Marian Conference

My son Joey and I attend a Marian Conference a couple of weeks ago in the elegant Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Waikiki. It featured speakers who came as far as Medjugorje to share their conversion stories with us. It also featured the testimonies of three priests, two from Hawaii and one from the Mainland.

The conference started off with a living Rosary. The Luminous Mysteries were lead by 5 individuals. As each Hail Mary was recited, someone came up to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and presented our Blessed Mother with a fresh red rose. Thus, it was a living Rosary.

Through my friend Ed, I met Patrick and Nancy Latta of Medjugorje. Patrick shared with us his conversion story. He was very brave to do so because his life before his conversion was nothing to be proud of. Yet in one moment of reading our Lady's messages, it changed his life. I can sense Patrick's pain or shame as he told his story being a successful businessman but he was married three times, he was not a good father to his three children; of he did not have God in his life. Nancy, was also a successful lawyer living together with Patrick, when a little book send to her by her brother changed their lives forever. During the end of their talk, the recited a beautiful consecration prayer they recite nightly. Nancy was kind enough to write it down for me. Maybe I will share it with you in another post.



I went up and introduced myself to both of these lovely people. I wanted to pass along a message from Ed. The mention on Ed's name brought me a very warm embrace from both of them as well as lovely stories about Ed's dear son Fr. Edward.


All the speakers spoke of their love of the blessed Mother and how she had touched their lives personally. Another memorable talk was by Fr. Michael Lightner His conversion story was almost on par with that of Fr. Donald Calloway. If you click on Fr. Lightner's name you can watch a video of one of his talks. He went from a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll to being a Catholic priest.

We in Hawaii were also blessed to hear two of our own priests who shared their testimonies. Fr. Michael Sawyer, spiritual director of the Basic Christian Community
and Fr. Vince Inghilterra, one of our military chaplains. Fr. Inghilterra just happened to be in the right place at the right time when he found himself in Medjugorje. He talk was the one that touched me deeply. It was because of this priest's humilty. Please keep him in your prayers.

The important aspects of our message of our lady as related to us by the speakers were as follows:

1. Pray the Rosary daily as it is a weapon against evil.

2. Receive the Holy Eucharist regularly, or daily if possible. It is the greates gift we have.

3. Read the Holy Scriptures daily. Put the Holy Bible in a place of honor in our homes.

4. Fast regularly, not only from food but from things that could lead us to sin. We should fast with our eyes, ears, mouth...

5. Go to confession at least once a month.

During the conference it came out that the coordinator had nothing but obstacles in bringing the Marian Conference to Hawaii. But with sheer perseverance and trust in God and His blessed Mother, the conference was a big success.

I only wish more people had taken the time to come out and hear for themselves what our Lady had to say.