On Tuesday, March 16th 2010 there will be 76th anniversary of building of cross on Cross Mountain and celebration of first Holy Mass under that same cross. Only 52 days passed ever since the day when decision for the cross to be built on the highest hill in the area, January 21st 1934 due to occasion of Jubilee Year of Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and decision was given to parishioners by their parish priest Fr. Bernardin Smoljan, until the day when cross was finally completed. Engineer Simun Boras from Mostar built the construction plan for the Cross, and Ante Dugandzic Redzo was monitoring all the works of construction.
Objavljeno: 15.03.2010.
The 17th International Meeting for Leaders of Peace Centres and Međugorje Prayer and Charity groups, with theme of the gathering: ". . . Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" (John, 6, 68), that began in Međugorje on Sunday, February 28th, and finished on Thursday, March 4th with Holy Mass of thanksgiving. There were 189 participants from 15 different countries. Along with specially organised programme conducted by Fr. Ivan Landeka, Fr. Ivan Ivanda and Fr. Danko Perutina, participants are also engaged in evening prayer programme in Međugorje parish church of St. James. Fr. Danko Perutina, one of the coordinators of this retreat said for the Radio Station MIR, Međugorje that “we are all leading somebody, but we are all led by somebody. We are all pilgrims here and we are all in Jesus’ and Mary’s school of love.” (photos)
Objavljeno: 02.03.2010.
Number of Holy Communions: 25.000
Number of priests that concelebrated at Holy Masses: 623 (22 per day)
Objavljeno: 01.03.2010.
Parish Office Međugorje and Franciscan Youth from Međugorje organised on Saturday, February 27th in parish Međugorje including villages Bijakovići, Vionica and Šurmanci cleaning and collecting litter day, under the title: “More flowers – less garbage”. The purpose of this day was to spare a bit of free time in order for our environment to become cleaner and nicer place for living. It started at 10 a.m. and since the weather was nice, many of parishioners joined in, since everybody was invited, from little ones to those oldest ones. More than 500 bags of small litter were collected. After collection finished, parishioners got together in their communities for a little socialising at the end.
We would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody who had participated and especially to thank municipal department of Utility Services from Čitluk, all of their employees and their Head Željko Dugandžić. We hope that in the future period there will be more similar and concrete actions.
Objavljeno: 28.02.2010.
ALESSANDRO D’ERRICO
“The Seal of Vecernji list” is recognition to the mission of the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina
February 28, 2011
Editorial board of Vecernji list, Bosnia and Herzegovina edition, chose Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina as the person most meritorious for promoting inter-religion dialogue
By Zoran Kresic
Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina is a diplomat who spent his last five years in Bosnia and Herzegovina and who is indeed serving to this country, fighting for the interests of her people and working on building harmonious composition in which we Croats, Catholics would be in equal position with two other people. Editorial board of Vecernji list , chose Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina as the person most meritorious for promoting inter-religion dialogue and tolerance.
Objavljeno: 28.02.2010.
The 17th International Meeting for Leaders of Peace Centres and Medjugorje Prayer and Charity groups will be held in Medjugorje
from the 28th of Februaryto the 4th of March 2010.
The theme of the gathering is:
". . . Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!"
(John, 6, 68)
Objavljeno: 26.02.2010.
On Ash Wednesday, February 17, Catholic Church entered period of Lent, fourty days long period of preparation for Easter. What is important about this period of Lent is mediatation on Christ's passion, especially during the devotions of Way of the Cross. The schedule of Way of the Cross in the church of St. James is:
- Fridays: 2 p.m. on the Cross Mountain, and in the church after evening Holy Mass
- Sundays: 10.30 a.m., before central Holy Mass, and after evening Holy Mass at 6 p.m.
Objavljeno: 19.02.2010.
On the day when we remember beatified Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, February 10, we prayed in Međugorje parish for all murdered Franciscans who were born in Međugorje parish: Fr. Križan Galić, Fr. Jozo Bencun, Fr. Marko Dragičević, Fr. Mariofil Sivrić, Fr. Grgo Vasilj and Fr. Jenko Vasilj, who were amongst those 66 priests from Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, brutally murdered by Partisans during the II World War and at the very end of the same war. Fr. Karlo Lovrić celebrated Holy Mass at 6 p.m. in parish church of St. James, and there were also ten other priests that concelebrated with him. Parish priest, Fr. Petar Vlašić spoke before the Holy Mass and said that there isn’t a single family in Međugorje parish that did not have at least one person killed during that period. Fr. Karlo, in his homily, said amongst the other things, the following: “We should be praying for them, but at the same time, we should be praying to them. They were not frightened, they did not deny our Church, and on the contrary, they gave their lives for Jesus and for their country. We thank them for that!” (photos)
Objavljeno: 12.02.2010.
Vocal group “Nostalgija” from Zagreb came to Međugorje and with their harmony singing, made celebration of evening Holy Mass in the church of St. James even more special and beautiful. They performed “Holy Mass in Harmony-Singing” from the author Živko Ključe, Opuzen, 1955, which this men vocal group practiced and performed for the first time in 1998. These well-practiced men voices performed following songs: “Bliže, o bliže Bože moj”, “Signore delle cime”, “Divici Mariji”, song arranged by Šime Marović with original verses from one of the most famous Croatian renaissance writers, Marko Marulić, and at the end they sang famous “Ave Maria”. (photos)
Objavljeno: 08.02.2010.
Number of Holy Communions: 41.000
Number of priests that concelebrated at Holy Masses: 866 (27 per day)
Objavljeno: 01.02.2010.
On Sunday, January 31, we remembered 2nd International Day of Prayer for Peace in Holy Land, and Fr. Miljenko Šteko was the main celebrant during the Holy Mass celebrated for that intention in the church of St. James at 6 p.m. Međugorje, famous place of peace and reconciliation, was one of 1000 places throughout the world where faithful gathered to pray for peace in Holy Land. In the message of support, that is read on that day, Monsignor Mario Toso, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, emphasises how peace is always gift of God and encourages participants: Persevere in prayer for peace! Međugorje, along with Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Gaza, Rome, Moscow, Paris, London, New York and other towns of Europe, Asia, Africa and America, accepted the invitation of associations Young for Life from Jerusalem and Papaboys from Rome, actively participating in this whole day prayer programme opened by Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of Holy Land.
Objavljeno: 31.01.2010.
On Wednesday, January 27, Međugorje woke up under a snow layer, and children were the ones that were most excited because of that. Peace is part of Međugorje everyday reality, and under snow layer it is even more intense. This all gave unique opportunity to many photographers to shoot some of the unrepeatable scenes of Međugorje countryside.
(photos)
Objavljeno: 29.01.2010.
Members of football club Dinamo from Zagreb, Croatia, together with their President Mirko Barišić and Coach Kruno Juričić, spent some time in Međugorje, preparing for the forthcoming spring season. Along with regular sports activities, members of this leading Premier league club were also participating in one day spiritual retreat that Međugorje Franciscans organised for them on January 22. First, they all climbed Apparition Hill and prayed Rosary, then talk was given to them and day finished with Holy Mass that was celebrated for them in Adoration chapel. As one of the most common sacraments in Međugorje is sacrament of Holy Confession, they also had chance for either confession or spiritual talk with one of Međugorje Franciscans.
Besides members of Dinamo football club, Međugorje is hosting other Croatian football clubs as well, and their members are also participating in regular prayer programme of this famous parish.
(photos)
Objavljeno: 28.01.2010.
Members of Franciscan youth (FRAMA) of Međugorje parish had the ceremony of promises and incorporation into Franciscan youth that took place on Sunday, January 24th during the evening Holy Mass at 6 p.m. that was celebrated by Fr. Marinko Šakota. Fr. Danko Perutina, spiritual assistant of Medjugorje Franciscan Youth was present as well. 63 members of Franciscan Youth gave their promise for the first time, or repeated the promises given in the past. Franciscan Youth from Humac, Ljubuški accompanied this ceremony with their singing, and there were members from different parishes as well, such as Čerin, Čitluk, Drinovci, Gorica, Sovići, Ružići and others.
Objavljeno: 25.01.2010.
On Thursday, January 21, 2009 at 6.p.m. Holy Mass was celebrated in Međugorje parish church for late Međugorje parish priest and for all departed priests who used to serve in Međugorje parish. Concelebrated Holy Mass was led by Fr. Miljenko Šteko who, as he quoted verses of 56th Psalm, amongst other things said the following: “All is written in the Book of God. Even according to that Book, we ourselves are counting this period since we are no longer in the presence of our late priest brothers, and exactly today we celebrate eight years since our late Međugorje parish priest Dr. Fr. Leonard Orec died. He was born in Posuški Gradac in 1928, and met with his “Sister Death” in 2002 in Zagreb. His days were counted down in his 74th year of life, 55th year of ordination and 51st year of priesthood, little after his celebration of Golden Jubilee – 50 years of priesthood! His earthly remains are waiting for the resurrection of the death in Franciscan grave in Posušje.
Objavljeno: 22.01.2010.
