Holy Relic Visitation: Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group, 10/25/2014

Our Saint of the Month for the October meeting of Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group was the illustrious St. Gerard Majella (d. 1755), the Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers. It was appropriate, as we had recently received glad tidings from our host, Dre', that she and her hubby are expecting a new bundle of joy!   Our prayer group was very happy for the couple, as this coming child is truly an answer to a prayer that we've been offering together for several months now.

Members of our group, talking story and catching up,

before the start of the October prayer meeting.

... so the story of how St. Gerard came to be celebrated as the intercessor for mothers-to-be (his handkerchief once miraculously saved a woman's life during a difficult delivery) was of particular interest to the group... and at the same time, we also gleaned other life lessons while discussing his biography among us.

For example, Gerard was once falsely accused of having impregnated a woman in his small town, but after a period of time, the Saint was vindicated when the woman finally confessed the truth.  The Saint not only showed admirable patience during his ordeal, but he also forgave the poor woman and all the others who mistreated him because they believed the slander.  The story made us all reflect on how many times we were wronged by others... and then reacted in a less than Christian manner. May St. Gerard, inspire us to be more confident in the Lord's plan for us, and to be more patient and forgiving of others.

   

A relic from the bones of St. Gerard Majella watches over a sonogram image of the newest

member of our prayer group... and some of the dishes we enjoyed after our prayer.

The Rosary and other prayers proceeded with an "aura" of heavenly presence - perhaps a little more tangible than perceived in the past - that left us elated when the prayers ended.  Several of us remarked on how extra-wonderful this month's meeting was... and then our fellowship dinner was, again, comprised of a variety of savory ethnic dishes - pork adobo, teriyaki chicken, chinese noodles, etc. - and topped off by Dre's awesome bread pudding.

Thanks be to God, for His gift of Life and generous provisions from His Bounty.

Monthly Messages from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: October 2014

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us
who have recourse to thee.

Our Lady's Monthly Message to the World on October 25th:

   "Dear children! Pray in this time of grace and seek the intercession of all the saints who are already in the light. From day to day may they be an example and encouragement to you on the way of your conversion. Little children, be aware that your life is short and passing. Therefore, yearn for eternity and keep preparing your hearts in prayer. I am with you and intercede before my Son for each of you, especially for those who have consecrated themselves to me and to my Son. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Our Ladys' Special Message to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo on October 2nd:

   "Dear children, With motherly love I implore you, love one another. May there be in your hearts, as my Son desired from the very beginning, love for the Heavenly Father and for your neighbor in the first place - above everything of this world. My dear children, do you not recognize the signs of the times? Do you not recognize that all of this that is around you, all that is happening, is because there is no love? Comprehend that salvation is in true values. Accept the might of the Heavenly Father, love Him and honor Him. Walk in the footsteps of my Son. You, my children, my dear apostles, you are always gathering around me anew, because you are thirsty. You thirst for peace, love and happiness. Drink out of my hands. My hands are offering to you my Son who is the spring of clear water. He will bring your faith back to life and purify your hearts, because my Son loves pure hearts and pure hearts love my Son. Only pure hearts are humble and have firm faith. I ask for such hearts of you, my children. My Son told me that I am the mother of the entire world. I ask of those of you who accept me as such to help me, with your life, prayer and sacrifice, for all of my children to accept me as a mother - so that I may lead them to the spring of the clear water. Thank you. My dear children, as your shepherds offer you the Body of my Son with their blessed hands, always in your hearts give thanks to my Son for the sacrifice and for the shepherds that He always gives you anew."

Pilgrim Statue & Holy Relics Visitation: Vargas Residence, 10/11/2014

Because October is the month of the Holy Rosary, my Guadalupe House personal ministry is always particularly busy given that I am an enthusiastic promoter towards devotion to the Blessed Virgin and her special prayer.  One event I always look forward to each year is the annual America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally at the Vargas Residence in Kailua... and today was the date for scheduled rallies throughout the United States.

The Rosary Rally at the Vargas Home always takes places on the driveway, facing

the street so passers-by can see the large

America Needs Fatima sign and perhaps

get the message.

[click on each photo to view larger images]

Each year on the Saturday on, or before October 13th, one of our St. Anthony of Padua Church parishioners - Mrs. Patty Vargas (aka "Auntie Patty") - generously opens her home to family, friends, or anyone who is generally interested... for an afternoon of prayer and hymns, followed by a luncheon. This was my fourth year-in-a-row attending and it was a wonderful event.

My ministry's Fatima
pilgrim statue

With this particular family, I feel especially close to them... so for them my beautiful Fatima statue (left) made a rare pilgrim visit, along with relics from the three seers of the Fatima (Portugal) apparitions: Blesseds Francisco (d. 1919) and Jacinta Marto (d. 1920), and the Servant of God, Sr. Lucia dos Santos (d. 2005).

I was also asked to speak about the 1917 Fatima Events and the relevance of the Rosary Devotion... so I briefly emphasized to the attendees how the Rosary is truly a powerful "weapon" gifted to us by God to combat the enemies of our Faith; I referenced the story of the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571 and how, today, our troubled world is facing a similar crisis of violence... and is more in need of the Rosary Prayer than ever.  I ended the talk by reminding the people of our Blessed Mother's basic requests that she delivered at Fatima: Conversion, Prayer, and Sacrifice.

The luncheon that followed in the home was delicious and it was a great time to get reacquainted with the rest of the Vargas Family, and friends who I only see once a year at this event.  My ALOHA again goes out to Auntie Patty and her family for their hospitality and for sharing their faith with the rest of us.

Food, fun, and fellowship in the Vargas Home.