Međugorje -158, January 26 2001
"Dear
children! Today I call you to renew prayer and fasting
with even greater enthusiasm until prayer becomes a joy for you. Little
children, the one who prays is not afraid of the future and the one who
fasts is not afraid of evil. Once again, I repeat to you: only through
prayer and fasting also wars can be stopped – wars of your unbelief
and fear for the future. I am with you and am teaching you little
children: your peace and hope are in God. That is why draw closer to God and put Him in the first place in
your life. Thank
you for having responded to my call." January
25, 2001
|
We
enter into the twentieth year of the phenomenon and the events of Medjugorje.
After twenty years, we still cannot affirm that all that happened is
completely clear. The nature of such a phenomenon, as it was the case in the
past, will occupy the attention of theologians and specialists for a long
time. One thing is more or less certain: Our Lady has led those who come to
Medjugorje on the path of faith in Jesus Christ. People sensed this and began
the journey. Everything else is in the shadow of this fact.
Why is the role of Our Lady so important in all these events? Karl Rahner, a German theologian, said, “Mary represents what a Christian is.” This is what is most significant for Mary in the history of the Church. In Medjugorje and in similar events, Our Lady presented Herself as what a Christian truly is. In this role, She calls to conversion, to prayer, to fasting and to peace.
Fra
Ivan Landeka
In the month of December, many pilgrims come to Medjugorje for Christmas and New Year. In the parish, 60.000 communions were distributed and 758 priests from the country and from abroad concelebrated at Holy Mass.
The most numerous groups came from Singapore, England, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia, Peru, Canada, Panama, Belgium, Lebanon, Indonesia, Letonia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Spain, Romania, USA, Germany, Austria, Italy, Korea, France, and, of course, Croatia.
THE
NEW YEAR
On
New Year’s Eve - as on Christmas Eve and Sunday, December 28th -
the community of sister Elvira performed a “Living Crib” behind the church
of St. James.
Also
this year – as has been a tradition for a number of years - a prayer vigil was
held for the New Year. The prayers began at 10 pm and ended with midnight Mass.
Several thousands of faithful participated. Again, the most numerous were the
young people coming from practically all European countries and the USA. Thus
the parishioners and pilgrims together saw the Old Year out and ushered in the
New Year singing and praying for peace so much needed for modern man in today's
world. Fra Branko Radoš was the main celebrant at Holy Mass. The fact that the
number of pilgrims increases from year to year shows how profound this
experience is for those who for once await the New Year in Medjugorje in prayer.
Many of those who come, keep returning. In this uncertain and troubled world,
young people are still deciding to entrust their future to God.
SEMINAR
FOR STUDENTS
From
December 29th to January 1st a prayer seminar was
conducted for the young members of "Friends of the Talents’ Fund".
They are members of this Foundation, which helps them during their studies at
different Universities in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. For the last few years,
these young people have started the New Year in the joy of prayer and
togetherness. Fra dr. Ivan Sesar, parish priest of Medjugorje, greeted them in
the New Hall and took them to Fra Slavko’s tomb, where they presented flowers
and candles. After the ceremony, they joined other faithful for the evening
prayer program in the parish church.
About
40 students from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia participated in this seminar,
which the "Friends of the Talents’ Fund" had organized.
THE
END OF THE JUBILEE YEAR
On
January 6, 2001, the pastor of Medjugorje, Dr. Fra Ivan Sesar, together with the
parishioners and pilgrims, marked the end of the Jubilee Year in a solemn Holy
Thanksgiving Mass. With the song of Te Deum, the faithful expressed their
thanksgiving for all the graces received throughout the world - graces poured
out on the Church and on all those who do not yet know the love of God.
The
parish continually thanks the Lord for pouring out an abundance of graces upon
the Church and the whole world.
EIGHTH
INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR LEADERS OF CENTERS OF PEACE AND MEDJUGORJE PRAYER
GROUPS
As
we already mentioned in the previous Bulletin 154, the Medjugorje parish office
is organizing the eighth meeting for leaders of Centers of Peace, charity and
prayer groups to take place in Medjugorje from February 26th to March
1st, 2001. The theme of this year’s meeting is “PEACE AND RECONCILIATION”.
Other
details and information about this seminary can be found on our web-pages
(Information).
We ask you to send your registration by the February 15th 2001 at the
latest.
SEMINAR
FOR PRIESTS
The 6th International Seminar for Priests will take place from
July 2 to July 7, 2001. The theme is “Priest – Servant of the Mercy of
God”. Once again, the families from the parish will accommodate all
priests participating in this seminar in their homes. Registrations by fax: 00
387 36 651 888.
WE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONDOLENCES
As
it is not possible to thank each one personally, we herewith express our
gratitude to those who have in a written or oral way communicated their
condolences on the occasion of the death of fra Slavko Barbaric.
In
those difficult moments, your words have been an encouragement and consolation.
Your letters and phone calls showed the greatness of the work God accomplished
through fra Slavko. For us, it is a motivation to continue on the same path: the
path of prayer, penance and conversion.
One
again: thank you from the heart!