date: 25.04.2011.
Numerous pilgrims arrived to Medjugorje this year and joined many local people and parishioners in celebration of the Easter Triduum. The Information Office registered groups from Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, Ireland, the United States, England, Poland, Korea, Luxemburg, France, Hungary, Canada, Switzerland, Ukraine, Belgium, Slovenia, Denmark, Romania, Argentina, Uruguay, Lebanon, Brazil and large number of pilgrims from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Holy Masses were not celebrated in the morning on Holy Thursday and the evening prayer programme began at 5 p.m. with the Rosary, solemn Holy Mass at 6 p.m. and after Holy Mass faithful had opportunity for silent adoration and prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament until midnight.
On Good Friday, most of the faithful were climbing the Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain in their various language groups. The Way of the Cross for Croatian pilgrims and parishioners began at 11 a.m. and Fr. Danko Perutina led that prayer. The evening programme started at 5 p.m. with the Rosary and Good Friday Service was at 6 p.m. at the White Dome, outside the church of St. James with Fr. Karlo Lovrić as the head of that service.
Holy Saturday was the opportunity for the silent prayer in the church and on the hills in Medjugorje. Easter Vigil prayer started at 8 p.m. at the White Dome and solemn Holy Mass was at 9 p.m. with Fr. Miljenko Šteko as the main celebrant, along with 62 other priests that concelebrated at that Holy Mass.
Easter Holy Masses were celebrated in many languages and Croatian Masses were at 8, 11 and 6 p.m.
The days prior to Easter were special as well. After central morning Holy Mass in Croatian language at 11 a.m., the painted Easter egg was presented to the public again. It is the same Easter egg that was given to Medjugorje parish as a gift from Koprivnica – Križevci County from Croatia. The parish priest, Fr. Petar Vlašić was there together with Mayor of Čitluk, Ivo Jerkić and Governor of Koprivnica – Križevci County, Darko Koren.
Pilgrims from Austria continued their tradition of coming to Medjugorje for Palm Sunday, and even this year they arrived in huge numbers. (photos)
