Incense-like smoke during prayer on Cross Mountain

 

 

Pillars or columns of light, smoke or even (on one occasion) mysterious fire have been observed in Medjugorje from the early days of the apparitions. When, in October 1981, hundreds of people had seen a fire burning without consuming anything atop the Hill of Apparitions, the visionaries asked the Virgin Mary what had happened.

In her answer the Virgin connected the mysterious fire to the Permanent Sign she has announced to appear on the Hill of Apparitions at some point in the future – as the third of the 10 secrets to be entrusted to the visionaries:

“The fire, seen by the faithful, was of a supernatural character. It is one of the signs, a forerunner of the great sign.” (October 28th 1981)

In this respect, and in its own discreet way, the above event could also turn out to be one of many heralds of the Permanent Sign. At least this Italian pilgrims group was pleasantly surprised at seeing what happened at the Cross on top of Cross Mountain when they prayed an Our Father and one Hail Mary just below it. The incense-like stream of smoke that ascends to Heaven during their prayer also calls to mind a passage from The Book of Revelation.