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1 Январь 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Marija
Other languages: English, Čeština, Español, Polski, Русский, Slovenčina, Suomi
"Дорогие дети! Спасибо вам. Вы – Моя надежда! Вы - Моя радость! Всех вас благословляю. Призываю вас – живите по Моим посланиям. "
Богородица была очень радостной, в окружении множества ангелов.

2 Январь 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Mirjana
"Дорогие дети! Сегодня Я призываю идти за Мной с полным доверием и любовью, потому что Я хочу познакомить вас со Своим Сыном. Детки, не бойтесь. Я с вами, Я рядом с вами. Я указываю вам путь, помогающий простить себя, простить ближних и с искренним покаянием встать на колени перед Отцом. Сделайте так, чтобы в вас умерло все то, что мешает вам любить и спасать, чтобы вы были с Ним и в Нем. Решитесь на новое начало, начало искренней любви Самого Бога. Спасибо вам. "

2 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures

6 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen / Author: Vittorio, Bologna

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. January 2010


9 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Pilgrimages

10 Январь 2010 /  Section: Picture & Photo Galleries - Category: Medjugorje Photos - Pictures Gallery

10 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Polski

Vienna Cardinal dr. Christoph Schonborn arrived to Medjugorje on his private visit on Monday, December 28, and he will stay here for couple of days. Cardinal, amongst other things, wants to visit Cenacolo, the community of former drug addicts and their house in Medjugorje, since one of their houses exists in Austria as well. He emphasised that he, above other things wants to be person who prays in this famous place of prayer.


10 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Shepherds of Church
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Hrvatski, Italiano

From Vecernji List daily newspaper for Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“Medjugorje is again in the center of attention, church and public as well. Though the visit of Cardinal Shonborn is private, it did not leave anybody indifferent because he is the member of Congregation for Doctrine of Faith. We talked to Cardinal while he was visiting Medjugorje.


10 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Shepherds of Church
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Italiano

Dear brothers and sisters here in the church and on the squares in front of the church, and in the yellow hall... We are all conscious of the fact that it is a big privilege to not have to celebrate the New Year with champagne. (laughter) Maybe later. (laughter and applause)

But now we are allowed to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with Mary and Joseph and with the child that is lying in the manger and with the shepherds.


23 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality

30 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Shepherds of Church
Other languages: English, Italiano

by Gianluca Barile for Petrus, www.papanews.it

VATICAN CITY - The alleged apparitions of Medjugorje continue to inspire debate and sustain polemics, within and without the Church. Thus the presence at New Year's of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, in the little Bosnia-Herzegovina locality, was only the most recent occasion to confirm the tension existing in the place where, since the 1980s, the Madonna is said to have appeared to six "seers".


30 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Shepherds of Church
Other languages: English, Hrvatski, Italiano

Max Domej from Gebetsktion Wien spoke to Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna, during his visit to Međugorje.
Both in Lourdes and Fatima the events first ceased and than Church had its decision about that. Its final decision. Sooner or later that will take place here as well, but in this case we let Mother of God with freedom of choice...I think that Medjugorje can continue well on their journey, with full trust that Church, Mother and Teacher, in this case, is going to continue to monitor their journey.


30 Январь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies

By Fr. Paddy Byrne

For over 20 years, thousands of Irish people continue to make pilgrimage to a tiny village in a mountainous and remote part of Bosnia in search of something that, when discovered, is truly wonderful.

Medjugorje, for so many, is not just a place. It is a way of life.

It tells so many stories of human conversion, healing, forgiveness and most importantly brings God’s people to a place of peace. A peace celebrated by thousands of addicts who now live lives freed from the chains of addiction because of a spirituality that builds inner confidence and renews faith and hope in life.


3 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen / Author: Vittorio, Bologna

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. February 2009


6 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies, Free downloads[EN]

Arthur McCluskey recounts his story and how he came to reassess his life radically due to his experiences in Bosnia.

Seven years ago, Arthur reluctantly went to Medjugorje. A series of events took place that week which irreversibly changed his life. These events he shares with us in this testimony. It is the story of two mothers, the Mother in Heaven and his mother on Earth, the Rosary, with the melting of hearts, followed by conversion. Some of the events that took place seem very strange. However, the reader is not asked to accept or reject, but to understand that he shares these private revelations with us. The result is that Arthur is a very changed man. He no longer takes alcohol and has stopped gambling. His experiences suggest that we can be freed from whatever enslaves us through conversion to God.


6 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Interviews, Theology reports
Other languages: English, Deutsch

(Translated from the German-language Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost.)

For years there has been discussion of the phenomenon of the alleged "Marian apparitions" that took their origin in Medjugorje: Does the Mother of God really appear to the seers who originated in Medjugorje? Or are the experiences parapsychological fruits of the seers' unconscious? Are they a deceptive manipulation or even a trick of evil forces? According to reports, there are plans at the Vatican to have the Medjugorje phenomenon conclusively investigated by a commission. Regina Einig asked the chairman of the German Society for Mariology, professor of dogmatics and patristics at Lugano, Manfred Hauke, about the subject.


6 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Song lyrics included, Music with pictures, Medjugorje Pilgrimages

A beautiful devotional song to Mary with pictures from Medjugorje and devotional pictures. With lyrics in Italian, English, Polish and Czech languages.


14 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures

21 Февраль 2010 , Originally published Июнь, 1991 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Italiano

He's a young long-haired man, tall and pleasant looking. Practically unnoticed, he made himself available for the Irish pilgrims all last summer. He accompanied them up Podbrdo and Krizevac. He prayed with them, spoke about himself and his conversion. When asked to sing during the evening adoration he happily conceded, but he never told the Franciscans in Medjugorje that music had been his vocation. When they found out, they asked him to tell them about his life, his rock and roll group, and his experience in Medjugorje. He thus replied to Fra Slavko's questions:


25 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Ежемесячные послания
"Дорогие дети! В это благодатное время, когда природа тоже готовится преподнести самые великолепные краски года, Я призываю вас, детки, открыть свои сердца Богу-Творцу, чтобы Он преобразил вас и формировал по Своему подобию, чтобы все доброе, уснувшее в ваших сердцах, пробудилось к новой жизни, к жажде жизни вечной. Спасибо, что ответили на Мой призыв. "

27 Февраль 2010 , Originally published Июнь, 1999 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies

Mariana is an attractive, modern young woman, who works as an interior decorator in Mexico. In Medjugorje she told us: "I was very independent and active and, like all young people, I did what I wanted when I wanted, trying to get the most out of life.


27 Февраль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures, Song lyrics included, Wide screen

A beautiful video and music from a vocal group with angel voices Libera.


6 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen / Author: Vittorio, Bologna

Apparition of Medjugorje Queen of Peace to visionary Marija Pavlovic, 27. February at Verona


6 Март 2010 , Originally published Февраль, 2005 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Reflections / Author: Sr. Stefania Consoli
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano

God created woman in His own image, just as He did with man. It was a single image, though there is a clear distinction. “Male and female he created them,” says the book of Genesis. In the woman God put those parts of Himself which he drew from the deepest layers of His divine being: sensitivity, intuition, tenderness, the capacity to donate self in an unconditioned way without seeking advantage, fortitude and the wonder of a body able to lovingly receive and give life.


6 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality, Song lyrics included, Wide screen

A very beatiful song performed by Celtic Woman concert live from the helix Center in Dublin, Ireland


8 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen / Author: Vittorio, Bologna

Apparition of Our Lady in Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. March 2010


13 Март 2010 , Originally published Март, 1991 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Interviews

The smile of his mother as she was dying (she was run over by a train) helped this man (a sculptor) regain his faith and now inspires his works.

An atheist in front of this crucifix said, "For as long as I stood in front of it, I felt the desire to embrace it."

Peppino Sacchi, sculptor from Bolzano, was interviewed by Fr. Slavko in October 1990.


13 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Italian only, Documentary, Wide screen

13 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures / Author: Gospa2000

Mother Maria is composed and sung by Mary Teresa Doogan. The track is from the CD Here is Love by Family Doogan & Friends.


17 Март 2010 , 20:12 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje News

Vatican confirms Pope Benedict XVI has set up an international commission to investigate the authenticity of the reported apparitions by the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.


18 Март 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Mirjana
"Дорогие дети! Cегодня призываю вас: любите всем сердцем своим и всею душою своею. Молитесь о даре любви, ибо когда душа любит, она призывает Моего Сына. Мой Сын не отвергает тех, кто призывает Его и кто хочет следовать за Ним. Молитесь за тех, кто не принимает любви и не понимает, что значит любить. Молитесь, чтобы Бог был им Отцом, а не судьёй. Дети мои, будьте Моими апостолами вы, будьте Моей рекой любви. Я нуждаюсь в вас. Спасибо вам. "

20 Март 2010 , Originally published Июнь, 2000 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, Polski

Ruth came from an atheistic background, and at the age of 28 knew nothing about God. Two years ago God revealed Himself to her and she had a profound conversion. She was baptized during the Easter Vigil of this Great Jubilee year, after 18 months of catechesis in which Our Lady's school of Medjugorje played a decisive role.


17 Март 2010 , 20:12 , Last update 20 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News, Medjugorje and Vatican
Other languages: English, Čeština, Hrvatski, Italiano

Vatican City, Mar 17, 2010 / 09:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A statement was released by the Holy See on Wednesday confirming the formation of a commission to investigate the “phenomenon” of Medjugorje.


20 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures, Medjugorje Pilgrimages

A tribute to Medjugorje, a place where for more than 25 years occur Marian apparitions and also a place of countless pilgrimages and conversions.

Un omaggio a Medjugorje, luogo dove da oltre 25 anni si verificano le apparizioni Mariane. Luogo anche di innumerevoli pellegrinaggi e conversioni.


25 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen

Apparition of Our Lady in Medjugorje for Mirjana, 18. March 2010


22 Март 2010 , Last update 25 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News, Medjugorje and Vatican
Other languages: English, Hrvatski, Italiano

Archbishop Allessandro D’Errico, Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave statement about Medjugorje on March 18th at the end of 48th Bishop’s Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the statement broadcasted by Radio Mir Medjugorje, he amongst other things said: “Whenever I would meet Holy Father, he was always very much interested in Medjugorje. He was involved in everything, starting with the time when he was Head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He is aware that this is the issue of special importance, and he, as supreme authority of the Church, needs to give his precise statement about that matter. Holy Father is very much familiar with Medjugorje phenomenon; he even mentioned that to me personally. He knows about great deeds which are done in this territory by the priests, religious, franciscans, lay people. On the other side he asks himself how come there are such opposed information about that phenomenon.


25 Март 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Ежемесячные послания
"Дорогие дети! И сегодня Я призываю всех вас: будьте сильны в молитве, и тогда, когда вас одолевают искушения. Проживайте своё христианское призвание с радостью и в смирении, и всем свидетельствуйте. Я с вами и всех вас приношу Моему Сыну, Который будет вашей силой и поддержкой.Спасибо, что ответили на Мой призыв. "

27 Март 2010 , Originally published Октябрь, 2000 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Hrvatski, Italiano

Dear brothers and sisters,

Here in Medjugorje, in the name of the priests who are working in the parish with pilgrims who are coming from all over the world, I express my deep concern for the organization called CARITAS from Birmingham, Alabama.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 17 Январь 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

Dear Ed,

Your letter arrived today. The news you shared with me is distressing. I can barely imagine what Patsy, Tori and you are experiencing.

I have reviewed the requests for recognition as a lay organization with Pontifical approval and found nothing for Caritas in our files. Nor has the priest any knowledge of this group who is responsible in the Pontifical Council for the process of such recognition.

Pontifical recognition can only be given with the recommendations of the local bishop. Groups seeking such recognition also must be international in extent and have letters of support from each bishop in whose diocese they are found. From what you have told me, Bishop Foley not only doesn't support Caritas but has many preoccupations about it. That would stop any formal process for approval at zero.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published Октябрь, 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

By Adrian J. Reimers, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame for St. James Parish, Medjugorje

Dear Fr. Svetozar,

Here at last are my observations and analysis of the book you sent me, How to Change Your Husband: Owner’s Manual for the Family, by “a Friend of Medjugorje”. The author, as I can recognize from his earlier writings, is Terry Colafrancesco of Caritas of Birmingham. You may feel free to share this letter with Fr. Ivan Sesar, OFM, or with any other person you desire.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 25 Ноябрь 2000 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

November 25, 2000

Terry Colafrancesco
Caritas of Birmingham
100 Our Lady Queen of Peace Drive
Sterrett, Alabama 35147

Dear Terry,

It has been brought to my attention that in response to questions coming to Caritas about Fr. Svetozar's recent fax expressing the concerns of the Franciscans of St. James in Medjugorje about your community, people are being told:

1. Sr. Emmanuel has been asked to leave Medjugorje.
2. The priests of the parish are trying to stop the messages from going out.


27 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Hrvatski, Italiano

Despite its proximity, whenever anyone asked Mother Angelica about Caritas she never encouraged anyone to visit it.

As for Caritas of Birmingham, the recent bishops of the Birmingham diocese (Boland and Foley) have done nothing to favor this site, and have forbid the celebration of Mass there (though not confessions).

The position of Mother Angelica has always been to discourage people from going there. That is also EWTN's position.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published Январь, 2007 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]

By Covenant Community Blog

"I am very familiar with covenant communities, however, have had some inquiries regarding Caritas located in Birmingham, Alabama. This group seems to have some similarities to abusive covenant communities."

"What I know is that the group is governed by a former KKK member who believes that his purpose is to have the folks in his group live according to the "teachings" of Mary - related to apparitions in Medjugorje. While most folks whom I know who are involved in Medjugorje prayer groups have a healthy relationship with one another and the Church, Caritas seems over the top."


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 13 Август 2004 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Jason Deegan, Ann Arbor News Staff Reporter

The Flynns say they are focused on moving on with their new lives, but they feel obligated to talk about their experiences to warn others. Their terrifying tale started in 1991, when the family sold everything, moving from Jacksonville, Fla., to Birmingham, Ala., to join Caritas, a group the family thought was a religious mission.

Caritas, founded in 1988 by Terry Colafrancesco, claims to be a spiritual community dedicated to promoting the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which six youths say they witnessed in Medjugorje, Bosnia, in 1981.

Flynn said the family lived in a trailer inside a compound where roughly 50 people of Roman Catholic faith live. The Flynns stayed with Caritas for nine years, despite living under the control of its leaders.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published Июнь, 2003 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Hrvatski, Italiano

"Considering the above, it can be concluded that if someone supports Caritas of Birmingham, they are supporting a strange, religious sect and this potentially, which may cause serious damage in an individual's personal and family life.

If you are Roman Catholic perhaps you should first seek spiritual direction from the recognized and historic Catholic Church, before becoming involved with Caritas of Birmingham and/or the Community of Caritas."


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 2 Январь 2002 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Jay Reeves, Montgomery Advertiser

Sterrett -- A multimillion-dollar organization that promotes visions of the Virgin Mary is fighting charges of being a destructive cult as religious pilgrims from across the nation arrive at its Alabama compound seeking spiritual renewal.

Five former residents of Caritas of Birmingham have filed suit in state court seeking an unspecified amount of money from the group and its founder, Terry Colafrancesco.

The suit claims Colafrancesco lures people into Caritas with promises of spiritual enrichment and then drains them of money. Families are made to live in nasty trailers at the group's compound, and Colafrancesco controls their lives almost totally, the suit claims.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 13 Декабрь 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Associated Press

A multimillion dollar religious mission in rural Shelby County is under fire from critics and former residents who accuse the leader of brainwashing and financial mismanagement.

Longtime members have left Caritas of Birmingham after becoming disenchanted with the operation, and the organization is named in a federal lawsuit over its work to promote visions of the Virgin Mary.

The disputes center around Terry Colafrancesco, the founder and leader of Caritas, which has a publishing house and operates a travel service to Europe.

Complaints about the organization were revealed Monday in a story by the Birmingham Post-Herald, which said Colafrancesco did not respond to repeated interview requests.

An attorney who has done legal work for Caritas said Colafrancesco and his followers are good people with a "positive mission."

"Terry has always had the philosophy that he doesn't respond to people who say bad things about him," said lawyer Joseph Ritchey.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published Июнь, 2003 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

By Andy Treinen, Fox News 19

Faith is defined as a complete acceptance of a truth which cannot be proved by the process of logical thought. All of us have faith in something, but sometimes our faith is betrayed. That's exactly what happened to a local man who after nine years, came to the realization that he was in a cult.

Tom O'Neill, a Xavier graduate and former teacher at LaSalle High School, was also in the FBI for 20 years. But none of his past work prevented him from making one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Now, his daughter is the one at risk.

"What is happening at Caritas is exactly the same as Waco, Texas," claimed O'Neill.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 26 Март 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald

When the Flynn and the Littiken families moved to Caritas of Birmingham, they did it for their children.

The idea of a wholesome farming community, where devout Roman Catholics worshipped together and worked side by side, appealed to them.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 26 Март 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald

In 1986, a man with a great enthusiasm for Medjugorje began visiting Jack Sacco in his office at the Eternal Word Television Network, a Roman Catholic television network based in Irondale.

At that time, Sacco was organizing one of the first trips from Alabama to Medjugorje, a rural village in Bosnia-Herzegovina where six youths had reported receiving messages from the Virgin Mary in 1981.

"I convinced two friends to go with me," said Sacco, a Birmingham native who now runs Michelangelo Films, a film production company based in Marina del Rey, Calif. "Before we left, this guy Terry is showing up in my office every day, all enthusiastic. He would talk about Medjugorje."

Sacco was referring to Terry Colafrancesco, then a landscaper who ran his business out of his home in Sterrett in Shelby County.

Today Colafrancesco is the president and founder of Caritas of Birmingham, a religious organization in Sterrett dedicated to promoting devotion to the visions of Medjugorje.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published 26 Март 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

By Sara Foss, Birmingham Post-Herald

Accusations of brainwashing and money laundering plague an area religious group as some unhappy members leave

Terry Colafrancesco started Caritas in Shelby County in 1987 to promote the experience of Medjugorje, the Eastern European village where six youngsters reported seeing the Virgin Mary.

Today, Caritas has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, complete with families who live there year-round, a travel agency that offers trips to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a publishing arm and even a farm. Caritas' mission of educating people about Medjugorje remains unchanged.

But recently the organization has come under fire by longtime residents who have left the community and others interested in Medjugorje. A lawsuit filed in California accuses Colafrancesco, the president of Caritas, of brainwashing residents and using funds raised from donors to purchase heavy equipment for himself.


27 Март 2010 , Originally published Май, 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, Polski

My name is Candace Evans. I am 43 years old and live in New Hampshire (USA) with my husband and nine year old son. My parents, both deceased, were Jewish. My mother was an atheist. We never spoke of religion in our home so I never had any spiritual teaching or guidance as a child, nor later as an adult.


27 Март 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality, Music with pictures / Author: Angelina

"The Way of the Cross" is not only a great testimony to an inner depth and maturity, but it is in fact a school for interiority and consolation. It is also a school for the examination of conscience, for conversion, for inner transformation and compassion - not as sentimentality, as a mere feeling, but as a disturbing experience that knocks on the door or my heart, that obliges me to know myself and to become a better person." - Pope Benedict XVI


2 Апрель 2010 , Originally published Декабрь, 1993 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Deutsch

The many accounts of personal stories involving Medj. show how only the hand of God can get to the bottom of a person’s heart and radically change it.

This is the story of a young woman who lives in a religious community in Medj. She was born in a Catholic family; her parents practised their faith, but from when she was a little girl, she felt nauseated by everything they did. At first, out of respect, she hid these feelings from them, but when she was only 13, her heart was already distant from them, from prayer and from God.


2 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Mirjana
"Дорогие дети! сегодня Я призываю вас молитвой и постом приготовить Моему Сыну путь в ваши сердца. Примите Меня как Мать, как Посланницу Божьей любви и Его желания спасти вас. Освободитесь от всего, что в прошлом обременяло вас, от чувства вины, от того, что вводило вас в заблуждение и тьму. Примите свет, возродитесь в праведности Моего Сына. Благодарю вас! "

2 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen / Author: Vittorio, Bologna

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. April 2010


2 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Pilgrimages, Music with pictures / Author: Gospa2000

The Cross and the Crucifix, images from Medjugorje.


4 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Interviews
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Hrvatski, Italiano

Jim Caviezel became the world famous actor with leading role in Mel Gibson’s movie “Passion”. Who is that actor that has so impressively become one with character of Jesus? Personally, he claims that if it wasn’t for Medjugorje, he wouldn’t have ever even accepted that role. Namely, in Medjugorje he had experienced certain dimension of faith that was unknown to him up to that point. In February he came to Medjugorje for the sixth time as pilgrim, and he visited Vienna after that trip. While he was in Vienna he had interview with Christian Stelzer for magazine “Oase des Friedens”, and interview translated in Croatian can be found in new edition of “Glasnik mira” from Medjugorje.


4 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Polski

“Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
(John 20,21)

To all parishioners, pilgrims, friends, benefactors, and to all men of goodwill a

Blessed and Happy Easter!

Parish priest and the Franciscans

Photos


10 Апрель 2010 , Originally published 8 Март 2005 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Daniel Jackson, Birmingham Post-Herald

Patrick J. Flynn said the founder of a Shelby County religious compound no longer has any control over him, but other people should be warned.

Last week Flynn was sitting 3 feet away from Terry Colafrancesco, founder of the Caritas Community, during depositions in a lawsuit filed by some of his former followers.

Colafrancesco had his deposition and bank records sealed in the lawsuit.

Flynn, one of the original 12 inhabitants of the Caritas Community, questioned Shelby County Circuit Judge J. Michael Joiner's confidentiality order, which bars discussion of the details in the three-year-old suit.

A group of former Caritas residents and parents of residents have accused Colafrancesco of operating a cult that preys on devout Catholics and drains them of their assets. Parties in the case will begin court-ordered mediation on March 30.


10 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español

By Stephen K. Ryan

Who is the man behind the mask known as the "Friend of Medjugorje"? The founder and operator of Medjugorje.com/ Caritas of Birmingham insists on calling himself "A friend of Medjugorje" rather than by his own name. Maybe it is just us but this curious business of referring to oneself in the third person, as the "Friend of Medjugorje" does throughout his web site, is beginning to creep us out. From the onset the third person references on his web site create an aura of obfuscation and an unsettling lack of transparency.

The "Friend of Medjugorje" as it turns out is named Terry Colafrancesco. He may refer to himself as a friend of Medjugorje but the more we peel away the layers we are beginning to discover that many people who are devoted to the Medjugorje movement think he is anything but a friend.


10 Апрель 2010 , Originally published Июль, 2005 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Interviews
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano
Fr. Carmelo, you spent two years in Medjugorje. How did you get this opportunity, and what does it mean for you now?

It was definitely a call by Our Lady, and it was through a small article precisely in the Echo of Mary which said there wasn't an Italian priest in Medjugorje to look after the Italian pilgrims. I took this as a personal call, and I asked Our Lady to provide a ticket to get there and a place to stay as a sign that it really was for me. Not long after this, whilst having dinner with friends, one of them said he had an extra ticket to go to Medjugorje and that he wanted to give it to someone. Then, at Medjugorje I asked Fr. Slavko about it and he confirmed that Our Lady had called me to stay there so I could better comprehend God's plans.


11 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures

Annie Karto is a Catholic singer/songwriter from Treasure Island, Florida. Annie hopes to stir the flame in the Catholic Church through the power of God's great gift of music. The HEALING MERCY OF GOD is the heart of her music ministry, along with singing of the beautiful sacraments of the Catholic Church, and honoring the Blessed Mother Mary.


11 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality

11 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality

This Telly Award winning DVD recreates the beloved contemporary melody of The Divine Mercy Chaplet in Song, made popular on EWTN. Hear the voices of hundreds of children, teens, parents and grandparents as they pray for the poor, for the dying, and the unborn. Crossing all denominational lines and spanning all generations, Christians unite to tell the world about God's mercy. Available at http://www.generationsuniteinprayer.com


13 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje and Vatican
Other languages: English, Čeština, Français, Italiano

VATICAN CITY, 13 APR 2010 (VIS) - Press Office of the Holy See

The International Investigative Commission on Medjugorje met for its first session on 26 March 2010.

The Commission, presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, His Holiness' vicar general emeritus for the diocese of Rome, is composed of the following members:


17 Апрель 2010 , Originally published 28 Декабрь 2004 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano

By Nancy Wilstach, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, 12/28/04

Former residents and parents of residents accuse the Shelby County, Alabama, Caritas of Birmingham community, led by Terry Colafrancesco, of fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. They say Colafrancesco lures devout Catholics to Caritas and then takes all their money. A judge has ordered principals in the three-year-old suit to submit to mediation.

Colafrancesco created Caritas following the 1988 vision of a woman from Bossnia-Herzegovina who reported experiencing visitations from the Virgin Mary while standing in Colafrancesco’s pasture. She continues to have visions during her periodic returns to the US, and her most recent visit drew thousands of pilgrims. The community draws its membership from such people, who give up their property when they move into Caritas. The community also receives donations from the devout around the world. Caritas, which the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize, operates a school, sawmill, gift shop, and farm.


17 Апрель 2010 , Originally published 31 Январь 2001 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

Your Excellency,

For the purpose of having a clearer picture of Caritas, I feel that, you should know the following which Jacquie and I did not have an opportunity to relate.

First, I am not sure how long it was that you told Terry that Mass was not allowed to be said at Caritas, but Terry interpreted it to our needs. Since 1995 or 1996, a priest from Phoenix, Alabama, came on a fairly regular basis and said Mass either in the field or the Tabernacle building. Terry always explained that as long as the priest was from outside the Diocese, you give permission for Mass. What your instructions were regarding this we had no idea. We only knew what Terry told us.

As I said in our discussion on 10/13/00, after I left Caritas a lot of the FBI came out in me and I did some of my own investigation and came up with some interesting facts. I say facts because the two people I talked to have absolutely no "ax to grind" with Terry or Caritas.


17 Апрель 2010 , Originally published Февраль, 1993 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Interviews
Other languages: English, Deutsch

Apart from the many Catholics who visit Medjugorje to venerate the Queen of Peace, of late there have also been an increasing number of non-Catholic Christians who visit Medjugorje to pray to Our Lady with trust and to ask for Her motherly intercession before God. A recent visit was paid by Anglican minister, Robert Llewelyn. Despite his age, he is spritely, and deeply spiritual. Peace and joy irradiate from his every word.


17 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures

24 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN]
Other languages: English, Italiano
  • Patrick Flynn and family - after almost 9 years of experiences with Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco
  • Carole Conrique, who worked two years at Caritas of Birmingham wrote the following on Caritas of Birmingham and Terry Colafrancesco - the self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje"
  • Excerpt from a letter by Patricia Locks about her children Greg, Erin and Jenny living for many years at Caritas of Birmingham under the guidance of Terry Colafrancesco - self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje"
  • Former member of Caritas of Birmingham for over ten years testifies about the "Caritas" and the self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje" as "a destructive group lead by a TRULY NARCISSISTIC man who deceives in the beginning especially if money is involved."
  • Another former member testifies about the Caritas of Birmingham as "isolated cult outside Catholicism, not associated in any way or form with the Roman Catholic Church nor its local authority, the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama". He testifies about disturbing teachings, manipulation and practises of Terry Colafrancesco (i.e. the self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje") and concludes that "if someone supports Caritas of Birmingham, they are supporting a strange, religious sect and this potentially, which may cause serious damage in an individual's personal and family life".

24 Апрель 2010 , Originally published Ноябрь, 1991 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Deutsch

The Franciscan basilica at Tomislavgrad in Herzegovina, where the Croatian king, Tomislav, was crowned 900 years ago, saw a particularly solemn ceremony this year when a group of young men took their vows. Apart from the eight seminarians from Herzegovina, who were surrounded by the whole Franciscan family and a swarm of family members and friends, there were four brothers from abroad: three Americans and one Australian.


24 Апрель 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Music with pictures, Wide screen

We know that St. Francis desired and believed his life to be an imitation of Jesus. His conviction that he was but an imitator preserved him from all temptation to pride, and enabled him to proclaim his views with incomparable vigor, without seeming in the least to be preaching himself.

This is naturally explained by the fact that St. Francis never consented to occupy himself with questions of doctrine. For him faith was not of the intellectual but the moral domain; it is the consecration of the heart.


1 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Polski

This period in which our Church celebrates the mystery of resurrection that lasts for fifty days was filled with many pilgrims in Medjugorje and press members from radio station “Mir” Medjugorje were able to find quite few interesting life experiences. Kim Yong Hwan, priest form Korea, said that he heard about Medjugorje in 2001 for the first time and in that year he was celebrating 25 years of his priesthood. At the same time, that was the year of great crisis for him, since he felt sort of spiritual emptiness in his vocation as a priest.


1 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality

3 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Polski

The 15th International Priests Seminar will be held in Međugorje
from June 28 to July 3, 2010
on the theme of:


«Take courage, I have overcome the world" (John 16,33)


6 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. May 2010


8 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Documentary, Italian only

Italia sul Due, talk pomeridiano di Rai 2, dedica un'intera puntata a Medjugorje con interviste a Paolo Brosio. In Studio anche Chiara Amirante, fondatrice della comunità Nuovi Orizzonti.


8 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies / Author: Cristina Palici
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Français, Italiano

I still remember the first time I found a copy of Echo of Mary in the underground chapel of a Greek Orthodox church in my town. It was in 1997, in a little town in north-central Romania and I still hadn’t turned 17. I hungered for the living word and I needed to meet people who experience my same thirst; and this little publication was an immense gift. I immediately felt that Our Lady’s messages were nourishing me, freeing me, and immersing me in a Light which filled everything in me. Also the articles based on the witness of others and news within the Church gave me great joy for it made me understand that I wasn’t the only one to experience this intense desire for God, for holiness, and to surrender my own life totally to Him.


8 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Pilgrimages, Music with pictures

13 Май 2010 , Originally published 15 Август 1999 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies

"Before coming to Medjugorje, I had sunk very low. My parents are atheists. When I was 9, they divorced on grounds of adultery. From that day, I let myself be carried away by all the evils of society. At 13, I started on drugs. My broken family had gradually reduced me to a state of fear and being turned in on myself, I moved forward without seeing, without living, like a ghost. 'Emptiness', that is the word which best described my inner state. I threw myself into the 'pleasures of the flesh' and went completely adrift. Last summer, I attempted suicide, and when I woke up at the hospital, I felt that life was horrible, with no way out, no future.


13 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality, Music with pictures

21 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Deutsch, Hrvatski, Italiano

Damir Jug and Stjepan Bozic walked to Medjugorje from town called Velika Gorica at the north of Croatia. They started their pilgrimage on May 1st and arrived on the Ascension Thursday, May 13th. Damir came to Medjugorje for the first time, while Stjepan was coming to Medjugorje before in the past. “Every man has his own personal wishes and desires, we felt in our hearts that we need to come, and thanks to God and Our Lady, here we are. The journey was not easy, we were adjusting to every situation that we would encounter as we travelled.” They prayed before the Statue of Our Lady and climbed the hills despite the rain and difficult weather conditions. Apart from many pilgrims from Croatia, this Feast brought also pilgrims from Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, France, England, Ireland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and China.


21 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies

Chris Miller, Western Catholic Reporter, Wetaskiwin

As high school students sometimes do, Emma Fradd got involved in the party scene. She refused to attend Mass, and rejected anything to do with the Church.

"My mom raised me as a Catholic, but when I got to high school I stopped going to church. A lot of my friends were atheist, and they had a lot of influence on me. I didn't believe in God at all," said Fradd, 20, who hails from Port Pirie, a city in South Australia.


21 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality, Song lyrics included, Music with pictures

29 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Documentary, Italian only

29 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Spirituality, Song lyrics included, Music with pictures

"Pie Jesu" is from Cecilia's album "The Healing Voice", and this is a simple but very touching prayer.


29 Май 2010 , Last update 30 Май 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies, Articles with videos[EN], Wide screen

By Sharon Abercrombie

As a five-year-old, Christine Watkins was enchanted the night her family went to view an outdoor nativity scene in their Berkeley neighborhood. But when she asked her father who the man, the lady and the baby were, he said they were just part of a Christian fairy tale.


3 Июнь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. June 2010


3 Июнь 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Pilgrimages, Music with pictures

25 Июнь 2010 /  Section: Послания из Меджугорья - Category: Ежемесячные послания
"Дорогие дети! С радостью Я призываю всех вас: живите Моими посланиями в радости.Только так, детки, вы станете ближе к Моему Сыну. Каждого из вас Я хочу привести к Нему, ибо только в Нем вы найдете истинный мир и радость сердца. Всех вас Я благословляю и люблю безмерною любовью.Спасибо, что ответили на Мой призыв. "

5 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Hrvatski, Italiano, Magyar, Polski

Starting with Tuesday, June 15th when Novena to the Queen of Peace began, parishioners and pilgrims would meet every day at 4 p.m. at the Hill of Apparitions to pray the Rosary, as an act of special devotion to our God for all of the graces given through our Heavenly Mother. Evening prayer programme would start at 6 p.m. with prayer of the Rosary and with Holy Mass at 7 p.m. that was celebrated for first seven days by Medjugorje Franciscans. Professor and doctor, Fr. Tomislav Ivancic celebrated Holy Mass on last two days of Novena, as well as final Holy Mass on Anniversary day.


5 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Testimonies
Other languages: English, Čeština, Hrvatski, Italiano, Magyar

Priest Leonid, redemptorist from Ukraine province, participated in the 15th International seminar for priest in Medjugorje and gave the testimony, first to the other participants and then to Radio Station Mir Medjugorje. We publish the testimony as it was given:


5 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Medjugorje Apparitions, Wide screen

An apparition of Our Lady of Medjugorje for Mirjana, 2. July 2010


10 Апрель 2010 , Last update 7 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Medjugorje News, Festival Mladifest
Other languages: English, Čeština, Deutsch, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Polski

Medjugorje, 1. - 6. 8. 2010.

„Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?“ (Mk 10:17)


7 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje News & Articles - Category: Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Sterrett (AL), Alabama[EN] / Author: Marek Gayer
Other languages: English, Español, Italiano

Important: We strongly encourage you to make sure that all your friends and fellows interested in Medjugorje that you know were notified about disturbing information and activities related to the self-styled "A Friend of Medjugorje" (Terry Colafrancesco) and his organization "Caritas of Birmingham" in Sterret, Alabama, described in detail in documents of this web page: https://www.medjugorje.ws/en/articles/caritas-of-birmingham/ . Please help to warn and protect in this way the Medjugorje movement, its people, their families and property. Out of love and compassion for them, keep concern on their protection.

"Evil does not need large numbers of followers; it merely needs a lot of good people to keep quiet and inactive. When good people of faith remain silent and do nothing to stop or even diminish evil, then it is a sin of omission of the highest proportion."

Rev. John Triglio, PhD, ThD

Webmasters, bloggers, people on social networking websites, publishers, etc. - please inform about this page, preferably also by links on sidebars of all your pages. For that purpose, you can also use the following code:

<b><a href='https://www.medjugorje.ws/en/articles/caritas-of-birmingham/'>Caritas of Birmingham and "A Friend of Medjugorje" Terry Colafrancesco, Alabama</a></b>

17 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Documentary, Italian only, Wide screen

Trasmissione Top Secret su Rete 4, 30 giugno - prima parte e seconda parte con le testimomianze da Medjugorje - Ilaria ( Uscita dall'anoressia), Diana (Uscita dalla droga), Betty e figlio Joshua, Raffaella, Paulo Brosio.


24 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Documentary, Italian only

Prima e Seconda Parte - della puntata del 30 Marzo 2010 su RAI 2


24 Июль 2010 /  Section: Picture & Photo Galleries - Category: Medjugorje Photos - Pictures Gallery

Patrik Rezac and Jozef Fiala decided to come by bicycle from Czech Republic, and they cycled for more than 9 days to finalise the journey of 1200 km. “We travelled through Slovakia, then Austria and there we received blessing from priest for those who are travelling. We continued our journey towards the Shrine of Marija Bistrica, and at the end came to Medjugorje.


24 Июль 2010 /  Section: Medjugorje Videos[EN] - Category: Festival Mladifest

 

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