date: 26.07.2018.
Medjugorje parish celebrated on July 25, 2018 the feast of St. James, the Apostle, patron saint of this parish. Holy Masses in Croatian language were celebrated at 7, 8 am and 7 pm, while the central Holy Mass was celebrated at 11 am, in the Garden opposite to the ruins of the old church. Fr. Goran Azinovic was the main celebrant along with the Apostolic Visitor, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, who gave a speech at the end of Holy Mass and we bring the final part of what he said to Medjugorje parishioners on this occasion: “We, people of Medjugorje, have a great responsibility towards the whole world, for indeed Medjugorje has become the world centre of the prayer and conversions, and therefore the Holy Father cared and sent me to help Franciscan fathers in organising this place as the place that would receive all those who come here at the source of grace.”
The traditional procession with the statue of St. James from the church was also held and this year, the inhabitants of Miletina hamlet had the privilege of carrying the statue, while the parish choir led by Sr. Irena Azinovic, made celebration more solemn with their singing. There were many parishioners, pilgrims and friends from the neighbouring places present at this Holy Mass.
Parish of Medjugorje prepared for this Feast with novena that included parishioners and each day they led the prayer of the Rosary from July 16-24, as follows: Miletina, Vionica, Šurmanci, Bijakovići, Međugorje, Mother's Village, Frama (YouFra) Međugorje, Third Franciscan Order and Mary's Hands. There were 13 Holy Masses celebrated on that day, while the Information Office registered Holy masses from Italy, Ireland, Poland, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, China, Canada, the United States, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Korea. (foto)
