Apparition Essay

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Many people have heard about the apparitions throughout the world that took place or
have been taking place. However, most people do not comprehend what is actually happening
and why. Two examples of powerful apparitions are the ones in Medjugorje and Pontmain,
France. The Virgin Mary appeared in both stories to a certain group of people to deliver a
message and bring peace. People who see these apparitions are called, visionaries. These
sightings have been popping up around the world for many years. They are seen all around the
world and are not in just a specific place.
Medjugorie is a small village in Bosnia-Hercegovina that is known for people from all
over the world coming to see the religious aspects of the land. In Medjugorie there are six
visionaries that are able to see these apparitions whose names are: Mirjana Dragicevic, Ivanka
Ivankovic, Marija Pavlovic, Jakov Colo, Vicka Ivankovic, and Ivan Dragicevic. These six people
are told ten secrets about something that will happen to the world. Pavlovic, Colo, and Ivanka
Ivankovic have been told all ten secrets, and Mary appears to them once a year on the
anniversary of the day that their last secret was told. On the other hand, Dragicevic, Vicka
Ivankovic, and Dragicevic have been told only nine secrets, and still see Mary every day at 6:40
PM. Once the apparitions at Madjugorie stop, it is said that there will be three warnings given to
the world. The Blessed Virgin Mary appears to them because she wants to bring peace to the
world. She wants to re-center our lives back to God and the faith and also turn our hearts towards
Jesus. (Overview of Medjugorie)
The apparitions at Medjugorie are not the only ones that have happened. In Pontmain,
France there was a family who witnessed the vision of Mary in the night sky. The Barbadette
family was having a normal night when the parents, Cesar and Victoire, saw their children,
Jospeh and Eugene, gazing at the sky. Eugene was the first one to see her amongst the stars
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wearing a black veil and gold crown. When his family looked up, Joseph could see it, however
his parents could not. This happened in January of 1871, the time when their land was being
threatened by the Franco-Prussian war. Victoire said that it was a sign and that they must pray.
Once they started reciting the Magnificat, a message rolled out from under Marys feet, and then
two more following. In order, the messages read, But pray my children, God will soon answer
you, and My Son allows Himself to be moved. Three hours later, the apparition was gone, and
as a result their land was spared from the war. (Foley)
In Left to Tell, the main character, Immaculee Ilibagiza was put in a small closet during
the Rwandan genocide and fought to stay alive. She was put in there for ninety-one days and was
terrified, not knowing if she would survive. The only thing that kept her holding on was her faith.
She prayed and meditated for hours during the long, sleepless nights. During my waking hours I
was in constant communication with God, praying and meditating for fifteen to twenty hours
every day. I even dreamed of Jesus and the Virgin Mary during the few hours I slept, (Ilibagiza
107). She felt as if Mary was her mother, and created a strong bond through prayer, and talked to
her often. She never saw an apparition, however she felt her presence with her every day. Once
she survived and escaped the war, she said that it was all because of her faith, and how Mary
stayed with her. The details about what she felt were so vivid and emotional, it is hard to believe
it is not true. (Ilibagiza)
In comparison to Left to Tell, both stories can relate more than they can contrast. In all
three situations, people were brought peace and felt stronger in their faith. When I meditated, I
touched the source of my faith and strengthened the core of my soul, (Ilibagiza 95). Also, there
was a message that was delivered in every story. All the messages that were delivered were
shared to bring peace and nobility to the world. The apparition at Pontmain and Illibigizas story
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both happened at times of war and when the people were afraid. While horror swirled around
me, I found refuge in a world that became more welcoming and wonderful with each visit,
(Ilibagiza 95). All three stories were given a message, however in contrast, the apparitions gave a
word for word message, while Illibagizas experience was a feeling and strong connection. Also,
all three experiences were in different parts of the world and came at different times of the day.
Finally, Illibagiza did not see a clear view of Mary, she only talked to her through prayer, while
the other two stories were a clear picture of her.
In conclusion, these experiences are currently being investigated to see if they are true or
not. We cannot know for sure if the apparitions are real, or what the visionaries see. All three
experiences seemed to have an impact on the people that felt and or saw Mary. But the moment
I opened my heart to God in prayer and felt the protective hand of the Blessed Virgin Mary on
my shoulder, I was transported to a place of peace where time ceased to exist, my heart was
touched by eternity, my fear replaced with forgiveness, and my doubt dispelled by the certainty
that I would forever be a beloved child of the Lord, (Ilibagiza 211). They are very inspiring
stories that can strengthen your faith and belief. We cannot be sure when these apparitions will
end, however it gives us an insight on the religion and what will happen to the world.
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Works Cited
Foley, Donal. Nine Major Approved Apparitions. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

<http://theotokos.org.uk/pages/appdisce/nineapps.html>.
Foley, Donal. The Apparition at Pontmain. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
<http://theotokos.org.uk/pages/approved/appariti/pontmain.html>.
Ilibagiza, Immaculee, and Steve Erwin. Left to Tell: One Woman's Story of Surviving the
Rwandan Holocaust. Australia: Hay House, 2014. Print.
Overview of Medjugorje. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <http://medjugorje.org/overview.htm>.

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Sturgis 1

world and are not in just a specific place.

Jesus. (Overview of Medjugorie)

as a result their land was spared from the war. (Foley)

it is not true. (Ilibagiza)

the other two stories were a clear picture of her.

Foley, Donal. Nine Major Approved Apparitions. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

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