The apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje, beginning in 1981, brought with them urgent requests for prayer, fasting, and conversion—messages that may have influenced global events, including the avoidance of a nuclear war in the 1980s.
These requests echo those made by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917, underlining the importance of turning to God in times of grave danger.
The Apparitions at Medjugorje
In June 1981, six young people in the small village of Medjugorje, in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, reported that they had seen the Virgin Mary. They described her as "Our Lady, Queen of Peace" (Gospa in the local language). From the very beginning, the messages of the apparitions were clear: the world was in danger, and peace could only come through prayer and fasting.
The visionaries were told that prayer, particularly the Rosary, was essential in turning hearts towards God. They were also asked to spread the message of fasting as a way to combat evil and bring about peace. The Virgin Mary reportedly urged the faithful to fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays, a tradition that harkens back to early Christian practices.
The calls for peace were not abstract but came at a time of great tension.
The early 1980s were marked by the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The risk of nuclear war was a constant threat, with the world holding its breath as superpowers squared off in a dangerous game of brinkmanship. It is in this context that the Medjugorje apparitions take on a prophetic significance.
The Threat of Nuclear War in the 1980s
The Cold War escalated dramatically in the early 1980s. Both the United States, under President Ronald Reagan, and the Soviet Union were engaged in a massive arms race. Nuclear weapons were stockpiled at an alarming rate, and the rhetoric from both sides often seemed to suggest that nuclear war was inevitable.
In 1983, NATO conducted a military exercise known as "Able Archer," which simulated a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. What the NATO forces did not realise at the time was that the Soviets perceived the exercise as a real threat and came dangerously close to launching a pre-emptive nuclear strike. It was only through a combination of providence and level-headed decision-making that disaster was averted.
Many believe this was not just a matter of political wisdom but also the fruit of prayer and divine intervention.
The connection between the threat of nuclear war and the apparitions of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje is worth considering.
While not explicitly stating that the messages were responsible for avoiding a nuclear war, the timing of the apparitions, their call to prayer and fasting, and the subsequent easing of tensions suggest that the Virgin Mary's intercession played a role in turning the tide.
Ronald Reagan’s Faith and the Role of Prayer
President Ronald Reagan, who took office in 1981, was deeply religious. His faith informed many of his decisions, and he believed strongly in the power of prayer. Reagan was known to have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it has been reported that he was aware of the apparitions in Medjugorje and their message of peace.
Whether directly or indirectly, the call to prayer and fasting seemed to resonate with his personal beliefs.
In his speeches, Reagan often spoke about the importance of faith and prayer in overcoming challenges. He described the Cold War as a spiritual battle as much as a political one, and his famous reference to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" underscored this belief.
For Reagan, communism represented a threat not only to democracy but to the moral fabric of the world. It was a system that denied the existence of God, and for that reason, it was something he believed must be defeated.
But Reagan’s approach to ending the Cold War was not through aggressive confrontation alone. He sought dialogue with Soviet leaders, particularly with Mikhail Gorbachev, who came to power in 1985. The relationship between Reagan and Gorbachev was pivotal in reducing nuclear arms and de-escalating the Cold War.
Many of their meetings were marked by an openness to dialogue that seemed, in some ways, inspired by a shared understanding that nuclear war would be catastrophic for humanity.
It is possible to see in this diplomacy the quiet power of prayer and fasting at work, softening hearts and opening minds to peaceful solutions.
The Power of Prayer and Fasting
In Medjugorje, the message was clear: prayer and fasting could avert disaster. The Virgin Mary emphasised the power of prayer, particularly the Rosary, in overcoming evil. This echoes earlier Marian apparitions, especially those at Fatima, where Our Lady asked for the daily recitation of the Rosary to bring about peace and the conversion of sinners.
Fasting, too, holds a special place in Christian spirituality. The act of denying oneself food, particularly in a world where indulgence and consumption are so prevalent, is a powerful form of spiritual discipline.
In the Gospels, Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert, and throughout Church history, fasting has been seen as a way to purify the soul and bring one closer to God.
Our Lady’s request for fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays may seem difficult in our modern world, but it is a practice that can bring immense spiritual benefits. When we fast, we imitate Christ’s own sacrifice and show our dependence on God for our needs.
This humility, combined with fervent prayer, can bring about real change—not only in our own lives but in the world around us.
Avoiding Global Catastrophe
In hindsight, the early 1980s were a time of immense global danger. The world teetered on the edge of nuclear war, and it seemed that only a miracle could prevent disaster.
While historians may point to diplomatic manoeuvres and political decisions as the reasons for avoiding nuclear conflict, for people of faith, the intercession of the Queen of Peace offers a deeper explanation.
The messages of Medjugorje remind us that prayer and fasting are not passive actions. They are powerful spiritual weapons that can influence even the most dire worldly events.
Our Lady’s call to conversion, prayer, and fasting was not just for the people of 1981 but for all of us today. The threats we face may be different, but the need for peace in our world is just as urgent.
A Message for Our Time
Though the apparitions at Medjugorje are still under investigation by the Church, the message they bring is consistent with the Church’s teaching on the importance of prayer, fasting, and conversion.
Whether or not one believes in the supernatural aspects of these apparitions, the call to a deeper spiritual life is undeniable.
In a world that is increasingly divided, where conflicts continue to rage and the threat of violence and war remains, the Queen of Peace asks us to turn to God. She offers us a way forward that is both simple and profound: prayer and fasting.
These ancient spiritual practices have the power to change hearts, heal divisions, and bring about peace in a world that so desperately needs it.
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The Queen of Peace continues to call us to a life of prayer and penance, not just for our own sake but for the sake of the world.
In this time of great uncertainty, we are invited to heed her message once again. Let us take up the Rosary, fast with devotion, and ask God to bring peace to our troubled world.
The call of the Queen of Peace is as relevant today as it was in 1981. It is a call that, if answered, can change the course of history and bring about the peace we all long for.