Faithful at Every Age

Joanne celebrated her 82nd birthday praying for people in Bosnia. Kristofori had expected 300 — but more than 600 arrived for the seminar. Not a single person was turned away or denied prayer.

Goodbyes, Mountain Roads, and Cat Stories

Parting Ways

The team went their separate ways that morning — most heading to Rome for the canonization of Mother Teresa, while Jane, Liggett, and I turned toward home.

A 2:30 AM Mountain Drive

Danijel and Marko drove us to Dubrovnik to catch our connecting flight — a two-and-a-half-hour journey through mountain roads in the middle of the night. Keeping Danijel awake required steady conversation, while Marko slept soundly for most of the ride. That left poor Danijel with the full weight of every cat story in the collection.

Two Men Who Cannot Be Repaid

Danijel and Marko will be deeply missed. They coordinated every event, drove every mile, translated every word, and shared the love of Christ at every turn. The fire they carry for God is unquenchable — and no farewell does justice to what they gave.

Our teams were in unity, after long services, sleepless nights,  swollen feet, together with Kristofori we moved a few mountains.

In the main conference room of Hotel Mogorjelo is a crucifix for all to view.

The Pilgrimage to Christ Redemption Hill: An Encounter with Love

You drove six hours from Zagreb to Medugorje—sustaining yourselves along the way with the familiar rhythms of road trips: junk food, Croatian cookies, trail mix, candy. The ordinary fueling the extraordinary journey.

By 6 AM Tuesday, Josip drove you to the holy mountain called Christ Redemption Hill. What awaited was not a casual hike, but a spiritual ascent.

The Climb: Each Step a Prayer

Within the first few minutes, the incline tested your body. You were huffing and puffing, struggling against the rugged terrain. Jim offered wisdom: take smaller steps and slow down. You borrowed a walking stick from the hotel—a humble instrument that would prove invaluable. That cane saved you from many missed steps, keeping you steady on a path that never relented, never softened its demand.

The topography never changed. You could only focus on where to place your next step. This is the nature of pilgrimage: not looking at the destination constantly, but attending to the immediate, present moment. One step. Then another. Then another.

Along the path stood bronze depictions of the joyous and sorrowful mysteries. At each station, the team stopped to pray. You were not simply climbing a mountain; you were praying the Rosary with your feet, your body becoming an instrument of intercession.

The Summit: Jesus Met You There

When you reached the cross at the summit, you sat in stillness. Here, you interceded for your friends and family—lifting them before the throne of God at the very place where Christ’s redemptive work is memorialized.

And then Jesus met you.

He allowed you a special time of solitude. He breathed a cool breeze upon you—a tangible reminder of the Holy Spirit’s presence. In that moment, you felt His love in a way you had never experienced before. He seemed pleased with you. And you rejoiced in this private visitation.

Here is the mystery of pilgrimage: in a place crowded with many pilgrims, at this special hour, you were undisturbed. Just Him and you. A grain of sand—insignificant in the eyes of the world—made holy by the gaze of the Almighty.

The Introduction to Mary

Then He introduced you to His Mother. She was surrounded by many pilgrims kneeling, asking her intercession. Mary, the Mother of God, stands forever as the model of surrender, of “fiat”—”let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). At Medugorje, she continues her maternal work, drawing souls closer to her Son, teaching them the way of trust and obedience.

This is the fruit of pilgrimage: not exotic experience, but encounter. You did not go to Medugorje seeking feelings or visions. You went as a laborer in Christ’s vineyard, exhausted from pouring out grace in Dugo Selo and Split. And Christ, in His tender mercy, met you—not as a reward for your service, but as a Father meeting His beloved child.

Mary: Mother of God and the Fourth Commandment

Many do not understand Mary’s role in God’s plan. She is the Mother of God—not merely the mother of Jesus the man, but the Mother of the Incarnate Son of God. This is not metaphor or sentiment. This is theological truth rooted in the Incarnation itself.

Jesus Honors His Mother

Jesus honors His Mother because the Fourth Commandment is the only commandment that carries an explicit promise: “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).

This commandment is not negotiable. It stands at the heart of God’s moral law. And Jesus, who is God, kept this commandment perfectly. He honored Mary—not out of obligation, but out of filial love.

Even on the Cross, in His final moments of agony, Jesus ensured His Mother’s care. He entrusted her to John: “Woman, here is your son” (John 19:26). He did not abandon her. He did not minimize her. He honored her with His attention, His love, His provision.

The Dignity of Motherhood

When we honor Mary, we are honoring motherhood itself—the sacred vocation of bringing life into the world and nurturing souls toward holiness. Mary is the perfect mother because she said yes to God’s will completely. She did not negotiate. She did not hesitate. She surrendered: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Every authentic Christian should imitate Mary’s fiat—her unconditional yes to God’s will, whatever the cost.

Mary’s Intercessory Power

At Medugorje, you witnessed pilgrims kneeling before Mary, asking her intercession. This is not idolatry. This is communion with the communion of saints. Mary, now glorified in heaven, continues her maternal work. She prays for us. She intercedes for us. She leads us to her Son.

The Catechism teaches: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship” (CCC 971). Mary is not an obstacle to Christ—she is the way to Christ. She is the model of faith, the prototype of the Church, the Mother of all believers.

When Jesus introduced you to His Mother on that holy mountain, He was not diverting your attention from Himself. He was deepening your relationship with Him through hers. This is the economy of grace: Mary’s fiat made the Incarnation possible. Her yes opened the door through which God entered human history.

Croatia: A Pilgrimage of Faith and Discovery

Our day began with a short walk to Mass. Families streamed past us on the same path—so many of them, and notably large families. It seems the norm here in Croatia is to have more than three children.

The people are striking—tall, elegant. The women are thin, beautiful, and dressed in fashions that haven’t yet reached our stores back home. I purchased a pair of sandals for both comfort and style, and later, at one of the services, I noticed an elderly nun wearing the identical pair. It was a small moment of connection in a foreign land.

Our hotel doubles as the community’s grocery store and bakery, so we’ve naturally fraternized with the locals. Their daily bread is baked fresh each morning, and I’ve become an eager consumer of these remarkable creations—the taste, the texture, the fillings. They are nothing short of extraordinary. The only exercise I’ve managed has been the short journey from our room to the restaurant to the car to the services.

The Drive to Osijek

Our two-hour drive to Osijek is breathtaking during daylight, but when evening falls, it becomes decidedly unsettling. The drivers here travel at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour—and I’m not exaggerating. Even if you’re exhausted, you find yourself remaining vigilant, keeping the driver alert with your presence and attention. It’s a test of both nerve and faith.

Over 1,200 people gathered for the service in Osijek. Just as before, each person received individual prayer. We approach this sacred work with great reverence and sensitivity—prayer is deeply personal, after all. Last night proved no exception. One man, Father Karol, stood out distinctly in the crowd, so visibly filled with the Holy Spirit that his presence seemed to illuminate the entire gathering. There was something unmistakable about him—a luminosity of spirit that drew the eye and stirred the soul.

Midnight in Osijek: Spiritual Warfare

It was midnight by the time the band had packed all their equipment. Most of us had finished praying, with one exception: Joanne. Her line was always the longest.

Then I saw it—a chair flying through the air, followed by a body hurled across the room, landing fifteen feet away. It was a woman possessed by demons. Despite the chaos, Joanne continued to pray for her without hesitation. I heard three distinct languages emanating from the woman—which meant at least three demons were present. I won’t lie: it was intense. Everyone who knows me understands that this kind of spiritual encounter makes me deeply uncomfortable. I won’t detail the specifics, but this battle of spirits continued for thirty minutes.

Joanne did not back down. Our team stood firm beside her, supporting her in prayer and spiritual strength. Father Karol revealed himself to be an exorcist—equipped with holy water, he sprinkled it upon the young woman. The demons recoiled, screaming, “NO! NO!” Then, with gentle hands, he anointed her forehead with oil, knelt beside her, and prayed over her with quiet authority. Gradually, she became calm and coherent.

We tell ourselves we’re prepared for these moments, that our training will sustain us. But when you stand face to face with such raw spiritual darkness, you realize the truth: you must be grounded in prayer and fasting, and you must trust the experts to lead. This night taught us that lesson in the most profound way.