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Fr. Stephen Shin’s Reflections on the Messages
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January 25, 2018
"Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer, so that the Holy Spirit, through prayer, may descend upon you and give you conversion. Open your hearts and read the Sacred scripture, that through the testimonies you also may be closer to God. Above everything, little children, seek God and the things of God and leave earthly ones to the earth, because Satan is attracting you to the dust and sin. You are called to holiness and created for Heaven; therefore, seek Heaven and the things of Heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer, so that the Holy Spirit, through prayer, may descend upon you and give you conversion.

It is now the year 2018, and as always, Our Lady begins the first message of the year with the words, "Dear children!" These words, though repeated in each message, carry a deep meaning. They remind us that Our Lady loves us constantly and unconditionally. Throughout the 36 years and 7 months of her apparitions in Medjugorje, except for a few rare cases, she has addressed us as "beloved children" in every message. Even when we distance ourselves from her, she has said, "I love you," showing her unwavering love for us. As we begin this new year of 2018, we must remember that we are still loved by Our Lady, that she is our mother, and that she is with us.
      All of Our Lady’s messages come from her maternal love for us. As children, our response should be to open our hearts to these messages, accept them deeply, and strive to live according to them. She tells us, "May this time be for you a time of prayer," emphasizing the urgency of prayer. Therefore, we cannot say, "I’ll pray tomorrow or later when I have time." We must commit to prayer now, regardless of our circumstances. When we put prayer first and act on it, we can begin to pray "here and now." This prayer is for ourselves. Our Lady knows that what we need most right now is prayer for our own well-being, which is why she says, "I hope that this time will become a time of prayer for you."
      Just before His Ascension, Jesus told His apostles, "And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). The apostles followed this command and remained in Jerusalem, but they did not wait idly. Together with Our Lady and other disciples, they gathered in the Upper Room, where the Last Supper took place, and devoted themselves to prayer. As recorded in Acts:
      "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. The First Community in Jerusalem. When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:12-14).
      They prayed constantly, and after several days of prayer, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120 members of the early Church. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and the other apostles began to boldly proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus, leading 3,000 people to conversion through baptism. The Holy Spirit transformed the apostles and disciples into new people, unafraid to spread the Gospel of Jesus. They received the grace of true conversion.
      Our Lady, having experienced the descent of the Holy Spirit both in private prayer and within the early Church, knows that prayer invites the Holy Spirit, who brings conversion. That is why she tells us, "Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will come down upon you, and you will experience conversion."

Open your hearts and read the Sacred scripture, that through the testimonies you also may be closer to God. 

Our actions stem from our hearts, not just our minds. When we make decisions, we often say, "I will do what my heart desires." If we desire holiness, we seek and act in holy ways. If we desire worldly things, we pursue worldly actions. Our Lady urges us to open our hearts to holiness, to open our hearts to God. She invites us to read the scriptures, where we encounter God’s love, His works, and His desire for us to live faithfully. The Bible is full of stories of faith and betrayal, of how humanity has responded to God. By reading scripture, we learn more about God and how we should live.
      St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." The best way to know the scriptures is to read them. While Bible study can help, nothing compares to reading scripture prayerfully. We mustn’t claim ignorance as a reason to avoid scripture. Our Lady encourages us, "Open your hearts and read the scriptures." When we pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and read the scriptures with an open heart, the Holy Spirit will help us understand and grow closer to God. Let’s make time daily to read scripture.

Above everything, little children, seek God and the things of God and leave earthly ones to the earth, because Satan is attracting you to the dust and sin.

According to Genesis, God formed man from the dust of the earth, but it was only after He breathed life into him that man became alive. Without God’s breath, we are mere dust. Satan wants to rob us of God’s breath, suffocating us spiritually and reducing us to dust. He tempts us to sin because sin blocks our access to God, preventing us from receiving true life and freedom. Without God, even if we possess everything in this world, our lives are empty. Satan knows this well, so he distracts us with earthly things and keeps us from seeking God. Jesus warns us, “No one can serve two masters.He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Mt 6:24).
      While we need food, clothing, and shelter, these should not dominate our lives. They are tools, not our life’s purpose. Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides" (Mt 6:33). Trust in God to provide what we need.

You are called to holiness and created for Heaven; therefore, seek Heaven and the things of Heaven. Thank you for having responded to my call.

God created us in His image, so we are called to live holy lives. St. Paul reminds us that “God did not call us to impurity but to holiness” (1 The 4:7), and St. Peter urges us to "be holy in all your conduct" (1 Pt 1:15). Our Lady reaffirms this, reminding us that we are called to holiness.
      The letter to the Hebrews tells us, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Holiness is the condition for seeing God, both in this life and in Heaven.
      Some argue that we should focus on living in harmony here on Earth rather than seeking Heaven. While it is essential to create peace on Earth, this world is not eternal; it will pass away. Our final destination is Heaven, where we will see God face to face. Our Lady tells us to seek Heaven and eternal life with God, and in doing so, we will also find peace and joy on Earth.
   
 
 
December 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today I am bringing to you my Son Jesus for Him to give you His peace and blessing. I am calling all of you, little children, to live and witness the graces and the gifts which you have received. Do not be afraid. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to be joyful witnesses and people of peace and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am bringing to you my Son Jesus for Him to give you His peace and blessing. 

In this month’s message, Mary, referring to Jesus as her Son, reminds us of her humble origins as a virgin from Nazareth, a small village of only 400 people at the time. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus, the latter expressed doubt, saying, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46). Yet, God chose this insignificant town and a humble woman, Mary, to be the mother of His Son, Jesus.
      Mary was supposed to give birth in Nazareth, but God had other plans. Jesus, as the Messiah, had to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, to fulfill the prophecy. Due to a Roman census, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. This shows God’s providence in ensuring His Son was born in Bethlehem, the ancestral home of David.
Bethlehem, too, was a small town with only about 300 residents, compared to Jerusalem’s 40,000. Yet, it was in this small village that God chose to bring His Son into the world. The first people to witness the newborn Jesus, apart from Mary and Joseph, were shepherds in the nearby fields, as described in the Gospel of Luke:
      "Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest. and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:8-14).
      The shepherds believed the message and went to Bethlehem to see the child. They were filled with joy and praised God for what they had witnessed.
This event from 2,000 years ago is not merely a story of the past. Just as Mary brought the Savior into the world in Bethlehem, she continues to bring Jesus to us today through places like Medjugorje. In the same way Bethlehem was a small, unnoticed village, so was Medjugorje, where the Virgin Mary has appeared since 1981. The population of Medjugorje in 1981 was very small, much like Bethlehem, but it has grown over the years.
      God chose Medjugorje to be a new Bethlehem, where through Mary’s apparitions, we are reminded that Jesus lives and that He alone can bring us true peace and blessing. Just as the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see Jesus, we too must respond to Mary’s call, listen to her message, and adore Jesus as our living God, King of Peace, and Savior.

I am calling all of you, little children, to live and witness the graces and the gifts which you have received. Do not be afraid. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to be joyful witnesses and people of peace and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.

God is merciful and love itself. The graces He gives us are expressions of His boundless mercy and love. These graces, freely given, must be received with gratitude and treasured.
The Holy Spirit bestows different gifts upon us for the common good. When we humbly use these gifts for God’s glory and the salvation of others, they are put to their proper use. St. Paul speaks of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the following way:
      "Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Cor 12:1-7).
      God, in His great love, has given us many graces and gifts. These gifts are not meant to be kept to ourselves but should be used for the glory of God and the good of others. Let us reflect on the specific gifts we have received, give thanks for them, and make a plan for how we can better use them to serve God and others.
      As St. Paul says, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit" (Gal 5:25). We have nothing to fear because the Holy Spirit is with us. We are never alone. Having received the fullness of the Holy Spirit through baptism and confirmation, we live with the Spirit’s guidance and should always pray for His help. Whenever we feel fear or uncertainty, we must kneel and pray for the Holy Spirit to come and dispel our fears.
      "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23). When we pray earnestly for the fruits of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will not refuse. By relying on the strength and fruits the Holy Spirit provides, we can live out and bear witness to the graces and gifts we have received from God. We will become people who seek peace and never lose hope in any situation.
   
 
 
November 25, 2017
"Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you to prayer. Pray and seek peace, little children. He who came here on earth to give you His peace, regardless of who you are and what you are – He, my Son, your Brother – through me is calling you to conversion, because without God you do not have a future or eternal life. Therefore, believe and pray and live in grace and the expectation of your personal meeting with Him. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you to prayer. Pray and seek peace, little children.

Mary reminds us that this is a time of grace, an opportunity for us to turn to prayer and seek peace. Just as we acknowledge simple acts as grace, like the strength to survive or endure hardships, so too must we recognize the abundant grace we live in every day. Even amid daily struggles, the presence of family, health, work, and the ability to face life’s challenges is a sign of God’s grace. Gratitude for these graces should naturally lead us to prayer, as Mary calls us to turn the gifts we've received into a source of spiritual renewal.
      As the end of the year approaches, this is a good time to reflect on how we have used the grace given to us. Rather than being swept up in the festive and busy atmosphere of year-end gatherings, we should turn to quiet moments of gratitude and prayer, thanking God for all the blessings of the past year. In this way, we can find the peace that comes only from encountering the Prince of Peace, Jesus, in prayer.

He who came here on earth to give you His peace, regardless of who you are and what you are – He, my Son, your Brother – through me is calling you to conversion, because without God you do not have a future or eternal life. 

Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows everything about us: "Lord, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. You sift through my travels and my rest; with all my ways you are familiar. Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all” (Ps 139:1-4). God knows our innermost thoughts and actions, whether we live in faith or sin, whether we are selfless or selfish, or whether we long for heavenly things or are consumed by worldly desires. Jesus, as the Son of God, knows everything about us—our weaknesses, sins, and faults—but despite all of this, He came to bring us peace. He became our brother, sharing in our humanity, to extend His peace to us, purely out of His divine love and mercy.
      The proper response to this overwhelming mercy is to make Jesus the center of our lives. True conversion happens when we remove anything that stands between us and Jesus, allowing Him to take first place in our hearts. Conversion is about letting go of everything that distracts us from Jesus and making Him our priority.
      A converted heart is one reconciled with God, where God takes control, leading the way. When we have faith in God and trust in His guidance, we can confidently say, like the psalmist, "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Ps 23:1, 4).
      A life led by God has a future, and that future is eternal, stretching beyond this world into heaven. This is the promise for those who respond to Jesus' call to conversion.

Therefore, believe and pray and live in grace and the expectation of your personal meeting with Him. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Conversion begins with faith and is deepened through prayer. Prayer is our personal encounter with Jesus. Just as we build relationships with others through frequent conversations, so must we spend time with Jesus in prayer to grow closer to Him. Without regular, personal encounters with Jesus, our relationship with Him cannot grow, and neither can our faith.
      Mary encourages us to live with the expectation of meeting Jesus personally, and to live in the grace that such encounters will bring. By doing so, we can deepen our connection with Him and receive the peace and joy that flow from His presence in our lives.
   
 
 
October 25, 2017
"Dear children! I am calling you to be prayer in this time of grace. You all have problems, afflictions, sufferings and lack of peace. May saints be models to you and an encouragement for holiness; God will be near you and you will be renewed in seeking through your personal conversion. Faith will be hope to you and joy will begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling you to be prayer in this time of grace. You all have problems, afflictions, sufferings and lack of peace. May saints be models to you and an encouragement for holiness.

The Virgin Mary is not merely calling us to pray, but to become prayer itself. Why is this so important? It is because prayer is an urgent necessity for us. Mary acknowledges that we all have problems, suffering, and pain, and that we lack peace. In the midst of these challenges, what do we need the most? Prayer. Only through prayer can we find the strength and answers to our problems, suffering, and pain, and only through prayer can we receive true peace.
      The saints lived earthly lives just like us, filled with struggles. They too faced problems, suffering, and moments of peacelessness. But in those times, they sought refuge in the Eucharist, knelt before the cross, and held the rosary, calling upon Jesus and earnestly asking for Mary's intercession. Their deep, faith-filled prayers were always answered. Jesus, who became human like us and experienced all things except sin, understands our struggles, as does Mary, who also lived a human life on earth.
      When Mary mentions our problems, suffering, and pain, she does so as a loving mother who shares in our trials, not as a detached observer. A mother experiences her child's suffering as her own, and Mary is no different. She deeply feels our lack of peace and offers us two remedies: prayer and following the example of the saints.

God will be near you and you will be renewed in seeking through your personal conversion. Faith will be hope to you and joy will begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The saints were people who believed deeply in God’s constant presence in their lives and experienced it daily. They strove to live holy lives, imitating God and seeking unity with Him. They continually sought renewal through daily repentance and efforts to transform their lives.
      Though we may carry problems, suffering, and pain, we can hold onto hope because we believe that God is near us and will not abandon us. This belief—that God is with us and helps us with His love—fills us with hope. Even in the face of overwhelming challenges, the hope of God's help allows us to remain joyful. St. Paul reminds us of this when he says, “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37). He also encourages us: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Phil 4:4).
   
 
 
September 25, 2017
"Dear children! I am calling you to be generous in renunciation, fasting and prayer for all those who are in temptation, and are your brothers and sisters. In a special way I am imploring you to pray for priests and for all the consecrated, that they may love Jesus still more fervently; that the Holy Spirit may fill their hearts with joy; that they may witness Heaven and Heavenly mysteries. Many souls are in sin, because there are not those who sacrifice themselves and pray for their conversion. I am with you and am praying that your hearts may be filled with joy. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! I am calling you to be generous in renunciation, fasting and prayer for all those who are in temptation, and are your brothers and sisters. 

In her August message, the Virgin Mary mentioned that Satan is strong. Satan, with little time left, is relentlessly trying to drag as many people as possible into the abyss of sin. Although this month’s message does not directly mention Satan, the phrase "those facing temptation" implies that Mary is referring to Satan’s influence.
      Satan has been a tempter since the creation of the world. He tempted Eve, the first mother of humanity, leading her and Adam into original sin, causing them to lose eternal life. Satan also attempted to tempt Jesus, the Son of God, in the wilderness for forty days, but Jesus resisted his temptations. Now, in these final times, Satan is using every possible evil, such as addiction to drugs, immorality, gambling, and greed for wealth and power, to lure humanity—including Christians—into sin.
      We may not be fully aware of how many people are struggling with Satan's temptations or falling into sin. However, Mary knows everything and reminds us that those who are tempted are our brothers and sisters. She urges us to help them by fasting, praying, and sacrificing for their sake, knowing that our efforts will give them the strength to overcome temptation. To respond to this message, we must first think of those around us who are struggling with temptation and pray, fast, and sacrifice for them, as well as for countless others who are unknown to us but are also under Satan's influence.
       Our spiritual solidarity with those facing temptation will weaken Satan's grip and ultimately protect us from his temptations as well. We must also remember that none of us are free from Satan's temptations. Just as we pray for others, we must also rely on their prayers and sacrifices to protect us from falling into sin. Together, we can draw strength from knowing that others are praying and sacrificing for us as we do for them.

In a special way I am imploring you to pray for priests and for all the consecrated, that they may love Jesus still more fervently; that the Holy Spirit may fill their hearts with joy; that they may witness Heaven and Heavenly mysteries. 

The Second Vatican Council, in its document Presbyterorum Ordinis, speaks about the priesthood, saying, “Through this ministry, the Church is constantly being built up on earth as the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Priests are an extraordinary gift from Jesus to the Church. They bring the living Jesus into the world every day through the Eucharist and administer the sacraments, such as confession, allowing the streams of mercy and grace to flow from Heaven to Earth. They also preach the Word of God, making the Gospel resound and helping people live in its blessings. Without priests, the Church cannot exist, and they play a central role in its life and growth.
       Religious brothers and sisters are also treasures of the Church. The Second Vatican Council, in Perfectae Caritatis, says, “From the very beginning of the Church, men and women have set out to follow Christ more freely and more closely by practicing the evangelical counsels... Many among them, prompted by the Holy Spirit, have also set up religious families... Such diversity marvelously contributes to the building up of the Church.” Religious life is a precious calling that strengthens the Church through prayer, sacrifice, and the living out of the Gospel in daily life.
      Mary specifically asks us to pray for priests and religious to love Jesus with greater passion. Their primary need, as Mary highlights, is love for Jesus—passionate, burning love. Without this, they cannot fully live out their vocations. Just as Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” before entrusting him with the care of His flock, so too must priests and religious love Jesus wholeheartedly to carry out His mission. Let us pray that they may deepen their love for Him.
       Priests and religious cannot find fulfillment in worldly pleasures. Only heavenly joy can bring them true happiness, which is why Mary asks us to pray that the Holy Spirit will fill them with joy. If we see a priest or religious struggling, we should pray to God the Father and ask the Holy Spirit to fill them with divine joy.
       Furthermore, priests and religious are called to bear witness to the mysteries of Heaven, surpassing worldly wisdom and knowledge. We must support them in prayer so that they can fulfill their mission, as their spiritual growth benefits the entire Church. Helping them grow spiritually ultimately helps us grow as well.

Many souls are in sin, because there are not those who sacrifice themselves and pray for their conversion. I am with you and am praying that your hearts may be filled with joy. Thank you for having responded to my call.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us the importance of righteous intercession. Because of their sinfulness, especially sexual immorality and homosexuality, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone. Before this happened, God revealed His plan to Abraham, and Abraham interceded on behalf of the cities, asking God to spare them if there were fifty righteous people. The number gradually decreased to ten, but there were not even ten righteous people, and the cities were destroyed. However, Abraham’s intercession saved his nephew Lot and his family.
       This biblical lesson is still relevant today. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, the world today is full of sin and shows little sign of repentance. There are not enough righteous people praying for the conversion of sinners.
       This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, where she appeared to the three children, Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. Her main message was that the world was full of sin, and God’s anger was overflowing. She urged people to pray and make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners.
      Now, 100 years later, Mary is giving the same message at Medjugorje: "Many souls remain in sin because there are no people willing to sacrifice and pray for their conversion." We are called to be the Abraham of our time, offering prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. We cannot respond like Cain, who said, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Gn 4:9). God is our Father, and we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of race, religion, gender, or nationality. If someone is in sin and heading toward destruction, we share in the responsibility for them.
       Mary prays for our hearts to be filled with joy, and in return, we should pray with her for the conversion of all souls and that the Holy Spirit fills every heart with divine joy. Let us join her in this mission.
   
 
 
August 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today I am calling you to be people of prayer. Pray until prayer becomes a joy for you and a meeting with the Most High. He will transform your hearts and you will become people of love and peace. Do not forget, little children, that Satan is strong and wants to draw you away from prayer. You, do not forget that prayer is the secret key of meeting with God. That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today I am calling you to be people of prayer. Pray until prayer becomes a joy for you and a meeting with the Most High. He will transform your hearts and you will become people of love and peace. 

Just as parents have dreams for their children, our Heavenly Mother, Mary, has dreams for us, her children. She does not wish for us to chase after worldly things such as status, wealth, or fame. Instead, she desires that we become people of prayer. Why does she call us to be people of prayer? Because prayer is what we need the most and what benefits us the most. Mary, knowing the immense good that comes from being a person of prayer, calls us to this for our own sake.
      To become a person of prayer, we do not need any special human qualifications. It is not reserved only for priests or religious. Anyone can become a person of prayer as long as they have the desire and commit themselves to pray daily with all their heart.
     If we respond to Mary’s call and become people of prayer, we will experience joy that the world cannot give. Prayer leads us closer to God, the true source of joy. This joy is unlike anything that people or material things can provide, and it will inspire us to deepen our prayer life.
      Prayer also brings us into an intimate encounter with God. When we become people of prayer, the distance between us and the Most High disappears. We realize that God is not distant or unreachable but present with us here and now. We come to know that He dwells with us and within us.
      Through prayer, our hearts meet God’s heart, and as a result, our hearts are transformed to become more like His. It is like metal placed in a furnace—it melts, losing its previous form, and becomes something new. Similarly, when we become people of prayer, God transforms our hearts, as He promised through the prophet Ezekiel: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
      Prayer drives out all negativity, such as hatred and anxiety, from our hearts, and instead fills us with love, peace, and all positive things. This is because when we pray, we invite the God of love and peace into our hearts.
      If the effects of prayer are so great, why hesitate to pray? From this moment, let us resolve to follow Mary’s call and become people of prayer, starting right now.

Do not forget, little children, that Satan is strong and wants to draw you away from prayer. You, do not forget that prayer is the secret key of meeting with God. That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Even when we make a firm resolution, we often fall into sin and drift away from prayer, not only because of our weak will but also due to Satan's influence. Satan is cunning and works subtly to tempt us and draw us away from prayer without us realizing it. He knows all too well that when we pray, we grow closer to God and align ourselves with Him, so Satan does everything he can to prevent us from praying. He distracts us with television, movies, the internet, magazines, or games, causing us to waste time on worldly pleasures. He makes us delay prayer, using excuses like busyness or fatigue, which ultimately weakens our desire to pray. Over time, we lose interest in prayer and become too worldly, no longer even yearning to pray.
      We must examine how much we are praying and how much we desire to pray. We need to be aware of how deeply Satan has infiltrated our lives, keeping us from prayer, and work to change the habits that distance us from it.
      Not every key can open every door. Each door has its own unique key, and only the right key can unlock it. Mary tells us that prayer is the "secret key" to encountering God. Prayer is the only key that opens the door to meeting God. Given how essential prayer is, how can we give up on it? To give up on prayer is to give up on encountering God, and to give up on encountering God is to give up on eternal life.
      Mary’s words, “That is why I am with you to lead you. Do not give up on prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call," should remain in our hearts as we strive to pray more fervently and never abandon our commitment to prayer.
   
 
 
July 25, 2017
"Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments. Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be truth; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments. 

Prayer is a conversation with God, a language of our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we draw closer to God, come to love Him, and ultimately become one with Him. It is through prayer that we become people of God. That’s why Mary asks us not only to be people who pray but to become prayer itself. To reach this state, the amount and quality of our prayers must be overwhelming. This cannot be achieved by simply offering occasional prayers. We must not be content with the current amount or quality of our prayers, but strive to increase both.
      Through baptism, we have been forgiven of all our sins and become children of God, disciples of Christ, and members of the Catholic Church. This is a great blessing and honor. However,  God did not call us as His children solely for our own salvation. He desires that all people come to know Him as Father and be saved, and He wishes to use us as instruments for this purpose.
Understanding this, Mary tells us, "Be prayer and a reflection of God's love for all those who are far from God and God's commandments." But how can we reflect God's love if we do not carry it within us? To be a reflection of God's love, we must first experience His love and hold it within ourselves. Prayer is essential for this. While prayer is an act of devotion that expresses our love for God, it is also an act of surrender, allowing God to love us fully. Through prayer, we and God come to love each other, ensuring that His love remains in us, enabling us to reflect it to others.

Little children, be faithful and determined in conversion and work on yourselves so that, for you, holiness of life may be truth; and encourage each other in the good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more pleasant. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Repentance is not something that happens only once in our lifetime. If we had a first moment of repentance, it was merely the beginning of many more to come throughout our lives. Repentance is a continuous process, requiring our unwavering faithfulness and firm will.
      As the scripture says, "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44), the ultimate goal of Christian life is holiness—becoming saints. To achieve this, we must faithfully and resolutely repent, become prayer itself, and follow God and His commandments. There is no other way. This is the only truth that leads to a life of holiness.
      In previous messages, Mary has reminded us that this earthly life is passing away, and that she has come to lead us to Heaven. Yet, despite this, she wants us to live more joyfully and peacefully while we are here on earth, and to live this way together with others. Mary desires that we live not only in human relationships but also in communion with one another in God. Therefore, she says, "Encourage one another by doing good through prayer, so that your life on earth may be more joyful." Doing good through prayer and encouraging one another means recognizing that God is at the center of all our relationships and trusting in His power and providence. It is also something that can only be done by those who harbor respect and love for others in their hearts.
   
 
 
June 25, 2017
"Dear children! Today, I desire to thank you for your perseverance and call you to open yourselves to profound prayer. Prayer, little children, is the heart of faith and is hope in eternal life. Therefore, pray with the heart until your heart sings with thanksgiving to God the Creator who gave you life. I am with you, little children, and carry to you my motherly blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Today, I desire to thank you for your perseverance and call you to open yourselves to profound prayer.

The Virgin Mary thanks us for our patience. In this context, patience means not just enduring but persevering with willpower and determination. It’s not about enduring one particular event but rather continuously bearing difficulties, trials, and suffering with firm resolve. Persistent patience is a great virtue of Christians. As Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
      Each of us faces different hardships, trials, and suffering, but Mary knows all of them and encourages us for our perseverance. Therefore, no matter what situation we are in, we should find strength by remembering that the Virgin Mary is watching over us and encouraging us.
       While Mary expresses gratitude for our patience, this patience is more beneficial to us than to her. Through patience, we become stronger, and our faith deepens. It is something good for us. However, as our mother, Mary is thankful because she sees us growing and overcoming challenges, just as a mother feels proud and grateful when her children achieve something for their own good.
      To persevere even more and carry our daily crosses in following Jesus, prayer is essential. Heartfelt prayer—prayer from the depths of the heart, where our words and heart are united in sincerity—gives us strength to carry our daily crosses. When we carry our crosses and offer heartfelt prayer, we will experience the truth of the following scriptures in our lives:
" No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).
      “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10).

Therefore, pray with the heart until your heart sings with thanksgiving to God the Creator who gave you life. I am with you, little children, and carry to you my motherly blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.

In our spiritual life and growth, prayer is most important. As the Virgin Mary says, prayer is the core of faith. A life of faith without prayer is unimaginable. Prayer is like water and nourishment for our soul, constantly needed for the growth of our faith. Without prayer, faith cannot grow. Although faith is a gift from Heaven, how we nurture and grow that faith depends entirely on us. If we recognize prayer as the core of faith and continuously pray from the heart, our faith will grow without limit.
      Since prayer is the core of faith, those who have faith must pray, and prayer rooted in faith brings us hope for eternal life. Jesus said, "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day" (John 6:40). And through the Apostle Peter, we are assured that "you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pt 1:9).
       God, who created us and gave us life, has already prepared eternal life for us from before the creation of the world. How amazing is this! Our task is to firmly believe this, give thanks, and sing songs of praise from the heart:
“♪ Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and sing to the Lord of life! ♪”
      With the Virgin Mary, who reminds us of all these things, we are truly blessed. As our mother, she continues to guide us to spiritual rebirth and blesses us to live in peace. We should be grateful and strive to respond to her call more wholeheartedly.
   
 
 
May 25, 2017
"Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called. Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion. Little children, open your hearts to the grace to which you are all called.

In many previous messages, the Virgin Mary often said, “Dear children, today I call you once again to conversion,” personally urging us toward repentance. However, in this month’s message, she says, "The Most High has permitted me to call you anew to conversion.,” emphasizing that the ultimate source of this call is the Most High God Himself. This clarifies that the messages Mary conveys are ultimately God’s words, and she is the prophet sent by Him.
      Just as many prophets in the Old Testament were called to urge people to repentance when they strayed from God and His law, John the Baptist, the prophet who heralded the New Testament, was no exception. He appeared in the wilderness of Judea, crying out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2), preparing the way for Jesus. The Church celebrates the Feast of John the Baptist annually on June 24, and it was on this very day in 1981 that God first sent the Virgin Mary to Medjugorje. Just as John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming of Jesus through a call to repentance, so too did God send Mary as a prophet of repentance on this significant feast day.
       It is a great honor and a tremendous grace that God, through His prophet, the Virgin Mary, calls us once again to repentance. It is a profound privilege that the Almighty, who created the universe, still speaks to us, His insignificant creatures, maintaining a relationship with us. It is a grace because God is still patient with our sins, waiting for us and giving us another chance. We must open our hearts to this grace and respond with repentance. The best time to repent is the moment we hear God’s call. We should not delay or hesitate any longer, for time seems short. We must open our hearts to God and repent now, in the present moment.

Be witnesses of peace and love in this peaceless world. Your life here on earth is passing. Pray that through prayer you may yearn for Heaven and the things of Heaven and your hearts will see everything differently. 

As the Virgin Mary says, this world lacks peace. This is because people do not place God—the source of peace and peace itself—at the center of their lives. People do not live according to God’s Word. How can peace exist in the heart of someone who does not have God and who lives selfishly, relying only on their own strength and thoughts for their own sake? Mary tells us that her children must not live like this, but instead, must be witnesses of peace and love.
      To be witnesses of peace and love, we must first possess peace and love within ourselves. To achieve this, we must place God—who is peace and love itself—at the center of our hearts and lives. By living with God, through God, and with the strength that God gives us, we can become witnesses of peace and love in our actions.
      This world and everything in it are finite. As Mary reminds us, “Your life here on earth is passing.” Our life is indeed a precious gift from God, but it is not where we will remain forever. We are merely travelers passing through. Like a traveler, we may enjoy the journey, but we should not plant our roots here, knowing that it is temporary.
      Those who place all their hopes in this life and are consumed by material and worldly things, neglecting thoughts of eternity, live in a great illusion. Our eternal home is in Heaven, beyond this earthly life. Yet, it is difficult to constantly remain aware of this. That is why Mary encourages us to pray. She tells us to pray so that through prayer, we may begin to long for Heaven and heavenly things. Prayer changes our hearts, and when our hearts change, the way we see the world also changes. Through prayer, we begin to see everything through the eyes of Jesus, not our own.

You are not alone; I am with you and intercede before my Son Jesus for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Before His Passion, Jesus comforted His disciples, saying, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (Jn 14:18). And before His Ascension, He promised, “And behold, I am with you always, until the age” (Mt 28:20). Jesus assured His disciples that they would never be abandoned and that He would always be with them. Just as He promised, Jesus remains with us. Whenever you feel alone, go before the tabernacle in the church. The Eucharistic Jesus, present in the tabernacle, is with you. Open the scriptures and read the Gospels, for the Word, who is Jesus, will be with you.
      As Jesus was about to die on the cross, He gave His mother, the Virgin Mary, to the Apostle John—representing the Church and all humanity—as a mother to be with them (John 19:27). After Jesus’ Ascension, the apostles gathered and prayed with Mary (cf. Acts 1:14). Jesus ensured that where He was not physically present, Mary would be with the disciples, so they would not be left like orphans. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
       If you ever feel alone, remember the words of our mother Mary: “You are not alone. I am with you, and I intercede for you before my Son, Jesus.” Take up your rosary and pray. You will feel in your heart that as you hold the rosary, you are holding Mary’s hand.
   
 
 
April 25, 2017
"Dear children! Love, pray and witness my presence to all those who are far away. By your witness and example, you can draw closer the hearts that are far from God and His grace. I am with you and intercede for each of you so that, with love and resoluteness, you may witness and encourage all those who are far from my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Dear children! Love, pray and witness my presence to all those who are far away. By your witness and example, you can draw closer the hearts that are far from God and His grace. 

For Christians, love is a commandment. The commandment of love must be obeyed because the Lord Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-35). Likewise, for Christians, prayer is just as essential as a commandment. Every Christian must pray because Jesus taught His disciples and the crowd about proper prayer and gave them the Lord's Prayer, saying they should pray in this way (cf. Mt 6:5-15). Jesus instructed His disciples to pray constantly without losing heart (cf. Lk 18:1-8), and to pray so that they would not fall into temptation (cf. Lk 22:40). Therefore, it is the duty of every disciple of Jesus to pray.
      Love and prayer are like the two wings of a bird that allow Christians to soar toward God. Just as a bird cannot fly with only one wing, a Christian who either neglects love or prayer cannot reach true spiritual fulfillment. If a Christian only loves but does not pray, they are no different from a humanistic philanthropist. On the other hand, if they pray without love, they may become a selfish religious person. Prayer should direct us toward love, and love should be completed in prayer. A true Christian is one who loves while praying and prays while loving. Such Christians are capable of drawing hearts that are far from God and His grace closer to Him.

I am with you and intercede for each of you so that, with love and resoluteness, you may witness and encourage all those who are far from my Immaculate Heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.

There are many ways to reach Jesus, but the easiest, fastest, safest, and most perfect way is through the Virgin Mary. God Himself, Jesus, came into the world through Mary, and in His final moments, He entrusted His disciple and His Church to her care, making Mary the best path to reach Him. Before Mary conceived Jesus in her body, she had already accepted Him into her heart—her Immaculate Heart—which was the palace where Jesus always dwelled.
      As Jesus prepares for His return, He first sends Mary to us. At the apparitions in Fatima from May 13 to October 13, 1917, Mary revealed that her Immaculate Heart would ultimately triumph. Her Immaculate Heart is the Ark of Salvation, into which all humanity must enter. If we consecrate ourselves entirely to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and decide to live in her heart always, she will safely and perfectly lead us to Jesus.
      However, Mary does not only want us to enter into her heart. She desires that all who have distanced themselves from her Immaculate Heart also return. We have a duty to bring them into her heart, as we are apostles of her Immaculate Heart. Mary is with us, interceding for us so that we may faithfully carry out this mission.
   
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