News archive

Fr. Antonio–Mario Čirko: „I came to Medjugorje to renew my priesthood before Mary, as this is where my vocation was initiated”

Many pilgrims from all over the world come to Medjugorje during the summer months and many Croatians are among them too. All those pilgrims arrive here to be spiritually fed before returning to their homes and that is why from July 1 to August 31, there is one additional Holy Mass in Croatian language at 1 pm each day.

Jimmy Belabre in Međugorje

The first Mary's meals were distributed in Malawi in 2002, but the family MacFarlane-Barrow from Scotland who started this project says that Mary’s Meals are the fruit of Medjugorje. They came here in 1993 for the first time and during the war they were bringing humanitarian help from Scotland and later on, out of this, new global project for the help to the poorest ones, supported by many people throughtout the world, developed from it.  (photos)

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated in Medjugorje

Several dozens of thousands of pilgrims arrived to Medjugorje on the occasion of the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sixteen Holy Masses were celebrated on either in the church of St. James, Adoration chapel or the White Dome in many different languages. (photos)

Saturday, August 5, the last day of the Youth Festival

Saturday, August 5, was the last day of the whole-day programme of the youth Festival in Medjugorje. The morning programme began with the morning prayer led by Fr. Marinko Sakota, coordinator of the Festival and continued with the catechesis of Fr. Jacques Philippe from the community of Beatitudes.  (photos)

The 28th Youth Festival concluded with the Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on the top of Cross Mountain

The 28^th Youth Festival was concluded with the Holy Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by the parish priest Fr. Marinko Sakota on the top of Cross Mountain on Sunday, August 6, at 5 am. The Youth Festival began on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 with the theme “That your love may grow more” and gathered dozens of thousands of young people from 61 countries. (photos)

Friday, August 4, the Youth Festival programme

On Friday, August 4, the Youth Festival programme continued in Medjugorje. It started with the morning prayer, led by the coordinator, parish priest, Fr. Marinko Sakota, and Fr. Jacques Philippe from the Beatitudes Community gave also this day his catechesis.  (photos)

Thursday, August 3 – programme of the Youth Festival

The central part of this day was also Holy Mass, celebrated at 7 pm by Fr. Emanuel Josić, OFM, newly ordained priest of the Franciscan Province of Bosnia Argentum. Cardinal Ernest Simoni-Troshani from Albania gave a homily and there were 507 priests concelebrating. The evening prayer programme had 764 740 live-stream viewers.

Youth from Croatia about the Youth Festival in Medjugorje

Sr. Irena Jozić from Varaždin, member of the order of Ursuline sisters came for the 28^th Youth Festival. This is what she said about her impressions:

„I am glad I was able to be here a bit and to participate at the programme that is so rich and spiritually full of joy, communion and warmth.

Angele Hayes’ testimony on how her family discovered the purpose of life in Medjugorje

On Thursday, August 3, Angela Hayes from Ireland gave her testimony along with her family. She spoke about their life tragedy and how they found salvation in Medjugorje. Her son Alan is a member of the International Choir and at the end, he sang a song Survivor that he devoted to his mom.

Message of Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn to the youth on occasion of the Youth Festival 2017 in Medjugorje

Also this year, all of the participants were again remembered by our dear friend, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn from Vienna who sent them a message:

„Dear young friends!

Wednesday, August 2, programme of the Youth Festival

On Wednesday, August 2, young people climbed Apparition Hill to pray the Rosary at 6 am and the programme continued at 9 am at the White Dome with the morning prayer led by the Youth Festival Coordinator, Fr. Marinko Sakota, and with the catechesis with the theme of the parable of the sower given by Fr. Danko Perutina, who conducted this Festival for many years and is now the guardian of the monastery in Mostar.  (photos)

Testimony of Letizia Centorbi from Italy at the Youth Festival

Letizia Centorbi from Italy gave her testimony during the morning part of the programme on August 2. She spoke about her conversion in Medjugorje and introduced her new song „Regina della pace“ that she wrote eight years ago.

Marko from Osijek: „I am most impressed by the Eucharistic Adoration during the Youth Festival“

Journalists of Radio „Mir“ Međugorje during the Youth Festival have been talking to many young people and they are trying to share their experiences in the programme of radio Mir. Marko Šteko from Osijek has been coming for the fifth year now to the Youth Festival.

Medjugorje volunteers serving to the youth from the whole world also this year

In order for the Youth Festival to be running in the best way possible, the young volunteers, the members of YouFra Medjugorje are trying to do their best. Josipa Sivrić, president of YouFra Međugorje said that around 150 volunteers, led by their spiritual assistant Fr. Perica Ostojić are there at disposal to the pilgrims:

Nuns from Ukraine at the Youth Festival

Around 30 nuns from Ukraine, belonging to the Eastern Church, are participating at the 28^th Youth Festival in Medjugorje. Sr. Veronika Galatan, member of the Order of St. Basil the Great, has been coming to Medjugorje for years and this is her second time to be at the Youth Festival. This is what Sr. Veronika said for the programme of Radio Mir.