Mark Mallett

Rembrandt van Rijn, "The return of the prodigal son"; c.1662

MY time in Rome at the Vatican in October, 2006 was an occasion of great graces. But it was also a time of great trials.

I came as a pilgrim. It was my intention to immerse myself in prayer through the surrounding spiritual and historical edifice of the Vatican. But by the time my 45 minute cab ride from the Airport to St. Peter’s Square was over, I was exhausted. The traffic was unbelievable—the way people drove even more startling; every man for himself!

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The Annunciation, by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1898; Philadelphia Museum of Art)

AND so, we have arrived at the days in which great changes are imminent. It can be overwhelming as we watch the warnings which have been given begin to unfold in the headlines. But we were created for these times, and where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. The Church will triumph.

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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Artist Unknown

WHEN the Seven Year Trial is over, a smaller but purified Church will emerge in a purified world. There will rise from her soul a song of praise… the song of the Woman.

A new hymn I will sing to my God. (Judith 16:13)

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Apparition Hill at Dawn, Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

First published November 10th, 2006. I am posting this again today in response to false reports circulating which claim that the Vatican has ruled against Medjugorje.

While no one is obligated to believe private revelation, the Church teaches that it would be imprudent to ignore the prophetic voice of God or "despise prophecy" as St. Paul says. Hence, the Vatican has insisted upon remaining open to this alleged apparition thus far (if that’s good enough for Rome, it’s good enough for me.) 

Also, this writing answers one reader who pondered whether this apparition site could be part of the Great Deception. See the section below titled: SCHISM. 

AS a former award-winning television reporter (note, the unabashed accreditation), the facts surrounding Medjugorje do concern me.  I know they concern many people.

I have taken the same position on Medjugorje as Pope John Paul II (as witnessed to by Bishops who have discussed the apparitions with him).  That position is to celebrate the wonderful fruits flowing from this place, namely conversion and an intense sacramental life. This is not an ooey-gooey-warm-fuzzy opinion, but a hard fact based on the testimonies of thousands of Catholic clergy and countless laymen.

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MEDJUGORJE is that little town in Bosnia-Herzogovina where the Blessed Mother has allegedly been appearing for over 25 years. The sheer volume of miracles, conversions, vocations, and other supernatural fruits of this site demand a serious examination of what is occurring there—so much so, that according to new confirmed reports, the Vatican, not the new commission, will direct the final judgment on the alleged phenomena (see Medjugorje: “Just the facts, ma’am”).

This is unprecedented. The significance of the apparitions has reached to the highest levels. And significant they are, given that Mary has allegedly said these will be her "last apparitions on earth."

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FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

POPE John Paul II called her the Star of the New Evangelization. Indeed, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Morning Star of the New Evangelization which precedes the Day of the Lord. 

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. (Rev 12:1-2)

I hear the words,

There is coming a powerful release of the Holy Spirit. 

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I rose at 3:30 am on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this past December 8th. I had to catch an early flight on my way to New Hampshire in the U.S. to give two parish missions. 

Yes, another border crossing into the States. As many of you know, these crossings have been difficult for us lately and nothing short of a spiritual battle.

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Mary, presenting Jesus, a Mural in Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri

From a reader:

If we must enter into the ark of protection provided by our Mother, what will happen to Protestants and Jews? I know many Catholics, priests as well, who reject the whole idea of entering the "ark of protection" Mary is offering us—but we don’t reject her out of hand as other denominations do. If her pleas are falling on deaf ears in the Catholic hierarchy and much of the laity, what about those that don’t know her at all?

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"Flight Into Egypt", Michael D. O’Brien

Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child camp in the desert at night as they flee to Egypt.
The stark surroundings accentuate their plight,
the danger they are in, the darkness of the world.
As the mother nurses her child, the father stands watch and plays gently on a flute,
the music soothing the Child to sleep.
Their entire life is founded on mutual trust, love, sacrifice,
and abandonment to divine providence.  –Artist’s notes

AS I drove into the sunset last night, I sensed the Lord saying,

I will be your refuge.

I sense His deep love and concern for us… that we do not cave into fear as we watch the world continue its exponential plunge into lawlessness. 

I have made provisions for you! 

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“Pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary to obtain peace in the world . . . for she alone can save it.”  —Our Lady of Fatima, July 13, 1917

IT is time to take these words seriously… words which require some sacrifice and perseverance. But if you do, I believe you will experience a release of graces in your spiritual life and beyond.

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Noah’s Ark, Artist Unknown

THERE is a quickening of events in nature, but also an intensifying of human hostility against the Church. Yet, Jesus did speak of labor pains which would be "only the beginning." If that is the case, why would there be this feeling of urgency which so many people sense about the days in which we are living, as if "something" were imminent?

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WORDS which have been circling my heart…

As the darkness gets darker, the Stars get brighter. 

OPEN DOORS 

I believe Jesus is empowering those who are humble and open to His Holy Spirit to grow rapidly in holiness. Yes, the doors of Heaven are open. Pope John Paul II’s Jubilee celebration of 2000, in which he pushed open the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, is symbolic of this. Heaven has literally opened its doors to us.

But the reception of these graces is dependent upon this:  that we open the doors of our hearts.  Those were the first words of JPII when he was elected… 

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