June 25, 2021 Reflection – The 40th Anniversary of the Apparitions in Medjugorje

June 25, 2021

Dear Family of Mary!

Happy and blessed 40th Anniversary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje! We have arrived at this anniversary of one of the most powerful spiritual events in modern times! Our Lady came to this little village to begin a long and beautiful motherly relationship with all of us! And she has continued that relationship without cease all these 40 years. Our gratitude grows and grows as we understand the magnitude of this gift.

Let’s look back at the second encounter that the visionaries had with Our Lady, the encounter that would mark the anniversary date. Here is the simple retelling of the first conversation the visionaries had with Our Lady on this day 40 years ago. They had the typical concerns of young people, because they were such normal children!

Thursday, June 25, 1981:
The date of the first apparition for the group of six visionaries, who see Our Lady nearby on the hill: Our Lady says: “Praised be Jesus!”

Ivanka speaks: Where is my mother? (Her mother had died two months previously.) The Apparition replies: “She is happy. She is with me.”

The visionaries ask: Will you return tomorrow? The apparition answers with a nod of her head.

Mirjana interjects:No one will believe us. They will say that we are crazy. Give us a sign! The apparition responds only with a smile. Mirjana believed she had received a sign. Her watch had changed time during the apparition.

The Apparition departs, saying:“Goodbye, my angels. Go in the peace of God.”

Our Lady was so gentle as she greeted the children that day. She said very little, but looked at them with her loving eyes, and nodded reassuringly to their questions. She wanted them to slowly warm up to her. She knew that her relationship with them would be critical for the plans of the Father,and that they were fragile children, needing to feel safe and understood.

Our Lady comes to each of us in the same gentle and respectful way. She does not shock or frighten her children. She offers her gentle hand to guide us, her loving gaze to comfort us, and her motherly arms to embrace us. Even today, here 40 years later, she is the same. She leads only with love. And she calls us with gentleness and much care, asking us to help her in her task of converting the world.I feel Our Lady very close today, very close this entire week. She is here. And she is still loving us with her Immaculate Heart, loving us into Heaven.

I will send out the message we hope to receive from her today through Marija, as soon as I can. Denis and I are praying for you with much love and gratitude. You are here in our hearts!Blessed and happy Anniversary, dearest Mother!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c) Mary TV 2021

The schedule for Mary TV Live for this great anniversary is as follows:

The Schedule for the 25th of June:
3:00 – 3:30 pm – Daily Rosary
3:30 – 4:25 pm – 40 Memorable Moments Video
4:30 – 10:00 – Procession and Anniversary Evening Program