The 13th International Seminar for Priests took place in Medjugorje from June 30th to July 5th 2008. The topic of the seminar was, “We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6,4). The preacher at the seminar was Dr. Fr. Zvjezdan Linić, ofm.
There were 233 priests from all over the world (Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Colombia, USA, Ireland, Belgium; Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), among whom 30 priests of the eastern rite from Ukraine and Lithuania. This seminar was simultaneously translated into nine languages.
Every day began with the prayer of Laudes in Latin, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which was followed by lecture given by Fr. Zvjezdan Linić. During the midday break, the priests had the possibility to remain in silent Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. In the afternoon, there was a lecture followed by the Evening Prayer Program in the parish church.
During the seminar, the priests climbed together the Apparition Hill where they prayed the Rosary, they also climbed together the Cross Mountain praying the way of the Cross, after which they had the occasion for Confession. On the last day, the prayer of Laudes took place at the statue of the Risen Christ, and the participants also visited the tomb of Father Slavko Barbarić who started these international encounters of priests.
The seminar was simultaneously translated from the Croatian into nine languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Slovak, Russian and Hungarian.
The lectures were broadcasted live by Radio Maria for Austria and South Tyrol.
The priests were received freely in the families of the parishioners, and different Medjugorje Organizations and Peace Centres from all over the world were also involved, because they helped financially those priests who had difficulties to find financial means for travelling.
