While visiting Medjugorje in 1988, Estela Ruiz heard the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the first time apparently through a portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It said to her, “Good morning, daughter.”
Estela was an unlikely candidate for such apparitions because she was skeptical of all such things and had only gone to Medjugorje under duress from her husband. In fact, she was concerned that her husband was becoming too fanatical about his faith.
Estela was a former school administrator, holding a Masters Degree in Education and her husband had opened a school for poor children. When the apparitions came upon them, it was the last thing this couple with seven children were expecting.
The Manifestation of Our Lady of the Americas
Estela describes the Blessed Virgin thusly: “Her face is slightly round, very beautiful and radiates affection and concern, while her voice is soft and uplifting, with a gentle maternal tone . . . while Mary appears small and delicate, she actually comes across as a strong and powerful woman. Despite her strength, though, the Virgin radiates a femininity that is total. She is kind and humble, yet strong and confident."
According to Estela, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her with long brown hair covered by a veil. Her entire presence was bathed in “streams of brilliant light.” Estela Ruiz often said that Our Lady was so brilliant that when she would come and appear to her, it was very much like the dawn of the sun.
The Message of Our Lady of the Americas
The apparitions of Our Lady of the Americas have not yet been approved by the church due to lack of hard evidence regarding their supernatural nature. But the local bishop has allowed that the messages be distributed.
Many of the messages pertain to the United States and the moral corruption therein. Warnings were given over the years regarding the wars and natural disasters which have overcome the world. Mary repeatedly told Estela that the world would be devastated by man, not by God – man’s “hatred, anger and lack of respect for one another and our beliefs and faiths” would be its downfall, not God’s wrath.
The majority of the messages that Estela Ruiz received have been profound witnesses to the need of those in America to turn back to God.
Other apparitions of interest include Our Lady of Soufanieh and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
Sources:
- Those who Saw Her: Apparitions of Mary, by Catherine M. Odell.
- Catherine Laboure and the Modern Apparitions of Our Lady, by Abbe Omer Englebert.
- Miraculous Images: Photographs Containing God's Fingerprints, by Marilynn Hughes.
- Medjugorje: Light for the World, by Pietro Jacopini.
- Our Lady Comes to Garabandal, by Joseph A. Pelletier, A.A.
- The Wonder of Guadalupe, by Francis Johnston.
- The Glories of Czestochowa and Jasna, To the Priests Our Lady's Beloved Sons, by Marian Movement of Priests.
- Our Lady of America, by Sister Mildred Mary Neuzil.
- The Thunder of Justice, by Ted and Maureen Flynn.
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