Born and Dies in Same Time as Our Lady’s Fatima Apparitions
1917 – 2017
September 22, 2017 A.D.
Born on October 19, 1917, just days after the apparitions of Fatima ended, the death of the renowned Mariologist Fr. René Laurentin at age 99, on September 10, 2017, comes just one month shy of the Fatima 100th Anniversary Jubilee. Knowing that Heaven has reasons and purposes for such a timing of events, it comes as no surprise that Our Lady of Medjugorje’s most recent message tells:
Certainly, God’s word was sown in Fr. Laurentin’s soul, and the fruits of such a life of service to Our Lady will not go without its Heavenly reward.
Known for his deep commitment to Our Lady and Her apparitions, Fr. Laurentin was the chief person responsible for saving Medjugorje, when the initial commission set up by Bishop Pavao Zanic of Mostar to investigate the apparitions was only one day away from issuing a negative verdict. Fr. Laurentin went to Rome about the issue, and Rome quickly realized that the negative verdict was biased. The Holy See, along with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then headed by Cardinal Ratzinger, overruled the negative verdict about the apparitions and took the power of judging the apparitions of Medjugorje out of the hands of the local bishop. The commission now resides directly in Rome.
Fr. Rene Laurentin in the home of a Friend of Medjugorje in 1989. Cyril Auboyneau is to the left. A Friend of Medjugorje’s wife Annette is joking around with Fr. Laurentin, making faces at the camera. Throughout the years many famous and saintly people have visited their home, like Bishop Hnilica, who was responsible for the Consecration of Russia to Our Lady, with Pope John Paul II in 1984. A Friend of Medjugorje and his wife are always relaxed with anyone they meet, no matter what their status is.
A Friend of Medjugorje was very close to Fr. Laurentin at the beginnings of Caritas, having spent time with him in France. They discussed many things in Fr. Laurentin’s library. Fr. René Laurentin wrote of Marija’s visit and the messages which Our Lady gave in Alabama in his book, Eight Years. He also used a Friend of Medjugorje as a source for several of his writings and would come into the Mission House in Medjugorje to speak with him. Fr. Laurentin came for a private visit with a Friend of Medjugorje and his wife, at their home in Alabama. It resulted in more research when he witnessed Caritas’ work.
When a Friend of Medjugorje was in the midst of directing The Lasting Sign in 1988, which was hosted by actor Martin Sheen and ABC executive producer Rob Wallace, a Friend of Medjugorje was responsible for putting together a group of people, who had never before been together, for the purpose of discussing Medjugorje. A Friend of Medjugorje arranged the meeting. Fr. René Laurentin participated in this special gathering of priests and others. This historic gathering of priests and other individuals included: Fr. René Laurentin, Fr. Jozo Zovko, Fr. Slavko Barbaric, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic, Milona von Habsburg, Cyril Auboyneau, along with actor Martin Sheen, and a few other individuals. It was the first and only meeting of its kind with such a lineup of the most influential Medjugorje experts at the time.
During a scene from The Lasting Sign, filmed in 1988, Fr. Rene Laurentin is second from right with Milona von Habsburg hidden behind Fr. Laurentin, translating for him. Continuing to the left of Fr. Laurentin is, Fr. Slavko Barbaric, a translator, Fr. Jozo Zovko, Martin Sheen, Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic, and Fr. Mitch Pacwa, with his back to the camera. Since this meeting of the minds arranged by a Friend of Medugorje took place, such a meeting has never happened again.
Our Lady of Medjugorje said on August 25, 1993:
“…I invite you to renunciation for nine days so that with your help everything I wanted to realize through the secrets I began in Fatima may be fulfilled. I call you dear children to understand now the importance of my coming and the seriousness of the situation…”
As we near the 100th anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions, apparitions which point directly to the events which are taking place in Medjugorje, and with the death of Fr. René Laurentin, we remember that with God, nothing is a coincidence, but shows a greater plan.
Remembering Fr. Laurentin’s life of service to Our Lady, we pray for his soul, and we are thankful for his work which helped to save Medjugorje, the fulfillment of all Marian apparitions throughout history. The Caritas Community is blessed to have such a rich history, with every relationship that Our Lady has given to a Friend of Medjugorje and his family, which he has passed onto us.
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P.S. When it is considered that Fr. Laurentin was bold enough to go to Rome to protect and save Medjugorje, this yet another reason why Medjugorje will never be condemned. If you missed a Friend of Medjugorje’s answer yesterday to a person whose priest was against Medjugorje, this will embolden you even more. Read this important answer and spread it to everyone you know. Read here.
If you have not signed up for the 9-day bread and water fast, which is taking place from October 5-13, 2017, be sure to call Caritas at 205-672-2000, USA in order to sign-up, or visit here and let us know you will be participating. For more information, visit here.
Many are making their way to Caritas to pray in the Bedroom of Apparitions, October 13, 2017 and obtain the Fatima Jubilee Plenary Indulgence. Visit here for information.
More For Your Spiritual Nourishment:
History with Our Lady timeline of events with Our Lady and a Friend of Medjugorje
In this photograph which a Friend of Medjugorje took during Ivanka’s June 25, 1988 apparition, Fr. Rene Laurentin, to the right of Ivanka’s husband, can be seen studying Ivanka’s face while she sees Our Lady. This is one of the most iconic photographs of the Medjugorje apparitions and is one of many, in the early years, which a Friend of Medjugorje took during his many visits to Medjugore. This photograph is also one of a Friend of Medjugorje’s favorites, and is also a favorite of the Caritas Community.
1 thought on “Death of Renowned Mariologist René Laurentin Comes Just One Month Before Fatima Jubilee”
Really sad to hear this news. As we know our Rev.Fr.Rene is in the company of Our Lady now. So we rejoice in the Lord for great things he had done. Fernando from Colombo, Ceylon.