date: 26.03.2016.
Since early morning on Good Friday pilgrims climbed Cross Mountain in large or small groups and prayed the Way of the Cross. As is the case every year the Way of the Cross for Croatian pilgrims and the parishioners began at 11am. This prayer was led by Franciscans serving in Medjugorje, the parish priest, Fr. Marinko Sakota and curates Fr. Ivan Landeka Jr. and Fr. Hrvoje Miletic. The Information Office registered groups on Good Friday from these countries: France, Italy, Ukraine, Slovenia, Spain, Germany, Austria, Uruguay, Lebanon, the United States and Korea. Foreign pilgrims, starting from 6.30am. followed the Stations of the Cross on Cross Mountain. Fr. Karlo Lovric led the prayer of the Rosary in the afternoon in the church of St. James, while Fr. Hrvoje Miletic led the Good Friday service at 6pm. with many priests and faithful participating. After the readings and the singing of the Passion of our Lord according to St. John, led by Fr. Ivan Landeka Jr. and Fr. Vjekoslav Milicevic, with the participation of the Medjugorje choir, conducted by Sr. Irena Azinovic, Fr. Dragan Ruzic gave a homily and spoke about God who suffers with us in difficult moments, especially in death: “Christ’s Cross stands over this world today. The Cross is a symbol of redemption, the symbol of power; it is a symbol of victory over death and evil. The Cross no longer makes us afraid. Tonight, while we venerate the Cross, let us carry it in our hearts, not as a symbol of fear, but as a symbol of victory.” After the homily and the prayers of the faithful, veneration of the Cross followed. The priests venerated the Cross first, and the faithful had the opportunity to do so at the end of the service after Holy Communion. The day before, on Holy Thursday, the solemn Holy Mass of Lord’s Supper had been celebrated by Fr. Ivan Dugandzic, with 33 priests concelebrating. After Holy Mass, the faithful had the opportunity for silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. The Holy Saturday service began at 8pm. with the Rosary and the Easter Vigil Mass began at 9pm. Easter Sunday Masses in Croatian in the parish church were at 7am, 8am, 11am and 6pm. (photos)
