Personal Miracles and Faith in Medjugorje: Jean's Story

Early Faith Journey & Miracles

• 💡 Jean, originally from Brighton, England, converted to Catholicism in Iraq after marrying a Chaldean Catholic.
• 🔑 Her early faith instruction by Father Joseph Merik, a Jesuit priest from Boston, focused on the concept of miracles.
• ✨ She learned to recognize miracles in her own life, such as her birth after her mother lost six children, and surviving a gas poisoning incident as a baby.
• 🧠 Father Merik taught her that every Mass is a miracle due to transubstantiation.

Medjugorje: A Spiritual Home

• 📌 Jean has been coming to Medjugorje regularly since the 1980s, describing it as her "piece of heaven on earth."
• 🌱 She sees Medjugorje as a place for spiritual growth, a continuation of Fatima, and a location where Our Lady is "in the flesh in reality."
• 🎯 She contrasts Medjugorje with Lourdes, noting Lourdes is for physical healing, while Medjugorje is for spiritual development.

The Cross Mountain Miracle

• ⛰️ Despite a severe hip condition, Jean felt Our Lady's guidance to climb Cross Mountain on a Friday.
• 🌟 With the help of a friend, Dominic, she ascended the mountain, experiencing a supernatural encounter with a glowing statue of Our Lady.
• ✅ The statue, which was not typically present on Cross Mountain, appeared to her and Dominic in the dark, confirming Our Lady's promise of grace.

Spiritual Practices & Guidance

• 💬 Jean practices a "listening rosary" to hear Our Lady's voice and encourages baptism in the Holy Spirit for a personal relationship with Christ.
• ✍️ She uses Adoration with a notebook to listen for God's voice, writing down thoughts that later make sense.
• 🚿 Confession is described as a "sin bin" and an "inside shower" that cleanses and brings joy, peace, and freedom.

Reflections on Life and Faith

• 💖 Jean's 48-year marriage was sustained by faith, joy, and prayer, emphasizing delighting in the Lord and keeping hopeful.
• 🌍 She shared insights into Iraqi culture, particularly the respect for the eldest son who holds authority akin to the father.
• ⚠️ She observed Medjugorje's early days under communist oppression, noting the strong faith of the local people.