing to sacrifice her life for our salvation.
      Now, the Virgin Mary, who is in heaven with Jesus, continues to visit the earth through her apparitions in Medjugorje. Why? Because of her deep love for her children and her desire for the salvation of all humanity. As the Mother of all, she sees that her children are on the path of destruction, and for over 40 years, she has been appearing in Medjugorje, giving countless messages to awaken and guide the world back to God and to Jesus for peace and salvation. These apparitions are a profound expression of her love for us, and this love is always active, which is why she calls us her beloved children.
      This Christmas, the Virgin Mary brings us the greatest gift of love: Jesus. Only He can give us peace. Jesus is the one who reconciled us with God and brought peace between people. When we welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives, we experience true peace, unlike anything the world can offer. Jesus is the King of Peace, and He is peace itself. By placing Him at the center of our lives, we live in true peace. Without Jesus, there is no peace, no future, and no blessing for us, because He is the one who opens the way to our future and blesses us.

Therefore return to prayer, because the fruit of prayer is joy and faith, without which you cannot live. 

The Virgin Mary clearly tells us what we must do to welcome Jesus, the source of peace and blessing: prayer. She says, "Therefore, return to prayer." If there were another way, she would have told us. But by urging us to return to prayer, she reveals that prayer is the only path. She also reminds us that "the fruit of prayer is joy and faith, without which you cannot live," emphasizing that without prayer, we cannot truly live.
      Yet, how often do we prioritize prayer in our lives? Many people spend countless hours and effort on everything but prayer. We dedicate time to many things, but when it comes to prayer, we are often reluctant. And yet, prayer is the most essential and fundamental aspect of our lives, our salvation, and our well-being. Now is the time to take prayer seriously. Our lives are short, like flowers that bloom in the morning and wither by evening. We must wake up and begin to pray. Those who already pray should intensify their efforts. Those who pray only for themselves and their families should begin to pray for the conversion of sinners, for peace in the world, and for the salvation of all humanity.

Today's blessing which we give you, carry to your families and enrich all those whom you meet, that they may feel the grace which you are receiving. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Through the words "today's blessing which we give you," the Virgin Mary reveals that both she and Jesus are blessing us together—an abundant, double blessing. She desires to give us as much blessing as possible, and she encourages us to share this blessing with our families and everyone we encounter.
      We cannot bless others without love in our hearts. Jesus and the Virgin Mary bless us because they love us, and they want us to carry this love in our hearts as we bless our families and everyone we meet. In the morning, we can pray for each member of our family, whether they are near or far, blessing them individually. As we leave our homes, we can offer silent prayers of blessing for everyone we meet, even strangers. By doing this, our hearts will overflow with love and peace.
   
 
 
November 25, 2021

"Dear children! I am with you in this time of mercy and I am calling all of you to be carriers of peace and love in this world where, through me, little children, God is calling you to be prayer and love, and an expression of Heaven here on earth. May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God; that, little children, you may have complete trust in His holy will. That is why I am with you, because He, the Most High, is sending me among you to encourage you to the hope; and you will be peacemakers in this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”


Dear children! I am with you in this time of mercy and I am calling all of you to be carriers of peace and love in this world where, through me, little children, God is calling you to be prayer and love, and an expression of Heaven here on earth. May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God.


The Virgin Mary describes the present moment as a "time of mercy," bringing us great joy and consolation. However, this also makes us aware that this time may not last forever and that there could come a day when God's mercy may no longer be available in the same way. Therefore, if we feel that we are living in a time of God's mercy, it is essential to reflect seriously on how we should respond. This time of mercy calls us to conversion, to deepen our faith in God, to pray more fervently, and to give thanks to God, who, in His love, has sent the Virgin Mary to us so that we might receive peace and salvation through her guidance. The presence of the Virgin Mary among us, leading us to Jesus, is itself a profound expression of God's mercy.

      We are living in this world, but one day we will leave it. Though we do not know when that time will come, we know that our time on earth is limited. During this brief period on earth, God is teaching us through the Virgin Mary what we should do. He calls us to become not just people who pray and love, but to become prayer and love itself—a reflection of heaven on earth. Even while living here, God desires that we long for heaven and live in union with Him as if we were already there. By doing so, we will naturally bring peace and love to others, filling our hearts with joy and faith in God.


That, little children, you may have complete trust in His holy will. That is why I am with you, because He, the Most High, is sending me among you to encourage you to the hope; and you will be peacemakers in this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.


God's holy will is clear: He desires that we love Him and our neighbors, and that through this love, we may attain peace and salvation. As we become people of prayer, love, and a reflection of heaven, and as we spread peace and love, we experience God's will being fulfilled in us. When we experience this, we develop complete trust in God's holy will and are eager to continue living in accordance with it, knowing how good it is. Our desire to live within God's will grows stronger as we see the fruits of peace and love manifest in our lives.

      Soon, the season of Advent will begin—a time of hope. Advent is a period of anticipation and reflection, as we remember that God the Father sent Jesus as our Savior through the Virgin Mary, and we await His return to complete our salvation. As Christians, we are always a people of hope, but during Advent, our hope in God the Father increases, as we focus on the gift of His only Son for our salvation.

      The Virgin Mary is the woman of Advent. Though she never imagined that she would be the mother of the Savior, she prayed fervently for His coming. God the Father chose Mary of Nazareth to be the mother of the Savior, and through her, Jesus came into the world. Just as God once chose Mary, He now sends her to us through Medjugorje, encouraging us to have hope. Together with the Virgin Mary, we remember the coming of Jesus as our Savior, we await His return, and we fix our hearts and gaze on the Jesus who is already present among us, filling us with hope.

      When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and a great host of heavenly beings praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). They sang of peace on earth for those who please God because Jesus, the Prince of Peace, had been born.

      Jesus is our peace. We are those on whom His favor rests, and His peace is with us. Our mission is to bring peace to this world, which lacks peace. How is this possible? It becomes possible when we fully welcome Jesus into our hearts. If we fix our hearts and gaze on Jesus, and place all our hope in Him, we will become bearers of peace in this world.
   
 
 
October 25, 2021
"Dear children! Return to prayer because who prays is not afraid of the future; who prays is open to life and respects the life of others; who prays, little children, feels the freedom of the children of God and in joy of heart serves for the good for his brother-man. Because God is love and freedom, therefore, little children, when they want to put you in bonds and to use you, it is not from God. Because God loves and gives His peace to every creature; and that is why He sent me to you to help you to grow in holiness. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Return to prayer because who prays is not afraid of the future; who prays is open to life and respects the life of others; who prays, little children, feels the freedom of the children of God and in joy of heart serves for the good for his brother-man. 

Most people worry about the future because they do not know what will happen, which can cause fear and anxiety. To prepare for the future, they save money, buy insurance, and take other precautions. While these actions are understandable, the Virgin Mary teaches us a different way to prepare for the future. She says that those who pray do not fear what lies ahead.  Why is it that those who pray do not fear the future? It is because they firmly trust in the mercy and providence of the good God. They know they are in God's hands and that the future is not in their control but a gift that comes from God’s power and will.
       Life is a precious gift that only God can give. Those who pray are open to life because they love God, the source of life, and open their hearts to Him. They also respect the lives of others, knowing that God is the giver of life, and that each person's life is valuable beyond measure.
Prayer reveals to us who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Through prayer, we come to realize a simple yet profound truth: God is our Father, and we are His children. As Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, God provides for us, forgives our sins, and saves us from evil. We live as beloved children under the care and protection of our merciful Father. Because of this relationship, we feel the freedom that comes from being God's children. Moreover, this relationship enables us to see all people not just as strangers but as our brothers and sisters, since God is the Father of all. This understanding calls us to love others and serve them with joy, just as we would do for our family members.
      Since all of this is only possible through prayer, the Virgin Mary urges us to return to prayer. Prayer is not reserved for specific people like priests, religious, or believers—it is for everyone. The Virgin Mary calls all her children, all people, to return to prayer.

Because God is love and freedom, therefore, little children, when they want to put you in bonds and to use you, it is not from God. 

Here, "they" likely refers to people who do not see others as their brothers and sisters but instead as objects to be exploited and controlled. Some people treat others with love and respect, while others view them as enemies or as mere tools for their personal gain, using them for their own benefit without regard for their dignity.
      This exploitation does not only happen among those who do not know or believe in God. It can also happen among those who consider themselves devout believers. How is this possible? It occurs because they do not truly know who God is. These individuals are like the scribes and Pharisees mentioned in the New Testament (cf. Mt 23:1-33). Since they do not understand that God is love and freedom, they cannot practice love and freedom in their relationships with others. Instead, they seek to control and manipulate others for their own benefit.  The Virgin Mary warns that such behavior does not come from God. Often, these actions are disguised as good or spiritual, which is why we need to discern carefully through prayer and respond firmly. "God is love and freedom" is the key to this discernment. Any relationship that lacks love and freedom is not God.

God loves you and gives peace to all His creatures, which is why He has sent me to help you grow in holiness. Thank you for responding to my call.

The central figure of the Medjugorje apparitions is not the Virgin Mary, but God. The Virgin Mary comes to us not by her own will but because God has sent her. Out of His love for all creation and His desire to give peace to all creatures, God has sent the Virgin Mary to help us grow in holiness. God desires our growth in holiness but knows that we cannot achieve it on our own. That is why He has sent the Virgin Mary as our helper.
      The first step we must take is to acknowledge that we cannot grow in holiness by our own strength. With gratitude to God for sending us the Virgin Mary as our guide, we should reach out to her for help.
      To respond to the Virgin Mary's call, we need to listen to her messages. By reading her messages daily, we can hear her call. Then, we should ask for her help to live according to her guidance. As we strive to follow her words, we will grow in holiness, slowly but surely, becoming holier without even realizing it.
   
 
 
September 25, 2021

"Dear children! Pray, witness and rejoice with me because the Most High continues to send me to lead you on the way of holiness. Be aware, little children, that life is short and eternity is waiting for you to give glory to God with your being, with all the saints. Little children, do not worry about earthly things, but long for Heaven. Heaven will be your goal and joy will begin to reign in your heart. I am with you and bless all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."


Dear children! Pray, witness and rejoice with me because the Most High continues to send me to lead you on the way of holiness. 


The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Lv 19:1-2). This command from God to the Israelites calls them to holiness, not merely by their own merit, but because God Himself is holy. Walking the path of holiness means becoming like God, reflecting His image. To continue on this path, we must focus solely on God and live according to His Word. Yet, this is not an easy task. Just as Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus while walking on water due to the stormy winds, so too do we face many challenges in life that make it difficult to remain focused on holiness.

       However, just as God sent the Virgin Mary as the "Star of the Sea" to guide us, He continues to send her to lead us through the trials of life. She helps us keep our gaze on God, reminding us to pray constantly and bear witness to our belonging to a holy God, even amidst the storms of life. We are not alone. The Virgin Mary is with us, journeying alongside us on the path to holiness, and with her, we can move forward with joy.


Be aware, little children, that life is short and eternity is waiting for you to give glory to God with your being, with all the saints. 


As children, time often seemed to pass slowly as we waited to grow older. However, as adults, we realize how quickly time seems to fly. Though life may seem long, as the Virgin Mary reminds us, it is actually quite short. The Psalmist expresses this truth by saying, “Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are toil and sorrow; they pass quickly, and we are gone” (Ps 90:10). The Virgin Mary has even referred to our lives as "the blink of an eye," emphasizing how brief our time on earth truly is.

      Despite the shortness of our earthly life, our existence does not end here. There is another life waiting for us beyond death—eternal life. In eternity, time no longer has any meaning, and we will no longer count the years. There, all the saints who have gone before us await us, ready to glorify God together with us. The Virgin Mary urges us to remain conscious of this reality.  Without preparing for eternal life, we will not be able to enter into the glory of heaven. Recognizing the fleeting nature of earthly life and keeping our minds focused on eternity, we can begin here and now to live in a way that glorifies God. Then, one day, we will join the saints in glorifying God in eternity.


Little children, do not worry about earthly things, but long for Heaven. Heaven will be your goal and joy will begin to reign in your heart. I am with you and bless all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.


A long time ago, during a month-long retreat in preparation for ordination, a priest once said, “Our heart is a factory of worries.” This phrase struck a chord with me. Our hearts are indeed filled with endless worries about all kinds of things, even about the future that has not yet come. In this restless state, the Virgin Mary tells us, “Do not worry about earthly things, but long for heaven.” Most of our worries stem from concerns about earthly matters—things necessary for living in this world. Yet the Virgin Mary calls us to shift our focus from these concerns to longing for heaven.

      We may wonder, “Can we really live without worrying about earthly things?” The answer is yes. Even if we worry, have our concerns always been resolved as we hoped? Not necessarily. God does not want us to waste time worrying about earthly matters. Instead, we should pray, entrust everything to God, and lift our hearts toward heaven. Jesus teaches us, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life,* which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6:27).

      The more we worry about earthly matters, the more our hearts become entangled in them, pulling us away from God and heaven. The Virgin Mary knows this all too well, which is why she advises us not to worry about earthly things. She reminds us that life on earth is fleeting, and everything in it will pass away. There is nothing we can take with us from this world. Therefore, nothing in this life should become our ultimate goal. Heaven, where eternal life awaits, must be our goal. Everything we have—our time, money, ideas, hearts, and more—should be directed toward entering heaven. Only then will we experience true joy, the joy that reigns in our hearts and is the fruit of living with heaven as our ultimate goal.
   
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