Magnificat meal movement
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The Magnificat Meal Movement (MMM) is a controversial offshoot of the Roman Catholic Church with about 60 members[1]. The Movement is based in Helidon, a small town about 130km west of Brisbane in the Lockyer Valley just east of Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia.
The Movement is Millenialist subscribing to a belief that these are the Biblical End Times. It emphasises Marian and Eucharistic devotion. The Movement is perceived to be Traditionalist Catholic by many.
The Movement's members have at times dressed in a uniform or habit. The Movement has made public its desire to construct a substantial Church (at times referred to as a Basilica) at Helidon and has engaged in a number of business ventures, including Real Estate speculation and Herbalife product distribuction to raise money toward this project.
MMM Members joining the movement at its headquarters sign over assets and spend a year as 'slaves' living simple monastic lives in contrast to the lifestyle of the Movement's upper echelons.
The Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, William M Morris DD has made repeated statements distancing the Roman Catholic Church from the Magnificat Meal Movement, its doctrines and practices.
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[edit] History
The Magnificat Meal Movement was founded by Debra Geilesky (maiden name Debra Burslem) after claimed apparitions of and messages from the Virgin Mary and Jesus in the Helidon region.
1988
MMM founded (according to some reports).
1990
MMM founded in Melbourne (according to other sources).
1992
Deborah Geilesky and her husband Gordon move to Toowoomba.
1993
Debora and Gordon Geilesky move to Helidon, which is in a different Parish than Toowoomba.
MMM acquire a former convent next door to St Joseph's Catholic church in Helidon. This property has been used as its headquarters for many years.
1996
In May, Bishop Morris issues a public statement that the Magnificat Meal Movement is a private movement sponsored and founded by Debra Geilesky.
1997
In July, Bishop Morris reiterates his statement of the previous year. This statement explicitly describes the Movement as a cult in the pejorative sense.
1 September, 1997, The Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, William M Morris, appointed a Commission to investigate the Magnificat Meal Movement and alleged supernatural apparitions to its founder and some of its members.
1998
October 1998 Bishop Morris' Commission reports.
1999
MMM denounced by Debra Geilesky's former ghost writer, Wally Maggs.
12 January, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sends a letter to the Bishop after reviewing the report of his 1998/1999 Commission.
12 February, Corpus Christi International registered by Debra Geilesky as a business for "educational materials".
9 September, media circus and police presence at Helidon near MMM HQ over claims of a prophesy of a fire.
2003
16 July, police raid MMM Headquarters seeking a 12 year old girl at the centre of a custody dispute. They cannot locate her, but the Movement later surrenders her.
26 August, 5 MMM Members arrested for obstructing police while attempting to prevent execution of a search warrant.
2004
In December, a wealthy US couple launched legal action against Magnificat Meal Movement leader Debra Geileskey, for refusing to repay a $600,000 property loan they made as members of MMM for the purchase of land for a tree farm for the movement.
2005
May 2005 Gatton Shire Council continues action against MMM for building code and other violations.
[edit] Other Matters
[edit] CORMA
CORMA stands for Co-Redemptorist, Mediatrix of All Graces and Advocate, the title by which the movement prefers to refer to Mary.
[edit] Commonwealth of Caledonia Australis
MMM have placed signs on some of their properties claiming to be part of The Commonwealth of Caledonia Australis.
A MMM member has attempted to use CCA citizenship to avoid charges relating to vehicular offences, denying the authority of the Courts.
[edit] Related Corporate Entities
Our Lady's Mount -- holds stakes in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property deeded to them by MMM members.
Corpus Christi International -- educational publishing company and sometime sponsor/co-ordinator of MMM affiliate youth events.
