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!

Saints & Relics Presentation: St. George Church, 6-14-2026

This ministry launched its very first Saints and Relics Presentation at St. George Church back in October 2010 so this parish holds a warm place in this author's heart.   Since that first talk, I have since returned a handful of times to the Waimanalo parish to conduct a few more ... and the parishioners have always responded enthusiastically, each time, and today's presentation was no different.

Relics on display in St. George Church (note

the beautiful stained-glass windows of Hawaii's own

Sts. Marianne & Damien & Bro. Joseph Dutton)

I brought 10 relics for my audience to venerate - St. Bartolo Longo, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Ven. Francesca del Serrone, Bl. Josaphata Hordashevska, Bl. Karl of Austria, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Bl. Nicholas Kitbamrung, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, and Our Lady's veil - and spoke in detail about the lives of seven of them.  Again, the St. George parishioners were very receptive to the stories I shared of our Saints and holy role-models ...

Above: This author emphasizing the need to show

proper respect toward the Sacred Relics

Below: Parishioners lined up to venerate the relics

Fortunately for the group, they have a wonderful, supportive Pastor - Fr. Raymond Ellorin - who also has a lively devotion to the Saints, surrounding his parishioners with their presence to encourage deeper faith.  Fr. Ray had a special Reliquary Shrine constructed inside the church to house 1st Class Relics of St. George Martyr and St. Damien of Molokai; had a beautiful meditation garden created, which he surrounded with large statues of several Saints; and recently installed 6 stained-glass windows also featuring Saints!  And last, but not least, Hispanic members of the parish erected an outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe - see below.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

This parish is literally saturated with the positive spiritual influence and intercession of our holy heroes!  If one is ever in the Windward area of Oahu, St. George Church is definitely worth a visit.

Marian Apparitions - A Mother's Plea Presentation @ Sts. Peter & Paul Church (Honolulu), 5-17-2026

I had a sense this presentation was somehow going to be extra-special.  There were seemingly heavenly affirmations leading up to it ... then the attendance was surprisingly big!  Plus, from the very start, the audience showed an intensity of interest that I don't often see in the beginning; it takes some time to warm up participants, but people's eyes were glued to the slideshow, early on, indicating just how eager they were for the information being shared!

So the Marian Apparitions I featured included: Akita, Betania, Cuapa, Fatima, Champion, Heede, Kibeho, Lourdes, and Paris (Miraculous Medal apparitions) ... and when I periodically polled the audience by a show of hands, I was surprised to discover that the majority had never heard of most of these sacred destinations, not even Fatima or Lourdes?!!!  Perhaps the reason why many seemed so intrigued.

A statue of Our Lady of LaSalette displayed

in the church for the month of May.

I spoke about the common fundamental points of our Blessed Mother's messages: CONVERSION, PRAYER, PENANCE, and frequenting the SACRAMENTS (e.g. Eucharist and Confession).  And the need to follow through with putting the messages into action rather than just being nonchalant bystanders; how our personal follow-through can not only positively change our lives, but also bring about the conversion of others.

As for the relics I displayed - they were from St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Catherine Laboure, the Fatima Seers ... and other Marian mystics: St. Faustina Kowalska and St. Padre Pio.  After the talk, everyone came up to the display table to venerate the relics and to touch medals and prayer cards I provided to them.  Many were in awe and deeply impressed by the up-close encounter with the Saints they had just heard about.

And lastly, one of the unexpected highlights for this author was an elderly woman who approached me after the talk to show me two rose petals with holy figures on them, something I had spoken about as potential signs at apparition sites.  One petal was impressed with St. Mother Teresa's face and another with St. Padre Pio's face.  She said the images inexplicably appeared after Bro. Carmelo Cortez (an alleged Filipino Marian visionary) had prayed over the petals.  I asked the lady if I could snap pics of the petals to include them in a future talk, and imagine my surprise when she said, "You can have one."  I ended up picking St. Pio.  What a wonderful gift from Heaven and a great way to close the presentation!  I knew it was going to be extra-special and it was.  God is good!

The "Padre Pio Rose Petal" gifted to this ministry

(compare the image with the inset of the Saint's photo).

Pilgrimages: Journeys of Faith Presentation @ St. Anthony of Padua Church (Kailua), 5-14-2026

On May 14th, at my parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church, this ministry was invited to speak on the topic of Pilgrimage.  So I explained the biblical foundation of Catholic pilgrimages and how "sacred journeys" have always been part of humanity’s search for God.  From the Exodus of Israel to the pilgrimages made to Jerusalem during the time of Christ, Scriptures narrate how God often calls His people to encounter Him through travel, sacrifice, and devotion; a metaphor of an internal spiritual progression.

Relics on display: Sts. Francisco & Jacinta of Fatima,

St. Catherine Laboure, & St. Bernadette of Lourdes

I also discussed how the early Christians inherited this tradition and continued it by visiting places closely connected to the life of Christ, the Apostles, and the holy martyrs.  These sacred destinations became places of prayer, repentance, healing, and spiritual renewal for generations of believers.

"Pilgrimage is a powerful expression

of faith—one that reminds us that we are

always on a journey toward God."

– St. Pope John Paul II

Finally, I explored how pilgrimages continue to endure today and are still encouraged by the Church as an important form of popular piety and spiritual devotion ... and highlighted several major types of pilgrimage destinations, including: the holy places of the Holy Land and Rome, where pilgrims walk in the footsteps of Christ and the Apostles; the importance of saint and relic shrines, where the faithful honor the witness and intercession of the saints; and Marian apparition sites that have become centers of prayer and conversion for millions around the world.  Through pilgrimages, believers continue to deepen their faith, seek God’s grace, and experience a living connection to the history and spiritual heritage of the Church.

Saints & Relics Presentation: Schofield Barracks Catholic Community, 2-24-2026

Last night, the Schofield Barracks Young Adult Group hosted a presentation that turned out to be as memorable for its message as for its unexpected challenges.  What was supposed to be a routine talk on Saints & Relics quickly transformed into a lesson on spiritual warfare when this author's laptop suddenly stopped working from the very start, along with a second one provided by a participant.  Instead of allowing the eerie occurrence to derail the evening, the presentation went on without the usual slideshow and it still turned out pretty well!

Among the relics present were hair clippings from, and

part of a compression sock worn by, the late Fr. Rookey,

whose sainthood this ministry is helping to promote.

Participants remained engaged throughout the hour-long talk, then asked thoughtful questions after; shared personal experiences about Saints; and displayed a genuine eagerness to understand the deep spiritual significance behind the sacred relics ... and what do you know - my laptop started working normally again after the presentation!  Seriously - how can people deny the existence of evil spirits?

Young men praying before relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes;

Ven. Domenica Lazzeri; Bl. Carmen of the Child Jesus; St.

Damien of Molokai; Bl. Rolando Rivi; St. Maria Goretti; St.

Pier Giorgio Frassati; St. Louis & Zelie Martin; St. Therese the

Little Flower; St. Padre Pio; St. Peregrine Laziosi; Our Lady.

By the end of the night, the combination of unexpected obstacles, heartfelt engagement, and the recovery of the computer created an uplifting experience—one of those rare times where everything that goes “wrong” ends up making the message land even more powerfully.  All thanks and praises be to God!

Saints & Relics Presentation (Family Edition): St. Elizabeth Church, 12-7-2025

Tonight's presentation on Saints and Relics "Family Edition" at St. Elizabeth Church was structured to introduce teenagers to the richness of Catholic tradition, highlighting the lives of holy men and women and the sacred relics associated with them.  This presenter emphasized that our Saints were ordinary people transformed by extraordinary faith, which resonated with the teenagers and kept them attentive throughout.

The youthful audience was engrossed as they listened to vivid stories of holy individuals who faced real life struggles - peer pressure, doubts, fears, illness, etc. ‐ and they found the Saints relatable rather than distant historical figures; ample photos also helped to break up the talk and maintain focus.

The relics on display were from St. Bartolo Longo; St. Bernadette of Lourdes; St. Carlo Acutis;

Ven. Domenica Lazzeri; St. Gianna Beretta Molla; St. John Paul II; Bl. Karl of Austria; Sts. Louis &

Zelie Martin w/St. Therese of Lisieux; St. Padre Pio; St. Peregrine Laziosi; Our Lady & St. Joseph.

The presentation concluded with a moment of prayer, encouraging the teens to internalize what they had learned and to see Saints as intercessors and companions in faith.  They were then invited to approach the relics on display, which gave them a concrete way to grow their budding devotion.  Several lingered, whispering prayers, indicating that the talk had sparked genuine interest and sincere veneration.

I'm thankful to God and for my team of behind-the-scenes prayer warriors whose support greatly helped this speaker to successfully meet my threefold goal of maintaining my audience's attention; engaging their participation; and encouraging veneration by fostering personal connections to Saints and relics.  Many of the youth left not only informed but also inspired, carrying with them a sense of reverence and devotion.

Tonight's veneration of relics at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea.

Relic Pilgrim Visitation: The Holy Martin Family at a Kailua Bible Study

Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux and her parents - Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin were invited to be a part of the Walking with Purpose women's Bible study group that meets at my parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.

   

The group meets every Monday morning, between 9:00am - 10:30am, for Scripture study and discussion; fellowship; and coffee and refreshments.  Several women even attend with their babies in tow!

   

A member of the group with a devotion to St. Therese arranged for yesterday's pilgrim visit, which providentially, this ministry was able to accommodate.  It goes without saying that the Martin family of Saints was a source of special inspiration for these women who are walking with purpose.

Saints & Relics Presentation (Family Edition): St. John Vianney Church, 11-1-2025

Today’s presentation was especially fitting for All Saints’ Day, our great Feast that reminds us that holiness is possible for everyone — not just for a few extraordinary individuals, but even for families; for parents and children together; for siblings ... walking the same road toward Heaven.

The CCD Team at St. John Vianney Church organized a Saints-themed faith formation event at their parish and invited this ministry to give this presentation, and so the message naturally centered on the family as the seedbed of sanctity.  I wanted to show that sainthood is not confined to one person in a household — it can flourish among several members of the same family when faith and virtue take root in the home.

To emphasize this truth, I shared the inspiring example of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, who made it a point to raise their children "to populate Heaven". Their daughter, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, known to the world as "The Little Flower", is one of the Church’s most beloved Saints.  And now, one of her sisters, Léonie Martin, is also on the path to canonization after living a deeply holy life as a Visitation nun.

   

Families honoring the Saints through relic veneration.

We also reflected on St. John Paul II, whose parents, Karol Sr. and Emilia Wojtyła, are both being considered for sainthood in Kraków, Poland.  Their faith and example clearly shaped the heart of the future pope.

And there was St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the modern-day Saint, wife, and mother.  Her holiness was nourished within a family of faith — two of her brothers became priests, one sister a nun, and her brother, Fr. Alberto Beretta, has already been declared Venerable.

Finally, there is Bl. Karl of Austria, the last Emperor of the Austria-Hungary Empire, who with his wife - Empress Zita - vowed on their wedding day to help each other to get to Heaven.  She is now a Servant of God.

A moving sight - a little girl praying and reaching

out to St. Joseph and his relic.

All of these examples of sanctity — powerfully represented by the presence of their sacred relics — illustrated the beauty of All Saints’ Day: the truth that the Saints form one great family in Heaven, and that our own families here on earth are called to join their company through everyday holiness.

Other holy persons/relics featured during the event included St. Bartolo Longo, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Carlo Acutis, Ven. Domenica Lazzeri, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, Our Lady & St. Joseph — witnesses of God’s grace in every age and state of life.

The audience was wonderfully attentive and appreciative, and it was particularly touching to see all of the families approach the relics to pay their respects and to pray.  It felt like a special grace for this All Saints’ Day gathering.

The St. John Vianney Church Saint Parade!

And the children's "Saints Parade" costume contest that followed was a delight to see!  There were three Carlo Acutis contestants (including one of the dads!), which showed just how popular he is with our youngsters!

It was a great way to celebrate our Feast of All Saints!  All thanks and praises be to God, to our Blessed Mother, and to all the Saints — our heavenly family who continue to inspire us to live holy lives right where we are!

Saints & Relics Presentation (Family Edition): St. Anthony of Padua Church, 10-26-2025

Today's presentation was requested by the Be A Holy Family Ministry at my parish.  Consequently, the main message I tried to convey was directed towards the family unit: that sanctity can exist in a household not just in one individual but also possible in both parents and amongst multiple siblings ... and this ministry used the lives of certain Saints (and their sacred relics) to drive the point home!

L to R: Relics of St. Carlo Acutis, Our Lady's veil,

Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin, St. Therese of Lisieux

For example: I featured Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin and their great Saint of a daughter - St. Therese the Little Flower ... and let's not overlook Leonie, another of the Martin sisters who is now up for sainthhood, herself, after having lived a virtuous life as a Visitation nun.  The there's St. Pope John Paul II whose own parents - Karol Sr. and Emilia Wojtyla - have had their Causes for Sainthood recently opened in Krakow, Poland.  Furthermore, there's St. Gianna Beretta Molla who had two brothers who became priests, and a sister became a nun.  One of these siblings - Fr. Alberto Beretta of Milan - has already been declared Venerable.

   

L to R: Relics of  St. John Paul II, St. Gianna Beretta

Molla, St. Padre Pio, and St. Benedict of Nursia

And let's not forget St. Benedict of Nursia and his twin sister, St. Scholastica. So, as one can see, holiness is not only possible in individuals but also within multiple family members; often, the exceptional faith-example of parents are a significant factor.

Besides the above-mentioned holy individuals, others featured with their respective relics were Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, St. Teresa of Avila, and Our Lady's veil.

   

L to R: Relics of Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa,

St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Teresa of Avila, and

St. Bernadette of Lourdes

And finally, the audience was very attentive and engaged.  What was awesome was several of the men - fathers - approached me to personally say "thank you" and to express how much they learned; it's usually women who come up to talk with me so the men being expressive was extra-special affirmation for this ministry that the Saints had once again made a positive impact in people's lives.

   

Parents and their children venerating our

great and holy spiritual heroes!

All Thanks and Praises be to God, our Blessed Mother, and the Saints!

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!