Messages From Jungle Apparition
A Marian theologian from Franciscan University in Ohio has penned a book filled with the messages of prophecy from apparitions in Itaparinga, Brazil.
His book, The Three Hearts: Church-Approved Apparitions from the Amazon Jungle, by Dr. Mark Miravalle, is the first full treatment of the messages in English and focuses largely on what two seers -- son and his mother, alongside the storied Amazon River -- reported from 1994 to 1998, the period during which the revelations received a significant level of approval from the local bishop. (Messages allegedly continue but with no further approbation, thusly necessitating caution.)
The title reflects the prominence in the apparitions not only of Mary and her Immaculate Heart, working through the Sacred Heart of Christ, but also the heart of Saint Joseph, who reputedly also appeared to seer Edson Glauber or his mother Maria do Carmo.
As Miravalle puts it,
"From the remote regions of the Amazon jungle,
the Mother of God has revealed an extraordinarily critical message for
Brazil, for the Church, for the world, and even, it may be said, for
the future of humanity.
"In the spring of 1994, Edson Glauber (born October 27, 1972) was a twenty-two-year-old Brazilian college student who was studying economics in the major city of Manaus, some five hours away by car from his family's native town of Itaparinga. The Blessed Virgin Mary soon would identify herself as the 'Queen of the Rosary and of Peace.'"
"She is accompanied by her Divine Son and her virginal husband, in what will comprise a historic new understanding of the Holy Family and the powerful efficacy of devotion to 'the Three Hearts.'"
Indeed, a surprising number of the messages and alleged messages (for many in the book have not been the subject of Church judgment) focus on dire threats looming over the world.
"Satan is taking many of my children into the darkness," is one from the Virgin on April 4, 1994.
"Be prepared because the time is imminent," Jesus is quoted as conveying to Glauber.
It is also alleged that the Archangel Michael has appeared and spoken at Itaparinga and elsewhere where Glauber has supposed mystic experiences (for our discernment).
"You do not know what may be coming for this unfortunate sinful humanity," the archangel is quoted as saying in 1995. "Pray, asking my powerful protection and I promise to pray to the Lord for each one of you. The most Holy Virgin has come to the world on many occasions during these recent times to call you to repentance and to return to the Lord. However, she has not been heard as she should because of mankind's ingratitude.
"Do
not reject the messages
that the Mother of God herself has been conveying to you for a while
now. Pay heed to them and act upon them as soon as possible, for the
present times are very urgent and concerning."
The battle between good and evil "is coming to an end," Mary is quoted as relating -- but not before major conflict, change, and disruption. The faithful are urged never to speak ill of others but rather to pray at every turn for those who transgress and offer constant sacrifices to save souls from hell -- a message that was also prevalent at Fatima.
The one who loves the Lord, said Our Lady of Itaparinga, "is always heard in his prayers" and will be protected during the "great changes" that are coming. "A great evil is about to come over this poor sinful humanity," was another message, this from Mary on March 24, 1995, within the time-frame of diocesan approval.
Expressing great worry, Our Lady reputedly said that "everything can be changed by my Son Jesus, if you obey my appeals." The Church was in crisis, said the messages -- in the mid-1990s. Fidelity to the Pope was urged.
Glauber claims that on September 11, 2001, Mary appeared with thick tears rolling down her face but with no verbal message. It is asserted that days before that historic terrorist attack, the second seer, Maria do Carmo, was urged, during an apparition, to urgently pray or "many will die." The Brazilian woman then allegedly heard screams and cries.
"A great chastisement is coming for the whole world, and it is already at hand!" Maria claims the Virgin told her -- in 1994.
As reported: In January 2010, after much study, prayer, reflection, observation and seeing the growth in the faith life of thousands, the local ordinary, Bishop Carillo Gritti declared a Decree of Worship favoring the Itapiranga appearances and in an earlier document called it of "supernatural origin." [Note: We are further investigating the precise diocesan stand.]
The
bishop added, however, that "there is still the influence of
the human factor. Even authentic images and visions pass, as Cardinal Ratzinger said, through the filter of our senses, which carry out a
process of translation."
In a commentary on the Third Secret, then-Cardinal Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI) had noted that "in this field, theological anthropology distinguishes three forms of perception or 'vision': vision with the senses, and hence exterior bodily perception, interior perception, and spiritual vision (visio sensibilis - imaginativa - intellectualis)."
A previous prelate, Bishop Jorge Eduardo Marskell, S.F.M. of Itacoatiara (1975-1998), remained at a distance from the reported healings and other spiritual fruits and apparently was also unfavorable to the apparitions, according to Monsignor Rene Laurentin (Dictionary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary p. 950).
In 2010 he said, in a more official way, "after a first discernment made by a group of people chosen by me, starting this year, a Commission chosen and instituted by me, will continue to follow and analyze the facts and events that have happened and still happen here, collecting all medical information and necessary theological, as well as the testimonies and final objective elements for a just and have judgment on the events occurred in Itapiranga and thus offer a safe and credible basis to the Church."
Indeed, some of the later messages seem more prone to Glauber's own views and perhaps also bear the influence of messages from elsewhere that used very similar language and were prevalent at the time as seers and locutionists rose on all sides. But as the archbishop also said:
"It is to be seen as an aid to understand the signs of the times and to live more fully the Gospel in its actuality. And the signs of our times are dramatic."
[resources: The Three Hearts: Apparitions in the Amazon; please allow up to two weeks for delivery]
[Footnote:
Itacoatiara (AM) BRAZIL Itacoatiara,
May 31, 2009
Solemnity of Pentecost
Nihil Obstat QUOMINUS IMPRIMATUR
In response to questions about the apparitions of Our
Lady Queen of the Rosary and peace in Itapiranga as Bishop Itacoatiara
/ Amazonas (Brazil) I was asked to express my views about the
authenticity of the apparitions of Mary as Our Lady Queen of S. Rosario
and Peace to Itapiranga during the years 1994-1998. Many believers and
some bishops have pointed out the urgent need for clarification in this
regard. I am also personally aware that the development of devotion,
which spans a period of 15 years, so requires. As for the supernatural
character and content of the messages, I see that this devotion has
taken place in the life of faith of thousands of faithful. I have also
been given testimonies of conversion and reconciliation, as well as
healing and special protection. In full recognition of the
responsibility of the Holy See, it is primarily the task of the local
bishop to decide, according to their conscience, the authenticity of
private revelations that are occurring or have occurred in his diocese.
For this reason, with regard to the results of previous investigations
and questions and objections arising from them, I once again asked the
advice of some theologians and psychologists. I testify that in their
opinion that there are no fundamental theological and psychological
impediments to the recognition of the authenticity supernatural.
CONSIDERING THESE OPINIONS, TESTIMONIES AND DEVELOPMENTS AND pondering
all this IN PRAYER AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION, EVERYTHING LEADS ME TO
FINDING THAT THERE IN APPEARANCES Itapiranga a supernatural origin. Of
course, there is still the influence of the human factor. Even
authentic image and visions pass as said Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,
Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, through the
filter of our senses, which carry out a process of translation ...
"and" ... are influenced by the possibilities and limitations of the
perceiving subject "(Cardinal Ratzinger, Theological Commentary in
preparation for the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima.
L'Osservatore Romano, June 28, 2000). Instead of Sacred Scripture, the
private revelation is never binding on the conscience of the faithful.
It is to be seen as an aid to understand the signs of the times and to
live more fully the Gospel in its actuality (cf. Luke 12:56; Catechism
of the Catholic Church, n. 67). And the signs of our times are
dramatic. You my sincere belief that devotion to Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary, and Queen of Peace can help us, the drama of our time, to find
the right path, the path towards a new and unique coming of the Holy
Spirit, He who alone can heal the great plagues of our time. A member
of the "Legion of Sacrorum Cordium" dedicated to the work of the three
joined the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Joseph, my blessing and
encouragement in the first edition in Portuguese and Italian messages
of Our Lady. Hopefully this has taken action to provide sufficient
information and clarity.
(Seal) Preemption de Itacoatiara
(Signature)
+ Carillo Gritti Itacoatiara - Am Bishop of Itacoatiara.]
