Last year Father Ivan Dugandzic gave a legendary homily at Saint James Church on the eve of the anniversary of Our Lady’s first day on Apparition Hill.
His opening words powerfully frame the importance of Our Lady being here, among us, at this time in history, a time of trial.
He says:
“Dear brothers and sisters, Mary is the Woman from the future. Because she is the only person, who with her life and with her Assumption into Heaven, has achieved the fullness of Salvation.
And according to that, we faithful are just walking in faith and hope towards that fullness of salvation, believing that it will be accomplished for us at the end of time.
And since Jesus from the Cross left her to be our Mother and our Intercessor, our destiny has been tied to her and her role in the plan of salvation.
“This is the theological background, and this is the grounding foundation of her frequent apparitions, especially in difficult historical circumstances.
When the world’s countries are in a mess, and when even the Church does not have a clear vision of the future,
God sends the Woman from Eternity, so she can encourage us. She can show us the way of salvation.
These special words help bring perspective to what the visionaries have recently said about this difficult time in history and that perhaps the time of the secrets is nearing.
Medjugorje visionary Mirjana hints that this time of trial is a sign that the secrets are near.
She recently said:
“Our Lady told me many things that I cannot yet reveal. I can only hint at what the future holds, but I do see indications that the events are already in motion.
From 1981 until 1985 I received the apparitions on a daily basis. During that period Our Lady dictated to me her biography. I wrote everything down.
She also told me the future of the world and the future of our Church. When I have permission from Our Lady, this will be published.
Ivan was also asked recently about the unfolding of the secrets:
Question: “Is it fair to say that the “time of secrets” will be a time of great trials for the Church and for the world?”
Ivan: “Yes. With regard to secrets we can not say anything. I can only say that it is a very important time, especially for the Church. We must all pray for this intention.
Our Lady has a precise project for the world and for the Church.
She says: “I am with you and together with you I want to realize this plan. Decide for good, fight against sin, against evil “.
We must trust the requests of Our Lady’”
Question: Will it be a trial time for faith?
Ivan:“It’s already a bit now.”
The visionaries are firm in their desire for the faithful to listen carefully to Our Lady’s messages and to not ponder the consequences of the secrets. Our Lady says if we do this we will “comprehend everything”.
In message to Mirjana on August 02, 2013
“Dear children, If only you would open your hearts to me with complete trust, you would comprehend everything. You would comprehend with how much love I am calling you; with how much love I desire to change you, to make you happy; with how much love I desire to make you followers of my Son and give you peace in the fullness of my Son. You would comprehend the immeasurable greatness of my motherly love. That is why, my children, pray because through prayer your faith grows and love is born, the love along which even the cross is not unendurable because you do not carry it alone. In union with my Son you glorify the name of the Heavenly Father. Pray, pray for the gift of love, because love is the only truth: it forgives everything, it serves everyone and it sees a brother in everyone. My children, my apostles, great is the trust that the Heavenly Father has given you through me, His handmaid, to help those who do not know Him, that they may reconcile with Him and follow Him. That is why I am teaching you love, because only if you have love will you be able to respond to Him. Again I am calling you to love your shepherds and to pray that, at this difficult time, the name of my Son may be glorified under their guidance. Thank you.”
