It is with sadness that Columba Books announces the death of Finbar O’Leary, beloved author of Vicka, Her Story and Meeting with Our Lady of Medjugorje.
Finbar’s first pilgrimage to Medjugorje was in 1986 where he experienced an extraordinary spiritual experience. Touched by Our Lady, he wished his whole life to change, and it did.
Shortly after returning home, he suffered a stroke. While recovering in the hospital, a priest with a wondrous gift of healing, came into his room by mistake but went ahead to pray for him and, lo and behold, Finbar was instantly restored to full health!
It took him some time to understand the great miracle that had occurred. Directed by the good priest, he commenced on a three year journey to better understand his love for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and of course Our Lady.
Finbar devoted his career to communicating the story of Our Lady of Medjugorje and Her mystical appearances to visionaries across the world, which he did faithfully in Vicka, Her Story and Meeting with Our Lady of Medjugorje, both published by Columba Books. In both books, he intimately captures raw and honest accounts from Medjugorje’s visionaries, collected through in-depth personal interviews.
Finbar died peacefully at Cork University Hospital yesterday (November 21). Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, with a funeral to follow in St. Finnbarr’s Cemetery, Co. Cork.
We send our thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.