Most Vatican-approved Catholic prophecies come from saints and mystics of the past, often hundreds of years ago. There is one prophecy, however, that has its origins fairly recently, in 1981, and most of this prophecy has already come true.
We're speaking of Kibeho, Rwanda, where the Virgin Mary appeared to several children beginning in 1981. Calling herself the Mother of the Word, she delivered a series of profound messages, such as this:
"The world has turned against God. We must repent and ask for pardon."
More importantly, however, the Virgin Mary also showed the children terrifying visions of what was to come. They were shown visions of people killing each other with machetes, rivers running red with blood, and other horrible scenes, all of which came to fruition a decade later during the tragic Rwandan genocide. Thus, the prophecy of Kibeho was one of the main factors for the Vatican approving the apparitions. Ominously, however, the warnings of violence and chaos were not just for Rwanda. Our Lady said:
"I want to turn to the whole world. If I am now turning to the parish of Kibeho it does not mean I am only concerned for Kibeho or for the Diocese of Butare, or for Rwanda, or for the whole of Africa. I am concerned with and am turning to the whole world."
According to some of the visionaries, Our Lady told them that entire world had gone bad, and that mankind was perched on the precipice overlooking an abyss of darkness. The only remedy, the only saving grace, was for mankind to turn back to God before it's too late.
The powerful new documentary about the Kibeho prophecies, a film by Immaculee Ilibagiza and Sean Bloomfield, is now available on DVD and for screenings. Titled IF ONLY WE HAD LISTENED, the film features archival footage of the apparitions as well as recent interviews with the visionaries. It's a powerful film being hailed by critics and audiences alike. Click here to learn more.
Many popes in recent history have made startling predictions:
"There will come a great prodigy, which will fill the world with awe. But this prodigy will be preceded by the triumph of a revolution during which the Church will go through ordeals that are beyond description."
-Pope Pius IX (19th century)
"We believe that the present hour is a dread phase of the events foretold by Christ. It seems that darkness is about to fall on the world. Humanity is in the grip of a supreme crisis."
In the 17th century, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque made the following prediction about the End Times:
"I understand that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a last effort of His love towards Christians of these latter times, by offering to them an object and means so calculated to persuade them to love Him."
