A Book on
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary
by The M+G+R
Foundation
FOREWORD
This book has been prepared primarily for a Roman Catholic audience,
however we encourage all, Christians as well as non Christians, to
carefully meditate over its contents. It is not our intent to convince
anyone about the alleged Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is
our intent, however, to place in a coherent perspective a multitude of
alleged Marian Apparitions and their relationship with world events.
Apparitions of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary have always sparked
controversy. The enemies of such phenomena, including many individuals
identifying themselves as Christians, tend to be virulent in their
attacks, and yet, all that She is telling us is: "Do what My Son says".
When generalized attacks do not seem to be effective, then, Her enemies
proclaim that the apparitions are the work of Satan. How can we, the
faithful, protect ourselves from being deceived, if indeed they are
from Satan?
Her Son, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ gave us the answer. If we look
at all alleged apparitions through our Scriptural spectacles we find
that since "By their fruit you will know them..." and "A good
tree cannot bear bad fruit..."
[Matthew 7:16 and 18]
they must be real.
The massive conversions of heart and return to the Sacraments resulting
from many apparitions, from Guadalupe to date, testify to the true
source of many apparitions. Enduring conversions of heart, strong
devotions and
no fanaticism
are the hallmarks of "good fruit".
Our Lord also teaches us that: "If Satan drives out Satan, he is
divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?"
[Matthew
12:26]
It is a known theological and mystical fact that serene and level
headed conversions of heart and devotions stemming from valid
apparitions rout Satan out of many lives. Then, why the attacks?
Obviously, the father of lies, Satan himself, tries, through a campaign
of misinformation, to confuse the faithful with erroneous information.
However, we should not be discouraged by attacks against our fidelity
to God and the Most Holy Mother of His Son, Jesus. She is trying to
bring us back in the fold of inner peace and joy and away from a life
of sin. Do not be discouraged even if the attacker is an allegedly
learned man of the Church.
Teresa of Jesus (Avila), a renowned Saint and a Doctor of the Roman
Catholic Church, understood the problem with "learned men". While
defending one of her pious and gifted daughters, Teresa wrote:
She did not act as do some learned men,
for they want to be so rational about things and so precise in their
understanding that it doesn't seem anyone else but they, with their
learning, can understand the grandeur of God. If only they would learn
something from the humility of the most Blessed Virgin.
We must wrap ourselves in the mantle of humility and prostrate
ourselves at the foot of the cross. Every insult, every spit, every
stone hurled at each one of us on account of living the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to the best of our abilities, will be one more gem
for the crown that He and His Mother are fashioning in Heaven for each
of Their loyal children.
May this humble work serve as another source of illumination and
encouragement to assist you until complete Victory is achieved by our
Beloved Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Holy Mother.
At Their Service and yours,
