An Invitation: This July 4th is More than a National Celebration
An Invitation: This July 4th is More than a National Celebration
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An Invitation
This July 4th is More than a National Celebration
It is the 250th birthday of the United States of America — a milestone few generations are chosen to witness. But for those who recognize Our Lady’s call for the conversion of our nation, this year carries an even deeper meaning.
Forty years ago, in 1986, a Friend of Medjugorje, newly arrived in Medjugorje on his first pilgrimage there, was summoned out of a large crowd to enter into the apparition room. The five consecrations in the Field of Apparitions was birthed through the singular consecration of a Friend of Medjugorje to Our Lady, on July 4, 1986. What began there would eventually develop into a collaboration between Our Lady and a Friend of Medjugorje. By his prayers and desire, a Friend of Medjugorje moved Heaven to act. She answered his plea to come to America and She inspired him to lead thousands and then tens of thousands into many different prayer initiatives over the years, in addition to the five consecrations of this Nation accepted by Heaven. With Our Lady’s frequent comings to Caritas, a Friend of Medjugorje made it possible for hundreds of thousands of people from around the nation to gather in Her presence and be blessed by the Queen of Peace. This sacred place was birthed through his yes, his prayer, his sacrifices and his love for Our Lady.
To Repeat: Since the first apparition in the Field on November 24, 1988, Our Lady has appeared in the Field 53 times. In Her presence, the United States has been consecrated five times to Her Immaculate Heart. During the last consecration, Our Lady turned in all four directions, blessing every corner of this nation. What does this mean?
A Friend of Medjugorje says:
It means Heaven has not abandoned America.
“At a time when our nation experiences division, confusion, moral collapse, and increasing darkness, Our Lady continues to call us back to God with a mother’s love and urgency. She comes not to condemn, but to save. She desires families restored, hearts converted, prayer returned to homes, and a people once again living, “one nation, humbled” and under God.
“The future of this nation will not be decided merely in capitals, courts, or elections. It will be decided in hearts that return to God. If there was ever a time to answer Our Lady’s call, it is now. July 4th is not only a remembrance of freedom won in the past — it is a moment to fight spiritually for the soul of America’s future.
“This July 4th is an invitation to respond. Come not only to celebrate America’s founding, but to recommit yourself to America’s spiritual future. Come to pray. Come to renew your family. Come to ask God’s mercy upon our nation.”
Come also to honor the 40th anniversary of that first apparition that initiated a Friend of Medjugorje into Our Lady’s plans for peace— a beginning that would lead to years of prayer for America and the world.
Remember, Our Lady said these are the last apparitions in the history of mankind.
May 2, 1982
“I have come to call the world to conversion for the last time. Afterwards, I will not appear any more on this earth.”
What does that mean for the apparition sites of a Friend of Medjugorje’s home, the Field, the Cross and more? How are we to understand their significance?
A Friend of Medjugorje has often stated:
“All six visionaries have been around the world, but all the apparitions are not made into an apparition site, except Medjugorje. Wherever the visionaries go, Our Lady goes as well. The apparition sites graced by Our Lady’s presence, when the visionaries travel, are not specific geographic places chosen by God for a greater purpose. They are not like Lourdes, Fatima, or Guadalupe.
When Our Lady chose to come to my home in 1988, She came with a plan, which was tied to the question I asked Our Lady through Marija on October 6, 1986, requesting the conversion of our nation. How do we know Our Lady came with a plan to create a final apparition site for the world? Our Lady began giving messages, direction, formation for a way of life. Our Lady orchestrated the times and locations of the apparitions here. She did not do that elsewhere. Our Lady appeared in the Bedroom, the Field, in the Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages, and later, at the Cross for the Soul of America. It was at this site that on September 13, 2014, Our Lady appeared at the Cross, embraced (accepted) it and blessed it. The following year, Marija contacted me and told me she felt very strongly she wanted to come to the Cross on Penitentiary Mountain for the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, September 14, 2014. On that Feast day, Our Lady again appeared at the Cross on Penitentiary Mountain, but this time, Our Lady chose to appear at 3:00 PM.
The point of all this is the sacred sites of the Bedroom, the Field, the Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages and the Cross are the last places marked by “the Holy Virgin” during Her final apparitions on earth.
May 2, 1982
“I have come to call the world to conversion for the last time. Afterwards, I will not appear any more on this earth.”
Contemplate. Reflect. How blessed we are to be alive in this time.”
Schedule of Events
Caritas of Birmingham is located at:
100 Our Lady Queen of Peace Drive, Sterrett, Alabama 35147
Friday July 3 – Vigil Rosary in the Field of Apparitions: Approx. 6:00 PM
Saturday July 4 – Climb to the Cross on Penitentiary Mountain: Early Morning
Saturday July 4 – Patriotic Rosary in the Field: 10:45 AM
It is best to arrive on Thursday, July 2nd, or early Friday July 3rd to check for schedule changes.
The Caritas gift shop and Villaggio Colafrancesco will be open July 3-4.
Hotel Listings for Pilgrims
Based on location, traffic, and proximity to Caritas of Birmingham, the hotels listed below on Hwy 280 are suggested. They are arranged from those closest to those farthest from Caritas. The Hampton Inn is the official Caritas Hotel.
Hampton Inn & Suites, approx. 10 miles, 205-981-0024
Candlewood Suites, approx. 13 miles, 205-995-9242
Best Western Plus Birmingham Inn & Suites, approx. 15 miles, 205-995-8586
Call the hotels directly for reservations and availability. Be sure to mention that you are coming to Caritas of Birmingham for a prayer gathering.
Villaggio Colafranesco Will Be Open Until 5:00 PM on July 4!
Villaggio Colafrancesco is a Friend of Medjugorje’s special mission to the secular world. Located just 10 minutes from Caritas, Villaggio Colafrancesco is exposing non-Catholics and nonbelievers to Our Lady’s Medjugorje apparitions and messages in a unique way. See here. Villaggio Colafrancesco will be open until 5:00 PM on July 4, and all pilgrims are welcome to spend the afternoon and tour this unique place. See here for location information.
• All those attending will need to provide their own transportation to and from Caritas. Parking is available here on the grounds in our parking lot.
• No chairs of any sort are permitted in the Field at any time. For the handicapped, please make arrangements for a wheelchair or a walker with a seat.
• Smoking and pets are strictly prohibited. No video cameras or cell phones allowed on the grounds.
• Modesty code is enforced. Dress for a hike to the Grotto. No sleeveless or low cut shirts, blouses, or sweaters. No short skirts or shorts. No see-through clothing or clothing that has inappropriate writing or pictures on it. Remember this is a holy event.
Only $9,500 left to reach the goal!
See where we stand in reaching the goal for the 2023-2024 Community Plea. If you have not yet read this update, a Friend of Medjugorje gives some strong teachings which are important for you to be informed.
1 thought on “An Invitation: This July 4th is More than a National Celebration”
Diane Birdsall
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City: MADISON State: CT Country: United States We are most fortunate to live in these days and times to bear witness to our faith. May we hear and obey Our Lady’s call.
1 thought on “An Invitation: This July 4th is More than a National Celebration”
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City: MADISON
State: CT
Country: United States
We are most fortunate to live in these days and times to bear witness to our faith. May we hear and obey Our Lady’s call.