Why I believe in the apparitions of Medjugorje 

Believing in the apparitions of the Madonna is not a theme of divine faith because they are not a biblical truth but a reality that belongs to the History of the Church. It is not a divine revelation that requires the response of faith, as Pope Montini distinguished, the apparitions require a human faith even if fueled by grace, because what happens can be found humanly.

It takes a special calling to believe.

I have lived the story of the apparitions from the beginning (1982-83) when one of my brothers, returning from a state school, informed me of some young people in his class who were talking about an apparition in a town in Yugoslavia.

I became interested and went to Medjugorje in 1985 and was able to experience the History of the apparitions over time. I lived together, I participated, I studied Croatian, I joined families; every year I spent at least forty days in Medjugorje and therefore overall I was able to develop my own vision of things. The bishop was against it and when I went to visit him I heard all his arguments, I reflected and once I returned home I wrote to him saying that I had concluded differently, he himself told me “you are free to believe or not to believe” .

The faith I had at the beginning is still present today, I have never had doubts about the apparitions, despite the defects and shortcomings of human beings. Furthermore, one must have the right theological perspective: one does not become a saint the moment one has an apparition, one is called to sanctity but it is possible to make mistakes due to ignorance or weakness, as can be understood from Vicka’s statement in the book with Father Bubalo “We were crazy kids”.

From then until now, I have had no doubts despite having seen everything, even what the devil does to mislead people, the population, important and internationally renowned figures who first believed and subsequently followed other paths; in my vision there has never been anything that put me in crisis.

I would like to offer some elements of reflection which are important, because the credibility of the apparition must also be supported by serious arguments, it is not enough to say “I believe”.

First argument: the apparitions lasted over time, more than forty years. Medjugorje is an ever green tree, it was enough for Our Lady to give it a shake on December 31, 2023 to ensure that people everywhere gave a demonstration of affection and faith. These apparitions are more relevant than ever because at this moment we have no other salvation than that of the presence of the Queen of Peace. We would be desperate without you, no one would keep the “boat of Peter” afloat which you have strengthened with your preaching and your messages in recent years; while the untrue apparitions, which are human works, have vanished over time.

Second argument of credibility: the college of visionaries. There are six visionaries who believed then and still believe, there has been no defection on the part of any of them, they all believe there has never been any discussion between them, no opposition, but a consensus in saying everything that Our Lady wanted to say. The Queen of Peace used all the visionaries, a wonderful and harmonious orchestra. Even today the visionaries are six normal people who had families, children, grandchildren and testify to Mary’s presence and her messages.

Third argument: impeccability of messages. Finding a theologian who does not make some blunders is difficult, sooner or later due to ignorance on the subject or out of presumption they may stumble upon some slip-up in the Truths of faith. For example, in an interview Pope Francis said that he wishes hell was empty, he didn’t say it is empty. Some have distorted the words of the Holy Father by manipulating them. Even the Queen of Peace said “ I wish to take you all with me to paradise ” (April 25, 1994). It’s difficult to find something that doesn’t shriek, but in Our Lady’s messages there are no errors of theology or spirituality, inconveniences, things that would be better left unsaid, things that aren’t up to the task, they are all bright, adamantine and very clean. When I asked the bishop where the Messages came from he replied that the Messages are evangelical.

Another argument: the fulfillment of the Marian prophecies. As Cardinal Caffarra said “Medjugorje is a prophecy that comes true”. Since the Madonna arrived she has achieved what she said: first of all the collapse of the Soviet empire; she saved us from the atomic conflagration; she is now realizing the great prophecy of salvation in a world that is heading towards self-destruction and which at the same time has rejected faith in the Cross; she is working and operating so that the pastors of the Church triumph with her, therefore a realization of Mary’s plan which is part of her Fatima and which is fulfilled with the triumph of her Immaculate Heart at the end of the Secrets; we have seen all this and we see it come true, the Secrets mature over time, in History. Except for the third, which comes from God, all the other nine are works of nature or man, they are catastrophic events from which Our Lady protects us and indicates them to us three days before with their consequences.

The so-called vox populi , the modern diffusion of Medjugorje expands throughout the world, even in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia: Our Lady is present everywhere. There is a widespread diffusion of Mary’s Messages throughout the world.

The Queen of Peace – in her infinite condescension and goodness towards us – promised a sign. Since the visionaries had initially asked for a sign of credibility for the people, Our Lady will grant this request in the third secret, and it will be an indestructible, beautiful sign, which comes from the Lord, which will last forever until the end of the world: Mary will give this sign to demonstrate that it has been here and is here, it is in front of this sign that the Church is called to make its choice.

Those who do not believe cannot explain the reason for this miracle of perseverance, the messages, the prophecies that come true, the conversions, all effects to which a cause that is not imaginary but real must be given.

Each of us, before God, now and in the time of the Secrets, will decide our destiny.

Your Father Livio