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Fr. Vidal Lodriguez Lopez in Medjugorje

Fr. Vidal Lodriguez Lopez, ofm, Rector and Vicar of the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, was in Medjugorje in June 2008.

For five years now, he is in charge of the Antonianum and of about one hundred Franciscans from all over the world, from different countries, languages, colors and cultures who are studying in Rome, and then going back to their countries in order to evangelize.

27th Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje

The 27^th Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje was solemnly celebrated in the spirit of gratitude for all the graces received. (photos)

REGULAR ANNUAL APPARITION TO THE VISIONARY IVANKA

The visionary Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez had her regular annual apparition on June 25^th 2008. According to the visionaries, Vicka, Marija and Ivan continue to have daily apparitions, and Mirjana, Ivanka and Jakov have an annual apparition.

17. Humac-Medjugorje Peace Walk

The Peace March from Humac to Medjugorje traditionally takes place on June 24^th, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist. Again this year, thousands of pilgrims who were not discouraged by the strong sun followed the cross, praying all the while. This 14 kilometer-long march began at the front of the Franciscan monastery in Humac at about 6 am, and prayed and sang ceaselessly until it arrived in front of the parish church in Medjugorje at about 10 am. The march concluded with the Eucharistic Blessing.

Pilgrms arriving for the Anniversary

In Medjugorje, one can feel the nearness of the coming celebration of the Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions. From all sides of the world, by air, sea and road, pilgrims are coming.

On foot from Ravensburg (Germany) to the Holy Land

Philip Knorr (68) is walking from Ravensburg (Germany) to Jerusalem. He started his pilgrimage on Monday after Pentecost, May 12, and arrived to Medjugorje on Friday, June 20.

Paved pathways in front of the outside altar

Before the 27^th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions, the pathways in front of the outside altar between the benches were paved. Thanks to this intervention, it will be easier for the priests and the faithful to move during the distribution of Holy Communion. At the same time will be avoided the noise provoked by the steps on the gravels, which often disturbs silent recollection.

Shoes for the refugees

Jacques Bousquet from France came 57 times to Medjugorje. He came for the first time in the first years of the apparitions, when the name of Medjugorje was not to be found on any map yet. He remembers those days, and how the pilgrims were close to the Franciscans and the visionaries. They could be very close to them during apparitions. He remembers Fr. Slavko Barbarić who was transmitting to the pilgrims the spirit of Medjugorje. He remembers how those experiences gave him the certitude that Our Lady was really here.

Novena to the Queen of Peace in Lebanon

For the 8^th consecutive year, with the blessing of the Maronite Patriarch, from 16^th to 25^th of June every year “Friends of Mary Queen of Peace” association is organizing the prayer novena “Praying with Mary for Lebanon” which is a 24/24 hours novena of praying the rosary, fasting (nine days or one day according to a personal choice) and adoration of The Blessed Sacrament. Each year it is taking place in another region of Lebanon and in the churches designated by local bishops.

Prayer and liturgical program for the 27th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje

From Sunday June 15^th to Monday June 23^rd

4 pm                Novena – Rosary on Apparition Hill

6 pm to 9 pm    Evening Prayer Program

7 pm                 Evening solemn Mass with special homily

Tuesday June 24^th – Feast of the Nativity St. John The Baptist

6 am                ”Peace March“ from Humac to Medjugorje

Begins at Humac at 6 am in front of St. Anthony’s church

Arrives in Medjugorje 10 am approx. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Confessions       During the morning and after 5 pm

8 am & 11 am   Holy Mass in Croatian

Masses in other languages – according to usual program

6 pm                 Rosary

7 pm                 Evening vigil Mass

10 pm – 12 pm  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
                                         with meditations

12 pm - 5 am    Silent Adoration

Wednesday June 25^th (27^th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje)

Confessions       During the whole day

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 am, 4 pm          Holy Mass in Croatian

Masses in other languages – according to the program

6 pm                 Rosary

7 pm                 Evening solemn Mass

On foot to Medjugorje

Last year during Lent, while praying the Way of the cross, Josip Jurina and Stjepan Sačer from Gornja Stubica, Croatia, decided to come on foot to Medjugorje. They were preparing themselves, and made a pilgrimage on foot to Marija Bistrica (27 kilometers), they started their pilgrimage to Medjugorje on May 27. they took 11 days to cros 550 kilometers. On arrival to Medjugorje, on June 6, they participated in the Evening prayer program, and the next day, they climbed the Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain.

The mariologist Laurentin defends Medjugorje: “What satanic deceit? Our Lady is really appearing”.

by Bruno Volpe

VATICAN CITY - Confrontation of opinions: the beauty of dialectics. On the columns of our newspaper, the trustworthy Bishop and exorcist, Monsignor Andrea Gemma, has severely fustigated the phenomenon of Medjugorje defining it as “a great deceit”. We wanted to hear also a favorable opinion on the apparitions in that country. Therefore we have interviewed one of the most authoritative living mariologists, Father Renè Laurentin.

Minister Čobanković visited Medjugorje

Mr. Petar Čobanković, Minister of the regional development in the Croatian Government, visited Medjugorje on Friday, May 30^th. He was hosted by Mr. Ivo Jerkić, the Mayor of Čitluk, Fr. Svetozar Kraljević, Director of Mother’s Village, and Fr. Petar Vlašić, pastor of Medjugorje.

Statistics for May 2008

May 2008:

Holy Communions distributed: 150.000

Concelebrating priests: 3.614 (116/day)

A bishop from Rwanda

Mons. Jean Damascène Bimenyimana, bishop of the diocese Cyangugu in Rwanda was in Medjugorje from 19^th to 22^nd of May, 2008.

Mons. Bimenyimana presided Holy Mass for the French speaking pilgrims where he also gave the homily, concelebrated Holy Mass for the German speaking pilgrims, and participated in the Evening Prayer program. He climbed the Apparition Hill, he visited the visionary Ivan with whom he prayed the Rosary and was present during the apparition, and he also spoke with the visionary Vicka. He also visited the parish priest and he had lunch in the parish house.