Opinions of Authorities
“In any case, it is an interesting fact that also in Slovenia we had a woman, who for nearly 50 years consumed no natural food and practically drank no water but lived that entire time from Holy Communion and an “extraordinary food” she received while in ecstasy. How many among us know that this woman mystically experienced Christ’s suffering or that a great many people converted at her admonitions, which were received in ecstasies or visions? Perhaps we could even conclude that from the middle of the nineteenth century God prophetically warned us through her of the tragedies of the two world wars in the twentieth century, if people did not convert; or, at least, of all the atrocities amassed on Slovenian soil, especially in Dolenjska [the region where Gora is located]. Of this warning, history shows that we did not “hear”. … Surprising is her gradual development of theological depth, which primarily was the fruit of instruction and comprehension shared with her through ecstasies and visions. But mostly surprising is how matter-of-factly and soberly she was able to accept such suffering even as a young girl. The authenticity of the events is possible to infer because of her development and growth in a virtuous life, which became consistently and increasingly apparent over time. … There are signs in the life of Magdalena Gornik that clearly show virtue developed toward that of a heroic degree. … the life of such an exceptional personality as was Magdalena Gornik still hides many mysteries that certainly also contains a message for the people of our time.” (From the preface to the book, “Magdalena Gornik”)
— Monsignor Dr. Marjan Turnček, retired archbishop of Maribor
“Magdalena Gornik is the first and greatest mystic of the small Slovenian nation. Magdalena is an expression of Jesus Christ’s gift of love to mankind. Because she felt his love, especially upon receiving Holy Communion, she was prepared to participate in his suffering for the salvation of mankind (See Col 1:24). In her own body she experienced His bloody wounds, and for nearly fifty years she lived solely from Holy Communion and a kind of ‘unusual heavenly food’. By her thirteenth years she received true, very pain stigmata, which were visible for seven years, then later invisible but just as painful.
In her the words of Jesus were repeatedly fulfilled: “I am the vine: you the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5). Her life blossomed in heroic virtue: faith, hope, and charity; humility, patience, and obedience. She experienced not only the suffering of Christ but also, in a mystical way, His death and resurrection.
With mystical phenomena she evokes in us faith, hope, and charity and gratitude to Jesus Christ; with her heroic virtues, she invites us to the imitation of them. Through her, we can learn heartfelt love of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, love toward the Mother of God, and in all life’s difficulties and ordeals, patience and commitment to God.”
— Fr. Dr Anton Nadrah, Ocist
“Magdalena encourages us to worship of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. As a child and girl, she spent many hours kneeling before the tabernacle in her local church and always invited her contemporaries to adoration. Magdalena is for us an example of a trusting relationship with Mary, the Mother of God. Mary first appeared to her and told her what the Son of God wished from her. All her life, Magdalena faithfully honored Mary. Magdalena Gornik teaches us to accept suffering as an integral part of life, following the example of Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross for us. Through her suffering, she showed the way to complete trust in God and provided an example of forebearance. Magdalena invites us to reparation. She freely accepted her mission that through her own suffering she would make reparation for the sins of others. When we realize the burden the world itself carries because of the multitude of sins, from the killing of unborn children to euthanasia, wars, other violence, and debauchery, her invitation is even more relevant today.”
— Monsignor Franci Petrič, postulator
“Given the extraordinary phenomena in the mystical experience and holy life of Magdalena Gornik, it is natural to think about steps to her beatification and canonization. In another country, it would have already been done long ago. I hearfully wish that the bishopric will very soon begin an official process for the beatification of Magdalena Gornik. There is no doubt about her holiness, about that to which her extraordinary mystical gifts testify.” (record in the Pilgrims' book, 3 Sept., 2008 and 4 August 2019)
— Cardinal Dr. Franc Rodé