Spark from Heaven. The Mystery of the Madonna of Medjugorje

London England: Hodder & Stoughton. Uncorrected Proof Copy. Small mark to front cover. Medjugorje is a small village in the mountains of Souther Yugoslavia, of which few people had heard before the 1980s. But in the last six years, close on six million pilgrims from all over the world have descended on it, finding there a focus of hope. it was in June 1981 that six young children - their ages ranging from eleven to sixteen - claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary, spoken to her, touched her. Since that time she has reputedly been appearing to them daily, even twice a day. They call her 'Gospa', the Lady. She describes herself as the Queen of Peace come to beg the world to save itselt, to turn to God before it is too lage. But how much credence can we give to the claims? Are the six young people gneuine visonaries or (as the local bishop accuses), accomplished liars? Doctors and scientists have reached their own conclusions: Rome has not made up its mind, nor is likely to do so for some considerable time since the issue is fogged by a long-standing and bitter quarrel between the bishop and the Franciscans in the area. As for the Yugolsavian Government, they are first sounded a Catholic plot to overthrow the Communist regime, directed a violent campaign of press and police abuse against the visionaries, and arrested the Francisacan parish priest of Medjugorje. All these and other fascinating aspects of Medjugorje's story are covered by Mary Craig. She provides an open-ended, objective background to this compelling issue, conceivably the most important event of our times. Illustrated. 230 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions etc.) . Very Good. Soft cover. First Edition. 1988.