For over 40 years now, the alleged apparitions of Mary in Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) have been polarizing topic for many Catholics. For some, the apparitions of Mary and the messages are hailed as an extraordinary visitation of grace for our time, with an overabundance of fruits to prove it; while others dismiss the Medjugorje phenomenon as a hoax and a hotbed of division.

In this episode, Fr. Michael and Fr. Chris are joined by Mike Nolan for a conversation about Medjugorje: its history and spirituality, the approval process, some misunderstandings surrounding it, and positive fruits that pilgrimage there has born in their personal lives.

While the events at Medjugorje are not yet officially approved by the Church, they are inarguably significant, and all listeners can benefit from learning more about them. They could benefit as well from the commentary on Mary's role in our lives, the spirituality of pilgrimage, the ecclesiastical approval process, and more!

For those interested in Mike Nolan's pilgrimages, listeners are encouraged to visit https://shadowonthewater.com/

Miriam Johll is a friend of our hosts. Hailing from Iowa, she has a heart for evangelization and healing ministry. Before diving into our main topic, Miriam shares some of her life testimony of personal healing through encounters with God the Father, and her subsequent launch into ministry.

While virtually every Catholic is familiar with Mary - her particular devotions (i.e., the Rosary), her statues, her feast days - it is not uncommon for Catholics, and other Christians, to feel distant from her as a person. Mary is the mother of Jesus, but Jesus has entrusted Mary to each and every Christian from the cross, to be our mother too. How do we know Mary as our mother, and the concrete role she plays in our lives - on a spiritual, but also human and emotional level? Join Frs. Michael and Chris and Miriam as they seek to answer this question for listeners.

Do we really believe that Pentecost is an ever-present reality in the Church? Just as health or sickness have diagnosable side effects, so too the presence of the Holy Spirit, first poured out at Pentecost, should have visible "side effects" - both in terms of the fruits of personal heart-transformation (love, joy, peace, etc.), and in its repercussions throughout the Church as a whole.

In this episode, Fr. Michael and Fr. Chris break down the effects of Pentecost, following the points offered in the book "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Doctrinal Commission).

Some of the effects of Pentecost discussed include:

• A profound personal knowledge of God's presence
• A deepening commitment to a sacramental life and devotion to Mary and the saints
• An awareness and ability to exercise supernatural charisms for building up the Church
• A boldness for evangelization, especially among the laity
• Movements toward intentional Christian community, properly-ordered social justice, ecumenism, and more!