News archive

Our Lady’s messages helped me understand Medjugorje

Journalists of radio station “Mir” Medjugorje spoke to many pilgrims in the last days and we would like to bring one interview with pilgrim from Mexico. They spoke to Theresa, who came to Medjugorje for the first time two years ago. She came out of curiosity, after she received statue of Our Lady of Medjugorje. “Everything was amazing; I had time for confession, Holy Communion, prayer, adoration and Holy Mass. During one Holy Mass I felt Our Lady touching my heart and She was inviting me to conversion. After I returned home, I read a lot about Medjugorje and I felt that was what I needed to do. Here I am again, I came to our Mother.” Theresa also said that Our Lady’s messages helped her understand Medjugorje. “I like being here because this is a special place where one can spend time with the Lord in silence, leave all burdens and just listen to God without saying anything to Him.”
 

The Symposium on Fr. Stanko Vasilj

The Symposium on Life and Work of Fr. Stanko Vasilj (1920-1993), will be held in Medjugorje on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Participants are: Fr. Tomislav Pervan, Fr. Ivan Dugandzic, Fr. Robert Jolic, Ivica Sarac, Josip Muselimovic, Snjezana Vrbanec, Kreso Sego, Fr. Marinko Sakota. The Symposium will be held in the Hall of Bl. John Paul II at 4 p.m. Rosary will begin at 6 p.m., and Holy Mass is at 7 p.m. when Fr. Stanko’s songs are going to be performed. The solemn Academy will take place after the evening Holy Mass.
 

For the first time in Medjugorje

Khaled Abu Sini, 25-years old young man from Nazareth came to Medjugorje for the first time and he was very grateful that his great wish was finally fulfilled. He told us: “Many people in Israel know about Medjugorje and messages of Our Lady. Every year, a pilgrimage from my parish is organised to Lourdes and to Medjugorje. Upon my arrival back home, I will tell all people I know to come to Medjugorje that is extended Nazareth, home of Holy Family. I feel that something moved me from inside. Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived in Nazareth many years ago and that is so important for us. Now, in this time, Mary is appearing here, She has been coming for so many years, She is alive. That is not just any story. I can feel Mary, She gives me strength, touches me from within, nurtures my faith that will always be strong regardless of whether I came to Medjugorje or not. I cannot describe that feeling in words, it is like an energy, an inner feeling”, said this radiating young pilgrim from Nazareth.
 

The first Holy Mass of the newly ordained priest, Fr. Stanko Cosic

Fr. Stanko Ćosić celebrated his First Holy Mass on Sunday, July 14, 2013 in the parish church of the Most Holy Trinity in Buhovo. The solemn celebration began with Procession at 11 a.m., and before the beginning of the Holy Mass, his parents gave him blessing and four young people gave appropriate recital. Parish priest from Buhovo, Fr. Pavo Filipovic greeted all present faithful, welcomed them and said how the whole parish rejoices because it is now 27 years since Fr. Petar Topić celebrated his first Holy Mass in their parish. Fr. Mario and Fr. Josip Serdjo, the newly ordained priests were concelebrating together with Provincial Fr. Miljenko, parish priest Fr. Pavo and thirty more priests. Fr. Nikica Devcic, priest from Province in Zadar, gave a homily. He wished for Fr. Stanko to be merciful Samaritan who would help people today, so he would heal the wounds to all, regardless of whether he knew them or not.

Pilgrimage of cyclists from Padua to Medjugorje

The group of twenty four pilgrims came from Padua in Italy to Medjugorje on their bicycles. Gian Carlo was leader of this pilgrimage and he told us that they were inspired to do this pilgrimage by desire to get to know the messages of the Queen of Peace in the better way. “All of the pilgrims were united in their desire to come to Our Lady by bicycle, to come to understand Her messages and to receive Her invitation. We began our journey in Padua because St. Anthony loved Our Lady so much. This pilgrimage was a bit difficult, especially due to the bad weather, but our prayer helped us to prevail all of the difficulties we encountered. Every morning we were not certain whether we would continue our journey, but with prayer and help of Our Lady we were able to come to Medjugorje where one can really feel peace.” Gian thanked all people who helped them on their journey and said: “On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank for all good deeds done to us during our journey. We were led by St. Anthony and our Mother who leads us from day to day into the new experiences.”
 

International Seminar for priests concluded

The 18th International Seminar for priests in Medjugorje, that gathered 297 participants from 23 countries was concluded on Saturday, July 13, 2013. The Seminar began on Monday, July 8, 2013, with the evening prayer programme and Dr.Fr. Miljenko Steko, the Provincial of Herzegovina Franciscan Province, celebrated the opening Holy Mass together with 180 priests.
The theme of this seminar was “Mary’s Faith” and Fr. Marinko Sakota, parish priest from Medjugorje, was coordinator of this seminar. Apart from the lectures, all participants took part in the regular evening prayer programme of Medjugorje parish. On Thursday morning they prayed the Rosary on Apparition Hill, and early on Friday morning they prayed the Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain.
 

First Holy Mass of newly ordained priest Fr. Mario Ostojic

On Sunday, July 7, 2013, the newly ordained priest Fr. Mario Ostojic, celebrated his first Holy Mass in the parish church of St. James in Medjugorje. Holy Mass began at 11 a.m. and his family, friends and many pilgrims were present at this special event for the whole parish. Fr. Boze Milic gave a homily and emphasised that Medjugorje inspired many people to start looking at their lives in different way and to start noticing the importance of God in their lives.

18 th INTERNATIONAL PRIESTS SEMINAR

The 18th International Priests Seminar will be held in Međugorje
from July 8 to 13, 2013

„THE FAITH OF MARY“

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

The 14th International Seminar for married couples finished

The 14th International Seminar for married couples, that gathered more than 150 participants, was held in Medjugorje from July 3-6, 2013.
The theme of the seminar was: “Marriage as a place and instrument of the spiritual growth of husband and wife”. Lecturers were Dr.Fr. Mirko Matausic and Vesna Gracner, psychologist. All of the participants took part in the prayer programme held in Medjugorje church and they also climbed Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain.
Seminar was concluded on Saturday, July 6 with Holy Mass held at 11 a.m. Let us be reminded that this important event was initiated by late Fr. Slavko Barbaric.
The coordinator of this seminar was Fr. Danko Perutina.
 

First Mass of newly ordained priest Fr. Filip Pavlovic

On Wednesday, July 3, 2013, all of the parishioners in Medjugorje parish were united in prayer and celebration of First Holy Mass of Fr. Filip Pavlovic from Bijakovici.
Holy Mass began in the parish church of St. James at 11 a.m. and his family, friends and many pilgrims were present, all wanting to participate in this beautiful event for Medjugorje parish.
Parish priest in Medjugorje, Fr. Marinko Sakota, congratulated the newly ordained priest at the beginning of Holy Mass, and homily was given by Fr. Andjelko Katanec. Fr. Andjelko explained how Fr. Filip came to his goal and that is something precious, unique and holy.
Fr. Filip was born on December 26, 1983 in Mostar. He was ordained as Deacon on September 29, 2012 in Zagreb, and as Deacon he served in the parish of Bl. Alojzije Stepinac Bestovje – Novaki – Rakitje close to Zagreb. He was solemnly ordained as a priest on June 15, 2013 in Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zagreb by his Eminence Cardinal Josip Bozanic. (photo)
 

Statistics for June, 2013

Number of Holy Communions: 211 900

Number of priests that concelebrated at Holy Masses: 3920 (130 per day)

Marian Day in the Year of Faith

The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation has announced the programme of one of the greatest events in the Year of Faith, Marian Day – “Blessed are you because you believed”, that will be held in Vatican on October 12 and 13, 2013. The group that is preparing this event has given the extensive instructions for participation in this event. Application for participating in Marian Day is done directly through the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation. The application form can be found at the official web site of the Council: http://www.annusfidei.va/, and filled form needs to be sent by August 31, 2013 at the e-mail address: giornatamariana@annusfidei.va, or at the fax number: 0039 06 69869521. The Council has prepared three different application forms that are free: A – Marian groups, B – individual pilgrims, and C –bishops. Marian Day is being held on the Anniversary of Fatima apparitions and for that occasion, the original statue from Fatima will be brought to Vatican. Holy Father Francis is going to be the main celebrant of the Holy Mass that will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2013. All of the groups that live Marian spirituality are invited to participate in this event, as well as families and faithful individuals who in the special way honour the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 

Walked from Rama to Medjugorje

Many pilgrims walked to Medjugorje for the 32nd Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions. Among them, there was a group of 29 pilgrims from Rama who walked for three days. Some of them do this on regular basis and they have participated in similar pilgrimages for more than twenty times.
All of them arrived with their personal problems, vows and desires and wanted to thank Our Lady with their humble and persevering prayers for all of the gifts they have received. These pilgrims said that they could feel more power and peace as they were getting closer to Medjugorje.
 

The 32nd Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions celebrated in Medjugorje

The Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje was solemnly celebrated on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Along with many pilgrims from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were larger ogranised groups from England, the United Sates, Ireland, Canada, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Korea, France, Poland, Italy, Ukraine, Japan, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Lebanon, Slovenia and Romania.
Apart from arriving by the ordinary means of the transport, many pilgrims have walked to Medjugorje so they would fulfill their vows to the Queen of Peace and thank Her for all of the graces they have received. During the day there were 22 Holy Masses celebrated in the parish church, at the outside altar and in the Adoration chapel. Holy Masses in Croatian language were celebrated at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 a.m. and the central evening prayer programme began at 6 .m. with Rosary and continued at 7 p.m. with the solemn Holy Mass, celebrated by Dr. Fr. Miljenko Steko, the Provincial of Herzegovina Franciscan Province along with 220 priests that concelebrated. Fr. Ivan Landeka celebrated Holy Mass on June 24, with 153 priests that concelebrated with him. The traditional 22nd Peace Walk was held on that morning from shrine of St. Anthony in Humac to Medjugorje parish church with couple of thousands of pilgrims that took part in this event. (photos)
 

REGULAR ANNUAL APPARITION TO THE VISIONARY IVANKA

The visionary Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez had her regular annual apparition on June 25th 2013.
At Her last daily apparition on May 7, 1985, Our Lady confided to Ivanka the 10th secret and told her that she would have an apparition once a year on the anniversary of the apparitions. It was that way also this year.

The apparition, which lasted 2 minutes, took place at Ivanka’s family home. Only Ivanka’s family was present at the apparition. After the apparition, Ivanka said:

Our Lady did not give a message.

She blessed us with her motherly blessing.