Medjugorje,: Good Fruit from an Ambiguous Tree?

I visited Medjugorje in the early 90s with a friend. We'd spent two weeks exploring Ireland and she wanted to make a return visit to Medjugorje. She had been practicing the Wednesday and Friday fasts and attributed her return to the faith to Medjugorje. So we joined a group of Irish pilgrims and spent the last week of our trip in the little village which was already beginning to experience a tourist boom. 

The Excalibur Mystery: Just in Time for Christmas Gift Giving!

Glastonbury Tor, the portal to time travel in the Glaston Chronicles

The third book in Donal Foley's excellent series, The Glaston Chronicles, is finally here and it's well worth reading, The Excalibur Mystery, continues the adventures of Matt Bergin and his cousins, Luke and Annie Martin. The teenagers  use the portal at Glastonbury Tor to travel through time in order to solve problems and aid those in need.They originally stumbled into the portal accidentally when Annie's little dog, Toby, disappeared at the Tor inside the arch and the cousins ran after him. They found themselves in World War II France embroiled in the underground movement.

What are you reading? A Book Review on The Dark Tower

St. Michael's tower at Glastonbury Tor, setting for
the Glaston Chronicles by Donal Foley

The medieval tower of Glastonbury Tor is a place of myth and mystery. Today only the ruin of an earlier church, St. Michael's tower, stands on the hill there. Archaeological evidence also shows a possible hermitage and ruins of monks' cells. History tells us the grounds are drenched in the blood of martyrs. The last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Richard Whiting, was hanged, drawn and quartered there with two of his monks, John Thorne and Roger James.

Stories link the site to the legend of King Arthur and tradition says Joseph of Arimathea visited. A more modern association, debunked by many archaeologists, relates to the Temple of the Stars, an occult theory. All of this creates the perfect mysterious atmosphere for Donal Foley's adventure stories for teens and young adults.

Give Historical Fiction to Your Teen for Christmas...

....Ignorance of history condemns us to repeat the mistakes of the past. Not only that, but a rich understanding of history helps one to understand the present in a deeper way. 

I recently read the first in a new historical fiction series for young adults called the Glaston Chronicles. I'm impressed enough to give it to grandchildren for Christmas. Take a look at the review and see whether this is something your children or grandchildren would like!

Should This Make Us Nervous?

Taiwan Aims Missiles at China

Update: According to Donal Foley, Akita is controversial. I thought it was among the approved apparition sites, but apparently the Vatican has never given approval, which, I guess, puts it in the same category as Medjugroje. Go here for more. 

The first thing I thought of when I read this was the scenario that began World War II. Great Britain stayed out of things until Hitler invaded Poland, their ally. Hitler's invasion of Poland marks the first armed attack of the war in Europe and his blitzkrieg defeated the nation within hours. A mounted horse cavalry was hardly an effective deterrent to Nazi tanks.

Well, we have an agreement to defend our ally Taiwan in case of attack by Beijing which continues to aim at reunification of the island nation with mainland China. What will happen if China attacks Taiwan? Not a happy thought is it. But Mother Teresa predicted that the fruit of abortion would be WW III. I see no indications that the countries of the world are becoming more moral. In fact, comparing our behavior to the end of WW II, we are more depraved in every area and in every one of the seven deadly sins. This is surely a time to listen to the Blessed Mother's call for repentance and penance. The messages of Akita should send all Christians to their knees.

The Blessed Mother gave us this prayer during her apparitions. Please pray it every day:

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Thy Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father pleading for the coming of his Kingdom. Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as Thou wilt for the glory of the Father and salvation of souls. Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Thy Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Thy special child. Amen

Our Lady of Akita, pray for us.