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February 24, 1999

WE ABOUT OURSELVES

Some seasons and periods in the Liturgical Year also have their own names. That distinguishes them from the other seasons in a particular way. It distinguishes them not so as to make the others less important, but so as to more strongly proclaim an essential element of the Christian faith. Lent is one of those seasons and during these days we have just entered into Lent. The content of the Lenten season is more or less the content of all the other seasons. The Church, because of its longstanding spiritual experience, nevertheless more strongly proclaims some elements of the faith. It proclaims them thus because retreating from them would also be retreating from the gospel way of life.

Man digests the truth about himself with difficulty. Therefore, in this people keep the strictest diets, one wise expression says. We are too busy with information about people and the world around us. We leave too little time and space for ourselves: what is the real truth about our own religious position? Talk about the necessity of prayer, fasting, visible signs of concern for one's neighbor through reconciliation and solidarity, is talk about medicinal means that heal and then we are in a position to accept the truth about ourselves. That truth sets free spiritual and corporal strength for Christians to produce the fruits that belong to conversion. (Lk 3:8)

Fr. Ivan Landeka

N E W S

THE RETIRED ARCHBISHOP OF SPLIT-MAKARSKA ON MEDJUGORJE

In an interview for Kulturni Obzor the retired Archbishop of Split-Makarska, Msgr. Frane Franic, referred to the Medjugorje events:

To the question: For you the mediation of Mary is unquestionable. What is Mary's role in the modern world? What do you say about her role in Medjugorje? Archbishop Franic said:

It is a fact that there are numerous Marian shrines in all Catholic nations. The most known and the most frequented today are the Marian shrines in Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje. I am partial and an advocate in the Church of the many charisms that St. Paul enumerates in his epistles, prophecy, physical miracles of healing and praising God in other tongues, which is what I have in recent days read also in the Pope=s letter Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) in the Italian translation. There he spoke about mysticism and about the need for renewal of metaphysics in philosophy and theology. For me after some of my personal experiences, it was not difficult to recognize Our Lady's presence in Medjugorje, where she has been speaking already for the eighteenth year through her chosen visionaries and thus to recognize the authenticity of those Marian apparitions. But one must also look out for false apparitions and locutions, because there have always been such false prophets and there always will be.

Kulturni Obzor, no. 250, Zagreb Feb 14, 1999, p. 13

MISSIONARY TRAVEL OF FR. JOZO ZOVKO

At the invitation of bishops, priests, prayer groups and the faithful, Fr. Jozo Zovko for almost a whole month was on a pastoral visit to Lebanon, Syria and Korea. On his return Fr. Jozo spoke with a journalist from Slobodna B-H. Here we report only the essentials.

The message of Our Lady of Medjugorje has reached the whole world, and even to Lebanon, Syria and especially Korea. Touched by Our Lady's messages, many have changed their lives. Therefore they all want to hear direct witnesses of the events in Medjugorje and their testimony. At the prayer meeting in Beirut Fr. Jozo met with Cardinal Nesellah Boutros Sfeir, then Bishop Pakul Emile Saad, and the apostolic nuncio Bishop Armondo Bortolasio. Fr. Jozo stressed the heartfelt meeting with the papal nuncio who wished to speak with Fr. Jozo alone. AAfter we went into his residence, he thanked me for all that I am doing for Lebanon and for the whole world. He told me how he had been to Medjugorje once and how important the events and messages are that are coming to the world from Medjugorje. He said how happy he is because of that.

The prayer meetings Fr. Jozo held in Korea were in overflowing churches and sport stadiums. During that fifteen day stay in Korea Fr. Jozo held prayer meetings in Seoul, Taeago, Choonchon, Osunjol and Pusan.

THE SEASON OF LENT

A great number of pilgrims, both individuals and groups, decide to come on pilgrimage to Medjugorje precisely during Lent. Therefore here are some announcements in connection with the prayer program in the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje. Daily prayer program starts with praying the Rosary [Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries] at 5:00 PM and Holy Mass at 6:00 PM. After that follows the blessing prayers and the third part of the Rosary [Glorious mysteries]. The Rosary is prayed on Apparition Hill [Podbrdo] on Sundays at 2:00 PM and the Way of the Cross on Fridays at 2:00 PM on Cross Mountain [Krizevac]. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place after the evening mass on Thursdays and from 9:00 to 10:00 PM every Wednesday and Saturday. During Lent after the evening Holy Mass the Way of the Cross is prayed in Church. Opportunity for holy confessions is provided every day during the evening prayer program.

Published by: INFORMATIVNI CENTAR MIR - Svetiste Kraljice mira (Information Center MIR - Shrine of the Queen of Peace), 88266 Medjugorje, BiH, fax number: +387-88-651-444.
Director: fra Miljenko Stojic.
You can receive the latest issue of the Press Bulletin at any time on your own fax machine in the tone mode by dialing the
Robofax in our Information Center at +387 88 65 15 55.
E-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr; Internet: http://www.medjugorje.hr
Published every other Wednesday.

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Last Modified 02/24/99