1994 Itapiranga, Brazil

20TH CENTURY - 1994 - OUR LADY OF ITAPIRANGA

ITAPIRANGA, BRAZIL

OTHER TITLE: Queen of the Rosary and of Peace

VISIONARYS: Edson Glauber; Maria do Carmo

NUMBER OF APPARITIONS: Many

FIRST APPARITION: May 2, 1994

LAST APPROVED APPARITION: May 1, 1998 (The apparitions are still on-going)

APPROVED: May 31, 2009

SUMMARY

From May, 1994 through May, 1998, two cities in the Amazon, Manaus and Itapiranga, were chosen as a place for apparitions from Jesus, Our Lady and St. Joseph. These extraordinary events took place in the lives of Edson Glauber and his mother, Maria do Carmo. Initially, the apparitions took place in their living room when they would gather to pray the Rosary. Our Lady would appear during prayer and give them messages.

In several of the early messages the Blessed Mother warned against the evils of abortion. On May 11, 1994 it was Jesus who appeared to Maria and spoke of adultery and cohabitation as grave sins. The apparitions continue to this day, often with Saint Joseph holding the infant Jesus in his hands in addition to the Blessed Mother. Many messages were aimed at the young and have led to prayer groups being formed as far away as Italy.

Mary appeared under the title of “Queen of Rosary and of Peace”. Much like Fatima, her messages stressed the need for conversion, praying the Rosary, Mass, Confession, and Holy Communion, and penance to save the world mired in unbelief and sin. She and Jesus urged devotion to St. Joseph’s Most Chaste Heart.

The apparitions of St. Joseph along with Jesus and Mary were approved by Bishop Carillo Gritti of the Prelature of Itacoatiara, Amazon, Brazil on May 31, 2009.

Bishop Gritti died on June 9, 2016.

It should be noted that in 2017 a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith stated that, in their opinion, the apparitions and messages reported by Edson are not authentic and, subsequently, that the messages should not be distributed within the Diocese.

This is confusing since the local Bishop is supposed to be the first and main authority in the judgment of the authenticity of apparition claims and Vatican approval is not required for an apparition to be considered authentic.

This can also be confusing, since the Diocese does accord the location Shrine status, making it a place of pilgrimage. This is a very important distinction to keep in mind. Masses are celebrated here as you can see, and plans are under way to build a large Shrine dedicated to Our Lady to accommodate the growing crowds coming to the site.

As in any private revelation, according to the Church, belief in the revelation is not required and Catholics are at liberty to decide how much personal spiritual emphasis to place on the apparitions and the messages they deliver (approved or not approved). However, perhaps it would be wise to listen closely to Our Blessed Mother who is always true to her Promises and Prophesies! Also, perhaps we should abide by what Pope Urban Viii (1623-1644) stated: “In cases which concern private revelations, it is better to believe, for if you believe and it was proven true, you will be happy that you have believed because our Holy Mother Church asked it. If you believe and it should be proven false, you will receive all blessings as if proven true, because you believed it to be true. ‘Blessed are they who believed and yet have not seen’ (John 29:29).”

BEFORE THE APPARITIONS

Past Apparitions of St. Joseph

Near the town of Cotignac in France in 1660, a shepherd was suffering greatly from the summer heat when a tall man suddenly appeared next to him, pointed to a large rock, and said, “I am Joseph. Lift the rock and you will drink” After some initial hesitation, the shepherd moved the rock, and a stream of clear, fresh water came forth. Within a few hours, water flowed in abundance, and as word of this event spread, pilgrims began coming to the spring, and a number of miraculous healings occurred at the site.

In the 16th century, two Franciscan priests were shipwrecked off the coast of Flanders as a result of a terrible storm. For three days they clung to a plank from the sunken ship, praying to St. Joseph and begging his assistance. On the third day, the saint himself appeared to them above the waves and, to their profound gratitude, miraculously led them to safety.

St. Joseph was part of the 1879 apparition at Knock, Ireland. On the evening of August 21st, fifteen people beheld a silent vision of Our Lady (wearing a golden crown), St. John (wearing a bishop’s mitre and holding a large Bible), and St. Joseph (robed in white). Behind them was a simple altar with a cross standing upon it, and at the foot of the cross was a Lamb. Joseph seemed to be bowing in respect toward Our Lady, while at the same time adoring the Lamb--thereby silently suggesting the importance of worshiping Jesus and honoring His Mother.

Many Catholics are familiar with Our Lady’s famous apparitions at Fatima in 1917--but few remember that St. Joseph was also present at the final apparition on October 13th. As Sister Lucia later recounted, “After Our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus (in his arms) and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands.” As head of the Holy Family, Joseph was always intimately involved with Mary and Jesus during his earthly life--and as this apparition reminds us, this remains true now that he experiences heavenly glory. Thus, the Church recommends devotion to St. Joseph as a powerful source of spiritual assistance and protection--and one that is surely very pleasing to Our Lord and Our Lady.

Lessons from St. Joseph’s Life

Scripture tells us that on separate occasions Joseph received heavenly-inspired dreams, and in each case, he obeyed these instructions without hesitation or doubt. The saint was deeply conscious of being a servant of the Most High, and desired nothing more than to know and do God’s will. Even though the New Testament tells us very little about St. Joseph, Heaven has provided us--by means of private revelation--much more information about him. In the mid-1700’s a Benedictine abbess in Italy, Sister Maria Cecilia Baij, O.S.B., was allegedly given many visions of the saint’s life. Space precludes a thorough description of these revelations, but several important lessons drawn from them can be presented here as follows:

Humility. Despite his own holiness, he never considered himself worthy of being the husband of Mary, the Mother of the Savior; and after they were married, he in his meekness wanted to defer to her in all things--but she wisely insisted he exercise the authority proper to his role as husband. Joseph was also in awe of Jesus, and humble considered himself His servant--though Our Lord, of course, always acknowledged His foster-father’s authority, and obeyed Him and Mary in all things. All three members of the Holy Family were also perfectly humble in their interactions with the people of Nazareth; Joseph, in particular, remained conscious of his human limitations, and never compared himself favorably with others.

Selfishness. Joseph was always eager to be of service to others--especially Mary and Jesus, but also everyone else around him. He never charged for his carpentry work, but let his customers decide how much, if anything, to pay him; furthermore, he kept only the bare minimum of his earnings for his family, and--with Mary’s agreement--gave away the rest as alms. Joseph was also sought out for his excellent advice; being known for his wisdom and piety, many persons sought his guidance in their affairs, and he was forever willing to be of service in whatever way he could.

Compassion. Joseph was always solicitous toward others in need, and he had a particular concern for the dying--so much so that he merited the immeasurable consolation of the presence and assistance of Jesus and Mary when his own time came to pass from this world. Our Lord may well have been thinking of Joseph when He told the parable of the Good Samaritan--for caring for someone in dire need was entirely characteristic of Jesus’ foster-father.

Patience and resignation in suffering. As a young man, St; Joseph always responded to unkindness or mistreatment with prayerful silence, and during times of spiritual dryness later in life, he continued to trust in God’s love, while freely accepting whatever crosses might come to him. During his final days, as his health rapidly declined, Joseph neve complained--in part because he didn’t want to worry or inconvenience his wife and foster-Son. Jesus and Mary, however, were soon aware of his suffering, and their loving presence brought him great peace, allowing him to die a holy and happy death.

Five years before the Apparitions

On August 15, 1989, Pope John Paul II released the Apostolic Exhortation REDEMPTORIS CUSTOS (Guardian of the Redeemer) that speaks of the life and mission of St. Joseph.

On September 1, 1989, Maria’s son, Quirino, died accidentally while he was playing.

The Week before the Apparitions

On April 30, 1994, Maria’s son Edson was praying with his brothers and his friends in front of the altar of Our Lady in the same room. During prayer, he heard a beautiful voice that told him: “Pray with the heart. Pray the Rosary every day. I am about to come. Wait!” From that moment on, Our Lady and St. Joseph appeared to Edson and his mother, giving them messages inviting all to prayer, to conversion and to a change in life.

THE APPARITIONS

The apparitions of Our Lady began on Monday, May 2, 1994. Maria do Carmo was the first one to see Our Lady. This event took place in the living room or her home while she was praying at four o’clock in the morning. After she recited the Holy Rosary, a very bright light lit the whole room. In this light, a very beautiful woman appeared, dressed in white down to her feet and a mantle of the same color that covered her head down to her side. The young woman was holding a Rosary with blue beads in her hands and showed it to Maria saying, “Pray, pray!”

In this first apparition, Our Lady showed Maria do Carmo her son Quirino who died accidentally five years before. Our Lady said Quirino was with God in Heaven. Our Lady invited her to pray so that she would be able to see him again one day in the glory of the Lord. Maria do Carmo and the whole family suffered much due to the premature death of the child.

The apparitions of Our Lady always happen after the Rosary, during the recitation of the seven Apostles Creed for atheists and unbelievers, or during the five Hail Holy Queens to open hardened hearts. She asked her confidants to recite these prayers after the Rosary. Our Lady always comes after the appearance of a bright oval beautiful light. The light increases in front of Maria do Carmo and Edson as it gets closer, like an explosion of light. She appears in this light with a long dress and a white mantle down to her feet, resting on a cloud. Around her head is a crown of twelve golden shining stars that form a harmonizing circle. She is taller than 5.3”. Her face is delicate with blue eyes, and a mantle covers her dark, wavy hair. She is about fifteen or sixteen years old. Many times she is accompanied by her son Jesus, St. Joseph and angels and saints.

The most important apparitions took place in Itapiranga from 1994 to 1998 (these are the ones that were recognized by the Bishop). During this time, Jesus, Mary and Joseph gave the most important messages regarding the Church, the family and humanity. Our Lady would give a message to Edson or to Maria do Carmo, and they would write it in their notebooks with the permission of Jesus and Mary. Many times the Virgin asked for the message to be repeated aloud to the people present. Other times, she asked Edson to draw during the apparitions, describing what he saw. The Virgin explained to him that they were important messages to be spread to the people, the Church and the world.

Sometimes, Our Lady of Jesus wanted Edson to walk or move on his knees through the place of the apparitions to do penance for sinners. She told him to offer all for the realization of her plans at Itapiranga and the eternal salvation of many souls who were on the way to perdition.

In May 13, 1994, Our Lady said: “I desire to be known as the Queen of the Rosary and of Peace, because I want to show you all that with the recitation of the Rosary the world will find peace. This is the reason why I have come here in the Amazon as Queen of the Rosary and of Peace. Peace, peace! Pray for peace!”

In the beginning, apparitions of St. Joseph were rare. Sometimes he would appear at the side of the Virgin and Jesus without saying a word. In 1995, Our Lady began to talk to Edson about St. Joseph and advised him to wait with great anticipation for his visits. Our Lady said he would come to give important messages for the Church and for all the families of the entire world. Apparitions of St. Joseph became more frequent in March of 1998. During time time, Edson was sick with hepatitis and was bedridden. St. Joseph revealed to Edson the promises of his Most Chaste Heart and the devotion that God wanted to see flourish in the Church and the world. St. Joseph explained that this devotion would be a great means of sanctification for the Church and to all those who would honor worthily his Most Chaste Heart. It was the only devotion to the three hearts united: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This devotion would honor the Holy Trinity.

The Significance of the First Five Apparitions to Maria de Carmo

On the first apparition of May 4, Maria do Carmo saw the devil who wanted to attack her and prevent her from praying. Maria invoked the Blook of Christ and put the devil to flight. Right after this, Jesus and Our Lady came and brought her son Quirino, Jesus told her that he was a saint in Heaven.

During the second and third apparitions that occurred on May 7 and 8, the Virgin held a baby in her hands covered in blood. This shows the seriousness of abortion and the refection of the faith of people who follow factions that do not please God. She said, “Abortion is a grave sin! Whoever practices abortion has to confess to a priest, to cry and to fall on her knees repentant and to never stop praying. Only in this was she can save herself!” Maria do Carmo also saw many men dressed in black burning in the fires of Hell who were Masons involved in Freemasonry.

On May 11 during the fourth apparition, Jesus spoke to Maria do Carmo of the gravity of adultery and living together (fornication) without the sacrament of matrimony. These are sins committed today by so many people which destroy the true sense of the family value and foundation. God does not ignore such sins because they deserve a just punishment. Jesus said, “Maria do Carmo! Do not sleep! Write! Do not waste time. Adultery is a grave sin, but there is forgiveness with a good confession and with absolute repentance! Teach it. You know how to make a good confession. One cannot be afraid and not be ashamed to tell the priest. If he forgives, I also forgive. If he does not forgive, I also do not forgive!”

In the fifth apparition on June 2, 1994, Our Lady showed Maria do Carmo her son Quirino, who died in an accident in 1989 at 11-years-old. In this apparition, Our Lady wished to tell the world and especially to mothers who have lost their children in a tragic manner, not to lose hope and not to despair, but to pray the same way she had asked Maria do Carmo in her first message, “Pray, pray!”

Death is not the end of life, but the birth of man into eternal life, if lived in friendship and in union with God on earth. Our Lady showed Maria do Carmo and Edson that the young Quirino was born for eternal life. Death, even though tragic, can never destroy the plan of God nor mark the end of His plan in the life of a person because His love and His power do not have limits. Many abandon God to seek consolation and answers in wrong teachings and wrong things, not understanding that the answer is found only in God, in His love, and in His work. For this reason, Our Lady told Maria do Carmo in her apparitions, that in the most difficult moment of her life and the most painful she had not rejected God or her faith, but she had remained firm and strong, becoming an example for others: “You have been very humble and small, you did not curse us, not me and not even my Son Jesus Christ. These are your main virtues. You would say only: “Why did my son die! Why?” My Son jesus Christ and I will answer you once again: Because he wanted to be a saint of the Lord. Only now you feel happy because we are showing your son as he is in Heaven and dressed as a saint, but you be even more happy when you will find yourselves there one day in the Glory of the Lord.”

Messages of Preparation

The first messages given by Our Lady at Itapiranga were only small guidelines addressed in a particular way to the people of Itapiranga and to all the people who had participated in the apparitions from the beginning.

The first message of preparation was given by Our Lady at Itapiranga on September 4, 1994. Our Lady said: “I am the Queen of Peace! Pray for the youth, because they are in great need of your prayers to enlighten them in their life. Also, now, in this small city, simple and humble, people have attached themselves to material things, mainly to money. Pray a lot. I need your prayers to realize all my plans. Pray the Rosary! Satan is bringing many souls of my children into darkness. For this reason, you have to pray a lot to save them. My children still have not understood how I want the festivities in my honor to be accomplished with prayer and in silence.”

The second message of preparation was given on the following day on September 5, 1994. Our Lady again appeared giving a small message of preparation. “I am the Queen of Peace! I spread graces to all of my children so that their hearts will be more open to all that I will manifest in this city. I bless you and I hold you all in my heart. Pray, pray.”

The third message of preparation was given on September 8, 1994, when the procession of Our Lady of Nazareth, Patron of Itapiranga, took place. Jesus blessed the people and Our Lady was very happy. Light came from her hands, spreading on all the faithful who had come to give honor to her and her son Jesus. The Virgin said to her confidant: “I love those children of mine who are in such need of me. The graces that I spread represent my love and affection for them. On this day, I free many souls from Purgatory: a grace granted by my Son, Jesus Christ, for the honor they gave me”. While the procession was passing the protestant church the Virgin said, “They do not love me, but for this reason I love these children of mine very much and I bless them. Next year, in this city will take place the procession in my honor, in honor of the Queen of Peace to which many of mine will participate. This year many have come to honor me, but next year many more will come. I am spreading graces on my son (Edson) so that he can attend to my requests and have confirmation to all that I am realizing here in Itapiranga. I am touching his heart.”

Our Lady once again in the fourth message of preparation on September 9, 1994 said, “Pray so that all happens according to my plans. I need your prayers and your collaboration. Pray the rosary! Do not stop praying. Have trust in Me! Do not worry! Hand over all of your worries to God. This work is mine and not yours. Pray so that the Holy Spirit will enlighten you!”.

The following day, September 10, 1994, our Lady gave the fifth message of preparation. The Virgin said, “My children, help me with your prayers, so that all will be fulfilled as I have planned. Pray the Rosary, Pray, pray! Have trust in me. I am with you helping you. Have faith!”

The Maternal Pedagogy of the Mother of God

In many apparitions in Itapiranga, Our Lady used maternal means to call the attention of her children, showing them her tenderness as a Mother so they would understand that she is always close to her sons and daughters who are in need of her blessings and maternal caresses. The Virgin used different means to touch the hearts of her children to convert them to God.

Our Lady asked her children to have respect for holy things such as images, Rosaries, the Holy Bible, medals, ect. She asked people to raise up sacred objects so she could bless and kiss them. She showed the value that they have, She also showed how important it is to have religious objects blessed by priests in the home.

During some apparitions, Our Lady asked Edson to lift up the Crucifix so that others could kiss it. With this gesture of love and affection, she invited her children to think of Jesus, to remember His passion and death on the Cross to save us from sin, and to be always united with Him in love.

After leading Edson to the person pointed out by her, She would kiss the Crucifix, then she would ask Edson to present the Crucifix to that person to also kiss.

During the apparitions in Manaus or in Itapiranga, Our Lady often led Edson among the crowd. Edson followed her to the person she was blessing to give a blessed rose kissed by her. Also, the Virgin would sometimes give special messages to Edson for specific people during the apparition. He would whisper the message in the ears of the person named by Our Lady.

Our Lady also has Edson draw in a notebook during the apparitions. Edson drew scenes of faith and visions that the Virgin showed him at that moment. Many of the drawings portray scenes in the life of Jesus, Our Lady, and Saint Joseph. Other drawings portray difficult events regarding the church, the Amazon, Brazil, and the destiny of the world. Some drawings are prophecies revealed to the world. Some have already come true and others will be realized soon, as the Virgin told Edson many times.

At times, The Virgin led Edson to different places for her apparitions. She invited him to go to different places and on strenuous roads to do penance for sinners and for the world. She would stop in certain places during these walks. Edson would fall sharply to his knees as a sign of respect for her maternal presence. Some were surprised and intimidated by the violence and force of his falls, even on the rocks. These walks were also penance for the faithful because many had to accelerate their steps or even run to follow Edson. The Virgin said a shrine would be built in her honor and her Divine Son will make sure that the name of his Holy Mother will be more known and loved in the Amazon.

The Virgin showed Heaven, Hell and Purgatory to Edson.

Maria do Carmo received various teachings from Jesus and Our Lady for families.

Secrets

In the apparitions of Itapiranga, our Lady revealed to Edson secrets that pertain to the destiny of the Church and the world, as well as very serious future events if humanity does not convert. Currently, there are some nine secrets: four pertaining to Brazil, two for the world, two for the Church and one for those who continue to live in sin. This last secret is the most painful and terrible.

Sign

The Virgin at Itapiranga had started a battle against the devil for the salvation of her children. The Virgin told Edson that she will leave a sign visible to all on the Mount of the Cross next to the chapel in Itapiranga. On October 4, 1996, appearing in front of the cross on the mountain next to the chapel, the Virgin said: “Beloved son, I wish to tell you this afternoon and to tell all my children the importance to live the messages. For those who do not believe, I wish to tell them that one day, where this Cross is, I will give a visible sign, and all will believe in my maternal presence here at

Itapiranga, but it will be too late for those who have not converted. The conversion has to be now! In all the places where I have already appeared and continue to appear, I always confirm my apparitions so that there will be no doubts, and here in Itapiranga, my Heavenly manifestations will be confirmed. This will happen when my apparitions here in Itapiranga will end. All will see the sign given in the Cross; they will repent of not having listened to me, for having laughed at my messages, and at my messengers, but it will be too late because they have dissipated my graces. They have lost the occasion to be saved. Pray, pray, pray!

Edson explained, “When the sign comes to the world and is left on the Cross, the time of conversion will end and all humanity must suffer great calamities and punishments that will devastate it as has never happened from the creation of the world.” Let us open our hearts to God and let us make a sincere decision to convert.

Prophesies

Some of the prophecies from Our Lady have already taken place in the world, such as the tsunami in Asia. Our Lady revealed this event in apparitions that took place in 1997 and 1998. Edson, by request of the Virgin, drew visions of a great wave that would devastate many cities and take the lives of many people. Edson also drew the earthquake that killed more that 290 people in Italy. Edson drew this event in front of many people while he was in the city of Modena, Italy. One day Our Lady said to Edson, “This is only the beginning of pain. What will come in the world is something terrible and many are not prepared because they do not believe, but live continuously a life of sin away from God.”

Many signs were given to the faithful present at the apparitions in Itapiranga, signs of the sun, of the moon, the fragrance of roses, thousands of conversions and healings of people who drank the water from the spring blessed by the Virgin. Irapiranga in the Amazon is a little piece of Heaven already on the earth blessed by the Virgin. These signs have been given not to increase the curiosity of the people, but to show the seriousness of the messages. Our Lady wants to lead us to God and His love through every sign.

Connections between Prophesies made by Our Lady at Itapiranga, Garabandal, and Medugorje

- Our Lady’s prophesy at Itapiranga: “Beloved son, I wish to tell you this afternoon and to tell all my children the importance to live the messages. For those who do not believe, I wish to tell them that one day, where this Cross is, I will give a visible sign, and all will believe in my maternal presence here at Itapiranga, but it will be too late for those who have not converted. The conversion has to be now! In all the places where I have already appeared and continue to appear, I always confirm my apparitions so that there will be no doubts, and here in Itapiranga, my Heavenly manifestations will be confirmed. This will happen when my apparitions here in Itapiranga will end. All will see the sign given in the Cross; they will repent of not having listened to me, for having laughed at my messages, and at my messengers, but it will be too late because they have dissipated my graces. They have lost the occasion to be saved. Pray, pray, pray!

- The visionary Edson’s statement at Itapiranga: “When the sign comes to the world and is left on the Cross, the time of conversion will end and all humanity must suffer great calamities and punishments that will devastate it as has never happened from the creation of the world.” Let us open our hearts to God and let us make a sincere decision to convert.

- Our Lady’s prophesy at Garabandal: After the Great Miracle, a Sign .... something that has never been seen before upon the earth will remain forever (para siempre) in the “Pines” of Garabandal. It will be of supernatural origin and something that has never been seen before on earth. It will be something that people can see but not touch.

- The visionary Conchita’s statement at Garabandal: “A sign of the Miracle (un senal del milagro) which will be possible to film or televise, will remain forever (para siempre) at the Pines.”

- Our Lady’s prophesy at Medjugorje: Before the visible sign is given to mankind, there will be three warnings to the world. The warnings will be in the form of events on earth. After the admonitions (warnings), the visible sign will appear on the site of the apparition in Medjugorje for all the people to see. The sign will be given as a testimony confirming the apparitions and in order to call people back to faith. After the sign appears, those who are still alive will have little time for conversion. For that reason, the Blessed Virgin invites us to urgent conversion and reconciliation. The invitation to prayer and penance is meant to avert evil and war, but most of all to save souls.

- The visionary Mirjana’s statement at Medjugorje: Mirjana stated that she will be a witness to the warnings and her witness will be a confirmation of the apparitions and a stimulus for the conversion of the world.

St. Joseph’s Revelations and Promises

St. Joseph’s major revelations began March 1, 1998. He spoke about devotion to his chaste heart and made the first of several promises. He began, “My dear son, Our Lord God has sent me to tell you about all the graces the faithful will receive from my Most Chaste Heart which Jesus and my blessed spouse wish to be honored…Through devotion to my Chaste Heart many souls will be saved from the hands of the Devil. God our Lord has allowed for me to reveal to you the promises of my Heart. “Just as I am fair and righteous in the sight of God, all who have devotion to my Heart will also be chaste, righteous and holy in His sight. I will fill you with these graces and virtues, making you grow every day on the road of holiness.”

The next day, St. Joseph came with the Child Jesus who reclined on his heart. Joseph revealed that God wanted to give countless graces through devotion to his heart: “My son and Lord Jesus, that I brought up here on earth, with a father's love, desires that all men practice devotion to my Heart, for all those in need of graces from heaven.”

In prior apparitions, the Virgin Mary and Jesus affirmed to Edson that Joseph has been given great power and glory and in this times God wants people and the world consecrated to the Heart of St. Joseph. Then came a second promise: “I promise to all that honor this Most Chaste Heart of mine and who do here on earth good deeds in favor of the most needy, especially of the sick and dying for whom I am a consoler and protector, to receive in their last moment of their lives the grace of a good death. I myself will be to these souls their petitioner to my Son Jesus and, together with my spouse, Most Holy Mary, we will console them in their last hours here on earth, with our holy presence and they will rest in the peace of our hearts. Just as you saw my Son Jesus repose His head on my heart, this way myself and my spouse Holy Mary will take these souls to the glory of paradise, in the presence of their Savior, my Son Jesus Christ, so that they may repose, and incline themselves to His Sacred Heart…”

Dire Warnings

St. Joseph did not shy away from the state of humanity’s hearts. He explained “how sin spreads in a such a strong way! Men let themselves be led by the most insidious wiles of the Devil. The enemy of salvation wants to destroy all men so that, this way, all will be lost. He is envious and hates the entire human race. So many go through trials and temptations that the enemy of God throws at every moment, this way trying to destroy men’s mortal souls that were created by God.”

St. Joseph revealed a prime attack against us, something which has increased since 1998: “The means that he most utilizes are the sins against holy purity, because purity is one of the virtues most beloved by God, and in this way Satan desires to destroy the image of God present in each creature through this virtue. And it is because of this, that God asks all humanity to have devotion to my Chaste Heart. He wants to give men the grace to overcome the temptations and attacks of the Devil in their day-to-day lives.”

St. Joseph can protect us in these attacks. His litany calls him ‘most chaste” and “terror of demons.” St. Joseph made this promise. “The invocation of my name is enough to make demons flee! I promise to all the faithful that honor my most Chaste Heart with faith and love, the grace to live with holy purity of soul and body and the strength to resist all attacks and temptations by the Devil. I myself will preciously protect you.” He said the grace would also be for their family members in need of divine help.

Hope for Sinners

St. Joseph desires all sinners to be converted and saved. “Many are those who are distant from God because of their grave sins. Many of those, my children, are in that state because they let themselves fall to the wiles of the Devil. The enemy of salvation makes them think there is no solution, nor return, because they have despaired and have not trusted in divine mercy. These will be easy targets for the Devil.”

But he says to “all sinners, even those who have committed the most terrible sins, to trust in the love and in the forgiveness of God and to trust in me also, in my intercession. All those who trustingly have recourse to me will have the certainty of my help to recover the divine grace and mercy of God.”

Not wanting sinners to despair, he promised those who trust in his most pure Heart and devotedly honor it, “the grace to be consoled by me in their greatest afflictions of the soul and in the danger of judgment, when by misfortune lose divine grace because of their grave sins. To these sinners, who have recourse to me, I promise the graces of my Heart for the purpose of amendment, of repentance and of sincere contrition of their sins. Now, I say to all sinners: Do not be afraid of the Devil and do not despair because of your crimes, but come throw yourselves in my arms and take refuge in my Heart so that you may receive all the graces for your eternal salvation.”

Help with Today’s Problems

St. Joseph focused on life’s difficulties and offered consolation. “My Son Jesus, through my Heart, wishes to impart to all men his divine blessings. I know many of you suffer many great difficulties because, in these last times, men no longer love or help one another but live with their hearts full of pride, falsehood, lies, intrigue, ambition, backbiting, pettiness, and many wrong things that are the consequences of living far from God.”

St. Joseph said to all who honor his Heart and trust in him and his intercession, “I promise they will not be abandoned in their difficulties and in the trials of life. I will ask Our Lord to help them with his Divine Providence in their material and spiritual problems.”

To mothers and fathers consecrating themselves and their families to his Heart, St. Joseph assured help in afflictions and problems, and assistance with raising up their children.

Sin: Consequences, and His Protection

The spouse of Mary did not ignore the current world situation. He emphasized, “My Son Jesus is very indignant with the sins of humanity. “He desires to pour his divine justice upon all men that do not want to repent and continue obstinately in their sins. Look, my son, I hold his right hand, preventing Him from pouring out his justice upon all humanity. I ask Him, through the graces of my Heart and for being worthy to live by his side, taking care of him with the love of a father in this world, and for Him having loved me with the love of a son, to not chastise the world for its crimes, but for all my little ones who honor and will honor this Chaste Heart of mine, should pour out his mercy upon the world.”

The world’s many sins call humanity to repent and do penance, he said, “because God receives continued offenses from ungrateful men. Today there are so many outrages, the sacrilege and indifference by all men. It is because of this that so many calamities like war, hunger and disease occur and so many other sad things man has suffered because of man’s rebellion against God.”

St. Joseph made clear rebellion’s consequences. “God lets men follow their own paths to show them all, without Him, they will never be happy. He lets men go through so much suffering, to also show them the consequences sin brings to their lives and so then the divine justice punishes humanity because of their obstinance in not being obedient to God's Will. He pointed out humanity is “increasingly obstinate in their crimes” because of concern for worldly pleasures “rather than the love of God and his Commandments. But God's justice is close at hand in a way never seen before and will come about suddenly upon the whole world.” That should shake us, yet this most powerful saint extends a hope-filled solution. All those who honor his Chaste Heart “will receive the grace of my protection from all evils and dangers. For those who surrender to me will not be slaughtered by misfortunes, by wars, hunger, by diseases and other calamities, they will have my Heart as a refuge for their protection. Here, in my Heart, all will be protected against the divine justice in the days that will come. All who consecrate themselves to my Heart, honoring it, they will be looked upon by my Son Jesus with eyes of mercy, Jesus will pour out his love and will take to the glory of his Kingdom all those I put in my Heart.”

First Wednesdays — Request & Promise

St. Joseph appeared on the first Wednesday of March, 1998, he had a special request. With the First Friday and First Saturday devotions, he was giving us a companion devotion. He said: “On every first Wednesday of the month, my Chaste Heart pours numerous graces on all who rely on my intercession. On these Wednesdays, men will not receive a shower of simple graces, but very strong torrents of extraordinary graces! I will share them with those who honor me and rely on me, all the blessings, all the virtues, and all the love I received from my Divine Son Jesus and my spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary while still living in this world and all the graces that I continue to receive in the glory of paradise.”

The request came with his great “promise to intercede before him for those who come to me, honoring this Heart of mine. I will give them the graces to be able to resolve the most difficult problems and urgent necessities, that to the eyes of man seem impossible, but that, through my intercession to God, will be possible. I grant the graces of my Heart to all sinners so they may convert.”

(St. Joseph had made this same request during Our Lady of America’s apparitions in March, 1958, asking us to recite the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in memory of his life with Jesus and Mary and the love he bore them and sorrow he suffered with them, plus receive Holy Communion with the love which he received the Savior and each time he held Jesus in his arms.)

Confirmed by Wife Mary

At the end of her husband’s appearances, the Blessed Virgin Mary made a promise herself. “All who honor the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph will benefit with my maternal presence in their lives in a special way.”

“To those who ask of his Heart with trust, I promise to intercede before the Eternal Father, my Divine Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I will obtain for them, from God, the grace to reach perfect sanctity in the virtues of St. Joseph, this way reaching the perfect love in which he lived. Men will learn to love my Son Jesus and myself with the same love as my Most Chaste Spouse Joseph, receiving the most pure love from our Hearts.”

“My Son Jesus, my Chaste Spouse Joseph and I are at your side. Fear nothing, because our hearts will protect you always.”

Reward for Spreading Devotion to St. Joseph

There is yet something else St. Joseph said that’s we shouldn’t disregard: “All those who propagate the devotion to my Heart, and practice it with love, have the certainty of having their names engraved on it just as my Son Jesus' cross and the "M" of Mary are engraved on it…” After all: “That all may spread devotion to my Heart, it is God Himself who asks it.”

Promises Disclosed at Itapiranga, Brazil, by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to Those Devoted to the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph:

1. “I promise to all those who will honor my most chaste heart and will perform here on earth good deeds for those in most need, primarily for the sick and the dying, for whom I am comforter and protector, to receive at the last moment of their life the grace of a holy death.” (March 2, 1998)

2. “I promise to all the faithful who will honor my most chaste heart with faith and love, the grace to live a life of holy purity of soul and body, the strength and the means necessary to overcome all attacks and all temptations of the devil. I myself will protect them as my own precious possession. This grace is not only for those who will honor my heart, but also for all their family members who may be in need of heavenly assistance.” (March 3, 1998)

3. “I promise to ask the Lord for all those who will invoke me, honoring this heart of mine, the grace to be able to resolve the most difficult problems and the most urgent needs that to the eyes of men would seem impossible to resolve, but through my intercession to the Lord they will become possible.” (March 4, 1998)

4. “I promise to all those who trust in this heart of mine pure and chaste, honoring it devoutly, the grace to be consoled by me in their most grave distress of soul and in danger of being condemned when, by disgrace, would loose sanctifying grace due to their grave sins.” (March 5, 1998)

5. “Tell all those who will honor this heart of mine and will have full trust in me and in my intercession, I promise that they will not be abandoned in their difficulties and trials of life, because I will ask the Lord to help them with his divine assistance with their problems, material or spiritual.” (March 6, 1998)

6. “The fathers and mothers who will consecrate themselves to my heart with their families will have my assistance in their afflictions and problems, also in raising and educating their children. The way I brought up the Son of the Most High in his Holy Divine Laws, in the same way I will help all the fathers and mothers who will consecrate their children to me, raising them in the love of the Holy Commandments of God so that they will find the surest way to salvation.” (March 6, 1998)

7. “My son, tell all those who will honor this most chaste heart of mine that they will receive the grace of my protection from all evil and danger. Those who will entrust themselves to me will not be struck by misfortune, wars, famine, pestilence and other calamities, but will have my heart as a safe refuge and protection. Here in my heart everyone will receive protection from the Divine Justice in the days to come, because those who will consecrate themselves to my heart and honor it, will be looked upon by my son Jesus with eyes of mercy, because Jesus will pour his love and will bring to the glory of His reign all those that I will place in my heart.” (March 7, 1998)

8. “My dear son, all those who will spread the devotion to my heart and will practice it with love and with conviction of heart will have the certainty to have their names engraved in it, in the same way the cross of my son Jesus and the M of Mary are engraved in the form of a wound. This is also a promise for all priests because I love them with predilection. The priests who will have devotion to my heart and will spread it will have the grace, granted by God, to touch the most hardened hearts and to convert the most obstinate sinners.” (March 8, 1998)

9. (The Blessed Mother): “The Eternal Father allows me tonight to reveal to you the promise of My Immaculate Heart for all those who will honor devoutly and will have love for the heart of my spouse Joseph. My son, tell everyone who will honor his most chaste heart that they will benefit of my maternal presence in a very special way in their lives because I will be at the side of every son and daughter of mine, helping them and comforting them with my Heart of a Mother, in the same way I helped and comforted My Most Chaste Spouse Joseph in this world; and for all that they will ask to my Heart with trust, I promise to intercede to the Eternal Father, to My Divine Son Jesus and to the Holy Spirit, obtaining from the Lord the grace to reach perfect sanctity and to imitate My spouse Joseph in virtues, reaching in this way the perfection of love in the manner he lived it.” (March 9, 1998)

10.(Our Lord Jesus): “My son, all those who will honor the most chaste heart of my virginal father Joseph, will receive the grace on the last day of their life to conquer the deceit of the enemy of salvation, obtaining the victory and the recompense merited in the reign of my Heavenly Father. Those who will honor devoutly this most chaste heart in this world will have the certainty to receive great glory in Heaven, a grace that will not be granted to those who will not honor it as I ask. The souls devoted to my virginal father Joseph will benefit of the beatific vision of the Most Holy Trinity and will have a deep knowledge of the Triune God, three times Holy. In Heaven they will also enjoy the presence of my Heavenly Mother and of my virginal father Joseph, as my heavenly glory reserved to all of them from eternity. These souls will be dear to the Most Holy Trinity and to my Mother, Mary Most Holy, and will surround the chaste heart of my virginal father Joseph as most beautiful lilies. This is my Great Promise for all men in the entire world devoted to my virginal father Joseph.” (March 10, 1998)

AFTER THE APPARITIONS

Approval

On May 31, 2009, Archbishop Carillo Gritti approved the supernatural character of the apparitions in this statement: "Considering these opinions, testimonies, and developments - and pondering all of this in prayer and theological reflection, everything leads me to finding that there are appearances in Itapiranga of a supernatural origin."

In January, 2010, after much study, prayer, reflection, observation and seeing the growth in the faith life of thousands, the local ordinary, Bishop Carillo Gritti of the Prelature of Itacoatiara declared a “Decree of Worship” favoring the appearances of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary and Peace and authorized pilgrimages of the apparitions as presented in the years 1994 to 1998. “This ‘Decree of Worship’ aims to foster the spiritual life of the people of God who are here to honor the apparitions of Our Lady that gave rise to this devotion in this place”, said Bishop Carillo.

In another document the Bishop stated that considering the manifestations of the Virgin from 2005-10, who has called upon devotion to the three Sacred of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a first step has been taken to build a new sanctuary with the certainty that it will be a place for pilgrimages, and the conversions that only God by the intercession of Mary can operate has been thus far for him and enlightened souls, reason enough to see in these visions and messages the finger of God (translated from the Portuguese).

St. Joseph is deserving of the prominence of being the one man from all eternity God chosen to head the Holy Family. In 1962, his name was added to the first Eucharist prayer in the Mass, and in 2013, on his May 1 feast, Pope Francis had St. Joseph inserted into all other Eucharistic Prayers.

Many spiritual fruits of conversion and life changes are attributed to these apparitions at Itapiranga. Thousands of people come every day to Itapiranga to drink from the healing fountain. Some doctors have studied the reported healings there and sent their findings to the Apostolic Prefecture of Itacoatiara. In her last public apparition on May 2, 1998 (exactly four years later to the day after the first) in Itapiranga, Our Lady warns that she would no longer appear in that place because she had already said what she wanted to convey to the people. Now it was time for the people to put into practice what she had been telling them to do. Apparitions continued privately for both Edson and his mother, Maria do Carmo, because Our Lady stated that she wanted to continue to guide them and pray with them for the Church, the world, families, and peace.

Bishop Gritti died on June 9, 2016. It should be noted that not long thereafter, in 2017, a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith stated that, in their opinion, the apparitions and messages reported by Edson are not authentic and, subsequently, that the messages should not be distributed within the Diocese.

This is confusing since the local Bishop is supposed to be the first and main authority in the judgment of the authenticity of apparition claims and supposedly Vatican approval is not required for an apparition to be considered authentic.

This is also confusing since the Diocese does accord the location Shrine status making it a place of pilgrimage. This is a very important distinction to keep in mind. Masses are celebrated here and plans are under way to build a large Shrine dedicated to Our Lady to accommodate the growing crowds coming to the site.

The Last Apparition?

The apparitions at Itapiranga are the 27th set of apparitions approved by a Bishop of the Catholic Church, nine of which have also been approved by the Vatican. Only the first five years (1994-1998) of the apparitions have been approved, but the apparitions are still continuing (as of October, 2020).

At Medjugorje, Our Lady’s apparitions have been continuing for almost 40 years. Our Lady has told us that her appairtions there will be her last. She has also prophesied, both at Medjugorje and Garabandal (two yet to be approved apparitions) that God will be giving us wake up calls (warnings, signs, miracles) for which we need to be prepared. At Medjugorje she tells us that we are in a “Time of Grace” and during this window of time we need to convert and to pray, pray, pray.

So, it is perhaps doubtful that there will be another apparition following Itapiranga, but it should not be doubtful that Medjugorje (which is still on-going in the year 2021) will be the last, as Our Blessed Mother has told us so.

PRAYER FROM OUR LADY AT ITAPIRANGA

“Mercy Jesus, Mercy for all sinners, Mercy for all humanity!” (Say this three times)

SOURCES

www.divine mysteries.info/tag/brasil/

www.divinemysteries.info/itapiranga-brazil-1994-1998

www.miraclehunter.com/marian-apparitions/approved-apparitions/itapiranga/index

https://catholicsay.com/major-apparitions-of-st-joseph-are-approved

https://spiritdaily.org/blog/apparitions/response/from/alleged/seer

Signs and Wonders for our Times- Vol. 27 No. ½ Spring/Summer 2017