News archive

The Feast of St. James celebrated in Medjugorje

The Feast of St. James, the patron saint of Medjugorje parish was solemnly celebrated on Friday, July 25, 2014. Holy Masses in Croatian language were celebrated in the parish church at 7 and 8 a.m. and at 7 p.m., while the main Holy Mass was celebrated in the Garden, close to the church of St. James at 11 a.m. The procession began at 10.45 a.m. with the statue of St. James that male members of the Franciscan Youth carried along with the singing of litanies of All Saints. Fr. Mario Ostojic was the main celebrant and celebration was even more beautiful thanks to the singing of the choir of “The Queen of Peace”, conducted by Sr. Irena Azinovic and mandolin orchestra Surmanci, led by prof. Davor Markota. Fr. Marinko Sakota, parish priest of Medjugorje parish, greeted everyone at the end and invited them to stay for the traditional dances and music performed at the end of the Holy Mass.

Objavljeno: 26.07.2014.

Presentation of book “Life for others” about Fr. Jozo Vasilj

The book “Life for others” about Fr. Jozo Vasilj was presented on Wednesday, July 23 in the Hall of John Paul II, as a part of preparation for the feast of St. James. The book was written by Fr. Ivan Dugandzic and Fr. Filip Sucic. Fr. Marinko Sakota, parish priest in Medjugorje, greeted and welcomed everyone and said that he was joyful to greet all present during the introduction of the book on life of Fr. Jozo: “Fr. Jozo is a jewel of our parish and of the whole world. He is alive again since we have brought memory of him into life”

General Vicar of the Herzegovina Franciscan Province, Fr. Ivan Sevo spoke on behalf of the Province and said that many people were coming to Fr. Jozo, but youth really loved him.

Objavljeno: 24.07.2014.

The first Holy Mass of Fr. Goran Azinovic

Fr. Goran Azinovic will celebrate on Sunday, July 27, at 11 a.m. his first Holy Mass in the church of St. James in Medjugorje. Fr. Goran, son of Srecko and Mirela, maiden Pehar, was born on September 28, 1988 in Konjic. Family Azinovic left Konjic during the war and came to live in Medjugorje in the parish of St. James, the apostle. He completed seminary in Visoko and completed Franciscan Classic Grammar School. He graduated at the Faculty of Theology in Zagreb and was ordained as deacon in Cerin. He spent his year as a deacon in Humac and was ordained as a priest on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in Cathedral in Mostar.

Objavljeno: 23.07.2014.

The parish choir of “The Queen of Peace” held their concert

Parish of Medjugorje is preparing for celebration of their patron saint St. James that will be solemnly celebrated on Friday, July 25. Every night prior to this Feast, along with the regular evening prayer programme, there is special event that takes place every night. On Monday, after the evening Holy Mass, the concert of the parish choir of the Queen of Peace was held in the Hall of John Paul II. The parish priest, Fr. Marinko Sakota, greeted everyone present at the beginning of this concert and thanked members of the choir, as well as their guests Jakov Colo and David Parkes. Prof. Katja Krolo Sarac accompanied them on piano, and all present had opportunity to hear various music pieces performed by this choir who has been serving in the life of this parish for the last 24 years.

Objavljeno: 22.07.2014.

Married couple: „Međugorje is our second home”

Šimo and Nada Šarčević came to Međugorje from the parish of St. Joseph the Worker from Belišće to participate at the 15th International Seminar for Married Couples that was held from July 13-16. They are married 35 years now and this is their second seminar for married couples: “We can learn so much at these seminars, so much to share with our spouses especially how and what to share when it is not easy for us. We really had nice time, we learned so much about our marriage”. Nada said that she has been coming to Međugorje from the very beginning and was here more than 30 times:

 

Objavljeno: 21.07.2014.

Celebration of the Feast of St. James

On Friday, July 25, we will celebrate the Feast of St. James, the patron saint of parish of Medjugorje that was established in 1892, and since that time was consecrated to St. James, the patron saint of pilgrims. Holy Masses in the parish church will be at 7 and 8 a.m. and at 7 p.m. and the solemn Holy Mass will be celebrated in the Garden at 11 a.m. the representatives of the Franciscan Youth will carry the Statue of St. James from the church at 10.45 a.m. and procession will move from the church to the Garden following the main road.

Objavljeno: 21.07.2014.

The 15th International Seminar for Married Couples held in Medjugorje

The 15th International Seminar for married couples gathered 131 participants from 13 countries and was held from July 13 to July 16. The theme of the seminar was “The trust in marriage and in raising of the children”. Dr. Jozefina Skarica was the lecturer and all lectures were translated in seven languages. Apart from the lectures in the morning and in the evening, all participants also took part in the evening prayer programme as well as in prayer of the Rosary on Apparition Hill and of the Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain. The seminar finished on Saturday, July 16 with the Holy Mass that was celebrated by Fr. Marinko, the coordinator of the seminar.  (photos)

Objavljeno: 16.07.2014.

Came from Honduras and Florida for seminar for married couples

During the seminar for married couples, we had chance to meet two couples that came from distant countries. One of them is Edith Dantes – Castillo and Jose Dantes – Castillo from Florida – Miami, and other Elio David Alvarenga and Lourdes Alvarenga from Honduras. Jose told us that he is here for the second time since there are so many things to learn for his family. Lourdes and Elio have ten children. This is their ninth time in Medjugorje and the first time to be here at seminar. “When I invited my husband to come with me to Medjugorje, he told me that I lost my mind. But after so many trips, he is now the one who is in love with Medjugorje, just like Jose”, said Lourdes.

Objavljeno: 16.07.2014.

15th INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR FOR MARRIED COUPLES

The 15th International Seminar for married couples will be held

in Medjugorje from July 13-16, 2014

„Trust in marriage and in raising children“

Programme:

Sunday, July 13, 2014

3 pm                    Registration of the participants

5 pm                     Introduction to the seminar

6 pm                     Evening Prayer Programme in the church

10 pm         Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Objavljeno: 13.07.2014.

The 19th International Seminar for priests ended in Medjugorje

The 19th International Seminar for priests that gathered 306 priests and seminarians from 25 countries, 11 different language groups, ended with thanksgiving Holy Mass on Saturday, July 12, that Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, leader of this seminar and parish priest from Veljaci parish, had celebrated. The participants arrived from Ukraine, Korea, Lithuania, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Italy, Russia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Belgium, the United States, Ireland, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and Poland. The theme of this international seminar was: “Behold your Mother” In Our Lady’s School.

Objavljeno: 12.07.2014.

“I received my vocation in Medjugorje”

A young priest, Mitja Bulic from Archdiocese Novo Mesto in Slovenia came to Medjugorje for the priest retreat for the first time. He told us that he was ordained a year ago and was in Medjugorje already for thirty times. “I gained many profound experiences at this seminar, and the theme of the seminar “Behold your mother” is very special to me, because I live with Mary all of my life, I think she is the one that guides me to Jesus. These days here in Medjugorje are such a big grace for me. These seminars help me so much in my life, and it is so necessary to have them. This is a place where I received my vocation, my prayer was awaken and I began to read the word of God. I came here for the first time when I was only six years old and already on that trip, I felt something powerful and special, something I cannot forget. This is where one feels peace and power of prayer. Regardless of where you are in Medjugorje, you feel that peace”, said a young priest from Slovenia.

Objavljeno: 11.07.2014.

The experiences of participants of the 19th International Seminar for Priests

The 19th International Seminar for priests is being held in Medjugorje and around 300 priests, deacons and seminarians from 25 countries have gathered here. Fr. Luka Zoric, member of Herzegovinian Franciscan Province is working in Slano and is here for the first time: “This is my first time here to participate in such spiritual retreat. One can indeed feel communion and all participants would like to experience something new, so they would be able to be more active in pastoral way. As a priest, I need to do spiritual retreat once a year, as every priest does; I do not even have to leave my house, since those retreats are held in my monastery, not just for priests but for lay people as well. But, I was never able to experience what I experienced here, this is where I really surrender to the prayer completely. Fr. Stanko Dodig, Franciscan capuchin, born in Medjugorje, is also participating. He told us that he feels everyone is so happy to be in Medjugorje and they will all return home fulfilled. “This is my third year to come for this seminar, and surely, if it wasn’t spiritually attractive for me, I would not be here again. All lectures are indeed full of spirituality. We would not be able to work without such seminars.”

Objavljeno: 09.07.2014.

The 19th International Seminar for priests began in Medjugorje

Three hundred priests, deacons and seminarians from 25 countries are participating in the 19th International Seminar for priests. They come from Ukraine, Korea, Lithuania, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Italy, Russia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Ireland, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and Poland. This seminar began on Monday, July 7, 2014 with the evening prayer programme that was celebrated by Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, parish priest in Veljaci, at the White Dome of St. James’ church along with 234 priests who concelebrated at that opening Holy Mass. Fr. Ljubo is also lecturer at this seminar that will finish on Saturday, July 12, 2014. The theme of the seminar is “Behold, your Mother” (John 19, 27) "In Our Lady's School".

Objavljeno: 08.07.2014.

The 19th INTERNATIONAL PRIESTS SEMINAR

The 19th International Priests Seminar will be held in Međugorje

from July 7 to 12, 2014

 

“Behold,  your Mother” (John 19, 27)

"In Our Lady's School"

 

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

July 7th 2014, Monday

15. 00 – 18. 00 Registration of participants (Hall of the Blessed John Paul II)

18.00   THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMINAR

(Prayer of the Rosary, Holy Mass, Prayer for healing of body and soul, Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary)

Objavljeno: 03.07.2014.

Statistics for June 2014

Number of Holy Communions:  211 000

Number of priests that concelebrated at Holy Masses:  4139 (137 per day)

Objavljeno: 01.07.2014.