Visionary, Marija, was just ending her visit in the United States. It was the morning of September 10, 2001, and the founder of Caritas of Birmingham was speaking on the phone with Marija inviting her to the annual Five Days of Prayer at Caritas, December 8-12, just three months away. Marija had attended this event two years ago, in 1999, and before hanging up the phone she told a Friend of Medjugorje that yes, she wanted to come. She boarded a plane a few hours later to fly back to her home in Italy. The very next day was September 11, 2001. The timing of Marija’s decision to come back to Caritas just before the horrendous events that not only rocked our nation, but the entire world, seemed to be providential. Less than 24 hours after Marija left to return to her home in Italy, the United States was attacked. All aircraft was grounded and all airports closed for several days. Marija was amazed when she realized how she had just made it out of the country before the attack.
