News archive

On bicycle from the Czech Republic to Medjugorje for the first anniversary of his priestly ordination

In the beginning of May 2007, Zdenek Fučik, a young priest from the parish of Mikulov in the Brno Diocese of the Czech Republic, decided to make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje on his bicycle in order to thank God both for his priestly vocation and for the first year of his priesthood. He received his priestly ordination on June 24^th, 2006, which was precisely the 25^th anniversary of the first apparition in Medjugorje.

A story of a late vocation: Sister Rita Marie Sofka, USA

In 1991 after partaking of dinner at my parents’ house, my father asked me to watch a video concerning Medjugorje. I have always loved Our Blessed Mother, so I was fascinated to hear that she was appearing in Medjugorje, and I asked my father if this was truly possible. Ten years had elapsed, and I hadn’t heard one single priest speak about it in a church! My father told me that it was a protestant man who had made the tape. That evening, there was a dreadful storm which prevented me from driving back to my own home, so I spent the night at my parents’ house. During that night, I truly felt Our Lady’s presence in the room. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. On the one hand, I was excited, but on the other hand I was nervous, nevertheless I felt at peace. Something happened that night. She touched me. That experience remained etched in my mind. Whenever I heard Medjugorje mentioned, the fascination returned.

Archbishop Emeritus Bernardo Cazzaro visited Medjugorje

In the beginning of May 2007, Mons. Bernardo Cazzaro, Archbishop Emeritus of Puerto Montt, Chile, visited Medjugorje. He came in company with a group of pilgrims from Italy. Since he retired from active episcopal service, Mons. Cazzaro serves as spiritual counselor and confessor in the Monte Berico Shrine near Vicenza in Italy. (Interview in preparation)

The Order of Malta returns to Medjugorje

On May 1^st, 2007, the staff of the First Aid Station of the Order of Malta from Cologne (Germany) and their associated volunteers resumed their annual service in Medjugorje. They will be at the service of the pilgrims and the parishioners until November 1^st of this year. The Order of Malta invites any volunteers who wish to be involved in this service to contact them. (See: http://www.malteser.de)

Statistics for March and April 2007

March 2007:

Holy Communions distributed: 69.000

Concelebrating priests: 1.246

April 2007:

Holy Communions distributed: 136.500

Concelebrating priests: 2.565

The summer prayer programme schedule

The summer Prayer Programme schedule in Medjugorje begins on May 1^st.

Praying of the Rosary in the Parish Church begins at 6.00 pm. Holy Mass is at 7.00 pm, followed by the Prayer Programme according to the day of the week. Eucharistic adoration on Wednesday and Saturday is at 10.00 pm. Both the Rosary on Apparition Hill and the Way of the Cross on Krizevac begin at 4.00 pm.

Relay race Bolzano – Medjugorje

Thirteen friends, all members of a sport group from Zanica near Bolzano in Italy, undertook a 640 kilometer relay race from their own parish to Medjugorje, which they did in a spirit of pilgrimage. Each day they either walked or ran from 7.00 am until 8.30 pm. The participants rotated in relay every 12 kilometers, whether running or walking, each one according to his own capability. One of them even walked for two kilometers despite being disabled. Seven days were required to complete the journey from Bolzano to Medjugorje in this manner. From Bolzano they went to Ancona where they took a boat for Split, after which they journeyed onwards via Stobreč, Šestanovac and Zagvozd, Slivno, Vitina and Ljubuški to Medjugorje itself. They used two campers in which they spent each night.

New Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina

In the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina has been designated a new Administration. As Provincial has been chosen our parish priest, Fra Ivan Sesar. We send ours congratulations to Fra Ivan and we wish success on its task, the God’s Blessing and the intercession of the Queen of the Peace in the exercise of this service of responsibility.

Holy Triduum of the Holy Week – Easter

Also this year Holy Triduum of the Holy Week has ghatered pilgrims from all the world here in Međugorje. A large number of pilgrims of various linguistic groups has newly rendered necessary that the Liturgy and the Way of the Cross were carried out by groups.  (photos)

Palm Sunday in Medjugorje

Holy Week, the highpoint of the Lenten preparation for Easter, begins with Palm (or Passion) Sunday. In Medjugorje, the liturgy of Passion Sunday begins with the reading of the Gospel and the blessing of the branches, and is followed by a procession from the site of the old parish church, culminating with the celebration of Holy Mass in the current Parish Church. (photos)

Fr. Petar Vlašić in Pula (Croatia)

At the end of February of this year, Fr. Petar Vlašić, curate in the parish of Medjugorje with responsibility for the care of the filial church of the Merciful Jesus in Šurmanci, visited both St. Polycarp House, the Home for elderly and sick people, and Redemptoris Mater, the diocesan missionary seminary in Pula (Croatia). This visit was in response to an invitation from Mr. Martin Kliman, Director of St. Polycarp House, where the residents are taken care of by the sisters of the Merciful Jesus who came from Poland to Croatia in 1990.

Pilgrims from the distant island of Tahiti

Among the pilgrims who came to Medjugorje in the month of March, there was a group from the Pacific island of Tahiti. They attracted attention to themselves by their very pleasant and harmonious singing. This pilgrimage was organized by a deacon who is in charge of the training of catechists in Tahiti.

The annual apparition of our Lady to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo on march 18, 2007

The visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo had daily apparitions from June 24th 1981 to December 25th 1982. During the last daily apparition, Our Lady gave her the 10th secret, and told her that she would appear to her once a year, on the 18th of March.  It has been this way through the years.

Archbishop Frane Franić has died

 Mons. Frane Franić, retired Archbishop and Primate of Split-Makarska died on the 17^th of March, 2007, in the Clinical Hospital in Split.

 As a professor of dogmatic theology he became an active participant in the Second Vatican Council, in addition to his membership of various other official commissions of that Council. He had served as a bishop in difficult historical times. With unwavering determination, he strengthened both fidelity to the Gospel and loyalty to the Holy Father, while at the same time he promoted ecumenism and dialogue in society as a whole.  Mons. Franic’s burial was planned for March 21^st in St. Peter’s Pro-cathedral in Split.

The 14th International Meeting for Guides

The 14^th International Meeting for Guides and Leaders of Peace Centres and Medjugorje Prayer, Pilgrim and Charity Groups took place in Medjugorje from the 4^th to the 8^th of March, 2007. The theme of this gathering was: “By your perseverance you will save your lives“. (Luke 21, 19)