News archive

„1000 Kilometers of Solidarity“

After three days of cycling from Agrate near Milano, members of the Cycling Club “Agrate” arrived in Medjugorje on Friday, July 18, 2006.

This journey with the motto, “ 1000 Kilometers of Solidarity” was organized together with the Foundation don Carlo Gnocchi from Italy . Foundation don Carlo Gnocchi is helping children with special needs, as well as old and very sick people. This foundation is supporting many houses in Italy and abroad, and one of them is the house “Mary, our hope” in Široki Brijeg.

Explanation of the logotype for the Youth Festival in Medjugorje 2008

The theme of the festival is, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

The logotype contains four basic elements:

„Prayer and the ministry of the Word”

The 13^th International Seminar for Priests took place in Medjugorje from June 30^th to July 5^th 2008. The topic of the seminar was, “We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6,4). The preacher at the seminar was Dr. Fr. Zvjezdan Linić, ofm.

Croatian national team football player Robert Kovač with family in Medjugorje

Croatian national team football player Robert Kovač with family visited Medjugorje on July 4, 2008. It is a family tradition to come on a pilgrimage to the Queen of Peace once a year, to thank God for all the good and to entrust him the future. In the Parish house, the Kovač family and friends met with the Medjugorje Franciscans.

Statistics for June 2008

June 2008:

Holy Communions distributed: 155.000

Concelebrating priests: 3.538 (117/day)

The 13th International Seminar for Priests has began

The 13^th International Seminar for Priests began in Medjugorje on Sundaj 30^th June 2008. The theme of the seminar is: “We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6,4). The preacher at the seminar is Dr. Fr. Zvjezdan Linić, ofm.

Fr. Vidal Lodriguez Lopez in Medjugorje

Fr. Vidal Lodriguez Lopez, ofm, Rector and Vicar of the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, was in Medjugorje in June 2008.

For five years now, he is in charge of the Antonianum and of about one hundred Franciscans from all over the world, from different countries, languages, colors and cultures who are studying in Rome, and then going back to their countries in order to evangelize.

27th Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje

The 27^th Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje was solemnly celebrated in the spirit of gratitude for all the graces received. (photos)

REGULAR ANNUAL APPARITION TO THE VISIONARY IVANKA

The visionary Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez had her regular annual apparition on June 25^th 2008. According to the visionaries, Vicka, Marija and Ivan continue to have daily apparitions, and Mirjana, Ivanka and Jakov have an annual apparition.

17. Humac-Medjugorje Peace Walk

The Peace March from Humac to Medjugorje traditionally takes place on June 24^th, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist. Again this year, thousands of pilgrims who were not discouraged by the strong sun followed the cross, praying all the while. This 14 kilometer-long march began at the front of the Franciscan monastery in Humac at about 6 am, and prayed and sang ceaselessly until it arrived in front of the parish church in Medjugorje at about 10 am. The march concluded with the Eucharistic Blessing.

Pilgrms arriving for the Anniversary

In Medjugorje, one can feel the nearness of the coming celebration of the Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions. From all sides of the world, by air, sea and road, pilgrims are coming.

On foot from Ravensburg (Germany) to the Holy Land

Philip Knorr (68) is walking from Ravensburg (Germany) to Jerusalem. He started his pilgrimage on Monday after Pentecost, May 12, and arrived to Medjugorje on Friday, June 20.

Paved pathways in front of the outside altar

Before the 27^th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions, the pathways in front of the outside altar between the benches were paved. Thanks to this intervention, it will be easier for the priests and the faithful to move during the distribution of Holy Communion. At the same time will be avoided the noise provoked by the steps on the gravels, which often disturbs silent recollection.

Shoes for the refugees

Jacques Bousquet from France came 57 times to Medjugorje. He came for the first time in the first years of the apparitions, when the name of Medjugorje was not to be found on any map yet. He remembers those days, and how the pilgrims were close to the Franciscans and the visionaries. They could be very close to them during apparitions. He remembers Fr. Slavko Barbarić who was transmitting to the pilgrims the spirit of Medjugorje. He remembers how those experiences gave him the certitude that Our Lady was really here.

Novena to the Queen of Peace in Lebanon

For the 8^th consecutive year, with the blessing of the Maronite Patriarch, from 16^th to 25^th of June every year “Friends of Mary Queen of Peace” association is organizing the prayer novena “Praying with Mary for Lebanon” which is a 24/24 hours novena of praying the rosary, fasting (nine days or one day according to a personal choice) and adoration of The Blessed Sacrament. Each year it is taking place in another region of Lebanon and in the churches designated by local bishops.