Christ's Birth - an Unplanned Pregnancy?

So whoever runs “Ask a Catholic Priest” on Facebook, is having a very hard time with people disagreeing with him. He is acting all persecuted and even claimed he's being called a heretic. (No one that I personally saw called him that.) Being wrong (or perceived wrong) doesn't make someone a heretic.

He posted a Meme of Christ's Manger bed, and the caption read: “An Unplanned Pregnancy Saved the World.”

Now it caused a few people to scratch their heads. No one disagreed with the pro-life sentiments other than, Our Lord's birth should not be equated with sexually active couples (whether married or living in sin... because in the Catholic faith, premarital sex is still a sin.) who have an “oops” and find themselves pregnant when they weren't planning on having children at that time (or ever). 

That is a false teaching to say our Lord is unplanned.

Our Lord, God the Son, was planned since Adam and Eve's banishment. God always knew he would send his Son to redeem what Adam and Eve had done. There would be a new Eve (Mary) and a new Adam (Jesus) who would be the shining examples of what he meant his creations to be. Loving, obedient, faithful, and Christ's sacrifice would offer us redemption and conquer death which was thrust upon us because of Adam and Eve's disobedience.

The priest (I assume it's a priest since it's called “Ask a Catholic Priest”) became indignant and stated he wasn't talking about God, who is all knowing. He was talking about Mary. That it was an unplanned pregnancy on her behalf.

Wrong again Padre. Far be it from me to argue Theology with a priest as I am no expert... but Mary planned on having Jesus. It was a split second decision but a planned one none-the-less.

Mary did not find herself “accidentally” pregnant with an unwanted or mistimed child. In fact, when St. Gabriel the Archangel appeared to her, she wasn't even pregnant yet. Right there is the key to whether this was planned, or unplanned. SHE WAS NOT PREGNANT YET.

She was surprised, for sure. “How can this be? I have not known a man.” (IE she was a virgin) and hearing the angel tell her she was to BECOME pregnant (not that she already was) was confusing. How could she become pregnant if she's never been with a man and would not be as she was not yet married. (She wasn't about to commit a sin.)

Gabriel explained (again, she's not yet pregnant) that with God, all things are possible, in fact... her cousin Elizabeth who was of advanced age and barren, is now with Child. He then explained that (if she said yes, cause Mary still had free will to reject this miracle from God) The Holy spirit would come to her, and that God would overshadow her. So he explained on how she would come to be with child.

Mary, STILL NOT YET PREGNANT, said, “I am a servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you have said.”

So the angel came to her, explained to her what God wanted of her, how it would be done, Mary agreed... THEN she became pregnant. The moment she had foreknowledge that she would become pregnant by saying “yes” to God's miracle... The pregnancy was PLANNED on every end. On God's end since time began... and now Mary's, who was awaiting the miracle to happen, willingly.

If she was willingly awaiting the Holy Spirit to come to her, and God to overshadow her, awaiting the moment she would become with child, how was it unplanned at this point?

Again, this is nothing like two sexually promiscuous teenagers who accidentally become pregnant. She was told it was what God wanted, the angel laid out how it would happen, she agreed to it, THEN became pregnant fully knowing it was about to happen and willingly accepting and desiring it.

Well, this didn't sit well with the priest who told me to “look up the definition of unplanned”. And that “free will is a matter of faith and has nothing to do with the unexpected pregnancy.”

Uh... Free will is TRUTH, not faith. Even atheists understand we are free to make our own choices and live with the consequences. And since Mary was also imbued with free will, she had the chance to back out before she ever became pregnant. The fact that she agreed to it before the pregnancy happened, shows that using her free will, she planned on following through with God's request of her. Kind of how a husband and wife decide it's time to have a child... only a little faster.

And I did one better than simply looking up the definition of “unplanned” since a single word's meaning can change depending on its use.

I looked up the definition of “Unplanned Pregnancy.” According to most sources including the CDC:

“An unplanned pregnancy is an unintended pregnancy that is reported to have been either unwanted (that is, the pregnancy occurred when no children, or no more children, were desired) or mistimed (that is, the pregnancy occurred earlier than desired).”

So lets walk through that definition.

Was Christ an unintended pregnancy? No. His birth was predestined since the beginning of time, and since St. Gabriel explained in detail to Mary what would happen, she intended to have it be done to her as it was said. So Christ was an intended pregnancy.

Was Christ unwanted? No. When Mary agreed to be mother to the Word Incarnate, she wanted that child and already loved him before he was even concieved in her womb. Just knowing was enough for her to want him and expect him.

Was Christ mistimed? No. It was exactly as God had perfectly planned. He hand chose Mary before her birth... she is the immaculate conception, meaning she was born free of Original Sin so that she would be a clean and sinless vessel for the Son of God to be born. And yet, Mary still had that choice, and she was ready to accept Jesus as her child. The timing was exactly as it needed to be.

So Mary's pregnancy and Christ's birth does not fit into the definition of an unplanned pregnancy by any stretch of the imagination.

And again... while I don't disagree with the pro-life sentiments, it is a false teaching to place our Lord and Savior on the same level as a scared teenager who finds herself unwantingly pregnant through her own promiscuity (as most teenage pregnancies happen). An unplanned pregancy is a couple, whether through promiscuity outside of the sacred bonds of marriage, or even within a marriage, actively avoid trying to have a child while still fulfilling their sexual desires, then have a whoops.

That is NOT Christ's conception or birth!

I have suddenly found that my posting privileges on that site are gone.

I'm not a theological expert by any means... But it would seem like common sense that Christ was planned, was wanted by Mary the moment she said 'yes' before she was even pregnant with him, and that he came at the intended time as he will one day return on a cloud of Glory from Heaven, at the intended time.

As I stated before I got kicked off the page: “Vatican II: Spreading nonsensical theology since the 60s.”

That said, there is nothing more precious than a life, and even an unexpected pregnancy can be a blessing. Whether it's a blessing on the family, a blessing on an adoptive family who can not have children of their own, a blessing on a community (the child could grow up to be a charitable business owner) or a blessing on the world, (The child could grow up to be the person who cures cancer, who ends hunger, or who is set to be the next St. Francis, St. Therese, St. Padre Pio...)

The life of a child is precious and should never be unwanted, even if unplanned. If you find yourself in a situation where you are pregnant and can not care for a child... please, still consider life, consider adoption. There are many Catholic services available to help you through either the adoption process, or the transition for if you choose to keep your child. Adoption changed the life of my cousin who couldn't have children of her own. It also changed the life of a child my mom's cousin adopted and raised as her own.

A friend of mine had an unplanned pregnancy, she was left by the man she trusted who fathered the child, but she raised that child and sacrificed much for that child, and now he's a man who is returning the favor to her. There was so much love that she never expected when she was in her panicked state of mind.

So, this argument about the meme aside, remember that life is precious. So precious, Jesus came to us as a little innocent infant who grew into something unimaginably great. So great, his sacrifice and ressurection has saved us from death, has brought us redemption, and a way into heaven for an eternal life of peace and love. Obviously, There will only ever be one Savior, but every child born has the potential to be something wonderful, just waiting to do good in the world in Christ's name. It just takes faith, hope, love, and sacrifice. 

God Bless

Happy Advent.

Glorious Day - 100th Anniversary of Fatima

A call to prayer all ye who believe in God. Hold fast your Rosaries and pray for God's love and mercy.

Today Jacinta and Francisco Marto have been made saints.

The two little visionaries were witness to the apparition of our Blessed Mother on this day, 100 years ago, along with their cousin Lucia Dos Santos.

From now until October, we are reminded to pray the rosary more fervently every day, paying special attention to the 13th of each month leading to the anniversary of the miracle of the sun which occurred October 13th of 1917.

Little Jacinta and Young Francisco, pray for us holy little saints of Fatima, that our eyes may be opened and our hearts softened to our Father in heaven. May we be able to discern the secrets our Blessed Mother entrusted to you, and may we find the bravery you showed in your childhood when you offered your sufferings to God in reparation of sinners and a conversion back to his most Holy Sacred Heart.

On this day in 1917, the Blessed Mother Mary appeared to three young children in Fatima, Jacinta, her brother Francisco and their cousin Lucia. These apparitions would occur every 13th of each month at the exact time, until the miracle of the sun which occurred on October 13th of 1917.

They were entrusted with important secrets directly from God, and were asked if they were willing to suffer for the conversion of souls and reparation of sins that offended God most Holy. They willingly agreed, for even so young, their hearts were full of love for God.

Mother Mary told Jacinta and Francisco that they would not be long for the world, they would soon enter heaven.

Francisco died in 1919 at the age of 10, his sister would pass at the age of 9, 10 months later, just as the Holy Mother said. They were not afraid for they knew their sufferings were for the good of God's people, and that they would be in heaven after their sufferings were done.

The two were canonized on this day, May 13th 2017... 100 years after the first apparition of Mary appeared to them.

Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us poor sinners

Little Saints of Fatima, Pray for us

100 Years of Fatima

It's a Joyous occasion in deed. We are coming on the 100th anniversary of when God sent Mary to three innocent children who would be willing and open to hear God's messages and warnings.

This event was not only investigated thoroughly by the church and proven to be true in the eyes of the church, but over 70,000 witnessed the miracle of the sun which occurred in October of 1917. (To learn about the apparitions of Mary, read my blog HERE and Part 2 HERE if you haven't already.)

The apparitions first happened May 13th, 1917 by three children, Lucia with her two cousins Francisco and Jacinta. (ages 10, 9 an 7). On May 13th of 2017, we will not only mark the 100th anniversary of Fatima... but Francisco and Jacinta will be canonized (officially recognized as saints by the Catholic Church), since the church has been able to agree that miracles attested to the intercessions of the young visionaries from heaven, were true.

Lucia has not yet been canonized, but Pope Benedict waved the 5 year waiting period required by ecclesiastical law to start her beautification process.

About the Fatima apparitions:

Our blessed mother appeared the three visionaries with messages from God. She was a beautiful woman with a kind but sad smile. She was dressed in white and had a rosary hanging from her arm, her hands folded in prayer.

When asked where she came from by Lucia, the woman replied "I come from heaven" and asked if they would offer themselves to God and accept sufferings in reparation for the numberless sins which offend him, and if they would suffer if it would convert souls back to God. Lucia replied yes.

When the children brought the events that happened back to their family, they were not believed. Lucia's mother beat her with a broomstick for lying out of fear of what the police may do to her as the government were prosecuting those of faith who didn't bow to them. She was also afraid this lie was a mortal sin. The children promised they would accept any suffering to help convert people back to God, so they prayed and fasted despite the hardships they faced by those who did not believe them.

Every month on the same day, the beautiful woman would appear to the children at the same time. She gave the children three secrets that were to be released to the Vatican at specific times. Curiosity got the best of even those who did not believe the children, and each time they went to meet the Lady, more and more people followed them. While they could not see the Blessed Mother as her message were for the children, they saw a cloud disappear in the direction the children were speaking when the visitation ended. When Lucia's mother witnessed this, she finally believed and stopped beating Lucia for lying.

During one of the visits, the Blessed Mother told the children something that would shake their families. Jacinta and Francisco would not live much longer. Both were destined for heaven very soon.

In October of 1917, upon the children announcing that there would be a miracle that would occur so all could believe, 70,000 people came to the place they said it would happen. There was a heavy rainstorm that had been going on all day. At the exact time promised, the clouds cleared and the sun was seen spinning in the sky, many beautiful colors coming from it. One writer who witnessed the event described the sun as 'dancing'.

Suddenly, it started to fall from the sky, then zig-zagged back into place when people fell to their knees in fear and awe. While some did not witness these events, they did say that the thick, wet mud became instantly dry, as did their rain soaked clothing.

In April of 1919 young Francisco passed away at the young age of 11. Jacinta would follow her brother a year later. Both suffered greatly, but accepted the sufferings as the blessed Mother asked, for the conversion of souls back to God, and as reparation for the sins that made their Lord sorrowful.

It came to pass as Mary said, when she told the children that Francisco and Jacinta would not be long for the world. They accepted their fate with faith and praise for God, even at so young an age. The undertaker who assisted in Jacinta's burial testified that in all his years, he had never seen anything like the child. Her cheeks were still rosy and her lips colorful. There was a pleasant, flowery aroma that came from the body, he couldn't explain, especially considering she had passed 3 days prior.

In 1935, her body was exhumed so it could be placed in a special grave that was set up for her and her brother. When they opened her casket, she was found to be perfectly incorrupt. She was exhumed again in 1951,31 years after her passing. Her body was still incorrupt.

In later years after the passing of the two visionaries, A lay member of the Franciscan order suffered full body paralysis for over 20 years. for over a decade she prayed for the intercessions of the young visionaries. Then after her usual prayers and intercession requests one night in 1987, she heard a voice telling her "Sit up, you are able to." and she regained use of her upper body. 2 years later the same voice told her to walk, and she was healed.

Her miraculous ability to walk was tested by many doctors including doctors appointed by the Vatican. It defied medical explanation and was thus approved by the church as a miracle. This miracle lifted the main obstacle that held up the children's bid for official sainthood.

Lucia, the third visionary who became a nun when she reached adulthood, allegedly died at the age of 96 in 2005. (I say allegedly, which I will explain in a bit.)

There were three secrets that the Blessed Mother gave the children that needed to come out in specified times.

The first secret was revealed in the 40's. It was a vision of hell. Lucia stated that the vision was so horrible that if the Lady hadn't promised to take them to heaven, they'd have died from terror. After seeing hell, the lady asked the children to consecrate devotion to her miraculous heart.

The second secret was said to be about the consecration of Russia back to God. That if Russia didn't turn to her immaculate heart, the errors of sin would continue to corrupt and spread. From the end of the first world war, there would be a greater, more devastating war as well as the spread of communism.

Lucia's plea to the Pope went unheeded. At the time, the pope received alleged visions, prophecies and revelations, most of which were usually delusions. Because Russia remained unconsecrated to her sacred heart, as the Blessed Mother predicted, Word War II occurred.

The third secret is far more controversial. Something never truly seemed right about it, nor about Lucia. Vatican II had started to overcome the church, and things began to change drastically. Those of us who practice traditional Catholicism (Pre Vatican II), see some of the dangers of the "new thinking" of the church and the Novus Ordo (new order) mass.

It has led many to believe that Vatican II hid the true 3rd secret. It is believed the true secret was about a great apostasy coming to the church. Fearing it would humiliate the church and stop the changes... they faked the third secret decades after it was suppose to be released. It is also believed by many that the real Lucia passed in the late 50s and was replaced by an imposter who the 2nd Vatican Counsel used to explain why they weren't releasing the 3rd secret as Lucia originally demanded. (Lucia became ill with the same influenza that claimed both of her cousins. She wrote the secret down believing her death was coming soon, stating it MUST be revealed in 1960 or upon her death, whichever came first.)

The Lucia most of us grew up knowing didn't even resemble the real Lucia. She looked the same from childhood to adulthood, then suddenly she looked unrecognizable.

This documentary was very eye opening for me, as someone who originally accepted the third secret that was eventually released after the attempted murder of Pope John Paul II. The documentary is 2 hours long, but well worth the watch. If nothing else, it will show you a bit of why many of us Traditional Catholics reject the 2nd Vatican Counsel.

In the video they walk you through the reasons they believe the real secret has been hidden, and why they believe Sister Lucia was replaced by a fake. They show photos that prove their cause as well as give a handwriting analysis of the two Lucia(s).

On this 100th anniversary, let us pray that our minds and hearts are open to the true third secret, and pray for our Church and that one day we will no longer be divided.

- I say Amen -

Passion of the Christ

One of my Good Friday and Holy Saturday Traditions is to watch Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ."

Never has there been so brutal a depiction of our savior's death. Some say it was overly graphic, decrying it as nothing gore.

Look at previous depictions of Christ's passion and you can see why some people were taken aback by the brutality. Even art wasn't nearly as graphic. Christ is usually depicted with small splashes of blood from his hands, feet, side and forehead. You rarely see his scourging depicted. Even the wound in his side barely bleeds in most artistic renderings.

Despite this, We know the reality is that, Christ suffered greatly. He was tortured before the crucifixion. We know he was scourged at the pillar. Historically speaking, scourging wasn't simply a good whipping...

The whips they used were made of leather with bone and metal to help tear at the flesh to inflict the most pain. the damage it would have done to the body would be insurmountable.

Head wounds also bleed more than most other wounds, even if superficial. So the wounds from the crown of thorns would have caused excessive bleeding that would have dripped down his face and into his eyes. It would have been much more bloody than a few trickles. His hair would have been soaked. 

The lance that pierced our Savior deep enough for blood and water to pour forth from his side, would have left a gaping wound.

That is not even to mention the wounds from the nails in his hands and feet, nor the wound he suffered to His shoulder when they stretched his arms on the cross.

That said, as brutal and painful as it is to watch, this is the most realistic depiction of what our Lord went through when he willingly offered his sufferings, death and resurrection for our sins.

Mel Gibson (who wrote and directed this production) spared no expense to historic detail, from the weapons we know they would have used, to even making sure the language was that which Christ would have spoken.

There are several scenes that, no matter how often I see this movie, they still reduce me to tears. Both involve our blessed Mother Mary, so accurately portrayed by Maia Morgenstern. the first is when Mary sees Jesus on his walk to his place of the crucifixion.

She sees him fall, and has a flashback to Jesus as a toddler falling. As any loving mother, she ran to her baby, grabbed him lovingly and told him that she was there for him as she embraced him. As she remembers this, she runs to Jesus, who she still sees as her little child, and embraces him. He merely smiles and says "See mother? I make all things new". It makes me tear every time to remember, To Mary, Jesus was still her baby, and to see him in such a state must have caused her great pain.

Inspired by Michaelangelo's Pieta, another powerful scene in the movie that reduces me to tears is the look in Mary's eyes as she holds the body of Christ removed from the cross. She stares directly into the camera, piercing through your soul as if to say, "Remember my Son's sacrifice for he so loved you, he gave himself to suffer and die for your salvation."

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Besides being the most accurate depiction of Christ's Passion to date, This movie is credited to have had many supernatural and miraculous events occur during the course of filming.

1. Jim Caviezel developed a deeper love for Christ after sharing in his suffering.

a. Mr. Caviezel was hit by lightening during filming. (The assistant director was hit twice coming to his aid) Both survived

b. When he fell with the cross on his shoulder, a scene that remains in the movie, he dislocated his shoulder, just as Christ's was dislocated when he was hung in the cross.

c. During the scourging, the whip missed his prosthetic skin twice and he felt the real sting of what the whip could do.
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2. The Movie saw many who worked on the film, convert to Catholicism including 2 unlikely figures.

a. a Muslim actor who portrayed one of the guards who repeatedly beat on Jim as Jesus Converted to Christianity and has remained Catholic since the film's release in 2004.

b. The actor who portrayed Judas, Luca Lionello, was a life-long atheist. He had a private event that occurred during the course of filming, and he eventually converted to Catholicism upon the film's wrap, and has been Catholic ever since.
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3. Many miracles are said to have taken place during the production of the film to those who worked on the film as well as those who were related to someone working on the film.

a. Jim and the Assistant director survived being struck by lightening and were able to continue filming.

b. a little girl of someone who worked on the set had 50 seizures a day. After the film's wrap, Her seizures slowed down. She could go months without one, and those she had were not as violent.

c. There were rumors that a few people were cured of disease, some that had vision or hearing problems were given full sight and sound.

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This movie was many things to many people. The discovery of faith, the reaffirming of faith, a vessel through which God performed many miracles, a reminder of Christ's suffering, the sharing in the suffering for some.

This should be a movie that every Catholic family should have and watch, not just on Easter, but every time they want to remember how much God loves us.

Good Friday Reflection

Praise to Christ for his most sorrowful passion. Through the blood and water that poured from his side, we are washed clean and made new. It is through his sorrowful passion that we are brought the glorious mystery of his resurrection and the promise that he will make a way for us to be with Him and the Father in heaven for eternity.

Praise to Christ's redeeming blood and the 7 glorious wounds, the selfless sacrifice he made for the love of us, to willingly offer himself to be the sacrificial lamb that we may find forgiveness through him, from God our Father,

Praise to the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Praise to the Holy Cross, upon which our savior lovingly carried to his place of crucifixion because he loved us so.

Blessed be Mother Mary of the seven sorrows as she held her Son and kissed his wounds after he was placed in her arms when taken down from the cross. Her love for God was so pure, that she bravely watched her Son die so that he could make everything new. She willingly took the role of our loving Mother for we are also God's children, and she loves us as her own.

Thanks be to God for this glorious Good Friday.

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God Bless my Readers

- I say Amen -

Marian Apparitions Part 2

As stated in the previous blog on Marian Apparitions, the church does not accept on blind faith that they are true. There are many tests that need to be done to make sure these visions are from God. Christ warns us to test all spirits, and that many false prophets will go out into the world.

I am in full belief that some apparitions of Mary are actually demonic in nature. Satan is very real and we'll talk about him in a future post. But the devil, demons, they exist and they are out to seek the ruin of souls.

They do appear to us at times as Saints or even the Blessed Mother or Christ himself. He teaches wicked heresy in hopes of convincing those who do not know better into following him off the path of Christ.

Medjugorje is one such place that I believe is demonically influenced and it pains me to see the Vatican softening on it... however considering the heresy coming out of Vatican II, and especially the current pope (Francis), I'm not surprised. But we'll talk more about Vatican II soon as it ties in with the 100 years of Fatima.

There are 3 big reasons we believe Medjugorje to be demonic.

1. The "visionaries" have issues with the truth. They have been caught in more than one lie. For example... when they first saw "The Blessed Mother" they admitted they were hiding to have a smoke (they were children which is why they were doing that in secret). Suddenly that changed to they were tiptoeing through the tulips picking flowers.

2. The things Mary has been saying to the visionaries is heresy... and a complete contradiction to everything she has ever said in accepted apparitions to true visionaries

3. It has pitted brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, rather than bringing people together as most of the apparitions have.

What are some of the red flags of Medjugorje besides what I stated above?

1. That we need to respect ALL religions and their gods. (including religions that mock her son) Christ himself told us that he is the way, the truth and the light. No one goes to the Father but through him. So it would be heresy to tell people to respect all religions, because it would be condoning their denial of her Son.

2. One visionary went into a trance during an alleged apparition, she was tested during this time and flinched. (If she were truly in an ecstasy, she would have been unmovable.) in an odd response to that assertion, she claims she did not flinch because of the external tests that were being tried on her, BUT BECAUSE SHE WAS TRYING TO STOP MARY FROM DROPPING THE INFANT JESUS SHE WAS HOLDING IN HER ARMS!!!

Mary dropping our Lord and Savior??

3. They have stated on record they never saw her feet. In most apparitions they describe Mary as having golden roses on her feet, or standing on the sun. Her feet seem to be hidden in these visions. Renowned exorcists around the world agree that the only thing a demon can't change are its hooves. Is she hiding her feet because the feet would give away a demonic secret?

4. Some signs never came to be, where in real apparitions, Mary never failed to be shown true.

There was one time a visionary stated Mary prayed the Lord's Prayer (the our Father) with them. She said the whole prayer. In true visions, Mary would stop at "Forgive us our trespasses" as she has no trespasses to be forgiven. But the Mary of Medjugorje spoke those words.

Other things Mary has stated that is proof these visions are fake... Mary talks about HER judgement. There was a bishop who could see Medjugorje was a fake and insisted that masses stop being held there. The Visionary stated Mary told them that if the bishop isn't converted to truth's of Medjugorje, HER judgment (as well as her son's) will strike him down. (He was neither converted to these false visions, nor he was never struck down for not converting.)

Above all blasphemies... in one vision The Virgin states that two Franciscan priests, removed from their order under suspension of wrong doings by the bishop, one of these defrocked Franciscans later fathered a child by a nun, may continue to say Mass and hear Confessions.

A priest kicked out of his order for suspicious behavior that goes on to break commandments by sinning with one who has wed herself to God to father a child with her, is suppose to continue to say Mass and hear confessions? HERESY

These visionaries claim something none of the true visionaries have claimed, these claim they touch Mary. They even shake hands with her as if she was just a regular person.

The list could go on. At the bottom I've linked a few videos that are worth a watch if you're interested in learning more.

It is quite obvious this is demonic in nature. I truly believe Medjugorje is Satan's counterpunch at Fatima.

We must remember, Satan is a great trickster. He can say niceties that seem legitimate to the untrained ear, something soothing and comforting so he can slither his heresies into your mind and take you off of God's path. He can even perform tricks and call them 'miracles'. That is why we must educate ourselves on the bible, God's word, Christ's teachings and theology.

Because we know Christ said that no one goes to the Father but through him... we know that this apparition is false because that is not what she is teaching. Because we know Mary comes as a messenger of God... we know this apparition is false because she talks too much of her will and her judgement. Because we know that Satan can't hide his hooves, we know this apparitions is false because Mary will not show her feet by their own admission.

If this anti-Pope acknowledges it as a true apparition after Marian experts, bishops and priests far more knowledgeable than he have rejected it... then I fear who this pope truly follows.

Now that is not to say all cases of false apparitions are demonic. Some are also mental illness.

There was a case in a town of Neceedah, WI. Now, while I agree with the "visionary's" assessment that Vatican II is apostate... everything else is fairly crazy.

Ufos, a 1200 year old man coming to drive chosen people in the UFO to middle earth, there is nothing wrong with NOT being Catholic, people should pray to whatever god they choose and it's okay, you should not obey ANY authority but the visionary's... saints, Jesus and Mary all appear to the visionary as she demands, and they appear to her as 6" doll sized figures.

That all sounds more mental illness than demonic.

So no, not all apparitions are accepted. They are tested and tested again, and then again before they are deemed true. (at least they were before the 2nd Vatican Council which has it's own problems with the truth. More on that later.) and yes, some are in fact, demonic in nature. That is why you must study your bible, study your theology and seek God's truth before all else. Any true vision of a saint or Mary will want you to see God's truth and God's truth only.

Hopefully you've learned a little more about the Marian apparitions in this 2 parter.

- God Bless -

I Say Amen

FURTHER READING

Medjugorje Hoax

Medjugorje is a Fake

Medjugorje Deception <-- A MUST SEE!!!

Apparitions of Mary Part 1

We are nearing the 100 year anniversary of the Marian apparitions of Fatima. We'll discuss Fatima in a later post, but since we already spoke about Mary in our previous post (about Catholics and whether or not we worship Mary or merely honor her), I thought this would be a good Segway into talking about Marian apparitions.

Apparitions of our Mother Mary are basically exactly that. God chooses someone of innocence and piety (usually a young child) to send Mary to appear before with a message. Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe. All famous apparitions.

The church has very strict ways of approving or disapproving Marian apparitions.(and contrary to popular belief, there are more that have not been approved than have been approved. The church doesn't automatically buy every story of a miraculous vision.)

There are positive tests and negative tests that are performed multiple times to test the alleged apparitions. 

In short: Positive tests include:

1. Moral certainty (the certainty required to act morally in a situation of doubt) or at least great probability as to the existence of a private revelation at the end of a serious investigation into the case
2. Evaluation of the personal qualities of the person in question (mental balance, honesty, moral life, sincerity, obedience to Church authority, willingness to practice faith in the normal way, etc.)
3. Evaluation of the content of the revelations themselves (that they do not disagree with faith and morals of the Church, freedom from theological errors)
4. The revelation results in healthy devotion and spiritual fruits in people's lives (greater prayer, greater conversion of heart, works of charity that result, etc.)

 Negative tests include:

1. Glaring errors in regard to the facts
2. Doctrinal errors attributed to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or to the Holy Spirit in how they appear
3. Any pursuit of financial gain in relation to the alleged event
4. Gravely immoral acts committed by the person or those associated with the person at the time of the event
5. Psychological disorders or tendencies on the part of the person or persons associated

These are only a few of the test criteria in the initial phases of determining if further research on the apparitions are necessary. 

Because the devil is a great deceiver, great care is taken with consideration for anything. Miracles attributed to would be saints before they're able to be canonized, apparitions, personal revelations, etc.


It is not as if the church completely agrees with anything related to the appearance of Mary or any other religious figure, without question to be sure these apparitions are of God.


For Example: If Mary requests to be worshiped, if she requests that you focus on things outside of God... it is most likely a false apparition - whether mental illness or demonic intervention. 


Again, there are apparitions that have met the criteria of the Church to be accepted. 


Apparitions approved by the church:


1. Guadalupe, Mexico (1531)
2. Lesajk, Poland (1578)
3. Siluva, Lithuania (1608)
4. Laus, France (1664)
5. Rue Du Bac, Paris, France (1830)
6. Rome, Italy (1842)
7. Lourdes, France (1858)
8. Filippsdorf, Czech Republic (1866)
9. Pontmain, France (1871)
10. Gietrzwald, Poland (1877)
11. Knock, Ireland (1879)
12. Fatima, Portugal (1917)
13. Beauraing, Belgium (1932)
14. Banneux, Belgium (1933)
15. Kibeho, Rwanda (1981)

There is an apparition site in Green Bay, WI at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help that is the first Church approved apparition in the United States: however, it is to be noted that it is approved by the Bishops of the United States. The Vatican has made no decision on the case... so it's "unofficially approved" at this time.


In these apparitions, there were many things that held true.

1. Mary did not ask to be personally worshiped. Some people confuse Mary asking for a chapel to be built in her honor as requesting to be worshiped. A chapel is where the word of God is read... so a chapel is for God, not Mary. She simply asks that it be built at the site where she appeared, and be named in her honor as a memory of her messages. It's not that different from the basement in my church. The basement is used as a dining hall for church functions, and when a beloved priest who had been there for 15 years was transferred to another parish, the church officials named the hall after him "IN HIS HONOR". Not to mention, If God is our Father, and Christ our brother (as he has called us his brothers and sisters) then Mary is our mother and should be respected.

2. She prayed to God along with those she appeared to. In instances of demonic visions posing as saints or our Blessed Mother to trick us, the words praising God can not leave it's lips, so if Mary can not praise God, it is not Mary.

3. The apparitions brought the visionaries and those who came to believe into a closer relationship with God, helping people live more moral lives, and live according to the laws of the Church. 

4. Some of the messages are warnings - a call to prayer and penance. True Marian apparitions are always a call to prayer, not to Mary, but to God. 

In Fatima's apparition, the Blessed mother is constantly telling the children "God commands this", "God requests that", "God's signs", "God's miracles". It wasn't about Mary - it was about what God wanted. She stated that if people did not stop offending God, the world would fall into more turmoil. 

Protestants often cite the children saying that Mary told them they would find salvation through her immaculate heart, stating salvation is through God alone, so these apparitions must be demonic. 

Mary's message of Salvation is greatly misinterpreted. She is not saying that she personally offers salvation - it is known among Catholics, that she intercedes on our behalf. She pleads our case to God, she prays for us. She will help us in obtaining the Salvation of God by interceding and praying. Not that she will give it. She is our mother, and as our mother, she will help us gain salvation through Christ her son.

Going back to Mary's messages in the apparitions... In the Lourdes apparitions, Mary told St. Bernadette to "pray to God for sinners". Not pray to her, not devote sinners to her and she will redeem them... but to pray to God." While Bernadette did not make everything the lady told her known (as it was for her ears only), the one constant was that Mary wanted people to pray to GOD for the sinners of the world.

In the apparition of Rome, Italy back in the 1800s, Marie Alphonse Ratisbonne's brother converted from Judaism to Christianity, and became a Catholic priest. Ratisbonne decided to refuse to speak to his brother again and began a deep seeded hatred for Christians, Catholics in specific. as he aged, his hatred for Catholics grew. 

at 28 he was engaged to his own niece and planned to marry the following August. in a series of what he would have then called "misfortunes" he found his way to an old friend who introduces him to his brother. this brother gives Ratisbonne a challenge. To wear a miraculous medal and asked him to perform a specific prayer written by St Benedict, every morning.

Ratisbonne agrees, but continues to insult the faith with more fervor. 

Not long after he begins to (somewhat mockingly) do as he was asked, he meets with an apparition of Mary. Mary did not speak to him, she gave him no message, she simply was... and he knew without a word. 

When his friend's brother reencounters Ratisbonne and sees the state he is in, he asks him what is wrong. Ratisbonne says it is nothing he can explain except on his knees to a priest. 

Ratisbonne eventually converts to Catholicism and himself becomes a very devout priest. 

This was the Blessed Mother's mission. To convert someone whose heart was full of hate for those who followed Christ... to love Christ with all his heart.

In the Banneux, Belgium apparition, Mary promised to intercede on behalf of the poor, the sick and the suffering. She did not say she would heal them personally, she would forgive sins, or anything that would make her seem on level with God... she simply said she would intercede on their behalf TO God.

Siluva, Lithuania's apparition, a Calvinist pastor believed apparitions seen by children were demonic in nature and "Roman Superstition" until he stumbled upon a weeping woman of the children's description. When he asked her what was wrong, she wept that where she sat, her son use to be worshiped by his people. Now the sacred soil was given to the animals and the plowman. See, before the apparitions began, the new governor of the town was a Calvinist, and he confiscated the land from a Catholic church. after 80 years, the Catholic church left the area leaving only the Calvinist faith. 

The land eventually came back to the Catholic church, and a church was built that included a "free of charge" school for the children. It is believed Mary was able to help procure the church back by the grace of God. 

The common theme in all the apparitions, 

Mary wants us to pray to GOD.
Mary wants people to return to God and stop sinning.
Mary converted someone who hated Christ, into someone who only lived for Christ.
Those who were faithful were strengthened in their faith.
Those who were straying were led back.

She came as a messenger for God. That is how we know the apparitions are true.

- God Bless -

I Say Amen

FURTHER READING

Evaluating Apparitions

Apparitions and Appearances