From Medjugorje, an assurance that there is God. Also, from the Blessed Mother herself, the information that one is given a transfigured body right after death.
Such information should be a source of spiritual strength, as against the prevailing aphorism “Life is short” as prescription for hedonism. Nay, Medjugorje’s apothegms boost courage amid earthly afflictions and ordeals, reminding us of what the Blessed Mother had told Lourdes visionary Bernadette Soubirous: “I can not promise you happiness in this life, but in the next.”
But why pick up from Medjugorje, the Marian apparitions that started on June 24, 1981 and continues to this day, since the events there have not yet been approved formally by the Vatican?
For many reasons, but I will cite only one: the statement of St. Pope John Paul II in 1984: “Medjugorje is a continuation, an extension of Fatima. Our Lady is appearing in communist countries primarily because of problems that originate in Russia.”
It’s an affirmation not only of the Medjugorje apparitions, but also of Heaven’s prophecies through Catholic mystics of our era, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the latter’s apocalyptic reverberations.
But to go on with the spiritual fortification from Medjugorje by way of a declaration of the existence of God and an assurance of life after death.
In one of her Medjugorje apparitions, Our Blessed Mother said: “I have come to tell the world: God is truth. He exists. In him is true happiness and abundance of life. I present myself here as the Queen of Peace to tell the world that peace is necessary for the salvation of the world. In God is found true joy from which true peace flows.”
At one time to visionary Ivanka, she also said: “You go to Heaven in full conscience: that which you have now. At the moment of death, you are conscious of the separation of the body and soul. It is false to teach people that you are reborn many times and that you pass to different bodies. One is born only once. The body, drawn from the earth, decomposes after death; it never comes back to life again. Man receives a transfigured body.”
Quoting Our Blessed Mother, another Medjugorje visionary Marija once said: “And through the message that she gave us she said that our lives must be like a flower, and that we are here just in a passing way. Only eternal life does not pass. For that reason she urges us, and she asks us to think more of the spiritual life and of paradise. She said our life will be very different; our attitude toward life will be very different, when we think of the life after this one. And she said we shall really, truly understand that this life is only passing like a flower, and that here we are in this world in a passing path.”
Marija also stressed the importance of realizing the Heaven and hell are real. Said she:
“She (OUr Blessed Mother) wants us to think of Hell and of Purgatory. She said our life will be very different, our attitude toward life will be very different, when we think of the life after this one. And she said we shall really, truly understand that this life is only passing like a flower. This is why she urges us: enjoy it....that we may live this short life in joy; that we may understand, as it says in the Bible...that we are truly on a path that we’re only passing by. This is why Our Lady showed Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. To show us that these realities exist.”
Meanwhile, “end-times” messages continue to pour from Heaven. On May 16, 2023, the Blessed Mother told mystic Pedro Regis:
“Courage, dear children! Whoever walks with the Lord will never experience defeat. I am your Mother and I love you. Give me your hands and I will lead you to my Son Jesus. Humanity is living far from God, and the time has come for the Great Return. Be obedient. God is making haste: do not put off what you have to do until tomorrow. I ask you to keep the flame of your faith alight. You are heading for a future of great spiritual darkness. Be a light for all those who live in the dark. I know each of you by name and will pray to my Jesus for you.
“Pray. Accept my appeals, and testify everywhere that you belong to my Son Jesus! After all the tribulation, humanity will see the mighty hand of God acting on behalf of the righteous. This will be the time of the definitive Triumph of My Immaculate Heart. Onward without fear! This is the message that I give you today in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Thank you for having allowed me to gather you here once more. I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Be at peace.”
At the same time, on May 17, 2023, Our Blessed Mother had another message through third-degree Augustinian stigmatist Luz de Maria de Bonilla. The message:
“Beloved children of My Heart: As queen and mother, I intercede for all my children sot hat they might not go astray.
“I continually bless you so that you would stay away from evil and be closer to My Divine Son.
“Every human being is responsible for their works and actions. I call you to act responsibly and with love towards your brothers and sisters, continually cultivating the spirit of service.
“I call you to pray: Asking the Most Holy Trinity for the conversion of the greatest number of souls.
“Regarding the offenses of this generation that allows great sins, which lead it to live in the Tower of Babel within Sodom and Gomorrah.
“They have acted against children. They have soiled children’s minds and hearts.
“How My Divine Son grieves over this! How much pain there is in His Divine Heart!
“Pray, children, pray and repent for every work or act contrary to God’s Will.
“Pray, children, pray, pray: nature is acting in an uncontrolled fashion. The sun is altering it, as it is altering the human being.
“Pray, children, pray, prepare yourselves: the Earth will shake forcefully. Pray, children, pray for Japan, Mexico and the United States: they will experience a strong earthquake. Pray, children, pray for Switzerland.
“Beloved children, time is running out. Humanity’s suffering will become more severe. My children will rise up faced with such a great burden imposed by those who govern them.
“As queen and mother I lead you to the right path and offer you My Hand so that you would not go astray.
“My Divine Son helps you. Do not turn away from Him. My beloved St. Michael the Archangel is protecting you.
“Come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
“I give you a special blessing. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”