32nd Anniversary of Our Lady of Emmitsburg Inviting Mike & Gianna Sullivan to Emmitsburg
January 31, 2025
It was January 31, 1993 that Mike and Gianna Sullivan were at the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland and Our Lady appeared to Gianna at the back of the Grotto at the Crucifixion scene. It was during this apparition that Our Lady who had already been appearing to Gianna and 8 others at St. Maria Goretti parish in Scottsdale, Arizona asked Gianna and Mike to move to Emmitsburg for a special mission requested by God The Father.
Our Lady requested that Mike and Gianna drive into town and speak to the pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and explain to him what God The Father and The Blessed Virgin Mary wished to do here in Emmitsburg that would play a huge role in Salvation History. Mike and Gianna drove to St. Joseph’s in Emmitsburg about 3 miles away, knocked on the door and spoke with the pastor, Fr. Alfred Pehrsson C.M.
Mike and Gianna explained Our Lady’s request to Fr. Al and after he received what he considered sufficient confirmation he allowed Our Lady’s wishes to take place at St. Joseph’s in Emmitsburg. Fr. Al and a supporting panel of priest familiar with the situation also obtained permission for the apparitions to take place at St. Joseph’s from Cardinal William H. Keeler. The Thursday Night Prayer Group was born.
It started off small taking place in the rectory. Word spread that Our Lady was appearing to Gianna at St. Joseph’s and before long the crowds increased and the apparition was moved into the church itself to accommodate the growing number of people who came each Thursday night. It remained in the church for the next 7 years until Cardinal Keeler decided to close down the prayer group on September 8, 2000 which also happens to be the Feast of Mary’s Nativity.
Since then Mike and Gianna have made a point to visit the Grotto of Lourdes and go to the crucifixion scene where Our Lady first requested that they go speak to Fr. Al. Each year on January 31st, the feast of St. John Bosco , Mike and Gianna have faithfully observed this important anniversary.
This year it was impossible because of Mikes sudden, unexpected death back on November 2nd and Gianna being in Florida. Gianna still wanted to observe this anniversary and this is how she did it:
Thursday January 30
On the evening of January, 30, 2025 I received a text from Gianna. Gianna asked if I had any plans for tomorrow. I told her no. Gianna then asked me if I would consider going to the Grotto at 2:30 to pray the rosary with her over the phone in honor of Mike and the 32nd anniversary or Our Lady’s apparition at the crucifixion scene. I told her I would be happy to.
Friday January 31
It is pouring down ice cold rain today. I attended the 8:30 mass at St. Joseph’s this morning, I then drove home. Later in the day I accidently called my sister Barbara Ann M____ who lives in Virginia. I realized I called and I hung up thinking it was fast enough that the call would not go through. The rain continued and it was obvious that it was not going to stop by the time I left to go to the Grotto.
I put on a warm, water proof coat with a hood and I left to go to the Grotto. On my way to the Grotto I stopped at St. Joseph’s to say a prayer for my phone meeting with Gianna. I arrived at St. Joseph’s and glanced at my watch and the time was 2:13:33.
I prayed a few prayers and drove the rest of the way to the Grotto. By the time I got to the Grotto it was raining even harder. I walked to the Crucifixion Scene at the very back of the Grotto and when I got to the top step I called Gianna. At that very instant my sister Barbara Ann returned the accidental call I made to her earlier. There was a glitch with the phone and BOTH calls were instantly disconnected. Gianna instantly called me back and I noticed the time on my phone was 2:33. I glanced at my watch and the time was 2:33:33.
The rain continued but I was still mostly dry. Gianna and I prayed the Sorrowful mysteries taking turns between each decade. Gianna and I finished the rosary and she thanked me for helping her commemorate the anniversary of the first time Our Lady appeared to her as Our Lady of Emmitsburg.
We hung up and I started walking back to my car. I got as far as the little Corpus Christi Chapel and I SUDDENLY KNEW I was being asked by Our Lady to go in and pray another rosary. I went in and the warmth felt very good! I prayed the Glorious mysteries and glanced at my watch as I finished and kissed the crucifix and the time was 3:33:13.
I then left and the rain was still coming down but had slowed down a bit. Again I started walking back to my car. As I continued to walk the rain increased again and I was starting to get wet. As I got as far as the Glass Chapel I AGAIN had a SUDDEN urge to go into the Glass Chapel and pray ANOTHER rosary. I resisted. As I resisted I KNEW to glance at my watch and the seconds were 33. I continued on the path I was already on and walked into the glass chapel. I prayed the Joyful mysteries and glanced at my watch as I finished and kissed the crucifix and the time was 4:13:00.
R.C.
Feb. 13, 2025
2:33 pm