October 6, 2017 A.D.
Think about where we were one year ago today. The 9-day bread and water fast had just begun, and people felt the deep need for this fast and prayers. Our Lady of Medjugorje had just said on October 2, 2016:
Many clung to these words of Our Lady while they fasted and prayed for our nation and world.
There was an upcoming election in the U.S. as well as elections in other nations, whose futures hung in the balance. There was a head-to-head battle between opposing ideologies across the world, with a total polarization of beliefs taking place. Do we recall the uncertainty that many felt about the future of our nation and the world?
In just over a week, a Friend of Medjugorje and the Caritas Community would be leading a historic prayer gathering, praying the Patriotic Rosary at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Many knew then, that prayer was our only hope. Everybody was praying. What about today, one year later? Have we become complacent now that everything feels good? Our Lady of Medjugorje recently said on September 25, 2017:
These words have been an echo throughout the Caritas Community this past week, and just a few days ago, the largest mass shooting in U.S. history took place in Las Vegas, shocking the whole nation back to reality.
On Tuesday, October 3, the Caritas Community School gathered for their morning prayers at the beginning of the school day. The 9-day fast was coming up, beginning on Thursday. This is the message that the school picked during their morning prayer:
October 19, 1981
A stirring of excitement swept through the children as Our Lady had spoken directly to them. Hearing such a direct call from Our Lady, a Friend of Medjugorje felt that the entire Community should begin the fast on Wednesday, October 4, one day early, adding an extra day, making for a 10-day fast.
On Thursday, October 5, after beginning the fast one day early on Wednesday, the Community children gathered again in the school for their morning prayers, and picked this message of Our Lady:
January 2, 2003
These were very sweet words from to hear from Our Lady, and which we wanted to share with you, how Our Lady has been walking so close to us in these days. Many are fasting with their families, many are fasting by themselves. Even if you are fasting by yourself, you are not alone, but are part of a larger family across the world that Our Lady is guiding towards October 13 the Fatima 100th Anniversary Jubilee – a significant day.
You will not regret it. Wait for October 13 in prayer. There will be more coming from a Friend of Medjugorje in the next days. See below for the 9-day fasting Prayers.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 5–FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 2017 PRAYER FOR THE FASTING NOVENA
O Queen of Heaven, we unite ourselves with others across the land in a holy fast, reminiscent of the so many times ancient Israel cried out in repentance to their God. By their history, we know God the Most High will hear our cry. We humble ourselves because of our sins. Seek, Mary our Queen, on our behalf, that the Lord not look upon our sins, but the love we show Him through this fast. Persuade Him to not only forgive but also forget and blot out our sins, that through Your hands we will grow close to Him and know Him intimately as a Father, as our Protector.
O Mary, these days of fasting we wish to empty our hearts of everything useless. Cleanse us. Let this fast purify us and atone for everything that has defiled us. O Mary, Queen of Peace, let our hearts be refilled through Your hands with whatever graces are necessary to reconcile us, our families, and our nation back to God. We wish also to atone for any wrongs in advance for each day of the coming year 2018, so that all be consecrated to Your Immaculate Heart, to purify the body of believers in order for the rebirth and the ushering in of a new springtime for Christianity in our beloved nation.
We seek the healing of our hearts of all spiritual disease and illness and for You to fill our hearts especially during December 8th–12th. Please, please, dear Mother, please grant us these requests, and grant the three special intentions of the Community of Caritas as well as my own personal intentions of (name your personal intentions). We pray especially for the end of the reign of satan on October 13, 2017, and for Our Lady’s triumph over all the evil agendas assailing our nation. I especially offer _____________, 2018 (day assigned by Caritas of Birmingham), that on that day the plans of satan against ourselves, our family, and nation will be thwarted and grace will abound for conversion across our land.
We consecrate our hearts to You, Mary, and to Jesus. We want to give You and Jesus “title” of not only our souls, but also our bodies, as well as all we possess. We know Your words of January 1, 2001, when You revealed that satan was completely unchained, were followed with what our response should be. It was to give ourselves to You and Jesus completely, as a possession into Your and His hands, through the formal daily act of consecration, thereby, owned by You and Your Son, we are afforded protection through being Your possession.
January 1, 2001
We, therefore, present to You the intention to empty our hearts that You may refill them, as well as Caritas’ intentions and our personal intentions through this nine-day fast, prayers and consecrations, in order that You will present this novena with your Son before the throne of God. We ask for an unleashing of grace to be poured out upon ourselves, our families, our nation, and upon the countless numbers who are in need of conversion throughout our land, and Your intentions for all of the above intentions. Please intercede for us as our Mother and as our Queen. Amen.
Answers many questions!
Fasting
by A Friend of Medjugorje
Our Lady calls us to fast. But how? Twice the size of the original book by a Friend of Medjugorje, complete with common fasting questions and recipes!
2 thoughts on “365 Days Ago”
Thank you thank you! After reading this article I HAVE to respond. My sister has been battle brain cancer for 4 years now and also suffered a stroke at the beginning which left her legally blind. There is a healing mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, WI with Fr. Ubald from Rwanda on October 13th and my family will be attending while my husband and I come down to Caritas. My family and I started a 9 day prayer novena to St. Peregrine on October 4th because I felt a call that it should end the day prior to the healing mass. My husband and I wanted to fast for the entire novena as well as the entire 9 day bread and water fast with your community so we too decided to make our fast a 10 day fast. We both got chills reading the article you shared and feel so blessed to be a part of this. Just thought I would share. Much love coming your way.
So encouraging! I honestly don’t know what kind of emotional state I’d be in right now if it wasn’t for the writings and podcast the Friend of Medjudgorje. Serious spiritual warfare going on here in our church. The 1st 3 days of fasting are the hardest for me but now on day 4, I’m doing fine. Saying these Prayers and Consecrations are so strengthening. Thank You, Good and Faithful Servant!