PHOTO: Spiritual retreat for married couples in Medjugorje

date: 09.11.2022.

The 21st International Spiritual Retreat for Married Couples, which took place from November 2 to 5, ended with a Holy Mass in Medjugorje. The motto of this spiritual retreat was "Learn from me and you will find peace" (Mt 11: 28-30). The lecturers at this spiritual retreat were Fr. Serđo Ćavar, and Ivana and Dalibor Šarušić, a married couple who are active in the pastoral care of married couples, and the spiritual retreat was coordinated by Medjugorje parish priest Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić. More than seventy married couples from 12 countries participated in this spiritual retreat. During the past four days, the participants listened to catechesis and lectures, prayed the rosary on Apparition Hill and the Stations of the Cross on Cross Mountain, adored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, venerated the cross of the Lord, and participated in the evening prayer-liturgical program in the church of St. James.

Međugorje parish priest, Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, thanked all the participants for coming, as well as everyone who helped that the spiritual renewal go smoothly, and expressed the hope that the married couples would take with them the spiritual treasure they received at this spiritual retreat in Medjugorje, so when they return to their homes, they continue to live that in their families, their parishes, at their workplace. The Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, addressed the participants too and he also celebrated the Holy Mass as part of this spiritual renewal.

We spoke to one of the married couples María Isabel and César Eduardo, parents of six children, who came from Valladolid, Spain. María is in Medjugorje for the first time, while César has already been on pilgrimage several times.

"I first heard about Medjugorje from my husband and his brother, who is a priest.  His brother knew about Our Lady's apparitions in Medjugorje and learned from the Missionaries of Love, an order founded by Saint Mother Teresa, that a pilgrimage from New York to Medjugorje was being organized. They invited his priest brother, and he then invited my husband and that's how he found out about Medjugorje. The Virgin Mary means everything to us in our lives, as does faith itself, which is very important to us. As I am originally from Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe has always been present in my life, and this place is a truly special and miraculous place. At this international spiritual retreat, we feel wonderful, we feel so much peace, so much indescribable peace, and we have just finished praying the rosary. By the way, in Medjugorje, such an environment has been created that simply directs people to peace", said María.

The next spiritual retreat for married couples in Medjugorje will take place from November 8 to 11, 2023 under the motto: "Behold my mother and my brothers!"  (Mt 12: 49) PHOTO