Our Lady’s Message – July 25, 2026 | Reflection by Fr. James Williams

FR. JAMES WILLIAMS

July 25, 2026 – Our Lady’s Message from Medjugorje

Dear children! While darkness and peacelessness rule in many hearts, you, little children, be prayer and my extended hands of love. Little children, place the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your family and read it, so that it may be an encouragement for you to conversion and a new life; because Satan is strong and seduces hearts. Your hearts, through my maternal Heart, I desire to commend to the Heart of my Son Jesus, so that He, the Risen One, may reign in you and joy may begin to reign in you and around you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

(With Ecclesiastical approval)

Reflection by Fr. James Williams

The timing of this message is striking. Just before the vandalism of the places of prayer dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, Our Lady's words spoke of "darkness and peacelessness", of the strength of Satan, and of the need for prayer, conversion, and love. In light of what occurred, the message seems almost prophetic—not because it predicts a particular act, but because it reveals the deeper spiritual reality behind such actions.

The vandalism of a Marian shrine is more than damage to stone, wood, or paint. It is an outward sign of an inward disorder. The message of Our Queen reminds us that "darkness and peacelessness rule in many hearts." Acts of desecration, hatred, or destruction often begin long before they are expressed outwardly. They arise from hearts wounded by sin, alienated from God, and susceptible to the deceptions of the evil one. The destruction of sacred images is ultimately a manifestation of a deeper spiritual struggle taking place within the human heart. We see this kind of destruction in many places around the world, but it really hits hard when they attack a sacred place like Medjugorje which is loved by millions of people.

Yet remarkably, our Blessed Mother does not call her children to anger, fear, or retaliation. She says, "be prayer and my extended hands of love." This is a profoundly Christian response. In moments when believers may feel hurt, outraged, or discouraged, Our Mother directs us not toward vengeance but toward holiness. She asks us to become living instruments of prayer and charity. The true restoration of our favorite places to pray is not only the rebuilding of physical structures but also the rebuilding of hearts through grace.

The message also emphasizes the importance of Sacred Scripture: "Place the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your family and read it." This exhortation becomes especially meaningful after an act of vandalism. Darkness is not overcome by outrage; it is overcome by truth. The Word of God illuminates minds clouded by confusion and strengthens hearts against discouragement. When evil makes itself visible in society, Christians are called to make God's Word even more visible in their homes and lives.

Particularly significant is the statement that "Satan is strong and seduces hearts." The Church has always taught that evil is not merely social or psychological but also spiritual. The vandalism of a Marian shrine reminds us that there is a real battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of Christ. Nevertheless, Our Lady's message is not one of fear. She acknowledges the reality of the struggle while pointing immediately to the remedy: prayer, Scripture, conversion, fasting, and confidence in Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the most comforting words are those in which Our Mother says, "Your hearts, through my maternal Heart, I desire to commend to the Heart of my Son Jesus." When a shrine dedicated to Our Lady is desecrated, it may seem that an attack has been made against her, and if that hurts you then you know you’re on the right path. Yet Mary's concern is not for herself. Her concern is for souls. Even after an act of vandalism, she continues her maternal mission of leading hearts to Jesus. The physical image may be damaged, but her spiritual motherhood remains untouched. No act of hatred can diminish her love for her children, including those responsible for the damage.

Finally, the message concludes with hope: "He, the Risen One, may reign in you and joy may begin to reign in you and around you." The contrast is deliberate. Darkness, peacelessness, and destruction do not have the final word. The final word belongs to the Risen Christ. A vandalized shrine can become a place of renewed prayer. An act meant to discourage the faithful can inspire deeper devotion. What Satan intends for division, God transforms into an occasion for grace.

In this sense, vandalism becomes not merely a tragedy but also a call. It summons the faithful to pray more fervently, to enthrone Scripture more intentionally in their homes, to seek deeper conversion, and to respond with love rather than bitterness. The restored sacred images stand as a reminder that while evil may leave visible scars that can be fixed, the victory of Christ remains certain.

As we contemplate this message, we pray:

Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace, in a world marked by darkness and unrest, make us your extended hands of love. Help us to answer acts of hatred with prayer, acts of destruction with faith, and acts of desecration with deeper devotion. Lead us through your Immaculate Heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so that the Risen Lord may reign in us, and that His peace and joy may spread through our families, our communities, and our world. Amen.

— Fr. James Williams

Pilgrimages to medjugorje