Medjugorje Forum

I read this stories of conversion and am so inspired. But, I have to admit I am jealous. I recently prayed to Mary to give me the kind of conversion that I read about here. I can't get myself to pray the rosary a full decade, and while I believe in the Trinity and Mary, it is a mustard seed compared to the faith of some of you. I wish that I had a conversion. I will never be able to go to Medjugorje because I am retiring and also my wife does not believe in the event that strongly. Pray for me that I have a conversion like some of you folks without having to go to Medjugorje. If ever our Mother Mary decided I should go, I would definitely want to.

Fred

Hi Fred...welcome to the forum ...

My conversion started before I even step foot in Medjugorje ....One does not have to travel to Medjugorje to enjoy the wonders of conversion ......

Bless, Sharon

Fred

You do not need to go to Medugorghe to get converted. I have never been there although I had wanted to go before I was converted. I do not care anymore whether I ever go; indeed I would put anyone else in the seat reserved for me for Medugorhe.

To become converted; is so easy. But it is also so hard, because we only want to be Gods Sons and Daughters on our terms.

All you have to do is resolve in your heart to turn to God 100%. 95%, 99% is not enough; you must be all his. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you!

Hail Mary..

God Bless

Thank you for the encouragement. Isn't it strange, conversion on the face of it is so simple, but in practice is so hard. I think it comes down to saying no to ourselves and saying yes to God. I think that I am trying too hard to "feel" conversion and not enough "doing" what it takes. It would be so much easier if I felt the way some of these people feel. I simply do not feel that close and personal to God. The good news is I am feeling closer to Mary and am hoping that will led me to Jesus because I know that is what She is trying to do. I guess I do not want to take the baby steps necessary and want the giant leaps I read about in this forum. I want a "Paul-moment" but I don't think that is in the cards. I need patience to wait for the Lord's moment, not mind. Keep praying for me. Thanks.

Fred

I have been pondering your post and a thought came to me...

First, I have never considered myself - "converted", as I have always had "Faith" although it was very weak at times, and for a period of time I strayed quite far off the path.
But, I was in great need of a very Huge "increase" in my Faith.

My thought was - to ask the "Holy Spitit" for help.
There are some great prayers and novenas to the Holy Spirit.

Also, something that helped me tremendously was attending a "Life in the Spirit" seminar that my local Church has every so often. It was a trmendous boost for me.


any ways, just a few ideas that may be of help to you.

God Bless!!

Fred you may want to try reading about the lives of different Saints. It can be very inspirational. There's lots here on the forum to get you started. Also, if you can get books on different Marian apparitions - as you already feel drawn to the Blessed Mother - they are great to read. Another great boost in your spiritual journey. I've never been to Medjugorje either, but I love to read about it, the visionaries and people's experiences there.

And like you've said, just start doing one of the things that the Blessed Mother suggests we do. It doesn't have to be done with feeling - just done. The desire to do it and all will come later. And like the Blessed Mother said in her latest message, just call on her and she will lead you to her Son.

Welcome to the forum!

I have faith, I just wish I had more. Thanks for the suggestions. I have read three books on Medjugorje. Matter of fact, that is what made me realize how far off the mark I really am. Reading about how Medjugorje revitalized people's faith made me want what they have. I am impatient and maybe that is the test. I don't think you have to go to Medjugorje to get faith. I have pleaded with the Holy Spirit, Mary, and God, the father, to give me the kind of faith I have read about, but so far I would say my faith is lacking. It almost is a "catch-22" situation. You have to have faith to get more faith it would seem.
I want to love God with a fervor I do not have. I do believe that the Holy Spirit can give faith as a gift, and I really want that gift. Anyway, I guess the next thing I need to pray for patience.

God bless all of you.

Fred

Fred, my brother.

Keep striving for that greater Faith and love for God. It's a lifelong process.

God bless you.

Have you ever tried eucharistic adoration? There's nothing quite like praying while in the presence of our Lord. I started going for an hour once a week a few months ago, and I thought I'd go a few times and get bored, but I found it so spiritually beneficial, I really hate to miss a week. I highly recommend it.

In years past I tried but after 15 minutes I was bored and wanted to leave but then I was not on the journey that I am now. Actually since making the original post things have improved. I was reading about Wayne Weible's desire to be able to have the Eucharist and it made me appreciate what I already have. I also have recently started praying the rosary, it seems to come to me more easily so I think Mother Mary is doing her magic on me. I just started reading Bert Ghezzi's book "Mystics and Miracles" and it has given me a glimpse of some of the staints.

Fred

Hi,Fred.
I used to be an agnostic for years but I was converted when I joined a retreat held by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Ever since then, my life has never been the same. You might want to check out this site : http://catholiccharismatic.us/index.php
It's worth trying...

I have read now 5 books on Medjugorje. I was deeply moved by the books. I wrote Wayne Wieble and asked him if he would send me a blessed medal from Medjugorje so I could give it to my daughter who needs Mary's help. I did not expect a reply because he receives hundreds of letters and emails each week. But sure enough I received an email stating he would be glad to send me a medal.

I than decided to build a shrine to Mary in my garden. I really had a hard time finding a statue that I felt looked like Mother Mary. The ones that were big enough and realistic enough were out of my price range. In my frustration I prayed to Mary to help me find a statue that was good enough for her.

I finally found a statue that was nice but kind of on the small size, so I ordered it. The next day some friends came over to congratulate me on my retirement. They walked in with a large statue of Mary, saying "we knew you were looking for this so we got it for you." I really believe Mary picked out and inspired them to get it.

When I said,"Darn, I already ordered one," my nephew, who was standing next to me said,"I have been looking for a Mary statue, I'll buy the one you ordered." I said,"No, you can have it". So now Mary has made two people happy.

The story does not stop there, I went on line and bought 5 blessed Medjugorje medals to give other people. I just found out that one of my sisters has breast cancer and the other has a lump that is suspected of being cancer. I will give them a medal. So Mary is working overtime.

Fred

liztio,

Quite a few years ago I attended a "Life in the Spirit" seminar that our local Charismatic Prayer group put on. It aided me tremedously!


fschutzman,

That is wonderful about the statue!!! I bought a cement statue of Mary years ago, and have it set up in my "prayer garden/pet cemetery". I also have a bench there so that when I want quiet prayer time (in nice weather) I have a very peaceful place to spend time. (It's surrounded by trees).

I wanted to add additional statues, but could not afford to buy more.

well... "Ask and you shall receive"...

I stopped at a garge/yard sale and found "4" more statues - all the same size and of cement for about $5.00 each!! They all needed to be repainted, but that was fine - I enjoyed doing so.
So, I now also have: The Sacred Heart of Jesus, St Jude, St Francois, and St Anthony!

as an added bonus, I also acquired 2 cement ducks and a cement pig at the same sale. LOL!! Those I tucked away in my flower garden.

Fred,
You sound like you are well on your way in regards to conversion .....I so enjoyed your story about the Mother Mary statues.....How about posting a picture on the forum?? ....

Tessa,
You sound like you got quite the deal with the cement statues ......

LittleRed wrote:Hi Fred...welcome to the forum ...

My conversion started before I even step foot in Medjugorje ....One does not have to travel to Medjugorje to enjoy the wonders of conversion ......

Bless, Sharon

The same went for my sainted father [who I 'know' is in Heaven, along with my mother], when he visited Mt.Carmel as a young soldier, back about 1938. BUT, that visit and a simple locally made rosary {I now have it], blessed by a Carmelite priest there, most certainly profoundly impacted his curiousity about things spiritual. His faith got stronger and stronger, further reinforced by experiences in the heat of battle, [after one bloody episode, the loving care and attention of the RC chaplain, stood out in his mind when he mentally compared him to the other chaplains]. In 1944 he met my mother, who is from 'good Irish stock', and that was his final decider in his conversion! BUT, since that point he worked at his faith and over the years became particularly devoted to the Sacred Heart, and to Our Blessed Lady - leading and promoting rosary circles. Garabandal and Medjugorje and Lourdes figured prominently in his later life - he had an 'insight' as to when he was to die {approx I would assume], and had arranged everything, all we had to do was phone the numbers he had written down and sign a few papers. His requiem mass was indeed a celebration! - the old priest told me, after I had queried the lack of the likes of the De Profundis and such solemnity, that my dad was the first person, among the many he had officiated in burying, he felt certain was already in Heaven, and that a 100% celebration was therefore 'demanded'. I have since been blessed with 'insights' that my father is indeed 'high' in that celestial abode. DG.

ps. He still has his old sense of humour, even in Heaven.


Peace and Love.

How wonderful Mt Carmel! You brought back wonderful memories for me. When one of my aunts died, they didn't ring the funeral bells, they rang the Easter bells! Her arrival at her destination was that certain.

I can't get myself to pray the rosary a full decade

saurabh1985 wrote:I can't get myself to pray the rosary a full decade

Saurabh,

When Our Lady first appeared to the visionaries in Medjugorje...the people there started out slowly...they prayed 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Mary`s, and 7 Glory Be`s and worked their way up to the Rosary and all the decades.......

Start out slow and work your way up .....

Bless, Sharon

Fred

I have a smile on my face reading your mail. Can I say just relax and don't try too hard, Our Blessed Mother is with you, loving you her son. You know it is easy when you have an experience, but, it is extra special when you are trying so hard without inspiration. Years ago when I didn't know Our Blessed Mother and weren't really too bothered if I did or not. It was a friend that prompted me to want to know her. I just asked her to reveal herself to me. It didn't happen suddenly, but, after a while I realised that something had happened to me, that I was wanting to maybe join the Legion of Mary, and it suddenly struck me, that this was an act of the Holy Spirit.

Our Lady is with you now, you don't have to go to Medjugorje. I was given a statue of Our Lady which I placed in my bedroom, just from having this statue in our bedroom, my husband started to know Our Blessed Mother, he wasn't even trying. Our Lady has brought this statue to you through your friends, she already knows you and loves you dearly. Hope this helps. Marjie

Fred

I have a smile on my face reading your mail. Can I say just relax and don't try too hard, Our Blessed Mother is with you, loving you her son. You know it is easy when you have an experience, but, it is extra special when you are trying so hard without inspiration. Years ago when I didn't know Our Blessed Mother and weren't really too bothered if I did or not. It was a friend that prompted me to want to know her. I just asked her to reveal herself to me. It didn't happen suddenly, but, after a while I realised that something had happened to me, that I was wanting to maybe join the Legion of Mary, and it suddenly struck me, that this was an act of the Holy Spirit.

Our Lady is with you now, you don't have to go to Medjugorje. I was given a statue of Our Lady which I placed in my bedroom, just from having this statue in our bedroom, my husband started to know Our Blessed Mother, he wasn't even trying. Our Lady has brought this statue to you through your friends, she already knows you and loves you dearly. Hope this helps. Marjie

Fred

Your longing for a conversion is actually you beginning to feel the very conversion you seek.

Earlier post is saying start slowly, this is true for most of us. You can't just get into big prayer marathons to start with.

Our Lady asks to just start and pray a little to begin with but, with love in your heart. Blessed Mother will send a longing in your heart to increase your time in prayer. It is a beautiful slow process full of love.

It is normally by degrees that you realize the conversion that has taken place and grown in your heart.

But how amazing to read of other peoples conversion. The reality at the time may not have seemed so instant to the people experiencing those amazing conversions. It is when they look back and write it all down that we see an amazing experience. I think. God bless those who share their experience.

I know that is what She is trying to do. I guess I do not want to take the baby steps necessary and want the giant leaps I read about in this forum. I want a "Paul-moment" but I don't think that is in the cards.