#68 Medjugorje: The Grace of Commissioning

In this podcast, Catholic Moms in the Middle founder, Jennie Guinn talks with Ann Vucci about their recent pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Ann was in Medjugorje with her family when the apparitions started over 40 years ago. She has dedicated her life to sharing the Medjugorje messages around the world. Ann tells each group of pilgrims that they traveled to the tiny village, not by chance, but because the Blessed Mother has called them. Many priests have traveled to Medjugorje and received their call to the priesthood while many others have had their calling strengthened and confirmed.

Ann shares that lay people are also strengthened in their call to share their faith. On their pilgrimage they receive the GRACE of COMMISSIONING to take the messages from Medjugore and their conversions of heart back home to share it with family and friends. 

Here are 5 key points from the podcast with Jennie and Ann.

  1. Heavenly Intervention: The apparitions in Medjugorje are seen as a form of heavenly intervention in our troubled world. Our Lady's presence and messages are believed to be a response to the difficulties and dangers faced by humanity, indicating that God is concerned and actively involved in our lives. God is always present and giving signs that point us in the direction of his great love and mercy.
  2. Abundant Graces: Medjugorje is considered a place where abundant graces are poured out upon pilgrims. These graces include spiritual transformation, deepening of faith, healing, and encounters with the Lord. The messages and experiences in Medjugorje aim to fill the hearts of pilgrims with what they were made for, sharing the love of Christ with all those that they encounter.

  3. Transformation and Joy: Many pilgrims report experiencing profound transformation and joy during their time in Medjugorje. Despite bringing personal suffering and wounds, the encounter with the Lord and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fill them with joy and enable them to carry their burdens in a new light. The resulting fire within them continues to grow and impact their lives.

  4. God's Plan for the World: The messages from Medjugorje emphasize that God has a plan for the world. Our Lady's presence and interventions in Medjugorje are part of this plan, bringing about a message from heaven and guiding humanity toward deeper intimacy with God. The messages serve as a reminder that the world needs divine intervention, and Medjugorje is one manifestation of that intervention.

  5. Priestly Vocations: Medjugorje has been instrumental in fostering priestly vocations. Many men have reported receiving their calling to the priesthood directly from their experiences in Medjugorje. The number of testimonies collected so far indicates that at least 640 men attribute their vocations to Medjugorje, and it is believed that the actual number could be higher. These priests bring their passionate love for the Lord and devotion to Our Lady into their ministries, contributing to the renewal of the priesthood.

 

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.