As I have been writing my own thesis, judging books on Medjugorje has really been my "job" of sorts. So here are my picks:
The Miracle Detective Randall Sullivan This book was written by a former
Rolling Stones Magazine editor. He comes to stay in Medjugorje with Mirjana and is completely spiritually and religiously raw. He writes about Medjugorje from a secular standpoint, but details his amazing conversion throughout the book. I am absolutely in awe of this book and I think that everyone connected with Medjugorje should read it!
Medjugorje: The 90s Sister Emmanuel This book is divinely protected! I am sure of that! I picked up this book while I was not even religious or cared anything about Catholicism. I read it and was converted overnight! I experienced through Sr. Emmanuel's writing -- and by the Grace of God -- an infusion of Catholic knowledge. I understood everything about Hell, Heaven, Purgatory, Grace, Prayer, Mary, etc.! This book is a must-read!!!!
Our Lady’s Call from Medjugorje Mirjana Stanislava Vasilj-Zuccarini This author is deeply connected with Medjugorje and is able to give testimonies, village history and pictures that no one else really would have access to. This is kind of an "inside look" at the village and hamlets of Medjugorje and the visionaries own personal lives. Very amazing book, but since it is published in Bosnia and translated into English, it is confusing at times but well worth the read!
The Madonna of Medjugorje Video This video describes the reason why the Bishop of Mostar and the government of Yugoslavia so fiercely detested the apparitions of Medjugorje. You begin to understand just how quickly rumors can spread in an area of Herzegovina with so much historical controversy. This is probably one of the most helpful documentaries on Medjugorje that I have ever seen. It is pro-Medjugorje and will help you be a better defender of the apparitions.
Encounters with Father Jozo Sabrina Covic This book is a transcript of a lengthy interview with Fr. Jozo about all manners of things regarding the apparitions and his imprisonment. It sheds a lot of light on the situation. One thing you must remember when reading Fr. Jozo, some of the visionaries and other priests is that they are human with human memories. Sometimes small details contradict each other. This does not mean they are intentionally deceiving, it just means they have told the story so many times that it turns into a habit. Think of a story that you have told over and over again. Every time you tell it, it is different and takes a different turn in your mind -- you remember more things and forget to mention some, etc.
Visions of the Children Janice T. Connell While this author is controversial for the visionaries, I still very much love this book. Connell takes several interview with the visionaries and transcribes them all into one book. This book will really help you understand the nature of the apparitions, and of Grace, Prayer, Hell, Heaven and Purgatory.
Medjugorje Today Jelenko Rastic For those who really love history, anthropology and culture, I would suggest this book. This book is not really at all about the apparitions at Medjugorje, but is a series of essays by famous and learned scholars on different aspects of Medjugorje culture. There is an essay on the history of the region and peoples of Herzegovina; a history of the Vasilj hamlet and family of Medjugorje; there is an interview with Dr. Fr. Rene Laurentin on the medical studies on the visionaries of Medjugorje. It is such an interesting book! But for those of you looking to learn more about the apparitions themselves, I would stick to Medjugorje: The 90s, Visions of the Children or Miracle Detective.
God-Sent: A History of Accredited Apparitions of Mary Roy Abraham Varghese For all you philosophers out there, this book is about the plausibility of Marian apparitions. He speaks of all “accredited” Marian apparitions world-wide. This book is a great book to give to a Catholic who “has a hard time” with Marian apparitions. Varghese makes very good arguments. I think you may remember that he had a huge hand in converting noted atheist Antony Flew a few years back. Varghese also has a book about Eucharistic miracles. However, be weary, because I would put Varghese in the group of believers who believe every single person who says that they have an experience and he may not be judging carefully enough in some instances. Either way his philosophical and theological arguments are fantastic!!!
Medjugorje and the Church Denis Nolan This book is also a really good book to give someone who is Catholic, pro-Fatima, but anti-Medjugorje (I think we all know a quite few of these people). This book gives documents and testimonies as to why our last two Popes have believed in Medjugorje and why we should, based on the Vatican, believe in Medjugorje too.
Medjugorje: A Portfolio of Images This book was written in 1987 and has lots and lots of rare photos and quotes. In fact, I caught in the credits one of the authors being "G. Amorth"...Gabriele Amorth, the famous exorcist, maybe???
*** The best place to find obscure books about Medjugorje is Amazon.com
Good luck!!!!
I need to line up some books for summer reading at the beach!
