EVEN CREDIBLE Catholic mystics, such as the late Fr. Estefano Gobbi, got alleged supernatural messages that warn of some kind of Apocalypse by the turn of the 20th century. This turn is now years gone, but the world seems relatively fine.
What most expected was an overwhelming, spectacular, dramatic fulfillment of apocalyptic prophecy, not the weirdness of a crawling Climate Change, but oh, what changes.
But then, the weirdness afflicting more and more parts of the world does not preclude a one-time event such as contained the 1973 warning of the Blessed Mother in Akita, Japan, wherein she told Sister Agnes Sasagawa thus:
“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.
“The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by my Son. Each day, recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and the priests. The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, and bishops against other bishops.
“The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres. The Church and altars will be vandalized. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.
“The demon will rage especially against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will no longer be pardon for them.”
It would seem that God in His mercy, opted to delay such chastisement. Note the following account from St. Faustina Kolwalska of Poland in the 1930’s:
“When once I asked the Lord Jesus how He could tolerate so many sins and crimes and not punish them, the Lord answered me, ‘I have an eternity for punishing [these], and so I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of [sinners]. But woe to them if they do not recognize the time of My visitation.’”
In various recent apparitions, the Blessed Mother has affirmed delays in Divine retribution. The premise, always, is to allow mankind some more conversion.
But statements from the Blessed Mother in her apparition in Medjugorje only last Jan. 2 seem to indicate the world is not getting better enough.
The Blessed Mother told visionary Mirjana as follows:
“Dear children, sadly, among you, my children, there is so much battle, hatred, personal interests and selfishness. My children, so easily you forget my Son, His words, His love. Faith is being extinguished in many souls, and hearts are being grasped by material things of the world. But my motherly heart knows that there are still those who believe and love, who are seeking how to draw all the closer to my Son, who are tirelessly seeking my Son – then, in this way, they are also seeking me. These are the humble and the meek with their pain and suffering which they carry in silence with their hopes and, above all, with their faith. These are the apostles of my love. My children, apostles of my love, I am teaching you that my Son is not only asking for continuous prayers, but also for works and feelings – that you believe, that you pray, that with your personal prayers you grow in faith, that you grow in love. To love each other is what He asks for – that is the way to eternal life. My children, do not forget that my Son brought the light to this world, and He brought it to those who wanted to see it and receive it. You be those, because this is the light of truth, peace and love. I am leading you in a motherly way to adore my Son; that you love my Son with me; that your thoughts, words and actions may be directed to My Son – that they may be in His name. Then my heart will be fulfilled. Thank you.”
This, after the Blessed Mother, also in Medjugorje last Dec. 25, again affirmed that we are still in the “time of grace” before the great chastisement. She said:
“Dear children! I am carrying to you my Son Jesus who is the King of Peace. He gives you peace and may it not be only for you but, little children, carry it to others in joy and humility. I am with you and am praying for you in this time of grace which God desires to give you. My presence is a sign of love here while I am with you to protect you and lead you towards eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
