REVIEWS

MEDJUGORJE A PILGRIM'S JOURNEY

A BUSINESSMAN TELLS HOW MEDJUGORJE CHANGED HIS LIFE, March 20, 2014

By Steven H Propp (Sacramento, CA USA)

 

Five Out of Five Stars

 

 

This review is from: Medjugorje: A Pilgrim's Journey-Second Edition (Paperback)

Armando Minutoli is a Long Island businessman. He wrote in the Introduction to this 1991 book, "This book began 'writing itself' in my mind many years ago. I was approaching middle age and realizing that life's journey had an end... So, I asked myself, 'What have you done so far?' In attempting to answer that question I carefully reviewed my life's accomplishments. I realized that whatever I had done or accumulated really had no lasting value..." (Pg. v) He adds, "For me the next question was, 'If I were to die today, where are I going?' My only answer was to reach out to God. Although I was a Catholic... I didn't have a personal relationship with God. I didn't know God... I felt the need to know God... Medjugorje is God's gift to modern mankind... As you read my account, I ask you to be open. Look past what you read with your eyes. Let yourself feel the wonder of Our Blessed Lady's presence. Allow her to touch your heart... Medjugorje took away any doubt that I have had about God and His existence.... I now know that His grace has always been present in my life. Yet it was my own choice whether to accept Him or not. Walk with me on this pilgrimage." (Pg. x)

To a passenger on the flight from Medjugorje, he said, "I shared how Medjugorje had changed my life. I explained that I was different now and that my life had a purpose. Fitting into God's plan I had come to know how much He loves us, and realize that God desires our love and a relationship with us. This is no different than any other normal father who wants his children to love him and be part of his life experience." (Pg. 82)

After hearing of a pilgrim who had damaged her eyes by looking at the sun, he recalls, "Hearing this, my serenity began to wane... I couldn't believe how easy it was for me and others to lose the serenity and peace of God. How could we have had such doubts, especially after witnessing what we had seen? It's incredible how the guy with the pitchfork can so subtly inject doubt and confusion into our lives and have such impact." (Pg. 98-99)

He says, "I thought back to the interview with Ivan. A pilgrim had asked him if he was afraid of Our Lady. His response was that he was more afraid of us. Most of the visionaries are introverts. They must find it quite unsettling facing large crowds of people and answering a wide variety of questions... However the visionaries all meet the challenge that God has given them with courage and prayer." (Pg. 106)

After he met a wealthy store owner, he reflected, "I hoped that he would carry Our Lady's message to those of his economic level. There is still so much work to do to deliver the message of Medjugorje. Those with worldly power can cover much ground with their influence. I thought of the Church, certainly it could have enormous impact. It is sometimes frustrating to think of how slowly the Church works before giving its blessing. With all the fruits that have been realized so far by the phenomena, it's hard to be patient while the Church remains cautious/" (Pg. 108)
Not by any standard the most "informative" book about Medjugorje; but the "personal" approach of this author may appeal to many readers.

 

THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY , 1992

    -BOOKS TO READ-

Medjugorje: A Pilgrim's Journey, by Armando Minutoli, The Morning Star Press,

 

JOHN WAYNE SCOFFED AT 'EM. Mountain men hid from 'em. Pilgrim is a word revered and shunned in America, the land of fascinating opposites. Don't let the word "pilgrim" in this title fool you. Armando Minutoli is an honest traveler, and he learns quickly. He got streetwise in Yugoslavia real fast. Armando Minutoli, the author of Medjugorje: A Pilgrims Journey, was anxious to fill an emptiness inside him when he felt that God began to touch his life in 1986. Minutoli a businessman in Long Island, New York  for most of his adult life and  active in his parish and community service. 
This book relates his experiences in Medjugorje where he saw more clearly what he was seeking. Here are the people he met, the places he saw, the answers he was given. His tourist photographs give the book an added realism.

This is a book for those who want to believe in the apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, but don't quite believe it yet. Minutoli shares his faith walk during the years he prepared to go to Medjugorje, his fear of flying, his perceptions of people he saw and heard in Medjugorje, his lost passport trauma in Yugoslavia in a time of civil unrest in that country. Minutoli was a worrier, unsure of what he felt, concerned that things would go badly. 

At every turn in his experiences in Medjugorje he found that some other pilgrim or a local townsperson would come to help him. He believes that Mary had a lot to do with it. He said "it was overwhelming to see how Our Lady had continued to care for me. She kept me company and gave me work to do at every juncture. By connecting the encounters and the fruits they bore, I would have to say that Our Lady sparked my growth. I'm convinced that the seed of her love was planted in each and everyone of her children I met." (p.82)-- For Minutoli, the pilgrimages he made to Medjugorje were epiphanies. He said, "through my pilgrimage, He touched those troubled areas inside me, fine tuning, guiding and teaching. He made himself present to me through prayer experiences. I felt his joyful presence in those people I met along the way." (p.158)

This is an unbelievable book spoken by an honest man. He doesn't preach; Minutoli's book reads quickly as he engages the reader with storytelling and descriptions of Medjugorje and its people from first hand knowledge. 

 

THIS IS A BOOK FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BELIEVE IN THE APPARITIONS OF MARY AT MEDJUGORJE, BUT DON'T QUITE BELIEVE IT YET.

 

In a forward to the book, John Westermann said, "Here was a writer on a mission, who had made a level-headed decision to tell a fantastic story to the widest possible audience, no matter the cost. Here was a man who had heard a calling from the best part of his heart."

Minutoli is no theologian or great influential person, but a pilgrim who speaks. The book he writes is unfinished because his story will not be finished before arrival into heaven. The story is like a highway leading to the eternal city of final destination.
 
It has facts, sensory detail, and gritty human feelings and interactions. There are some on his journey Minutoli doesn't like, but manages to love. And through it all the man keeps his rosary in pocket and hand, ever ready when he is in turmoil and self-doubt. He finds time to recite fifteen decades of the rosary in his pilgrimage.

NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER, “MARY’S PEOPLE” JANUARY 8, 1992

MARIAN APPARITION REPORT TAKES READER BEHIND THE SCENES:

PORTLAND OREGON,DECEMBER 6, 1991, CATHOLIC SENTINEL,

   -BOOKS-

By Edward O'Meara....

 

...There are no doubts about the Yugoslavian apparitions for Armando Minutoli.

    In his "Medjugorje: A Pilgrims Journey"(The Moringstar Press. P.O. box 766; Medford, New York, 11763; 189 pages; $8.95 paperback), this young grandfather and Long Island businessman relates his faith journey, which he attributes to Medjugorje's influence.

    His story tells how, in the past five years, he has been on an active search for the meaning of life's problems.

    Once he learned of Medjugorje, he was determined to go there and has since made several trips, becoming more enthusiastic with each visit.

    He has gazed into the Croation sun, has had his rosary start turning gold, has become a friend of many in Medjugorje.

    Armando's book reports on the people he met the places he saw, the answers he was given. Medjugorje enthusiasts will like his story; he's a believer.[]

 

 -BOOK REVIEW-

By Ginny Piccolo, Editor

 

I WAS VERY HAPPY to have the opportunity to review the book “Medjugorje, A Pilgrims Journey” by Armando Minutoli. I was charmed by this story, and by the time, I came to the end I wanted to put my arms around Armando as a good friend. After having read dozens of books on Medjugorje, I found this one to bring in close focus the feeling of the pilgrim, especially in that special place.
 
Having been there myself, it was easy to recapture my own experiences in places while being inspired with new insights that Armando brought out so simply. His words spoke for many pilgrims who have made that journey and who have never found the words to express them in such a believable way. 

Visitors to Medjugorje will easily identify with this book, and it will in spire many others who have never gone there to want to go. Even the choice of messages of Mary in the back of the book is well chosen. I have only praise for this!{}

 

 LONG ISLAND CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 6, 1991
“BOOK RECOUNTS SPIRITUAL JOUR­NEY”

-BOOK REVIEW-

 

ARMANDO MINUTOLI, author of “Medjugorje A Pilgrims Journey” (The Morningstar Press) was a Long Island businessman who went to Yugoslavia in 1990 to visit the site o reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to Morningstar Press, Mr. Minutoli was profoundly affected by his experiences in Medjugorje. The result, and his spiritual journey before and since his pilgrimage, is the basis of his book. It is a story of emptiness that was eventually filled when God began to touch his life,” his publishers say.

 

The 224 page paperback book includes many details about the mountain community of medjugorje and the atmosphere and spirituality of the village. Since the alleged apparitions began in 1991, Medjugorje has been the focus of pilgrimages from all over the world and has been the subject of books film and television documentaries. Mr. Minutoli is a first-time writer. His enthu­siasm is said to come through his writing, drawing the reader into the story he tells with honesty and candor.{}

 

MEDJUGORJE ‘PEACEFUL’  THE VERMOUNT CATHOLIC TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992

-BOOK REVIEW-

BY CLAIRE LEWIS....

 

MEDJUGORJE; A PILGRIM’S JOURNEY, by Armando Minutoli. The Morningstar Press.

 

THIS BOOK IS YET another story among so many written, of the love and peace, which one experi­ences while spending time in Medjugorje. The author did experience miracles, but the most positive reaction to his pilgrimage was the faith and love of the villagers and the visionaries, the peace­ful atmosphere of the area and the process of true con­version, which is on- going even after leaving Medjugorje. I recommend this book. It speaks of faith through doubts and trials and spiritual growth through trust and love.

 

There are no doubts about the Yugoslavian apparitions for Armando Minutoli. In his "Medjugorje: A Pilgrims Journey” The Morningstar Press. This young grand­father and Long Island businessman, relates his faith journey, which he attributes to Medjugorje influence. His story tells how, in the past five years, he has been on an active search for the meaning of life’s problems. Once he learned of Medjugorje, he was deter­mined to go there and has since made several trips, becoming more enthusiastic with each visit. 

He has gazed into the Creation sun, has had his rosary start turning gold, and has become a friend of many in Medjugorje. Armando’s book reports on the people he met the places he saw, the answers he was given. Medjugorje enthusiasts will like his story; he is a believer.{}