Apparition Fact and Fiction

On June 24, 1981, six children in the village of Medjugorje, of former Yugoslavia, claim to have seen Our Lady on a hill. She told the children, “Peace, peace, peace. Be reconciled. Only Peace. Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast and to go to Confession”. Since then, Our Lady has continued to appear in Medjugorje every day. The fruits have been extraordinary, perhaps more than any other apparition. Millions of conversions, tens of thousands vocations to the priesthood and religious life, thousands of emotional and physical healings have all been attributed to Medjugorje. 

There has also been quite a lot of misinformation spread about Medjugorje. Some of this is attributed to erroneous translation, or a false reporting about the seers. Some however, have intentionally twisted the context and personally attacked the seers. 

The contents below have been compiled to bring light to some of the common accusations. In this way, the faithful can discern the apparition based on the facts. As Catholics, we are not obliged to believe any private revelation, which includes Lourdes and Fatima. However, God continues to reveal himself to individuals “not indeed for the declaration of any new doctrine of faith, but for the direction of human acts” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II q174 a6 reply 3). This is private revelation, a supernatural gift from God to an individual for the benefit of their soul and it is often beneficial to other souls. 

MEDJUGORJE FACTS

True or False:

-Gospa is the Croation word for “Lady” - FALSE

The Croation word for a woman is Gospodica (Miss in English) or Gospoda (Mrs. In English). Gospa is the word for Lady specifically referring to Our Lady the Virgin Mary. Gospa is only used in this context in Croation. A woman – who is not the Virgin Mary – is never referred to as Gospa. It is reserved for Our Lady. When the seers refer to the woman they see as Gospa, they are specifically referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

-The Local Bishop Knew the apparitions were a hoax – FALSE

Bishop Pavao Zanic went to Medjugorje after the initial apparitions to investigate. He came back a month later, on July 25, 1981 to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. In front of 3,000 people he gave this homily:

“I am deeply convinced that no child who says that they have seen Our Lady has been talked into doing so. If we were speaking about one child only, one might say he could be stubborn and that not even the police could make the child renounce what he said. But six innocent, simple children in the space of half an hour would, if they were pushed, admit all. None of the priests, I guarantee had any idea of putting the children up to something. I am also convinced that the children are not lying. The children are only speaking out what’s in their hearts. It is certain the children are not lying”. 

In the national Croation Catholic newspaper, “Glas Koncila”, Bishop Zanic stated: “It is definite that the children were not incited by anyone, and especially not by the Church, to lie”. – August 16, 1981.

Soon after, the six children were threatened by the Communist government with torture and imprisonment if they did not deny the apparitions. They refused to deny it. Due to their young age, the threat was not carried out, but they were continually pressured and harassed. Bishop Zanic and the pastor of St. James, Fr. Jozo, were also threatened. They were both taken on a five hour “excursion” by the communists. Fr. Jozo refused to deny the apparitions. He was imprisoned and tortured for three and a half years. Bishop Zanic abruptly changed his position on the apparitions.

In 1991, Pope St. John Paul II retired Bishop Zanic, taking Medugorje out of his hands and placed the investigation under the authority of the Yugoslavian Conference of Bishops (This is a rare move for the Vatican, as the local Bishop usually retains the authority over an apparition site). The Conference, under communist rule, neither approved nor condemned it, but took the position of “up until now it cannot be established”. Bishop Peric was then assigned to the local region, but he did not have any authority over the apparitions in Medjugorje. Bishop Peric, who worked closely with Bishop Zanic, was under the same government pressure. He was kidnapped by militiamen and held for ten hours. As a result, he publicly opposed the apparitions. The Vatican then announced that Bishop Zanic’s and Bishop Peric’s opinions on Medjugorje are just that – personal opinions – which does not carry any Church authority. After the war and breakup of Yugoslavia, Medjugorje was designated a region in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The authority of the apparitions are now under the Bishops of this region. They also have neither approved nor condemned it. Pope Francis has established an international committee of Bishops to continue investigating the apparitions. Two Vatican envoys were assigned to live in Medjugorje and provide pastoral care for the huge number of pilgrims.  

-Diocesan Chancery states there is nothing supernatural in Medjugorje, including the first few days – FALSE

After Bishop Zanic’s reversal of his initial positive position on the apparitions, a committee of Bishop’s from the former Yugoslavia Conference stated: “On the basis of investigations up till now it cannot be established that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations”.

This statement does not suggest that there is no supernatural apparition or revelation, only that it has not yet been established.

However, on May 12, 2019 the Ruini Commission, established by Pope Benedict XVI stated: “The Commission established by Pope Benedict XVI to study the alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, voted overwhelmingly to recognize as real and supernatural, the first seven apparitions”.

-The apparition of Our Lady is the “Idol” of Medjugorje – FALSE

There are no “idols” in Medjugorje. Jesus is praised and worshipped through Mass, Adoration, prayer and reception of the Sacraments. Our Lady is loved and honored. Fatima, Lourdes, Knock, etc. are also examples of this love for Our Lady.

-Our Lady prayed the Our Father with the visionaries – TRUE

In the testimony of one of the visionaries, Vicka, she said that on July 22, 1981, after asking Our Lady about some sick people who had been recommended to them, they prayed with Our Lady: “Our Lady said the Our Father and Glory Be. She was silent during the time of the Hail Mary”. 

Some people have claimed that since the Our Father is the prayer of sinners, Our Lady would not have prayed it. Jesus is sinless, and He prayed it, to teach us. Our Lady was simply teaching the children to pray the prayer Jesus taught us.

-Our Lady claimed the holiest person in the area was a Muslim – FALSE

At the time of the apparitions, there was an old Muslim woman named Pasa who lived in the village of Medjugorje. She was a friend of the family of one of the seers. Pasa was a good woman who became like a surrogate grandmother to the family. She loved God and always spoke about Him and prayed unceasingly. She also constantly encouraged the seer’s family to keep persevering in their Catholic faith. Pasa was once present during an apparition and claimed to see a light. When the seer asked Our Lady about the authenticity of this, Our Lady confirmed it. She went on to say that Pasa has a great love of God and prays with her heart. Our Lady simply commended the way Pasa prayed. 

Praying with the heart is a continual request from Our Lady. She wants us to pray the rosary, not just say the rosary. She wants us to give attention and love to our prayers. Our Lady asks for this over and over again, as any Mother would.

-Our Lady said she doesn’t dispose graces – FALSE

In January 1983 the actual question that was asked by one of the seers, is: “Are you the source of all graces”. Our Lady replied: “No, I am not the source”.

Of course, God is the source, not Our Lady. She never said she didn’t dispose of graces, nor was She asked that question. 

-Our Lady said all religions are equal before God. God rules over all religions as a sovereign over his kingdom – FALSE

In October of 1981, Our Lady was asked if all religions are the same. Our Lady replied: “Members of all faiths are equal before God. God rules over them just like a sovereign over his kingdom. In the world all religions are not the same because all people have not complied with the commandments of God. They reject and disparage them”.

When the seer originally conveyed the message, she referred to the nearby regions which have distinctively different religions; i.e, Croatians are Catholic, Bosnians are Muslim and Serbs are Orthodox. In the minds of the local people, ethnicity and religion are the same. As a result, the message was erroneously interpreted as to mean that all religions are the same. The seer later clarified it, saying: “All Croatians, Bosnians and Serbs are Our Lady’s children who She wants to lead to Jesus”.

God does not ordain different religions, but He (obviously) permits it.  Still, all are His children, and He is Lord over all.

-Our Lady claims that all men are saved (universalism) – FALSE

On January 10, 1983 the seers questioned Our Lady on Purgatory. She replied: “The majority of souls go to purgatory, many others go to hell, only a small number go directly to heaven”.

The fact that Our Lady stated that many people go to hell, is first and foremost a call for us to pray more, and second a clear sign that She did not speak of universalism.

-Our Lady said that She would only appear three more times – FALSE

During the early days of the apparitions, one of the visionaries was trying to figure out how long Our Lady would continue appearing. Someone told her about Lourdes and she thought the Medjugorje apparitions would be the same. The visionary conveyed this idea in an interview. This was her own thought, though. The seer was a child at the time. Our Lady never mentioned this.

-None of the visionaries have become priests or nuns – TRUE

On August 2, 1981 (six weeks after the initial apparition) the seers asked Our Lady what She wanted them to do later (when they grew up). She answered: “I would like for you to become priests and religious, but only if you, yourselves, would want it. It is up to you to decide”. Ivan, one of the older children, entered the seminary, but did not do well academically. After prayer and discernment, he decided to marry and have a family. The other children also decided on the vocation of marriage.

-Our Lady appears with Her feet covered by Her dress – TRUE

The description of Our Lady is of a very beautiful woman about 5’5”, slender with black hair, wearing a long grey/blue dress that touches the cloud She stands on, and a long white veil. Comments have been made that since we can’t see Her feet (as we can in Lourdes), She must be hiding something. The insinuation being that Her feet are the devil’s hoofs. With that same “logic”, we would have to dismiss the approved apparitions of Beauraing and Kibeho since the seers of those apparitions also describe Our Lady’s dress covering Her feet. While it is true that Our Lady will crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), it does not mean that She needs to show Her feet to prove the authenticity of Her presence. She asks for our prayers and sacrifices to defeat the enemy.

-Our Lady has “wardrobe changes” – TRUE

The seers describe Our Lady as wearing a greyish-blue plain dress with a white veil most of the time. On special occasions, like Christmas or Easter, She wears a gold dress. This is very much in keeping with Her other apparitions. Over the centuries, in each apparition, Our Lady appears in a different outfit; i.e., Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, etc. Our Lord has given His Mother a beautiful wardrobe. This hearkens back to a comment St. Joan of Arc made, at her trial, when asked if her saints (St. Michael, St. Margaret and St. Catherine) wore clothes when they appeared to her. She answered; “Don’t you think God can afford clothes?”

-Our Lady’s dress becomes stained – TRUE

During an apparition in August, 1981, several of the people who were present asked the seers if they could touch Our Lady. When Our Lady agreed, some of the people’s hands blackened Our Lady’s dress (it was an outward sign of their inward state of soul). Seeing this, one of the visionaries, Marija, began to weep. Those people were immediately told they must go to Confession. This was allowed to convey the necessity of frequent Confession for all Catholics. 

-Visionary Mirjana has a “magic” parchment – FALSE

One of the seers, Mirjana, received a sheet of paper-like material (partly paper, partly cloth) from Our Lady. This piece of “paper” contains ten secrets regarding the future, given by Our Lady. Although the “paper” can be seen by anyone, the writing is invisible. Only Mirjana can read it. Our Lady told Mirjana that it was for her use only. There has been no request to see the “paper” from the parish priests, the local Bishop or the Vatican. The seer keeps it in her home. A close friend and relative have seen the “paper” but could not see the writing. At the time when the first secret is to take place, Mirjana will give the “paper” to a priest of her choice, or one otherwise directed by Our Lady, and the writing will become visible. The priest will fast, pray and make an announcement to the world before the event happens. This is not magic. It is supernatural. There are numerous examples of this phenomenon in scripture and in the lives of the saints, i.e., St. Catherine of Siena received a wedding ring from Jesus that only she could see, the Fatima children received the Body and Blood of Jesus from an angel, St. John received and ate a scroll from an angel, etc.

-Our Lady almost dropped the Baby Jesus – FALSE

During an apparition, Our Lady was holding the Baby Jesus. At a certain point, one of the seers – Vicka – was concerned that Jesus would fall. This, of course, was not the case, but Vicka made a jerking motion, common in that perceived situation (Remember, Vicka was a young teenager at the time). At the moment Vicka moved, a man in the room pretended to poke her in the eye. He said her flinch was proof that she was not experiencing an apparition. However, Vicka confirmed she was witnessing an apparition, and her reaction was related to it. It is common for seers, at times, to be aware of their surroundings and, at times, to be in a complete state of ecstasy. Both are common in approved apparitions.

In Lourdes, St. Bernadette was often able to interact with both Our Lady and the people/events around her (i.e., pointing out to others where Our Lady was standing, digging for the spring of water, etc.). Other times she was in ecstasy, which rendered her completely unaware of her surroundings. This is also true of the children in Fatima and of St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe. Always being impervious to one’s surroundings isn’t consistent with authentic apparitions. 

-Former Fr. Vlasic was the seers’ spiritual director – TRUE & FALSE

Father Jozo Zovko was pastor of St. James Church (1980-1983). Former Fr. Vlasic (laicized) was the associate pastor of St. James Church in Medjugorje (1982-1984). In the early years of the apparitions, Father Jozo, together with other Friars, including Vlasic, assisted the children. All the Friars supported them well, especially as they were being pressured by the government. This support was commended by Our Lady. Soon after, Fr. Jozo was imprisoned by the communists. Former Fr. Vlasic then started his own community. At first, the group seemed to be in accordance with the faith. However, later discoveries revealed serious errors in promoting erroneous mysticism. Other compromising issues regarding Vlasic’s priesthood also came to light. As a result, he was laicized and eventually excommunicated. Former Fr. Vlasic’s personal choices are not the reflection of the apparitions or of the community at St. James. In fact, his removal points to the authenticity of the apparitions since his activities were uncovered, and he was dismissed.

An important note: Vlasic is often confused with Fr. Slavko Barbaric, a Friar who was also at St. James in the early years of the apparitions. Fr. Slavko was the seers’ spiritual director from 1984 until 2000, when he passed away. It was Fr. Slavko that Our Lady referred to as a Saint.

-Our Lady “giggles” – FALSE

In the early days of the apparitions, the children mentioned that Our Lady laughed at some of Jakov’s comments (he was ten years old at the time). This laugh was a modest expression of her affection for the young boy, accompanied by a sweet smile.  Any holy, modest mother would respond to her child’s comment in the same way. 

-The visionaries are rich – FALSE

All the visionaries live middle class lives. Each has opened their home in Medjugorje to pilgrims for a modest cost, thereby earning a modest living. The women seers are all married and have husbands who receive additional income from their jobs.

One visionary, Ivan, has a second home in Massachusetts which is the hometown of his wife and in-laws. His wife’s parents were instrumental in assisting them in buying a home there. As a young woman, Ivan’s wife won a state beauty contest, before meeting Ivan in Medjugorje, and experiencing a conversion. This involvement in the beauty contest has prompted some criticism, the insinuation being that they are involved with beauty pageants, or some such activities, which is false.

It's important to note that St. Bernadette and the family of the Fatima seers were also accused of allegedly profiting from the apparitions. After the apparitions in Lourdes, Bernadette’s Father received a job and they moved from the dungeon they were living, to a better home. In Fatima, the family sold the land of the apparitions to the Church and moved from a very small home to a larger one. 

-The apparitions have been going on longer than any other approved apparition – FALSE

The longest recorded apparition was for 88 years to Sr. Lucia of Fatima. Our Lady first appeared to her at Fatima in 1917. The apparitions continued at her convent in Pontevedra, Spain until she died in 2005. This was confirmed by the sisters and Church clergy. 

The second longest recorded approved apparition was for 54 years, 1664-1718, to Benoite Rencurel in Laus, France. 

-Our Lady makes appointments – TRUE

Our Lady of Medjugorje has asked the children to meet her at a specific time each day. This “appointment making” is consistent with Our Lady’s respect for our free will. It is also consistent with other apparitions. For examples, in Lourdes, Our Lady asked St. Bernadette: “Would you do me the great grace of coming here for fifteen days”. In Guadalupe, She asked St. Juan Diego to meet Her at the same time in the same place, the next day. At Fatima, Our Lady asked the children to come back to the same place on the 13th day of each month, for six months.

-Medjugorje is condemned – FALSE

On May 12, 2019 the Ruini Commission, established by Pope Benedict XVI stated: “The Commission established to study the alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, voted overwhelmingly to recognize as real and supernatural, the first seven apparitions”.  Pope Francis authorized official Church pilgrimages to Medjugorje on that same day. 

-Medjugorje is about money – FALSE

Monsignor Andrea Gemma was reported to have claimed that Medjugorje, “is a diabolical event around which numerous economic interests are involved”. This statement was countered by many (see below), including Mariologist Fr. Rene Laurentin, who stated: “I cannot be in agreement with Msgr. Gemma. Do not forget that at every religious shrine there are souvenir stores and hotel structures that give hospitality to the pilgrims. According to the reasoning of Msgr. Gemma, we would have to say that Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe and San Giovanni Rotondo (St. Padre Pio) are also deceits inspired by satan in order to make some people rich. I am convinced that Medjugorje is a fruit of the Good and not of the evil”.

-Medjugorje produces good fruits – TRUE

Since 1981, over 50 million people have visited Medjugorje. There are over 10,000 recorded vocations to the priesthood, and thousands of vocations to religious life. In addition to this are the millions of conversions and thousands of healings – physical, emotional and spiritual. Medjugorje is known as “the confessional of the world” owing to the enormous number of pilgrims flocking to confession.

One of the conditions the Church looks for in authenticating an apparition is the number of people visiting the site, over a continuous period of time. There has never been a false apparition that has had an enormous and steady influx of pilgrims. Another necessary condition for authenticity is the fruits of the apparition.

-Our Lady promised Medjugorje would be protected during the Bosnian war (1992-1995) -TRUE

During an apparition, the seers asked Our Lady about the safety of Medjugorje during the war. She said Medjugorje would be protected and there would be peace. Medjugorje was protected and after three years, there was a greater peace between the warring regions.

In fact, one bomb dropped in the Church plaza, but never exploded; 9 bombs dropped in the village which also, never exploded; enemy pilots got lost in the clouds while flying over Medjugorje. 

During a meeting with the Superior General of the Franciscan Order, Pope Saint John Paul II asked: "All around Medjugorje bombs have been falling, and yet Medjugorje itself was never damaged. Is this not perhaps a miracle of God?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpmyvxoez8c

-Medjugorje has been commended by Saints, Bishops and Exorcists - TRUE

Pope St. John Paul II commented to the Archbishop of Slovakia “Medjugorje is the continuation of Fatima, it is the completion of Fatima”.

Again, Pope St. John Paul II commented to Fr. Rene Laurentin: “I regret to have to guide the Church from the Vatican and not from Medjugorje”.

In 1989 Pope St. John Paul II said: “Today’s world has lost its sense of the supernatural, but many are searching for it-and find it in Medjugorje, through prayer, penance and fasting”.

The same Pope said to Fr. Jozo Zovko on the 20th July 1992: "BUSY YOURSELF WITH MEDJUGORJE, LOOK AFTER MEDJUGORJE, DON'T TIRE. PERSEVERE, BE STRONG, I AM WITH YOU. WATCH OVER, FOLLOW MEDJUGORJE”.  In August 2002, Pope St. John Paul II wrote a letter to Fr. Jozo thanking him for his ministry and giving him his blessing.

Pope St. John Paul II, in response to a question asked by the Archbishop of Asuncion, La Paz, Bolivia. - Feb. 1995 "AUTHORIZE EVERYTHING THAT REGARDS MEDJUGORJE".

In a handwritten letter to Denis Nolan, St. Mother Teresa wrote, “We are all praying one Hail Mary before Holy Mass to Our Lady of Medjugorje”.

Cardinal Tonini stated: “Only unbelievers do not believe in Our Lady and in Medjugorje. For the rest, nobody is forcing us to believe, but let us at least respect it. I think that it is a blessed place and a grace of God; who goes to Medjugorje returns transformed, changed, he reflects himself in that source of grace that is Christ”.

Bishop Gilbert Aubry of St. Denis states: “So, she talks too much, this Virgin of the Balkans? That’s the sardonic opinion of some unabashed skeptics. Have they eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear? Clearly the voice in the messages of Medjugorje is that of a motherly and strong woman who does not pamper her children, but teaches them, exhorts and pushes them to assume greater responsibility for the future”.

Cardinal Schonborn wrote: “In order to doubt that into Medjugorje a stream of grace flows, one must shut one’s eyes,” he added, comparing Medjugorje to Lourdes as a place where hearts are transformed. 

The Cardinal adds, when comparing the Church’s caution towards the alleged apparitions to the Church’s caution towards St. Faustina, he stated that; “The “personal reliability” of the witnesses, the sensus fidelium, and the charitable works associated with Medjugorje are surely an important element.  What does one learn from the Mother of God? The faith in everyday life! For me Medjugorje is a school of normal Christian life”. 

Famous Exorcist Fr. Gabriel Amorth stated: “Surely, Medjugorje is a fortress against Satan. Satan hates Medjugorje because it is a place of conversion, of prayer, of transformation of life”.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE - FIVE MAIN MESSAGES:

1. PRAY WITH THE HEART, THE ROSARY, DAILY

2. DAILY READING OF THE BIBLE

3. HOLY MASS (AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE)

4. FAST ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

5. MONTHLY CONFESSION

Helpful Resources: You Tube: Fr. Leon Pereira, OP – Medical doctor, Dominican Friar and chaplain in Medjugorje.

You Tube: Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC Conversion

You Tube: Tom Medjugorje 

Medjugorje website: www.medjugorje.org

“Visions of the Children” by Janice T. Connell

Compiled by Michael and Denise Harvey