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Fr. Stephen Shin’s Reflections on the Messages
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November 25, 2023
"Dear children! May this time be interwoven with prayer for peace and good deeds, so that the joy of the expectation of the King of Peace may be felt in your hearts, families and in the world which does not have hope. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! May this time be interwoven with prayer for peace and good deeds, so that the joy of the expectation of the King of Peace may be felt in your hearts, families and in the world which does not have hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.

In the October message, Mary said, “Winds of evil, hatred and peacelessness are blowing through the earth to destroy lives.” In this month’s message, she follows up by saying, “Let this time be filled with prayer for peace and good deeds.” The language may differ, but both messages carry the same meaning: now, more than ever, we need peace and goodness. And where can we find them? Only in God, the source of all peace and goodness.
      But how can we receive these gifts from God? Through humble, sincere prayer, asking Him to bestow them upon us. Additionally, when we commit to living peacefully with others and practice good deeds, God, in His infinite love and grace, will grant us the gifts of peace and goodness.
      Just as we wear warm clothes to protect ourselves from the cold, “the winds of evil, hatred, and the absence of peace” require us to spiritually arm ourselves through prayer and good deeds. Mary encourages us to strengthen our hearts and souls with these spiritual defenses. Without them, how can we endure this time and protect ourselves in the battle against evil?
      Mary continues to appear daily to three visionaries—Marija, Vicka, and Ivan. Wherever they are, Mary appears at 6:40 PM during the summer and 5:40 PM in wintertime. Marija, who receives the monthly messages on the 25th, delivered this message on November 25, which coincided with the vigil for the Feast of Christ the King.
      As I celebrated the vigil Mass for the Feast of Christ the King on November 25, I received this message from Mary and translated it into Korean, sharing it with the Apostles of Queen of Peace   and its members. It was a timely reminder of the joy of awaiting Christ, the King of Peace.
      Jesus Christ is not only the King of all creation, but He is also the King of Peace. In the preface of the Mass for Christ the King, we hear that God the Father anointed His only Son with the oil of gladness, making Him the eternal priest and universal king. His kingdom is one of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace. He offered Himself on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for peace, establishing His kingdom and presenting it to the Father.
       As the King of Peace, Christ came to save us from sin and death, and as He promised, He will return at the appointed time. Our task is to wait for His return with joyful anticipation, praying with all our hearts. Only through sincere prayer can we feel the joy of waiting for Him. If we live distracted by worldly concerns without prayer, we will never experience this joy.
      This is why Mary urges each of us to pray deeply, to gather our families for prayer, and to encourage all people to pray—so that our hearts, homes, and the entire world can be filled with the joy of awaiting the King of Peace.
   
 
 
October 25, 2023

"Dear children! Winds of evil, hatred and peacelessness are blowing through the earth to destroy lives. That is why the Most High sent me to you, to lead you towards the way of peace and unity with God and people. You, little children, are my extended hands: pray, fast and offer sacrifices for peace - the treasure for which every heart yearns. Thank you for having responded to my call."


Dear children! Winds of evil, hatred and peacelessness are blowing through the earth to destroy lives. That is why the Most High sent me to you, to lead you towards the way of peace and unity with God and people. 


On February 24, 2022, the war between Russia and Ukraine began, and it is still ongoing, causing suffering not only for both countries but for the entire world. Recently, another major conflict erupted between Hamas and Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched thousands of rockets at Israel, triggering a massive military response and the declaration of war. This war, like the one between Russia and Ukraine, is not limited to the two parties involved but has ripple effects throughout the Middle East and the world, much like wind spreading from one place to another.

      Behind all wars, though unseen, is the presence of Satan. He spreads evil and hatred, pushing humanity to wage war to destroy peace and life. Satan not only incites conflicts between nations but also within communities, families, and individual hearts. Additionally, he uses mass media, the internet, and social networks to amplify evil, stir up hatred, and disrupt peace, fueling divisions among people.

      Mary sees how serious the situation is, which is why she says: “Dear children! The winds of evil, hatred, and lack of peace are blowing across the entire earth to destroy life.” She speaks of the entire earth, not just isolated regions. Imagine how Mary feels as she watches these winds of destruction—she isn’t like a distant television viewer watching tragic news with detachment. As a loving mother, she sheds tears of sorrow, embracing her children who are suffering and dying.

      The Most High has sent Mary to lead us to the path of peace and unity with God and others because this is the only way to counter and extinguish the winds of evil and division.

      Mary, sent as God’s emissary of peace, emphasizes prayer above all. Through prayer, we come to know God, strengthen our faith, and find the path to true peace. Peace is a gift only God can bestow, and to walk the path of peace, we must draw closer to God and unite with Him.

      Efforts like diplomacy and political negotiations are valuable but alone cannot bring true peace. Without God’s presence, there is no genuine peace.

      Satan, whose name means "adversary" or "accuser," is also known by the Greek word "Diabolos," meaning "the one who divides." His mission is to separate humanity from God and sow division among people, leading to destruction and death.

      But God desires unity—between Himself and humanity, and among people themselves—because unity brings salvation and life. Therefore, the Most High sends Mary to guide us to this unity and peace, amidst the destruction caused by evil.


You, little children, are my extended hands: pray, fast and offer sacrifices for peace - the treasure for which every heart yearns. Thank you for having responded to my call.


Unlike Satan, who tempts Adam and Eve by saying, “Your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil” (Gn 3:5), Mary humbly surrenders herself to God, saying, “I am the servant of the Lord; May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Just as Mary calls us her "dear children," we, in turn, should clothe ourselves in the same humility and allow her to guide us completely.

      When Mary says, “You, little children, are my outstretched hands,” she identifies with us, considering us not merely tools but extensions of herself. As her outstretched hands, our primary mission is to pray, fast, and offer sacrifices for peace—the treasure that every heart longs for. These are actions that anyone, anywhere, can perform. They don’t require special knowledge, wealth, or talent, only the will to serve as Mary’s hands, dedicated to the salvation and peace of the world.
   
 
 
September 25, 2023
"Dear children! I am calling you to strong prayer. Modernism wants to enter into your thoughts and steal from you the joy of prayer and of meeting with Jesus. That is why, my dear little children, renew prayer in your families, so that my motherly heart may be joyful as in the first days, when I had chosen you, and day and night prayer resounded - and Heaven was not silent but abundantly bestowed peace and blessing on this place of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling you to strong prayer. Modernism wants to enter into your thoughts and steal from you the joy of prayer and of meeting with Jesus. 

Nothing in life is achieved without effort. No result can be gained by doing things half-heartedly. It’s the same in the spiritual realm as it is in the worldly matters. No one becomes good at prayer or grows in faith by doing nothing. To attain holiness, we must put in a lot of effort and dedicate time.
      In this month’s message, the Virgin Mary says: "Dear children! I am calling you to strong prayer." She isn’t just asking for prayer; she’s urging us to pray with all our strength. This requires a greater effort than our usual prayer routine. It means investing more time, effort, and focus into prayer. Since our energy is limited, praying with all our strength implies prioritizing prayer above everything else.
      Why is Mary urging us to pray with all our strength? It’s because of the threat of modernism. But what is modernism? While there are various definitions, one interpretation is that it opposes tradition and authority, advocating individualism, rationality, and freedom. Why is Mary concerned about modernism? Because it rejects God’s authority, placing humans and their reason at the center of everything, pushing God and His commandments aside.
      Mary clearly states: "Modernism wants to enter into your thoughts and steal from you the joy of prayer and of meeting with Jesus." What happens when modernism enters our minds? God’s place is lost. Human reason and freedom become the highest values, excluding God’s word and mystery from daily life. People begin to build a world without God.
      Since modernism places humans and their reason at the center, it leads people away from prayer. Why would someone pray to God if they believe human reason is the ultimate power? According to modernism, prayer is seen as outdated and irrational, something unnecessary. However, this is a grave misunderstanding. God must remain at the center of everything. His word and mystery should guide our hearts, minds, and souls. Without Him, humanity loses its true purpose. Prayer is the path that allows us to reunite with God and maintain that union. Prayer is not an intellectual exercise but a heartfelt conversation. It reminds us that we are not the masters of our lives—God is. This recognition brings a joy that nothing in the world can give, which is why we must pray with all our strength.
      Modernism, with its emphasis on de-mythologizing, denies the divinity of Jesus. It portrays Him merely as a moral teacher or prophet rather than as the God who came to save humanity. As a result, it diminishes the possibility of a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer. This is why Mary warns that modernism seeks to steal the joy of encountering Jesus.

That is why, my dear little children, renew prayer in your families, so that my motherly heart may be joyful as in the first days, when I had chosen you, and day and night prayer resounded - and Heaven was not silent but abundantly bestowed peace and blessing on this place of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Since 1981, from the early days of the apparitions, Mary has constantly emphasized the importance of family prayer. She has repeatedly urged families to pray the Rosary together, read the Bible, and make prayer the centerpiece of their family life. Why does she stress family prayer so much? Because Satan knows that by destroying families, he can weaken both society and the Church, as families are the foundational cells of both. Mary teaches that family prayer invites Jesus into the heart of the family, and His grace and blessings bring peace and happiness.
      In this message, Mary asks us to renew prayer in our families. If we are not praying together as a family, we should start by gathering at least once a week for prayer. If we already pray once a week, we should strive to pray together daily. If family prayer has become a mere formality, we need to rekindle the enthusiasm and sincerity we had at the beginning.
      During the early days of the apparitions in Medjugorje, families gathered to pray the Rosary, read the Bible, meditate, and attend Mass together. As a result, the sounds of prayer echoed day and night, and the village was filled with peace and blessings. Mary was deeply pleased by this.
      Now, she desires the same for our families—that we, too, pray together so that our homes may become places of grace, filled with peace and blessings. By renewing family prayer, we can protect our homes, society, and the Church from the threats of modernism and the attacks of Satan. Let us believe in the power of prayer, especially family prayer, and respond with all our strength, knowing that miracles will follow.
   
 
 
August 25, 2023
"Dear children! In this time of grace, I am calling you to prayer with the heart. May your hearts, little children, be raised in prayer towards Heaven, so that your heart may feel the God of love who heals you and loves you with immeasurable love. That is why I am with you, to lead you on the way of conversion of heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! In this time of grace, I am calling you to prayer with the heart. May your hearts, little children, be raised in prayer towards Heaven, so that your heart may feel the God of love who heals you and loves you with immeasurable love. That is why I am with you, to lead you on the way of conversion of heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Blessed Mother has often mentioned "this time of grace" in her messages, and once again in this month’s message, she reminds us of the grace-filled period we are living in. We cannot help but feel gratitude for the God who grants us grace and for the Virgin Mary, who delivers it to us. The words of Psalm 8:5 come to mind: "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" The Virgin Mary calls this a time of grace, inviting us to reflect on God’s grace and give thanks for His immense love.
      However, as I read this message, I couldn’t help but sense that Mary might be urging us to prepare for a time when this grace-filled period comes to an end. It’s as if she is saying, "This time of grace is nearing its conclusion, so prepare for what comes after." Though we don’t know when that will be, we must remember that this time of grace will eventually end, and we should prepare ourselves accordingly. We must not make the same mistake as the Israelites, who did not recognize the time of their visitation by the Savior, Jesus Christ. To avoid repeating their error, we should deeply reflect on the following words from the Gospel:
      “As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Lk 19:41-44).
      On June 26, 1981, the third day of her apparitions in Medjugorje, the Virgin Mary appeared to the six visionaries together. Later that day, as visionary Marija was descending from Apparition Hill, Mary appeared to her again, with a cross behind her and a sorrowful expression. She said, "Peace, peace, peace, only peace! Peace must reign between God and man and between men." The Blessed Mother came to this world to show us the way to peace. She introduced herself as the Queen of Peace, and for 42 years, she has been teaching us how to reach peace. The first and most important step, she tells us, is prayer. Prayer leads to conversion, strengthens faith, fosters self-sacrificing love, and ultimately brings the gift of peace. Therefore, Mary calls us to pray without ceasing until prayer becomes our very life.
      In this month’s message, she also reminds us of the importance of praying with the heart, something we often overlook. Of course, prayer involves our lips, ears, and eyes, but most importantly, it requires the heart. Without heartfelt prayer, we risk becoming hypocrites. Sometimes, even those who attend daily Mass and seem to pray fervently can be self-centered, proud, and devoid of peace because their prayers are not heartfelt. They may be praying out of habit or for self-satisfaction. How unfortunate! Mary urges us to avoid this mistake and pray sincerely from the heart.
     "Little children, be raised in prayer towards Heaven." Mary's words naturally remind us of the introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer during Mass, where the priest and congregation exchange the following words: "The Lord be with you," "And with your spirit," "Lift up your hearts," "We lift them up to the Lord," "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God," "It is right and just." During Mass, we lift our hearts to the Lord. Though our bodies remain on earth, our hearts should always be lifted toward heaven. When our hearts are continually oriented toward heaven and the Lord, we can walk the path of holiness even while living in this world. Lifting our hearts to heaven is an act of offering, for the heart is the center of our being. In prayer, we continually entrust our hearts to the Lord, and He, in turn, transforms them to be more like His, making our hearts holy.
      When we lift our hearts to heaven in prayer, our hearts reach the hands of our heavenly Father. What will He do with them? If our hearts are wounded, He will heal them. If they are stained, He will cleanse them. If they are hardened, He will soften them. In the most extreme cases, if our hearts are beyond healing, He will give us new hearts. We can expect this because God has already promised through the prophet Ezekiel: "I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ez 36:25-26).
      When we lift our hearts to God in prayer, He brings them into His own heart, filling them with His immeasurable love. Our hearts cannot help but feel this divine love.
      For all of this to happen, we must repent with our hearts. However, we cannot do this on our own. We are too self-centered and prone to straying from God and His commandments. That’s why we need someone to guide us and keep us on the right path. For 42 years, the Virgin Mary has been appearing daily in Medjugorje to fulfill that role. She tells us, "That is why I am with you, to lead you on the way of conversion of heart."
      In this time of grace, as our Mother stays with us, calling us to heartfelt prayer and guiding us on the path of repentance, let us respond wholeheartedly to her call.
   
 
 
JUly 25, 2023
"Dear children! In this time of grace, in which the Most High sends me to you to love you and guide you on the way of conversion, offer your prayers and sacrifices for all those who are far away and have not come to know God's love. You, little children, be witnesses of love and peace for all peaceless hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! In this time of grace, in which the Most High sends me to you to love you and guide you on the way of conversion, offer your prayers and sacrifices for all those who are far away and have not come to know God's love. 

In this month’s message, the Virgin Mary reaffirms that the protagonist of the Medjugorje apparitions is not herself but the Most High God. Mary comes to us through Medjugorje not by her own will, but according to God's divine will. The purpose of her coming is to love us and guide us on the path of conversion. Her love for us is not merely human love, but divine love, a love that comes from God Himself—a heavenly and infinite love. This love is so profound that it sent her Son to the world and led Him to endure even death on the cross for us. It is an unconditional love, and if we open our hearts to accept this love from Mary, we will be moved to tears of joy.
      God has given Mary another mission—to lead us on the path of conversion. She does this out of concern for our salvation. Mary, as our loving Mother, knows all too well what will happen to us if we do not repent. She does not want us, her beloved children, to perish in our sins and fall into eternal damnation. Instead, she desires that we be saved and enjoy eternal life with her in heaven.
      Mary has often emphasized that the most important thing is conversion. The most crucial task before us right now is to repent. Our salvation is directly linked to our repentance. It would be a great misfortune if we fail to recognize that the time we have now for repentance is a grace from God. How we use this time will determine whether we enter eternal life or its opposite. We must remember that our decisions now affect our eternity.
      God knows that we cannot walk the path of conversion on our own strength. This is why He has sent Mary to lead us. To follow her guidance, we must fully entrust ourselves to her. We must follow her with absolute obedience. This means setting aside our own plans and ideas and listening only to her messages. When we do so, we can fully and absolutely obey her.
      How can we practice such obedience to Mary’s messages? First, we need to read her messages daily. We can do this by reading the Medjugorje messages through the “Apostles of Queen of Peace”  website or its published books. Each day, we should read, reflect on, and try to live out one or more messages. Even if the message is from a past date, when we read it, we should understand it as Mary speaking directly to us at that moment. For example, when we read the words "Dear children," we can replace "children" with our own name, making it personal. Then, we can pray something like this: “Mother, thank you for loving me and giving me this message to lead me on the path of conversion. Please stay with me today and help me live according to your message. Through your intercession, may I receive the gift of salvation and peace. Thank you for coming to find me and walk with me today.”
      As the Gospel of John says, “For God so loved the world that he gave* his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). God, who is the Creator and Father of all people, sent His Son Jesus to this world out of love for everyone. He granted eternal life to those who believe in His Son. Just as God loves all people, we too must love everyone, regardless of religion, race, language, nationality, skin color, age, or gender. Therefore, Mary calls us to offer our prayers and sacrifices for those who are far from God's love and those who do not yet know that love. If our prayers and sacrifices can help bring those far from God’s love closer to Him, and lead those who don’t yet know His love to experience it, then there is no greater act of love for our neighbor.

You, little children, be witnesses of love and peace for all peaceless hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15). We need the ability to empathize with others' joy and sorrow. Only with hearts filled with love and peace can we truly live out this command. When we rejoice with those who rejoice, their joy multiplies, and when we mourn with those who mourn, their sorrow is halved.
      Peace is a gift that comes from heaven, and we cannot give it to others by ourselves. What we can do is keep the peace that comes from heaven in our hearts and live in such a way that others also receive this peace. The Psalmist prays for peace in this way: “For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your ramparts, prosperity within your towers.” For the sake of my brothers and friends I say, “Peace be with you. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you’” (Ps 122:6-8). Just as the Psalmist prays wholeheartedly for the peace of others, Mary wants us to pray for peace in every heart that lacks it and to be witnesses of love and peace to the world.
   
 
 
June 25, 2023
"Dear children! The Most High permits me to be among you - to pray for you, to be a Mother to you and to be your refuge. Little children, I am calling you: return to God and to prayer and God will bless you abundantly. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! The Most High permits me to be among you - to pray for you, to be a Mother to you and to be your refuge. 

When the Virgin Mary was on this earth, the most important thing to her was God's will. From the moment she heard the news of Jesus' conception through the angel Gabriel, and throughout her life, she considered herself the servant of the Lord, always desiring that God’s will be done in every moment. Jesus, born to her, raised by her, and praying with her as her son, took her example to heart. He, too, came to this world as the Savior according to the will of God the Father, and through Mary’s example, He learned that God's will must always come first. Therefore, what mattered most to Jesus was also fulfilling the will of the Father. Jesus, understanding the importance of following God’s will, said to the Father, “I come to do your will, O God” (Heb 10:7), and in the Garden of Gethsemane, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” (Mt 26:42). Jesus also taught His disciples to pray, “Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Mt 6:10).
      Humanity’s first ancestors, Adam and Eve, brought sin into the world by not following God's will, causing death to enter the world and closing the door to eternal life. In contrast, Jesus and Mary, by fully following God’s will, opened the door to eternal life, overcoming both original sin and the sins of humanity. They showed that the path to salvation lies in following God's will.
      Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s first apparition in Medjugorje. Her initial appearance was only possible because God desired and permitted it. Likewise, her continued daily apparitions over the years have also been permitted by God’s will. In this month’s message, the Virgin Mary reaffirms this truth: “The Most High allows me to remain among you, to pray for you, to be your mother, and to be your refuge.”
      The Most High, in His boundless mercy, has sent Mary to be among us. He allows her to remain with us, praying for us, being our mother, and acting as our refuge. Her presence among us is a clear sign that the Most High has not forgotten us—He is caring for us, loving us, and showing us His mercy through her. For this, we must first offer our deepest gratitude for God’s love and compassion.
      God has permitted the Virgin Mary to stay among us to work on our behalf. She prays for us, serves as our loving mother, and provides us with a place of refuge. Isn’t it comforting to imagine her praying for us, her beloved children? Doesn’t it warm your heart to know that she is always on our side, loving us infinitely? In the most challenging and painful moments, isn’t it reassuring to know we can turn to Mary, our refuge, and entrust all our worries to her? Mary remains among us, giving us hope and strength. Moreover, if we, like Mary, pray for others, love them with motherly care, and offer them help and protection, God will surely be pleased with us.

Little children, I am calling you: return to God and to prayer and God will bless you abundantly. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The Virgin Mary, whom God has given to be our mother, is calling out to us. Forty-two years have passed, yet she continues to call us. Why? Because we are still not listening to her voice. Our hearts remain closed to her. Even if we have heard her call, we have not yet responded to it. Yet, Mary never gives up—she keeps calling us. Why? Because she is our mother, and we are her beloved children. Out of her immeasurable love for us, she continues to call us, worrying for our well-being.
      As children, many of us can remember playing outside late into the evening, unaware of the setting sun. Despite our mother’s repeated calls for dinner, her voice did not reach our ears because we were too engrossed in our play. Similarly, now is the time to put away the worldly distractions and return home. It’s time to receive the spiritual nourishment that sustains us. We must return to our true home—God—and, through prayer, receive the spiritual food that gives life. Therefore, the Virgin Mary is calling us to return to God and to prayer. She promises that if we answer this call, God will bless us abundantly. Why would we hesitate to respond to such an invitation? It is not too late. Let us respond to Mary’s call today and return to God and to prayer.
   
 
 
May 25, 2023
"Dear children! I am calling you to go into nature and to pray for the Most High to speak to your heart and that you may feel the power of the Holy Spirit so as to witness the love which God has for every creature. I am with you and intercede for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling you to go into nature and to pray for the Most High to speak to your heart.

Nature is God’s creation. Everything within it was made by His word and His hand. Not a single thing is an exception. Whether it’s a beautiful flower or a simple wildflower growing by the roadside, or even a weed that seems insignificant, it is precious because it is God’s creation. No human mind, science, or technology can create even the most common weed or wildflower. With this mindset, when we enter nature, we can’t help but marvel at God’s incredible power and handiwork.
      Nature teaches us about the greatness of God and helps us realize our own smallness. The Virgin Mary is calling us to go into nature and pray, so that the Most High may speak to our hearts. She invites us to leave behind the noise of the world and our own thoughts, and lift up our hearts in praise of the Creator, in union with everything we see in nature. If we follow her words, go into nature, and open our hearts to God, allowing Him to speak to us, we will surely hear His voice in our hearts.
      Love and friendship begin in the heart. The heart must open and be moved for love to start and grow. When the Virgin Mary tells us to go into nature and pray so that God may speak to our hearts, she is asking us to open our hearts to Him in love. When we seek to hear His voice with love, we begin to pray, and through that prayer, our hearts and ears open, allowing us to hear the voice of God, who loves us endlessly.
      As I often walk along the bike path behind the church, I see countless unnamed wildflowers blooming. Today, after translating the Virgin Mary’s message, I went there again, and the flowers were still there. I looked closely at one very small wildflower and thought, "What human could create something this small yet beautiful?" It was a spontaneous expression of awe. Since only God could create such a tiny but beautiful flower, I couldn’t help but praise Him. At that moment, the following words of Jesus came to mind: “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30).
      Just as God feeds the birds of the air (cf. Mt 6:26) and gives food to livestock and the young ravens that cry out (cf. Ps 147:9), He also gives food to all His creatures at the proper time (cf. Ps 104:27). Jesus shows us how precious God’s creatures are when He says: "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge” (Mt 10:29). Jesus continues, “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Mt 10:30-31). What an awe-inspiring and comforting message! When we go into nature and open our hearts to God, we will hear such messages. We will realize just how precious we are to our Creator, and how much He loves us.

And that you may feel the power of the Holy Spirit so as to witness the love which God has for every creature. I am with you and intercede for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed the eleven apostles, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). At the same time, He promised them, “I am sending the promise of my Father* upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). Afterward, the apostles, along with the Virgin Mary, devoted themselves to prayer, waiting for the Holy Spirit to come as Jesus had promised (cf. Acts 1:14). On Pentecost, the tenth day after Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon them, and filled with the Spirit, the apostles began proclaiming the marvelous works of God through the Gospel.
      This year, the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus was celebrated on May 18, and in some countries, on Sunday, May 21. The Virgin Mary gave this month’s message on May 25, and Pentecost Sunday is May 28. This period coincides exactly with the time when the apostles, along with the Virgin Mary, prayed in one heart, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension. During this time, we must remember that the Virgin Mary is with us, praying with us so that we may feel the strength of the Holy Spirit. More than just remembering, we should unite with the Virgin Mary and the whole Church, dedicating ourselves to prayer in one heart, as we wait for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to those who pray with all their hearts, seeking, asking, and knocking on the door. Jesus confirmed this with His words:
      “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Lk 11:9-13).
   
 
 
April 25, 2023
"Dear children! I am calling all of you to be carriers of the peace and joy of the risen Jesus for all those who are far from prayer; that the love of Jesus, through your lives, may transform them to a new life of conversion and holiness Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling all of you to be carriers of the peace and joy of the risen Jesus for all those who are far from prayer.

Prayer can only happen when we have a relationship with God. A person who has no relationship with God does not feel the need to pray, nor do they pray. On the other hand, someone who has a relationship with God constantly prays to maintain and develop that connection. Eventually, they reach a point where they feel that they cannot live without prayer. A person who feels love for God, who thirsts for His love and constantly longs for it, will naturally want to offer their love, heart, and entire being to God through prayer. For them, prayer becomes the means to communicate with God, for prayer is the language and tool of someone in a loving relationship with Him.
      So, who are those far from prayer? They are people who do not know God’s love, or perhaps they experienced His love once, but their hearts have since grown distant, and their relationship with Him has broken down. The most unfortunate people in the world are those who live without any connection to God, without knowing His love. Even if they possess everything, they are the poorest people if they do not have God in their lives.
     Those far from prayer are people who have given their hearts entirely to worldly things and do not seek God. They devote all their time and energy to wealth, pleasure, and entertainment, leaving no room for God or prayer.
       Those far from prayer are people who do not prioritize prayer in their lives or may not even see it as a priority at all. They do not understand or feel the importance of prayer. But prayer is the breath of our souls; without prayer, our souls die. When we do not pray, we become distant from God, the source of life, and our souls lose their vitality. That is why prayer is so important for us—indeed, it is the most important thing. This is why the Virgin Mary emphasizes putting prayer at the very forefront of our lives.
      Those far from prayer are people who are living in sin or are constantly exposed to temptation. Satan seeks to separate us from God by tempting us into sin. When someone sins, they try to hide from God, just as Adam and Eve hid themselves after committing original sin (cf. Gn 3:8). Sin disrupts and severs our relationship with God. When we fall into sin, we become distant from God and lose peace in our hearts, making it harder to pray, and in some cases, we may even stop praying altogether.
      The Virgin Mary is calling us to bring the peace and joy of the Risen Jesus to all those who are far from prayer. To do this, we must first be people who love God above all things, who put prayer at the center of our lives, and who seek to avoid sin and repent daily. Only then can we truly experience the peace and joy of Jesus during this Easter season. When we do, that peace and joy will naturally shine through our faces, gestures, and actions, allowing those around us to sense it without even realizing it.

That the love of Jesus, through your lives, may transform them to a new life of conversion and holiness Thank you for having responded to my call.

For Jesus’ love to bring those who are far from prayer to conversion and a new life of holiness through our lives, the most essential condition is that we fully open our hearts and souls to His love. Only when we are filled with Jesus’ love can we truly repent and be transformed into holiness, both inwardly and outwardly. When we first open ourselves to Jesus’ love, repent, and become holy, we can then become the bridge that connects those far from prayer to Jesus' love. We will become channels through which that love flows to them, leading them to conversion and a life of holiness. Once they are transformed into new beings by Jesus’ love, they too will become channels, passing on His love to others who are still far from prayer.
      We are called to be apostles of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. We are sent out each day to the people around us by their command. These people may not see Jesus or the Virgin Mary directly, but they will see their invisible presence through our lives, not just our words. Therefore, we must always remember that we are like mirrors sent out each day to reflect the image of Jesus and the Virgin Mary to others.
   
 
 
March 25, 2023
"Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you."

Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you.

When I visited the Medjugorje St. James Parish website to translate this month’s message, I noticed the brief message above. At first, I wondered, "Why is this message so short? Could it be that some parts were accidentally left out when it was posted on the website?" I checked other websites related to Medjugorje messages, but they also had the same short message. Since recent messages haven’t been this brief, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this one was somehow extraordinary.
      The Virgin Mary has been giving messages on the 25th of each month since January 1987. However, from March 1, 1984, to January 8, 1987, during the early years of the apparitions, she gave messages every Thursday. There were five Thursdays when she did not give a message: April 26, May 31, June 14, June 28, 1984, and September 19, 1985. Additionally, she gave three very short messages: "Dear children! Be united with me in heart! Pray, pray, pray!" (April 19, 1984), "Pray, pray, pray! Thank you for responding to my call" (June 21, 1984), and "Dear children! Pray, pray!" (August 23, 1984).
      Interestingly, all three of these short messages are about prayer. Over the past 42 years, the majority of the messages the Virgin Mary has given have been about prayer. She constantly talks to us about prayer, urging us to keep praying.
      Since the beginning of the apparitions, the Virgin Mary has tirelessly asked us to pray, and she has said that she will not grow weary in doing so. Why is that? It’s because prayer is the most important thing. Without prayer, we cannot truly repent, our faith cannot grow, and we cannot draw near to God.
      Secondly, prayer is absolutely essential for us. Prayer nourishes our souls daily, just like water nourishes a plant. Without prayer, we cannot live; even if we continue to exist, our souls will wither and die spiritually. Prayer is the breath of our souls. Just as our bodies need breath to live, our souls need prayer to thrive.
      Lastly, the Virgin Mary emphasizes prayer because we still are not praying as we should. If we had responded to her early messages—"Pray, pray, pray! Thank you for responding to my call"—and prayed daily, from the heart, and together, she would no longer need to tell us to pray. Instead, she would look upon us with joy, seeing us united with her heart in prayer.
      This month’s message, "Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for you," reminds me of a similar message from July 25, 2009. That message read: "Dear children! I desire that this time be a time of prayer for you. Thank you for responding to my call." Other than the phrase "Thank you for responding to my call," the two messages are identical.
     On July 18, 2009, I made my first vows to become a member of the Capuchin Order after completing my novitiate. I was given two weeks of vacation. Instead of returning to Korea, I went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. It was my first pilgrimage wearing the brown Capuchin habit, and it felt deeply meaningful. I had not been able to visit Medjugorje during my novitiate, so after passing this important milestone, I wanted to express my gratitude to the Virgin Mary by making this pilgrimage. I felt incredibly grateful and happy. During that personal and significant pilgrimage to Medjugorje, I received a message on July 25 that was almost identical to today’s. It was short, urging us to pray for ourselves, which is why it stayed with me.
      This month, as always, the Virgin Mary addresses us as "Dear children!" Her love for us is not like human love; she loves us with the love of God. Her love is unchanging, faithful, and never gives up on us, even to the last moment. Even if we have distanced ourselves from God, neglected prayer, or failed to repent, she still loves us.
In her love, the Virgin Mary tells us, "I desire that this time be a time of prayer for you." This time is a precious gift from God. To make this precious time even more valuable, we must pray for ourselves. If we do not grow in love for God, do not unite with Him, do not live according to His Word, or fail to understand His plans for us, what will happen? Death and destruction.       
     The way to prevent this is through prayer. By praying for ourselves, we can grow in love for God, unite with Him, and live according to His will. Through prayer, we will also understand God’s plan of salvation for us and the role we play in His plan for the salvation of all humanity. It is through prayer that we find the path to life and salvation.
      At the beginning of His public ministry in Galilee, Jesus proclaimed, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mk 1:15). The time of salvation has come, and now is the time of salvation. If we recognize this and, as the Virgin Mary asks, make this time a time of prayer for ourselves, we will see salvation realized in our lives. The Virgin Mary believes that we will respond voluntarily to her call.

 
   
 
 
February 25, 2023

"Dear children! Keep converting and clothe yourselves in penitential garments and in personal, deep prayer; and in humility, seek peace from the Most High. In this time of grace, Satan wants to seduce you; but you, little children, keep looking at my Son and follow Him towards Calvary in renunciation and fasting. I am with you because the Most High permits me to love you and lead you towards the joy of the heart, in faith which grows for all those who love God above all. Thank you for having responded to my call."

 

Dear children! Keep converting and clothe yourselves in penitential garments and in personal, deep prayer; and in humility, seek peace from the Most High. 

 

Conversion is not a one-time event. If we only needed to convert once, the Virgin Mary would not continually call us to conversion. Conversion is a lifelong process that must happen continually. We must keep repenting of our sins because we constantly fall into sin. And since we frequently forget about God, we must repeatedly return to Him through conversion.  

This process only ends when we close our eyes and leave this world.

      While we should avoid sin, we should not be discouraged or stop when we fall into sin. Every human being can sin. Even Peter, the first pope and leader of the apostles, denied Jesus at a crucial moment. On the night of Holy Thursday, when Jesus predicted that the apostles would fall away, Peter confidently declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not. Even if I must die with you, I will never disown you." But later, when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him three times, even swearing that he did not know Him. As the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus' words and wept bitterly (cf. Mt 26:31-35, 69-75).

      Later, Peter encountered the risen Christ, who forgave him, asking him three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Jesus healed Peter’s betrayal through love and entrusted him with His Church (cf. Jn 21:15-17).

     Similarly, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. After agreeing to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver, Judas felt remorse when he saw that Jesus was condemned, but instead of seeking forgiveness, he hanged himself (cf. Mt 26:14-16, 47-50; 27:3-5).

      Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus, but their responses were different. Peter repented with tears and was forgiven, while Judas, though remorseful, chose to end his life, blocking the possibility of redemption.

      All humans sin, but we must respond like Peter, not Judas. We should repent with tears, confess our sins, and seek forgiveness.

     The Virgin Mary calls us to "keep converting and clothe yourselves in penitential garments.” Conversion is a lifelong process, not a one-time event. The outward sign of our repentance is the sacrament of confession. Mary advises us to go to confession at least once a month, and even more frequently if necessary. Through frequent confession, we continually repent, allowing God’s mercy to free us from sin. When we confess, saying, "Lord, I am a sinner; have mercy on me," immense divine mercy flows upon us—an extraordinary grace for those who repent.

      In the Old Testament, the Israelites wore sackcloth to mourn the dead and repent. They would cover their heads with ashes and fast as acts of penance (cf. Neh 9:1). The "garment of repentance" Mary speaks of is not a physical garment like sackcloth but the interior attitude of repentance. We put on this invisible garment of repentance by recognizing our sins, seeking forgiveness, and performing acts of prayer, fasting, and charity.

     Jesus carried the cross to Calvary to atone for our sins. The cross was His garment of repentance. Now, it is our turn to put on this garment, offering our daily crosses as acts of reparation for our sins and the sins of the world, and following Jesus.

      As a Capuchin friar, I wear a brown habit with a long hood, a symbol that externally and internally expresses who I am. Wearing this habit reminds me of my identity as a religious and serves as a witness to others. I try to wear my habit always, even when I go to the store, because I believe that wearing it serves as a testimony of faith. In a way, my habit is my garment of repentance.

      Paul reminds us: "We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with" (Rom 6:6). "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal 6:14).

 

In this time of grace, Satan wants to seduce you; but you, little children, keep looking at my Son and follow Him towards Calvary in renunciation and fasting.

 

In Genesis 3, Satan, symbolized by a serpent, tempted Adam and Eve, causing them to commit the original sin. His goal was to destroy their relationship with God, each other, and creation. By telling lies, he led them to eat the forbidden fruit, which resulted in their expulsion from Eden and the loss of eternal life.

      Jesus calls Satan a liar and the father of lies (cf. Jn 8:44). Although Jesus knew Satan’s nature as God, He also experienced Satan’s temptation firsthand during His 40 days of fasting in the desert (cf. Mt 4:1-11).

       Satan, who even tempted Jesus, continues to roam the earth, seeking to destroy souls. He desires to deceive us, leading us away from God’s Word and towards his lies. Satan’s lies are seductive and enticing, but his ultimate goal is to lead us to sin and death, separating us from God.

      Instead of listening to Satan’s lies, we must listen to the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on the enticing "fruit" before our eyes, we must fix our gaze on     Jesus crucified. By doing so, we will be like the Israelites who looked at the bronze serpent and were healed (cf. Nm 21:9).

      While Satan tempts us to seek wealth, power, and pleasure, Jesus calls us to live honestly and justly, renouncing materialism and detaching ourselves from worldly things. Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money, urging us to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness.

     Jesus carried the cross to Calvary and was crucified to atone for our sins, opening the gates of heaven. Following Him to Calvary means that we, too, must carry our cross and be willing to sacrifice everything for God’s righteousness, even our lives.

 

I am with you because the Most High permits me to love you and lead you towards the joy of the heart, in faith which grows for all those who love God above all. Thank you for having responded to my call.

 

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus, she responded with humility and trust: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (cf. Lk 1:38). Unlike Eve, who disobeyed God and brought death into the world, Mary’s obedience brought life and salvation.

       Mary always listens to God’s Word and acts accordingly. God permits her to love us and guide us toward faith, joy, and love for Him. Mary’s example of humility and obedience to God is one we must follow. Those who follow her example and respond to her messages are truly answering her call.
   
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