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Enlightened in Ecuador

      High in the cold and rainy Andes Mountains of Ecuador, the Blessed Mother reportedly appeared in the remote farming village of El Cajas to a former model named Patricia Talbot whom her countrymen affectionately referred to as "Paci". Here, like in her messages to Father Don Stefano Gobbi, Our Lady spoke of the pivotal next ten years and the fact "the third world war is near." For the first installment of the "Ecstasy of Ecuador", click on THE AGE OF MARIAN APPARITIONS

      On August 28, 1988, in Cuenca Ecuador the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to a young woman named Patricia "Pachi" Talbot. Our Lady identified herself, saying: "I am the Guardian of the Faith".

      These apparitions continued until March 3, 1990. Patricia, twenty-seven today, was sixteen years old when the Blessed Mother chose her as an instrument to spread her messages to all Her people. Patricia was a model, a student, and throughout the apparitions, she continued with her studies. She has since married Andres Vega and they live in Cuenca. Here Patricia continues to strive to fulfill the particular mission the Blessed Mother gave her-service to the poor.

      The apparitions began in Patricia's bedroom and continued in various churches, chapels, and her home until June of 1989 when they were moved to a Garden spot in El Cajas, high in the Andes Mountains. When moved to the Garden Spot in El Cajas, the Mother of God's visits normally occurred on Thursdays and Saturdays, often accompanied by phenomena such as bright lights in the sky, the sun "dancing", and on more than one occasion people's hands and faces sparkled with a golden glow, as if from glitter, which could not be rubbed off. Yet here, as in Medjugorje and in other reported apparition sites around the world, the importance was not the supernatural phenomena, but the interior conversion of heart and the abundant graces God was offering to His people, through His Most Holy Mother.

      The messages of the Mother of God are very similar in content to those of Medjugorje, i.e., consecration to the Immaculate Heart and Merciful Heart of Jesus; the Rosary, the Scapular, penance and fasting with prayer, Holy Mass and visits to the Blessed Sacrament; uniting all suffering and penances with Jesus, and Peace…God's peace! With these as the platform of her messages, Our Lady also gave Patricia words of warning, coming catastrophes, both natural and man-made, possible world war, suffering in our Church and in the world.

      The importance here, as in all other reported messages from the Mother of God is to live the Gospel, to be one with God, united to the Passion of Jesus. We should not focus on the sequence of events, which are to unfold in our world, but to prepare ourselves diligently for the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

      Patricia Talbot was not particularly religious, being a typical young woman interested in how she looked. A very attractive young woman, she was especially engaged in modeling, i.e., promoting her country by modeling modern clothing made after the traditional clothing of the country of Ecuador. This involved many shows throughout the world, which excited Patricia who loved to travel.

      The apparitions were not confined to Patricia's bedroom or her immediate community. In October of 1988, Patricia traveled to Mexico City via Costa Rica. Once in Mexico City Patricia and her friend Bernardita Jerves made a visit to the Cathedral in Zocalo Square. Patricia separated from her group and knelt to pray before Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later, having left the church, Bernardita caught up with Patricia and found the latter crying. Patricia had seen the Virgin again, only now even more beautifully, and the Blessed Mother said to her:

      "My little one, I am happy to see you. Don't be afraid."

      Our Lady tenderly held Patricia's hands in Her own. Again, she spoke:

      "Pray much for the peace of the world, because it is now that it needs it more than ever. My little child, I am detaining the hand of my Son. Change and convert. I love you very much. Adios, my little daughter."

      Already Patricia began to experience dramatic changes within herself. Normally she'd have spent her free time shopping for new clothes. Now she spend her time in church, in prayer. Three days after seeing Our Lady in the Cathedral, Patricia went to the church on Tepeyac Hill as Our Lady had requested of her. Again the Blessed Mother appeared to her and said:

      "My little daughter, you do not know how much it gladdens me that you are here. Now, daughter now I will reveal to you my great secret, which corresponds to the one, revealed to the other visionaries. This secret you cannot write nor tell to anyone until I permit you."

      Thus was given to Patricia Talbott the great secret and afterwards Our Lady continued:

      "I put into your hands the great mission of the conversion and turn about of the world. I am now holding back the hand of my Son with the message that I have given you and if my children convert, the Heart of My Son will soften and the intensity can be diminished or be lost forever; if not, the great trial will come."

      Patricia at this time discovered that miraculously she had received the Sacred Host upon her tongue. With this great Love poured into her and the Blessed Virgin's promise to be with her, Patricia had to bear the knowledge of the great secret.

Next installment: Getting the Message out

A home grown Friar keeps the Franciscan connection strong in Ecuador through the fruits of Cardinal Bernardino Ruiz Echeverria, OFM

     Today we feature our thirty-fifth red hat in alphabetical order. He is the 87 year-old Cardinal Bernardino Ruiz Echevveria, OFM of Ecuador who is the Archbishop emeritus of Guayaquil and former Apostolic administrator of Ibarra. For more on Ecuador's only cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II in the Consistory of November 26, 1994, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

35.   Cardinal Bernardino Ruiz Echeverria, OFM

      The Archbishop emeritus of Guayaquil, Cardinal Bernardino Ruiz Echeverria, OFM is Ecuador's only cardinal who is now retired. He was born in Cotacachi, Ecuador on November 12, 1912 and followed a calling to become a Franciscan by entering the seminary in September 1928 where he was ordained a Friar priest on July 4, 1937. He completed his studies at the Pontifical Univeristy Antonianum in Rome with a degree in Philosophy two years later and then returned to his homeland working in pastoral work throughout Ecuador at the behest of his Franciscan Provincial. During this parish work he founded the organization Communion of the Sick as well as the magazine Paz y Bien.

      On October 23, 1949 Pope Pius XII named him to be ordained to the bishopric being assigned Bishop of Ambato on December 4, 1949. During this time he was voted as Secretary of the Equadorian Institute for Studies of the Amazon Region and became a member of the International Academy and appointed Rector of the Brotherhood of Quito and then Provincial Secretary and Minister of the Friars Minor. On April 10, 1969 Pope Paul VI elevated him to Archbishop of Guayaquil, a post he faithfully held for twenty years until Pope John Paul II tabbed him as Apostolic Administrator of Ibarra where he served until 1995 when he officially retired at the age of 83.

      It was at the age of 82 that the Holy Father named him in the Consistory of November 26, 1994 bestowing on him the cardinalate and the titular church of Saints Nereus and Achilleus. Now retired from all active duty, Cardinal Echeverria was the first and only cardinal from Ecuador, a country boasting nearly a ninety-four percent Catholic population. Its first diocese was established in 1545 and one of the first synods in America was held here in 1570. The influence of the Franciscan missionaries over the centuries has born great fruit producing many religious vocations and providing the country with their favorite son in Cardinal Echeverria.

      Today is the Fifth Wednesday of Lent while tomorrow we celebrate the joyous Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. For the readings, liturgies and meditations, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Wednesday March 24:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Daniel 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95
Psalms: Daniel 3: 52-56
Gospel Reading: John 8: 31-42

Thursday March 25:
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

White vestments

First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14; 8: 10
Psalms: Psalm 40: 7-11
Second Reading:Hebrews 10: 4-10
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 26-38

      This special feast is the first in the cycle of the life of Jesus and the particular attribute is submitting totally to the Will of God as evidenced by Our Lady's reply, her fiat: "Thy will be done" (Luke 1:26-38). The feast commemorates both the Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would be the Mother of God if she would accept and the Incarnation of the Son of God. Celebrated as the first Joyful Mystery, this feast was firmly established in the Liturgical Calendar as early as the the fifth century with its date being determined in light of the nine month pregnancy period by the date of Christmas on December 25. In the revised Liturgy, this feast of the Blessed Virgin is considered a solemnity feast.

      Below is the second of several increments of the Prayer for Spiritual Renewal during Lent from the Treasury of Novenas booklet:

God, Heavenly Father, without You we can do nothing. By Your Spirit help us to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach us to find new life through penance. Keep us from sin, and help us live by Your commandment of love.

SIMPLY SHEEN: Quality is better than quantity

      They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Honesty of intention, purity and sincerity of motives, the cheerfulness with which we address ourselves to our work, all count more before God than the amount of work that we do."

"I solemnly tell you all that keeps the Father's Justice from striking is the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ."

     In the Blessed Mother's 457th and 458th Messages to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart on January 10, 1984, Our Lady implores her children to call upon her Divine Son Jesus' Mercy available to all in torrents of grace. She laments that so few take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity and she warns that if we don't act now, tomorrow could be too late. She invokes the importance of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and reiterates the need for the contemplative, cloistered Order first asked by Christ to Blessed Faustina which became a reality fifteen months after this message was imparted. For these two Messages on Mercy, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages 457 and 458

      Beloved Hidden Flower, through your dark night you begin now to see the littleness of your self, of yourself you can do nothing. You see now more clearly the extent to which my Divine Son wants all the world to come and drink from the Font of Divine Mercy.

      O! Little children of my Immaculate Heart, have you understood so little from all I have conveyed to you these many years? Do you not see how easily you are bored, for when I ask for prayer you discard my plea.

      Little children, the world is at the abyss. So few heed the signs God gives. So few properly discern Sacred Scripture and the messages given to my chosen messengers. I solemnly tell you all that keeps the Father's Justice from striking is the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. The Father beholds the Son's most bitter agony suffered joyfully to satisfy Divine Justice, and the angel cannot sound the trumpet call. The Chalice of Divine Mercy, so little loved and even less asked for, fills to the top and overflows. Who will catch these infinite drops of Divine Mercy? Who will not horde them but, offering them back to the Father in reparation and expiation, will trust the whole world to Divine Mercy?

      Beloved Hidden Flower, say to all of my children: Please join your prayers with mine, for I solemnly tell you that now is time of Mercy. Now must come the fulfillment of my call for the Order of Divine Mercy, who will live the revelations given to my saintly daughter Faustina, and will themselves become channels of Mercy. Those in the lay community called by the Holy Spirit have no less a great task, for they also must be transformed by the Holy Spirit and become living Divine Mercy. This is possible, my children, if you pray and make sacrifice. My chosen ones have heard the call. There are those who have answered. Now, little children, I ask all the world to assist in the fulfillment of Divine Mercy. Assist always with your prayers. But as much is being given by Divine Mercy, so much is needed, and each person can help. The Holy Spirit will guide you. This place, where I ask the Order to begin and the lay community to come together, will be a holy place, a true shrine to the Font of Divine Mercy. There will be revealed in the course of time many miracles, cures of soul and body, and the True Presence of my Son in the fullness of His Mercy shall be visible for all to come and adore, worship and praise.

      In the midst of the terrible darkness this shall be one of the places of supernatural light, for here my little ones will learn that Mercy and Love are inseparable, and Mercy cannot exist where any trace of pride or self-will exist. Mercy annihilates the lower human ego and allows the soul's higher ego to soar to celestial knowledge. Therefore, I solemnly beseech you. Pray! Pray! Pray! At the Hour of Great Mercy ask for the fulfillment of this Community of Divine Mercy. Soon, my children, all that you believe to hold your world secure will collapse. Do not wait! Soon your money will be of no value, except to the antichrist. That which God asks now must be done now while my little ones are able to procure their meager needs.

      Therefore, let the cry from your heart be: "My Jesus, I trust in Thee" as you recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day. Then begin to practice and live Mercy, for then you will advance rapidly toward holiness.

      I love and bless all of my children. Come and drink from the Font of Divine Mercy! Pray! Pray! Pray! Thank you for responding to my Call!

Events Today in Church History

     On this date in 1455, Pope Nicholas V passed on to his Heavenly reward. As the 208th successor of Peter, this Pope founded the Vatican Library as well as began construction on the magnificent basilica of St. Peter's in Rome as it stands today. Of course, his original design was altered considerably by the many pontiffs and Renaissance masters that came after him, specifically Michelangelo. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 24:

• 1084 A.D.
  
• Pope Saint Gregory VII is forced into exile when the Holy Roman Emperor to-be Henry IV invades Rome and places the antipope Clement III on the throne of Peter.

• 1208 A.D.
  
• Pope Innocent IIIplaces England and its king under interdict.

• 1254 A.D.
  
• Saint Louis, King of France, takes up the symbolic cross to lead the Seventh Crusade

• 1381 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Catherine of Sweden

• 1455 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Nicholas V, 208th successor of Peter. Born in Svizzera, Italy, he was elected on March 6, 1447. During his eight year papacy he began the construction of the present Basilica of St. Peter's. He restored order politically to France and England and helped Sapin in their final bid to rid the country of the Saracen threat. He founded the Vatican Library and celebrated the Sixth Holy Year during the Jubilee Year of 1450..

• 1495 A.D.
  
• Christopher Columbus departs Isabella in Espaniola.

• 1558 A.D.
  
• Coronation of Ferdinand I as Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Paul IV

• 1980 A.D.
  
• Archbishop Oscar Romero, one of El Salvador's most respected Roman Catholic leaders ever, is shot to death by gunmen as he celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in San Salvador.

    Dear children! Also today I am with you in a special way contemplating and living the passion of Jesus in my heart. Little children, open your hearts and give me everything that is in them: joys, sorrows and each, even the smallest, pain, that I may offer them to Jesus; so that with His immeasurable love, He may burn and transform your sorrows into the joy of His resurrection. That is why, I now call you in a special way, little children, for your hearts to open to prayer, so that through prayer you may become friends of Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

Click here to go to SECTION TWO or click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

March 24, 1999 volume 10, no. 58   DAILY CATHOLIC