In Search of the Virgin Mary; The Medjugorje Chronicles

Medjugorje--Prayers Answered?

In my essay, “In Search of the Virgin Mary” written a few weeks ago, I invited you to partake in my journey to find the Blessed Virgin Mary, find God and simply discover what Medjugorje holds for those that pilgrimage there.

Reporting about my journey won’t be as simple as I first thought.  I’m still processing information and emotions that both my logical mind and my spiritual self have received during my Medjugorje experience.  I’m confident I’ll be doing this for a long time, as more is revealed to me.  So, I’ve decided to chronicle the trip in a few essays accompanied by photos to expose you to some of what we experienced.

An invitation was also extended to send me prayer petitions that I would bring to Medjugorje.  Thousands of people around the world received that essay…

…and the response was overwhelming!

This is where the journey begins…

Reading the e-mailed prayer petitions were actually uplifting and draining at the same time.  I felt emotionally spent...they were that moving!   

Why?—Because of the openness and purity with which they were written.  Entrusted to me were people’s inner private thoughts and feelings about the pain and suffering they or their loved ones were enduring.  Stories of physical pain, cancer, drug, alcohol and pornography addictions, family issues, depression, loss of jobs and homes, estranged family members and so much more.

In one petition, a woman wrote that her mom was in the hospital, suffering with cancer. She read my letter “In Search of the Virgin Mary” to her mom, and it made her smile.  She went on to say that before she was able to send her prayer petition to me, her mom passed away.  And although her mom no longer needed prayers, she was sure that mom was in heaven praying for us!  This was incredibly touching!

Many people also sent sealed petitions to me.  Regardless of how they came; I was honored and humbled by the trust that was placed in me to deliver them.  To be the messenger delivering to God—the hopes, dreams, needs, and desires of people is a task and responsibility not taken lightly, and I am thankful for that opportunity.

Still others weren’t requesting anything for themselves, but sent their blessings and prayers for a safe and rewarding journey for our group.  This, too, was gratifying and humbling to be in the hearts and minds of so many.

More prayer requests came via e-mail even while we were on our journey.  Rest assured, all those petitions were prayed for too!

Prayers, of course, are not bound by time, space or physical location.  The moment a prayer petition is thought, God knows the intention, and the heart that requests it.

When we gathered together and collectively prayed for everyone's petitions, I sensed a special power...a heightened energy that surrounded us.

It was quite exhilarating  being part of this group of people, who with a common purpose, throughout each day of our journey, joined in unity to pray for all our intentions and for peace and love to reign in our world.  This was intensified when we were in Medjugorje where the Blessed Virgin Mary has been said to appear and a veil of holiness seems to encapsulate the village.

Our prayers, once again, seemed to be intensified by commingling with an international legion of people,  who were praying and seeking God in the town, at the church and on the mountain...everywhere.

The energy was incredible!  I have no doubt that our prayers were and are, being answered.

So what did we do with the petitions?

Well, they were all placed in a special red bag that Paul, our group leader, had brought with him.

Each day, one person in our group volunteered to safeguard the bag carrying it with them for as long as they wished before handing it over to someone else.  This ensured the petitions were always in the forefront of our minds, for quiet reflection and prayer.

As others before us, both Mary (my wife), and I were fortunate bearers of this honorable responsibility—charged with dutifully carrying out our assignment with respect for the contents of those petitions.  Even when I wasn’t carrying the red bag but could see it with another person, I had a sobering sense of duty and allegiance to those petitions, as well as a feeling of reverence for them.  After all, they represented the lives of so many people.

After days of carrying the bag of petitions, a day was picked to deliver them to the top of Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain) to be buried and prayed over.

Paul had also brought a small but simple wooden cross with him.  On it we were asked to write the names of additional people to be prayed for.  This cross was also lovingly carried up Cross Mountain.

It was a vigorous climb, therefore, some of our group opted out and rightfully so.  As we climbed, our modest cross was passed from one person to another symbolically re-enacting Jesus carrying his cross.  It, also, represented the burden of carrying peoples' names and petitions being offered to God. 

A few members of our group were inspired to climb the mountain barefoot.  Thus intensifying the harship of the climb while showing their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering for Christ.

We encountered many barefooted people on the trail doing the same. I applaud their sacrifice and dedication. This was not an easy path, but a rock strewn swatch cut through brambles almost as though an earthquake had heaved jagged rocks up through the surface of the earth.

In the Catholic Church there is a tradition of prayer and meditation called the Stations of the Cross.  There are fourteen stations depicting the final hours leading to Jesus Christ’s death.  Positioned at various points along the rocky trails of Krizevac are beautiful large bronze reliefs of these stations of cross, by an Italian artist.  Some of the stations are:

•Jesus condemned to death

•Forced to carry his cross

•Falling the first time

•Simon forced to carry Jesus’ cross

•Jesus stripped of all his clothes

•Nailed to the cross

•Taken down from the cross

•Jesus is placed in the tomb

Trekking up the mountain, carrying our red bag of petitions and small cross, we stopped at the Stations of the Cross.  There we read from a booklet about Jesus, reflected on his suffering, prayed, and meditated about how each station relates to experiences we may have had in our lives.

Atop Mount Krizevac towers a formidable thirty foot tall concrete cross, erected in 1933 to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Passion of Jesus.  It is a beautiful spot with a spectacular view of Medjugorje and the surrounding area.  

 

 
This was the destination for the burial of our petitions; a befitting place, though not the site where the Virgin had first appeared to the six children.

A palpable sense of peace and tranquility could be felt there, and yet at the same time, one could sense the pain of people who overcame hardships to journey to Krizevac to place their troubles, fears, burdens and pain before God.  Again---a sobering experience.
  
There people prayed, while others placed petitions, and even photos at the base of the cross. Many picked up small rocks to take home and some simply dug up some dirt with their hands from the holy site. 

It has been reported by many people...pilgrims...towns’ people...priests and nuns that the Virgin Mary has been seen at Krizevac...at the cross!  Mary has told the visionaries that she has allowed people to see her there praying before God.  These glimpses of her are rewards to strengthen the faith of people.

You may be wondering if I saw Mary there.  The answer is no… but something unique...definitely supernatural did occur... somewhere else.  I will share that story with you later. 

There was no absence of  time spent collectively or individually in prayer and worship.  Everyday there was mass at St. James church in the heart of Medjugorje and other churches throughout various communities and more opportunities to pray for our petitions. 

Next to the church was a very beautiful outdoor area designed for quiet reflection and prayer.  Stone walls and shrubbery surrounded it.  Central to this, a large crucifix stood atop a cascading fountain of water.  Here, hundreds of votive candles were lit for the intentions of the prayerful. 

I found myself drawn to this area on several occasions—mostly at night when it was the most quiet and peaceful.  The glow from the red votive candles was beautiful.  There, I lit candles and once again, placed everyone's petitions in God’s hands.

One night I even endured the rain.  But somehow the candles didn’t seem to mind as they continued to glow brightly.

Carrying the petitions for days…hiking the rugged terrain to the top of Krizevac…the willingness to endure some discomfort perhaps even a little hardship for others, even those you don’t know is strangely satisfying. 

Yet, at the same time I was always keenly aware that any troubles I’ve encountered in my life are minuscule by comparison to so many who suffer real and long lasting hardships.  It was heartening to witness the strength, character, courage and faith of so many of our pilgrimage group.

 

I knew of at least three of our companions who were suffering from a variety of cancers…brain, breast and metastatic.  One young woman with cancer has been living two years longer than the doctor’s prognosis! There was a myriad of other health problems in our group and even one with a pacemaker, yet no one ever complained.  They all displayed great strength and fortitude.

I was inspired by my mom, who was the oldest person on the journey just a few weeks from her 87^th birthday.  She is challenged by glaucoma, but was willing to endure some hardships for her faith...out of love.

The solidarity of many, praying for the needs of others, is profoundly powerful.  Who’s to say what touched God’s heart?  And why, and for whom petitions will be granted? 

 

Since our return, I’ve learned that God was working on our petitions while we were away.  The day after, I was told of three people (not on our trip) whose petitions were granted while we were still in Medjugorje!  At least one of these with verifiable health complaints was supernaturally healed.

So the petitions were delivered!  They were, and continue to be... prayed for.  Some have been answered, and I’m confident many more will be answered still.  I hope and pray yours are granted...soon.  If they are, please let me know.  I hope you'll share your story with me.

Soon, I will be writing more that may challenge your beliefs, test your boundaries, push some buttons, or…at the very least...have you question my sanity.  For others, it may just reinforce your faith.

What I’ll reveal is something I’m still attempting to understand myself… but perhaps never will.  It is intriguing and, I believe, worth waiting for.  Hopefully, you will feel the same.

I know you're still wondering if I found the Virgin Mary...but you'll have to wait a little while longer for that answer.

By the end of The Medjugorje Chronicles, I certainly hope you deem the journey worthwhile.  Perhaps even taking away something of value for yourself.  Maybe you'll make the trip to Medjugorje or simply be encouraged to continue your path to God.

I’ll write more In Search of the Virgin Mary; The Medjugorje Chronicles soon.

Stay tuned!

Blessings,

Dr. Rick Barrett

 

Guatemala Mission www.givetolivebook.com

In Search of the Virgin Mary

In just a few weeks, my family and I will embark on a journey that millions before us have made. We will be on a quest to see the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. To some, this may sound strange and to others not so much. Let me explain…

The journey will take us to a small village called Medjugorje in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslavia. Since 1981 people of all faiths from countries around the world have been trekking there to worship, pray, give thanks, seek enlightenment and discernment or just to experience something holy, mystical, and divine. Perhaps, even be touched in some way by the Blessed Mary or God.

The story goes that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to six children revealing ten secrets to them regarding events to take place in our world. The children have not shared these secrets with anyone. Three of the six continue to receive daily apparitions of Mary and the others only at certain times during the year. Of course, the six are now all adults. Some travel and share their experiences of Mary and her communications to them. Media from around the world have interviewed them and been to the apparition site. Books have been written with accounts of the children and the parish priest, Father Yozo who was even imprisoned by the communists for this.

I realize that for many people these events and Mary’s continued visitations to these six faithful are farfetched and unbelievable. Perhaps others think it a shear hoax, the biggest scam imaginable. Still others don’t acknowledge Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ and this journey to them probably is seen as ridiculous and pure folly.

Though there are many people that don’t understand this, or are repelled by it, there are the countless others who either believe in Mary or at least have an open heart and mind to the possibility of something spiritual taking place in Medjugorje.

Are we all being duped?

I guess we will see.

But I don’t believe so.

We are travelling with a dear friend and one of my patients, Father Roy Oggero. Father Roy has been to Medjugorje several times and his experiences, I trust, are real.

But I’m not attempting to convince or convert anyone—simply to advise you of my journey
.
I am going to see for myself.

Not to prove or disprove anything.

Just to be open and experience whatever may be there for me.

Of course, my mind races with questions like:
Will I and others be cured-partially-fully, of our health complaints?
Will I or anyone in our group see the Virgin Mary individually or collectively?
Will we have an internal feeling, a knowing, that she is present?
Will the prayer petitions that we carry to the site be granted?
Will miracles happen at home for those we carry in petition while we are still there?
Will there be some tangible sign that the Virgin Mary or God visits Medjugorje?
Will I feel different, act differently or be different in some way?
There are about a hundred more questions rolling around in my mind. Perhaps some will be answered.

I’ve joked with patients that when I return, I may look like Charlton Heston playing Moses in the movie, The Ten Commandments. After God spoke with him his hair turned completely white and his face glowed. Of course, I’m joking about this, but I do harbor the hope that I will find Mary and experience something divine, powerful and eternal.

I just don’t want my hair to turn white! But hey, it would be a small price to pay.

Those I’ve spoken with who have made this journey before have been enriched and blessed in some way.

We will stay in Medjugorje for several days. Miracles have been said to occur there.

Apparition Hill is the original site where Mary appeared to the children and where all the spiritual sojourners hike in the hope to see Mary and have a divine experience. I am sure I will hike this hill many times. Of course, there will be lots of time for prayer and reflection.

While in Medjugorje, we may even have an opportunity to visit and talk with one of the six and maybe Father Yozo, the parish priest who was imprisoned.

We will be taking prayer requests and petitions to leave at the site to be prayed over.

I already have a long list of friends, family and patients, of course, to carry with me.

If you would like to add a name to my list with a specific or non-specific petition, I encourage you to do so. I will be honored to carry your wishes.
For me, this trip is especially exciting because I will be on a spiritual journey travelling with family and a great friend, Father Roy Oggero and even a few of my fellow medical missionary compadres.

I sincerely ask for your prayers and positive energy for all of us travelling to Medjugorje. Rest assured, every person on my mailing list will be included in prayer even if you don’t ask—prayers for your health, happiness and wonderful blessings to be showered upon you. I look forward to reporting my experiences to you and letting you know if I actually found the Virgin Mary.

Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. I must receive all petitions by October 8th. Send all prayer requests to me at drrickbarrett@yahoo.com or mail all sealed requests to my office at:
Dr. Richard F. Barrett
2853 Dulles Avenue
Missouri City, TX 77459
Attention: Prayer Request

Want more information to see where we will be? Go to http://www.medjugorje.org/

The Heart of a Giver

This morning, I watched an extremely touching story of parents who donated the heart of their thirteen year old daughter, Taylor. Taylor was tragically killed in a skiing accident. Not only did they want to use their daughter's heart to save a life...but they wanted to meet the recipient of the heart...and they did.

My words can't do this story justice. I think you need to watch the video. Be sure to have Kleenex close by!





The parents truly exemplify the love and sacrifice of a true giver. They are great role models and truly bring life to the title of my book, "Give to Live".

Donating an organ may not be the thing a person wants to do or can do, but there is something that each of us can give, a way for each of us to serve humanity today.

Thank you for all you do recognized and unrecognized. It is giving people like you and the people you surround yourself with that will create a world of love and kindness.

Blessings,
Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. Check out the website Taylor's Gift Foundation her parents created to encourage organ donations:
www.taylorsgift.org

Don't forget to share these messages and this affirmation with every one you know. We can never stop giving! www.givetolivebook.com

Back In The Saddle...UH...Cockpit Again!

I flew a plane!! Dare I say it? It's really hard to believe, but here we go...

It's been 30 years since I piloted a small plane! Flying the small craft is not what is so amazing; it's that 30 years have gone by since I sat behind the controls.

Let me bring you up to speed. Like most guys, I've always loved anything that goes fast, sounds powerful, is powerful, is bright and shiny (especially red) and smells like gasoline and oil.

In the water,

on the ground

or in the air.

It's all good!

Sound familiar? Probably you know someone like this. Maybe it's you!

Mechanical things are wonderful. I've tinkered with just about everything, even rebuilding engines. I've driven just about anything with an engine from lawn mowers to bulldozers and road graders, to Ferraris and Lamborghinis and a whole lot in between.

I like speed. Especially if there is an engine involved. Planes fascinate me. As a kid, I always loved going to air shows(I still do). So when I was about 19 years old, I pursued flying.

I thought and dreamed that I might like to be an airline pilot one day. But eventually the idea of being stuck in a small room(cockpit) with a couple of other guys hour after hour, day after day, month after month...for years slowly began to play in my head like a bad Rod Serling episode of The Twilight Zone.

So, I joined the Navy (besides I couldn't fly in the Air force with bad vision). Okay, so maybe that wasn't so smart. (There were some good times in there.) I was a SEABEE and got to tinker on some really cool heavy equipment...diesel engines (though they didn't go really fast).

Where was I...oh yeah...

So, I interrupted my flying lessons, I was thisss close (You can't see it, but I'm holding my fingers really close together, like the size of a hair.) to getting my private pilot's license! Actually just a mere night flight and one cross country trip from completion.

I've always regretted not finishing and for all these years, I've longed to go back to it. Every time I see a plane in the sky. Perhaps now I will.

Well, why did I stop? You know how it is. Priorities--girls, cars,money, time, girls, cars, money, time...uh, oh, starting to sound like a Twilight Zone episode again.

Anyway, fast forward a few years. How I got back in the air was at the invitation of a patient, fellow Rotarian, and friend, Dana, who owns a flight school in Sugar Land, Texas. http://www.ansonair.com/He graciously asked Mary and me to "go up" in one of his planes. I think he said, "Would you be interested in taking a plane up on Saturday?"

Of course, I intelligently replied, "No, I don't think so...duh!" He got my drift.

So, some how we picked one of the hottest Saturdays in a record heat month(August) in Texas to fly a small plane with no air conditioning!! (That's worth two exclamation points.) I believe it was 100+ with a heat index of 110. Did I say it was hot? Now I know what a crawfish feels like in the boil.

We finally got some cold air at 3500 feet...87 degrees!

As we were cruising over some beautiful countryside, Dana asked me if I wanted to take over the controls...another, "Oh, duh!" moment. I took the yoke and proceeded to do some hard banking, loop dloops, and barrel rolls...it was all coming back. (Well, that was running through my head anyway.)

No, I kept her steady and on course. He let me have her for a while, not too short, not too long...just enough to give me the bug again. I suspect Dana wants me to take lessons again.

All in all it was a great time. We all survived. My wife had it the worst though, she was in the back seat with less room than a Volkswagen full of circus clowns. And did I mention it was hot? I think Dana picked the smallest plane in his fleet. Back on the ground, Mary kissed the ground, hugged Dana and told me, "Next time you sit in the back!" We had a blast though. Well worthwhile and Dana runs a top notch operation. I think everyone should learn to fly. http://www.ansonair.com/

Then there will be more room for me on the ground. Did I tell you I love driving cars? There are a few lessons in this story (not just flying lessons).

Make your own scrapbook

Live life to the fullest!

Pursue your dreams and passions...even just once!

Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today! (I think
someone said that before me.)

Don't spend all your time watching movies about other people living.

Live your bucket list now! (While you can ambulate reasonably
well.)

Live more, love more, and give more... for tomorrow may never come.

Live in the present, live in the now, live in the moment!

Don't wait 30 years!

Dr. Rick Barrett
Author of Give to Live; The Real Secret to Manifesting Life's
Rewards http://www.givetolivebook.com/

P.S. The only thing missing (besides air conditioning) was a killer sound system playing Pink Floyd's song, Learning to Fly!

It's Not All About You...

But it is up to you!

This is the title of the teleclass I'll be giving next Tuesday,July 27th at 8:00 p.m. CST.

You and everyone you know are invited!

So, record your favorite show, give away your baseball game tickets,postpone your romantic dinner, get someone else to chauffer the kids so that you can be on the call.

It's kind of fun to be on a teleclass call, so I hope you check it out. All you have to do is register at globalteleclass.com

Look under "free teleclass", click on "personal development" and you'll find me there (5th on the list). Follow the instructions and I'll look forward to talking with you on Tuesday night!

Thanks!

Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. Please tell others about the class!

It's Now Illegal!

As of Tuesday, June 1, a new law banning texting on cell phones while driving in Missouri City, Texas went into effect. Even while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. I, for one, think this is a great law and will prevent injuries and save lives.

Far too many of us have become so relaxed while driving that it's like sitting comfortably in our homes with food, drinks, DVD's, phones and cruise control.

I was appalled the other day when I observed a woman driving on the freeway with an iPhone in her right hand using her thumb to operate it and a flip phone in her left while holding the steering wheel! This was definitely over the top!

I blew the horn at her and she looked up at me with the most indignant look on her face. Like I was rude and interrupted her!

I'm sure some people think I shouldn't blow the horn, but I don't want anyone looking down at their phone drifting over and hitting me! And I'm going to continue to honk the horn.

The risks of texting or even talking while driving are huge. The number one distraction while driving is cell phone use. The National Safety Council says that texting is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated!

Imagine if a person is drunk, or high, texting, listening to the radio with dogs, kids or other people in the vehicle trying to juggle the hot Starbucks or soft drink and eat the burger and fries!! Oh, yes and play a clarinet at the same time. Okay, I'm exaggerating just a little...maybe. But I have seen a guy driving a truck with two hands on a clarinet resting it on the center of the steering wheel!

Bottom line, driving is a serious business and I think we've all become a little too relaxed about it. Especially as it relates with food and phones. It's becoming a significant life altering problem.

I've been noticing a very alarming trend in my chiropractic wellness practice. I am treating an ever increasing amount of patients from trauma due to motor vehicle collisions. Most are my existing patients, some past patients and others referred by
patients or medical doctors. Some have had devastating collisions.

I am and always have been, willing to help my patients or those they care about in any way I can. Returning someone back to optimum health after a trauma is important work and requires clinical competence. Healing takes time and musculoskeletal and neurologic degeneration needs to be thwarted.

Just the other day, I accepted a patient for care who was referred by another current patient. He was amazed by all the ways with which we treat including adjusting the spine and nutritional intervention. I was amazed because he had told me about a previous terrible experience he had being treated at an "accident clinic" that an attorney had sent him to. The chiropractor never even adjusted his spine.

This man wasn't treated properly, had a bad experience with the attorney and the doctor. He only agreed to see me at the urging of a family member. He overcame his previous negative experience, now he's doing great and very happy.

The point is there are lots of "accident clinics" with dubious attorney connections. I can't tell you how many times we refuse to accept an accident patient that doesn't know us; referred by an attorney we don't know where the circumstances are questionable. It happens a lot. Believe me, there is a lot of corruption out there.

Accident cases aren't our primary source of business, as you well know, we are a wellness clinic. But we will treat people who have sustained a legitimate injury. They need help and have the right to receive exceptional care.

I know it seems trite and easy to say, but prevention is the best medicine always, in all ways! So think safety first. The best accident is the one you don't have. Be alert...stay off the phone.

I don't want you or someone you love to be injured or, worse,killed.

God forbid you become injured, but if you do, I'll be happy to help anyway I can.

I don't give legal or insurance advice, but there are two things I've learned over the years. First, there are better ways to pick an attorney than from a commercial or the yellow pages. I'm not saying you need or don't need an attorney, but if you're thinking about retaining one, ask me about it.

Secondly, please speak with your insurance agent and get personal injury protection
(PIP) added to your policy if you don'thave it. It's very inexpensive and pays for medical expenses and lost wages. There are a lot of uninsured drivers out there. You need to protect yourself because medical bills can add up quickly after a trauma. I've seen too many patients suffer a financial loss by not having personal injury protection on their policy. Check it out with your agent.

One last statistic to think about--teenage drivers are four times more likely to get in an accident while texting and driving than adults. We all know they think they are invincible, just as we once did.

Let's all stay safe and healthy!

Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. I have a free motor vehicle collision report with information
most insurance companies don't want you to know. If you're
interested, let me know