Over 30,000 Catholics from the unofficial Church had gathered for Mass on May 23, 1995, at the Dong Lu shrine on the vigil of the Feast of Our Lady, Mary Help of Christians. There were four bishops of the unofficial Church concelebrating the Mass, and nearly 100 unofficial priests standing in the open field.
Suddenly, during the opening prayer and again during the consecration, the people observed the sun spinning from right to left. Light rays of various shades of color emanated from the sky. Participants saw Our Lady of China and the child Jesus in the sky. The Virgin Mary appeared as a beautiful lady in white, surrounded by light. They also saw the Holy Family, the Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit. The phenomenon lasted about 20 minutes.
Our Lady of China
The Public Security barred all pilgrims from joining anyone on the hill. The police forced people back into buses and trains without offering any explanation. Still, as many as 100,000 of the faithful successfully reached the area by finding alternative ways to get there to celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians on May 24, 1995.
An official government announcement forbade anyone from going to the Dong Lu shrine. The Chinese government mobilized 5,000 troops, supported by dozens of armored cars and helicopters. They destroyed and leveled that Marian shrine, confiscated the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and arrested many priests.
However, the picture of Our Lady of China survived and remains intact. Only a copy of that picture was actually used in the church. The original picture had been hidden in the wall behind the copy, and this was recovered safely. It is now in the protective custody of Chinese priests who carry out their activities secretly.
The Cardinal Kung Foundation is promoting the celebration of an annual Mass for the persecuted underground Roman Catholic Church in China. The Foundation has chosen the Sunday that falls before October 1st as the annual date for this Mass. October 1st is the National Day of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and also the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s canonization of the 120 blessed martyr saints of China.
Although the Church has not issued an official judgment of the overall apparitions at Dong Lu, China, Pope Pius XI’s establishment of the church there as an official Marian Shrine constituted implicit approval.
Edson Glauber, age 22, was a university student studying economics at the time of the apparitions in northern Brazil. He is a kind, stable, calm young man who demonstrates remarkable balance and good mental health according to Monsignor Rene Laurentin. The series of reported visits began on May 2, 1994, in Manaus. Blessed Mary appeared as a “very beautiful seventeen year-old.” Our Lady told him that she is the Queen of the Holy Rosary.
picture 1: The visionary, Edson Glauber, in Brazil
She appeared along with Jesus, being held in the arms of St. Joseph, on several occasions. When asked by Edson why Our Lady chose to appear as a mother with her son, she replied,
“Because I want to show all my children, all over the world, the love of a mother that I have for my son Jesus – and the love of a son that Jesus has for me. For this I chose to appear as mother and son to represent this love.”
Edson tried his best to portray the image of the Holy Family as well as he saw it. He describes that their three hearts are gathered on the same level. The Virgin’s heart is pierced by a cross, radiating light to the heart of St. Joseph, which in turn radiates light to the land and into the heart of the little Child Jesus, in the arms of St. Joseph on the right side of the picture. All three hearts are in alignment at the same height so that no significance or priority is given to any one person.
picture 2: Queen of the Rosary in Brazil
Our Lady speaks of the consecration to the most chaste Heart of St. Joseph. His heart appears on his chest, and in his heart there is an “M” with a cross – as if to indicate that the hearts of Mary and Jesus are always together with his.
Edson was given the mission to pray for the young, for their conversion, for peace, and for the world.
Holy Mary speaks to the truth of the apparitions at Ghiaie di Bonate, Italy, where she had introduced herself as the Queen of the Family in 1944 (exactly 50 years earlier!). Edson had never heard of that place or that visionary before. But with his spiritual director, an Italian priest, and permission from the bishop of Manaus, the opportunity developed to visit Ghiaie di Bonate in Italy. While visiting there, Edson learned that apparitions of Mary had indeed taken place and had centered on the importance of the family and family values – just as Our Lady had told him. The Blessed Virgin insisted upon praying the Rosary and penance to save the world’s problems – which were aggravated by “unbelief.” Mary had emphasized there the importance of prayer, the Holy Mass, confession, and communion.
picture 3: Edson Glauber with the Virgin Mary
Many spiritual fruits of conversion and life changes are attributed to these apparitions. Thousands of people come every day to Itapiranga to drink the water from the healing fountain. Some doctors have studied the reported healings there and sent their findings to the Apostolic Prefecture of Itacoatiara.
In her last public apparition on May 2, 1998 (exactly four years later to the day) in Itapiranga, Our Lady warns that she would no longer appear in that place because she had already said what she wanted to convey to the people. Now it was time to put into practice what she had been telling them to do.
Apparitions continued privately for both Edson and his mother, Maria do Carmo, because Our Lady stated that she wanted to continue to guide them and pray with them for the Church, the world, families, and peace.
picture 4: The three Sacred Hearts of Mary, Jesus, and Joseph
In the years, 1998-2000, the Virgin Mary appeared several times to Edson during meetings with groups of young people in Brazil. Since 2001, Our Lady has appeared frequently on Saturdays during the prayer meeting that takes place in the home of Edson. In addition to her request to evangelize, Our Lady asked Edson to create a soup kitchen in Itapiranga for needy children. She also requested that a chapel be built “in memory of the workers who died in the thirties in that region.” Blessed Mary then requested that Edson bring the healing waters that were flowing at the site of the apparitions to the sick who cannot go there for themselves. Many conversions and positive life changes occurred after this apparition.
Thousands of people come every day to Itapiranga. They drink water from the healing fountain. Some doctors have studied the healings there and then sent their findings to the Apostolic Prefecture of Itacoatiara.
Bishop Jorge Eduardo Marskell remained at a distance from the reported healings and other spiritual fruits – and apparently was also unfavorable of the apparitions, according to Monsignor Rene Laurentin. But, after five years of general and pastoral verifications, the current bishop of Itacoatiara, Archbishop Carillo Gritti, publicly celebrated Mass in the place of the apparitions. He also worked to construct a sanctuary. He interviewed Edson Glauber and his mother, Maria do Carmo, on several occasions.
picture 5: The full story and all messages contained in this book
On May 31, 2009, Archbishop Carillo Gritti approved the supernatural character of the apparitions in this statement:
“Considering these opinions, testimonies, and developments — and pondering all of this in prayer and theological reflection, everything leads me to finding that there are appearances in Itapiranga of a supernatural origin.”
** To read more about this apparition and its messages from the Blessed Virgin, obtain the book by Dr. Mark Miravalle, entitled: The Three Hearts / Apparitions of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from the Amazon.
Tony Fernwalt was not a spiritual or holy man. In fact, he had suffered many hardships, including raw poverty, violence, and going to prison. He was not expecting what he experienced on March 10, 1992, as he was doing some cleanup work at St. Jude’s Orthodox Church in Barberton, Ohio. As he climbed the stairs from the church basement where he had been working, he describes:
“I could hear the voice of some young lady that sounded like she was singing – or crying. Then I smelled these roses. I mean the place just reeked of roses. It was so strong … I couldn’t believe it … Then I peeked through the open door of the church, and I saw this lady dressed all in red, standing with her hands open in front of the altar. She was saying over and over, ‘My Son’s Heart is broken.’
I thought, Oh boy! Her kid’s been in an accident or something. Maybe he’s in the service, or sick, or getting a divorce. Anyway, it was none of my business. I shut the door to the basement. I figured to go to the back of the church and not bother her. As I walked past her, she said again, ‘My Son’s Heart is broken.’
She looked like she was from India or some place like that. Long dress, draping veil, funny clothes. Everything was red. When I got to the back of the church, I sat down to rest on an old folding chair. She was right there! It scared me! First thing she says to me is, ‘As you know, my Son is Jesus.’
Tony questions the strange lady
That bothered me. I said, ‘Yeah, and I suppose you’re the Virgin Mary.’ I figured she was nuts and belonged in the state hospital, Fallsview or Massilon or someplace like that. I looked at her pretty close.
Then I started noticing the beauty of her. She looked too young to have a son in the service. I looked at her real close now. She looked too tall for her body. ‘Something’s wrong here,’ I said to myself. I started going down from her head, down her whole body, till I got to her feet. They were standing on a mist that was resting on the floor. Her feet were maybe a foot off the floor on the mist! She looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Yes.’ (to his question about being the Virgin Mary)
Something in me told me that this was serious. It gripped me – choked me – I couldn’t breathe. I’m sitting in the chair – I felt like I was dying. I grabbed my neck. She said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ I was scared – but some kind of peace came to me when she spoke. ‘Do not be afraid. You have sinned against God. You have sinned against my Son, and you have sinned against God’s children.’
I knew that I had whipped my kids and my wife. Then she started to tell me about other things I had done. She said that I wanted to be cruel. I figured anybody can look up the court records. It’s all there. Then she said,
‘You need to pray. Pray that people come back to church. Pray that people come back to my Son. Pray for forgiveness. Ask my Son for forgiveness.’
Tony is stunned by the Virgin Mary’s presence
Then I started to see my sins unfold in front of me. Only now I wasn’t thinking about how I felt. I could feel how the others felt when I was hurting them. I felt their pain. I even felt their fear. If I hit somebody, I felt the hurt. I could feel their mental and physical pain when I hurt them. She kept asking me to ask Jesus for forgiveness for each thing that I did that I was seeing. She told me things about things I did that nobody ever, ever knew! I thought that I must be dying. I can’t stand this! I didn’t see anything good that I had ever done in my life. Only the bad stuff. And there was plenty of bad stuff. I was kind of mad.
I said, ‘If you are who you say you are, I want to know about the world – things that they say are going to happen.’ We talked about wars, riots, violence in the cities. She said that God does not cause these. We do. She told me about lots of things that are going to happen on the earth. I said to her, ‘I’ve been bad all my life. Why would you care about me? I would have sold your Son for thirty pieces of silver too, maybe less.’
She looked at me – I could see her love for me! She said,
‘No, you are only a child. People will come and teach you love. They will help you to love and understand. I will take you from a Saul to a Paul. I will leave signs to prove that I was here, and believers will come and see and believe.’
She promised that the scent of roses would be a sign. Things would turn gold. The sick would be healed, and weak faith would become strong. She said,”
“My Son wants all people to return to Him. Pray that sinners will be converted. Pray that their hearts turn back to my Son. My Son wants all souls. He does not want to lose even one soul.”
The painting that began weeping afterwards
The apparitions with Blessed Mary occurred over a one-and-a-half-year timespan beginning on March 10, 1992 and ending on October 18, 1993. Initially, the visionary claimed he saw her in a small Orthodox Church called St. Judes in Barberton, Ohio where a visible sign was left in the form of a weeping Icon. This painting of the Virgin Mary appeared to produce visible tears that brought people to view the painting for themselves. Seven days later, as She had told him that She would do, the visionary was revisited again by the Mother of Jesus. She told him to “kick the dust from his shoes” and seek the Church of Peter. He did not understand what that meant at first but was brought to a Roman Catholic Church in hopes of doing what she asked. The apparitions began to take place inside the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Kenmore, Ohio twice a week for nearly two weeks.
Nine day later, the Cleveland Archdiocese told Catholics not to involve themselves with the so-called “apparitions” and asked the visionary to leave the Church. The small group moved to a field in Clinton, Ohio, and then back to Barberton, Ohio to the backyard of a city councilman for several more weeks. As word started getting out, and more and more people started to come, liability concerns drove them to an open field on Seville Road in Wadsworth, Ohio. Over the entire summer of 1992, and without the protection of a church building, more and more people arrived in rain or shine, to pray in the open field and listen to what were now daily Messages. Then when the weather started turning colder and flooding became a problem because of the wet summer, the visionary and his family moved south to Jefferson County. They began looking for a permanent place to live and ended up settling in Carroll County, Ohio, about an hour and a half south of Akron.
On November 5, 1992, in the city of Carrollton, the visionary and his family were given permission to join Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church where the daily apparitions continued inside the Church. It was at this point that the visionary started to take instructions in the Catholic faith. Property was purchased several miles away in the town of Kilgore, Ohio where the family continues to live to this day. On December 14, 1992, Our Lady told the visionary about a healing stream that would be found on the property that would produce physical, emotional and spiritual healings. There, a shrine in the shape of a cross was begun. On March 10, 1993, the apparitions occurred only twice a week and then on June 1, 1993, the apparitions reverted to Saturdays. The final public apparition occurred on October 18, 1993.
And that’s when the tears had started. They were about at the neck. One was a little bit further down at the neck then the other — one tear was a little higher than the other and streaming down from both eyes. The first reaction, of course, was to think, “Oh my God, no, not here.” A lot of people would be coming to this tiny church; how could it accommodate all those people there?
People started coming there everyday from all over the world, including Paraguay, Albania, Russia, Greece, and Austria. Rosaries, crosses, and medals were still turning gold in color. The painting kept weeping for about three and half weeks. Healings and miracles became common place there. There are so many.
“There are times when someone will have a cross or rosary and you can see it turning gold right in front of your eyes. I remember a three-inch by two-inch wooden cross made of dark wood. From the inside you could see it becoming white pine. Although it was originally mahogany, it was turning from the inside like a thin hair in the middle gradually spreading out over the cross till the whole thing was all white. There are at least four to six people upstairs in the church right now that it has happened to. Eva, upstairs, has had two things turn gold on her. The central message is that God is using all these things to bring us to Him.”
The priest confirms the tears are flowing
November 8, 1992 “My Dear Children, many times you may sit and wonder about your life. What should you do from one moment to the next? Each day of your lives you go about very easily. For many, each day is very happy, yet for others, each day is just another day. But, yet, do they stop and wonder why it seems like another day? Did their day begin with prayer? Did their day begin with Mass? Did their day begin with communion? Did their day begin with my Son Jesus Christ? Did yours? Did your day begin with my Son Jesus Christ?”
November 9, 1992 “My Dear Children, do you feel anger? Do you feel at times in your life that things are not right? Is life confusing at times? When you need to talk, who do you turn to? Your Father? Do you turn to your Mother? Do you turn to your brother? Do you turn to your sister? Who do you turn to talk to when problems run deep? Have you talked to my Son Jesus? Have you talked to your priest? How many times did you need someone to talk to but were too ashamed or scared to tell anyone? Why did you not turn to my Son Jesus? Why did you not confide in your priest? They are loving as my Son Jesus is loving. They are human as my Son Jesus is human. They are here to teach you as my Son Jesus would have you taught. They are here because of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Be not afraid to ask your priest to show you the way to my Son Jesus. Be not afraid for they are here to guide you in the Kingdom of God through my Son Jesus. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
March 31, 1992 “Anthony, remember all churches are holy. Never say anything bad about any church. My Son wants everybody, all people, all faiths: He wants every soul. Remember, my Son is your savior … He died for you.”
November 8, 1992 “My Dear Children, many times you may sit and wonder about your life. What should you do from one moment to the next? Each day of your lives you go about very easily. For many, each day is very happy, yet for others, each day is just another day. But yet, do they stop and wonder why it seems like another day? Did their day begin with prayer? Did their day begin with Mass? Did their day begin with communion? Did their day begin with my Son Jesus Christ? Did yours? Did your day begin with my Son Jesus Christ?”
March 24, 1992 “Anthony, before Confession, you must open your heart to Jesus. You must have a complete and open heart. You must confess all sins with your mouth even the smallest ones. Do your penance. Always remember, a CONSECRATED EUCHARIST IS MY SON’S TRUE BODY, THE WINE IS MY SON’S TRUE BLOOD. Ask My Son to come into your heart, give your heart to him. My Son is now in your body, heart and soul. Remember that He is in your body. Pray after you receive Him and act accordingly. Do not receive the host with unclean hands. Pray for everyone. Pray that people come back to church.” Note: She directed Anthony to read James 4.
St. Jude’s church in Barberton, Ohio
May 15, 1992 “My Dear Children, many questions have been asked about who should say the rosary. The rosary should be prayed by all (all means all Christians). The rosary is a dedicated prayer just like the Our Father, and you should be proud that you say the rosary openly and faithfully. If everyone would pray the rosary on one certain day of the week, through the prayers of the rosary, all things could change in the happenings of the world. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
April 4, 1992 “Dear Children, abortion not only kills the child . . . it also destroys part of the mother’s conscience forever. Both the mother and the doctor will have to answer to God for her actions. Life, our immortal soul, begins at the moment of conception. The souls of aborted babies go directly to heaven and sit at the throne of God as they are innocent and did not commit this sin.”
She asked everyone to pray for the following: “Pray for the mothers; ask forgiveness for them. Pray that the doctors will have a change of heart.”
Note: “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my father.” Matthew 18:10
Tony Fernwalt– visionary not by his choice
July 24, 1992 “My Dear Children, I want to tell you that you must realize a few things. Number one: God the Father created all things. Number two: Jesus is the only way to God the Father and His kingdom. I want you to know you must prepare yourselves because you never know when my Son, Jesus, will return. You must always be prepared. But now you must get prepared. Get prepared, get prepared! You must realize these are cries unto all you children for only you will be able to make that decision. My Son came from God the Father to live among the people and look what they did to him. Whose side will you be on when my Son returns? I pray to Him that all of you are on His side, but many of you will not be. You must prepare yourself through prayer. You must soon be ready, for He will come like a thief in the night. He has been knocking on the door for a long time, but soon, he must turn away and go. So, I tell you, get prepared, get prepared, get prepared! Make sure your candle is lit within yourself. Many may laugh at you saying the Lord will not return in your time. It’s been said before. Only God the Father knows when His Son will return, but you must get prepared. Pray that the tribulations are short and that God the Father and God the Son come swiftly and justly. For many of you should not fear when they return. But for many, they do fear. So, I say to you, go to Mass, Confession, Communion, do penance and good deeds. Remember: pray, pray, pray! Intertwine — like a vine — your life with My Son. Pray, Pray, Pray. Get prepared, get prepared, get prepared! For the ones that really love My Son, I want to tell you, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit will protect you when they return. Thank you for listening and God bless you.” Note: “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36
August 4, 1992 “Dear Children, don’t hold My Son inside of yourself or a small group. You must go out as my Son sent his disciples out and spread his message all over to all people, not to just a few. This way, when all mankind hears of My Son, then the prophecies will be fulfilled. For many of you want to hide My Son within yourself and not share Him with anyone else. How many of you are guilty of this? He gives you everlasting life and He loves you. Why can’t you share His love with others? For the light that shines should be all over in each one of you. Maybe some of you will love each other enough to share that light with the ones that don’t have it yet? Don’t be selfish, for my Son’s life, death and resurrection were for all of you. He was not selfish. So please, follow the examples He has given you.”
“Here is my story on the pictures of Our Blessed Mother. On July 21, 1992, I was on the tractor mowing the field. I had started at about 3:00 pm. I was almost finished mowing at around 5:30 pm when Jon Lombardi and Tony Fernwalt drove into the field and parked near their usual spot. We waved hello to each other. I was mowing down at the south end of the field, so we were probably over 100 yards apart from each other. I was still on the tractor when I saw Tony start taking pictures with a Polaroid camera. He had been doing this quite a bit lately. He told me that the Virgin Mary had said that she would show herself in a picture.
I guess that they had taken several pictures when I drove by to say hi. I got down off the tractor and asked them what they were doing. Tony said they were taking pictures of the sun. I asked if anything had shown up on the them, and they told me that nothing had –and they showed me the blank pictures. Then Tony handed me the camera and told me to try and take one. I asked how he was doing it, and he told me just to point the Polaroid camera at the sun and take a picture, so that is what I did. I gave the camera back to Tony, the picture still in the slot where it comes out. Tony took the picture out and set it on the seat in Jon’s car, and then, he handed the camera to Jon, so he could take a picture too. I told them that I was going to finish mowing and put the tractor away. I would be back to pray the Rosary. By then, Jon had taken a couple more Polaroid pictures and put them in the car, too.
I had walked 20 to 25 yards away when Jon and Tony started screaming for me to come back and look at the picture. I came back, and Jon started showing me the picture that I had just taken. It wasn’t quite finished developing yet but the image in the picture was very obvious to us. Then, either Tony or Jon looked at the pictures that Jon took after the one that I had taken, and Mary had shown herself in these two pictures also. Then things got pretty hysterical. It was quite an event. Jon did think to write on the pictures the date and time that the pictures were taken.
To me, these pictures are a miracle allowed to happen through the will of God. I have shown these pictures to many people. Some believe in the miracle of the pictures, and many choose not to believe. I understand both opinions very well because I was also a very passive participant in my faith for a long time. In previous years, I was shown other pictures from apparition sites from around the world, and I decided that anybody could fake something like that. Obviously, my thinking has changed quite a bit. There is one saying that keeps coming to mind, ‘To those that believe no proof is needed. To those that do not believe, no proof is enough.” (David E. Pfeiffer, Wadsworth, Ohio)
“In August of 1992, I stopped by the field in the afternoon to plant some mums. I met another carload of people who had heard about the Field. Again, remembering all my questions the first time I had arrived there, I patiently answered them and showed them my photo album in the trunk of my car. Before long, I began noticing people starting to arrive for the evening’s apparition and prayers. All at once, a woman tapped me on the shoulder and yelled at me to turn and look at the sun. I looked and then immediately flinched at the absurdity of her command. I thought, “This woman’s crazy, yelling at me to stare at the sun!” But she would not take no for an answer. This time, the woman grabbed my arm, and swung me partly around since my back was facing the sun.
When I turned again, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The sun itself was pulsating like it was going to jump out of the sky. Then it started to spin, then pulse, then spin, then pulse. People were pointing, staring or kneeling in awe as I grabbed my camera to try and record the event. I realized that I couldn’t capture the motion with a 35mm camera, but that was the only camera I had, and I snapped the picture anyway. My tennis partner, who had never been to the field before, stood next to me watching the sun spin and pulse. All he could say was, “Holy cow.”
A woman’s rosary beads turn gold in front of everyone
On August 27, 1992, after six months of daily apparitions, the public messages stopped with this last message: “Dear Children: I have come to you for a while. I have told you many things, yet you did not listen. I came here thinking many of you would turn your soul and life over to My Son, Jesus. I will not give warning to you. I will be silent for a while, then maybe you will understand. I will talk again to you through Anthony on September 30, 1992. Please read and listen to My Son and I thank you for listening. God bless all of you.”
She continued Her daily apparitions to the visionary and on September 30, 1992, a huge crowd waited to hear Her message. At the end of the message, She told us She would send another public message on October l5 and November l5, 1992. Her October l5 message was, “Dear Children, I call upon all of you to turn your life to My Son, Jesus. Turn your life towards God. Guide one another hand in hand. Many times, you cry out to us. Now I cry out to you, so you may see the Kingdom of God. Satan and his evil are so strong in the world today. I have asked repeatedly throughout the world to fill God’s House to where it is overflowing to the point to which crowds will be standing outside. Many of you must realize I have said before that My Son and I are always with you. Many times, you cry out and we hear. It seems many will gather to hear my words, but yet, they do not want to listen. All of you must pray. I have told you of many things but the greatest thing I can tell you is that I love all of you. Come closer, come closer. Ask Jesus to really take over your life. Ask Him to really make yourself whole inside. Ask Him and let Him know that your will is weak, and ask Him and let Him know that you want Him to control your will, to bring your will into His loving arms. Cry out that you are a sinner and really need to be forgiven. Ask Him to lead you His way and not your way. Cry out! Cry out, my dear children, for the love of God to come upon you. In the beginning, I told you what would happen, and you did not believe. Many say their faith is strong. Many believe their faith is strong but in an instant your faith can be shaken. So how strong is your faith? How strong is your love? You must stand up and be firm, be counted. Glorify God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I call on you to fill God’s House. I call on you not to be ashamed in public. If you are out eating, say your grace as if you were at home. If you are out and you feel you need to pray, then stop and pray as if you were at home. I call upon you to pray for Pope John Paul II. I call upon you to pray for all the cardinals, bishops, chancellors, priests, sisters and all that believe. You must realize your prayers can change the world. You must realize that love can change the world. God’s love and My Son Jesus’s love changed the world. You, through prayer and love, can change the world. If someone criticizes you or if someone would smack you, what should you do? Do not argue back. Do not fight back, Just show love. My Son could have fought for His life. My Son could have given up and quit. My Son could have walked away. He did not, because of His love for God and you. So, my children, please come forward to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. How My heart aches to see what is happening throughout the world, and how many are turning away from God. I call on you to show your love back. I call on you to show your true love. Only if the whole world would pray and love; they would just begin to see what the Kingdom of God is really like. My tears are of sadness. I wish they were of joy. My Son’s Heart is broken. Through your praying, through your love and through giving your heart to Jesus, His heart can mend, then mine will mend too. Only each and every one of you can make that choice to mend His Heart and my heart. Many of you have set forth with your life towards My Son. Yes, you have fought many battles within yourself and you have fought many battles outside of yourself and you will continue to fight many battles from the outside for my Son. You know that He will also fight for you. For the ones that do not understand, fighting means persecution for believing in my Son, Jesus. This does not mean physical fighting, this means fighting temptations from Satan. Temptations from many things. What is temptation? It could be politics, greed of money, greed for sex, greed for luxuries, greed for control and one of the most powerful, greed of gossip and greed of excuses, the greed of lying, the greed of hatred, the greed of wantonness. Why don’t you greed for the way they want you to live? I say to you, make “His House” overflowing. Grow in your faith. Be proud that you believe. Yes, I love every one of you for my love is pure, and I was given this pure love from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. You, too, can be given this pure love. All you have to do is ask and then live what my Son has asked you to do through His words and deeds. Thank you for listening and God Bless all of you.”
August 4, 1992 “Dear Children, you hear the words, “pray, get prepared, conversions” and some of you wonder what I mean. Get prepared means that the light within your soul must be able to shine in the darkness. For my Son will be able to see your light. This will be part of your candle when the days are dark. But you must remember, giving your total life to my Son will make you glow very brightly. You must get prepared, for all prophecies must come true. To pray means that you must ask for help and guidance. This way your life will be able to be intertwined with my Son. You must realize if your life does not intertwine with His, it will be lost. Conversion is something all of you must think of. Don’t hold my Son just inside of yourself or a small group. You must go out as my Son sent his disciples out and spread his message all over, to all people, not to just a few. This way when all mankind hears of my Son then the prophecies will be fulfilled. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
Other medals and objects turned golden as well
July 21, 1992 “Dear Children, I want all of you to realize the true life is through my Son, Jesus. When you need my Son in your deepest hours, you cry out to Him. But, yet, when things are okay for all of you, you forget to cry out for Him. Why? Where does your weakness begin and end in your faith? You should have no weakness . . . just true faith. My Son showed God the Father the faith He wants you to have. Have you really prayed from your soul and heart today? You should pray as though you need my Son Jesus all the time because you really do! Try not to look upon yourselves and think you only need My Son when you need help. Search again as you should look all day for My Son within yourself. Your life should intertwine with Jesus. Pray . . . Pray . . . Pray. Go to Mass, Confession, Communion, do penance and good deeds. Pray that God the Father, and God the Son come swiftly and justly. Pray that when you see my Son, Jesus you will be able to say to Him, I am glad you have come. For many will hide in their darkness. Many will be like the tree that bears no fruit. But remember, the candle that is lit and shines there most is in your soul, for when it is dark that will be the brightest light. There will come a time when only your light will protect you, for it will be the candle within you. So, search out the Kingdom of God through my Son, Christ Jesus, for all of you should stand up with glory to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. For soon, you will not have to worry about the immoral ones. Many of you say, “What date will be that?” But, as I said before . . . no dates shall be given, for if you know a date then you would live only for that date, then upon that date you would fall upon your knees and pray. And please, when you do pray, stop asking for petty things. You should ask that My Son would guide you . . . that’s all you need in your life. Jesus is all you need to be prepared. So, I close by saying, ‘Be prepared . . . be prepared . . . be prepared. Pray! Pray! Pray!’ Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
December 14, 1992 “Anthony, therefore, when you see the flow from the place I have told you, you’ll know that it will be right. But the day the lady slipped and almost fell, it was her faith that brought her to the spring. Even though she was weak, she will be strong. So, from that day forward, the power of the water has been there. Not the power of muscle but the power of faith. Now let My spring flow as all the faith will flow towards My Son Jesus as it will flow toward God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. So, prepare for when they flock to the spring. All of you must help for tomorrow the children will know. They will have their signs in the water. They will have their signs in the spring. They will have their God and their hearts once again. Proclaim, so that when you are not here, people will still have faith, still see the flow, and see the Kingdom of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.”
November 14, 1992 “My dear children, blessed are the ones that do no see and believe. Their rewards will be great in the Kingdom of God. How would you feel if your sight was taken from you? Would you believe that someone would help you around? Would you believe that someone would guide you so that if you would fall, they could help you up? Seek the true meaning of blind faith. Ask My Son Jesus to help you and to guide you throughout each day — for one day you may be able to say, ‘I have blind faith.’ Thank you for listening and God bless you.”
November 20, 1992 “My dear children, you think that each day is a gift from God. It is! Many things throughout your life have been gifts. My Son Jesus was and is the greatest gift of all. What gift have you given? Thank you for listening and God bless you.”
The men are stunned that Mary’s image appears on film
November 21, 1992 “My dear children, when you look deep inside yourself, what do you really see? Do you see yourself as just a human being? Or do you see yourself as a creation of God? When you look inside yourself, do you see a person with free will, or do you see a person trying to do God’s will? Do you know and understand God’s will? Do you know and understand My Son Jesus’ will? Do you understand God’s love? Do you understand My Son’s love? Thank you for listening and God bless you.”
May 15, 1992 “Dear children, if a child comes to heaven, why do you still feel sorrowful? Praise God because that child is in heaven. Feel no sorrow because all the children are safe. Now have you opened your eyes? I guess not. Why do you feel sorrow at times? Remember you are human; you need to be spiritual. You need to pray for stronger faith. You need to really believe. Poor souls, you are so weak. Don’t you understand that God is love. Seek nothing but God!”
June 5, 1992 (Wadsworth, Ohio) “My dear children, remember your prayers are to Jesus. But I also intercede for you. Many people think this may be wrong. Many of you criticize other religions. Never criticize anybody else’s religion. I want all of you to pray to ask that My Son Jesus will help you and guide you in the hard times that you may have throughout your life. Many of you are disciples, but many of you only act as disciples. Do not act, be! Many times, I’ve asked and demanded from you to not be weak. Be strong or else you will be divided by doubts. I ask you to humble yourself before God and to accept the guidance that you have received and to pick up My Son’s cross. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
August 21, 1992 “Dear children, you come to My Son and I with love. But, yet, many of you do not follow what My Son has said about love. If you would read My Son’s words, you would understand. I come with love for you, hoping that, in turn, you will show love to My Son. I come with love for all of you to prepare you for My Son. When He returns, not only do I want you prepared in strong faith and with your life intertwined with His, but I also want you full of love. I have been coming here for just a short while and yet many have not heeded my warnings, so one day, if I show no more, what will the last ones do? All of you are given a chance in life — whether it is for My Son, Jesus or for yourself. It seems like many, though, throughout the world have not chosen My Son. Many travel throughout the world to places where I have come. If only twice that many would come to My Son. He is sad to see the world as it is with sin, anger, lust, greed. His heart is really broken! For sin is greater now than it has ever been. Now is the time to fall on your knees and ask My Son to guide you throughout each day. Have your personal conversion, your private conversion now. Take off your masks, you lonely children, and see the brightness in My Son. I say to you, through Christ Jesus, you may enter into the Kingdom of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Pray, pray, pray, for it will be like a twinkling of the eye, and it will be swift and just and He will come with the Glory of God. He will come with all the angels and the saints. Christ, Jesus, will come again. Thank you for listening and God bless all of you.”
Original polaroid prints of Mary’s image in the field
November 22, 1992 “My dear children … life. As I have told you, life begins at conception. And death, as you know, should come from the hand of God only. The problem is that so many are turning against God. So many think they can choose life or death. So many will argue that life does not begin until birth, and it is okay to end a life. They say that if someone is old or sick, they should have the right to end their life. Many countries throughout the world give you papers to fill out when you are sick where they can let you or someone else end a life. Many will say that all that they do is just, that it is right. The many that have had their lives taken (because they signed a paper), have not realized the harm they have caused in their souls. The world is turning away from God. Many will say things about God and My Son Jesus, to turn you away from them. They will do this by words or actions. What is life like without God? Would you be here? Which way do you plan for your true life? How would you prepare for a stranger? Would you prepare for Him as a king, or would you find a way to turn Him away? Can you prepare yourselves or will you need help? For your decision will be forever. Seek God. Seek My Son Jesus. Seek the priest. Then maybe you can seek inside. Life belongs to God. No one can ever make a decision on death or life, but yet everyday in the world many people do. For they do not follow God. They do not follow My Son Jesus. Will you follow them? Will you shout kill, kill, kill? Would you hold a child in your arms? You must let everyone know and defend to the fullest your faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. For no one has the right to choose for someone else, life or death. Are you one of the ones that can make that decision? But then, ask yourself what would have happened if someone chose for you not to have lived. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
March 15, 1993 (Kilgore, Ohio) “My dear children, I call upon all of you to bring My Son, Jesus Christ, closer to your hearts and to your lives. The urgency that I have called upon the world is not for just a few but for all. My time has been shortened on my visits to all throughout the world. Soon I will return to the Kingdom of God. I have asked very simple things from all of you children: Mass, Confession, Communion, Penance, good deeds, love one another, love your enemies. Pray, Pray Pray. Get prepared, get prepared, get prepared. How many have really listened? How many have read My Son’s words? Many of you have searched very deeply within yourselves, and you’ve been guided towards God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Many of you suffer daily for My Son Jesus. Many have given their lives for My Son. Many have given their lives up for My Son. Realize the urgency throughout the world. Satan has a hold upon so many children. He is leading them to destruction. Realize Satan can and will deceive many. I call upon you in these times to return to My Son, to return to His most loving and merciful heart. Call upon God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Plead to them for forgiveness. Plead to them for help. I want to ask all of you who truly believe to reach out and help the ones that are weak or have no faith. Ask them if you could help them. Love means many things. Love is not cruel, love is patient. Love is not hurting, love is mending. Love is not fighting, love is peace. Love is not killing, love is healing. Love is not blind, love sees the beauty. Love is not hard, love is gentle. Love is not dark, love is bright. Love is not a stranger, love is known. Love is happiness. Love is warmth. Love is God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. I pour my love upon you and the ones that are not here, for love is free. Through My Son Jesus, He will give you and show you all the purest love you shall ever know. My Son Jesus loves all. His most loving and merciful heart is open to everyone of you. My heart is full of love for all my children which is everyone upon the earth. Search, search, search, for the true love and true light, the true Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. I close in saying to you my time with you is very short. Soon you must draw on your faith alone. Remember, there will always be someone to help you. Fear not, for when I am gone, I will still be with all of you. But, most of all, have My Son Jesus in you. Conversion is a must. Pray for all sinners. Pray for the world. Pray to My Son, Jesus. Please love one another as My Son loves you. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
First polaroid print of Mary’s image
December 11, 1992 (partial) “Anthony, as I told you in the beginning, woe to the politicians that will be elected for they will be immoral. But woe also to the ones who cast their votes for them. What came to their mind? They thought of riches. They thought it would be better. As it is said, destruction is within oneself. Destruction is the lust of money. Destruction is lack of God. Woe to the ones who do not believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, for they cannot serve God and man. For many will suffer eternally. Many will serve God in the glory of His Kingdom.”
January 22, 1993 (partial) “Anthony, as of today, you will find all that I have told you will soon start. Your country has truly become immoral and a Godless nation. As your President has signed the papers to legalize the killing of the innocent, there is no one to blame for what will come from this signing. No one to blame but the ones who cast their vote for him. They will also have to worry about judgement. Many talked as if it came from their hearts, but it did not come from their souls. They were for greed. How can anyone sit and listen and do nothing to try to change what has happened? Many will be upset that you speak out against the leaders of your country. Even my Pope John Paul II will speak out. I ask that you rise up again and speak out against the signing. Your country is immoral and godless, for those who say they are with My Son have shied away. The turmoil will soon begin. It will be hard for the faithful. It will be hard for the ones who do not believe also. The storms will be of nature and man. Many have brought it upon your country and the world. Yet, many are afraid to fight back and be heard. They are scared to be seen but they are scared of man. They are scared of man. They will make excuses for why they cannot stand. Their excuses will be forever. Fear no man; only fear God. Those who are afraid of man should think more of being afraid of God. My Son came upon this earth as a human and suffered for each and every one but how many will suffer for Him? Even in the world today, they would crucify Him. They would still spit upon Him, beat Him and kill Him. So, who will stand up for Him? Who will stand up for My Son? You must realize many will say that they will, but they won’t. Many will say that they will do it this way or that way, but they won’t. How will they survive with their souls if they do not stand up for God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit?”
Second polaroid print of Mary’s image
August 7,1992 (about Yugoslavia) “Dear children, I came here to let you know that the way the world is going is not good. If all of you would really pray, you will be able to divert the war that has not come yet — but will soon start as all nations will be involved. I want you all to pray in the weeks and months to come. If your prayers are not strong and sincere, this will happen.”
Patrick’s Miracle (Good Friday, 1993) We will always remember Good Friday, 1993, as the beginning of a frightening trauma that led to a Blessed miracle. Patrick (13) and his twin brother Michael were playing with friends and BB guns, when Michael accidently shot Pat in the eye. Knowing I was at a church service, they ran to a neighbor’s home. The neighbor drove Pat to the hospital and her husband drove Mike to get me. The ride to the hospital seemed endless as Mike recounted the story over and over through his tears. The panic I felt within was difficult to retain. At the hospital emergency room, they told me they had to call in a specialist and admitted Pat. The specialist reported that he had intra renal and preretinal hemorrhage as well as a choroidal rupture of the retina. Nothing could be done for Pat then because of the recurrent bleeding. They patched both eyes and he had to remain upright (even to sleep) and quiet. Having been familiar with Christ in the Hills and the Healing Spring, we made the trip for water. We began putting the water in his eye and prayed with him. Each time he drank the water, we prayed an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and asked that God’s will be done in our lives. Having been told by the doctor that they probably could save the eye but not his sight, we knew we needed God’s grace, mercy and strength in handling whatever happened. Due to the severity of his retinal and choroid injury, our eye specialist consulted with another specialist. Knowing that Our Blessed Mother was interceding for us and having surrendered the outcome totally to God, we felt at peace. Three weeks after the accident, Pat’s eye was totally healed and his vision returned to normal. We thank God and our Blessed Mother for such a wonderful miracle in our lives. Two specialists examined Pat’s eye, Dr. Fammartino and Dr. Richard L. Fuller. Dr. Fuller of The Perry Eye Clinic who diagnosed that Pat had intrarenal and preretinal hemorrhage as well as a choroidal rupture in the nasal aspect of the retina, wrote to the family after his remarkable healing. “Miracles never cease when one has faith in God and prayers”. Sharon McAllister, Navarre, Ohio (regarding Patrick McAllister)
Surprised people witness the sun spinning in the sky
June 1, 1993 “Anthony, I ask you to still slowly pull yourself back. Soon, when I am gone, I ask you to read what I have told you. Soon all will have to be dependant on my Son Jesus and His words. Realize that I love you but soon I will be leaving. I call upon all to be strong. I call upon all to pray. Follow My Son. Ask Him to help you, to guide you, to forgive you. I have come to you to prepare many of the children that will come. You, as well as your family, need to prepare spiritually. Soon I will be leaving. Do as I have asked. Do as though it’s been done. I ask you to go to your priest tonight to have him lay his hands and pray over you. Thank you for listening. God bless you.”
On March 26, 1995, Jesus appeared to Tony in Our Lady of the North American Martyrs Church in Barberton. Tony states that when Jesus appears, the tabernacle radiates with light, and His form comes from within the tabernacle. He stands on a cloud of bright light and wears a robe of glowing white. His eyes and hair are brown. Rays of light emanate from the open tabernacle. His messages to Tony emphasize the absolute necessity of sacramental confession:
“People go to confession and do not confess their deepest sins. Unconfessed sins are not forgiven. One day they will be revealed to everyone. Only sins that are fully confessed are totally washed away. They no longer exist. There are those who receive the Holy Eucharist without making a truthful confession or having real sorrow for their sins. This is an even deeper sin.”
“I am truly My Father’s Tabernacle. I am truly your Tabernacle. I am also present, physically, in every tabernacle throughout the world.”
“Listen to the teachings of Pope John Paul II. Read Scripture. Return to church. Pray for the Pope, bishops, priests, and religious. Love your spouse and children. Imitate the Holy Family of Nazareth.”
“Evil grows fast. It is the responsibility of every citizen – not just the government – to help the poor. Love one another. Respect one another. Do not judge one another.”
“The Immaculate Purity”, LITMANOVA, SLOVAKIA, 1990-1995
A woodcutter’s shack in the woods near the tiny hamlet of Litmanova, Slovakia has become a recognized shrine that is attracting pilgrims worldwide from five continents.
In July of 1990, two young girls, Ivetka Korcakova and Katka Ceselkova (both age 13) ventured out into the forest behind their homes in the mountainous hamlet of Litmanova. It was a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon as they explored deeper into the cool forest. After a while, they grew weary and decided to rest inside a nearby woodcutter’s shack.
As they began to play jacks, the wind suddenly howled and bombarded the shack, shaking it to its foundation. Frightened, the children fell to their knees and began to pray an “Our Father.” No sooner had they begun their prayer than a brilliant light filled the room. In the dazzling brightness, the two girls beheld the extraordinary figure of a beautiful woman – beautiful beyond their capacity to describe. Only Invetka could hear her speak even though Katka could also see her. They knew they were in the sacred presence of God as they beheld the presence of the Virgin Mary – surrounded by many brilliant angels. As the apparition and the brilliant light faded, the children became afraid. They ran back through the forest as fast as they could run. They were afraid to turn around and see if the Beautiful Lady was following them.
Young Ivetka at time of the apparitions
Although they could not explain their feelings, they had been transformed forever by this experience. They now saw the world in a whole new perspective – and decided not to share this with anyone. But their parents noticed the changes in their behavior and appearance. The girls were often seen sitting on the front steps of their small church (usually locked) with their hands folded in prayer and their eyes staring far into the distance. They were more withdrawn at home from friends and family – usually in quiet meditation.
Finally, Ivetka’s father urged her to share what had transformed her behavior and attitude. Upon learning of the visitation from the Beautiful Lady, he gathered his wife and the two girls and headed for the woodcutter’s shack on August 5, 1990. No sooner did they enter the door of the shack than a brilliant light sent the group to their knees. Immediately, both Ivetka and Katka saw the Beautiful Lady in the dazzling light. Ivetka heard the Virgin Mary speak,
“Dear children, I am the Immaculate Purity. God has sent me to your world, to your times with messages as never before in history. Please pray, children.”
The group prayed fervently, and she disappeared. Word spread quickly throughout the region, and soon many pilgrims were making the difficult journey up the steep mountain to the woodcutter’s shack. Until the 24th February, 1991, the Virgin Mary appeared to both girls for several times each month, especially on Sundays and feast-days. From the 3rd March 1991 she always appeared on Sunday after the First Friday in the month. Apparitions on the mountain were accompanied by thousands of pilgrims.
About one hundred meters from the shack, the Holy Virgin blessed a well and recommended for people to drink from this spring. According to testimonies of many witnesses and a local priest, Father Zavacky, many miracle healings apparently occurred. These cases are recorded and investigated by the bishop’s committee.
During the apparition, one priest took a camera with a flash, placed it in front of Ivetka`s eyes and pressed the trigger. Ivetka did not even blink and, after the apparition, she could not remember that such a thing had happened. After the apparition, both girls announced their experiences to members of the committee who compared their statements and then Ivetka announced the message to people.
Bishop Mons. Jan Hirka formed an eight member committee of priests (representatives of Roman-Catholic and Greek Catholic rite) and doctors. Its chairman is the vicar-general. Girls were checked by Dr. L. Kvasnicka, psychiatrist for children (member of the committee):
“According to the conclusion of my examination was that these girls – visionaries — are really mentally fit. During, approximately, an eight-minute long ecstasy, the pulse of one of them was about 130, and the pulse of the other one was 123. They were in a stage of tension, their hands were strongly close-knitted. I had tried to pull their fingers apart, but I could not do that. During the apparition their eyes were open. Usually, if you pinch someone, you can see on his face that it hurts. These girls, however, did not even wince.”
The Blessed Mother gave Ivetka a message for the world on the first Sunday of every month. The beautiful Immaculate Purity medal has been struck at the request of Mary. It is especially helpful for those who knowingly or unknowingly need divine protection in the area of purity. A man in London wore this medal for several hours and was healed from suffering, mental issues, and pain that he had endured all of his life. Now he experiences freedom from those burdens and his first true joy.
On the 25th of November, 1990, a ceremony of consecration for the newly built cross took place. During the consecration, after the prayer of the rosary, all present saw on the sun a peculiar supernatural phenomenon which reminded them of the sun miracle from Fatima. The sun, which was possible to look at without hurting one’s eyes, was rotating, emitting concentrated circles in various colors of the rainbow, and it was getting black and light again. The sun was “shivering,” pulsing, and changing its position. A ring of small “satellite” suns was created around the main sun. These phenomena were observed by 2000 to 3000 people, including the mayor Vislocky and the local priest, (today`s vicar-general) Jan Zavacky. The phenomena were recorded also by cameras. They occurred again in this place even later on.
Elena Subjak, department of the spiritual life for Slovak Television stated:
“Apart from others it is interesting that when the rightness of Litmanova`s apparitions is discussed, the peculiar phenomena of the sun were never mentioned. It happened twice and this phenomenon was observed by thousands of people. I was given descriptions by several people independently, among whom was the mayor, local priest, and children.” (Slovak diary, 14th November 1991)
On the 1st of October, 1990, Ivetka asked the Holy Lady if she would heal one of her small friends from the village. The Virgin Mary told her:
“Each disease is a consequence of some sin. Her parents cared more for material matters and from many viewpoints did not behave like Christians. Recovery of that child can be managed only by means of fervent prayers.”
On the 2nd of October, 1990, the Virgin Mary requested that people from all over Slovakia should come to pray the holy rosary. The girls were again afraid to go alone home through the woods because it was already late. They repeated the prayer to Our Lady:”Mary, our Mother, hide us underneath your mantle.” Mary actually spread her mantle and accompanied the group.
Ivetka Korcakova — a normal healthy girl
On the 4th of November 1990 Mary said to the girls to look into the faces of surrounding people and then showed them, visually, how She views them. When the visionaries looked around, they could see dirty faces which contrasted with the one which dazzled with purity, which belonged to the Virgin Mary.
On the 11th of November, 1990, the Virgin Mary said following message to Ivetka:
“I cannot look at the sins of Slovakia. My children have too much of everything, and that is why they do not respect my Son and Myself. My Son will let a disaster come down on Slovakia, but if the people will start fervently praying, the disaster will be postponed.”
On the 2nd of December, 1990, Our Lady said:
“To get healed from the physical and mental disease it is necessary to pray daily the whole rosary (15 tenths), to fast on Wednesday and Friday and to drink water from the spring of the Mountain.” (She added that not all ill will be recovered.)
On the 30th of December, 1990, Our Lady said:
“Manage the lockets to be made with my name, which I have told you, on the one side of the locket, but only in capital letters. Under the name should be my pure dazzling Heart and the white lily – sign of my purity. On the other side should be my picture with my Son in my arms. Lockets should be worn by people who feel the respect to Me and to my Son. One who will wear this locket, respect my purity and worship Me under the name, Immaculate Purity, will always get my help if he will ask for it.”
On the 20th of January, 1991, the Virgin Mary said:
“Catastrophe from the Persian Gulf is not the will of God because the World is under the control of the Devil for several years so far. If you, my children, will expect the disaster to happen, it will come. But if you will resist, decide and totally let yourself to be in God`s hands, and if you will pray: “Let God`s will happen!” – you will avoid catastrophe, because I will come at the right time. I am your beloved mother and I advise my dear children in this time to have blessed items with you because the Devil will not have such power over you.”
On the 3rd of February, 1991:
“I will be always with you, but My presence will be felt only by those whose prayers come from a pure heart and are sincere.”
On the 17th of February, 1991:
“I have to cry over you because you wander in sin.”
On the 24th of February, 1991:
“Prayer is a big weapon by means anything can be reached — if it, however, comes from a pure and sincere heart. Some people see God to be a judge. It is not like that because he is good and merciful Father of the Heaven and Earth.”
On the 7th of July, 1991:
“If you are tempted, realize that I am always with you and then pray: Immaculate Purity, help me to keep the purity of my heart!”
More than 100,000 pilgrims gathered on the mountain Zvir on the 4th of August 1991.
On the 5th of July, 1992:
“Whoever thinks he possesses the gold on this earth, has nothing.”
On the 8th of November, 1992:
“Pray, please…You have no idea how this can help you. You have so little time!”
On the 4th of April, 1993:
“I beg you again, change your life, sacrifice it completely to God, because that is the only way your life can become eternal. Oh, children, learn to say the following: Let Your holy will be everywhere and in everything, because you are holding eternal Peace.”
On the 9th of May, 1993:
“You have no idea how much sacrifice is needed for this world. Please, make sacrifices for others with love.”
On the 6th of June, 1993:
“Try more to speak to Father like with the Father and your words will be holy, your words will make miracles. Jesus wants to make miracles through you. He loves you and waits.”
Ivetka and Katka answering questions
On the 6th of February, 1994:
“Please, let Jesus calm you down. You are filled with noise and unease of this world and you forget, at the same time, to be quiet and humble in front of God. That is why you do not feel what Jesus, hidden in the Holy Communion, wants to do within you. And what the prayer wants to do inside of you.”
On the 3rd of July, 1994:
“Change your life! Listen to the voice of your Mother… Do not live as if you would not pay attention to the immense love which is given to each one of you. Do not live like those who can see, but who are still blind, like those who can hear, but who are still deaf.”
On the 7th of August, 1994:
“I love you as you are. Each of my sons and daughters should tell me, “Mother, now I want to change my life. I want to meet my Father and I trust you completely that you will help me in that.” This world will never make you happy.”
On the 8th of January, 1995:
“Please, give me all of your problems and troubles because God is the only one who can save you from them. Pray this prayer: ”Oh God, I give you my entire past and I give you my whole future. I thank you for today you have given me. And I thank you because You are with me and I can be happy because I know You will never abandon me.” Please, ask God to give you the compassion to understand this prayer. Thus, each day your heart will be filled with a simple child-like joy.”
On the 5th of March, 1995:
“I ask only one thing of God. That is to leave His peace inside of you. This time is a thief of the peace. Please, say to God: I love — and that is why I regret. I love — and that is why I forgive. I love — and that is my peace.”
On the 7th of May, 1995:
“Please, please, please, think over my words. Change your life and do it because of the love. Change people around you, but do it with love.”
Ivetka Korcakova conveyed the last message of Virgin Mary:
“Glory to Jesus Christ! Our Lady said today: My dear children! This apparition is the last one. I love you. And I thank everybody for what you have done for me here. My beloved children! I wanted this to happen to wake you up from the dream of emptiness. For you to understand that you need to convert. For this period of time you need the converting! Please, please! I will remain on this mountain. Start to think over my messages! For this period of time, please, remain in my heart. You need to be more modest and cautious. Period that comes is already here. Remain then like children. Totally free for God. Please, think over my words! I love you and I wait for you in heaven…”
Ivetka made later several more comments to the messages:
“Something will come that was never experienced by the world before and that will never happen again because we need purification. The Virgin Mary comes and visualizes herself to us and gives you the messages, but you are not interested. Then she comes and cries. She cries blood, but you are not touched by that. What else do you think could wake you up? Everything that will come will be coming from God`s love as you are not able to convert when God asks you to do so…! And purification means that there will be no more indifferent people. I am either for God or against Him. There is nothing in between. Either – or. That is the purification. In this period a lot of bad and good people will die. And I do not say that to frighten you! But for you to keep the peace when the time comes. And she says that only because she can see what is coming. I know that falsehood will come and will be so big that it will shake the strongest ones. Strongest ones! It will be the fraud that had never been experienced by this world so far. Because the Church needs purification. Do you understand? But if you stay with your Mother the falsehood cannot reach you. There will be many of those who will follow this falsehood.” (Ivetka announcing to pilgrims, Litmanova, 4th November 1995).
“Inside peace… What steals our peace – is always sin… that we allowed love to be hurt… nothing on this earth is worth of taking your inside peace away from you… first fruit of the true prayer is always the peace… Each act of our humility God awards with His peace. As for me, after each time I would had fallen or after something that had happened and I did not want that to happen, each time I had looked at God and I had to stand up again and walk. Then I could feel a very deep peace… Peace is too valuable a thing for connecting it with something outside. Peace does not depend on anything. It concerns my deepest desire… as far as I have the desire for God… God will then lead my outside steps. It is an intimacy between me and Him. We can see a lot of evil in the world. We can feel, however, that something should come. Time will come when everyone has to decide either to go with God, or against Him… And this point should be reached by all mankind. If something like that happens, it will be because people will have to decide. But it will be only from pure mercy. At that time, everything that we may hide now will burst out then. I do not want to say it will be worse. I cannot imagine that. It will not be easy, but everyone who will pray, who will start now, who will like a child, hide in Mary, that one will survive. Those who will be close to Mary will be just purified again. More and more. That is why this time will bring more saints than were ever before.” (Ivetka, Litmanova on the 6th December 1997)
Father Augustin Stohl:
“I strongly and unwaveringly believe in the apparitions of Our Lady on the mountain Zvir. I had personally attested to everything in this place myself, as I know very well what has to be certified. Those apparitions are very strong and true.”
Ivetka many years later
On the 3rd of December 1995, Mons. Jan Hirka, residential bishop of the Greek Catholic Church in Presov, ascended the mountain in Litmanova in the snow, accompanied by his vicar and secretary. Here he concelebrated the holy liturgy in Slovak language and he celebrated in an ancient Slovak language. He said to pilgrims:
“Brothers and sisters! I came here on the mountain in Litmanova to greet you as a local ordinary – bishop and to announce: “What happened here was nothing noxious against the faith, nor against the moral. Church should be, however, careful and that is the reason why it does not approve, nor rejects what is happening here. Our commission will continue to work on the Litmanova matter according to regulations of sacred Congregation for dogmatic matters, and we will inform the Holy See about the results.”
Provincial of the monastic order of St. Basil the Great, Father Marian Potas, in 1991, became a member of the investigative commission:
“Our bishop commission also registers miraculous recoveries and records everything. We have the case of a lady who was disabled for 14 years, body half-paralyzed, and she could not walk. Women brought her onto the mountain once. She drank from the stream, prayed, and was able to walk back down on her own feet. She started back to work immediately. One boy had leukemia; today he is a soldier. From the army doctor he was given the assessment that he is completely healthy now. Viktoria Folvarcik, Nova Lubovna: “From 1981 I had a big pain in my back, joints, knees and I had permanent problems with the pressure. I was in six hospital stays in different places of our former republic. As I got older the pain intensified. No one doctor would give me the hope of being healed. On the 25th March 1992 I woke up at 3:00 after midnight when I heard the voice: “Today, you should go to Litmanova!” Before half past five I heard the voice again: “My child, today you should go to Litmanova!” I jumped out of the bed and realized that the Virgin Mary had talked to me… Mr. Rusnak from Litmanova opened a room for us where Our Lady used to appear. We prayed… From that day forward I have had no problems with my health.”
Maria Majzel, Salt: “In 1968 I had a brain stroke which caused me many problems. When I came here for the first time I touched the bench where Mary had sat. I could see a big relief. And when I ran down the mountain, I heard the voice which said to me to prove to the public that I am cured, that I was recovered.”
Polish priests offered to the investigative commission documents – including medical records about the mysterious recovery of Stanislava Faron, a pilgrim from Stary Sacz. Stanislava suffered breast cancer. She brought herself water from the mountain Zvir in which she would take baths, and she prayed to the Immaculate Purity. After three months her doctor stated that she had a total recovery.
“Mother of God”, Santa Maria, California, United States, 1990
In May of 1990, author Janice Connell was invited to visit Santa Maria, California, where a housewife, Sadie Jaramillo, was receiving messages from the Virgin Mary. The Blessed Mother desired that a huge cross be erected on a hill overlooking the town. Driving out to that hill, she was amazed to find as many as 20,000 people – mostly of Spanish descent – assembled on the hill. They were all dressed in their Sunday best clothing – the men in suits, the women in beautiful attire as if attending a wedding, and the children exquisitely dressed in white clothing, dresses, white shoes, and white veils. They were praying the Rosary and singing hymns. It was very hot with no room to sit as everyone was standing on the hill. There was an air of expectation and a spirit of joy in the air.
Sadie Jaramillo, alleged visionary
Suddenly, people began to exclaim, “Look at the sun!” It was spinning and pulsating. Great rays of light of every possible color streaked from the center of the sun across the sky like lightning. Some people wept; others tried to film the phenomenon; others just gazed in wonder. A little girl about seven years old, standing near Janice, suddenly fell to her knees and stretched her arms towards the sun, crying, “Madre de Dios!” (Mother of God). Two little boys, probably two and three years old, also fell to their knees. Great tears of joy fell to the ground from their little cheeks as they, too, cried out, “Madre de Dios!” Their little arms reached up to a figure only they could see.
“Mother of God”
Some people claiming to see her were trying to take Polaroid pictures. Walking up to one woman, Janice asked to see her developing Polaroid photograph. In about three minutes the photo was fully developed, and there was a clear white image of the traditional figure of the Blessed Virgin!
A bird appeared to fly out of the sun and swooped down before them, hovering near the kneeling children. Then it ascended to high in the sky in front of them and became surrounded with and encased in pure white light. Then it seemed to fly back into the sun and disappeared from sight. It was then that the author realized that this day was Pentecost Sunday.
Sadie Jaramillo being interviewed on Christian television
The messages that this housewife received are not yet approved despite many of them sounding quite familiar in theme and language. Some experts have picked them apart and cast serious doubts on her authenticity. The church has not ruled on this one yet. Nevertheless, 20,000 pilgrims had some amazing experiences that day in May – as did author Janice Connell.
The visionary, Judiel Nieva, reportedly started receiving private apparitions of Our Lady in 1987 when he was only 10 years old and in the sixth grade. These initial visions took place in the privacy of his own home. He was the seventh child of eight born to poor parents who worked two stalls at the local market. Everyone in Agoo knew Judiel because he was reputed to have special powers – even at his age of ten. He was sought as a healer. He had reported psychic abilities – like being able to detect a non-believer, even from a great distance. (The name “Judiel” means “Bearer of God’s Mercy.”) He prayed frequently and wrote down on paper the messages from Our Lady each time she gave him some. Investigators noted that these hastily-written notes were carefully worded with near perfect grammar, seemingly beyond that of his age.
Later, Our Blessed Mother instructed the visionary to go with some of his friends up to the small spring of water in the hills above Agoo, the site of San Antonio. This is where the first public apparition took place on March 31, 1989. First, there was a bright flash of light. Then he heard voices and the sounds of trumpets while angels descended from heaven toward him, singing, “Alleluia” and “Salve Regina.” The angels formed an inverted “V” with three angels on either side and St. Michael at the apex with a white dove above his head. The Holy Family appeared on a cloud – St. Joseph with a shepherd’s staff, and Our Lady was sitting on a rock, holding baby Jesus on her lap. The angels identified themselves – each representing a day of the week:
St. Michael (Sunday) – holding a weighing scale and a sword
St. Gabriel (Monday) – holding a plum and a book
St. Raphael (Tuesday) – holding a fish and a sword
St. Uriel (Wednesday) – holding a weighing scale
St. Setiel (Thursday) – holding an incensor
St. Judiel (Friday) – holding a music book and a bouquet of flowers
St. Baracheil (Saturday) – holding a small child
Then Our Blessed Mother stood up over a guava tree on a rise, high, overlooking the spring, and spoke. Her Immaculate Heart was visible on her chest, and light radiated outward towards the spring of water – which the infant Jesus then waded in. Mary promised to visit Judiel every first Saturday and on her Feast days. She asked for other people to return also.
Over 50 apparitions occurred between March 31, 1989 and September 8, 1993. As each apparition day approached, he would begin a period of fasting and meditation. During this time he would not speak to anyone or appear in public. He preferred privacy, but when in public, male friends would act as “bodyguards.” Just before the Virgin Mary would appear, her presence could be detected through the extraordinary fragrance of roses. People would kiss the ground when they perceived this. A flash of light usually preceded her appearance.
Mary was “a heavenly beauty to behold.” She wore a long white dress with a long mantle which touched the cloud upon which she stood. Only her toes could be seen. At the hem of her dress was a shining star, with a brighter star on her forehead. On her head was a beautiful crown, and above the crown was a halo of twelve stars. Her eyes were bluish-brown. Her Immaculate Heart was exposed. She usually carried a rosary and sometimes a scapular. At times Mary would be weeping – sometimes tears of blood flowed profusely from her eyes.
The statue of the Virgin Mary in Agoo, Philippines
Her messages were simple and focused on praying the rosary, penance, conversion, and consecration to her Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She also stressed humility and sacrifice. Judiel received secrets which have not been revealed. Judiel was also shown visions of heaven, hell, and purgatory.
Large crowds were present during each apparition. Tens of thousands of people converged on this small community, causing traffic jams for scores of miles. Those present were often treated to spectacular signs and visions in the sky as well the “miracle of the spinning sun,” the aroma of roses, and a mysterious blue light whenever Mary would appear to Judiel. The miracle of the “dancing sun” was witnessed by many thousands of people on several occasions. First, the sun would change from its usual radiant glare to a softer glow covered by a disc. Then different colors would radiate from the sun, spinning these rays of predominantly blue, green, red, and yellow colors onto the crowds as colored discs. These colors would remain on the disc-shaped objects for a few seconds after the disc was touched. Images of angels, the Holy Family, Jesus, and Mary with Joseph would appear from the pulsating sun.
March 31, 1992: Our Lady presented the “Seven Keys to Heaven” and begged Judiel to pray the 15 mysteries of the rosary, daily, while traveling, so that he would be protected from all dangers of body and soul.
Attend daily Mass.
Visit the Blessed Sacrament often.
Wear the Brown Scapular (cloth).
Pray the 15 mysteries of the holy rosary with the litany and Hail Holy Queen.
Do the Way of the Cross.
Go to Confession regularly.
Make Communion of Reparation on First Fridays and First Saturdays.
April 4, 1992: Mary said that the year 1995 would be the year of sorrows. Many babies and little children will die from an unknown disease. These deaths would not be a punishment but “an act of mercy to spare them from the coming chastisement, which was too horrible.”
May 23, 1992: Mary says,
“If you don’t help me, the wrath of God shall fall upon mankind. I can hardly hold the hand of My Son back. If you don’t repent, it will happen very soon. It may happen within two years.”
Visionary Judiel Nieva experiencing a Eucharistic miracle; Host turns to flesh and blood in front of witnesses.
June 11, 1992: Mary says,
“If the world does not change, I will send the warning. The earth will shake. The sun will spin with a big explosion, and the moon will appear in the morning and the sun at night. The miraculous phenomenon will be visible all over earth, and all of this will happen within half an hour. Big storms, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and changing weather conditions are already on their way.”
July 4, 1992: Mary says,
“Pray the holy rosary — Satan will be defeated because he hates hearing the name of My Son and my name. Teach your children how to pray the holy rosary …”
August 1, 1992: An angel appeared and gave Judiel Holy Communion from a Host and a Chalice suspended in mid-air.
September 5, 1992: Many people witnessed the “miracle of the sun.”
November 14, 1992: Mary said,
“I am your Mother. Love each other. Forgive each other. Pray, pray, pray. I love you very much. … It is not enough to ask for peace, but make peace. Do not turn peace to violence. Ask for faith that you may be patient. If you do not change your ways, you will provoke the Third World War.”
December 13, 1992: A Eucharistic Miracle was witnessed by Father Cortez and nuns at the convent. A statue of Mary, carved according to Judiel’s description of her, was brought to the convent and shed tears to the amazement of the nuns and Father Cortez. When Father Cortez placed a Host on Judiel’s tongue, witnesses reported that they saw it “turn into flesh and blood.” When Judiel went back to his pew after communion, he felt liquid dripping from his mouth. Then the Host swelled in his mouth, and the person next to him alerted Father Cortez, who urged him to spit it out. The Communion Host had transformed into pulsating flesh and blood. Father Cortez wanted to preserve this Eucharistic Miracle, but Our Lady intervened and said that Judiel must swallow it. As a concession however, the nuns were allowed to press and imprint the bloody Host onto their white handkerchiefs. Each nun did receive an imprint on each handkerchief. Then Judiel put the Host back on his tongue – at which time it slowly turned back into a white host — just before he swallowed it, according to witnesses. When Father Cortez asked him to open his mouth afterwards, there was no trace now of blood, flesh, or the host.
January 23, 1993: Mary said,
“On February 6th, I will give a great and special sign to the people coming to Agoo.”
February 6, 1993: The statue of Our Lady cried tears of blood after the regular First Saturday apparition at “Apparition Hill.” A great number of pilgrims also witnessed the “Miracle of the Sun.” Later that night, the statue was brought to the bishop’s palace in San Fernando. Bishop Lazo reported that he witnessed with his own eyes the statue shedding tears of blood. He said that the room filled with the strong fragrance of roses, “and we knelt and prayed.” He even placed his own fingers in the blood that was on the face of the statue – and tasted the blood. It was salty. A photograph captured the moment, showing the smeared bloody face of the statue after he placed his fingers on it. The National Bureau of Investigation tested the blood and determined that it was human blood, type “O”. The Virgin Mary said that day,
“The only word I wish to say is conversion for the whole world. I ask only for the conversion of hearts. Be ready for everything, and be converted.”
The weeping blood of the Virgin’s statue in Agoo. The observing bishop placed his fingers in it.
February 11, 1993: Reported by cloistered nuns, a six-year old boy — who had been born blind – had his sight miraculously restored during the apparition on this date. This was the first documented healing associated with the apparitions. The weeping statue was also attributed to two unexpected healings of a high official’s critically ill wife.
Interest had grown tremendously in the apparition occurrences to the point that countless thousands started gathering in the days preceding an event. On March 5, 1993, the day before the next apparition, a Manila Bulletin reporter covering the events said that he personally witnessed “a spinning and dancing of the sun” for about 15 minutes. And at dawn of the apparition day, “the sun again moved and danced” for a brief time.
March 6, 1993: It is estimated that one million people gathered that day for the anticipated apparition. The crowd included top Philippine government officials, journalists, and the local bishop – acting as a representative for the Pope. Father Cortez conducted a noontime Mass at “Apparition Hill” with this massive assembly. At one point Father appealed for silence from the crowd, calling for them to feel the presence of Christ in their hearts. Suddenly, the silhouette of the Virgin Mary appeared for five seconds above the guava tree. Two government officials, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore, attested to seeing this manifestation in Agoo. A radio reporter, Mon Francisco, described the apparition to listeners of Manila radio station DZXL.
“I saw a silhouette of a woman wearing a dark waistband. I had not expected to see any apparition – and I was not hallucinating!”
About ten minutes afterwards, Judiel was reading a message he had just received from the Virgin when “lights of different colors came from various directions and moved toward the sun,” according to the Manila Bulletin. Her message asked for Catholics to pray for the children of famine-wracked Somalia. Judiel announced that the next and last apparition would be on September 8, 1993.
Bishop Salvador Lazo also experienced the phenomenon. He created a commission to investigate, gather evidence and testimonies, and report to the Vatican on the events. Scores of miraculous cures have been attributed to the water spring at the apparition site.
September 8, 1993: Mary said in her final public message,
“My children, listen. You see how hard Satan is working to destroy unity in the whole world, especially between the priesthood and the flock, and in families between man and the children. Satan works to take away peace and unity, to stir up trouble all over the universe. We have to launch a counterattack – which can only be through the holy rosary. So pray the whole mysteries of the rosary daily, because this is the most evangelical prayer.”
Despite all of these details, witnessed miracles, and public events, the commission created by Bishop Lazo condemned everything without explanation – giving only reference to alleged financial misdoings by the visionary’s family and Judiel’s own personal gender identity issues – seemingly unrelated concerns that should hardly dismiss all that occurred in Agoo of a supernatural nature. Because of politics and unfair biases, this series of remarkable events, well-witnessed by thousands, remains relatively unknown because of the abrupt dismissal.
“Guardian of the Faith”
CUENCA, ECUADOR (1988-1990)
High in the cold and rainy Andes Mountains of Ecuador, Our Blessed Mary reportedly appeared in the remote farming village of El Cajas to a sixteen year-old girl named Patricia Talbot. Known affectionately as “Pachi” to her countrymen, she was a beautiful young woman who already had a promising worldly career as a fashion model. She was not a particularly religious woman and had been much more excited about traveling the world, promoting her country by modeling modern clothing inspired by the traditional clothing of Ecuador. She was not interested in spiritual things and had even refused an invitation to view a school video about the apparitions at Medjugorje, assuming that “those things just don’t happen anymore.” Her mother worried about her increasing vanity and costly trips.
On August 28, 1988, at 4:50 a.m., a great light invaded her bedroom at home, and Blessed Mary first appeared to this 16-year old out of the light.
“Do not be afraid. I am your Mother from Heaven. Place your hands on your chest and pray very much for the peace of the world – now is when it is most in need. I love you very much, my littlest daughter. Change. Pray for priests and religious, because Satan tempts them with sin, and his main attack will be to bring confusion. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I desire that you make me an altar in this place and put blessed candles on it. I am the Guardian of the Faith, and I will always be with you. Now, my little one, call your mother; pray until dawn as I showed you. I love you very much, my little girl.”
Pachi was very startled — but not afraid. When asked to pray, she began to quickly say an “Our Father,” but Mother Mary told her to pray it more slowly and with feeling. Then Our Lady vanished, leaving a soft scent of flowers, which remained for three days in the whole house.
Patricia, a 16-year old model, is about to have her life change.
Pachi felt confused and cried. She woke her mother and told her what had happened. They both prayed together until dawn. Later that morning she bought candles and created an altar in her bedroom. Over the following days, close friends and family began to pray at the site. About 23 more apparitions occurred in that bedroom over the next year. But they also occurred at three other locations until March of 1990.
At the beginning of October, Pachi traveled to Costa Rica and Mexico with a group of models. While in Mexico City, she felt compelled to kneel at the altar of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the great basilica. Upon closing her eyes to pray, Pachi felt a deep repentance for her sins. She was given a vision in which she saw a camp full of children from all races of the world. But they were covered with wounds in need of healing; smoke billowed forth from the camp. Then Our Lady appeared to Pachi – “more beautiful than ever.” Our Lady tenderly held Patricia’s hands in Her own and said,
“My little one, I am happy to see you. Don’t be afraid. Pray much for the peace of the world, because it is now that it needs it more than ever. My little child, I am holding back the arm of My Son. Change and convert. I love you very much. Adios, my little daughter.”
The next day, Saturday, October 8, the group was visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe when Patricia suddenly fell to her knees; her body became rigid, tilting her head far back, and she held out her arms, palms upward, toward the sky. Other tourists became startled – but she was completely unaware of them. Later, she described how Mother Mary had appeared to her:
“She was barefooted and standing over a cloud. A blue veil covered her head and flowed down to her ankles. She wore a white skirt with a red blouse. Her eyes are big and long, the color of honey. Her hair, which comes out both sides of the veil, is also honey-colored. Her nose is small and straight, and her lips are thin. Her face is fine, and her skin is golden. She had a crown of twelve stars vertically around her head. Her arms were extended outwards and down, and she was holding the Rosary in her hands with the cross near her left hand. The Rosary is a brown color and the cross had a metal Christ.”
“I am the Guardian of the Faith”
(On other occasions, Mary had a rose on each foot or a crown of roses around her forehead — and dressed in all white.)”
Mary thanked her for coming and told her to pray the Rosary for it “is a shield against evil.” The Virgin told her to meet with her again in 3 days at the original church on Tepeyac Hill – but the group was supposed to depart that evening to fly back to Ecuador.
Patricia expressed her dilemma, but Mary just smiled. That evening the plane was overbooked, and the girls had to wait for the next flight — in several days!
Pachi (Patricia) began to experience dramatic changes within herself. Normally, she would have spent her free time shopping for new clothes. Now, she spent her time in church, in prayer. Three days after seeing Our Lady in the basilica, she went as requested to the church on Tepeyac Hill (original apparition site of Our Lady of Guadalupe). Again Blessed Mary appeared to her and said,
“My little daughter, you do not know how much it gladdens me that you are here. Now, daughter, now I will reveal to you my great secret, which corresponds to the one revealed to the other visionaries. This secret you cannot write nor tell to anyone until I permit you. (Our Lady reveals the great secret to Pachi and then continues…) I put into your hands the great mission of the conversion and turnabout of the world. I am holding back the hand of My Son with the message that I have given you, and if My children convert, the Heart of My Son will soften and the intensity can be diminished or be lost forever. If not, the great trial will come.”
Patricia’s bedroom where the apparitions started.
At this moment, miraculously, the Sacred Host appeared upon her tongue. Patricia felt a great Love pouring into her along with the Virgin’s promise to be with her forever. She took the responsibility of retaining the great secret very seriously.
Pachi felt her life changing, and she no longer wanted to be a model. But she was under a lot of pressure. One day, in November of 1988, praying in her bedroom back in her home town of Cuenca, the Blessed Mother revealed to Pachi the actual date of the great chastisement – telling her again that she could not reveal this to anyone. Mother Mary reassured Patricia that she had made a good choice:
“I am your Mother from Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Guardian of Faith. You do not know how much I rejoice at seeing you again, my little one. You have made a wise decision. Don’t change your mind. Don’t continue in that.”
Pachi felt a great peace afterwards. It was hard to give up her fun-loving activities and stubborn independence. She found a way to still have fun but with a new emphasis in life.
Patricia with her perception of how Our Lady appeared
On December 1st, she stopped in the high school chapel between classes. Kneeling down before the Blessed Sacrament and near a statue of Mary, she felt a gentle breeze and saw a bright light. Her head was thrown backwards again in an awkward posture. Other students noted that she started writing in her notebook while looking upward – and were amazed that she could do that. Afterwards, Patricia had no recollection of having written anything, but here is the message she had transcribed:
“My daughter, please listen to me very well. I want the Rosary to be prayed on December 8 in an open coliseum. See to it that this message is propagated everywhere, that it be done in your country and that you be the ones who carry in your heart the Rosary, which will be the imprint of God’s love. Do not forget, in your city, to have it done in an open space. Please, have all the schools be present there and pray the complete Rosary, the fifteen holy mysteries. I love you so much. Don’t forget that I am the Guardian of the Faith. My little daughter, there always exists a happy tomorrow to a sad yesterday.”
The Bishop would not authorize the event, but said that they were free to gather to pray without official approval. He did not want to sanction the apparitions and have anybody know that that was why they were gathering. Nevertheless, in just three days, two thousand people gathered in an open site, having traveled as far as four hours away! In obedience to the bishop’s requests, Patricia refused to be identified or interviewed, but news of the apparitions had already spread.
On December 15, 1988, family and close friends noted something different when Patricia went into an ecstasy in her bedroom. She began to speak – but without her Cuencano accent! To their amazement, they realized that the Blessed Mother was speaking through Patricia. Pachi was totally unaware of what had happened and did not remember the words she had spoken.
Our Lady leads Patricia to finding a new location high in the mountains
“My daughters, I love you very much. Keep yourselves in My Immaculate Heart and the Merciful Heart of My Son. He is very sad to see that His message does not reach my little hearts. You are my chosen daughters. Put your rosaries on the front of my altar. They will be under my mantle and blessed by my Heart and by the Heart of My Son. I ask you for peace; peace in your hearts, peace with each other, and peace with your Father in heaven. You have in your hands the mission to transmit peace and the change of the world. Remember that I love you so much, and that I am the Guardian of the Faith. Please stop being lukewarm. I want all to be strong in their faith. My little daughters, stop being selfish. Do not keep all that you have for yourselves. This is my message of peace.”
The ladies immediately placed their Rosaries on the altar for Mary to bless. As they finished praying the Rosary the beautiful smell of flowers was present in the room!
On December 25, 1988, the scent of fresh flowers and candles (none present or lit) preceded Blessed Mary’s visit as a group gathered to pray. Mary told them,
“Rejoice in experiencing the love of God in your hearts. The Rosary is the most complete prayer. Do not ask yourself why you pray it. Let it be your shield against the evil one who is at work. Do not detach yourselves of it. The Spirit of God descends upon you. Feel the warmth which enters your heart.”
“I am the Guardian of the Faith”
“My warning comes to an end. I have already said so much. You have the great mission of the conversion of the world. Please, little children, make evil disappear. It is in your hands that the hand of My Son be detained or that you are going to suffer as strongly as the pain of His Heart. Do not be afraid, because I am with you. I will pour out the necessary graces on you. I love you much.”
The day after Christmas, when this group was praying again, the strong odor of incense and flowers permeated Patricia’s house again. Blessed Mary appeared and said,
“Children, continue praying. I want that in the place where you pray for you to organize the ‘wardrobe of the poor’ – and that you collect food for the poor. Children, do not abandon those who have nothing to eat or to wear, because in them is the kingdom of heaven. See in them your Father. Do not be afraid of judgment, because in you is your Father, Son, and Spirit, and I will keep you under My mantle.”
“Do not fear, because the kingdom is near. Do not allow Satan to penetrate the heart which loves God. Little children, know that all that you do benefits the world. Your prayers, penances, and fasts are impeding the third World War. You, my little souls, do you forget that with prayer and fasting you can deter wars and natural catastrophes? It is in your hands. It depends on you whether the chastisement be as strong as the pain that My Son feels, or that it be appeased with prayers.”
Patricia with a priest
On December 28, 1988, Patricia had a new and unexpected experience. She met Jesus! He was standing on a cloud in a long white robe. From his heart came forth two rays, one red and the other white. Like his mother, his skin was golden and his hair long and brown. His arms were extended outward and down. Patricia saw the wounds in his hands and feet caused by the nails of crucifixion. His voice was smooth, sweet, and deep:
“Know that He who speaks to you is your brother, Jesus Christ. Why do you sometimes doubt my presence? I have spoken to you many times, but my little souls, you are innocent in Divine Wisdom. Love My Mother because She holds back the fury of heaven. Love her in all the good that happens to you and be discreet.”
“I am the Merciful Jesus; my heart is filled with mercy. Ask, children. I would like the day of my Mercy to be celebrated. Have in your homes an image of my Merciful Heart. Do not forget that the Father is good and that I came to the world for you, my beloved ones. I am Jesus, and know that all is in your hands. The time is short, and I am already very wounded with all that my stray children have done. I love you, my chosen ones.”
Patricia revealed that these visits are unpredictable but usually during prayers at home or at church. Many times she would feel a “calling deep within myself” to go to a particular location and begin praying. She would usually see a bright light and sometimes a wind blowing right before Mary or Jesus would appear on a cloud.
The boulder marks the new location at El Cajas
From the beginning, Patricia had made a small altar or shrine in her bedroom where she had arranged pictures and statues along with blessed candles. On January 15 of 1989, these pictures and statues began exuding oil and tears. Droplets of blood formed on the crucifix. Regarding this phenomena, Blessed Mary revealed to Pachi on February 1, 1989 that the oil was an oil of salvation for those with strong faith – and that the sick should be blessed with this oil.
“The Father has allowed the grace of the holy oil, and my tears have been shed for the ingratitude of my little children due to the lack of unity, lack of love, and because each nation opens its doors to evil and to its own destruction. Love one another, children, and do not hurt the Father. I am the Guardian of the Faith.”
Patricia’s boyfriend, Andres, had been out of the country for much of this time and was not sure what he believed. Taking a dry picture of the Holy Shroud of Christ, he held it in his own hands while the group prayed. He was amazed to see oil coming from the eyes in the picture and droplets of liquid forming from around the crown of thorns. All of his doubts about the apparitions vanished with this stunning event.
A doctor took samples of the blood droplets and oil from the holy objects. The blood had red blood cells; the oil had human cells in it, but the type of oil could not be identified. In March, Blessed Mary explained that the tears were from her sadness because so many of her children were still so far away from God.
Patricia in deep prayer with the Virgin Mary
Eighteen more apparitions occurred in chapels in Quito, Guayaquil, and Paute. At one point Blessed Mary gave her visions of hell, heaven, and purgatory; Pachi describes:
“Hell is a terrible place, like a big volcano where you see souls that hate each other. There are skulls, and they don’t have faces, but they hate and insult God. I saw some of those bishop ‘hats’ in hell also. Purgatory was like a bunch of hands reaching out and crying, trying to get out of that volcano. While I was there, I heard a voice telling me to pray for them because they couldn’t do anything without our help. I didn’t go into heaven because I didn’t feel that I deserved to. There were two choirs of angels at each side of the door. The Rosary (prayer) is the door, and the cross of the Rosary is the key to open the door to go into heaven. Prayer takes us to Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life; the cross that we carry over our back – our sufferings – is the key to open the door into heaven.”
In June of 1989, Bernardita Jerves de Ugalde, an older model who had been entrusted by Pachi’s mother to take Pachi under her protective wing, helped Pachi look for a better place, more pleasing for Our Lady’s “little children” to gather. They traveled to El Cajas, high in the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 11,000 feet. Finding a place where there was a large rock, they knelt in prayer, seeking confirmation that this location might be pleasing to Our Lady. Patricia felt a wind upon her face and looked up to behold another visit from the beautiful Virgin. Immediately submerged into an ecstasy, Pachi heard Blessed Mary tell her,
“My daughter, you have sought long enough, and you have finally found the place. In this holy place, I will pour forth my blessings on all pilgrims who come to me.”
Patricia in ecstasy with the Virgin Mary.
Mother Mary added that she wanted the area fenced off, and that a special area called “the Garden” be reserved as a holy place, a sanctuary. She said that the “Garden” would be a little piece of Heaven, and only those She invites should come into it.
On August 5, 1989, Patricia and a large number of pilgrims gathered at El Cajas because that was the day Our Lady said was her birthday (exactly the same date that she had claimed when in Medjugorje). The Virgin appeared for her birthday, dressed completely in white. Patricia presented her with a birthday cake and the birthday song, hoping she wouldn’t laugh at them. Blessed Mary smiled and replied,
“One day I was also human, my little one. The singing of my little ones is from their hearts. Their songs arrive to my soul. I am happy when you sing, my little ones.”
A procession to El Cajas for an anticipated apparition event
Jesus also appeared again to Patricia and commented on his mother’s birthday, stating that she is the most beautiful lady both on earth and in heaven.
“She is My Mother. Love My Father more than anything else. Love My Mother because She will take you to My Heart. Tell all of them that I love them. Tell them all to convert faithfully, humbly, and with simple hearts … I want you to pray the Way of the Cross and the Rosary by foot …”
On the first anniversary of the apparitions on August 28, 1989, over 6,000 people traveled from other cities and distant parts of Ecuador to participate in a grand procession. Our Lady appeared and told them through Patricia:
“Today is the first anniversary of my presence in this holy city. My children, you do not know the sorrow the inhabitants of this city cause me. You have not received with simple hearts the Love of my Son and my Love. My children, I will be with you for a very short time due to the ingratitude of the people of Cuenca. I leave you with great sorrow in my heart. I will be on this hill for six months for my pilgrims. The apparitions will be just once a month. My people of Cuenca have received me with great rejection. I ask you, my children, those who have worked with me, to continue sharing their devotion with my little ones.”
Patricia in another ecstasy / apparition at El Cajas
Our Lady then requested that people gather on September 7 and consecrate themselves to the Merciful Heart of Jesus and Her Immaculate Heart. If they did so, she would “pour out My Love upon these little souls with little miracles for my sinners.” In response to her request, over 100,000 people came for the pilgrimage on September 7th. The Archangels Michael and Gabriel accompanied Blessed Mary. She asked for peace, no mockery or sensationalism regarding the apparitions, more prayer, attendance at Mass, and for young people to set an example in praying the Rosary. The massive crowd witnessed supernatural events in the sky – like the sun changing colors and hurtling toward them! These celestial miracles were repeated on other occasions and witnessed by many. Mary promised to return on the first Saturday of each month.
On November 8, 1989, Patricia was trying to study in her bedroom when she sensed Mary’s presence just before she appeared to her. Our Lady told Patricia to look in the little box that the little Fatima statue had been placed on; “There is My Sacred Son.” Patricia removed the statue and opened the box; there was a Sacred Host inside! As she dropped to her knees immediately in adoration, Mary told her that St. Michael had placed it there – and that she should pray before it every day, telling very few people. After several months of dedicated adoration and cautious disclosure, Jesus told her that a priest should distribute it to the inhabitants of the house. On March 4, 1990, after the last apparition of Mary, Father Teran celebrated that special Mass in their home.
The huge crowd for the final apparition in March of 1990.
Another 6,000 people climbed the mountain for the first Saturday in December, 1989. At 7:00 p.m. Blessed Mary appeared to Patricia and told her,
“Forgive one another and remove resentment from your heart. Days of darkness are near, but greater than the darkness of the earth is the darkness of the soul. Why? Because you do not keep lit the lamp of the heart with the light of My Son Jesus. You must learn how to make amends for your faults. When you fall, you must not remain sitting, but you must get up. The greatest fault is when you realize that you have fallen and you don’t get up.”
A phenomenon was witnessed on that day by thousands of persons. The clouds parted and a great light formed the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the sky. Hands and faces sparkled with a golden glow – as if from glitter. This amazing celestial image converted many people who had been “just curious” until that moment.
Patricia is granted an audience with Pope John Paul II
On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, more than fifteen thousand gathered, and Our Lady asked them “to remove all stain of sin from their souls.” She asked them to reconvene on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. At 8:00 p.m., she appeared to Patricia and told her,
“My little children, I love you very much, and I ask you to extend your hands to God as when a little child, learning to walk, extends his arms to his mother. Little children, let yourselves be enveloped with the love of God. Fly with the wings of the Lord, gallop in the beautiful field of God.”
“Children, why do you take so long to change? Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Begin today with firm steps towards a faithful conversion of love … Don’t cover the soul with a mask of hatred, resentment, and pride. Remove the cancer of pride because it is killing your souls.”
On the first Saturday in 1990, on January 6, more than 10,000 convened on the mountain and spent the night; Mary appeared to Patricia at 4:00 a.m.
Patricia shares the Virgin’s personal message for Pope John Paul II
“Children, there is much sorrow in my heart, for many natural catastrophes and others created by man are coming. Hard times are already taking place, a short decade filled with suffering. Children, the third world war is near. Do not frighten your hearts, because the peace of God is with you … Forgive all men. Understand the mercy of God. Understand my petitions. All that I have told you is because God the Father has asked me to. Children, the time is short, very short. Conversion must be faithful. Remove all evil sentiments because Satan penetrates in them. Remove them with the Presence of God in your souls. Children, give thanks to God for what you have … you must fill your hearts with the Light of My Son, so that a desolation of faith will not exist … Children, My Son Jesus imposes his hands on your heads to take away hatred, pride, bitterness.”
During the month of January, some of the pictures in Patricia’s bedroom sweated tears again, and the crucifix bled. There was also a drop of blood on the Sacred Host in her box. She announced in February that March 3rd would be her last visit with Patricia.
Over 115,000 people gathered for the final apparition on March 3, 1990. There was a grand procession with flower-decked litters carrying statues of Jesus and Mary. Once inside the “Garden” area, Patricia’s body arched backward as she looked up to the sky and went into the usual ecstasy. She stared at a single spot in the sky, became unaware of anyone around her, and was unaffected by the sudden drenching downpour of rain. She spoke Mary’s message without any conscious recollection afterwards:
“Today is the day of my physical departure, but my spiritual retreat will never be. I will be with you always, little children. Help those in most need. Love one another, and love God above all things. Children, priests and religious, help in the conversion of the world, the redemption of souls, the purification. Young people, be examples of light. Carry the Cross in your hearts. Put on humility. Children, white doves of peace, be the light.”
Returning to the “Garden” at El Cajas after the apparitions ended.
“Come always to visit me here. Never abandon me, little ones, because I love you so much, so much. At the end of all the apparitions in the world, I will leave a great sign in this place and in all those where I have been. Goodbye, my little ones, my children.”
Because there were television cameras and radio microphones present on this last apparition, the message was broadcast over the entire area as it was being given by Our Lady. People began to weep. Broadcasts repeated the messages over and over for several days throughout the country of Ecuador. The Holy Virgin also gave her instructions for building a sanctuary high in the mountains at El Cajas – complete with dimensions and descriptive details. Patricia also asked her why the statues and pictures on the altar were weeping again. Our Lady replied,
“My tears are poured out for the evil that exists in the world, through atheism and materialism, through adoring false gods, through ignoring the Word of God and the Sacraments. I have not come in order that they recognize me without recognizing My Son Jesus in their heart. I am the Mother of all who believe and who do not believe in me. The pain from having told you what is coming to the world fills my heart with sadness. I also was a Mother, and I felt the pain of saying goodbye to my Son. In the same way, today, I feel the pain of saying goodbye to you, because I am your mother. You should go out into the world, evangelizing, with the Word of God in one hand and My messages in the other.”
Patricia was especially moved by the beauty of the apparition; here is her description:
“Jesus was at the top. Below Him was the Holy Virgin, surrounded by seven angels. They were dressed all in white. There was a brilliant halo behind Jesus and Mary. The scene was beautiful and resplendent. At her feet and to her left was a little man, poorly clothed with a brown tunic that had a belt around it. He had a beard, and he was very thin. You could see he was very poor, and he was holding a skull in one hand and a Rosary in the other hand. The Holy Virgin told me it was St. Francis of Assisi.”
Patricia marries her long-time boyfriend finally.
A geological team had been performing experiments before, during, and after the apparitions. They had two fascinating discoveries: (1) the temperature was clearly measured as warmer only within the sacred “Garden” area of El Cajas, (2) a compass needle shifted 90 degrees during the apparition, pointing in the direction of where the Virgin was said to have appeared. Sister Isabel Bettwy replicated this experiment with her own compass, watching it suddenly shift from its normal position during the apparition to wildly rotating 360 degrees one direction and then the other without any obvious cause — other than the Virgin’s invisible presence at that moment.
For two months in 1989, a Diocesan Commission of three priests was appointed by Archbishop Luna. But they did not read the journals or documentation that had been kept, nor interview any of the key people involved other than Patricia and her mother.
On April 18, 1989, the Commission presented their findings to Patricia and her mother.
The book which details the events of the apparitions in Ecuador.
Despite the documented events of statues weeping or exuding oil, pictures crying tears, drops of blood, the strong smell of roses that were never present, the sun dancing, and the celestial images of Mary in the sky seen by thousands, they stated that they could not prove any supernatural manifestations or confirm that the messages actually came from heaven. The cautious and conservative Commission appreciated her sincerity and did not dismiss the apparitions – but would not officially approve of them.
After thousands of pilgrims traveled to El Cajas from all over Ecuador and from other countries, the Bishop reopened the Diocesan investigation in February of 1990. He enlarged the commission to include five priests and three doctors. An internationally known linguist performed an analysis of Patricia’s voice during the apparitions because it was distinctly different as she related Mary’s messages. Her voice became higher-pitched and more delicate, “sweet to the ears” as many had described. The linguist’s findings were passed on to the Commission as well. But official approval remains elusive as the Commission adopted a “wait and see” attitude while giving permission for the faithful to follow the messages and requests of Our Lady as long as they are not in any conflict with existing Church practices.
Adverse publicity and ridicule led to one priest’s suggestion to Patricia to take a “vow of silence” – to not speak publicly. In her obedience to the Church, she follows that suggestion even to today. However, on April 4, 1990, she did deliver in person a message from the Holy Virgin to Pope John Paul II, receiving his blessing and support. Through Sister Isabel Bettwy, a dedicated investigator who came to Ecuador, Patricia was also able to travel to Medjugorje and become acquainted with the visionaries there. Patricia married her boyfriend, Andres Cordova, in 1991, and then dedicated their lives toward helping the poor and sick as well as teaching youth groups and young couples how to grow deeper in their Catholic faith.
The first incident actually occurred two weeks before World War I, on May 12, 1914, in the village of Hrushiv. Twenty-two people, who were mowing fields near the local church of the Holy Trinity, all witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary. She said to them,
“There will be a war. Russia will become a godless country. Ukraine, as a nation, will suffer terribly for eighty years – and will have to live through the world wars, but it will be free afterwards.”
The church and site of many apparitions to thousands in Hrushiv
People gathered from the entire area to see the apparition – which lasted into the next day.
The people of Hrushiv had planted a weeping willow tree at the site many years ago, commemorating an appearance of the Blessed Mother some 350 years earlier. Later, a spring suddenly appeared beneath the tree. During the severe cholera epidemic of 1855, a local person dreamed that the Virgin had instructed the residents to clear and reclaim the ancient spring and hold Mass. Not one cholera death was reported afterwards.
Then, on April 26, 1987, seventy-three years later after 1914 and exactly one year after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster, a bright light covered this church of the Holy Trinity and the surrounding area. A television program even recorded part of this light phenomenon. From within this “impressive silver dazzle” over the church, the Virgin Mary appeared and floated above the cupola of the church.
Visionary Marina Kizyn in Ukraine
She first appeared to Marina Kizyn, age 12, who immediately called her mother and a few neighbors – who then came, and all saw her there, too. Soon, hundreds and then thousands came from all over Russia to see the apparitions which continued every day until August 15, 1987. It is estimated that a total of 500,000 people had seen her by the time these apparitions ended. On most days the crowd might reach as many as 45,000 to 70,000 people at one time. Neither the Soviet militia nor the KGB could begin to manage the crowds. The Virgin Mary was even seen by the KGB agents! Many priests (from underground Catholic churches) came and provided as many as ten Holy masses per day in front of the church. Many messages were documented:
“I have come on purpose to thank the Ukrainian people because you have suffered most for the church of Christ in the last 70 years. I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will soon come to an end. Ukraine will become an independent state.”
Our Lady of Ukraine
“Do not forget those who have died in the Chernobyl disaster. Chernobyl is a reminder and a sign for the whole world.”
“Forgive your enemies. Through you and the blood of martyrs will come the conversion of Russia. Repent and love one another. The times are coming which have been foretold as being those in the end times. See the desolation which surrounds the world … the sin, the sloth, the genocide. Pray for Russia. Oppression and wars continue to occupy the minds and hearts of many people. Russia, despite everything, continues to deny my Son. Russia rejects real life and continues to live in darkness. If there is not a return to Christianity in Russia, there will be a Third World War; the whole world will face ruin.”
“Teach the children to pray. Teach them to live in truth and live yourselves in truth. Say the Rosary. It is the weapon against Satan. He fears the Rosary. Recite the Rosary at any gathering of people.”
Veneration of Our Lady of Ukraine
“I have come to comfort you and to tell you that your suffering will end soon. I shall protect you for the glory and the future of God’s kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years. The Kingdom of Heaven and Earth is close at hand. It will come only through penance and the repentance of sins.”
“This wicked world is feasting on depravity and impurity. Many lies are proclaimed against the Truth. The innocent are condemned. Many come as false messiahs and false prophets. Be diligent. Be on your guard.”
“Happy are they whose lives are blameless and who walk in fear of the Lord.”
Pope John Paul II honors Our Lady of Ukraine
“My children, all of you are dear to me and please my heart. I make no distinction of race or religion. You here in Ukraine have received knowledge of the One, True, Apostolic Church. You have been shown the door to Heaven. You must follow this path, even though it may be painful.”
“The Eternal God is calling you. This is why I have been sent to you. You in Ukraine were the first nation to be entrusted to me. (The ruler Yaroslav the Wise dedicated Ukraine to the Most Holy Mother of God in the year 1037.) Throughout your long persecution you have not lost faith, hope, or love. I always pray for you, my dear children, wherever you are.”
Location of Hrushiv in the Ukraine.
Although Our Lady predicted that Ukraine would “suffer terribly for eighty years” before gaining independence, she was extremely close in her prediction! Ukraine had its declaration of independence ratified in Kiev on August 24, 1991 – some 77 years after Blessed Mary’s prediction in 1914!
The church of Saint Demiana in Papadouplo is a very small and poor Coptic Orthodox church, and the surrounding “streets” are very narrow – about four meters wide. For several months residents nearby witnessed strange flashes of light appearing over the church. On the evening of Tuesday, March 25, 1986, the Holy Virgin Mary started her appearances in the church of Saint Demiana the Martyr near El-Teraa El-Boolakia street in the overcrowded Shoubra quarter of Cairo, Egypt. Our Lady appeared beside the two towers of the church and was first seen by people living in the houses overlooking the church’s towers. Her light shone into their houses, and they saw Her in Her full body surrounded by a halo of light over the western dome of the church. This apparition repeated several times. Then the news spread and people from all sects and religions came to see these supernatural appearances. The very narrow streets became overcrowded with thousands of night vigils praying and singing doxologies, liturgies, and hymns to the Mother of True Light for entire nights.
Drawing of apparition site at church in Shoubra
On Wednesday, April 9, 1986, His Holiness Coptic Pope Shenouda III issued the following papal order:
“As we have received news of spiritual phenomena occurring in the church of Saint Demiana in Papadouplo, Shoubra, we have entrusted a special committee to investigate this matter and present a report after examining the news we have received, and the witnesses of those who have seen unnatural phenomena in the church in Shoubra.”
The committee examined the accounts of eye-witnesses, and on Thursday, April 10, at midnight, the members of the Papal Delegation went to the church to watch closely the reported spiritual phenomena. They stayed there till a little before morning. At 3:40 a.m. on the dawn of Friday, April 11, they saw the Holy Virgin in a clear form surrounded by a halo of light; this apparition lasted until 5:00 a.m. This headline, “Spiritual phenomena seen by thousands in Shoubra quarter,” was published Sunday, April 13, 1986 in the Egyptian weekly Watani newspaper.
A very luminous and radiating unnatural light appeared inside the church tower and was shining to the outside. The two towers above the church roof do not connect with the church interior. This light in the towers continued to shine even after the electric current was cut in the whole quarter, creating a power outage for a complete hour during that Friday night. The committee concluded that “these apparitions are a blessing for Egypt and a blessing for the Church.” The committee returned to the church on several other occasions after this and were again blessed with more appearances of the Virgin Mary along with other spiritual phenomena.
The Virgin Mary with the religious followers
The apparitions also occurred during the daytime hours. Blessed Mary appeared inside the church on the eastern side of the altar and on the inside of the church dome next to a painting of Her Son Jesus. During the Holy Mass held by Father Heg. Dawod Tadros on the morning of Friday, June 20, 1986, a very clear appearance of the Virgin Mary occurred. She was holding our Lord Jesus Christ in Her arms. These apparitions were not limited to luminous transfigurations. At other times flames were seen, surrounding the Blessed Mother like “tongues of fire” that eventually evolved into a very bright light. Members of the Papal Delegation witnessed this supernatural occurrence.
Also on April 10, at 4:00 a.m., a flame of light was seen extending from the western tower of the church and then returning to it, turning the darkness of the night into light. The flame had a wavy surface, showing interlaced tongues and waves of light and fire. It varied in color from orange to very bright white.
Saint Demiana also made appearances, sometimes preparing the way for the Holy Virgin. One time Saint Demiana was seen holding a green branch. On another occasion both St. Demiana and the Holy Virgin were seen emerging from a luminous mass that had been moving from the west toward the east. The mass disappeared and the Virgin remained clearly in sight. She extended Her hands toward the crowds and then moved towards the balcony inside the church. Then she moved upwards into the sky until she disappeared from sight.
At night, supernatural lights surround the church in Shoubra
On another occasion a white light shone over the western tower and illuminated the wooden cross, making the cross appear as if it were a flame. At another time light radiating out from the western tower took on an oval shape. A white pigeon appeared in the middle of this light, opening its wings and then flying over the church. The Blessed Virgin appeared out of this same kind of light on another night. Writings in Coptic letters were seen in the sky.
On the night of April 13, 1986, the Virgin Mary appeared in Her full body of normal size in three bright and luminous colors: white, blue, and red. Her whole body was luminous and could be seen beside the church domes overlooking Abd El-Metaal street. This appearance only lasted a few seconds just before one o’clock in the morning. Thirty minutes later the apparition repeated — along with several flashes “like lightning,” appearing along the wall of the church.
Then miracles began to be reported. Theresa Soliman Youssef, six years old, had lost vision in her right eye after a needle had pierced her eye, injuring the cornea and lens and creating a traumatic cataract on November 17, 1984. An infection worsened the eye’s condition. On May 18, 1986, the mother took this girl to the Saint Demiana church in Shoubra for Mass. After Holy Communion they ascended to the church’s balcony and stood there with the crowd. Suddenly, a strong light shone from the right side of the veil of the altar. Young Theresa raised her hand towards the source of the light, then wiped her sick eye with the palm of her hand and suddenly shouted with excitement,
“I can see my mother … I can see mother!”
Crowds pack the narrow streets to see the Virgin.
Dr. Fayez Akhnoukh examined the child and tested the acuity of both of her eyes. He confirmed that the girl has been healed miraculously. The church recorded and documented this miracle. Pope Shenouda III approved these apparitions in Shoubra.
