Final Harvest

by Wayne Weible

For more than two decades, the Blessed Mother has reportedly appeared daily to six Croation youths. In his book final Harvest, Wayne Weible the popular chronicler of the phenomenon, updates the events of Medjugorje and ties them to the Virgin's past apparitions at LaSalette and Fatima. Wayne takes you on a spiritual journey that leads you into wanting to be a part of this incredible harvest of souls.

Genres: Religion, Catholic

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

About the Author

Wayne Weible has authored eight books on his experiences and investigations of the reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Medjugorje, all which have become international best sellers. His first book--Medjugorje: The Message, has sold more than 500,000 copies in the U.S. and an estimated 500,000 in other languages around the world. This is the top selling book internationally on the Medjugorje apparitions. His other books include: Medjugorje The Mission; Letters From Medjugorje; Final Harvest; A Child Shall Lead Them; The Medjugorje Prayer Book; Are The Medjugorje Apparitions Authentic?; and The Medjugorje Fasting Book

Weible is a former newspaper publisher and columnist. He became interested in the alleged apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to six young Croations in the tiny farming village of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovina, in October 1985. Weible decided to write an article about them for his four weekly newspapers. It was while viewing a video tape of the apparitions as research for the article that Weible, a Protestant at that time, states, I suddenly felt a strong message within my heart that not only was I to write about these events, but I was to devote my life to the spreading of its basic message of reconciliation with God.

The Miracle At Medjugorje, a collection of a series of newspaper articles, was originally published in Sept. 1986. From an initial printing of 3,000 copies, Miracle At Medjugorje distribution has reached an astounding 100 million-plus copies and is still distributed throughout the world. Weible Columns, Inc. continues to publish The Medjugorje Newsletter monthly.

Weible spends most of his professional time writing and lecturing on the phenomenon of Medjugorje, travelling throughout the world and the United States. He has appeared on numerous national, regional and local television and radio programs including the Mother Angelica Television Show, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Weible has traveled to Medjugorje more than 96 times and continues to lead groups each year. He is personally acquainted with all of the visionaries. In 1991, he converted to the Roman Catholic Church; however, he continues to emphasize that The message coming from the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje is for all faiths, not just for Catholics--or for that matter just for Christians. Weible is married and lives with his wife in Hiawassee, Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, with a degree in Journalism and is preparing to pursue a Masters degree in theology.

For his current speaking schedule, pilgrimages and updates on Medjugorje, please visit Wayne at www.medjugorjeweible.com

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Reviews

[Mark Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't know what to say. Thus was an excellent book, well written and well presented. It spoke to a part of me, more so because Wayne Weible is a Lutheran and not Catholic, so the messages given in Medjugoje are supported by experience- that this is universal, that these messages are for everyone. I really enjoyed Wayne's writing. Five stars, and a lot more deserved.

[Steven H · Rating 2 out of 5]

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SUPPORTERS OF MEDJUGORJE PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW

Wayne Weible (1937-2018) was a secular journalist who became one of the most noted advocates of Medjugorje.

He wrote in the ‘Acknowledgements’ of this 1999 book, ‘The messages reportedly given in apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje have been obtained and verified from a wide variety of qualified sources, the most important being personal contacts and interviews with the visionaries, priests, and others involved with the apparitions. All of the messages come under strict theological scrutiny by the priests in charge of the parish of Saint James Catholic Church to assure that they are in total compliance with Scripture and the doctrines of the Catholic Church. If any message, event, or activity or the apparitions were not in conformity with this time-tested formula, the Church would condemn the phenomena immediately. After 18 years, no condemnation has occurred.”

He says in the Prologue, “For more than 18 years, the Virgin Mary has appeared daily in apparition at the quiet, rural village of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovina. This unprecedented series of apparitions to six youths, and later by inner locution to two more young girls, began in June 1981. It continues to the date of this writing, with one overriding objective: to bring the world back to God.” (Pg. xi)

He continues, “In the history of the Roman Catholic Church, the Virgin has appeared in apparition in many places throughout the ages… But never in recorded history has she appeared daily for so long a period of time, to so many chosen visionaries, with such profound results. The purpose is made clear in her messages. As a good mother, the Virgin Mary issues an urgent, repeated call for the children of the world to turn to God for true peace and happiness… In Medjugorje, the virgin gives powerful warnings of the consequences for a world continuing on the present path of godlessness.” (Pg. xi-xii)

He explains, “In this mountainous region of eastern Europe, the largely Slavic population consisted of three distinct groups---Croatians, Serbians, and Muslims---who constantly declared their hatred for one another. throughout history, the region has known no peace… With such a bloody regional history, when the miracle of the apparitions began in Medjugorje in 1981, the people as a hole did not heed the call to reconciliation. Croat would not live with Serb, and neither could abide the Muslim Slavs… Still, the Virgin continued to appear daily to the children. Even though bloody civil war began in 1991, people continued to come on spiritual pilgrimage… Today, in the midst of uneasy peace, widows, orphans, and grieving parents join pilgrims from around the world in Medjugorje.” (Pg. xii-xiii)

He says, “Having authored three books on the apparitions, I have not made it my purpose here just to retell the story, nor necessarily to provide authenticated proof of the apparitions. My objective is to present the spiritual story and the impact of the Medjugorje phenomena, using as my main format a majority of the messages just as they were given to the visionaries… Last, I have undertaken to give a general update as the apparitions continue into an unprecedented nineteenth year of daily occurrence. This update includes the present status of the visionaries, the villagers, and the visiting pilgrims, and focuses on the spiritual fruits of each.” (Pg. xv)

He begins recounting, “Surprising the visionaries and the church hierarchy, the apparitions continued daily… This astounding news reverberated through the village and surrounding communities… By now, however reluctant, the local church was becoming involved. The initial reaction to the youths’ claims… ranged from total rejection to calls for exorcism…. Many priests remained skeptical. The young visionaries were questioned sharply in long sessions with the Franciscans. Worse was the interrogation by the local Communist authorities, who accused the children of using drugs, or of being mentally disturbed, or of just plain lying.” (Pg.13-14)

He says, “As if it were not enough for God to send the Blessed Virgin to appear in daily apparitions and to deliver profound teachings through her messages, He provided numerous supernatural signs in and around Medjugorje… Many villagers and visiting pilgrims saw. Them. These little ‘gifts’ were given, according to the Virgin, to ‘reawaken people’s faith.’” (Pg. 35)

He states, “Proving again to be the caring mother, the Virgin Mary added a new dimension to the apparitions as they continued into 1983. T ten-year-old girl from the village suddenly began seeing and hearing the Virgin Mary in a manner different from the way the visionaries experienced her… Three months later… a close friend… who was frequently in prayer with her… began experiencing the same charisma… In May 1983 the Virgin began giving [the first girl] teachings concerning spiritual life. She told her to write down the teachings because she was to entrust them later to Church authorities.” (Pg. 65-66)

He records, “Even the lives of the visionaries, open to constant public scrutiny, followed traditional patterns. Ivanka was now married and was the mother of a little girl… How, the villagers and pilgrims alike asked, could she marry, when the Virgin had recommended that the visionaries adopt a holy life as priests and nuns? Ivanka was quick to answer, Yes, the Blessed Virgin did say it would be good it they pursued a religious vocation, but she also said she would honor whatever course they chose..’ (Pg. 115-116)

He laments, “Because of the threat of war … it was a harsh reality that pilgrimages to Medjugorje might soon be stopped by the very real danger of being caught in the conflict… Another hard truth was that Medjugorje might never be the same. The call to conversion through the phenomenon of the Blessed Virgin’s apparitions had, at least for the moment, been effectively muted.” (Pg. 142) Later, he adds, “War is the full presence of Satan and the total absence of God. The evil one always comes where the Virgin Mary is sent to bring God’s peace. He comes to destroy that peace…” (Pg. 175)

But then, “What can be said of this place that escaped the all-destroying wrath of war? Only that its survival, its preservation as a true oasis of peace, stood out starkly as miraculous in itself. After nearly three years of intense fighting, there had been no major damage to Medjugorje or direct confrontational attacks on the village. Now, in January 1994, the war continued to rage throughout the region at a furious pace… But the place of apparitions remained a sheltered place of peace and safety in the midst of the storm.” (Pg. 180)

He observes, “Relatively little has been said to this point about the ten secrets given to the visionaries. The reason… is simple: The Blessed Mother tells us to focus on the love, peace, and grace of the apparitions. She tells us that we are not to be concerned with the secrets beyond knowing about them… Her point is, if we live the messages, we have no reason to fear the future. Our focus in the time of final harvest should be on personal conversion to the ways of God.” (Pg. 223)

He says in the Epilogue, “After eighteen years of wondrous apparitions, great signs, and revealing messages being given at Medjugorje---signs and wonders that are continuing to the present---the final harvest nears its conclusion. And as the Blessed Virgin tells us, once the harvest has been gathered, humanity will finally live and worship God as in ancient days.” (Pg. 232)

This book will appeal to those interested in such apparitions.

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book in which I learned a few more details about the messages received in Medjugorje and how the author thinks they relate to the inner locutions received by Fr. Gobbi of whom I am familiar and historical events of the times. The book was published in 2002. Mr. Weible thought that the messages would end within four years from that date. However, I am reading this in 2018, and the messages seem to be continuing. Please note that I have a personal interest in Medjugorje from the beautiful movie Apparition Hill, but I completely submit to the Catholic Church regarding a final decision about the alleged Medjugorje apparitions when it makes one. Because of Mr. Weible's misjudgment and the feeling that the book is a bit dated, I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could. I will round up to 4 as I do not want to detract from the book. I did find it informative and inspiring.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Weible does his usual great job of putting the supernatural into natural words. He shows how all the appearance's of The Blessed Virgin over the centuries have all been leading us to this time and this place. The time and place Jesus, her Son, told us would come.

[Marcus Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. I saw this book on a friends review list and remembered that my mother had a copy. I picked it up and was really impressed. Words can't describe the impact this book made on me. Five stars.

[Roger Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-evidently sincere author and book. But I still don't know what to make of this phenomenon and all the conflicting reports. There is more about Our Lady here at my website

http://corjesusacratissimum.org/Our Lady

[lotte langs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest and genuine account, interestingly mirrored through the eyes of a Lutheran and obviously an engaging read. However, accounts of apparitions bear too many conflicts and discrepancies for even for the faithful to comprehend.