October 9, 2017
St. Denis and companions
Dear Family of Mary!
“…May your only concern be how to live well every moment according to my Son. And there it is – peace for you!…” (October 2, 2017)
We continue our pilgrimage in Medjugorje this week! And I see the truth of these words of Our Lady. While here in Medjugorje, it is much easier to live well every moment according to Jesus, because Our Lady is so near, and the life here is centered on Jesus and the Sacraments. Being submerged in the graces of the Sacraments, we pilgrims can see much more clearly how to live each moment well, and the peace just flows.
For instance, on Saturday evening, Denis and decided to head over to the confessionals beside the church, to go to confession. It was 5:00 pm and the priests make themselves available to confession then. There were many priests in the confessionals, representing many language groups. This side of the church is for the foreign pilgrims. I wish I had taken a picture of the other side. There were lines upon lines of Croatian speakers waiting to confess!! Beautiful!!
I experienced such grace when I confessed. It seems that the Holy Spirit just swoops down and intensifies the graces for confession here. It was very healing for me. Denis too!!
After confession we headed to the back of church for the evening Mass. It always amazes me how many people come for Mass in Medjugorje. Every bench was full. Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist to feed us with His Body and Blood, strengthen our hearts and help us to embrace holiness, and to fill us with His love. No one wants to leave!!
I caught the beautiful sunset that occurred after Mass. It looked like a glimpse of heaven, just a glimpse for us who are longing so for that place!
Then later that evening there was Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Again, in the complete darkness, the entire seating area was filled with adorers. No one moves. Everyone is motionless and quiet. Only Jesus, in the huge monstrance, is lit up!
What an evening of grace! Confession, Holy Mass and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a banquet of graces free for the asking!!
I wish you were all here with us. You are in our prayers!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c)Mary TV 2017