Medjugorje: Everything You Need to Know w/ Fr. Gregory Pine O.P. 

As a Croatian I must say Fr. Pine's pronounciation of Croatian names is incredible for an English speaker.

I converted to Catholicism there. Everything else aside, it is a Eucharist and sacrament-centered parish unlike any I’ve ever seen. The reverence for the Eucharist there is beautiful.

"I don't want to get tied down in burdensome speech" proceeds to use flawless Latin and Slavic technical speech. Great stuff

I live near Međugorje and I went there a lot of times. My personal opinion is that main fruits of Međugorje are: Eucharistic devotion, conversions, numerous religious vocations. I don't go there to see miracle of the Sun or some spectacular things. I don't know any of Međugorje visionaries. I go there because it's a place of confession, fast and prayer. They organize 24 hour Adoration on every 25th day of every month. There are Holy Masses on different languages every day. There is Way of the Cross devotion each Friday.

I had a deep conversion in Medjugorje when I was 17. I am now 56. I would accept the verdict even if the church would decide against the authenticity of the apparition. I would be sad, but it would not affect my personal relationship to God.

I am concerned about the amount of people in the comments begging people to not judge Medegoria until they go there as if we all have the time and MONEY to travel overseas to a place we are not required to visit as part of our faith. With all do respect if I had time and money to go on a pilgrimage it would be to the Holy Land.

I love listening to Fr. Pine. Orthodox Christian here, and love Pints with Aquinas. I pray that through the Holy Spirit Catholic and Orthodox Christians will draw closer to one another. Whenever the rift seems impossible to mend, remember that through our Lord, and his illuminating and sanctifying Holy Spirit ALL things are possible. God bless our Catholic brethren.

I had my conversion from a horrible brokenness and drug addiction from Our Lady of Medjugore

A few years before the apparitions in Medjugorje began, Padre Pio had told a group of pilgrims who were visiting him from the diocese of Mostar: “The Blessed Virgin Mary will soon be visiting your homeland.” This was reported by the BBC journalist Mary Craig in her book A spark from Heaven

Fr. Pine, you are so good! Thursday, you were absolutely right in telling your youth minister that he was wrong to proclaim Medjugorje is confirmed. I have to believe Our Blessed Mother wouldn't want his disobedience to the church's stance. I'm sad this happened to you. Since 2017 there has been a Papal Envoy present in Medjugorje to oversee the pastoral care that is provided there. Pilgrimages are allowed to be organized. While it's not "approval" it's certainly some oversight that might make you feel less worried. In Medjugorje, they say that where Jesus sets up His tent, the devil sets up his tent next store. Evil things can happen anywhere. The devil hates priests most of all. I went in 1997. I didn't see a single visionary. I didn't see the sun spin. My rosaries did not turn to gold. The miracle was that Our Mother brought me to the feet of her Son, and I was converted there. Wishing you peace.

It would be interesting to request Fr. RIPPERGER TO COME ON THE SHOW AND SPEAK TO THIS!

I've been there, numerous conversions, long confession lines, miracles very good fruit . would love to go back

I respect Fr Pine's sense of good judgment here.

Thanks for this discussion! My husband and I visited Medjugorje twice, from Canada 🇨🇦 through an Irish pilgrimage tour 🇮🇪 . Going up Apparition Hill while quietly praying the Rosary was a powerful experience. Thinking about thousands of people climbing Cross Mountain, on such difficult terrain, was a reminder of our Lord's Passion, and of solidarity with believers from all over the world. If the devil was trying to fool everyone at the beginning, I think it backfired! If the Church pronounces herself on this matter in a negative way and this causes people to doubt their faith later, Our Lady can call her children back to Jesus.All those Confessions, all those Masses, all those Rosaries prayed, all those Stations of the Cross... these will not be in vain.✝️❤️🌎🌍🌏

I would love to see a follow up conversation with Fr. Ripperger.

Hey Thursday, I really hope you read this comment. I wholeheartedly support your skepticism. I know people who were ostracized for their skepticism of the Legionaries Of Christ, and we know how that turned out. As Catholics we do not need to blindly accept every alleged apparition, and the people who become aggressive toward skeptics might want to search their hearts to discern whether this stems from a narcissistic self-righteousness. I'm paraphrasing Trent Horn or Matt (I can't recall which one); We should not condemn Catholics for their diversity of opinion where the Church allows it.

Thursday makes some good points. If the negative fruits don't apply to the situation the good fruits shouldn't either.

I am from Međugorje❤

This is the best articulated and nuanced defence. Thank you so much Father Pine, you are in our prayers! Thank you Matt for being so open!🙏

Thank you, Thursday. You are right on! I think your example of being asked to leave your campus ministry because of what seems like genuine concern, is very troubling and speaks to something that I've observed: that many of the 'true believers' in this apparition (and others yet/not approved) can behave with hostility, disapproval, and distrust of their fellow Catholics who do not.

In September 2004 I had a deliverance at Siroki Brijeg near Medjugorje at the hands of Father Jozo Zovko. A few days later on my return to Aberdeen Scotland I had a strong internal locution in a woman's voice. The locution was immediately repeated. It was two words only. "Kraljica Mira, Kraljica Mira. This changed my life. This is a real apparition of the BVM. Trust me.

Apparently they now have a 30ish year old parish priest and people are amazed by him. By the way I say it 1000 times Medugorje has the biggest confessional in the world the devil hates it for sure.

What struck me more than anything was the sadness that crossed Fr. Pines face when he heard that Thursday had been asked to leave that speech and says ‘that’s sad-I’m sorry’ (Skip to 21.20) A man of God right there 🤍

If there were ongoing messages by the Blessed Virgin, all Catholics would wait eagerly for the next one. Yet, every month we get a generic message from Medjugorge that anyone could make up.

Slava Bogu od početka i sada i u vijeke vijekova. Amen

I had my conversion and great healing in Medjugorje in 2002 and have returned many many times. My brother who travels around the world, said he never felt peace like he did in Medjugorje, you have to experience it. It is a place of peace and renewal. The renewal of the church that is taking place in Ireland (yes it is starting) is largely due to lay people and priests who have went to Medjugorje! There is so much fruit! I have witnessed miracles in the sun along with 3 friends, we fell to our knees and prayed the Devine mercy chaplet, watching what appeared like the Eucharist pulsate like a heart in the sun it was amazing, but what is more amazing is the changes within hearts.

I had some skepticism of Medjugorje, but Fr. Pine brought a bit more into perspective. No matter what, I’ll submit to the magisterial teaching, but this gives me clarity to the topic.

God bless Father Pine 🙏🏻 I love how he explains difficult concepts in a clear, strutured and logical way. And I love that he speaks as fast as I do 😂 I know so many who came back from Medjugorie completely healed, changed and with a faith and love for Our Lord and Lady that is seldom found.

I'm with Thursday on this. All I can say is I'm suspect and not for me.

Medugorje - Krajlice mira ❤️🙏🏻 going there on September for second time, very excited😌

I just came back from Medjugorje. You breath God there! And the sweetness of our Blessed Mother.

Yeah I'm with Thursday on this one.

I'm reading a book by Fr Grabrielle Amorth who was a Mariologist prior to his famous career as an exorcist. He was a great defender of Medjugorje and went there several times. It's an interesting book.

Neh, there’s a biiig difference between the Medjugorje seers and Sstr Lucia or Bernadette Subiroux… Every time I read (positive mind you) stories about them and their accounts for the “apparitions” I get nothing but shivers… So… Neh… I’m staying faaaar away from any and everything related to it…

The first 5 or so minutes are very elucidating. Thank you for this interview. Personally, I know that Medjugorje saved my Faith. I come from a time when communism was just starting to show its teeth in my country, and the school system made sure to obliterate any remainder of the Catholic faith the students had. Out of my school friends and classmates, maybe 1% are still Catholic. I’m one of them, but only because Mary’s messages from Medjugorje made their way to me.

Father Pine is so intelligent. Love how he explains to those of us that are not. As a convert I have been on tthe fence about Medjugore. He has me curious about visiting there. Perhaps if I can afford it. I really want to visit Lourdes first.

Thursday is right and people should listen to him

I now see how priests should really grow in patience especially when dealing with lay faithful who tends to converse in a rather forceful way (no, not referring to Matt here haha. Matt is a very diplomatic host. His maturity shows.) I love how Fr. Pine so patiently and so clearly addressed the questions thrown to him. God bless you, Fr. Gregory!

Listen to what Fr. Ripperger says about it!

I know people who have gone to Medjugorje and had wonderful experiences and have gone back several times, but I also know a very faithful Catholic who went and was convinced the entire thing is demonic. Coming from this woman who loves the Lord, loves the Blessed Mother, loves the Church, goes to Mass and prays the Rosary daily, made me look a little deeper. I was disappointed in what I found, because prior to that I totally believed. Then I also started to notice something happening at church (and also mentioned in Matt's video), which is the reaction of people who believe, towards those who question what is happening at Medjugorje. I have seen people be ostracized for not believing Mary is appearing at Medjugorje. What kind of fruit is this? This is a red flag. People seem to get a "high" at Medjugorje. It's like a drug. They go back year after year after year. I never hear about people going to Fatima 9 or 10 times. Frankly, the entire "apparitions on demand" seem too much of a red flag, as well. I've struggled a lot with Medjugorje, but gratefully, no apparition is part of the deposit of faith, and none of us are required to believe any of them, even those that are approved.

Highly recommend My Heart Will Triumph by the visionary Mirjana Soldo. Primary sources are helpful in these situations

I have a hard time believing the apparitions yet I found Medjugorje to be the most peaceful place on Earth. I certainly felt Our Lady's presence there

Take this however you want to. I converted to the faith and had my friends and priests at that time tell me that I need to go to this apparition site and experience the blessed mother. So I began to plan my trip there. Everything I did at the time I brought to Christ in the blessed sacrament. While I was in adoration the Lord spoke very clearly to me. He said, “The father of lies can mask as light, even my mother. This is not my mother.” It was really clear for me personally. That evening after leaving adoration when I went on RU-vid a video popped up of one of the seers saying that she thought the blessed Virgin was going to drop the baby Jesus. It confirmed for me what I heard that night. So the Lord lead me and introduced me to Fatima. So I believe Christ is giving people many graces there bc of His sacraments, not because it is real.

This was amazing! I am speechless listening to Fr. Pine. Thank you so much!

I see a lot of people talking about heretical messages of medjugorje. Please bring Father Leon Pereira on the show to discuss these messages. Since 2015 he has served as the Chaplain to the English-speaking pilgrims in Medjugorje. He would be great for a healthy and analytical debate!

Read up on the long, full version of the excommunicated priest. He is insignificant, and short lived. He really wasn't apart of the visions. He was like a taxi driver after the inception of the apparitions, then disappeared. It isn't a "fruit" of consideration.

I am grateful to have found this video. I have always been unsure about this apparition. Thank you for the information.

I’m with you, Thursday! Good for you for being careful.

I’m with the guy behind cameras, it shouldn’t be about feelings

father Gregory, thank you!

Hello from Zadar! 🇭🇷

Really great discussion about a difficult topic.

Thank you Fr Pine, God bless you🙏

Yes, in 94 I visited & experiencing an hour before and after Mass of passionate singing and seeing about 19 temporary confessionals outside busy with lines! I was the only (or one of few) who didn't see the miracle of the sun when those around me were seeing it, but it didn't disappoint me at all, as I was just grateful to see mass repentance. Oh, it was a bit bitter sweet to see that people 10 years older than myself from many nations were all able to participate in the common toung of the Latin Rite at the Masses in Latin.

It was a great discussion. I rewatched it. Very helpful.

Great video. Very much appreciated this conversation and openness of all to discuss this topic rationally.

That was a great discussion. Both Fr Pine and the guy in the background (I don’t know his name) brought up great points. The one that really stuck out to me is the part he was talking about people putting too much emphasis on the subjective. Excellent point and really something to ponder. Fr Pine is very level in his thoughts on Medjugorie, especially about how to view this place. I have never been and with all the questions arisen about this place, I am going to wait until the Church fully approves it. I have never been to a Marian Apparition site, but if I do go, since I live in the US, I will go to Our Lady of Good Help in Wisconsin (fully approved by the Church), possibly next Summer.

Caution is always a good thing.

Always enlightening hearing Fr Pine speak, be it when he speaks about the weather or about divine revelation.

Such a great topic. Thank you, Thursday for speaking up and loving the Lord with all your heart.

I don’t think followers understand the fallout will happen when it’s declared false. I went to a legionnaires of Christ school when their founder was exposed. There are many priest that have left the priesthood because of it.

Invite the Medjugorje chaplain to English speaking pilgrims, Fr. Leon Pereira O.P. on the podcast !! He's funny and very down to earth on this subject matter

Father Pine is excellent. A great communicator, a true inspiration. God Bless You Father Gregory.

Great back and forth!

Love the Church's slowness, Love Medjugorje, Thanks for the discussion, very helpful.

Since the alleged seers have said that the woman appearing to them confirmed there will be a great and permanent sign on apparition hill, visible to all who go there, and this will happen within their lifetime, then I guess time will tell as to their authenticity as they're not getting any younger.

Thank you Thursday and Father Pine for the great debate on Medjugorje. I've been trying to discern whether to make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje but recently learned about the controversial aspects of the pilgrimage site. Ultimately, Thursday thorough and perceptive questions and Father Pines well thought out answers alleviated my concerns. I do not have to depend(nor should I) on the authenticity of alleged apparitions, but should go with the sole intent of giving an opportunity to speak to me in a different and hopefully profound way. Thank you Pints withAquinas for your videos. Prayers from Canada 🇨🇦 🙏

Pray for the gift of discernment. It has helped me many times to find the truth. 🙏 ✝️

I have been to Medjugorje and I have to say it is amazing. Everyone who comes can see the fruits of that place. And one thing that makes that place amazing is the peace you feel there. And that is the one thing everyone will tell you about it.

It would be useful to have Fr Ripperger (Exorcist) on your show. He believes Medjugorje to have demonic influence. As a Thomist, he also argues that evolution doesn't make philosophical sense. Given he is a Thomist expert, one would think he would make a good guest.

Remember how horrifically Padre Pio was treated by the Church while he lived. The church tests everything and sometimes gets pretty harsh.

One of the “visionaries” lives in Massachusetts. Public records show his house was bought for $835,000 with a current market value over $900,000. Not bad for a kid from Bosnia who started out herding goats.

Not too long ago, I prayed for a very specific type of miracle, and would later discover that it took place at a distance from where I was, but within minutes of me praying for it. The odds of mere coincidence seem far too low for me to think of it as anything other than an answer to my prayer. However, when I refer to it, I tend to call it an "incident", or from the perspective of those who witnessed it, where it could be an "alleged miracle". I know the Church makes the official declarations. In this particular case, if they went just off of what was witnessed, it seems less likely to be approved as a miracle, since it would mostly go off the word of a couple people. But rejection would seem to require some sense of attempt at deception, fakery, etc., which I doubt they will find (but I wasn't there). So there's a chance I may forever have a story to tell that might not be officially called a "miracle", but it would be hard to convince me that it wasn't one. Thus, I may forever have to watch my words, unless they actually approve it. In the case mentioned in the video, if there was no direction given by the Church, that would be one thing. But when someone can point out that it is NOT to be treated as if it was authentic and approved, then people should accept that correction. At that point, it's not up to the judgement of a priest, but it's about following the direction of the Church. Someone can be correct, but wait for the proper process to play out. In this case, there has been contradicting thoughts by those who have the authority to weigh in, as was mentioned in this clip. That's all the more reason to be careful in this case, even more than others. Even if it had been a site of something demonic, the many pilgrimages to that site with people praying, confessing, having Masses, etc. could make it a rather holy place where one might expect good fruits. It wouldn't mean the trigger for all of that was good. But it could be authentic. It's just that the Church has a process and we should allow it to go through that process.

Pozdrav iz Hrvatske! 😊❤🕊️

Fr. Gregory’s the best. I feel sorry for the young man but he needs to let this go. Fr. Pine is ample evidence of what might be happening in M.

Fr Pine was a breath of fresh air coming from the church. Best PW clip I’ve enjoyed start to finish.

I don't doubt the earlier probable apparitions, in all honesty though, I do question Mother's Mary monthly appointment book schedule specially when meeting & facilitating that of the seer.

Thank you father Pine. You look like an angel. I got peace just to see you.

Best regards from Croatia

Fr Pine speaks in such a gentle, calm way and is brave to stick to his defence of the "alleged" apparitions at Medjugorje. Nothing bad seems to be coming from those apparitions, they conform to Church teaching and Our lady is always directing people to Jesus. She is giving this incredible gift of her presence and people are criticising those who trust her and believe in her. I understand the Church's slowness to approve any apparition, but people are allowed to go there by the bChurch and those who do, including ne, are overwhelmed bu the love and beauty of the atmosphere there and the fruits that appear to come directly from hearing Mary's message. I feel sorry for the man who is denying what fr pine says

Great job Thursday for pushing back on this subject. It was a great discussion from both ends and I’m glad you came in with your perspective. I have a common critique following conversation with many, though not all, of those whom I know who go. There seems to be a disproportionate amount of focus on the apparitions (including those that happen allegedly to individuals visiting regularly) as opposed to any messages pointing towards Christ. Any authentic apparition ultimately points towards Christ. And while that is not totally absent, many in Medjugorje see the apparitions themselves as an ends and not means to bring the world closer to Christ.

Thursday is being perfectly reasonable

I think we should be really careful about what we said about these cases like Medjugorje. After all, the Church doesn't make mandatory to believe in any apparition. In my country, Ecuador, were alleged apparitions of the Holy Mother in late 80s and the Church make the witness to be silent by a very long and prudential period. This helped a lot to discern where all this coming.

Thanks Fr. Gregory and Thrsdy for the back and forth. Good to bring a higher level of clarity to the whole discussion of "by their fruits you shall know them."

As many points there is to argue for its authenticity, There is as many points to argue against it. If it is true I think we’ll find out soon because of the times we are living in.

Pine with Aquinas

Yeah I'm still super skeptical.

I went in late 80s…already a reconvert to Catholicism WAY before Medjugorge was widely known. Decided to check it out as a curious ‘what if’. The fruits of full Masses, endless lines of confession, a celebration of holiness was all there. But there were odd things. 1. An encouragement to stare at the sun to perhaps see Mary and her Son in her arms. I did for 5 minutes and did not become blind or have any issues. Years later I thought how stupid a temptation to do that, that cannot be of God. But this could be the Devil trying to damage people and their faith…but luckily a miracle protected mine and everyone’s eyes? 2. I woke up one morning and looked up at the hill where there is a large concrete cross. You could see it from the city below. I could see people walking right where the cross was, but it was gone. I scanned the whole hill. How could I see this from the same vantage point the day before. How could this be a God-centric miracle. 3. Is just weird, but more personal. I walked up alone in the evening to the spot where the first apparition took place where there was a simple wooden cross amongst the loose rocks. A very dark and gypsy-looking man just stared at me. Could have been anyone, but I got really weird vibes. To ease the tension I shared my orange with him. He took it without a word and we ate in silence. Yes…this can just be taken as a completely neutral intercultural occurrence 4. Everyone was talking about rosaries turning to gold. After the orange incident some ladies asked to see my rosary and it had the shiny metal worn off and it looked gold…It was partial, and frankly looked like bronze…not sure what to make of that. All in all I kind of took it as a place the Jesus had to protect in spite of what foolishness was going on. I found much more moved see the actual image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Good fruits seem to come from Medugorje, but I decided to stick with my other devotions to the Eucharist and ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to help me always turn to Her Son!

A great discussion. Fr Pine is very eloquent in his explanations. Has helped me more to understand Medjugorje where I have been 7 times. God bless you fr. Pine🙏and you too Matt.

I am sceptical to visions of Ivan. Wherever he travels, wherever he throws an event, there Marry appears always. And this repeats thousands of times. It does not meet any serious apparition criteria. Marry is not someone you can call for an apparition anytime you want.

I read Fr Rene laurentin's book "Is the Virging Mary appearing in Medugorje?". And was encoraged that something was happeneing there. That it was ongoing meant that I might be able to go there and perhaps feel closer to our Blessed Mother. I was there twice and my experience was very positive. Something did happen to me there but it is subjective and the fruit did not appear until long after. My Faith is not based on any external event but is a grace and gift for which I am thankfull. I carefully read and pray the monthly messages as they are so encouraging. I may add (not to extoll myself but for context) that I hear and pray the daily readings at mass and they are so encouraging. This is a time for discernment and we should be prudent. I am mindful of I Thessalonians, 5: 19-22 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. Very interesting discussion, as I have come to expect from you guys. God bless

Fr. Gregory Pine is impressively eloquent and i don't know how to compliment his brain but glory to God. God bless him.

If this is of the devil he sure made a big mistake - how many priest do we have because if their conversion from the fruits of Medjugorje , how many adoration chapels do we have , how many rosary groups and daily communicants because of Our Lady’s “alleged” apparitions.? Peace Be with you guys! Thanks for your opinions .

When Father talks about the fruits being evidence, that sounds like a placebo effect to me. I just feel that it's worth considering that. Thank you for this discussion Matt, Thursday, and Father Pine.

Medjugorje has changed my life. The fruits of Medjugorje are : conversions, prayer, fasting, going to Confession, stop using drugs and getting rid of other addictions, physical and spiritual healing. Jesus told us that we should look at the fruits of something.

I went to Medjugorie and I can testify that it’s REAL! You have to live it, Go!!!!

"The Medjugorje Deception: Queen of Peace, Ethnic Cleansing, Ruined Lives"

Thank you Fr Pine for your clarity.

THE CARDINAL RUINI COMMISSION JUDGMENT ON MEDJUGORJE APPROVING THE FIRST SEVEN APPARITIONS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT UPDATE ON MEDJUGORJE. THE CURCH OFFICIAL APPROVAL OF PILGRIMAGES TO MEDJUGORJE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY

God Bless you both! I have to agree with your moderator Matt because too much emphasis is on feelings/emotions & according to some exorcist the devil can have access to a persons emotions!! Any good fruit from Medjugorje should be attributed to God anyway because He can do ALL things for those with faith!! In all of it, I think that our Blessed Mother could be being used & profited from in this case!! Just my opinion & I pray for truth & hope for heaven someday where every answer will be known!! 🙏🙇‍♀️🕊