The following pages are mailings that were sent to the Caritas of Birmingham mailing list. Permission has been granted to re-publish this for viewing.
COME BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE APPARITIONS OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
COME AND BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE
QUEEN OF HEAVEN MAY 1-5, 2004,
when She appears to Marija Lunetti, visionary of Medjugorje, to receive graces, blessings, and healing of hearts.Thousands have testified to the life-changing Grace received from this holy place.
Greetings and God Bless,
I gained a lot from my time at Caritas last week. I saw hope for mankind, for the future, and for myself. It makes perfect sense to me that Jesus would ask His Mother to help Him save mankind, and She would be so happy to help us because She loves us and we are Her children too. This is actually saying a very big thing since I am not Catholic. I am a Baptist. We are really all one.
Wolfboro, New Hampshire
December 13, 1999
The Field… mystical… quiet…the site where the Mother of Jesus appeared to Marija. The Virgin Mary told Marija for those gathered, “I am here to help you.” Since that moment on November 24, 1988, countless numbers have come to this Holy Field to pray, seek grace, and mend hearts. A place of the meeting of two hearts. An encounter with the Hearts of Mary and Her Son…Jesus. No one who visits when there are apparitions are ever the same…for the rest of their lives…forever affected…forever…into eternity.
Dear Friends at Caritas,
Words cannot begin to capture the experience I had with you and Our Lady…It was so joyous and spiritually uplifting to bask in the presence of the Mother of God. While praying together in the Field, one could feel a sense of family even among total strangers.
Annapolis, Missouri
January 1, 2002
Dear Community of Caritas,
I cannot find the words to express my gratitude for your loving care and concern of me during my pilgrimage to Caritas in December. When I choose, I can close my eyes and go back to the Field, at 5 o’clock in the morning, in the rain, with my umbrella and flashlight, and join you in prayer in that peaceful space on the mountain. What a lovely place to be next to God.
Ft. Wayne, Indiana
January 8, 2002
SPECIAL EVENTS SINCE 1988, when Our Lady appeared to Marija, have often attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims to the Field of Apparitions. People of all classes become the same, on their knees, shoulder to shoulder. Caritas is so open that crowds do not bother those who would normally be bothered, rather it puts you as one of those who followed Jesus in the crowds, a spiritual joy and consolation.
Dear Caritas Members,
“My wife, our three children, and I drove all night Friday-560 miles-Daytona Beach, Florida, in order to be present for the apparition during Christmas in the Field on the 11th. We spent all day Saturday in the Field. We prayed, we listened, we were blessed. Our 8-year-old son played with the other children while at least 5000 people prayed the Rosary. My wife remarked that this is what it must have been like when the crowds followed Jesus.”
Daytona Beach, Florida
December 28, 1999
Dear Community of Caritas,
I had to write to you to tell of my experiences during the week of prayer at Caritas. I have never in my life experienced so much grace. I have been to many alleged apparition sites. Also, I have even been to approved places of apparitions such as Fatima, Batania, and the Holy Lands, but never Medjugorje. I came to your place a prisoner, consumed with my own selfishness. I had replaced daily prayer with daily drug use. When I came to Caritas, the first chance I got I went to confession, opened my heart, and asked Our Lord to change me. I cannot believe the conversion I am seeing daily because of the graces I have received and because of the example your community showed. We pray everyday now. We believe that Caritas* is to the United States what Joan of Arc was to France. Except today the battle is for human souls. Thank you for inviting us to the week of prayer, and thank you for all your prayers. A Soul For Mary,
Holland, Ohio December 29, 2001
*Caritas of Birmingham is the mission dedicated to Our Lady of Medjugorje. It is located at the site of the apparitions and run by the Community of Caritas, a group of people who have joined together to be missionaries of what the Queen of Peace, the Virgiin Mary, wants established in the world.
THE BEDROOM OF APPARITIONS is the birthplace of Our Lady’s Apparitions at Caritas. At the foot of this Bed, adorned with flowers and petitions, Marija has knelt to receive Our Lady over 80 times since 1988.* The bedroom has been a special place to pray for the healing of families and is only open during Caritas’ annual retreats. It will be open for you May 1-5, 2004.
Dear Caritas,
The Bedroom was so special, I still don’t think I can express the fullness in my heart. Thank you.
I’ll never forget the Mountain Climb, all I can say is my heart sings. I know from this experience not to look ahead too far, because it’s step by step (like climbing that mountain) that God will bring me through my trials and my journey.
Stratford, Connecticut
January 28, 1998
August 20, 2003 – Marija Lunetti in ecstasy speaks to the Virgin
Mary in the Bedroom of the Apparitions, oblivious to those around her.
Dear Caritas Community,
Over the course of my 81 years I have had the blessing of visiting Shrines where Our Blessed Mother has appeared. A few were Walsingham, England and Fatima, Portugal, then Medjugorje. But none can even come close to having been with the Caritas community in Sterrett, Alabama for December. The apparitions of Our Lady during Marija’s visit was an unforgettable experience, beyond description for me. There was such a sense of peace, joy, and tranquility that it was breathtaking.
Metairie, Louisiana
February 10, 2002
Dear Caritas Community,
I have been to many shrines and holy places but only in Medjugorje and the Field at Caritas have I experienced to such an extent this extraordinary peace and great love of Jesus and Mary.
Lombard, Illinois
March 25, 2002
A climb to the grotto LaPluie, dedicated to Our Lady,
is a must for all who visit the site.
* With the Apparitions in the Field, Our Lady has appeared a total of 93 times at this site. Living in Italy and often in Medjugorje, Marija loves Alabama and especially, through this love, has visited numerous times because of what Our Lady has done.
THE FIELD OF APPARITIONS was birthed from the Bedroom. In 1988, thousands began to find their way to Alabama from all corners of this nation, longing to be in Our Lady’s presence. All could not physically fit in the home where the Bedroom was located, yet the Field enveloped all as a blanket bringing warmth and a feeling of home. And the thousands that came, who knew nothing of the family that knelt in prayer on the blanket next to them, became one under Our Lady’s mantle. Our Lady chose Thanksgiving day, November 24,1988, to appear for the first time to Marija in the Field for all those gathered. She said from this spot, “I invite you to live my messages. I am here to help you! I will intercede for you to God for all your intentions.” For many people, a visit to the Field of Apparitions is a rebirth for their spirits…a new dawn. Many testify they never experience anything close to what Our Lady has given in the Bedroom and Field.
Dear Caritas,
I know that there is a place where love and joy are lived daily among trials. For me, that Field where Our Lady appeared is Heaven on Earth.
Greenwood, Indiana
October 9, 2002
Dear Caritas,
…Thank you for the most beautiful four days of my life. From the moment we entered Caritas grounds, my companion and I felt peaceful and warmed. We found ourselves loving the dark mornings with the Blessed Virgin and the prayers… We will never forget the beauty of the four days we had with you. Christmas in the Field was the most precious and beautiful service I have ever experienced. However, as I watched the sunrise from the plane I was overwhelmed by the power of our past four days and I was filled with such wonder that I realized I was just starting to experience what had really taken place. My life has changed and I will never be the same. I had many convictions while there and I hope my life never goes back to the old one. I have found a new prayer life and a new meaning to life and I continue to watch new miracles each day. Thank you for inviting us into your home and permitting “Heaven on earth.”
New Fairfield, Connecticut
December 29, 1999
The Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages. The workplace of the Community of Caritas. Spreading Our Lady’s messages to a world starving in such spiritual poverty, that God has sent His Mother to the earth to nurse it back to health. Many who come to the Field are surprised to find tucked in the woods, a building which looks as though it was transplanted from Europe.
If your heart is in need of a specialist make an appointment for May 1-5
Mary, Queen of May…we pray to Thee…we come to Thee…to crown Thee
with the consecration of our lives to Thy Son and Thee
- Making Reservations – Many hotels in the spring can book up early, so call BVM, here at Caritas, to make reservations now. We have worked out select hotels with discounts for those coming. We expect also, since May is the month of Mary, many will book, so it is necessary to make reservations as soon as possible to assure your rooms. Even if circumstances at this moment do not seem possible, or you may be uncertain, you can always cancel later. In the meantime, prayer brings about miracles, so pray, pray, pray, and Our Lady will work out the details. Whether it be lack of funds, job, family, etc., surrender to God the problem and give to Our Lady your desire to be here. She will take it from there, trust Her. You can make reservations by calling (205) 672-2000. Press ext. 218 or 219 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak to someone, or 24 hrs, you can leave a message and be called back. We encourage you to come a few days earlier, to spend time in prayer in preparation for Our Lady’s apparitions which will be open to all, May 1st-5th. By being here for the 1st and staying through the 5th, your experience will be greatly heightened.
- Book a Bus – This may be your first attempt to put into action Our Lady’s call to evangelize Her messages and plans. She will give the grace to be successful. It is not difficult to book a bus for your parish. We will mail a postcard to everyone on our mailing list in your area, to notify them to call you so as to help you fill the bus. Best of all, you can travel free if you organize it. Call BVM, ext. 218 or 219 for more details to help show you how to book a bus, or to have your questions answered.
- Priests – Invite your parish priest. There will be a need to hear confessions in the Field throughout the event. If you are a priest, we make a special invitation for you to come.
- Home Schoolers – Notify all home schooling friends, we will open our school during the days of May 1st through May 6th. This school, Our Lady of Victory School, is a community effort, evolved from home schooling, that has inspired other home schoolers with many ideas based on Our Lady messages. It is always a highlight for those who visit here to see Our Lady of Victory’s ‘One Room’ Schoolhouse. Already other schools have been inspired by it.
- Evangelize the Apparitions – This material you are reading can be spread by you to promote Our Lady’s coming. Spread it to your family, friends, parish, etc.
- For the Elderly – In the past, some elderly have paid the way for a friend to accompany and help them. It is a good way to come, and a good way to evangelize the one who is accompanying you, for Our Lady to convert them. “So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
- Prayer Groups – Ivan once said that satan hates prayer groups. Come with your whole prayer group to be with Our Lady. With your group being in Our Lady’s presence, She not only will bless you during the apparitions, but strengthen your group as well. It is Her desire to foster your prayer group. Our Lady said on September 25, 2000: “…Renew prayer in your families and form prayer groups. In this way, you will experience joy in prayer and togetherness…” Rent a van, bus, or meet up separately, whatever is necessary to answer Her call.
- May, the month of Our Lady and Mothers – What better way to prepare for and experience Mother’s Day than to be in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mother during Her apparitions days before Mother’s Day? If you are a mom, make this your Mother’s Day request for your family, that you can all be blessed together by the Mother of mothers!
- All Medjugorje Peace Centers – The experience of Our Lady here is very close to the way Medjugorje was in the beginning, simple but profound with many graces of conversion centered on Our Lady’s apparitions. The beginning events of Medjugorje centered on the apparitions of Our Lady. Marija is in full support of our efforts here, and Our Lady has given Her signs of the same sentiments, along with many messages from here. Many have come here and later gone on to Medjugorje because of the graces they received while here. Medjugorje’s importance increases here, in the hearts of those who come. We encourage you to come as heads of centers, and we invite you to lead a pilgrimage group, especially for those who could never afford to go to Medjugorje, as they are being given an opportunity to be in Our Lady’s presence and have a Medjugorje experience. You are instrumental in making this joy for others a reality. You may call for more details for your Medjugorje Peace Centers or to have your questions answered. Call (205) 672-2000, ext. 211.
Please be advised of the guidelines at Caritas.
No Smoking
No Cell Phones
No Gum Chewing
No Immodest Dress
No Video Cameras
No Cameras
No Lounge Chairs or Other Chairs
No Pets
- No sleeveless or low cut dress. Dresses and skirts must be below the knee. No gym shorts or other short clothing. Please remember that you will not be going to the beach or out sunning. Dress appropriately for the day in preparation to go before the Holy Event of Our Lady’s apparitions and other prayer times. Please save yourself the embarrassment of being turned away from the grounds of Caritas because of dress. It is important to inform all, so that no one will have to miss the apparition.
- No Video Cameras; No Cameras. Violations will result in confiscation. You are on the grounds by invitation. Please remember do not violate other pilgrims and the spirit of what is happening. This is a serious violation of the spirit and reverence of the event and the grounds here. As a one day exception, and not for the apparition, photos, not videos, will be allowed on Monday, May 4th, on the grounds. However, no cameras will be allowed at the time of the apparition on May 4th. Please remember this is allowed for your own personal mementos of the pilgrimage. Be discreet and respectful to others so as not to disrupt prayers.
- No lounge chairs, three-legged portable chairs, or similar chairs allowed in the Field. If one must sit, wheelchairs are to be used. It is your responsibility to make provisions for wheelchairs. This is a five-day offering of sacrifice, self-denial, and spiritual growth for your soul, not your flesh. As many have testified of the past experiences of the apparitions, the Bedroom, Field, Grotto, and other sites at Caritas, they relay that it was one of the most spiritual, moving, holiest moments they have ever experienced. Cameras, cell phones, etc., are all a distraction which inhibits the grace; the convenience of lounge chairs, etc., blocks sacrifices, which results in a loss of grace one could have received. Prayer is spontaneous and often throughout the day. Gum chewing is extremely irreverent during prayer or in the midst of others who are praying.
- Our Lady answers any objections to these rules, to be allowed on the Caritas grounds, by appearing on a rock strewn mountain in Medjugorje which is difficult to walk up, much less sit down comfortably once you are at the apparition site. For a peace-filled five days, please be reminded that Caritas has these guidelines for your benefit. The world may allow these things, but you are entering a world and a life, here at Caritas, created by Our Lady and Her messages.
heading…and head to the Field.
Call Caritas of Birmingham at 205-672-2000 ext. 218 or 219, 24 hours a day, for recommendations on making reservations for air travel, hotel rooms, etc. The Birmingham Visitor’s Bureau also welcomes you.
©2004,2009 SJP Lic. Caritas of Birmingham, USA, Internationally Protected. Used with permission. You may reprint this material for positive use.
Following is a recent mailing sent out by Caritas of Birmingham and the Community of Caritas to their supporters. Caritas has given permission to spread this information and the invitation to attend the apparitions of Our Lady at Caritas, May 1st-5th, is extended to all who read the following.
Dear Children of Our Lady,
This past summer in Medjugorje, a pilgrim relayed to us that the last time Marija was here at Caritas publically (December, 2001), a married couple that he knew who were having difficulty in their marriage, decided to come to the events. The husband was AWOL (Alone Without Our Lady) and against God, was not practicing his faith, and had told his wife he was going to leave her. Not knowing much about the Field or the Bedroom apparitions, they made a spontaneous decision to come upon hearing about Marija’s visit. The pilgrim, who was telling us the story, said that he was in disbelief of the transformation that took place in the husband due to his experience with Our Lady while at Caritas. The pilgrim, who had not attended the event himself, stated that he did not know what was going on down there (at Caritas), but that it must be very powerful. This husband and wife are now great evangelizers in convincing people to come to Our Lady for healing, as they had; the healing of hearts.
This is a typical story, among thousands we have heard, about the many who come to be in the presence of Our Lady. What will get the hearts to change of those who are in need of transformation, or hearts mended, bad relationships healed, the breaking away from sinful lives, or the shattering of the bondage of souls which are even headed toward hell? A simple brochure or some information about the events of May 1-5 can achieve these things. A poster at the grocery store, a brochure at the back of the church, an advertisement you might pay for, an announcement in your church bulletin, your employee newsletter or work bulletin board, have all been the cause of people coming here who have testified that their soul was saved by Our Lady. Some of whom we know, even died shortly afterwards. So why should you not put forth everything to spread this information to capture souls, even with much effort on your part, if only one soul responds through the materials that are in this mailing to you? That effort for just one soul who is in so much need of the love of Our Lady will cause Heaven to rejoice for Scripture states that with the return of one sinner, all of Heaven rejoices.
We strongly encourage you to break “quietism” as apostles for Our Lady. Become evangelizers of Her plans to do what She told us on May 31, 1995:
“…Get as many hearts as you can close to my heart…”
This is the Mother of God’s words that have come through Her sweet lips. How few in history have been told words directly from a being who is in Heaven. Your part of this mission is to accept these same words for yourself. There is no better way to get hearts close to Hers than to get hearts to the Field for Her apparitions, May 1-5. All the enclosed material is written to help you to do this. It is a sample for you to read and then order to spread. It is up to you to utilize it to respond to Our Lady’s request to get hearts. For you who can advertise it, take any part of the brochure or poster enclosed that you want to use. For you who wish to pass them out to all you meet, order the material in volume. Get with your family and tell them that you will be evangelizers for the next three months, spending all your free time towards this effort, and pray for ingenious, inspired ways to get hearts close to Hers. Pray that you can deliver souls to Our Lady who are most in need, who will be on their knees before Our Lady in Her presence in the Field in May.
With prayer and these efforts, you cannot respond in a stronger way in getting hearts closer to Hers. We are being given an opportunity. Our Lady said to use this time well.
June 25, 2001
“…God gives you great graces, that is why, little children, make good use of this time of grace and come closer to my heart so that I can lead you to my Son Jesus…”
Marija, the visionary, once saw a young girl, only 17-years-old, pretty, blond-headed, in a vision, falling into the flames of hell. How tragic that time spent watching TV, pleasures, business, preoccupations with unimportant things, will be the cause not to reach that one soul that, tragically, we failed to get close to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Do not practice quietism. An apostle cannot do that. Our Lady has said you are an apostle. I need you, I chose you, you are important.
June, 1981
“I invite you. I need you. I chose you. You are important.”
So ask yourself these questions: “Am I willing to give 100% for the next three months to get hearts close to Hers? How often are we given such a tremendous, powerful way to do so?” Pray, pray, pray for Her to show you the way. She wants you to come, and She wants you to get others to come to get hearts close to Hers. Do not be disturbed if it offends someone. Again, all your three months effort, if it results in one soul who is in distress or despair, who walks into the back of a church, picks up a May 1st-5th brochure and decides to come and is saved through Our Lady, then it is worth it, no matter what the effort or cost may be. We, in the Community of Caritas, beg you to help. St. Francis was a beggar and in many ways we, too, are beggars, to incite as many people as possible to help Our Lady. Our Lady, Herself, begs:
May 25, 1995
“…so that as many hearts as possible come close to my Immaculate Heart… I ‘beg’ you, little children, pray and help me to help you…”
With all his might, all his power, all his master intellect, satan will want to block you on any efforts to evangelize, whether it emanates from your own self-doubt, lack of confidence or externally being opposed, you must not give in, you must not be deterred by the disorder he will try to create. All his efforts are to “try” you so that you will relent and give in and not get hearts close to Our Lady. Our Lady said:
January 25, 1994
“…satan wants to create disorder in your hearts and in your families. Little children, do not give in…”
This is a time not only to be counted as Our Lady’s children, but for those whom She can depend upon. Can She depend on you? Do you really love Her? Or is it just talk? To be spiritually minded today means to go against the tide. PRAY, PERSEVERE, ACT!
To some, being so forward may not seem humble. Sometimes we mistakenly let humility stop us. True humility must serve God’s purposes.
October 31, 1985
“Dear children, today I wish to call you to work in the Church. I love all the same and I desire from each one to work as much as possible. I know, dear children, that you can, but you do not wish to because you feel small and humble in these things. You need to be courageous and with little flowers do your share for the Church and for Jesus so that everyone can be satisfied. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
If you read the New Testament, St. Paul was very strong. St. Peter was not weak. These saints of the Church were very forward in evangelization. Today, many people do not understand the right spirit of humility. Do not be argumentative or arrogant, but invite and witness to them what Our Lady has done for you and others. Your role is important, and Our Lady depends upon you as Her extended hands to get souls closer to Her. May 1-5 is a supreme moment, and perfect setting for Grace to act.
With Love, in the Name of the Holy Family,
A Friend of Medjugorje
On Behalf of Caritas of Birmingham
And the Community of Caritas
For more information, you can contact Caritas directly at:
Caritas of Birmingham
100 Our Lady Queen of Peace Drive
Sterrett, AL 35147 USA
Or call: 205-672-2000 – ext.315 24hrs.
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