The beginning of October in Medjugorje

date: 05.10.2012.

The Feast of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order was solemnly celebrated in Medjugorje on October 4, 2012. Traditional and solemn service of Transitus “Memoria Transitus” took place after the evening Holy Mass on October 3, 2012. Many pilgrims who have arrived to Medjugorje this October, during the month of Our Lady were present. The Information Office has registered groups from: Germany, Austria, the United States, Ireland, Italy, France, Ukraine, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Serbia, Romania, Lebanon, Belgium, Netherlands, Peru, England, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil and Venezuela.
Among many pilgrims we had chance to speak to Dermot Tierney, a pilgrim from Ireland. He came to Medjugorje for the first time in 2001, and after his first pilgrimage he was returning every year for couple of times. In 2005, together with his wife, he became a group leader. ”It is not important how often we come, but it is about what is here: Our Lady, Our Blessed Mother and her messages that we are trying to take back with us and to spread them among people back home. We pray for people who are not able to come here. I really consider myself being a privileged person since I can come here all the time. This is a fantastic place and I think this is closest to heaven that any of us can be. Medjugorje, Blessed Mother and the visionaries are for me real, authentic and absolutely wonderful.
He added that he had heard about Medjugorje for the first time in 1984. “I had a tape of one of the apparitions but the tape was not clear, I was not able to see and hear what was happening. Still, I knew and I felt that there was something there and ever since that time I wanted to come here, but somehow I was never close to really making a decision and coming here. Once, my wife and I were on a holiday in Cyprus, and she had the idea to come to Medjugorje in the following year. Next March, one group was coming here and we signed up to come with them and ever since that time we have been coming regularly and ever since 2005 we have been bringing groups. We bring them in turns, my wife and I and so far we have brought quiet a good number of people. I carry Medjugorje in my heart every day of my life. I go to bed with Medjugorje and I wake up with Medjugorje in my heart. What I am hoping for is the recognition of Medjugorje so all the positive things that take place here will become evident to everyone. Ever since my first visit, I had beautiful experiences here that I will bring with me to the grave and to eternity as well.”