Marian Devotion is Alive and Well in Kailua!

While May is traditionally celebrated as the Month of Mary, October also holds a place in the hearts of the faithful as the Month of the Holy Rosary.  As such, October is one of the most spiritually vibrant months in the Catholic calendar.  This special time invites us to draw closer to God through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, via her most cherished prayer.  Whether through private meditation in our homes or communal prayer in our parishes, October is an opportune time to commune with Our Lady; to deepen our personal relationship with her and her Divine Son.

In my Kailua parish, October holds a special rhythm of grace, which I'm happy to blog about for the spiritual edification of readers.  Here's a look at how Mother Mary and the Rosary are being celebrated this month in my parish, and how you, too, can bring these meaningful devotional practices into your own respective parishes.

🌹 St. Anthony of Padua Parish’s Pilgrim Madonna Program

One of the most exciting ways my parish encourages Marian Devotion is through our Pilgrim Madonna Program.  To foster domestic church life and a spirit of community prayer, my Pastor commissioned four distinct images of Our Lady (including two icons personally written by this author) that "travel" from household to household throughout October (and during May, too).  This is the third year we've done it and it's become an event our families look forward too.

             

Three of our four Pilgrim Madonnas - representing

Our Lady of Medjugorje, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady

of Lourdes - displayed in the homes of parishioners.

How does it work? Families sign up to host a Pilgrim Madonna in their home for 3-day intervals.  While the image is with a household, the family commits to pray the Rosary together and encouraged to invite their relatives and neighbors to participate.  Since the program's inception, signal graces have been reported, thanks be to God!

🌹 Parish Rosary Marathon

This past October 7th, 2026 - the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the anniversary of the historic Battle of Lepanto - our parish took devotion to the next level by hosting a special "Rosary Marathon" during which parishioners prayed all four sets of the Rosary Mysteries in one sitting.  It's a minor sacrifice, but more than worth it, considering the blessings Our Lady promises to her Rosary devotees.

    

From start to finish, as the rhythmic cadence of the "Hail Mary" filled the air, the vibe in the church was nothing short of deep, deep serenity and the tangible presence of the Divine.  The night was topped off by refreshments served by our resident FIAT Prayer Group and with fellowship time amongst participants; several people expressed positive feedback about the Rosary Marathon, making for a fitting tribute to Our Lady on her feast day ... and proving that when people come together in sincere prayer, souls are changed for the better.

🌹 America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally

And today, October 10th, 2026 ... the Vargas Family again held their America Needs Fatima Public Rosary Rally (an annual event I and several others enthusiastically look forward to!).  While praying in the church is vital, taking our faith out into the community and public places is a powerful witness to the world.

Equipped with a giant banner, statues, and rosary beads, we offered prayerful reparation for sins and implored God’s mercy for our country through Mary’s intercession ... and we were even blessed by an amazing sign before our Rosary commenced - a visual manifestion of the Blessed Virgin's figure in the sky above us!

     

Our Lady came to encourage us - Ave Maria!

Group meetings such as these remind us that our faith is not meant to be hidden behind closed doors; rather, it's meant to shine brightly for all to see.  

This author (standing) with our gracious hosts:

Michael, Auntie Patti & Auntie Edwina.

And finally, the food served afterward by our wonderful hosts was fantastic!  May God continue blessing the Vargas and Saunders Ohana!

🌹 October isn't finished yet!

As we journey through the rest of the month, let us not let the special charisms of this Month of the Rosary pass us by (October 13th is the Anniversary of the Great Miracle of the Sun in Fatima!).  Pick up your Rosary and pray it through the end of October ... and ask Heaven for graces upon yourselves and your loved ones.  Remember that our Blessed Mother never fails to hear the prayers of her children.

Our Lady of the Rosary,

pray for us!

Our Lady, the "God-Bearer"

It's another First Saturday, a day revered by countless Marian Devotees throughout the world.  Me included.  You'll usually find this blogger at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua on the mornings of First Saturdays because of what happens there each month: the Pastor, Fr. Vincent, celebrates morning Mass; he offers the Sacrament of Healing; an hour of Eucharistic Adoration immediately follows the Mass; and there's Confession during and after Adoration.  It's a Marian devotee's paradise and I get to enjoy it every First Saturday, including today.

Fr. Vincent leading us in the Divine Praises.

In this blog, I'd like to share another curious pic concerning the outdoor Marian Shrine at St. John Vianney Parish.  I snapped it before the Mass, as I waited for the church doors to open.  I was looking at the shrine and praying to Our Lady ... then felt prompted to take a few photos from where I stood near the entrance.  Later, I noticed that in one of the pics - if you zoom in at the statue - the light reflected on it seems to form the luminous profile of a pregnant woman (note the large "baby bump").  It definitely doesn't look anything like the statue and my immediate thought is that it reminds me of the Holy Virgin's sublime role as the THEOTOKOS or the "God-Bearer" ... and of all days and of all places, the image appeared on a First Saturday when Mother Mary is especially honored ... and in a shrine dedicated to her.  I'm not saying the figure is a miracle, but I don't believe in coincidences either.

       

The garden shrine (left) and is that the luminous figure of

the Blessed Virgin as a pregnant woman (circled)?

Regardless what the figure is, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for this morning's events.  It's a comfort to think that Our Lady is always nearby but the Holy Mass and the other Sacraments I partook of, and time spent in Adoration, are actually the gifts from God that are of much greater value.  All Thanks and Praises be to Him!

Beneath your mercy, we take refuge,

O Virgin Theotokos.  Disdain not our

supplications in our distress, but

deliver us from perils, O only pure

and blessed one.

- from the Sub Tuum Praesidium

(ancient prayer to Mary, 250 AD)

FOR DISCERNMENT: PRAY FOR AMERICA

Happy 4th of July!

I feel a special need to share another extraordinary photo.  After today's First Saturday Rosary for Peace and evening Vigil Mass at my parish, I witnessed a figure in the sky - it looked like our Blessed Mother holding the infant Jesus.  I asked her what was going on, then had an interior impression that it was a silent message for our country since it's the 4th of July ... and the 250th Anniversary of the USA.  I snapped a few pics.

     

One of the clearer photos ... the figure enlarged on the right

with the Holy Virgin outlined by this author.

Now looking at the photos, it seems to me that the Baby Jesus is transformed into a cross in Our Lady's hands (some still perceive a baby).  A First Saturday ... on a historic and significant date for America ... the Rosary for Peace ... this appearance ... and a cross in her hands.  It doesn't seem to be random.  Rather, as a whole, it's all a coherent and urgent message - a silent request to pray and sacrifice for our country - and I'm not surprised.  Our culture has more and more, with the passing of each decade, sunken into deeper lows.  Our beloved country indeed needs prayer - pray, pray, pray for America!

A Prayer for America's 250th Anniversary

(By Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,

I place today my nation, the United States of America,

into Your Heart pierced for love of us.  On the 250th

Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,

I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift, and that

our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Patroness of the Americas, and through the

intercession of her Immaculate Heart, bless my

homeland anew, purify her from sin, and guide her

leaders in truth, justice, and peace, so that she may

safeguard all human life, respect the integrity of

marriage and the family, and honor the practice of

religion.  Reign in my home and in my nation.

Draw every heart into communion with You, that

Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may

triumph in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

God bless the United States of America!

A week with our Mother Mary...

What a busy and intense week it was for me, but in a good way ... and it seemed to this author that the "veil" separating Heaven and Earth was especially thin this week; Our Lady was a factor and her influence seemed particularly palpable.  Did anyone else feel this way?

... and I think the recent events in Medjugorje was the catalyst, at least from my personal perspective.  This ongoing Church-approved Marian Apparition just celebrated its 45th Anniversary on June 24th, 2026, and the Queen of Peace again requested a special nine days of preparation - a "Novena of Rosaries" - calling for people to participate in late night vigils up on Apparition Hill, as if to encourage voluntary mortification and sacrifice amongst the pilgrims.

Marija in ecstasy during an apparition

For those familiar with this ministry, you likely already know that I personally believe in these apparitions and promote the monthly messages in this blog.  I cannot express enough how Medjugorje has deeply influenced my spiritual life for the better, and I attribute many special favors I've received to the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje.  So promoting devotion to her is the least I can do to repay her.

Two of the six Seers - Ivan and Marija -

present during an apparition

I followed that Medjugorje Rosary Novena in spiritual union, via YouTube, and performed whatever special instruction was given by the Blessed Virgin during each apparition (e.g. praying for the Poor Souls).  Then, on June 25th, a friend invited me to bring relics to her home for a prayer meeting she hosted for her parish's Fatima Pilgrim Madonna statue.  It just so happened to be the day that Our Lady gave her June monthly message for the world so I took the opportunity to speak not just about the Fatima message, but also about the events in Medjugorje.  There were a couple of people present who had actually never heard of Medjugorje and they were quite impressed by what they learned.  I also relayed how the Virgin once said to the Medjugorje seers: "What I started in Fatima, I will finish in Medjugorje.  My heart will triumph."   Our host then read the June 25th Message out loud.

   

Relic Pilgrim Visitation at the Manoa Residence in Aiea: Relics of the

Fatima Seers were displayed with the Medjugorje Peace Icon

Also making a positive impact were my ministry's relics of the three Fatima Seers (including a splinter of wood from the tree of apparitions) and my Medjugorje "Peace Icon" that has three stones taken from the shrine on Apparition Hill; from the Blue Cross shrine; and from the large cross atop Cross Mountain.  All of it, together, contributed to a certain heavenly presence that permeated the room we were in.

Finally, this morning (6/27), as I drove to St. John Vianney Church in Kailua to attend Mass, I was surprised to see a clear figure of the Blessed Virgin high in the sky ahead of me.  It looked like a cardboard cut-out of her pasted in the sky - the clearest photo is shown below.

     

Our Lady's figure in the sky above Enchanted Lakes,

Kailua (zoomed-in in the left photo)

I believe what I saw was intended as a sign for the parish priest (a friend of mine) who had asked me to pray with him for a certain, undisclosed petition (we were invoking Our Lady's intercession) ... but wait - if that weren't enough, after the Mass and joining in the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet with a few St. John Vianney parishioners, I again witnessed Our Lady's silhouette floating in the air - see below.

     

Our Lady's figure spotted in the sky above Kailua for a

second time in the same day (zoomed-in in the left photo)

So one can understand what I meant by the title of this blog.  Due to all that transpired in the past week, I really felt that I spent it with Mother Mary, the Queen of Peace ... and one might be surprised to learn that I've never been to Medjugorje despite my devotion; neither do I feel the need to go there because here's what I've learned throughout the years: one doesn't need to go to Medjugorje to experience its extraordinary grace and inspiration.  Just live the messages wherever you are - Convert, Pray "from the heart", live a Sacramental Life, and Fast regularly - and the blessed fruits of Medjugorje will come to you!  Indeed, putting her words into action is the best way we can show love and honor to our Heavenly Mother Mary.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

pray for us!

That Worldwide Rosary for Peace ...

Yesterday - Saturday, May 30th, 2026 - Pope Leo invited the Faithful around the world to join him in praying a "Rosary for Peace", which he led from the Lourdes replica grotto in the Vatican Gardens.  The meaningful event was broadcasted throughout the world by EWTN and other networks.  In Hawaii, the prayer service was shown live in YouTube beginning at 7am.

“Let me hear what God the Lord

will speak, for he will speak peace to

his people, to his faithful, to those

who turn to him in their hearts.”

- Psalm 85:8

Curiously, while this special prayer for global peace was going on, this author witnessed the appearance of a mysterious silhouette in front of the morning sun; the sun was so bright I had to look away a few times, but the figure remained and I discerned the Blessed Virgin (the "Woman clothed with the sun").  I snapped a few photos of which the best one is shown below.

    

Reflecting on this recent manifestation, I believe it was intended to convey Our Lady's solidarity with the worldwide prayers, and affirmations of her pleasure and intercession.  After all, over 200 shrines around the world, mainly Marian sanctuaries - including Fatima, Lourdes, Medjugorje, the US National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, etc. - joined in with the Pope's Rosary for Peace, not to mention the countless people who followed the event, via social media.  Plus, isn't Our Lady the Queen of Peace?

In addition to leading the prayer, Pope Leo addressed the world, quoting the Psalm posted above and reminding us all that "true peace begins in a heart that loves" ... and that peace should be a "daily commitment" for everyone.  Powerful words that I pray we can all take to heart ... and practice.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

pray for us!

Nature is God's beautiful "picture book" ...

After attending noon Mass yesterday in Downtown, Honolulu, I sat near a planter to take a quick break ... and serendipitously, a leaf with an odd brown blotch caught my attention.  It somehow reminded me of the Holy Grotto of Lourdes.

"There is a great book:

the very appearance of created things.

Look above you!  Look below you!

Note it.  Read it."

- St. Augustine of Hippo

For Discernment: An Easter Sign of HOPE

Yesterday morning, this blogger witnessed an image in the sky resembling the Holy Face of our Saviour, a devotion that I just so happen to be deeply engaged in.  I immediately took out my cellphone and snapped a couple of photos.  However, when I later reviewed the pics, instead of the Holy Face, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this ...

I'm convinced our Holy Mother is reassuring us that despite all the turmoil happening in the world, in our present time - in our personal lives, too - we have good reason to rejoice.  JESUS IS STILL IN CONTROL!  Hallelujah and Happy Blessed Easter!

A Blessing for Families

Happy Feast Day of the Holy Family!

Today, our Church celebrates the loving union of Jesus, Mama Mary, and St. Joseph as a very human, yet exemplary faith-filled family.  This author attended the 9AM Mass this morning at my parish church of St. Anthony of Padua in Kailua then, afterwards, was surprised by the awesome sight of the luminous figure of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of this ministry!) in the sky above the church!  The image was so clear, it resembled a white cut-out of the Guadalupe Virgin pasted against the blue firmament; actually remaining long enough for me to whisper prayers ... to snap a few cellphone pics ... and to gaze a bit more at her with heartfelt gratitude before she finally faded.  It couldn't have been just a random cloud.

        

The two clearest pics I managed to take.  Tap on

either photo to enlarge and view details ... note the

Virgin of Guadalupe in the center (circled).

So what did it all mean?  There were no words heard, but in my heart I strongly felt Our Lady manifested her presence for the following reasons:

• to bless all families who reverently observed today's feast

• to affirm the sanctity of the traditional family unit

• as the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn (she appeared as a youthful pregnant woman in Mexico), to affirm the sanctity of life and the need to prayerfully defend the Unborn from abortion, which has contributed to the degeneration of modern families

Lastly, I'd like to suggest that if one has any urgent request concerning a relative(s), today's feast is an opportune time to invoke the intercession of the Holy Family.  I believe this appearance of the Blessed Virgin is a sign that exceptional graces are possible today - the Feast of the Holy Family - for those who ask with confidence.  May the good Lord bless all of our families with sanctity and protection from evil.

The Rosary and Signal Graces

I've written about the Rosary Prayer many times already but I still can't emphasize enough the amazing things that can sometimes result from praying it daily ... especially when an "amazing thing" does happen!

"One day, through the Rosary and the

Scapular, the world will be saved."

‐ Our Lady to St. Dominic

First off, through the consistent and heartfelt recitation of this special prayer, one is drawn into a profound communion with the mysteries of Christ's life and the maternal love and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This is the Rosary's greatest power.  Then, each bead offered becomes a spiritual lifeline of grace and, with every decade prayed devoutly, Heaven begins responding with signal graces; sometimes even close encounters with the Divine that illuminate the path of conversion, healing, and spiritual growth ... and transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary and sacred.

For example, yesterday (Saturday) morning, while praying the Rosary at the outdoor Marian Shrine at St. John Vianney Church, a very deep PEACE came over me, which was a much-needed respite in the midst of what had been a busy week.  It was truly a blessing ... and what's more was that, at a certain point, I glanced up and saw what appeared to be Our Lady - like a distinct image of the Virgin of Fatima - in the sky behind the shrine!  Again, peace ... accompanied by the comforting feeling of being LOVED.

Fortunately, despite my cellphone being at low battery and me blindly snapping pics, I managed to capture the mysterious figure although the photos were hazy.  Still, I'll take what I got because I'm convinced what I saw was another blessing.

... and going back to that garden shrine, I also believe it's an anointed, holy place.  I've personally had several unusual experiences there, and just recently, two friends of mine, on different occasions, witnessed the same cloudform above the garden while praying there - a large heart!

If one finds all of this hard to believe, I completely get it.  Discernment is always needed in such matters, but just read the "15 Rosary Promises" given by Our Lady to St. Dominic de Guzman and Bl. Alan de la Roche - the very first promise on the list is this:

Whoever shall faithfully serve me

by the recitation of the Rosary, shall

receive signal graces.

And one other thing I've learned from years of praying the Rosary every day is this: our Blessed Mother always keeps her promises.

Kailua Celebrates the Month of the Rosary

This ministry is happy to report that several special events have been ongoing in Kailua to celebrate the "Month of the Holy Rosary" ...

🌹 First Saturday Rosary for Peace & Sunday Rosaries

First off, St. Anthony of Padua Church's longstanding monthly First Saturday Rosary for Peace had hit another major milestone on 10/4/2025 - it's 15th Anniversary and what abundant graces we've received since we started!

In addition, Rosaries are being prayed by our congregation, 35 minutes prior to every Mass during the month of October.  Come and pray with us ... and in the months ahead, consider making the Five First Saturdays Devotion (see above) at our parish.  We continue to have Confession, Rosary, and Vigil Mass every Saturday afternoon beginning at 4pm.

(NOTE: At neighboring St. John Vianney Church, for the month of October, the congregation is praying the Rosary every Saturday morning after the 8am Mass led by the parish's Sodality of Mary.)

🌹 Pilgrim Madonna Home Visits

Initially implemented by our Pastor, Fr. Tony, for the month of October 2024, then again in May 2025, we started with 2 statues that traveled at 3-day intervals between 26 homes in Kailua.  The statues were a Fatima image provided by a friend and a Lady of Grace statue owned by this ministry.

   

The two original Pilgrim Madonnas and Fr. Tony commissioning

4 (of 5) Pilgrim Madonnas for October 2025.

This October 2025, our parishioners responded so enthusiastically, we had to add more 3 images, which includes this ministry's Queen of Peace Icon with its three stones collected from sites in Medjugorje sanctified by the Virgin Mary’s continuing apparitions there: Apparition Hill, Cross Mountain, and the Blue Cross locations.  With the additional Pilgrim Madonnas, our Blessed Mother will now get to visit over 60 homes in which parishioners have committed themselves to pray the Rosary for the duration of the visitation - I personally anticipate great graces for our families and general community!

   

ABOVE & BELOW:  A few photos of the Pilgrim Madonnas

visiting parish homes.

🌹 America Needs Fatima (ANF) Rosary Rally 2025

Once again, Auntie Patty Vargas and her extended family hosted its annual ANF Rosary Rally at their Kailua home.  This wonderful family has been faithfully hosting uninterrupted annual rallies since 2009 (except for 2020 due to the covid pandemic).  The event is something many of us, fortunate enough to be invited, look forward to each year because of its devout atmosphere ... and the light-hearted fellowship and delicious luncheon that follows the prayers.  This year's rally did not disappoint.

The Vargas Ohana's 2025 Rosary Rally in

Kailua (Oahu), Hawaii ...

An annual event of Prayer, Faith, Food & Fellowship!

🌹 Affirmations

With all these special observances honoring the Holy Mother of Christ in our parish, spiritual fruits have inevitably followed: increased Mass attendance; increased OCIA enrollments this year; increased participation in parish-sponsored special events/celebrations (e.g. the Rosary Marathon, Pilgrim Madonna program, etc.); increased membership with our FIAT: Faith In Action Today Prayer Group; and, lastly, seemingly increased signs in the skies above our two Kailua parishes (St. Anthony of Padua Church and St. John Vianney Church)!

On the morning of the 10/11/2025 Rally:

the Holy Mother's figure was witnessed from

St. John Vianney Church's garden shrine.  She

expressed her joy over all the Rosary Rallies

being held around the world!

It all goes to show that wherever Our Lady is venerated through the Rosary, her loving, motherly presence is there ... and, trust me - she comes loaded with gifts!

Ave Maria & Thanks be to God!