I shall return

  

At first glance I share little in common with Ernest Hemmingway and General MacArthur; except we have all dined at the Manila Hotel! The latter is still remembered and loved in the Philippines because he kept an important promise. As the Philippines was being overrun by Japanese troops the Americans had to retreat but he promised to return and he did so and helped liberate the Islands from the tyranny of Japanese imperialism. A leader who keeps his promises is remembered. 

My wife and I were back at the Manila hotel yesterday for our 30^th Wedding Anniversary dinner. We were last there just before we got married. In the Champagne Room restaurant we were treated to a wonderful dinner complete with pianist who played ‘As time goes by’ the piece from the movie Casablanca. I restrained myself from repeating the immortal words ‘here’s looking at you kid’. 

The service was marvellous; very precise and elegant; some dishes prepared by chef’s at the table itself and it put me in mind of customs and practice in the time of Jesus. Often a household had servants and when the Master was having dinner there were certain non-verbal signs to indicate whether or not it was time to clear the table. If he crumpled up the napkin and left he was finished but if he folded it neatly and left it to one side and left the table it meant that he would return to complete his meal. 

We see this same signal given at the Resurrection where the witnesses to the empty tomb see the grave clothes strewn around but the napkin that covered his face folded up neatly by itself. The message was clear. I shall return. And so He will. Maranatha!

 

 

 

The Seven Sorrows of Mary (Fr Ripperger video)

 

Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us..

There is a painting of Our Lady of Sorrows in the church in Pakil (Laguna province) which has been our go-to Marian pilgrimage destination for many years. It is the most striking image; heart breaking; a dagger through the heart, eyes flooded with tears and her eyes still lifted up, presumably gazing upon her Son on the cross. 

I have prayed for miracles there and seen the power of Our Lady’s intercession and whilst I always understood her standing as the only perfect creature, uniquely related to the Trinity as handmaid, mother and spouse; I recently heard a very interesting talk with wonderful insights related to different events in her life and what they signify. 

As she stood at the foot of the cross in perfect virtue; having carried that moment in her heart since Simeon revealed it to her at the Presentation, was her moment of greatest Glory. Aside from Jesus’s Death and Resurrection, that was the most glorious moment in history. 

The second event was the Assumption which was her Triumph after a life without a single fall into sin and finally her crowning as Queen of heaven where her excellence is Honoured by God before the company of heaven. Hence God will refuse her nothing. What a gift to us who need her prayers ! 

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, 

poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

Our Lady’s Message from Medjugorje (March 25, 2026 )

Dear children, 

The poison of selfishness and hatred rules human hearts and that is why you do not have peace. I am calling you, little children: be love and my extended hands to all those whom you meet. In humility, pray for peace and work on reconciliation among people, so that it may be good for every person on earth.

 Thank you for having responded to my call.

(With ecclesiastical approval)

‘The Five Generals’

There was a fascinating podcast released a few days ago where Fr. Ripperger, an American exorcist, was interviewed by Shawn Ryan, a recent revert to Christianity and former Navy Seal. It was a 4 hour deep dive behind the veil of the spiritual world and the work of the exorcist where he shares decades of experiential knowledge.

Amongst the many insights he shared was one related to the hierarchy of demons under Satan and what their functions were as they worked their plan for our destruction. He called them the Five Generals.

The first is a demon of impurity which ushers in the moral collapse in societies, a first wave of attack we might say. The next is a demon of homosexuality in men, then two demons of homosexuality in women, one for the more feminine or passive and the other, the more aggressive type that adopt a ‘masculine’ persona. So they bring in the perversion and distortion that we see growing in influence. The last of the five is a demon of child sacrifice, which in our day, is abortion. 

Taken together they have certainly influenced the moral collapse in the western world and the communist nations. We have seen since the 1960’s certainly each wave of assault on society, in tandem with government legislation to support them. Both homosexuality and abortion, once unthinkable by any society, have been decriminalised and ‘legitimised’ by most western governments and some in the east. They are embedded now in culture and in law; hence rather difficult to dislodge. 

It’s certainly an eye-opener to see and understand that these changes in society are not random or simply the ‘enlightened age’ they are marketed as, but as their nature suggests, demonic manipulation of peoples and nations who, without God at the centre of their lives, become willing co-operators and simultaneously helpless victims of these tormentors. 

There is a great deal more in the podcast to reflect on; it’s an important resource for situation awareness and the need to not be complacent in our prayer life; there is a lot going on behind the veil and we too, need to engage for our protection and to advance the kingdom of light !

 

Our Lady's Role in Spiritual Warfare

 

The March 18, 2026 Message from Medjugorje through Mirjana Soldo:

“Dear children, never forget how great is the love of God. 

Through that love I am with you. Do not forget how great is His mercy. Through that mercy I am showing you the way to true happiness and perfect peace. That is the way to my Son.

Therefore, my children, with complete trust, abandon yourselves to my Son and do not be afraid. Do not be afraid of the future because it belongs entirely to the will of my Son.

Therefore, my children, renounce everything that distances you from my Son: false happiness, false hope, false splendor. Trust my Son. Tell Him about your pains, sufferings, desires and hopes. You will feel His love and His blessing.

Thank you! 

(With Ecclesiastical approval)