"THIS WORLD CAN BE DIFFERENT"

On Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, my husband and I attended the monthly Marian Prayer Service at the Lynfield Event Complex situated off Route 15 between Frederick and Emmitsburg, MD. It is during this prayer service that Our Lady of Emmitsburg gives a “Public Message To the World”.

At the time we were there, we estimated that over 400 people attended. Everyone present was able to watch on a large screen, what was happening in the front row where Dr. Gianna Sullivan was sitting beside her husband, Dr. Michael Sullivan, and their daughters. Half way into the Marian Prayer Service we started to pray the rosary. During the fourth decade of the rosary, Gianna Sullivan suddenly sinks to her knees on the floor, and goes into ecstasy at the appearance of the Mother of God.

Our Lady is visible only to Gianna, whose face lights up with a beautiful smile. Then Gianna’s lips began to move, but you cannot hear her voice. Thereafter follows, what appears to be, an animated discussion between Gianna and her unseen visitor. After a short time, Gianna’s face changes, becomes more serious, and the microphone now picks up the sound of her voice as she recites aloud the message which Our Lady wishes to give to the world.

I was very pleased to hear Mary emphasize a point that impresses me relative to the many recent messages from Heaven. Our Lady said that her Son is inviting everyone “to live in Him, and to be Him.” To me, this means that Jesus is calling everyone to be contemplatives. She emphasizes the importance of humility on our walk with her Son. Our Lady then tells us what is required of us on this walk. She says: “You must be Jesus; and to be Jesus, you must receive His graces with humility and kindness and with love.”

Mary stresses that peace is what God desires. And she urges us: “Do not allow another day to go by without you working and cooperating to change interiorly and without you following God’s Divine Will.”

She tells us: “You can make the change, and this world can be different."

Mission of Mercy

After attending the Marian Prayer Service, my husband and I stayed overnight in Frederick, MD. The next morning we went to the Frederick Church of the Brethren to view the mobile medical clinic used by Mission of Mercy to bring free medical and dental services and free prescriptions to the uninsured poor and the homeless. Mission of Mercy was founded in 1994 by Dr. Gianna Sullivan (Pharm D) with the help of her husband, Dr. Michael Sullivan, who had left a lucrative medical practice at the Geisinger Clinic, PA to move to Emmitsburg, MD at Our Lady’s invitation.

We also viewed the large facility which the Frederick Church of the Brethren had made available for use by the Mission of Mercy volunteers. The room was divided up into separate areas where the doctors, nurses and volunteers could interview and see patients, including a triage area and a prenatal examining area. There are seventeen such facilities, three in AZ, seven in MD, two in PA and five in TX which are serviced by the mobile medical clinics. Five of these facilities are Catholic and the remaining twelve include Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist and others. Since 1994 Mission of Mercy has provided for over 200,000 patient visits.

Pat Sajak of TV Wheel of Fortune fame is one of Mission of Mercy supporters. If you are interested in contributing or wish to learn more about Mission of Mercy go to: www.amissionofmercy.org.

Vacation Experiences

We just got home last week from a vacation in the Bahamas. One experience I doubt I will ever forget was frolicking with a three-hundred pound dolphin named Andy on Blue Lagoon Island. There were about eight people in the pool, including two small children. One of the tricks the trainer had taught Andy was to jump into the air, since we were only up to our waists in the water, and rest his head on our shoulder as we put our arms around the dolphin. Then Andy kissed us a few times. It was fun to see how differently each one reacted to this. Each of us also danced with Andy, petted him both on the back and the stomach, fed him fish and finally put our finger into his gigantic mouth to touch one of his teeth!

But the most memorable part of the vacation, was sitting out on the patio overlooking the rocks and the incredible blues of the Atlantic ocean, as the palm trees' fronds swayed in the Trade Winds. The light and color in the sky and water was so beautiful and so delicate. It reminded me of Provence, France made famous by such artists as Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso. Much has been written about how the light in Provence appeares so different and how painters have always seemed to find the light and tranquility there inspiring. Hundreds of painters still live and paint in Provence. The view from our patio was unique, reminding me of what had been said about the light of Provence. Every time I looked at the lovely scene before me it was like Paradise, I was filled with such joy, such unbelievable joy as I became enveloped in God’s creation.

Marian Prayer Service at Emmitsburg, MD

On the first Sunday of each month, a Marian Prayer Service is held at the Lynfield Event Complex, Frederick, MD. During this service, Our Lady of Emmitsburg gives a message for the whole world through the mystic, Dr. Gianna Sullivan. On Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 Wayne, Wieble will give a short talk after the prayer service on ‘Our Lady’s Urgent Call’ (~ 30 min.) And on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, Fr. Jack Spaulding is scheduled to give a short talk.

The information on the prayer service has CHANGED. Our Lady of Emmitsburg's Prayer Service is no longer held at the Lynfield Event Complex. It has been renamed the "World Wide Prayer Group of Our Lady of Emmitsburg." It takes place on the first Sunday of the month where groups gather in the homes of believers throughout the world as close to 3 pm Eastern time as is possible: http://www.prourladyofemmitsburg.org/worldwideprayergroup.html

HIDDEN LIFE of Our Lord

On this Christmas day in the year 2007, which is the first Christmas since I started writing in this blog, I feel it is appropriate to mention something about the Hidden Life of Our Lord, Volume I, which Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan has allegedly received from Our Lord, covering the time from Jesus’ conception until He reached the age of eight years. This information is available on the Foundation’s website. (www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org)

On the website there is also a Forward to the Hidden Life given by Fr. Kiernan Kavanaugh, OCD, who is a member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies, and who was vice postulator for the canonization of St. Edith Stein. In addition, Fr. Kavanaugh is well-known for his English language translations of the works, not only of St. John of the Cross, but also of St. Teresa of Avila.

Today, as we commemorate the birth of the child Jesus, it is a beautiful experience to read and ponder what Jesus has told Gianna about His thoughts and feelings all during that first stage of His life.

Words from God the Father to Dr. Gianna Sullivan

In my last post made on Dec. 2, 2007, I included a list of classic spiritual themes that I discovered in the Lessons from Jesus contained in the first five volumes of the I am your JESUS of MERCY books. These Lessons were received by Dr. Gianna Sullivan from Our Lord while she was living in Scottsdale, AZ and also in Emmitsburg, MD. In my blog post of Nov. 23, 2007, I discussed how the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart was started. The main purpose of the Foundation "is to convey to the whole world the ‘Words of God the Father...’” that Dr. Gianna Sullivan has only recently started receiving.

At this point I thought that it might be appropriate to print some of the message God the Father gave to Gianna to be published to the world on Dec. 8, 2007. For me, there are two very important points that are addressed. The first, and certainly the most important point that any human being would like to know, is the passionate love that God’s Son, Jesus, feels for us. And not only that, but God the Father tells us His “desire is for Love.” The second point, and this is vital for anyone who reads and speaks of these messages, He says: “Too much emphasis is placed on the miraculous...” Here are the words of God the Father:

“My Son's Heart is aflame, reaching out to the entire world with Love for you. I am with you; and even as I am with you, My Son and the Holy Spirit are with you, for we are One in the Holy Trinity.

“Yet, so many differences! Even if there are differences, why is not there the possibility that as Christian people, children of Abraham whom I created, humanity cannot be blessed, give praise to their God Almighty, and form in unity and Love? How much longer will it be---day after day---that so many of you initially receive My Words, listen to them with your hearts aflame, and then, instead of practicing them, move forward and get enveloped in a different dimension which further divides the world.

“My desire is for Love, love of you, love for you, and the Love within you. This Love within you goes forth to meet everyone out in the world. Anyone who desires to receive it receives God! Too much emphasis is placed on the miraculous, the signs of the times, and the desires and hopes of private intentions.”

Classic Spiritual Themes

In the previous post I discussed the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary and the visionary, Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan. My first introduction to this visionary's writings was the book, I am your JESUS of MERCY, volume 1. As described in the Table of Contents, Part I of this book is titled "Lessons from Jesus Christ Our Lord". These Lessons so impressed me that, when I had finished reading all five sets of Lessons in volume 1 through 5, I wrote and published the following article on my website, http://www.ednamcgrew.com/

CLASSIC SPIRITUAL THEMES

IN THE LESSONS FROM OUR LORD

It is interesting to study the progression of these Lessons. They begin with the basic truths of the Christian life explained in clear and forceful language. Yet each Lesson is permeated with words of love and concern for our well being and spiritual growth. As the Lessons continue they become longer and provide more detailed instruction on the spiritual journey and the fruits of spiritual maturity. To study these Lessons and how they reflect Holy Scripture seems to me to be a very sure way to proceed on the contemplative journey to God.

Down through the centuries the great spiritual themes have been food for many souls. In her Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich emphasized the tender motherliness of God. Theresa of the Child Jesus, a Doctor of the Church, writes of her "little way." Abbot Keating, in his classic, Open Mind, Open Heart emphasizes the need of the contemplative to "rest in God." J. P. Caussade, S.J. in his exquisite book, Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence brings together the Carmelite and the Salesian traditions of abandonment to Divine Providence and confidence in God. The great Doctor of Mystical Theology, John of the Cross, describes the Dark Nights and their culmination in Divine Union. Countless writers speak of living in the present moment. All of these themes are covered in these Lessons in an unusually beautiful manner. Some examples are provided below.

God's Motherliness:

"Today, I wish for My people to know My Father...He will comfort you,...He will cradle you like a newborn babe."₁
"Silently, gently, delicately and oh-so-tenderly is the way I work on the vast, many souls."₂

Littleness:

"When you are "little," the Father is able to embrace your soul ever so tightly and He will protect you."₃
"I love My little ones and invite all to follow the way of littleness as that of My Mother, so secure in Her fidelity to follow God at all costs without consolation or promises."₄
"Do not mistake littleness with lack of power. Littleness is detachment from possessions and is purity of heart."₅

Centering/Rest in God/Prayer of the Heart:

"Rest in My love. Rest in My peace. Rest in Me as I rest in you. Let us unite for we are ONE."₆
"If you will absorb My love and rest in My love, your heart, mind, and soul will be rejuvenated and will rise to an ecstasy of joy."₇
"If you centered on Me and allowed Me to love you, you would be filled with love, purity and goodness."₈
"I do not want their words, I want their hearts."₉
"It is necessary that my people begin to strive for an inner harmony of quiet and peace, allowing the way for the unity of the Trinity to enter and find rest."₁₀
"Be in union with Me by reserving quiet, private time where I can make My abode of love in you."₁₁
"Always take time for Me to rest in you. Invite Me."₁₂
"...one of the greatest gifts of My merciful love is silence of the heart..."₁₃

Trust in Divine Providence:

"SURRENDER TOTALLY, AND RECEIVE ABUNDANTLY!"₁₄
"Surrender unto Love against all self-comprehension."₁₅
"I am truly guiding you if you trust that I am. This is self-abandonment to the Providence of God."₁₆
"When you abandon unto Me, I ensure that your union with and in Me is complete."₁₇
"Nothing happens to you in life unless My Father will it so. Trust in Divine Providence and surrender to His consoling truths."₁₈

Dark Nights:

"...be at peace when God allows you to be chastised and pressed through the mill of sweet graces.₁₉
"These, My little ones, many times feel abandoned by God,...Why must it be so? Because, little ones, all who love as I love must die as I died."₂₀
"It is the walk of the night where the light is so strong it blinds you...My point of this lesson, My dear one, is to teach My people to be still, quiet, silent, in dryness of the soul. WAIT PATIENTLY for God to show His face to you."₂₁
"This is where union begins, knowing you are nothing and experiencing by the purification of desolation and nothingness, that you can become everything in Me."₂₂

Transforming Union:

"The soul then commences in the journey of light until it unites with its Master in an encompassing brillance of illumination, the union with God."₂₃
"The silence of union is essential for the life of the soul. Even though your life of ministry be active, silence and solitude is vital and is possible."₂₄
"When you sit quietly and contemplate My words of love, your soul is suspended high into the abyss of love."₂₅

Present Moment:

"Live the moment, and be aware of all the beauty I give you."₂₆
"Take each day as I have prepared it for you."₂₇
"Live in Me in each moment. Do not run ahead."₂₈
"Do not lose the moment by dwelling on a topic regarding yourself."₂₉
"See the beauty in the simplest of God's creation...Listen. Listen to silence. See the richness through solitude."₃₀