July 24, 2008

Labor Day 2005
“I find ‘Labor Day’ a significant day to write and share my experience in Birmingham. I am positive the blessings will not be complete for many years to come or maybe until I am in Heaven. No matter how hard I try, I cannot find adequate words to describe the incredible experience I had there. Maybe ‘Heaven’ IS the word…”

Alvin, Texas

December 22, 1999
“…The five days were the most grace-filled and peace-filled and prayer-filled that I have ever spent in my life. I felt so close to Our Lady and knew She was so present to us all…”

Lowell, Massachusetts

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 the 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.

December 13, 1999
“I was at Caritas December 8th–12th. 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.”

New Hampshire

July 19, 2008

The two sites of the Bedroom and Field of Apparitions, located at Caritas, have been graced by 146 apparitions of the Virgin Mary over the past 21 years. By what Our Lady has said and done in 1988, 1989, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, July/August 2005, November 2005, 2008, and February 2009, through the Medjugorje visionary, Marija Lunetti, She reveals that She has a plan for Our Nation. The primary site of the apparitions has been in the Bedroom of a consecrated “beloved home” with 118 apparitions in this room. The Field was consecrated to Our Lady for the conversion of Our Nation. The two sites are connected in that the Bedroom represents the family, “the home,” and the Field represents Our Nation. We cannot hope to heal Our Nation without first healing the family home. Over 4,000 flowers were arranged in the Bedroom, representing the hearts of people from across the United States, to show their love and devotion to Our Lady in the last days of Her apparitions to Marija at Caritas, July 2008. Marija was inspired and some community members joined in to help her form the heart on top of the Bed that would receive Our Lady.

INCE 1988 THESE SPECIAL WHEN OUR LADY appears to Marija have often attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims to the Bedroom and the Field of Apparitions. People of all classes become the same, on their knees, shoulder to shoulder. The area around Caritas* is so open that crowds do not bother those who would normally be bothered. Rather, the outdoor environment puts you as one of those who followed Jesus in the crowds, a spiritual joy, consolation and an excitement you’ve never experienced before, will fill your heart. Countless souls have had their prayers answered or been given a divine peace about their problems by pilgrimaging to the Bedroom and Field of Apparitions.

October, 2008
“Every communication brings me back to my time at Caritas July 1–5. It’s like it was yesterday. I still ‘puddle up’ when I tell people about it. I must tell you that although two months have passed I’m still in awe of my experience at Caritas July 1–5. I still cry when I try to tell people of my experience. Thank you again.”

V. M., Buchanan, New York

August 13, 2005
“We wanted to thank you for the most incredible experience of our lives…We will not forget these five incredible days with Our Lady and our family at Caritas.”

Whitehouse, Ohio

July 4, 2008

Thousands gathered here seeking peace and simplicity in their lives as Marija and A Friend of Medjugorje spoke to people from every state in the Union, July 1–5, 2008, when the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to Marija.

December 13, 1999
“The past few days were the most beautiful and blessed of my entire life! I received blessing upon blessing – so many little things happened and I knew they were meant ‘just for me.’”

Huntsville, Alabama

December, 1999

July, 2007
“We both came down here with sad hearts and a lot of ‘baggage’ but can always find great peace at Caritas. Thank you again for the renewal of spirit. I am ready to carry it back to my family. We really appreciate being able to be part of your community these past few days.”

L., Temple, Texas

*Caritas of Birmingham is a mission dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje and the messages She gives. It is located at the site of the apparitions and operated by the Community of Caritas, a community that in 1988 Our Lady asked to be founded. It is comprised of a group of people who have joined together to be missionaries of what the Queen of Peace, the Virgin Mary, wants established in the world.

June 14, 2004
“I went to the Bedroom. It was so amazing. I felt so close to Our Lady that I even cried.”

Hamler, Ohio

May 13, 2004
“We spent a lot of time in the Bedroom—it was so healing.”

Sioux City, Iowa

December 10, 1999

December 10, 1999 A line of people twists back and forth up the hill to go and pray in the Bedroom of Apparitions. Well over one hundred thousand people have visited the Bedroom of Apparitions. Within these walls, the Holy Virgin Mary has appeared physically to Marija Lunetti, seeing Her as we see another person. Marija can speak to Her, touch Her, and hear Her voice. Our Lady has appeared to her in this same way every day since June 25, 1981. Our Lady came to the world as a Mother to heal a broken world, resulting from the family being broken. That is why Our Lady chose the Bedroom, for it is where families are born. Our Lady said She wants the “fruits of the family to be seen one day.”

July 20, 2008

 Marija Lunetti in ecstasy speaks to the Virgin Mary in the Bedroom of Apparitions, oblivious to those around her. With the apparitions in the Field, Our Lady has appeared a total of 146 apparitions at the site. Marija loves coming to Caritas to be with the family that she has become family with. Having witnessed what Our Lady has done here in the Bedroom and the Field of Apparitions, has placed in her heart a special love for the place.

June 14, 2004
“As I prayed my intentions in the Bedroom, every wrinkle of tenseness left my face as if it were washed with peace. As I gazed upon the crucifix from Medjugorje,* I felt something so special—Our Lady’s Motherly love for Her Son, Her Child, Her Baby.”

Annapolis, Missouri

December 21, 2001
“I don’t know that it will ever sink in that I was in the presence of Our Lady. Being in the presence of Marija was itself an honor. Having recently returned to my faith after an absence of more than 20 years, I already felt that I needed to ‘recharge my batteries.’ I returned home with a calm and inner peace that I have never before known.”

Moundsville, West Virginia

*The crucifix (pictured above in the Bedroom picture) originated in Medjugorje. It hung on the wall of Fr. Slavko’s office during the time the daily apparitions were taking place there. The visionaries would come into the room and kneel before this crucifix to receive Our Lady. This crucifix was present in hundreds of apparitions in Medjugorje. In 1988, Fr. Slavko gave this crucifix to the founder of Caritas as a gift. Profoundly moved by this, our founder brought it to Marija and asked her to pray a prayer over it, that it would be used by Our Lady as a great instrument of conversion for Our Nation.

HE 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. The apparitions began in the Bedroom. 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. As the thousands came, gathering around the home, Our Lady one day said She would appear the next day outside near a pine tree. Many began to gather in the Field who knew nothing of the family that knelt in prayer on the blanket next to them, but they 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 

December 21, 1999
“I must say it was the most moving emotional experience of my life…I cannot thank you enough for sending out your messages encouraging me, and thousands of others, to come to one of the most important events of my life. Thank you for inviting us into your Field, your homes, and your lives. You have all touched me in a very personal and profound way.”

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

August 9, 2005
“I am so glad I was a part of such an incredible occasion. No one who was there will ever forget…”

West Nyack, New York

September 9, 2008
“Upon reading the wonderful letters of the pilgrims present at the July apparitions I was struck by the thought of the ripple effect their testimonies would be on the other people after hearing of their experiences at Caritas! The seeds that were planted would be so fruitful, and like a river flow all over our country to bring it back to Our Dear Lord!”

Whiting, New Jersey

This July 1–5, 2009 visit materialized through eight apparitions we just have had at Caritas in February that you will read about in the March, 2009 special edition of Words of the Harvesters below. You can receive a free copy by calling 205-672-2000 ext. 315 twenty-four hours. We did not expect these eight apparitions any more than we expected the July 1–5 coming up. They were a gift. If Marija sees Our Lady’s actions and realizes, through the apparitions, how important it is for Our Lady to be here again, July 1–5, what should we as Americans realize in regards to this opportunity? Spread this from the rooftops! Order this 12-page brochure free to give away to all. Those of you who were here last July 1–5, 2008 can share your experiences of those five profound days in which lives were touched by Heaven’s grace descending upon them. Many were healed. Some learned of this touch of grace even month’s after the event, such as the following letter shows:

Dear Caritas, February 22, 2009
I recently realized a special grace has been given to me after the July 4th apparitions in the Field at Caritas. Our Lady gave me an anointing of the sick on my head along with others. A doctor whom I was being treated for cancer scammed me for over four years and I found out that it was a misdiagnosis. Recently, he lost his license to practice medicine. I saw a different doctor in the same practice who revealed the truth that I didn’t have cancer and that I had a benign condition instead. Our Lady interceded for me by providing her mantle of protection over me during this time. I was able to leave the doctor’s clinic after it was shortly announced that it was closing once he surrendered his license. I prayed that my cancer treatment would end and it did and I am alive and cancer free. Thank you Blessed Mother for your protection and giving me the courage and strength during my trials. Praise be to God of whom ALL Blessings flow! Jesus, I trust in You!!

M.T.
Montgomery, Alabama

What Will It Mean to Consecrate or Re-consecrate Ourselves July 2nd, Our Families July 3rd, and Our Nation July 4th in the Presence of Our Lady? How Powerful Is Consecration? What Can We Expect from Heaven Through the Consecration of July 1–5, 2009?

A wonderful apparition that Marija had in a small nation in Europe shows the depth and power of what a prepared for and serious consecration to Our Lady means. Marija had been invited by a family for an apparition in which the family had prayed and prepared for months to consecrate themselves totally to Our Lady. They had prayed, sacrificed, fasted, and confessed in order to be ready to consecrate themselves at the moment of Our Lady’s apparition, when Our Lady appeared to Marija. Our Lady appeared and they fulfilled their consecration, reciting it in Her presence. The grandparents had prepared their children and their grandchildren to give themselves to Our Lady. Marija came out of the apparition astounded at what Our Lady told her during the apparition. Our Lady gave a message to the grandparents, their adult children and their children who had gathered to give their entire family to Our Lady. Marija was surprised at Our Lady’s response to the consecration. Our Lady said to them:

“You will never regret this consecration.

“Your children will never regret this consecration.

“Your children’s children, all your generations, will never regret this consecration.”

Marija was amazed at this and even months after was still animated with joy in explaining the apparition.

By coming July 1–5, you are being given an opportunity that the saints longed for. St. Louis De Montfort told of this time over 300 years ago. He said Our Lady would come in the latter days and raise up apostles who would be purified as the children of Levi. They would spread across the earth on silver wings. He finished by saying how he waited and longed, oh, how he longed, to be a part of the coming glorious special time of grace we are now in.

You are offered something incomprehensible this July 1-5. Take it!
Seize the moment!

Drop Everything! Change your schedule and vacation time. Be at Caritas for an event which very few over the centuries have experienced and all generations who follow us will never have. This generation is the last in man’s history to have Our Lady in this way.

Do not be turned away from Caritas. Reading the following is a must:

Please be advised of the guidelines to visit Caritas.

1. No Immodest Dress
2. No Cell Phones
3. No Video Cameras
4. No Gum Chewing

5. No Cameras
6. No Smoking
7. No Lounge Chairs/Other Chairs
8. No Pets

Guidelines to be Allowed on the Grounds.

♥ The following modesty rules will be strictly adhered to on the Caritas grounds, including parking areas. All violators will be turned away. No sleeveless or low cut dresses. No sleeveless or low cut shirts, blouses, or sweaters. Dresses and skirts must be below the knee. Only knee-length shorts will be allowed for both men and women. Capris may be worn. No gym shorts or other short clothing. No mid-drifts or clothing that exposes the back or stomach. No see-through clothing or clothing that has inappropriate writing or pictures on it. Casual dress, jeans, etc., is OK. We are speaking about modest dress. 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 apparition 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 apparitions. We do not want anyone to miss Our Lady’s apparitions to Marija, so repeatedly inform others and help make sure all are informed of this.

♥ No video cameras; no cameras, and absolutely no cell phone cameras are allowed. 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 here. 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, and not cell phone cameras, will be allowed on Thursday, July 2, on the grounds. However, no cameras will be allowed at the time of the apparition even on this one day exception. Please remember this is allowed for your own personal mementos of the pilgrimage. Be discreet and respectful to others, when taking pictures, 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 or electric motor chairs 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 from their past experiences of the apparitions, the Bedroom, Field, Grotto, and other sites at Caritas, they relay that they were some 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. Gum chewing is not allowed on the grounds. If you see someone doing it, please inform them.

♥ 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.

♥ Parking - Anyone parking on the road must be off the white line or police will tow away your car. For safety of pedestrians, there is no parking on the road in front of the Field.

♥ 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. The event promises a great grace for priests who come and hear Confessions. Priests experience conversion just as you will.

♥ Home Schoolers - Notify all home schooling friends, we will open our school during the days of July 1 through July 5. This school, Our Lady of Victory’s School,, is a community effort, evolved from home schooling, that has inspired other home schoolers with many ideas based on Our Lady’s messages. It is always one of the highlights for those who visit here to see Our Lady of Victory’s ‘One Room’ Schoolhouse. Already other schools have been inspired by it. Walk-through’s will be scheduled throughout the 5 days.

♥ 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. See below to order for free. Just help us with shipping and handling costs. Get your church directory and mail to everyone.

♥ 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) to convert one who comes to help accompany you.

♥ 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.

♥ Free primitive camping in a tent or self-contained camper is available for all who wish to come or who cannot afford to stay in a hotel. Primitive camping is no electricity or water. Portolets will be available. Free firewood is also available, but bring your own grill. Caritas camping and parking is TV free, radio free, cell phone free, smoking free, and alcohol free. Violators will be asked to leave immediately. Some campgrounds and service stations are available for showers and septic dumping call 205-672-2000 ext 382 for locations and phone numbers along with other primitive camping information.

♥ The Gift Shopwill be fully stocked with beautiful items to have blessed by Our Lady in Her apparitions to Marija.

♥ Making Reservations - Many hotels in the summer months can book up early, so we recommend that you make reservations now. Listed on mej.com are select hotels in which most are offering discounts for those coming in July. Since it is the summer, we are expecting that many will book up, so it is necessary to make reservations as soon as possible to assure your rooms. Please state this is for the BVM/Caritas group for Our Lady’s Apparitions of July 1–5, 2009 when making reservations. We encourage you to come all five days to spend time in prayer in preparation for each day’s apparition. Our Lady’s apparitions are a source of great graces for those who gather. By being on the site for July 1st and staying through July 5th, your experience will be greatly heightened. Even if circumstances at this moment do not seem possible for you to come - remember, prayer brings about miracles. So book your plans and 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 desires. Pray short, ardent prayers and do novenas to be here. She will take it from there, trust Her. Call Caritas at 205-672-2000 ext. 351, twenty-four hours for more information.

Schedule of Events

No matter at what point you joined us in praying for Our Nation*, even if you are just now finding out, you can join thousands who have walked these 17 years of prayer for Our Nation and be present in the apparitions to give these prayers to Our Lady.

July 1 The first apparition, you will bathe in the grace of Our Lady’s presence for repentance, forgiveness and revival.

July 2 The second apparition of Our Lady you will consecrate yourself for the first time, or re-consecrate yourself to Jesus and Our Lady, in Her presence, during the apparition.

July 3 The third apparition of Our Lady you will consecrate your family for the first time, or re-consecrate your family to Jesus and Our Lady, in Her presence, during the apparition.

July 4 The fourth apparition of Our Lady you will, as a child of Mary, consecrate Our Nation for the first time, or re-consecrate Our Nation, as was accomplished last July, to Jesus and Our Lady, on the day of its birth, in Her presence, during the apparition.

July 5 The fifth apparition of Our Lady you will give grateful thanksgiving, in Her presence, to God, for allowing Our Lady to come to this nation to heal it.

* “The Seven Novenas for the Reconciliation of Ourselves, Our Families and Our Nation Back to God” have been prayed every year for 17 years. Each year they begin on June 25th and continue on the 25th of each month through December. Literally millions of prayers have been prayed by tens of thousands of supporters over these years. There can be no doubt that these prayers have been instrumental, in moving the heart of God to bring Our Lady to our country. You can join us in praying these powerful novenas by contacting Caritas and requesting a free copy of the booklet. Call 205-672-2000 ext 315 twenty-four hours.

Daily Schedule

5:00 am Morning Prayer: Silent prayer in the Field. Bring blankets to sit on. Please remember to be
quiet and turn off ­flashlights as you arrive at the statue so as not to disturb others in prayer.

6:00 am Angelus

8:00 am Morning Prayer: In front of The Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages,
special announcements and apparition times will be made at this time.

10:45 am Rosary in the Field: Two mysteries prayed each day
as well as the Consecration to the Two Hearts.

12:00 pm Angelus: Wherever you may be on the grounds.

3:00 pm Chaplet of Divine of Mercy:
Wherever you may be on the grounds.

On the Hour Prayer: Three Hail Mary’s will be prayed on the top of every hour, from 9–5 for a nine-hour novena each day. We will offer these prayers for Our Lady’s intentions and for Our Nation’s healing. At the sound of the bells every hour, kneel down, pray the three Hail Mary’s to Our Lady.
The apparitions of Our Lady will be announced at the time Our Lady tells Marija. In the past Our Lady has told us the day before what time and where She will appear. This place is Hers and it has been a great joy for us in the way Our Lady has often done this for us; sometimes appearing in the morning, sometimes late at night and even sometimes during the day. We surrender this to Our Lady with the joy that She will do what’s best for Her children. You may bring food on the grounds. Bring snacks, etc. Call about food availability on other days. Stay all day and be free to relish the peace here.

Special Note

There will be scheduled talks with Marija and A Friend of Medjugorje throughout the week. It will be important to attend and listen for the times of these talks and other events such as the visit to the Bedroom of Apparitions, the behind the scenes walk through the mission, the climb to Grotto La Pluie, and the Patriotic Rosary, which will be announced at our morning prayer at 8:00 am.

Hotel Listings

Our Lady’s return to the Bedroom and Field this coming July has generated a great deal of excitement around the country. We encourage you to book your hotel rooms for the July 1–5 (June 30th to the 6th or later) 2009, apparitions as soon as possible. Several hotels will fill all their rooms. We are expecting large numbers to attend, as always when Our Lady comes, which makes tighter availability for pilgrims desiring to attend the apparitions to find rooms. Even if you are not sure you can come, make reservations. You can always cancel. So don’t delay in making your arrangements. For more information call Caritas of Birmingham 205-672-2000 or click here to see listings, or continue reading to the listings below.