Brother Craig of The Monks of Adoration received his B.A., M.A. and S.T. L. in Theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He can be contacted at monkadorer@verizon.net.

Interview with Ivanka

The following is excerpted, with permission, from the book The Apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje by Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic, O.F. M. It was from a 1983 interview Fr. Svet had with visionary Ivanka.

S: Bearing in mind what you know about the future, tell me if the Madonna of Medjugorje will reconcile the world even more.

I: I think She will.

S: Will the "Great Sign" help in achieving this?

I: Yes, when the time comes. More believers will come to church.

S: Will the sign appear very soon, or later?

I: It will appear at the proper time.

S: Ivanka, are you in any way fearful of being able to do what the Madonna expects of you in this life?

I: Why should I be afraid when God is with me? God gives me whatever strength I need.

S: You speak to the people of the Madonna's messages, but some do not believe you. In that case what do you do?

I: I pray for them, that God will enlighten them.

S: Can you do anything else?

I: I will go on trying to persuade them. They will be convinced, once they ...

S: I believe that, but in the meantime people become nervous. It is difficult to wait for that day. What should people do?

I: Pray that God will give us the strength to endure.

S: There are those who are opposed to the Madonna. What would you tell them?

I: I'd tell them: Convert! There is a God. That is it!

S: Can those who oppose the Madonna frustrate Her plans in the world?

I: You mean the great sign?

S: Yes.

I: No. All their armaments and explosives could not destroy it.

S: Can they do harm to the souls of the people and to the Madonna's plans for the people?

I: No.

S: What does She talk to you about now?

I:  Her life.

S: Can you tell me something about it?

I:  No. When She is finished, we will give the account to whomever She tells us.

S: Did She tell you not to speak about it and not give the account to a priest?

I: She did; and we do what She tells us.

S: Mirjana's grandmother once told you to pray seven Our Father's, which may mean this directive is not necessarily a directive of the Madonna.

I: It wasn't - at the beginning. But then we asked Her what prayers She likes the most, and She said She likes the Creed, the song "Kriste u tvoje ime," and seven Our Father's.

S: So you were praying on your own initiative at first, until later She approved what you'd been praying and told you to continue?

I: Yes.

S: From what you know, what do people ask for most: the healing of the body or the soul?

I: Most people ask for a healing of the soul, because the soul is more important. Today we live on earth, but tomorrow we must leave the earth.

S: What would you say to people you will never see, never meet, although they will read your words and the message of the Madonna?

I: Keep the faith; persevere in it. Help your friends. Do not be snobbish toward other religions, but respect them insofar as they praise God.

Ivanka’s Annual Anniversary Message 

Fr. Bill Kiel

By Wendy Ripple

    William Joseph Kiel was born on the Feast of St. Ephraem, June 9, 1943.  St. Ephraem was described as a man of small stature who, during his lifetime, was known as a great teacher and defender of the faith; he was called to the deaconate and ordained late in life.  Similarly, Father Bill was ordained into the priesthood later in life after a successful career as a high school biology teacher. 

    Father Bill grew up with a family devoted to the Blessed Mother; he prayed the Rosary nightly with his brothers and mother, and was always very active in the Church.  Throughout his early life, he would periodically have thoughts of becoming a priest, but chose to continue enjoying all that the world had to offer: a successful career, a house and land in the country, dating, and money.  Overtime, however, God’s call began to make its way deeper into Bill’s heart.  It was finally during a teacher’s strike at age 44 that he began to look for, and pray about, a “better way to make a living.”  His prayers led him to Saint Vincent’s Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania – and eventually to Medjugorje.

   Academically, Father Bill had no difficulty during seminary.  However, physically, he suffered.  Fifteen years prior to entering St. Vincent’s, Father Bill had hurt his back while clearing his property.  Despite consulting every appropriate medical specialty, he suffered chronic pain from the bulging disc in his back and from very frequent, severe migraine headaches. Because of the back pain, though, he had particular difficulty reverencing the altar and serving at Mass.   He asked God over and over to heal him from his back pain – not for his own relief, but so that he could sit and stand reverently at the altar. Almost unknowingly, he prayed to become a holy priest.  Father Bill recalled how his prayers were answered in quite an unexpected manner, “I was back  (home) for my brother’s birthday, and he said that there was a man that would be speaking at St. Pius Church about his conversion through the Blessed Mother in Fatima, Lourdes and Medjugorje.  He asked if I would want to go with him.  I said, ‘Sure.’  So I went.  After he was finished speaking, this man offered a Special Blessing from the Blessed Mother from Medjugorje to all people in the church.  The blessing was, ‘Receive the Blessing of the Blessed Mother and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’  I was sitting in the pew watching people receive blessings, and I saw people resting in the Spirit, and I thought, ‘What the heck is going on in this Catholic Church?  He can’t be Catholic! This just doesn’t happen in the Catholic Church!’” 

   Father Bill continued, “I waited until the very end of the blessings because these people in the church knew I was in the seminary.  They knew me, and I was afraid that if I would go for the blessing I would cause a scandal if this wasn’t a real Catholic thing.  I was nervous.  I said, ‘Okay, Lord, whatever You have for me; I am open to whatever.’  The man put his hands on me, prayed for me, and the next thing I know, I opened my eyes and I was lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling lights thinking, ‘What in the world happened?’  I got up and was walking back to the pew and I kept looking at my feet because I couldn’t feel them.  I knew they were there, but I couldn’t feel them or the floor under me.  It was just like I was walking on air.  I went back to the seminary and went to bed, got up in the morning, and, for the first time in fifteen years, I had no back pain.  I thought, ‘Well, something must have happened last night.’”  He realized that his prayers had been answered, and just in time for his ordination to the deaconate.  He was able to sit, stand and move about the altar reverently and without pain. 

   Father Bill received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in May of 1993, and was assigned to the duties of a diocesan priest.  For over a year he continued to wonder about the events that were reportedly occurring half way around the world in a small village between two mountains, Medjugorje.  He felt connected to these events; after all, he was healed through a blessing that had originated in that village.  Perhaps his lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother was leading him in another direction.  Father Bill began to feel called to Medjugorje. Responding to that call, he inquired about joining a pilgrimage scheduled for November of 1994 led by the man from whom he had received the Special Blessing.  He not only joined the pilgrimage, went to Medjugorje to serve his fellow pilgrims as their priest and spiritual director, and unbeknownst to him, to be called into a deeper relationship of service to the Lord. 

   Once in Medjugorje, for the first time, Father Bill had three profound spiritual experiences that forever changed his life.  He described this experience which had occurred while listening to the testimony of Vicka, one of the visionaries, “I was standing about eight feet away from her.  Her eyes just locked into my eyes, and when that happened there was a feeling of warmth that went all through my body.  It was such a peaceful  warmth!  At the same time that was happening, my lips got fiery hot, really fiery hot!  I didn’t know what was going on here.”  Father Bill pondered these happenings as he walked back to town to celebrate Mass at St. James.  He questioned whether, like the prophet Isaiah, he was cleansed of his sins by a spiritual ember.                                                

   As the pilgrimage continued, Father Bill joined his group in climbing Cross Mountain.  While praying and climbing, Father Bill began to worry a bit.  He knew that the climb ended at the foot of the Cross where each pilgrim was to surrender to Jesus the greatest obstacle, the burden that placed distance between him and Christ, but he did not feel that he had any such burden.  Father Bill clearly remembered the conversation he had with God as he made his way up the rugged path.  He said, “Okay, Lord, look.  I have been ordained a little over a year, almost a year and a half; I feel that I have been truly blessed.  I don’t know of any burdens that I have.  I don’t know of any, but if you know of a burden that I have, let me know and I will give it to you.”  He reached the foot of the Cross, looked up, and without any hesitation opened his mouth, “Lord, I give you my greatest burden – my lack of trust in you.”  He no sooner heard these words coming from his own mouth when he asked, “What did I just say?  Why did I say that?” 

   The Blessed Mother had called Father Bill to Medjugorje; Her small priest had been witness and recipient to many miracles and graces.  In Medjugorje, he was spiritually purged and renewed, and physically healed. God was surely, in hindsight, preparing his servant to receive the challenge of an even greater gift – the Gift of Healing.   Father Bill received the Gift of Healing during that same pilgrimage, he believes, through the hands of Father Jozo.  His pilgrim group traveled to hear Father Jozo speak; after the talk, Father Jozo invited the priests in the audience to concelebrate Mass.  Three priests and a deacon joined Father Jozo at the altar; Father Bill was one of them.  This was the only time in all of his eighteen pilgrimages that Father Jozo invited priests to concelebrate Mass!  After the Mass had ended, Father Jozo stood and began speaking in Croatian.  Father Bill understood Father Jozo’s words that he would bless the priests, and then he would have the priests, in turn, bless the people.  As he was listening, and understanding Father Jozo, Father Bill caught himself and said, “Kiel, you don’t understand Croatian!”  Shortly thereafter, the interpreter appeared and explained to all exactly what Father Bill had heard in Croatian.

   Father Jozo then directed Father Bill to the back of the church where people were in line to receive a blessing.  Father Bill recalled what happened next, “I start laying hands on people, and people start to rest in the Spirit.  I thought, ‘What in the world is happening?’  I’d blessed a lot of people, and they had never rested in the Spirit!  I finished all of the blessings; I had several people come up to me to thank me for the blessings and thank me for the healing that they felt they had received.  At that point, it was just an instant thought in my mind, that what I was taught in seminary was true.  The priest doesn’t do anything; God works through you as a priest.  So, all I could say to the people was, ‘Thank God!  All I did was pray for you!’”  It wasn’t until actually returning home from Medjugorje, though, and discussing the events with others that Father Bill realized that he had been given the Gift of Healing.  In his heart he knew that God had given him a gift, and that gifts are not meant to be hidden, but to be shared.  Father Bill continued blessing people and began celebrating Healing Masses; a ministry that continues today to heal many  spiritually, emotionally and physically. 

     Father Bill has been to Medjugorje, now, eighteen times, as spiritual director and pilgrim. Interestingly, though, he does not focus on the apparitions of the Blessed Mother, the spinning sun, the golden rosaries or other such supernatural phenomena.   These, he knows, are little gifts from God that help us to increase our faith, but his faith is not based on these.  He is, however, witness to the fruits of Medjugorje – the countless conversions and healings that have originated from the grace of God poured out onto the holy ground between two mountains.  Father Bill believes, also, that the Virgin Mary, our Mother, is the mediator of God’s grace not only in Medjugorje, but everywhere!  He believes that it is Mary who has led him, not only to Jesus, Her Son, but to the Trinity.  

Editor’s note: Wendy lives in Fairview, PA.

A Spiritual Sauna

By June Klins

   Despite all the promotion my parish has done, The Bread of Life Perpetual Adoration chapel remains the “best kept secret” in my area. In an age when most churches must be locked up when no services are going on, this chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”  

   Our chapel is open to anyone of any faith. Although we, as Catholics, believe that Jesus Christ is present physically in the Consecrated Host, for those who are not Catholic and do not believe that Jesus is present physically, certainly in the quiet of the chapel one can feel His presence spiritually.  The stained glass windows in our chapel also promote reflection as they depict the saints and angels in Heaven bowing in Adoration, as described in the Book of Revelation.  

   There is an air of peace that envelops you as you enter the chapel. And once you are in there the time flies. It is as if time and space stand still. It is a foretaste of Heaven.   I overheard one man call it a “spiritual sauna.”    It is inspiring that people will get up in the middle of the night to make their committed hour of Adoration. We usually have two committed adorers per hour. Some of them drive long distances to do so. What is really inspiring is to see families adoring Jesus together. There is a beautiful young family who has committed to an hour of adoration per week since the chapel opened in February of 2004.  I am in awe that the twin boys, who  were 8 years old at the time, would sit still for an hour and pray with their mother, father and sister.  What an example this family is for all families!

    It is also inspiring to see the people who come in wheelchairs and those who come with their walkers, and those who come with their oxygen tanks, wanting to praise the God who has allowed them to suffer.  These people are following the example of Pope John Paul II, a saint-to-be, who is also depicted in the stained glass window adoring Jesus.

   There are so many fruits of visiting the chapel often - the best is that you develop a very personal relationship with Jesus. Archbishop Fulton Sheen never missed a day of prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in his 54 years of priesthood. He said that when you pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament daily (whether in the Tabernacle or exposed in the Monstrance), your major problem in life will be solved.  He said that you become like a magnet for graces from Heaven. Archbishop Sheen made the analogy that it was like getting a “cobalt treatment” because your inclination to sin is burned away. Today we might compare it to a “chemo treatment,” but with no vexing side effects!  I like to think of it as getting a “Son tan” that can change your life.

   In the quiet of the chapel, away from the noise of the world, the Lord can speak to your heart.  On Pentecost Sunday this year, I had an experience at Adoration that I find hard to describe.  I felt that the Lord was asking me to publish another newsletter similar to “The Spirit of Medjugorje,” but about Adoration – to educate and inspire people about Adoration.  Within a short period of time I knew in my heart the name of the publication, how many pages it was to be, and what the content should include.  I knew that it would not be a monthly publication and that it would not be mailed to individuals like this newsletter. It would be mailed in packets of 10, 25, 50, etc., like our beginner’s guides,  to people who would like to distribute them to help promote Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  The experience was so powerful that I knew it was from God. Within a few hours a penny from Heaven confirmed this for me. (Those of you who are long-time subscribers and those of you who have read our books, know that God sends me “pennies from Heaven” when He wants me to do something.)   Well, in the following week I found 3 more pennies, including one that came in the mail!  So I went to Msgr. Peterson, our spiritual adviser, for his discernment and he agreed that this was something that was needed and gave me his blessing.

  This newsletter will have testimonies, Eucharistic miracle stories, stories about the saints and the Eucharist and writings of priests, bishops, and the Pope about the Eucharist. If you have a testimony to share about an experience you have had at Adoration, or if you are willing to distribute these newsletters to promote Adoration, please write to us. As with our monthly Medjugorje newsletters there is no charge, but a free will offering to help cover printing and postage will be gratefully accepted. I hope to have the first issue in print for Our Lady’s birthday on August 5.  Please pray for this endeavor. 

  In Her March 25, 2008 message, Our Lady said,” Spend all the more time in prayer and Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, for Him to change you and to put into your hearts a living faith and a desire for eternal life.” And Pope Benedict XVI said, “Without adoration, there is no transformation of the world." 

“But let all those devout souls who often go to spend their time with the Most Blessed Sacrament speak; let them tell us the gifts, the inspirations which they have received, the flames of love which are there enkindled in their souls, the paradise which they enjoy in the presence of this hidden God.” ~ St. Alphonsus Liguori

The One Who Fasts…”

By Beverley Ann Price

    "Little children, the one who prays is not afraid of the future, and the one who fasts is not afraid of evil."
     This reminds me of when I was in Medjugorje for my fourth trip in 2006. I was alone in the pansion. I had been fasting and struggling with it.  A little voice inside me was saying, "Oh, you can start this fast when you go back to Australia. Relax here, enjoy yourself."
   So after much temptation for hours, I walked down to the corner store. I stood in front of the ice creams, chocolates, and the battle roared within me. Then I looked up and there was a row of breads and rolls. So I walked over and bought a bread roll. As I was leaving the shop, I tripped over on the edge of a step and bruised and cut my leg. I just thought, "You didn’t win this one, Satan," and I picked up my roll and bag and walked on very triumphant!
   Then on returning to the pansion, I layed on the bed to pray.  It was evening, and all of a sudden I was gripped with fear and Satan's presence and I must say I was really spooked.
   Then these gentle words went through my mind, "The one who prays is not afraid of the future and the one who fasts is not afraid of evil." I thought, “ I have done both - I have no need to fear.” And a complete peace descended on me, the peace that Jesus says He gives that the world does not.
   I said, “Thank you, Mother, for teaching me, for Your words which have resounded in my heart. I do not fear the future and You have just removed the presence of Satan.”  It was wonderful. Her words are wonderful. I am so glad to have Her as my teacher. 

 Always remember Her words whenever fear or doubt or evil come, as She says, "I am with you and I am teaching you little children."

Forgiving Yourself
by June Klins

   One year on the feastday of Mary Magdalene, July 22, I was attending a St. Ann novena, and the priest, Fr. John,  spoke about forgiveness.  He said that Mary Magdalene trusted God enough to accept forgiveness and she also moved ahead to FORGIVE HERSELF.  He said that it is very important in the spiritual life to forgive yourself, and that many people torture themselves with their sins of the past.

   Father John said we must forgive ourselves so to accept God's forgiveness and love so that we can respond to God's love.  He said that we are all guilty of doing things we regret, but God's mercy and forgiveness are beyond our comprehension. He gave 7 steps to self forgiveness: \

1. Decide to forgive yourself. This is the hardest step. No one can do this for you.  It is an act of the will, not a feeling. No matter how horrendous the sin, you need to take this first step.

2. Forgiveness of self is tied to the image we have of God. Two thirds of the Gospel is about forgiveness.  God forgives us if we forgive each other. If we see God as a loving Father it is easier.

3.  Make use of the sacrament of Reconciliation - no matter how long it has been or how bad the sin(s).

4.  You need to deal with guilt in a healthy way.  If you still feel guilty for something you did 30 or 40 years ago and have confessed it, that is not healthy. When we deal with guilt in a sensible way it leads to self forgiveness. Healthy guilt can actually bring us closer to God.

5.  When the steps above are difficult, always take it to the crucified Jesus.   Ask for the grace to forgive yourself and forget forever.  Say things like "Father, forgive me for what I have done." The grace is already given but we have to ACCEPT it.

6. In the New Testament Jesus tells us we will be forgiven as we forgive others (not an Old Testament virtue).  Some of us should bite our lips when, during the "Our Father" we say that part.

7.  Forgiving ourselves is a PROCESS, and we have to be patient with ourselves.  We have to persevere. This is especially hard for people who have committed sins against life, such a abortion.  It CAN be forgiven in the sacrament of Reconciliation and this is the place to start the process of self forgiveness.

   In summary, Father John said to forgive yourself for the sins of the past because it is essential for a healthy spiritual life.  On June 25, 1988, Our Lady said, "Surrender yourself to God so that He may heal you, console you and forgive everything inside you which is a hindrance on the way of love."

QUEEN OF PEACE -UGANDA.

By Fr Peter Bakka

    In the year 1981 something happened in Rome, in Medjugorje, in Rwanda and Uganda, changing the face of those countries radically forever. Interesting enough, the events that took place in all the above-mentioned countries are intrinsically connected with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

   In 1981 on the very day when Our Lady had appeared in Fatima, 13 May, and at around the same time, Pope John Paul II was short at St. Peter’s square during his general audience. On 24 June, 1981, Our Lady started appearing to the six visionaries of Medjugorje in a series of eventful appearances that ended up in the demise of communism and the rise of a new global radio, Radio Maria, which would change communication as the world knew it. In November 28^th, 1981, in Rwanda, Our Lady started appearing to the student girls in Kibeho referring to Herself as the “Mother of the World.”

   Around the some time in Uganda, a very bitter war, that saw the end of the bloody regime of dictator Idi Amin Dada had come to a peaceful end, and the Ugandans at the parish of Lweza were in advanced stages of thanking Our Lady, Queen of Peace, locally KIWAMIREMBE, for having helped them so successfully.

   Kiwamirembe Shrine in Uganda is located on Entebbe—Kampala Road. These are two strategic places in the country; they are the international airport and the capital city respectively. The people living in the area between the capital city and the international airport were in a dangerous predicament during the terrible war that started in 1979 and brought to as successful conclusion in 1981. This is the war that brought to an end the brutal regime of Idi Amin Dada.

    The parish priest of Lweza parish, Fr John from Italy had pleaded with the Christians to intercede through Our Lady asking God for peace. At the end of the war, since this whole area was miraculously left unsettled, the promise that the parish priest made to Christians had to be implemented, namely, building a Shrine in honor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Shrine (Kiwamirembe).

   The best place that was chosen for this was a hill that was on the other side of the main road from a nearby town called Kajjansi. People started gathering up on this hill, to thank and pray to God through the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Soon there were apparent miracles being reported. Among the miracles was the one of land around that place that was generously donated in honor of Our Lady. Now there was the need of finding a fitting sacred image for the Shrine. Once, where the parish priest Fr John visited the Diocesan shop at Nsambya, he found exposed, a very beautiful statue of Our Lady. No sooner did he see it than he decided at once that it was the one meant for the Shrine. He obtained it without much ado and took it home. Soon it was officially blessed and installed at the place. At the time, many did not know that there was a very sacred image.

   It is said that the statue came as luggage in a wooden box by train from Mombassa to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. At the train station in Kampala the box lay there for some good time as “unclaimed luggage.” Among those who frequented the train station were some thieves, who after noticing that particular box had no one to claim it, wanted to take advantage and steal it. So, one day they managed to stealthily take it away. When they came to some place under cover of darkness, they opened the box to see their booty. When they opened the first bit of the box, they all ran away for their dear lives, since they thought at first sight that the box contained remains of a white woman. It all looked to them as a real dead –body of a white lady.

   The following day people who were passing by found an abandoned statue of Our Lady   laying there and so referred the matter to the local Bishop, the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga. He brought it and asked that it be put in the Diocesan shop locally referred to as Nsamya procure. This is where Fr. John, the parish priest of Lweza, later came and found it. One gentleman who claims to communicate with Our Lady has told us that one day Our Lady told him that She is directly responsible for the coming of that statue to Uganda.

   Some of the wonders and spiritual healings and other miracles continue to take place there as well as people of all walks of life including non- Catholics flock from far and near to the shrine.It is no longer just a national shrine it is swiftly becoming international.

   One Ugandan who owns a cargo plane by names of captain Joy Roy, after discovering the treasure of Medjugorje, took it upon himself to help as many Ugandan Bishops and priests as possible to visit the Queen of Peace place of apparitions in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    By now Fr John had long left the parish of Lweza and in his stead was an old Monsignor Mbwega a well-known great preacher especially of priest retreats, he was made special chaplain to the Shrine. He did much to help the pilgrims and set up several programs to cater for the pilgrims’ needs. Every month and for every feast of Mary, student candidates asking for success in their exams, etc.

   With the collaboration of captain Joy Roy little by little  it began to be turned into a replica of Medjugorje.  A nearby hill was turned into another Krizevac and another lower one was turned in to a kind of Apparition Hill with bronze images made by the very person who made those of Medjugorje in the same size and design.

   Personally I came to know about Kiwamirembe from the listeners of Radio Maria when I became the director in 2004. The Radio did make the shrine more loved and more known, and the Shrine also made the Radio more known and loved.

    With Radio Maria there were also more intimate ties with Medjugorje. Through a certain Italian lady by the names of Christine a project was started of gathering and sending names which we came to learn would be given to Our Lady when She comes down in Medjugorje to meet the six seers, which basically meant that She took these names to Heaven.

  As the names of numerous Ugandans were sent, one particular lady from Jinja came and inquired whether it was not possible to go on the pilgrimage to Medjugorje itself. We looked for a travel agency with which we could team together. We landed on “Dove Tours and Travel.”

  As the preparations for the Medjugorje pilgrimage got into high gear, unrelated circumstances developed at Radio Maria suddenly on June 11- 2005. Paradoxically this gave me more time and space to organize the pilgrimage to Medjugorje that was in late June

     Through not without enormous difficulties a very successful pilgrimage was prepared for 43 Ugandans, the first ever such huge group from Africa to Medjugorje in 24 years. The pilgrimage saw us through Egypt where Jesus Mary and Joseph were refugees more than 2000 years ago, through Rome, and through the place of Padre Pio in southern Italy-Giovanni Rotondo.

    Every one of the pilgrims was impressed and those who had been at Kiwamirembe Shrine before did not miss to note the clear similarities, the Cross Mountain and the way of the Cross at Kiwamirembe, and the Apparition Hill and the Gethsemane at Kiwamirembe. They could not miss to notice the exact replica of the bronze images along the way of the cross and the Way of the Rosary, which are exactly the same as those at Kiwamirembe Shrine. Above all they could not miss the names of our lady of Medjugorje Queen of Peace.

    On returning to Uganda the place where to go and thank God for the successful pilgrimage and tell the story as well as the numerous miracles that took place, was none other than Kiwamirembe. The enthusiasm created led to the preparation of another successful pilgrimage of 53 Ugandans the following year.

   During the Medjugorje pilgrimage of 2005, one very serious challenge met by the pilgrims was the question posed by numerous pilgrims from Europe and America who wanted us to tell them about Kibeho, Kibeho is a place of Marian apparitions in Rwanda, Africa.

   Rwanda is a country that shares boarder with Uganda and many intermarriages have actually taken place between Uganda and Rwanda. In fact the current president of Rwanda, Paul, grew up in Uganda and fought the guerrilla war along side the current president of Uganda.

   Now when we were asked about Kibeho, none of us knew much about it, let alone the fact that the Vatican had long approved its authenticity in 2001.

  Ashamed as we were, on returning to Uganda after the first pilgrimage to Medjugorje we soon organized a pilgrimage in November of the same year, to Kibeho. We learnt that the following year 2006 would mark 25 years since the apparitions first took place. We got prepared to really get involved and involve many Ugandans.

     The pilgrimages to Kibeho were of course cheaper and took fewer days.

So beginning from November 28^th, 2006, many pilgrimages were organized. Many very vivid miracles were taking place there, in the sun, with the rain, with people who had lost their faith  

    Suddenly being shaken by the power of God in mighty ways, many people who gathered at Kiwamirembe would hear unbelievable stories from Kibeho and those who were incredulous were encouraged to “come and see.” They would come, see and encourage many more others to join. As the leader of the groups, in a span of about one year, I have taken groups to Kibeho more than 12 times.

  One prominent feature from Kibeho is the same increased devotion to Jesus of the Divine Mercy. In Kibeho whoever goes there is made to pay a short visit to the huge statue of Jesus of the Divine Mercy at the nearby village, Cana. The giant figure is about 17 ft.  high and weights about 2 tons. It is made of bronze. It is said that it was made in Brazil, courtesy of Americans from Chicago. When it was ready, many Americans wanted Jesus of the Divine Mercy to visit them. After taking it around the country, the original plan was abandoned, through Divine Mercy intervention it was left to Our Lady to decide where it would be taken next.

 During an international meeting of Marian priests in Europe, news was circulated about the huge statue of Jesus of the Divine Mercy. The affirmative answer that was received was, that “Yes, it should go to Rwanda-Kibeho and stay there forever.” This statue is now one of the “seven wonders” of Rwanda. And as if that were not enough, numerous strange happenings have taken place to those who visit it, assuring everyone that it is more than a mere statue. Cana is under the care of Marian priests in Rwanda.

    Add to the above the fact that Rwanda there is also a parish that our Ugandans pilgrims are also always meant to visit. The parish is called Ruhango. This parish devoted to the Divine Mercy and Sister Faustina, has a perpetual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament chapel. Many miraculous healings do take place there, but above all, it is known as the only parish where people went for refugee during the genocide of Rwanda in 1994 and none were killed. At Kibeho parish, about 25,000 people murdered inside the parish church in just three days, at Ruhango parish no single person was killed.

    Starting with Radio Maria and now the pilgrimages to Kibeho, with Kiwamirembe as the meeting point, the popularity of the Divine Mercy Rosary, the Divine Mercy image, Divine Mercy messages of accepting suffering, books and pamphlets of Divine Mercy, Jesus and Sister Faustina are growing by day. At 3:00 pm and 3:00am numerous Christians are getting to know the importance of saying the Divine Mercy Rosary.  Fruits are experienced far from taking Jesus of the Divine Mercy seriously. Today the Sunday following Easter is slowly but surely gaining its proper place in the parishes of Uganda thanks to Radio Maria and Kibeho in particular in connection with Kiwamirembe Shrine.

   And now, what started as a faint dream, growing into a distant possibility, is soon turning into a giant reality. HAVING IN UGANDA OUR OWN SHRINE OF THE DiVINE MERCY.

   Keep on just saying on behalf of my colleagues “JESUS I TRUST IN YOU”

 Editor's note: Fr. Bakka is the spiritual director of the Medjugorje Peace Center in Kampala, Uganda.

Thank you to Ruth Bonanti, Diane Yochim, Chris Maxwell, Cindy Bielanin and Agnes Trott for help with the June mailing. Thank you to Fran Stadler and Audrey Kowalewski for making more prayer cloths for us. Thank you to Bernard Gallagher,Diana Stillwell, and Carlotta Zuback for their photos in this issue.

Announcement for those in the Erie area: Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, OFM, Capuchin, will be conducting the Carmelite Days of Prayer from July 11 through July 16. For more information call Marge at 866-0850.

P.O. Box 6614

Erie, PA 16512