73
September 10, 1997

THE LAST TIMES

When Our Lady says that we will lament for the times when she conveyed God's messages to us, does that mean that the last times have arrived? Looking at the situation in the world it would not be difficult to come to that conclusion. Everywhere there is an abundance of evil and disorder, like the authentic product of a civilization which boasts that it does not believe and does not want to believe in God.

At the beginnings of Christianity some Christians thought that the last times had already come. For that reason they did not want to do any work, but only spent the days waiting for that last moment. That kind of behavior of theirs was quickly rejected. The first Christian superiors understood that the concept "last" might last a little longer than we think.

I do not represent the opinion that the second coming of Christ is very close. Perhaps he is already here for some time. What I am saying is that each of our own days should be lived as if those last days were already before us. Primarily in that light do I understand Our Lady's words about the necessity of having to live her messages. Each moment and every hour is our last times. In Our Lady's dictionary that is called our time of grace.

Fr. Miljenko Stojic

NUMBER OF HOLY COMMUNIONS AND CONCELEBRATIONS

During the month of August in the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje 181,000 Holy Communions were distributed and 684 priests from home and abroad concelebrated at holy masses, that is, 123 daily.

We will enumerate some of the countries from which pilgrims arrived during August to visit Medjugorje: Romania, Lebanon, Spain, France, Ireland, England, Korea, Slovakia, Czech Republic, America, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, India, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Hungary, Holland, Slovenia and, of course, Croatia.

FR. IVAN LANDEKA IN THE HAAG

The Medjugorje pastor Fr. Ivan Landeka returned from a several days visit to Holland. In the setting of that visit Fr. Ivan met with the Croatian general Tihomir Blaskic, charged before the court in the Haag. On the occasion Fr. Ivan heard the confession of General Blaskic and celebrated Holy Mass with him and also with a Dutchman who for many years has been a Medjugorje pilgrim. After his return Fr. Ivan, among other things, also said this:

"After the visit of Fr. Slavko Barbaric to general Blaskic, the general wanted a priest to visit him who would say mass with him on the occasion. After the usual procedure I obtained all the necessary permissions. My impression is that the general is in good physical, spiritual and psychological health, although in prison for 15 months. He is in a good mood. It is interesting that he accuses nobody of anything and he blames nothing on anyone. That meeting with him, that experience with him in prison was for me a great encouragement. General Blaskic does not live with a family, but he consciously carries that part of his life. And that in a serious, human, religious and military way. He is deeply convinced of his innocence. He has ordered his life in prison in the best possible way. Each day is organized for him and composed of work, reading, physical exercise, prayer and rest. Among other things general Blaskic prays the rosary every day."

SILVER JUBILEE OF FR. PETER LJUBICIC

Fr. Peter Ljubicic is well known among Medjugorje pilgrims as a priest who for ten years worked in the parish of Medjugorje. On August 3, 1997 he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination in Prisoje, the parish of his birth. By their presence on that occasion the large gathered number of Medjugorje pilgrims and friends of Medjugorje expressed their gratitude for his sincere and dedicated priestly ministry.

Since it is happening that some individuals of so-called Communities throughout the world are collecting money in the name of the Parish Office of Medjugorje, we hereby announce that no one is permitted to collect money for any cause whatsoever in the name of the shrine of the Queen of peace without approval of ecclesiastical and local civil authorities of Medjugorje.

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Last Modified 09/10/97