Bulletin
169
Medjugorje,
December 26th, 2001
“Dear children! I call you today and encourage you to prayer for peace. Especially today I call you, carrying the newborn Jesus in my arms for you, to unite with Him through prayer and to become a sign to this peaceless world. Encourage each other, little children, to prayer and love. May your faith be an encouragement to others to believe and to love more. I bless you all and call you to be closer to my heart and to the heart of little Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
December 25, 2001
AHEAD ON OUR KNEES
Queues of open souls… Contrite hearts of penitents… All the faithful – who are at the same time sinners – wait for the moment of their encounter with the Merciful Father. Holiness and sinfulness meet in front of the confessional – the place of reconciliation between God and man. Bended knees and seeking forgiveness have marked the time of Advent. It means that many, in spite of everything – have heard Jesus and Our Lady here in Medjugorje. Repeatedly and perseveringly, they call us on the way of forgiveness, conversion and renewal of love. When these three meet, it is a new beginning for each and every person. Our heavenly Mother knows this well and this is why – practically on her knees – she asks us to walk on this path.
Only forgiveness makes a radical change in human behaviour possible. Forgiving and asking forgiveness is the best and the most efficient strategy for men, for nations, for the world. Therefore every confession is a new beginning, a new challenge, the opening of a door which has been closed. This is how people with bended knees, which always mean and remain the sign of rising up and not falling, enter into a new and unknown time.
With the New Year, we enter into a new beginning. It is good to begin with the attitude of repentance. Reconciled and renewed, we shall better receive fruits of the time that is ahead of us. Time is always a gift – the “kairos” of our Creator. We have to know how to receive and use our gifts and talents. The gift of time is a challenge for everyone who looks ahead, who sees the future. As Christians, we always see the future in the expectance of the future glory in the house of our Heavenly Father.
We ask ourselves how shall we reach there. Running, in haste, trying to catch up with time? No, not at all. Jesus tells us that many run, but only few receive the crown of glory. We can only go ahead in humility, on our knees, sprinkling the dew of forgiveness on our road. Those who do not know how to stop, how to look at themselves in relation to God, to brother men, to nature, can hardly advance in spite of the haste of their steps. Therefore, listening to the humble voice of Our Lady in Medjugorje, let us go on our journey with modest shoes and let us know how to shake away the dust of our sins.
Fr. Mario Knezović
NUMBER OF
COMMUNIONS AND NUMBER OF CONCELEBRANTS
During the month of November, 40,000 communions were
distributed and 1,002 priests from this country and abroad concelebrated Holy
Mass in Medjugorje.
Pilgrims were here from Italy, USA, Germany, Belgium,
Austria, France, Canada, Poland, Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Japan,
Latvia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Msgr. Dr. Franc Kramberger,
Bishop of Maribor (Slovenia), About Medjugorje
In his homily during Mass in Ptujska Gora on November 10th,
2001, Msgr. Dr. Franc Kramberger, Bishop of Maribor (Slovenia), said: “I greet
all of you who are friends and pilgrims of Our Lady of Medjugorje. In a special
way I greet today our respected and excellent guest, the Franciscan Father Jozo
Zovko. In his speech, he brought the mystery of Medjugorje near to us.
Medjugorje is not only the name of a place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but
Medjugorje is a place of grace where Our Lady is appearing in a special way.
Medjugorje is a place where those who have fallen get up again, and all of
those who go on pilgrimage to that place find a star, which leads them and
shows them a new direction in life. If my diocese, all of Slovenia and the
whole world became Medjugorje, there would not be the events that are happening
in these last months.”
Msgr. Jérôme Gapangwa Nteziryayo, Diocese of Uvira
(Congo) On a Private Visit to Medjugorje
From the 7th to the 11th of November 2001, Msgr.
Jérôme Gapangwa Nteziryayo, from the diocese of Uvira (Congo), was on a private
visit to Medjugorje. He came with a group of pilgrims, climbed the prayer hills
and participated in the evening prayer programme. He said that he was grateful
to God for having given us such a place of prayer.
23.11.2001 – From November 21st to 23rd, 2001, two
Italian journalists were in Medjugorje: Aldo Maria Valli (the “Vaticanist” of the
News of the Third Television Programme TG3 of Italian Radio-Television RAI, who
often followed the Pope on his journeys and reported about it for the TG3 News)
and Riccardo Caniato (author of the book “Maria alba del terzo millennio –
Medjugorje vent'anni” – Mary, Dawn of the Third Millennium, Twenty Years of
Medjugorje – Edizioni Ares, 2001, which was very positively evaluated by Radio
Vatican).
Several Italian Catholic magazines published very negative texts about Medjugorje
lately; this is why these two journalists, following the council of Fr. Livio
Fanzaga, Director of “Radio Maria” (which is one of the fruits of Our Lady’s
messages), decided to come to Medjugorje and turn an objective documentary.
They spoke with Fr. Branko Radoš, parish priest, with Fr. Ljubo Kurtović, with
Fr. Jozo Zovko, Marija Pavlović and other witnesses. They turned up in holy
places and in the parish church. On Thursday, November 22nd,
together with His Eminence Corrado Cardinal Ursi, who was on a private visit in
Medjugorje, they prayed the rosary and were present during the apparition of
Our Lady to Marija Pavlović.
From November 22nd to 24th, 2001, Corrado Cardinal
Ursi, retired Archbishop of Naples, was on a private visit to the shrine of the
Queen of Peace in Medjugorje. At the age of 94, he desired to visit Medjugorje
and he arrived by car from Naples, which is at 1450 kilometres from Medjugorje.
Three priests accompanied him: Msgr. Mario Franco, Fr.
Massimo Rastrelli and Fr. Vincenzo di Muro.
During his stay at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace, Cardinal Ursi met
the visionaries and was present during an apparition of Our Lady. He did not
hide his enthusiasm about this visit.
Cardinal Ursi composed a booklet under the title “Rosary”, published
already in six editions, where he wrote: “In Medjugorje and at other places,
Our Lady is appearing.”
While in Medjugorje, the Cardinal said: “I came here to pray and not to
discuss. I desire my entire personal conversion,” and, “What a joy and what an
immense grace to be present here.” After having been present at the apparition
of Our Lady to the visionary Marija Pavlović-Lunetti, Cardinal Ursi said, “I am
sure that Our Lady’s prayer obtained for me the forgiveness of all my sins.”
The First ANNIVERSARY
of the Death of Fr. Slavko Barbarić
On November 24th was celebrated the
first anniversary of the death of Fr. Slavko Barbarić. On that day, many
parishioners, members of Fr. Slavko’s family, his friends and foreign pilgrims
gathered for the Way of the Cross on Mount Križevac. Fr. Branko Radoš led the
Way of the Cross, using prayers written by Fr. Slavko himself.
The faithful prayed, while meditating on that
love which gives itself without reserve, just as was lived by this great man.
Sideways, on the spot where Fr. Slavko gave his
soul into the hands of the Lord, a memorial was put up: Fr. Slavko’s relief in
bronze encrusted in stone. The memorial stone, which weights 950 kg, was
carried up on the hands of the boys of Sr. Elvira’s Cenacolo. They took nine
hours, praying and thanking the Lord for Fr. Slavko, who accompanied them
during many years on their way from darkness to light.
A solemn evening Mass for Fr. Slavko Barbarić
was celebrated in the overfilled parish church of Medjugorje. The main
celebrant was the Herzegovinian Franciscan provincial Fr. Slavko Soldo, and the
Mass was concelebrated by many Franciscans and pilgrim priests. In his homily for the feast of Christ the King, the Provincial mentioned how Fr.
Slavko always was at the service of the little and the poor, and so realised
the kingdom of God on earth.
In Mother's Village, considered to be Fr.
Slavko’s masterpiece, a monument in his memory was unveiled. It is a work of
the Italian sculptor Carmelo Puzzolo, in homage of his personal and dear
friend. This beautiful bronze statue for Mother’s Village was realised thanks
to the generosity of Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, who wanted to express her
gratitude for Fr. Slavko’s spiritual help and friendship towards her family.
May all what was spoken in prayers and kept in
the hearts of men who knew Fr. Slavko, and who felt his active love in their
lives, as well as monuments built in his memory, remain a permanent reminder
and a personal obligation for each one of us, so that we follow the way he was
going. May our thoughts, our words and our deeds be one – at the service of God
who serves man.
A Concert by Blaženka
Milić
On Sunday, November 25th, 2001, on the feast of Christ the
King, Blaženka Milić (born Cigić), a Zagreb Opera singer and the mother of five
children, celebrated in Medjugorje, in a solemn concert, her 55 years of
uninterrupted singing in the Church and her 40 year artistic career. The choir
of the Parish of Medjugorje under the direction of Sr. Slavica Kožul
accompanied the Opera singer in several songs, and performed also several choir
compositions, especially the very beloved “Our Father” by Đelo Jusić, who
personally assisted this concert.
On the afternoon of Sunday, November 25th, 2001, on the feast of Christ
the King, the Radio Prayer Group “Pray Together with a Joyful Heart” met again
in Medjugorje. About 200 members from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina came
together. After the prayer of the Rosary on the Apparition Hill, they had a
meeting in the parish, and then, accompanied by Fr. Branko Radoš, parish priest
of Medjugorje and their spiritual councillor, visited the tomb of Fr. Slavko
Barbarić, who founded and accompanied this group until his death.
Prayer and Fasting Seminars
Five Prayer and Fasting Seminars were held in the house of prayer Domus
Pacis: from November 9th to 13th, for a group of French speaking
pilgrims, and from November 18th to 24th, for a group of
pilgrims from Austria. This seminar was organised by Mr. Franz Gollowitsch, who
organised the last Prayer and Fasting Seminar held by Fr. Slavko Barbarić
shortly before he died in November 2000. The youngest participant was only 13
years old, and the oldest 79. From November 27th to December 2nd,
2001, a group of Russian Orthodox pilgrims from Moscow participated in a Prayer
and Fasting Seminar. In spite of many difficulties concerning visas and the
length of the journey, the strong desire to come to the Mother and Queen of
Peace attracted them to Medjugorje. Croatian pilgrims participated in this
seminar from December 2nd to December 8th, and from
December 10th to December 14th, there was another group
of 35 Austrian pilgrims.
Numerous groups who come to Domus Pacis to pray and to fast are proof of
how powerful their experiences are.
All those who are interested may contact Fr. Ljubo Kurtović in the
Parish Office of Medjugorje or in the Information Office by telephone + 387 36
651 988.
On the feast of St. Nicolas, the Elementary School of Medjugorje and the
St. James Parish Office organised the celebration of St. Nicolas on the parish
grounds. A few hundred children gathered together, mainly elementary school
children with their parents. After Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ljubo Kurtović, the
children – while expecting the arrival of the beloved saint – performed their
own programme in which they performed recitations, skits and songs. The coming
of “St. Nicolas” provoked enthusiasm on the faces of the children. Fr. Ljubo,
just as “St. Nicolas”, invited the children to open their hearts to the needs
of others, especially the poor.
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th,
many groups came on pilgrimage to the Queen of Peace from Croatia, Australia,
Austria, England, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and the USA. We
are especially glad about the arrival of a group of Aboriginals from Australia.
At the end of the English Mass, they sung a hymn to Our Lady in their native
language. Three members of the musical “Kelly Family” – Paddy and Maite with
their father - came on pilgrimage to Medjugorje during this feast to prepare
themselves in prayer and fasting for their coming tour.
During the morning, Holy Mass was celebrated in 10 languages, and in the
afternoon, pilgrims prayed the Rosary on the Apparition Hill.
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, a very special pilgrim arrived to Medjugorje. His name is Danko Vrančić
from Krapinske Toplice in Croatia. He began this pilgrimage on November 5th at
the Croatian National Marian Shrine of Marija Bistrica. The way he chose took
him through Slavonia to the martyr city of Vukovar, then to the Shrine of Our
Lady of Loreto in Trsat (Rijeka), and then over the Dalmatian coast to the
Shrine of the Queen of Peace. After 1900 kilometres, he arrived to Our Lady of
Medjugorje with a shining face: “I did not find it difficult,” says Danko. “I
trusted in the Divine Providence, I was well received in all the presbyteries,
where I spent nights and, if necessary, waited for the rain and the snow to
stop falling.”
The message of Medjugorje has inspired many faithful all over the world
to publish magazines, circular letters and various newspapers to help those who
seek God grow in faith with the help of Our Lady’s message. We would like to
come to know the diversity of these publications and to establish contact with
their editors. Therefore, we ask you kindly to send your magazines, circular
letters and various newspapers to Medjugorje, to the address: INFORMATION
CENTRE “MIR” MEDJUGORJE – FOR THE ARCHIVES, Gospin trg 1, 88266 Medjugorje,
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please be so kind and send two samples.
We ask you to be so kind as to spread this appeal as widely as possible,
especially to those who do not use Internet.
Thank you for all you are doing to answer Our Lady's call!
Christmas
in Medjugorje
As preparation for Christmas, there was not only the evening prayer
programme in the church, but also a Rosary-novena recited on Apparition Hill.
As every year, a multitude of faithful from neighbouring parishes came to
Medjugorje for their Christmas confession.
On December 16th, two children’s choirs performed a Christmas
concert in the parish church of Medjugorje: “Little Singing Dubrovnik” from
Dubrovnik and “Little Doves of Peace” from Medjugorje. Through their singing,
they wished a merry Christmas to all of the faithful and pilgrims from all over
the world.
During the Christmas days, at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in
Medjugorje there was, as always, an atmosphere of peace, prayer and
togetherness between the faithful who came from all over the world.
On Christmas Eve, several thousand pilgrims assisted the evening Mass.
The Vigil started at 10pm in the overfilled church, and ended with midnight
Mass. Christmas Day was marked by peace and joy of parishioners and pilgrims
who gathered around their Mother.
Annual Apparition to
Jakov on December 25th 2001
At the last daily apparition to Jakov Čolo on September 12th,
1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year,
every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this
year. The apparition began at 15.30 pm and lasted 5 minutes. Our Lady gave the
following message:
"Dear Children, today when Jesus is born anew for you, in a special
way, I want to call you to conversion. Pray, pray, pray for the conversion of
your heart, so that Jesus may be born in you all and may dwell in you and come
to reign over your entire being. Thank you for having responded to the
call." (Annual Message to Jakov, December 25th 2001)
The 7th
International Meeting for Priests
The 7th International Meeting for
Priests “PRIEST AT THE SERVICE OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE” takes place from
July 1st (morning) to July 6th (noon) 2002 in the new
building behind the Church, accompanied by Fr. Ljubo Kurtović, with lecturers
from different countries.
You may make reservations by e-mail: lidija.paris@medjugorje.hr , in
the Information Office personally, by phone/fax: +387-36-651-988 or by e-mail: informacije@medjugorje.hr.
In place of financial payment, we ask you to
kindly celebrate five Holy Masses for the intentions of the pilgrims of
Medjugorje. The parish of Medjugorje expects your coming with joy. YOUR
ACCOMMODATION IS A GIFT FROM THE PARISHIONERS, WHO WILL RECEIVE YOU IN THEIR
HOMES.
Programme and presentation of lecturers:
preparing