FAQ

Why is it that for such a long time no one knew of Magdalena Gornik?

There are many explanations for this. The first was certainly the very sensationalistic fraud of “Johanna of Vodice” (Ivana Jerovšek), which happened after Magdalena's death. From 1912 to 1913, Ivana Jerovšek of Vodice near Ljubljana imitated Magdalena’s visions and staged false bleeding with the help of a tube and animal blood. She garnered much attention from those in civil and ecclesiastical circles. Ivana was arrested and in her court trial she admitted her guilt, stating that even as a child she knew about Magdalena Gornik and that she imitated Magdalena’s visions. This fraud caused people to begin equating Magdalena Gornik with Johanna of Vodice; thus, trampling Magdalena's name in the mud. In addition, the grip of communism, which restricted religious freedom for many years, contributed greatly to the apparent decline. However, despite being deprived of her good name, Magdalena always aroused astonishment and interest among the people. Word about her never died. Throughout all, people visited her grave, being convinced of her holiness. Upon the hundredth year anniversary of her death, a turn in fact took place – archives were discovered; research on her life began; and she was depicted in the fresco on the outside chapel in Kurešček. People began to visit her grave en masse, praying for her intercession. The number of expressions of gratitude and written testimonies of answered prayers for her intercession increased. We can say that her prediction (known by oral tradition) is being fulfilled, namely, that six generations (after approximately one hundred years) after her death miracles at her intercession will begin to occur.

How is it possible to live 47 years without earthly food?

Only God has the answer to this. “For with God nothing is impossible” (Lk 1:37). In people such as Magdalena Gornik, He has shown that He is the Creator and that natural laws operating in the human body are subject to Him. When God is at work, the person retains all physical, psychological, and spiritual strength at all times and carries out his own daily obligations. And so it was with Magdalena Gornik for 47 years, that is, until her death. Science cannot explain this phenomenon. It has also been known to have occurred in the lives of other saints – St. Nicholas of Flüe lived without food for 20 years; St. Lidwina of Schiedam, 28 years; Therese Neumann, 36 years; Mathe Robin, 53 years.

Why mystical suffering?

God, in His plan, had it that Magdalena, in a special mystical way, would suffer and make reparation for the sins of others. Magdalena could have rejected that offer from God, but she did not. She voluntarily and consciously took it upon herself. She did not only meditate on Christ's suffering but also shared in it mystically through visions and the stigmata. With intense physical and mental pain and spirtual abandonment, she relived the suffering of Jesus nearly every day. Why God intended this kind of suffering for her, only He knows. She faithfully accepted and patiently endured it as an offering. The veil that conceals the strength and value of human suffering in the eyes of God was removed from her. She knew the high price of the offering of suffering in the salvation of the world. Therefore, in her prayers she brought the suffering of others before God and most often took their burdens onto her own shoulders and offered them to Him. In this way, the Lord allowed her to call His mercy upon those who carried a heavy cross or were distant from Him. And the soul for whom Magdalena suffered also reached God's mercy. In the sacrifice of her own suffering, she followed the example of Christ and was an aide in His salvation of the world.

What is mystical death? Does one still live?

Regarding Magdalena, we must look at mystical death in the context of joining with Christ's suffering and co-experiencing His death on the cross. This occurred on Good Friday at three o'clock. At that time, Magdalena was present at Calvary in spirit and also relived a part of Jesus' suffering. This suffering was reflected also in her body. When Jesus died, her body also became similar to a dead body, except that she continued to breath and her heart beat gently. Her body remained without movement until Easter Sunday morning, when there followed mystical resurrection. More about this can be read in the book: “Magdalena Gornik”.

What is the stigmata?

The stigmata is a mysterious participation in Christ's suffering. It reproduces the wounds of Christ on the recipient. On specific parts of the body, the person receives signs (wounds) that demonstrate a replication of Christ's suffering as described in the gospels. For seven years, Magdalena carried on her body visible stigmata, that is, on her hands, feet, side and head. Since she did not like people visiting her because of the visible wounds, she implored God to remove them. This also occurred, and from then to the end of her life she carried invisible stigmata (wounds that were not visible but were very painful).

How do we know that God was the cause of the mystical phenomena in Magdalena?

The book discusses quite precisely the criteria the Church employs in assessing supernatural, mystical phenomena. The principle followed is that if the phenomenon can first be explained by a natural cause (for instance, psychologically or scientifically), then it is interpreted as natural. However, if it cannot be explained by what is natural, then it is assessed to be the work of God or an evil spirit. This assessment is determined by the fruit the phenomena bears. Magdalena’s life testifies to her great humility, faith, and good works. After her death, fulfillment of requests at her intercession have now occurred – through her, God fulfilled supplications, prayers, which is significant evidence that God was at work in her life. However, the final judgement on this is left to the Church.

What is Magdalena’s central message?

God is merciful but also just. Despite all insults, God is always ready to provide time and opportunity for conversion. Time for conversion is limited. God is not to blame for our sins; we alone are responsible for them and their consequences. God does not expect us to seek suffering and to impose it on ourselves in order to attain heaven. It is enough to accept that which God allows and to carry it willingly, because only in this way does it bring inner happiness and peace. At the same time, God purifies the heart with suffering, so it can become open to God’s love and to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Christ gave to our suffering a new, redemptive role, because He united it with His own suffering. Therefore, there is no need to fear suffering. Just as He lovingly accepted the cross on which hung the weight of the entire world, so He wishes us to accept the little He sends us. He knows about all our suffering and wishes only that we receive it from Him with love and offer it to Him. The only path that leads to heaven is the path of the cross, on which, however, we are not alone.