date: 15.03.2018.
On March 16 we will celebrate the 84th anniversary of construction of the cross on Cross Mountain and of the first Holy Mass that was celebrated at the foot of that cross. This Hill became famous in the last decades all over the world, while the idea for the construction of the cross was suggested by the parish priest in those days, Fr. Bernardin Smoljan. It took parishioners only 52 days to build the cross, after their parish priest Fr. Bernardin Smoljan, had given them that proposal on January 21, 1934, all because the whole world was celebrating Jubilee Year of our Salvation. The parish priest wrote in his report: «News about this cross spread quickly all over the parish and everyone was anxiously waiting for the works to start and to be completed. Each invitation from the altar was answered and everyone competed in offering more for this matter. Contributions were many, while some houses supplied working strength and this whole project advanced more and more…The project was made by Simun Boras from Mostar and Ante Dugandzic Redzo from Medjugorje led the works. Everything started on February 12, and all was completed on March 10…It was on March 16, at 9 am that procession with many people including Franciscan Secular Order carrying a flag of the name of Jesus, school children, priesthood and many other people. The church bells rang all the time, Rosary was prayed, litanies and Our Lady’s Wept sang, and the top of the hill was packed with many who were expecting this Procession…At 10 am, the Service started. I gave a speech, read letter of the Bishop, as well as other greetings. Then, the solemn blessing of the Cross was held and with shouts of joy, the hill was renamed from Sipovac to Cross Mountain. Holy Mass was celebrated by parish priest from Studenci, Fr. Grgo Vasilj.
Today, Cross Mountain is one of the most visited pilgrims’ destinations in Medjugorje, and parishioners and pilgrims gather every Friday for prayer of the Way of the Cross on this mountain.
