Hamari Devrani - 11th January 2012

Our Lady of Peace

lady

Our Lady of Peace, or Queen of Peace, has for long been a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In particular these past 26 years or so the Peace title has been used daily in reference to her in a small village in Medjugorje, Bosnia.

Our Lady of Peace is reported to have been visiting Medjugorje born villagers on a daily basis without fail for the last 26 years. Before you register disbelief, all of these privileged villagers - or visionaries as they are called - have been watched closely over the years and have had several scientific tests done on them which, to a certain extent, help to vouch for their credibility.

These tests cannot confirm that the visionaries actually see Our Lady of Peace, but they have determined that the visionaries are experiencing something extraordinary. When you consider also that the visionaries have been watched since they were young children without any sign of fraudulent behaviour being evident, many people, including those expertly trained to study such matters, accept that the visionaries are seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary on earth have been occurring for 2000 years. These appearances have increased dramatically over the last 100 years or so, apparently because there is a sense of urgency in saving man from his sinful ways. As we progress in technology and in scientific endeavour, Our Lady of Peace says, we more and more are turning away from God.

The Blessed Mother doesn't spend her time admonishing us, but essentially her messages are of peace and love. She tries to re-educate us to convert and to re-center our lives back to God. She encourages us to practice penance, fasting and prayer. These practices, she says, will help us mend our ways and we will become pleasing in the sight of God.

Although the Medjugorje villagers are predominantly Catholic, Our Lady of Peace says that all people are equal in God's eyes. Medjugorje, then, attracts people from many denominations: Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, and others. Some 30 million people have visited Medjugorje since 1981.

As well as receiving daily personal messages from the Blessed Mother, the visionaries receive a monthly message for the world to digest. On the 25th of each month you will find the latest message on many Medjugorje websites, easily found by browsing the Internet.

No one, including the visionaries, knows when the apparitions will cease. It is reported, though, that a permanent, indestructible sign will be left at the site of the apparitions when the apparitions end. This sign will be for unbelievers so that they may believe that God exists.

For those seeking God, then, make time to visit Medjugorje.