Episode 3087: Medjugorje: The Real Truth - Morning Episode

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Book Recommendation of the Day
The Life of St. Andrew Bobola of the Society of Jesus, Martyr
Author: Louis J. Gallagher, S.J.
Length: 270 pages
This biography offers a detailed and reverent portrayal of St. Andrew Bobola, a 17th-century Polish Jesuit missionary renowned for his unwavering faith and ultimate martyrdom during the Khmelnytsky Uprising. Gallagher delves into Bobola's early life, his fervent missionary endeavors among Orthodox Christians, and the harrowing tortures he endured for steadfastly upholding the Catholic faith. The book also sheds light on the turbulent religious landscape of Eastern Europe during that era
Before we get started I have to comment on something that is troubling to me. I heard a podcast episode on The U.S. Grace Force podcast is co-hosted by Fr. Richard Heilman, a Catholic priest, and Doug Barry, a lay Catholic evangelist. Together, they focus on spiritual warfare, prayer, and the use of sacramentals and devotions to help listeners become "God Strong."
Fr. Richard Heilman is known for his pastoral work and commitment to traditional Catholic practices. Doug Barry is recognized for his dynamic evangelization efforts, particularly in promoting spiritual preparedness and resilience among the faithful.
Their collaboration on the U.S. Grace Force podcast aims to equip Catholics with the spiritual tools necessary to navigate contemporary challenges while staying rooted in their faith.
But in their latest episode Fr. Heilman was bragging about his trip to Medjugorje. Now why is that problematic?
Yet the official stance of the Church the alleged apparitions of Medjugorje are viewed with great skepticism and, in many traditional circles, outright rejection. Here's a detailed explanation of why:
1. The Church Has Never Approved the Apparitions
The Church has not given full approval to the apparitions of Medjugorje. In fact, several official commissions have investigated them, and the conclusions have either been non-committal or negative.
• The original Bishops of Mostar, in whose diocese Medjugorje is located, repeatedly condemned the apparitions as inauthentic.
• Bishop Pavao Žanić (1980s) and his successor Bishop Ratko Perić both concluded that nothing supernatural was taking place.
• The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) forbade diocesan-sponsored pilgrimages that presupposed authenticity.
Even though more recent statements have allowed private pilgrimages, this does not equate to approval of the apparitions themselves — only pastoral concern for the faithful who visit.
2. Contradictions and Disobedience
Traditional Catholics are particularly sensitive to the issue of obedience to lawful authority, and the events at Medjugorje raise red flags:
• The visionaries and their supporters often disobeyed their local bishop, who has jurisdiction over the site. This includes continuing "apparitions" and spiritual activities after being ordered to stop.
• The alleged "Gospa" (Our Lady) reportedly stated:
"Obey your bishop, but follow me first,"
a statement that contradicts authentic Marian apparitions, where Our Lady always exhorts obedience to the Church.
This spirit of disobedience is contrary to how the Blessed Virgin has behaved in approved apparitions (e.g., Lourdes, Fatima), where she never undermines ecclesiastical authority.
3. Doctrinal and Theological Concerns
Traditional Catholics adhere to precise doctrine, and several messages from Medjugorje contain ambiguities, errors, or modernist language, such as:
• Teaching a false ecumenism (e.g., implying that all religions are pleasing to God without conversion).
• Ambiguous references to salvation that seem to downplay the necessity of the Catholic Church and the sacraments.
• Our Lady allegedly saying:
"All religions are dear to me and my Son."
This is not compatible with Catholic doctrine and especially not with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in all authentic apparitions calls for conversion to the Catholic Faith.
4. Sensationalism and Overabundance of "Messages"
• There are thousands of alleged messages, sometimes given daily for decades — this is unprecedented in Church history.
• Authentic apparitions, such as Fatima or Lourdes, are few, concise, and focused on conversion, penance, and devotion.
• The sheer volume and casual tone of Medjugorje's messages are seen by many traditional Catholics as unbefitting of the Queen of Heaven.
5. Commercialization and Lack of Spiritual Fruits
While many people have had emotional or personal experiences at Medjugorje, traditional Catholics look for spiritual fruits that align with Catholic tradition, such as:
• Increased devotion to the Traditional Mass, frequent confession, penance, and modesty — not just emotional enthusiasm or modern charismatic spirituality.
• Unfortunately, Medjugorje has become a commercialized pilgrimage destination, with an industry of spiritual tourism, which further undermines its credibility.
• Many traditional Catholics also point to the absence of a call for reparation and repentance similar to that seen at Fatima or Akita.
6. Comparison to Approved Apparitions
Authentic apparitions have several consistent characteristics:
Approved Apparition Emphasis Messages Attitude Toward Church
Fatima (1917) Penance, Rosary, Eucharist Clear, finite Full obedience
Lourdes (1858) Prayer, Sacraments Simple and Marian Full obedience
Akita (1973) Eucharist, judgment, prayer Serious and sober Obedient
Medjugorje (1981–?) Vague peace, personal messages 10,000+ messages Disobedient and unclear
The contrast is stark, especially for those rooted in the Catholic tradition of discernment and obedience.
Traditional Catholic Conclusion
From a traditional Catholic perspective, Medjugorje bears many of the hallmarks of a false apparition:
• It fosters disobedience.
• It contains doctrinal confusion.
• It leads to emotionalism and sensationalism rather than sacrificial devotion.
• It lacks the gravitas, clarity, and consistency of true Marian messages.
As St. John of the Cross warned:
"The devil rejoices when a soul seeks after revelations and extraordinary manifestations, for he sees that such a soul is growing presumptuous and exposed to error."
The Catholic Church especially in her traditional form urges prudence and fidelity to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial authority, not private revelations unless they are clearly approved and theologically sound. Medjugorje does not meet those marks.

According to the traditional liturgical calendar followed by the 1945 edition of the Saint Andrew Daily Missal, May 21, 2025 which falls on the Wednesday after the Fourth Sunday after Easter is observed as a feria, meaning a weekday without a specific feast. On such days, the Mass of the preceding Sunday is typically repeated.
Therefore, the Epistle and Gospel readings for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, are the same as those for the Fourth Sunday after Easter. So lets get started.
Preparing for the Spirit of Truth
Epistle: James 1:17–21
This passage emphasizes that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights. It encourages believers to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, urging them to receive the implanted word with meekness.
“Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness, receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Traditional Reflection:
St. James presents us with a sobering truth: while sin arises from within us our concupiscence every good gift comes from above, from the unchanging Father of Lights.
In the age of moral confusion and spiritual compromise, this passage brings clarity: the origin of all that is good is God, and we must receive His Word as a seed planted in soil made ready through humility.
As St. Augustine taught:
“God gives where He finds empty hands.”
If we are full of pride, impurity, noise, or worldliness, we have no room to receive His Word. But if we cast off what James calls “all uncleanness and abundance of malice,” then we become fertile ground.
This passage prepares us for the Gospel: the Holy Spirit comes not to the proud or self-assured, but to those who have made room for Him by repentance and silence.
Gospel — John 16:5–14
“But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you... He will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment.”
Traditional Reflection:
In this Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending departure and the coming of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. He explains that the Spirit will guide them into all truth, glorify Christ, and declare what is to come.
Our Lord here speaks intimately to the Apostles during the Last Supper. He is preparing them and us for the coming of the Holy Ghost.
He says something startling: “It is better that I go.” Why? Because the mission of the Holy Ghost is to take the work of Christ and plant it deep in the souls of men. To convict. To illuminate. To sanctify.
Our Lord says the Holy Ghost will:
• Convince the world of sin – He opens our eyes to the truth that sin offends a holy God.
• Convince of justice – He reveals Christ's divinity and vindication by the Father.
• Convince of judgment – He exposes the prince of this world, Satan, as condemned.
As Pope Leo XIII wrote in Divinum Illud Munus:
“It is through the Holy Ghost that the soul is purified, illumined, and made strong.”
In a world that resists the idea of sin, denies the authority of Christ, and defies the idea of judgment, the Holy Ghost comes as a Divine Disruptor—not to console us in our errors, but to shake us from them.
And what is our response to be? St. James told us: meekness, purity, and a willingness to be convicted.
Saint of the Day – St. Hospitius, Hermit of Nice († c. 581)
Today in the traditional calendar, we commemorate St. Hospitius, a 6th-century hermit who lived in seclusion near Nice, France. He practiced extraordinary penance, lived on little more than dates and barley bread, and possessed the gift of prophecy.
When invaders came, St. Hospitius foretold their arrival and willingly allowed himself to be taken. His holiness impressed his captors, and many were converted. He died in great sanctity, honored as a man who bore witness to Christ not only through prayer, but through suffering and supernatural charity.
He lived what both today’s readings call us to: purity of life, vigilance of soul, and openness to the action of the Holy Ghost.
Three Quotes for Meditation
St. James 1:21
“Receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
John 16:8
“And when He is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment.”
St. Catherine of Siena
“The soul is in darkness without the light of the Holy Ghost.”
Conclusionary Prayer
O Holy Ghost, Spirit of Truth and Sanctifier of souls, descend upon us and convict us of our sins. Enlighten our darkened minds, cleanse our hearts from all impurity, and guide us to the fullness of Christ's truth.
Grant that we may receive Thy word with humility, cast away all malice and pride, and become fruitful soil for Thy sanctifying grace. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Hospitius, make us worthy temples of Thy presence, ever watchful for the coming of the Bridegroom.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.