date: 02.01.2009.
About 10.000 mostly younger people from all over the world gathered together this year in Medjugorje for the New Year's Eve in prayer.
Before the vigil, the Cenacolo Community performed the Living Manger in front of the church. In spite of a very cold weather, several thousands of pilgrims were watching it.
During the New Years’ Eve Vigil, the pilgrims filed the church, the yellow hall and the tent, as well as the space around the church. Though a large screen, all that was happening in the church was transmitted in the hall and next to the church. Adoration began at 10 PM and was led by Fr. Tomislav Pervan. About 11.30 PM began Holy Mass presided by Fr. Miljenko Šteko and concelebrated by about 90 priests.
The prayer program was translated into English, French, German, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Russian, Czech, Romanian, Arabic, Korean and Chinese language, and musically accompanied by an international choir and orchestra under direction of Prof. Martin Pero Boras.
After Mass, young people remained for some time in front of the church, singing and dancing.
