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March 11, 1998

DO NOT NEGLECT INSPIRATIONS

A gifted woman sculptor would always find some excuse for not having realized her inspirations for her artistic work. The sting of conscience from that fact was transformed into a dream that was constantly repeated: After her death this artist always saw herself in some hall that was decorated in black. She was continuously crying. Around her on the walls, namely, were exhibited those sculptures that she neglected to make during life. (K. Seidl)

This image, taken from life, says an awful lot. Taken just in itself it says a lot. In the light of the season (Lent) and in the light of following Our Lady's messages it speaks even more expressly and animatedly. Jesus talks about reading and recognizing the signs of the times. A correct reading of the signs of the times belongs to the fundamental positive trait of the Christian life. Equally important for the life of faith is also the knowledge of what time is. One hears all the more often that "Time is Money". And a person begins to act according to that. But, is life merely that which can be bought, obtained and gladly given with money? The believer of our times knows that it is not easy to get or to make money. That is also an art - knowing how to make money. Difficulties ordinarily arise then when a man puts all his hopes into making money. He gets it, but he isn't satisfied. The same situation of hopelessness knows how to catch hold of the one who succeeds as well as the one who fails in making money.

The instruction of Lent is completely simple: do not neglect and do not miss hearing the inspirations of the Holy Spirit that are proclaimed in God's word through the liturgical signs. For success in these kinds of decisions a visible guarantee does not exist. But clear directions do exist: "Watch and pray that you not undergo the test (Mt 26:41)"; "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God(Mt 4:4)"; "The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve(Mt 4:10)"; "You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test (Mt 4:7)". All these words Jesus said after his forty-days of fast and prayer in the desert.

In her last message Our Lady also does not wish to say anything else to us but this.

Fr. Ivan Landeka

NUMBER OF HOLY COMMUNIONS AND CONCELEBRATIONS

During January in the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje 30,000 Holy Communions were distributed and there were 664 concelebrations at holy mass by priests from home and abroad, that is 23 daily.

VISIT OF A BRAZILIAN ARCHBISHOP

Archbishop Krieger from Brazil visited the parish of Medjugorje from February 25 - 28, 1998. At the evening mass on February 27, he preached to the assembly of the faithful. We here present his entire sermon:

"I am Bishop Murillo Krieger, archbishop of the city of Maringo in Brazil. Eight years have pass since I was in Medjugorje. For me it is a great joy to be here together with you, because Medjugorje has always remained in my heart. Since I am here with you, certainly you would like to know everything that an archbishop thinks about Medjugorje.

I see Medjugorje as a gift and a responsibility. Medjugorje is a gift and a grace. Our Lady gives to everyone who comes here the possibility to find the same love and tenderness that she revealed in Cana of Galilee. Our Lady has come close to us and asks of us to "Do all that He tells you." And the servants in Cana of Galilee did everything asked of them and they filled up the jars with water. Thus it was possible for Jesus to work his first miracle in Cana. If our hearts had been open and ready to walk in the way of Christ, everything that the Lord wanted to do through Medjugorje would have already been done. Is it really that hard to give our hearts to Jesus Christ?

Medjugorje is a great responsibility. I understood that immediately, from the first moment I set foot on the soil of Medjugorje. That was in May 1985 immediately after my episcopal consecration. Observing and listening to the visionaries I came to the conclusion that they need our prayers so they may be able to be faithful to their mission. From that moment I decided to dedicate to them the first five mysteries of my daily Rosary. That is my small gift. I thereby offer my support and help because they have an important mission which is obvious in the presentation of Medjugorje regarding the parish and the Church in the world. I am grateful to the visionaries for their being disposed and open to the grace of God. I am grateful also to the Franciscans for their dedication and perseverance in this pastoral work. I am grateful to you in the parish of Medjugorje because you have responded in great numbers to Our Lady's call. You cannot even imagine how important is the role of this parish for the Church and the world. May the Lord bless all of you. May Our Lady, Queen of Peace with her intercession accompany you, your friends and brothers and sisters in Medjugorje."

VISIT OF A MILITARY ARCHBISHOP

On March 1, 1998 the Archbishop for the Unites States Armed Forces visited the parish of Medjugorje. Here is what he said on that occasion:

"I am Edwin O'Brien, the archbishop responsible for the entire armed forces of the United States of America. That is the responsibility for every American in all branches of the military, for military hospitals and for all members of the diplomatic corps. I began this ministry in September, 1997. Recently I became an archbishop. My assignment is to visit American military personnel there where they are serving. I have been in the Pacific and now I'm in Europe (Italy, Germany, England, Belgium and Bosnia-Hercegovina). For Christmas I visited Sarajevo and I was very disappointed that I did not succeed then in coming to Medjugorje. I had to answer: No! I did not have the opportunity. I was living in Rome from 1985 to 1990, but I did not come. When I was in Sarajevo I asked my superiors if I can visit Medjugorje. Today I am here. The fact that I celebrated Holy Mass in the parish church of St. James is for me a great privilege. I have heard many good things about Medjugorje.. I was in Medjugorje very briefly. Now I am already planning my second visit to Medjugorje. I would like to go on Podbrdo, the place of the apparitions, but I don't have time and that bothers me. I am happy that I have celebrated Holy Mass here today. I prayed before Our Lady's statue. I hope that Our Lady understands me. I have decided to come another time to have more time to be here. I will do everything that the other pilgrims also do. I will try my best for my next visit to be this summer. Till then let us remain united in prayer for peace in the world."

In recent days we have received a lot of letters from the faithful asking about some miraculous events ( end of the apparitions, announcement of the secrets, alleged calls to strict fast. . .). We do not know either the source of this confusion to the faithful or anyone who needs it. It is altogether neither good, nor necessary. Therefore, we take this opportunity to announce to you that none of these allegations are correct. And we repeat here again what we have already said several times so far: all the news and all the events are published in this Press Bulletin.

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 03/11/98