MESSAGES 1988
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The year 1988 did not start with good prospects. The weather was bad, and false information was being circulated in some newspapers while the New Year's festivities were at their peak. These reasons caused a considerable decrease in the number of pilgrims near the rock. The months of November and December had marked 70,000 and 60,000 pilgrims respectively, while this month the figure was reduced to a maximum of 20,000.
The few faithful pilgrims who attended the apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Belpasso were soaked from head to toe, in spite of their umbrellas, when they were near the rock. The apparition had another unpleasant surprise. The message was secret.
At the end of the apparition, Rosario was sad and low-spirited. He said that the Virgin Mary was more sorrowful than usual. "As I have never seen her before", he commented. For the moment, the message he had just received would have to remain secret. "I wish to invite everyone to pray, so that the contents of this message will not happen", he added.
To clarify the confusion of many people regarding this secret message which concerned future sad events, some days later Rosario made a statement to better explain what the Blessed Virgin desired from everyone.
An account of the apparition of Our Lady.
January 1, 1988
I cannot reveal the message that Our lady entrusted to me on January 1, 1988, so I shall refer only to some points in it. As I have already stated, Our Lady was very sad, as never before, and I do not mind admitting that her message upset me, as it was very profound in its contents. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appears, she does not do so without a reason: what concerns Her most is her children's salvation.
Perhaps many have not understood this, and this is one reason for her sorrow. It is difficult for me to say what I am going to say. It must be ascertained that humanity's steps towards peace are sure and steady.
Our Lady had already said so on October 1, when she spoke of a period of peace. However, a question rises spontaneously: how is it possible that Our Lady is sad?
At this point we cannot and should not focus our attention only on the problems of the nations at war. The Blessed Virgin is worried about the salvation of any individual man, tormented by - and attached to- material things, distracted and not caring any more about his only and real good: GOD. Each and every one of us should discover in his own soul the call to sanctity, and recognize his spiritual deficiency. It seems right to repeat what Our Lady has always said: we must receive the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, pray for world peace, recite a lot of Rosaries and make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners.
When the Holy Virgin says that the time is ripe, we should meditate and act in order to improve, purify and sanctify ourselves. I wish to specify that the message of the 1 January 1988 is not an addition to the ten secrets that I received on the March 1, 1987, but it throws a deeper light upon them and explains them. Only one thing gives hope to all of us: the sure help of Mary, the QUEEN OF PEACE, and the triumph of Her Immaculate Heart.
The Parable of the ten virgins comes, in fact, to mind (Matthew 25, 1 –13).
It is an exhortation for a watchful expectation of the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Our Lady will appear on the first day of next month.
On the first of February, contrary to what was expected, many pilgrims (about 50,000) returned to the rock of Belpasso to attend the Virgin's apparition, which was announced beforehand.
Everyone was waiting eagerly and full of excitement. They were all hoping, above all, that the message of the Blessed Virgin would bring back peace to the hearts of those who had prayed fervently to ward off the bad omens of the month before.
The crowd was not disappointed. The words of the Queen of Peace referred to what had happened on the first of January.
"But how could I be happy, when all the world was a victim of its own superficial materialism even on the eve of a New Year?" She encouraged everyone to live in genuine faith. "Each of you must first consolidate his own faith, so that afterwards you can convert your neighbor."
MESSAGE OF OUR LADY
My children, you will be able to comfort me only if you have understood my sorrow. Last month, my coming was really disheartening for everyone...and it was the day of peace. But how could I be happy if the world was a victim of its own superficiality even on the eve of the New Year? This is the way men draw down punishment upon themselves.
Many have consciously sold themselves to earthly happiness. Only one thing makes my heart happy: seeing many of you engaged in comforting me. This means that not only your heart is open, but that you know how to correspond readily and willingly with the inspirations that God sends to your hearts. God will restore you to health, because He is the God of life.
Today I invite you all, in a particular way, to strengthen your faith in God. Today you have been called to a particular task, which He, in His mercy, wants to entrust to you: to announce to the world His imminent coming. Be grateful, but do not become proud, because God does not choose the best, but those who are meekest to listen to His Spirit.
I say this to forewarn you about this pride, for it too often penetrates into the thoughts of your hearts.
R. - Blessed Virgin, how can we obtain the necessary strength to fulfill this task?
M. - The task is easy. Many have forgotten that being real Christians means announcing the Good News. Jesus instituted the Sacraments not only to sanctify his brothers, but also to fortify your souls.
Often many say that they are Christians, and do not realize that they themselves are the cause of lost faith.
Each one of you should first consolidate his own faith, and then convert his fellow creatures. Many do not know that the faith of the real Christian is not a "perhaps". Each one of you should look deep down in himself and say: "O Lord, your salvation fills me with joy. Make me an instrument of conversion."
He who knows he is in the right path, also knows that, when he comes face to face with what the Holy Gospel teaches, he cannot be afraid. And if this happens, his fear will not be so great as to make him abandon the way undertaken. This is your strength, this is your faith. The ways of the Lord are truth and grace. May the Holy Gospel, the Word of God, be in your minds, be your word, but above all may it be written in your hearts. Go and evangelize: do not be afraid because my heart will always be with you. You will walk in front of the Lord in the land of the living.
R. - Blessed Virgin, do you wish anything else from us?
M. - No, nothing else. Continue to receive the Holy Sacraments, do not get tired of praying and reciting the Holy Rosary, read the Holy Bible and meditate it. I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May the Father be in your minds, the Son in your hearts and the Holy Spirit in your souls... now I must go.
R. - Blessed Virgin, will you continue to come?
M. - Yes, I will come the first day of next month.
The season of spring was approaching, but the cold weather at Belpasso was still intense. On the morning of the first of March, a cold northerly wind blew harshly. This forced the pilgrims to wrap up abundantly, because of the long wait before the apparition.
Everything was carried out as usual, in an orderly and tranquil way.
Appreciation was especially due to the work of the local volunteers, and the "Misericordia", who were always ready to assist the sick and those who fainted.
The Blessed Virgin's apparition to Rosario occurred exactly at noon, as usual in the winter months.
And as usual there was a great anxiety to know the message. This month's message did not lack a reference to Easter, which was imminent, with the invitation to live it coherently in the period of Lent.
The Blessed Virgin also said something which made everyone present happy: that the seventh secret would not happen, but that it would be substituted by another event, which would be beautiful for all God's people all over the world.
MESSAGE OF OUR LADY
My children, we are nearing Easter, so prepare well. During these days of Lent, I invite you to a spiritual recollection. Do not let yourselves be caught unprepared. Try to render your soul pure and clear like spring water; you cannot do anything alone, but with the grace of God, with His and my help, you can obtain peace with yourselves and with your brethren and with God. But if you want to obtain this, pass through My Heart: it will take you to Jesus, and you will find real peace. The peace for which Jesus has died and has risen from the dead, leaving it to you.
Do not waste such a gift by hiding it, but cultivate it in yourselves and in your heart. If each and everyone of you does so, he can share it with his own brethren, he can make use of it to praise the Lord.
If you do so, Jesus will benevolently accept the gifts you offer Him, but what He longs for most are your hearts.
Bring your hearts to Mine, I will render them worthy of My Son's Heart. You will have within you a gushing spring that will last all the way to eternal life. Prepare yourselves with humility and holy abandon meant for Holy Easter. Prepare with prayers and deeds of charity. I promised you an unforgettable Christmas, and I kept my promise; now I promise you an unforgettable Easter, but, if you want to, you can do much more than last year.
For this purpose meditate, very often, the Way of the Cross, pray with the Rosary and go to Confession more frequently: this is the time for reconciliation. Holy Mass is the compendium of the wonders that God has worked with men; it means assisting at the great sacrifice of the Passion and Death of Jesus. The great mysteries of God are contemplated and celebrated during the Holy Mass. May you all aspire to the Resurrection and to Heaven.
Dear children, do not try to run away from the Cross which has been given to you, for this way you are also participating in the great sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. Receive the Holy Eucharist: God can never be thanked enough for this immense and marvelous gift. During these weeks you should go more often to Holy Mass. I invite you to adore Jesus Crucified every day.
Take a Crucifix and kiss it repeatedly with a lot of love and deep devotion. You will make a fine gesture: in fact, it is with the Cross that Jesus redeemed the world. Always read the truths taught in the Holy Gospel: The Lord has the word of eternal life. May it be in your minds, may it be your word, but above all, may it be written in your hearts. Sing forever the love of the Lord.
R. - Blessed Virgin, do you wish anything else?
M. - Yes, time has come for you to reveal to your confessor the secret regarding.………. which forms part of the ten secrets. Say to everyone that the seventh secret will not happen, but it will be substituted by another event which will be beautiful for all the people of God scattered upon the earth.
I bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May the Father be in your minds, the Son in your hearts, the Holy Spirit in your souls... now I must go.
R. - Blessed Virgin, will you continue to come?
M. - Yes, I will come the first day of next month.
The first of April 1988 was Good Friday.
Many people, amongst them a big number of priests, who are often present at the rock, had to give up unwillingly this monthly appointment at Belpasso due to the afternoon functions in their parishes.
Nevertheless, when Rosario arrived with his parents and Father Dino to participate in the Way of the Cross led by Fr. Philip Buccheri, about 50,000 people were assembled at the place.
During the apparition, those present (the ones nearest the visionary, of course), observed something unusual compared to the previous months.
During the three mysteries of the Rosary recited by Rosario, he was staring repeatedly high up at two different points above the rock, as if something else was attracting his attention.
At the end of the conversation, when Rosario appeared on the balcony, everything became clear, as he explained that he had seen the Blessed Virgin differently from previous times, kneeling at the foot of a beautiful crucifix.
Apparition of April 1, 1988
Today, the apparition was different than usual. In fact, as soon as the cloud rested upon the rock and opened, I saw Our Lady kneeling down on the right side of a beautiful life-size crucifix. The Cross was facing me, but Jesus did not move; I had the feeling that I was in front of a marvelous sculpture of fine particulars. Jesus seemed to be real.
I have never seen such a marvelous crucifix, and it was of such beauty that I did not know whom I should look at, Our Lady or the beautiful Cross. Our Lady invited me to recite three mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and in the meantime I contemplated the Love of God for mankind. I noticed something very beautiful while I recited "...Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...". Our Lady raised her eyes high up lovingly.
So I could contemplate, deep down in my heart, how the Virgin intercedes for us.
At the end of the three mysteries of the Holy Rosary, Our Lady gave the following message for everyone.
MESSAGE OF OUR LADY
My dearest children, today you should pray particularly for your brethren. Your beloved Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, continues to repeat His sacrifice of love in the Church, which is His mystical body. My heart, united with that of my Son, has suffered in a unique and particular manner: that is why I say to you that I am the Mother of the sad and the suffering, I am She who consoles you.
During the painful Passion of Jesus, my heart would not have held up, if it were not sustained by the faith which all of you should look at.
Remain with me under the Cross, pray and have faith. In this way peace, of which I am the Queen, can enter your hearts: it is a flower that blossoms without withering, if you permit Me to look after it as a precious thing that grows by the grace of the Lord.
Continue to recite the Rosary and receive the Sacraments. Holy Mass is your salvation. The Resurrection of Jesus is a great event, because this is the way He triumphed over death.
During the Holy Easter of resurrection I invite you not to cling to material things, but to look at your poorer brothers and sisters with charity, demonstrate to Jesus your love, show Him that you are not deaf to His calls and that you are close to His light. May the Holy Gospel, the Word of God, be in your minds, be your word, but above all, may it be written in your hearts.
R. - Blessed Virgin, do you wish anything else from us?
M. - No, nothing else for today. The sorrowful Mother of the Passion and the happy Mother of the Resurrection blesses you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: may the Father be in your minds, the Son in your hearts, the Holy Spirit in your souls... now I must go.
R. - Blessed Virgin, when will you come again?
M. - I will come the first day of next month.
It was a public feast day. As was expected, the number of people at Belpasso was indescribable. Scattered round the rock, one calculated that there were about 150,000 people in this area. This reached the maximum figure since the beginning of the apparitions.
People came from all the Sicilian provinces and from various regions of Italy. The weather was already hot, and many sought shelter from the sun under their umbrellas. The apparition, (the last one, as was known later), occurred exactly at 1:00 P.M. with the reintroduction of daylight-saving time. At the end of the conversation, Rosario left the place escorted by the police, while the people waited anxiously to know what the message was.
After half an hour, unfortunately, it was very sad to hear the broken-hearted boy cry out: "What? Will you not come any more?"
The people who were present, at this point, understood clearly that the Queen of peace would not come any more to the rock at Belpasso.
They still could not believe what they heard. They left the place crying, with their hearts full of sorrow, but at the same time with a little hope. The message had announced that in future she would return.
Only God knows the date of her return.
MESSAGE OF OUR LADY
My children, during these months I gave a lot of messages to convert you. The Lord has touched many hearts and He has inflamed them with the love of His Heart; He has comforted many disconsolate persons, has brought peace to many families and to many hearts. He made everyone understand how wonderful and marvelous prayer is, how effective is the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and hence my intercession before Him; how pleased He is with the sacrifices and penance offered in reparation for sins and for the conversion of sinners: but, above all, He made you understand how indispensable the Sacraments are for eternal life. He gave you the gift of joy, and will continue to give it to you during Holy Mass.
Dear children, how many times I have invited you to do what I have advised you, to the point of begging you to accept the just Commandments of Our Lord.
My apparitions have served to revive in your souls the spirit of faith, of trust and of love. Spiritual fruits are obtained by perseverance and by total abandon to God's mercy. I will always protect you, and even if you bend to the wind as trees you will remain safe: trust in me.
R. - Blessed Virgin, I have many things to ask you: if you will cure the sick, if you will grant some spiritual and material graces to others.
M. - Some have already been healed and listen to; others will be healed later, while others still will not be listened to: they must pray and ask pardon for their sins. The world has offended Our Lord so much, it must correct its errors. Now, however, I must tell you a very important thing, and you may say it to everyone: after the period of peace which I will concede to the world through my heart, many will move away from God, many will be ashamed of Him. When the period of peace will come to an end, many unpleasant events will happen in every family, in every city, in every nation and in the whole world: this is because many will relax their vigilance once again, forgetting God and His laws. The Church will have to suffer a lot. Before all this happens, I will warn you, so that you will tell everyone. This will be the tangible sign of my apparitions, and it is much more important for its gravity than the signs in the sky. But do not get discouraged: always look at the Holy Hearts of Jesus and of Mary.
May the Holy Gospel be in your minds, be your word, but, above all may it be written in your hearts.
R. - Blessed Virgin, do you wish anything else from us?
M. - No, nothing else. Every day live my messages in which I repeat to you to do what my Son asks of you. I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May the Father be in your minds, the Son in your hearts, the Holy Spirit in your souls... now I must go.
R. - Blessed Virgin, will you continue to come?
M. - No, I will not come any more.
R. - What?! You won’t come any more?
M. - I will return later in the future, but this doesn’t mean that I have abandoned you; my Immaculate Heart will always be with you, because the peace on earth has been entrusted to it, and when it will triumph, the Queen of Peace will be honored.
After saying these words, Our Lady rose up serenely towards Heaven, where She is anxiously waiting for us, like a mother for her children.
