Medjugorje Message... Dear Children!

What’s it all about?

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• Dear Children is a hard-copy tabloid publication distributed through the UK explaining the events and messages of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje, a small village in Bosnia Herzegovina.

This site is a streamlined and lengthy blog version of the newspaper. It’s best viewed with Safari or Firefox web browsers. You can shortcut to the various articles by clicking on the ‘previous posts links in the right-hand margin.

A printed version of Dear Children is also available for free distribution. If you can help to distribute this publication to others who may wish to know about Medjugorje, then please email for further details. No charge is made for this service.

I desire to bestow my love upon you...

2005-11-29T11:59:00.000Z

Since June 1981, the Medjugorje visionaries still claim...

THEY ALL SEE MARY!

Constant call from the Blessed Virgin for the world to
pray for peace and reconciliation...

Peace, peace, peace, only peace...
Reconcile yourselves.
Peace must take place between God and man
and between men...

Welcome...

2005-11-29T11:58:00.000Z

• If there are words that can best describe the happenings at Medjugorje, then none can be more suitable than those of Fr Luigi Ferrari and reproduced below. They sum up the whole Medjugorje experience. The detail can be discovered on the rest of this site, produced as an introduction to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje.

• There are some places and some people in life that ‘mark’ you forever. Once you have come in contact with them, they revive in you everything that seemed buried within your heart forever.

Then you recapture a life full of joy, serenity, and purpose. You understand the reason you are living, where you have come from, and where you are going. You take your life back into your hands with vigour. You rediscover a design of love in your life that trials and difficulties have buried. Then you feel like a new person, and even others are aware that something has changed your life.

The place that has ‘marked’ me and millions of other people is called Medjugorje. It is different from other places because there is a ‘Presence’ there that you do not see but whose effects and benefits you gather. It is a Presence that speaks to our hearts and manifests itself in a personal manner for each one of us.

This presence is Mary the Mother of God. In Medjugorje we discover that this mother, the Queen of Peace, wants to enter our lives. That is the reason She says to us: “Dear Children, accept me in your lives, because I desire to bestow my love upon you.”

Gospa calls everyone

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• More than two decades have passed since six children first reported seeing the Virgin Mary appear on Podbrdo, a rocky hill that rises above the hamlet of Bijakovici, part of the small parish of Medjugorje located in the former Yugoslavia.

The first sighting happened in the late afternoon on 24 June 1981, the feast day of St John, the Baptist. Now the young children are adults and married with families of their own – and still the apparitions of Our Lady continue to the visionaries.

On the third day of the apparitions, Our Lady stated to the children that she was the Blessed Virgin Mary and later added: Peace, Peace, Peace! Be reconciled! Only Peace. Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast, and to go to confession.

Attempts by the communist authorities at the time were unsuccessful in suppressing the apparitions. Even the Balkan war failed to put a stop to all that was happening in Medjugorje as our Lady continued appearing to the seers, asking for peace, prayers and reconciliation.

As the news and messages spread, pilgrims from all over the world began to make their way to the tiny village in Herzegovina; and on returning home they spoke with passion about the healings and conversions, and the signs and wonders they witnessed. For many, what was once a life of little hope and much despair has become a new life of prayer and faith, and they encourage others to make the journey and to avail of the special graces that Our Lady is presenting in Medjugorje.

The Church has examined, in part, the circumstances and claims of Medjugorje, but has still to make a definitive decision, preferring to wait and show patience. This delay has not prevented some 25 million people from making the journey to the Shrine since the apparitions began in 1981. Millions have received the grace to take the path of daily conversion that Our Lady calls for – and their lives have changed, some in dramatic fashion.

Many a priest will testify that their vocation was received or strengthened because of a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. They will also confirm that the most convincing factor about Medjugorje is not the heavenly phenomena but the quality of confessions and conversions they experience as priests during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Lady’s call is to everyone, not just Catholics. All her messages are addressed, Dear Children..., not Dear Catholics... or Dear Christians... or even Dear non-believers...

She also acknowledges our efforts to carry out her call for peace, reconciliation, prayer and penance, completing most of her messages with the words: Thank you for responding to my call.

Her call is to everyone.

A Message from Mary

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“Dear Children, again I call you to prayer with the heart. If you pray with the heart, dear children, the ice of your brothers’ hearts will melt and every barrier shall disappear. Conversion will be easy for all who desire to accept it. You must pray for this gift which by prayer you must obtain for your neighbour. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
23 January 1986

Can the visionaries really see the Mother of God?

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• The daily apparitions occur almost always at the same time – 6.40pm (5.40pm in the summer time) – wherever the visionaries happen to be. People present for the apparition begin to recite the Rosary and usually after one or two decades Mary’s coming in prayer is preceded by brilliant light. She stands a few feet away upon a small cloud. The visionaries describe her as beautiful beyond words, radiant with holiness, and usually smiling.

During an apparition (see photo of Mirjana in ecstasy), the visionaries are able to see the Virgin in three-dimensional form, and can even touch her. They freely converse with Our Lady (in Croat), but are oblivious to noise, light and pain during the apparition – as numerous scientific tests have shown. Exhaustive psychiatric tests have also judged the visionaries to be normal in every way.

Our Lady seems no more than 20 years of age, slender, with dark hair and blue eyes. A small black curl is seen on the left side of her face. She usually wears a luminous, loose-fitting, grey robe, with a white veil reaching down to her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head. Her face is human – olive in complexion with reddish cheeks – but her beauty divine; her voice is described as musical; her expressions range from joy and happiness, to sadness and grief; her hands are raised in an attitude ‘typical of charismatic prayer’(see painting above, depicting the Gospa as she appears to the visionaries).

On certain feast days, such as Christmas, she appears with the Infant Jesus in her arms. “I could look at her – and look and look forever,” said one of the visionaries.

The visionary Vicka says, “Each time before Our Lady comes, we see a light three times, which is the sign that she is coming. When she appears she has a white veil, a crown of stars on her head; her eyes are blue, the hair black, the cheeks rosy; she is hovering in the air on a grey cloud, so she does not touch the ground. For some greater festivities, for example Christmas and Easter, or for her birthday, she wears a robe of gold.”

The Virgin’s conversations with the seers express motherly tenderness and love. Assuming the role of both mother and teacher, she guides them in prayer and gives advice and direction for their lives. Apparitions can last from a few minutes up to an hour.

Ten secrets to be revealed... great sign promised...

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• In addition to the messages given by Our Lady, the visionaries claim that she will impart to each of them 10 secrets about the future. Mirjana, Ivanka and Jakov have received all of the secrets and their daily apparitions have now ended. The others, Vicka, Ivan and Marija, have been given nine secrets and still see Our Lady daily.

Three of the secrets are known by all of the visionaries and will be revealed only after Our Lady instructs them to do so. She has said to Mirjana: “Three days before the fulfilment of each secret, you will then be allowed to reveal this secret to a priest of your choice.”

Mirjana has chosen Fr Petar Ljubicic (pictured) to divulge the secrets. He will fast 10 days on bread and water. On the seventh day he will reveal the secret Mirjana will have told him, and three days later the foretold event will happen. Mirjana has also explained that Our Lady has given her a plain piece of paper on which the secrets are written. The material composition of the paper is said to be not of this world. The seer adds: “The writing is not visible. When I hand the paper to the priest I have chosen, he will receive the grace to read only the first secret; he will read the others later.” The priest will be free to divulge the secret in whatever way he chooses.

Many people have quizzed the visionaries about the content of the secrets, but the answer is always the same: A secret is a secret. Such is the silence about the secrets that not even the visionaries know if they are the same for all of them. Although they guard the secrets with the utmost tenacity, the visionaries have said Our Lady will leave a ‘great sign’ at the site of her first appearance that will confirm the apparitions. According to the seer Vicka Ivankovic, the sign will be permanent, visible and indestructible. It will be a sign or testimony for unbelievers and bring about many conversions.

In a letter to Pope John Paul ll, Mirjana also added that before the great sign appears, three warnings are to be given to world. These warnings presented by Mirjana to Fr Ljubicic, refer to events to take place on earth.

Authorise everything that concerns Medjugorje!

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• Authorise everything that concerns Medjugorje!
Pope John Paul ll, when asked by Archbishop Benitez whether it was appropriate for him to give permission for Medjugorje gatherings in churches in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Rome, November 1984.

• Bishop Hnilica, who meets privately with the Pope once a week, gave a videotaped interview while on pilgrimage in Medjugorje. He said that after returning from a meeting in Moscow on behalf of the Pope, John Paul ll admonished him for not stopping in Medjugorje on his return trip to Rome. The Auxiliary Bishop of Rome reported that the Pope concluded by saying: If I wasn’t a Pope, I’d be in Medjugorje already!
21 April 1989

• Today the world has lost the supernatural. Many people sought it and found it in Medjugorje through prayer, fasting and through confession.
Pope John Paul speaking to Bishop Hnilica, 1 August 1989

• An ecclesiastical recognition of Medjugorje would not be possible so long as the apparitions continue. However, the Church’s reserve also implies that until now, Rome finds everything legitimate. The Church would have to say something against it long ago if there were millions of pilgrims coming and something were not in order in a theological, biblical or moral sense.
Bishop Hnilica, in an interview with Msr Kurt Knotzinger, President, Ecclesiastical Institute, Marian Lourdes Committee

• I have noticed that the people who return from Medjugorje become apostles. They renew parishes. They form groups in which they get together – prayer groups. They pray before the Blessed Sacrament. They hold lectures, lead discussions and bring others to Medjugorje; and these circles, these prayer groups, spread out more and more. They renew the Church!
Cardinal Siri of Genoa, 1989.

• When I visit a place of apparitions, it is not to admire the churches and monuments. I sit down inside a confessional and according to the confessions I evaluate the quality of the place of apparitions. I went to Medjugorje. I did not seek out the visionaries or the priests there. I simply listened to the confessions for two whole days – and that was enough to convince me that Our Lord is present in Medjugorje, and also the Blessed Virgin.”
Bishop J. Carboni, Italy, February 1987

• We are all praying one Hail Mary before Holy Mass to Our Lady of Medjugorje.
Mother Teresa, 8 April 1992

No ban on pilgrimages says Church

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• In 1982 The Bishop Zanic of Mostar, in whose diocese Medjugorje is found, established a commission to investigate the Medjugorje events. The outcome of the three-year study produced two votes in favour of supernatural nature, one that it was authentic initially but no longer so, one abstention, and eleven votes that nothing supernatural was occurring there.

Since the Medjugorje events had exceeded the scope of a local event, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic (pictured), President of the Yugoslavian Bishops Conference, announced in January 1987 that a national commission would be established to continue investigating. In April 1991 this new commission declared: “On the basis of the investigation so far it can not be affirmed that one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations.”

This is still the status of ecclesiastical evaluation. Responding to bishops on the matter, the Holy See simply repeats the aforementioned decision.

In August 1993, Cardinal Kuharic also stated: “We bishops, after a three-year-long commission study, accept Medjugorje as a holy place, as a shrine. This means that we have nothing against it if someone venerates the Mother of God in a manner also in agreement with the teaching and belief of the Church. Therefore, we are leaving that to further study. The Church does not hurry.” (Glas Koncila, 15 August 1993)

Some confusion arose in 1996 when a flurry of media reports suggested that Medjugorje was ‘off limits’, but in August of that year the Director of the Holy See’s press office, Dr Joaquin Navarro-Valls, stated: “You cannot say people cannot go there until it has been proved false. This has not been said, so anyone can go if they want – nothing has changed, nothing new has been said. The problem is if you systematically organise pilgrimages, organise them with the bishop and the Church, you are giving canonical sanction to the facts of Medjugorje. This is different from people going in a group who bring a priest with them to go to confession.”

The Vatican permits pilgrimages to Medjugorje as long as they are not regarded as authentication of events still taking place, which still call for an examination by the Church. Neither has the Church suppressed discussion of Medjugorje.

GROWING IN FREEDOM

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• Life for the visionaries has changed much since the first apparition. For example, all are now married. Yet they still retain three permanent qualities: A decisive commitment to work and witness for Our Lady, not hindered by fear of public opinion, pressures, expectations, or any other imposed human condition...

In their relaxed and confident way, the visionaries keep their freedom intact, prepared and able to make decisions contrary to the expectations of pilgrims, priests of the parish or people of the village...

The mentality of the visionaries during these years of special spiritual calling has been kept rooted into the local mentality of their own people. People are impressed as to how normal and human they are. While Our Lady calls her children, she keeps their free will miraculously intact and lets everyone walk on their own human way.

• None of the children were known personally by any of the area priests prior to the apparitions.
• No one in the village, priest or lay person, knew of any special religious inclination among the six children, or anything else that would differentiate then from other children of the area.
• The children did not solicit older or wise heads for advice on relating the messages. Everything was conducted naturally, as a matter of course, without fear of consequences for their words and actions. They did what they thought they had to do, in the manner of children.
• A statement by one of the children at the time of the first apparition is significant: “The only ones who do not believe us are the priests and the people from the government.” Thus they bypassed all authorities, those of the Church and those of the State, because their messages came from a higher authority.
• Each has been given a prayer mission by Our Lady. Mirjana prays for those who do not yet know the love of God (sometimes referred to as ‘unbelievers’). Vicka and Jakov pray for the sick. Ivan prays for youth and priests. Marija prays for the those consecrated to God (priests and religious)souls in Purgatory. Ivanka prays for families.

THE VISIONARIES...

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• When asked by the children why she chose them, Our Lady responded: “I do not necessarily look for those who are the best.”

IVANKA
• Born in Bijakovici, June 21, 1966.
• Married Raiko Elez, December 18, 1986.
• The couple has three children.
• The first of the visionaries to marry.
• The first of the visionaries to see Our Lady, 24 June, 1981.
• Her daily apparitions ended May 7, 1985, when she was given the tenth secret.
• Still has an annual apparition on June 25, the anniversary of the apparitions.Has received all 10 secrets.
• Lives a discreet, almost private life with her family, close to Medjugorje.
• Prayer mission is to pray for families.

VICKA
• Born Bijakovici, September 3, 1964.
• The oldest of the Medjugorje visionaries.
• The last of the visionaries to marry.
• Married Mario Mijatovic on January 26, 2002, in Gruda, near to Medjugorje.
• They have two daughters.
• Now lives in Krehin Gradac, but still meets with pilgrims during the week on the steps of her grandmother’s house in Bijakovici.
• One of three visionaries who still has daily apparitions.
• Has received nine secrets, the last on April 22, 1986.
• Gospa has related her life to Vicka which is written in three manuscripts.
• Prays for the sick.

MARIJA
• Born in Bijakovici, April 1, 1965.
• Married Paolo Lunetti in Milan on September 8, 1993. They now live in Italy with their four children, all boys.
• Spends some time of the year in Medjugorje.
• Her sister, Milka, along with Vicka, joined Ivanka and Mirjana on the first day of the apparitions when they returned to the hillside a second time. Milka was not allowed to return the next day, and Marija went instead.
• Receives our Lady’s message for the world each month.
• One of three visionaries who still has daily apparitions and has received nine secrets.
• Prayer mission is to pray for the consecrated, priests and religious, and also for the souls in Purgatory.

IVAN
• Born in Bijakovici, May 25, 1965.
• The eldest of the two male visionaries.
• Completed military service in June 1987.
• Married to Laureen Murphy on October 23,1994 at St Leonard's in Boston, USA.
• They have two girls and a boy.
• The family live half the year in America and the rest in Medjugorje.
• Still has daily apparitions.
• Has received nine secrets.
• Prayer mission is to pray for priests and young people.
• Shares same surname as Mirjana, but not related.

JAKOV
• Born in Bijakovici, March 6, 1971.
• Only 10 years old when he experienced his first apparition.
• Married Annalisa, an Italian, at St James in Medjugorje on Easter Sunday, 1993.
• They live with their three children, two girls and a boy, in Medjugorje.
• His daily apparitions ended September 12, 1998, while in America.
• Annual apparition on Christmas Day.
• Has received all 10 secrets.
• Prayer mission is to pray for the sick.

MIRJANA
• Born in Sarajevo, March 18, 1965.
• On holiday staying with her grand-mother in Bijakovici at the time of the first apparition on 24 June, 1981.
• Married Marko Soldo at St James in Medjugorje on September 16, 1989.
• The couple live in Medjugorje with their two daughters.
• Mirjana’s daily apparitions ended December 25, 1982.
• Still receives an apparition on the second day of each month which the public are invited to and asked to pray for unbelievers.
• Also receives an annual apparition on her birthday, 18 March.
• Was first to receive all 10 secrets.
• Prays for unbelievers.
• Entrusted to eventually reveal the secrets to the world via a priest of her choice, Fr Petar Ljubicic.

WORDS FROM HEAVEN

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“I have come because there are many true believers here. I wish to be with you to convert and reconcile the whole world.”

Ever since revealing her identity as the Blessed Virgin Mary on the third day of the apparitions, June 26, 1981, Our Lady has given messages to the visionaries for the parish and for the world.

On the same day, through the visionary Marija Pavlovic, Our Lady made clear the reason for her visitations, calling mankind to peace and reconciliation with God and each other. From there on she has given guidance to the visionaries, the parish and the world as to the ways of responding to her call.

In 1984, Our Lady began directing her messages to the people of the Medjugorje parish, saying: “I have chosen this parish in a special way and I wish to lead it. I am guarding it in love and I want everyone to be mine... I shall speak a special message to you every Thursday.” (March 1, 1984).

The weekly messages continued until 1996 when Our Lady announced she would give fewer messages and on the 25th of each month instead. These have since been understood as general messages to the world and are given through the seer, Marija. This is Our Lady’s first monthly message given on January 25, 1987:

“Dear children, behold, also today I want to call you to start living a new life as of today. Dear children, I want you to comprehend that God has chosen each one of you, in order to use you in a great plan for the salvation of mankind. You are not able to comprehend how great your role is in God’s plan. Therefore, dear children, pray so that in prayer you may be able to comprehend what God’s plan is in your regard. I am with you in order that you may be able to bring it about in all its fullness. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Although Our Lady has given many messages, they can, however, be summarised into five themes. CONVERSION of one’s heart is the basic message from Medjugorje and the means of this conversion is faith, peace, prayer, fasting and penance. “I have come to call the world to conversion for the last time. Afterwards, I will not appear any more on this earth.” (May 2, 1982) Without a radical change of heart, without the conversion of the heart, there is no peace.

For this reason, Our Lady continually asks for unceasing PRAYER. “Dear children, during these days my Lord is allowing me to intercede for more graces for you. Therefore, I wish to urge you once more to pray, dear children! Pray without ceasing! That way I will give you the joy which the Lord gives to me. With these graces, dear children, I want your sufferings to be a joy. I am your Mother and I desire to help you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (June 19, 1986)

Our Lady calls us to believe and have strong FAITH so that we can arrive at peace. On the third day of the apparitions (June 26, 1981) she said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and who believe.” and “Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast and to go to confession.” Our Lady presents faith as an answer to everything, as the pre-requisite of all prayer, desires and demands, relating it to health, wholeness and to all other human necessities.

As an aid to faith, Our Lady often recommends FASTING. She has said: “The best fast is on bread and water. Through fasting and prayer, one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature. Charity cannot replace fasting. Those who are not able to fast can sometime replace it with prayer, charity, and confession; but everyone, except the sick, must fast.” (July 21, 1982)
In itself, fasting has no value, no special meaning; but in the service of faith, it strengthens faith. When we fast, we control ourselves, we can give ourselves to God, and to others as well.

To open our hearts and truly reconcile ourselves to God, Our Lady invites us to frequent CONFESSION and penance. “Dear children, I invite you to open the door of your heart to Jesus as the flower opens itself to the sun. Jesus desires to fill your heart with peace and joy. You cannot, little children, realise peace if you are not at peace with Jesus. Therefore, I invite you to confession so that Jesus may be your truth and peace. so, little children, pray to have strength to realise what I am telling you. I am with you and I love you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (January 25, 1995)

PEACE FORMULA

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“The time has come, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe the Good News,” proclaimed Jesus when he began his public ministry in Galilee.

Our Lady also speaks in this way when, in Medjugorje, she calls for reconciliation and peace with God and each other. It is simply the Gospel message repeated. Nothing new.

“My dear children, today I want to call all of you to decide for Paradise. The way is difficult for those who have not decided for God. Dear children, decide and believe that God is offering Himself to you in His fullness. You are invited and you need to answer the call of the Father, who is calling you through me. Pray, because in prayer each one of you will be able to achieve complete love. I am blessing you and I desire to help you so that each one of you might be under my Motherly mantle. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (October 25, 1987)

She does not ask anything of us that we are not capable of. Her first request is to decide for God, and then to decide for prayer. Even the visionaries started praying with Our Lady in a small way.

Vicka recollects: “When we were on the hill, praying with Our Lady the second day, we prayed seven Our Fathers. We were praying because we did not know what else to do. We were crying a little and praying a little. Later, she told us to pray seven Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s, Gloria’s and the Creed.”

Almost two years after the apparitions began, in an interview with Fr Svetozar Kraljevic, Ivanka Ivankovic described her daily prayer life at the time: “When I get up in the morning, I pray seven Our Fathers and the Credo. At noon, I pray the Angelus. In the evening, I pray seven Our Fathers and the Credo, and sometimes the Rosary. When we are all at home together, we pray an evening prayer.”

Our Lady does not call anyone to undertake all her requests in full, at once. She asks only to decide for God and to start to pray each day so that through prayer we may grow deeper in love with our Father in heaven. We will begin to discover the peace of God in ourselves and others. Then our faith will increase and there will be a desire to pray more, to confess our sins frequently, to fast, and to always reconcile with God and others.

In reality, conversion is not a once-in-a-lifetime decision, but a daily resolution we are all invited to make. That is why Our Lady constantly repeats her call to reconcile ourselves with God and each other, and continues to point the way to her Son in her messages.

In Medjugorje, pilgrims discover the grace to decide for God is free and in abundance; that is why there are so many dramatic conversions that take place there. Often it is very difficult for pilgrims to understand what has happened. But they KNOW that something has changed in their lives. They KNOW that they have received something very special, almost indescribable. They experience such peace and joy in their hearts that they want to share it with their families and friends, and even sometimes, the world!

Unlike most gifts we receive in life, it cannot be kept for oneself. It has to be shared; we want others to experience the same joy and happiness, to feel as we do. And isn’t that what love is all about – to be freely received and freely given? It all starts with a decision; for some, just by saying yes to going on pilgrimage to Medjugorje – whatever the reason.

Saying yes to Our Lady, responding to her call, making that decision, is probably the most difficult step to make.

After that she takes care of everything.

THE LAST DAILY APPARITIONS

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• Three of the Medjugorje visionaries no longer receive daily apparitions... Mirjana Dragicevic, the first to receive all 10 secrets, had her final daily meeting with Our Lady on Christmas Day, 1982... For Ivanka Ivankovic, the first of the visionaries to see Our Lady, the daily apparitions ceased on 7 May 1985... Jakov Colo, the youngest of the seers, was in America when he received his final daily apparition on 12 September 1998.

MIRJANA
The first month was really difficult for me. Our Lady warned me about that, too. I fell into a deep depression. I avoided everything...

• My last daily apparition with Our Lady, was on Christmas Day, December 25, 1982. On that occasion Our Lady stayed with me for 45 minutes. For a month she had been preparing me for that meeting, explaining everything in a motherly way. Our Lady told me that I had fulfiled what she had needed me for. She said that I was sensible enough and had to understand that it was now time for me to return to a normal daily life, like other girls of my age. I must now continue to live without her motherly advice and the conversations with her that were so necessary for me. She promised that she would always be with me and that she would help me in the most difficult moments in my life. As long as I live with God, she will help me. She told me that this would be the last of our daily meetings, but she left me a gift: I will see her on my birthday as long as I live. The last meeting with Our Lady was very difficult for me. I cannot describe with words the pain I felt in my soul. It is the realisation of having lost the most beautiful thing in your life. Our Lady knew of my suffering and pain, and to cheer me up she prayed with me and encouraged me to sing and praise God. I prayed the prayer that I always prayed when I was alone with her: Hail Holy Queen. I will always remember the words of Our Lady: “Mirjana, I chose you and I have told you everything that is necessary. I also entrusted many terrible things to you, which you must now carry with dignity. Think of me and of how many tears I also shed because of these. You must always be brave. You quickly understood my messages and therefore, you also must understand that now I must leave. Be brave!” The other things Our Lady told me were for me, personally. The first month was really difficult for me. Our Lady warned me about that, too. I fell into a deep depression. I avoided everything. I closed myself up in my room where I used to wait for Our Lady. I cried and called out to her to come. I felt her help and waited for my birthday. Since August 2, I hear the voice of Our Lady within me on every second day of the month. Sometimes I see her as well – and I pray with her for the unbelievers.

IVANKA
There were two angels with her. They, too, were dressed like Our Lady. Our Lady and the angels were so beautiful that I cannot describe it in words. One simply has to experience this oneself...

• Never before had I seen the Blessed Virgin Mary more beautiful than this evening. She was so gentle and so beautiful! Today she wore the most beautiful dress that I have ever seen in my life. This dress was shining in silver and gold, as were her veil and crown. There were two angels with her. They, too, were dressed like Our Lady. Our Lady and the angels were so beautiful that I cannot describe it in words. One simply has to experience this oneself. Our Lady asked me if I had any particular wish. I asked her if I could see my earthly mother. Our Lady smiled and she nodded. Then suddenly my mother appeared. She was smiling. Our Lady told me to stand up. I stood up. My mother embraced and kissed me, and said: My daughter, I am so proud of you! My mother kissed me once more and disappeared. After this the Blessed Virgin Mary said: My dear child, today is our last meeting. Do not be sad, since I will come to you on every anniversary – except this one. My dear child, do not think that you have done something wrong, and that is why I no longer appear to you. No, this is not so! With your whole heart, you have accepted and fulfiled the plans that my Son and I had. Be happy because I am your Mother, who loves you with all her heart. Ivanka, thank you for having responded to the call of my Son, for having persevered and for always having remained with Him for as long as He wished it. My child, tell your friends that my Son and I shall always be with them when they search for us and call for us. What I have told you during these years and the secrets which I entrusted to you, you will not speak to anyone about until I tell you to. Ivanka, until now, no one on this earth has received the graces which you and your brothers have received! After these words I asked Our Lady if I could embrace her. She simply nodded and I embraced her. I also asked for her blessing. She blessed me, smiled and said: “Go in God’s peace.” She left slowly and with her the two angels left also. The Blessed Virgin Mary was very happy. She remained with me for one hour.

JAKOV
While she was confiding the tenth secret to me, she was sad. Then with a gentle smile, she said to me: “Dear child, I am your mother and I love you unconditionally. From today I will not be appearing to you every day, but only on Christmas, the birthday of my Son...”

• On Saturday September 12, 1998, the youngest of the visionaries in Medjugorje, Jakov Colo, sent the parish office the following text while he was on a trip to the United States:

• On Friday September 11th, during the regular apparition, Our Lady told me to prepare myself, especially by prayer, for tomorrow’s apparition, because she would confide the tenth secret to me. On Saturday September 12, Our Lady came at 11.15am (local time). When she came she greeted me as always with Praised be Jesus. While she was confiding the tenth secret to me, she was sad. Then with a gentle smile, she said to me: “Dear child, I am your mother and I love you unconditionally. From today I will not be appearing to you every day, but only on Christmas, the birthday of my Son. Do not be sad because as a mother I will always be with you and, like every true mother, I will never leave you. And you continue further to follow the way of my Son, the way of peace and love, and try to persevere in the mission that I have confided to you. Be an example of a man who has known God and God’s love. Let people always see you as an example of how God acts in people and how God acts through them. I bless you with my motherly blessing and I thank you for having responded to my call.”

The apparition ended at 11.45am. Later, in a short conversation with Fr Slavko Barbaric, Jakov said that he wept for a long time and that he is very sad.

THE PARISH OF MEDJUGORJE

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• Medjugorje is a small parish of about 4,000 inhabitants, close to the town of Citluk, in Bosnia Herzegovina, and is made up of five villages: Medjugorje, Bijakovici, Vionica, Miletina and Surmanci. Its name is of Slavic origin and translates as ‘area between two mountains’. Since June 1981, the village has attracted millions of pilgrims from around the world. However, the peace and serenity brought by Our Lady’s visitation has always prevailed as the village has expanded to cater for the needs of pilgrims. The original church, built in 1897, was declared unsafe after the First World War and work on a new building began and was eventually completed in 1969. Franciscan friars serve the parish pastorally.

ST JAMES CHURCH
• The parish of Medjugorje was founded in 1892 and placed under the protection of St James, patron saint of pilgrims! The present church building was completed and consecrated in 1969 and is now the focal point and centre of prayer for parishioners and pilgrims alike. Since the start of the apparitions in 1981, continual enhancements have been made to the structure and surrounding areas. Close to the church is the white stone statue of the Queen of Peace (pictured below). To the left of the Church is a line of newly-built confessionals, overlooked by a bronze statue of the famous Capuchin confessor, St Leopold Mandic. To the right of the Church is a large wooden cross where pilgrims can light votive candles. Continual Masses are offered each morning. The evening prayer programme consists of the Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries of Rosary before and after the apparition time of 6.40pm, followed by Croat Mass and the Glorious Mysteries. On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday the prayer programme is completed with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and, on Friday, Veneration of the Cross.

QUEEN OF PEACE
• The stone statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace is the work of sculptor Dino Felici, and is a focal point of prayer and meetings for pilgrims and parishioners – day and night. It is probably the most photographed feature of Medjugorje. Our Lady is positioned beckoning with her left hand, while the right hand rests on her heart. But from a kneeling viewpoint, her position can be interpreted as a presentation of her Son, Jesus, crucified on the Cross. Pilgrim groups from various countries often group around the statue, singing and giving praise in their national tongue. When many hundreds are gathered to show their devotion, it is a beautiful occasion, and Our Lady can only be delighted with the harmony of voices from around the world, raised in prayer and song.

APPARITION HILL
• Our Lady first appeared to the visionaries on Mt Crnica, now known as Apparition Hill, above the hamlet of Podbrdo in a district known as Bijakovici, part of the parish of Medjugorje. This happened in June 1981 and since then pilgrims from all over the world climb the rocky hill – some in bare feet – to meditate and pray the Rosary. Day and night, groups can be seen making their way to the place of the first apparitions. Until 1989, there was nothing to be seen except boulders and rustic crosses left by the many visitors. Now there are bronze reliefs sculptured by the Florentine artist Carmelo Puzzolo, depicting the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. The visionary Ivan, often invites pilgrims to join him and his prayer group for his apparition at the Blue Cross near the base of the hill.

MT KRIZEVAC
• The hill rises above Medjugorje behind the parish church of St James. In 1933 the people of Medjugorje erected an eight-metre high cross to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the death of Jesus. Relics received from Rome, including a piece of the original Cross on which Jesus died, are embedded in the concrete bar. The ascent is marked with bronze reliefs representing the Stations of the Cross, and were made by Italian sculptor Carmelo Puzzolo. Many of the Medjugorje signs and wonders are associated with the cross on Krizevac and once, when Our Lady was questioned about this, she said: “Yes, I confirm it... All of these signs are designed to strengthen your faith until I leave you with the visible and permanent sign.” Another time she said, “I am often at Krizevac, at the foot of the Cross, to pray there...”

THE RISEN CHRIST
• For pilgrims unable to ascend Krizevac, there is an area close to the church where the Stations of the Cross encircle the imposing sculpture of the Risen Christ. Since the summer of 2000, a watery substance constantly weeps from the right knee of the bronze figure. Some view the occurrence as a sign for doubting pilgrims, although few are able to resist reaching and touching the weeping wound.

CHANGING HEARTS...

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It is impossible for us to refrain from speaking of what we have seen and heard...
Acts of the Apostles 4:20

RESPONSE TO PRAYER
• One day in 1987, Kathleen Martin was introduced to a friend of the visionary, Marija, a young Croat man from Split who had decided to become a priest. He asked Marija if, during her apparition that night, she would offer his priesthood to the Holy Mother. Marija did so. During the apparition, Kathleen also made a request to Our Lady, concerning the young man, and prayed: “O Mother, a priest is being born tonight. He is giving you his ‘yes’. I would really like to go to his ordination.” As the years passed and war came to Yugoslavia, Kathleen left Medjugorje and moved to Italy, travelling and giving testimony to Our Lady’s messages and the events in Medjugorje. One weekend, she and a group of friends were on an overnight train returning home from a conference in Sicily. The train was delayed and because the party missed their connection in Rome they had to stay overnight in the Eternal City. For Kathleen, this presented a wonderful opportunity to attend Mass in St Peter’s the next day, Trinity Sunday. As she entered the basilica and dipped her finger in the holy water fount, she heard the voice of the Holy Father begin Mass. The centre section of seating was cordoned off and so to get closer to the altar Kathleen made her way to the wing seating. As she did so, she saw an usher with Mass books and promptly requested copies for herself and her companions. It was then that a man, holding a child in his arms, called out: “Hey! They’re only for the people inside the cordon!” The voice seemed familiar to Kathleen, and when she turned around she saw the brother of the boy who many years ago had made the decision to become a priest. “Anton, what are you doing here?” exclaimed Kathleen. He replied, proudly: “My brother is being ordained by the Holy Father this morning!”

FAMILY GRACE...
• Medjugorje impressed on me the power of prayer, that we are not stuck with the world as it is, and if enough of us pray with enough conviction, we CAN change things – ‘even avert wars’ Our Lady told the visionaries. I was what was known as a ‘practising Catholic’ with an awful lot of Pharisee about me – doing what was required, sometimes a little more, but without any strong conviction. Now I really do believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, that it WILL be ‘alright on the night’ and that grace is provided WHEN I need it, and not before. I have now come to believe that the power of God is stronger that that of satan (thank you Fr John). The Peace of Medjugorje has also made me realise how many family arguments were unimportant – and so many caused by my impatience and bad temper. And now whenever there are difficulties my daughter Claire will say: “Mum, remember the spirit of Medjugorje.” My son Simon also has a saying: “Grace is something my Mum brings back from Medjugorje.” Since my family’s involvement with Medjugorje, my father has returned to the Church after an absence of 43 years. The day he returned to confession was 25 June 1988, the seventh anniversary of the Medjugorje apparitions. • Angela Callan

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE...
• Yes, Our Lady is still touching hearts. My first visit to Medjugorje was as recent as September 2000 – and I experienced a dramatic change in heart, with very little effort on my part. There is such a special grace available in Medjugorje that I feel cannot be found so freely available anywhere else in the world. I remember as a child, my mother taking me to see Father Christmas in a city centre store. Of course, I was excited, because I was promised I would receive a special gift from Santa. Sometimes the gift did not live up to my expectations and I soon tired of whatever toy I had been given. It was years later, as an adult with my own children, that I learned that my mother had to purchase the ticket for my present. Now, I almost feel childlike again – excited – at the prospect of buying my flight ticket to Medjugorje, knowing that gifts of infinite more value are waiting to be collected, gifts of joy and peace that will last my lifetime. I always say to any person travelling to Medjugorje for the first time: keep an open mind and an open heart. It doesn’t matter if you lie in bed all day, spend the week in Colombo’s, or go on your knees all week, Our Lady will touch you in some way. What mother, when a child visits, sends her child away empty-handed – without slipping a few bob in the purse or pocket, or sandwiches for the journey! Our Lady is still appearing every day, continuing to meet the needs of all her children that she calls to visit. I feel compelled to encourage everyone to travel to Medjugorje. The gift I received is one I want to share with the whole world! I just can’t keep it to myself – it excites my heart constantly There is a line from the Acts of the Apostles that expresses this feeling: “It is impossible for us to refrain from speaking of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4-20) • Bernard Gallagher

JIM’S PASSION
• I received the role thanks to Medjugorje, thanks to Our Lady. During the preparations, I was using all that I learned through Medjugorje. Mel Gibson and myself went to Mass together every day I was also fasting. I was reading Our Lady’s messages all the time. I was praying the Rosary every day. • Jim Caviezel, who played the role of Jesus in the film, The Passion of The Christ

COME AND SEE...
I am here as a messenger of Medjugorje. I was born in 1946 and ordained in 1969. Medjugorje has become the main part of my life. It is more important to be a sign than to look for signs. No sin can make us happy. We are told (Romans 14:17) that the Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy brought by the Holy Spirit. People are coming to Medjugorje with empty hearts looking for God. This year 25,000 young people came to Medjugorje for the seven-day Youth Festival. They were from 40 nations. There were confessions around the clock and 400 priests were there. One day there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the village, stretching for four miles. For me, this is the biggest spiritual event of the Church. On the Feast of the Transfiguration, Mass was celebrated in the late afternoon on Mt Krizevac. There were 100 priests present. It seemed like a miracle. Who is calling these young people? Who is leading them? It’s only a one-hour drive to the coast, yet they prefer to be in Medjugorje. The seven days of the Youth Festival are the highlight of the whole Medjugorje event – and they bring deep peace, even more than for the Anniversary when up to 100,000 people are here for a week. All the talks and messages are translated into 17 languages, available on FM radio. Medjugorje can be summarised with these words: Come and see, and experience peace and grace. All those who come as true pilgrims will find peace. Medjugorje has become the biggest place of conversion, even for those who come as tourists. Medjugorje is a matter of heart – approach with your heart, not with your head. Then you will become a new creation, renewed by the Holy Spirit. Come and see – this is what Jesus said to his disciples, yet Jesus had no home. Jesus is something like Utopia – no place – but in his heart there is room for everyone. And Our Lady is our Mother and Queen. • Fr Tomislav Pervan OFM

TOGETHER AGAIN...
• Nancy, a woman in her forties and a mother of four children, lived what she had totally tried to exclude from her life: division and separation. “My sufferings and my disillusionment were endless and deep, as strong as my hope had been when we first were married. But the worst thing that could have happened to me, did happen. My husband threw me out of our home; he no longer financially supported me. All this happened very slowly. “He drank at lot and justified his behaviour thusly: ‘In this society everyone drinks. I have problems at work etc.’ “Each time I would forgive him, and I was cultivating good prayer habits, but he was not praying at all, and the faith meant practically nothing to him. Nevertheless, he would send us to Mass, me and the children. This practice continued, but after a while I was no longer praying. “In time, my husband became more satisfied with his bottle. This is when he became aggressive and I was more dissatisfied with the whole thing. It was getting harder and harder to forgive him. Bitterness was creeping into my heart and into our relationship, and this was now affecting our children. “When our conflict became unbearable, my husband would insist that I leave... finally peace. Wounded, I left, and a large void took over my life. Mornings, I went to work without interest in my job, and at night I would return without joy to my sad apartment. My solitary evenings went by like years. My nights were filled with insomnia and nightmares, with grief and tears. With nothing else in my life, I went back to Church. “One day I came across a pamphlet with testimonies from Medjugorje with the following message: ‘Pray and you will overcome the difficulties in your life.’ “So, without another thought, I asked for a week off from work and I left on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. “At the foot of the cross, in the presence of Mary, I laid all the bitterness in my mixed-up life. I left Medjugorje with a certain peace in my heart and a determination as soon as I got back home, to contact my husband and my children, and ask their pardon for the suffering I had inflicted on them. I would tell them that for one week, I carried them in my prayers to the Virgin, so that the whole family would be healed, and that peace and love would return to the heart of my home. “I didn’t dare think that the grace would work in them as it had worked in me. And I promised myself to return to Medjugorje with my whole family if Mary could obtain for us this immense grace.” Another witness relates the following: “A few months later, a radiant family of six people was waiting in front of the parish office in Medjugorje, It was Nancy, with her whole family. On seeing the Franciscan Father, Nancy cried: ‘Remember me? I was the woman who... It is the prayer and the powerful intercession of the Queen of Peace who performed this miracle. We didn’t know that prayer could have such an impact. If I had discovered this earlier, everything that happened to me might not have happened.’ “The Virgin is right when she says that fasting and prayer can conquer all evil. Each day, as a family, we pray for all the families of the world because the peace and the reconciliation, the joy and the rekindled love, is all possible with God. Nothing is impossible for God.”

BUS TO CONVERSION...
• Stefan, a Scot, was a lapsed Catholic, and for many years his life “became endless darkness as a result of self-centred fulfilment.” In desperation he started turning back to God who, “appeared deaf to my prayers, before answering in dramatic fashion. “The summer of 1985 saw me on holiday in Dubrovnik, waiting for three days to join up with some friends. I was bored on my own, and whilst considering how to amuse myself, the words of a Sunday Times article from a couple of years back were put into my mind: ‘Medjugorje – people are going there and being changed’. “I caught a bus to Medjugorje that day. Apart from the vibrancy and charged atmosphere of the place, what completely penetrated my heart was the intense and visible expression of faith being shown by the local people as they worshiped – this patent and tangible sincerity, in effect, triggered the start of my conversion experience. And with all these things came great joy and willingness to do anything for God.” Whilst it is reported that some pilgrims assert supernatural experiences at, or after returning from Medjugorje, Stefan’s experience, and many like him, was effected by normal and visible means, through human example and inspiration. Stefan’s life continued its dramatic course when on 13 October, 2001, he was ordained an Augustinian priest. In his words, “God is amazing!”

AN AMAZING CONVERSION!
The gathering on a warm September Thursday did not appear unlike any other English Mass in St James’ Church, Medjugorje. It included some 160 souls who had arrived from Birmingham in the early hours of that morning and had managed to be up and seated on time ready for 10am Mass. The priests gathered in number on the altar and the congregation was in fine voice, packed into the pews and spilling over into the aisles. Fr Donald Calloway was the celebrant, an American priest blessed, as he said, to be in Medjugorje for his first time and celebrating his first Mass there. During his homily, in a clear and resonant voice, Fr Donald spoke of the boy he once knew who had started experimenting with drugs at the age of 12. By his late teens the young man had sampled every drug in the book, even heroin and crack-cocaine. He just lived for the life of ‘sex, drugs and rock and roll’ and dressed and acted accordingly. Not surprisingly he had been convicted and imprisoned several times, even thrown out of three countries. The stress this young man gave his parents drove them to become Catholics! Then one day, when their son came out of his teen years, he picked up a book lying on the coffee table in his parents’ home. It was titled The Queen of Peace Visits Medjugorje, and it was to change the 20-year-old drug addict’s life. Encouraged to join a community and ‘clean up’ – which he did – he too joined the Catholic Church. It was then that Fr Donald’s voice penetrated every listening heart in St James church, when he proclaimed: “That young man is celebrating Mass before you today!” Applause is not encouraged during Mass, but it happened – although not in the usual way – as every heart of every person present, pounded loudly with joy. Needless to say, Fr Donald was a priest in demand after Mass as he patiently attended to everyone who presented themselves, whatever their need or desire. As a high school dropout, it took Fr Donald ten years of studies in the seminary before he was ordained a priest in the order of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception – an order by his choice, because it twice contains Our Lady’s name! “Right now we have nine men in formation back in Stockbridge and all their vocations came from Medjugorje,” says Fr Donald, who is Assistant Rector of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. (USA). Fr Calloway is not frightened about confronting or owning up to his past life. In fact, he doesn’t have to look too far back to be reminded. Just to the tattoos still on his shoulder!

HAPPY AT THE END...
• Gabriele, or Gabi as her mother called her, was a pleasant and quite often serious child She was happy at school and studied well. Although she loved her younger brother, she was at times, jealous of him, and when her mother gave birth to another daughter, a real sunshine, it seemed that Gabi suffered. She became difficult and moody. By the time she reached 15 Gabi would lock herself in her bedroom and by candlelight burn joss sticks and play loud music. It was about this time that she started to experiment with drugs. The peace in the family was gone and Gabi could not wait to leave home – a most painful experience for her family to see her leave in the condition she was. Gabi lived in various communes, worked here and there, but stayed away from her family. In 1987 Gabriele’s mother, Inge, heard of Medjugorje and decided to make a pilgrimage there to ask Our Lady for help, after all She was a mother, too, and would know. At Medjugorje Inge was blessed with the grace of inner peace, hope and even joy, despite her concerns for Gabi. But even more graces awaited. Three days after Inge returned home, Gabi also came back. For Inge and her family, this truly was a prayer answered – a miracle. Inge was able to forgive her daughter and love her just as she was – a grace she believes she received from Our Lady of Medjugorje. Because Mary asks us to pray and to fast, Inge, her husband and youngest daughter started to do just this, imploring Our Lady for help – and the Lord answered their prayer! Later, Gabi said to her mother about this reconciliation: “Mama, I could feel a change in you. All of you gave me so much love. Your faith and trust became my safety anchor.” After a while Gabi informed her mother that she had begun to say one Our Father each day. And it was the prayer that Jesus taught us that gave Gabi the strength to return to Mass. “All because of one Our Father, the Lord gave me the grace to overcome my reluctance to go to Mass,” said Gabi. Gabriele then started to study theology in Innsbruck, and it was there that she met with a community of sisters known as The Family Of Mary, The Co-Redemptress, who gave her much support and help. It was around this time she decided to give her life to God – she had what she had been looking for at last. On 8 July 1974, Gabi entered the Family of Maria The Co-Redemptress and took the name of Sr Maria Gabriele. Her mission work took her to Kiev, capital of Ukraine. It was there she discovered she had breast cancer. Despite returning to Austria for surgery, the family were informed that there was no hope of a recovery. However, the following year Sr Maria made an amazing recovery – a great joy for the family but Sr Maria expressed her disappointment. She had been looking forward to going to Heaven! But sometime later the cancer returned and once more the family were plunged into sadness – they did not know that Sr Maria had offered her life to the Lord for the intention of the Holy Father and healing of priests. A week before she died, Sr Maria said to her mother: “Mama, promise me not to be sad when I go to Heaven. I will help you.” And help she did. Inge said: “After her death, I experienced such deep inner joy and peace, in the knowledge that she is home with God.”And to her spiritual director, Fr Paul Maria, Gabi said: “When people hear of my death, tell them to rejoice.”
Heidi Howell

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY...
• My life has changed since I made that first trip to Medjugorje. It has been enriched by prayer and the fact that I belong to two fulfiling prayer groups. And I am beginning to understand those words of St Paul which say: “May I never boast in anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is life and salvation.” I pray that all people will understand the beauty and reality of these words. • Fr Kenneth Brockel

ROSARY INSPIRES CHANGE OF HEART
• Michael had heard of the various ‘miracles’ which took place in Medjugorje. But when he was there he neither expected nor saw any such ‘miracles’. However, during the return journey one of the pilgrims found that the silver chain of his Rosary had become a light gold colour. This caused excitement amongst the pilgrims and Michael wasn’t alone in looking at his Rosary to find out whether his had changed. But no, it hadn’t. The plane carrying the pilgrims landed in England and Michael drove himself home. It was only when he arrived home that he next looked at his Rosary. The silver chain had now changed and was a light gold colour. Nothing happens without a reason and over the next few weeks Michael was to discover that reason.
Michael is a Eucharist Minister and takes Holy Communion to residential and nursing homes for the elderly. In one of the homes were husband and wife, Philip and Nellie. When Michael next visited he told them about his Rosary and showed it to them. Philip is an exemplary Catholic, very devoted to Our Lady and to the Rosary. He is also blind; so Nellie explained to her husband about the light gold colour of the chain. When Michael visited the following week, Nellie was excited to show him Philip’s Rosary. The silver had become bright gold, as bright as brass! Nothing happens without a reason and there is a happy sequel to this story. Philip and Nellie preferred not to receive Holy Communion from a lay person; so week after week they missed the chance of receiving the Eucharist. But following the change to Philip’s Rosary, he and Nellie had second thoughts and decided that they would receive communion from Michael. Five weeks later Philip died, fortified by the Rites of the Church. But on his death-bed he was to ill to receive Holy Communion. The last time he received was a few days earlier when Michael had visited. It was not too difficult to understand the change in Michael’s and Philip’s Rosaries was Our Lady’s way of ensuring Philip would receive the Eucharist before he died!

• Have you a testimony or story, or any experience about Medjugorje that you would like to share with others? Then contact us at the address or telephone number on page two – and if you need any assistance in writing or typing your story, help is at hand.

TO BE A PILGRIM

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A pilgrimage is a journey, assigned by God. It brings the pilgrim, not only to a physical place, but also out of himself and into the presence of God. All else falls away. There is only the child, his Father, and eternity...

By Fr Svetozar Kraljevic OFM

JOURNEY TO HOLINESSS...
In ancient times, pilgrimages were made to holy places. As an act of faith, or to renew the relationship they once had with God, or to gain one that others seemed to have, pilgrims journeyed to the traditional sites of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. If that was impossible, they travelled to a shrine or a great cathedral. It might take many days or even weeks to get there, but the distance did not matter; the journey itself was as important as the destination. For it was a preparation and a purification. Coming to the decision to go – and all that led up to it – was also part of the process. In a sense, the pilgrimage began at the moment it first occurred to the individual that he or she might undertake such a venture. It would mean considerable sacrifice – in time, if not money. In other centuries only the richest pilgrims travelled by coach or horseback; the rest went on foot. But rich or poor, the time such an undertaking would require was indeed significant. And it was an act of faith. There was no assurance that the pilgrimage would bring one closer to God. One could only hope.

WHISPERING VOICES...
Meanwhile, the enemy was constantly whispering, for the best chance of dissuading the pilgrim was in that time leading up to the determination to go. Nothing will change, he murmured. Your heart will come home as barren as it is now, and your purse will be as empty as your soul. Your work will be taken over by another, and those who now mock you behind your back will laugh openly and call you a fool. Yet there was another voice – still and small, appealing to the heart of the pilgrim: Come, leave the distraction and despair behind. Separate yourself unto me. And fear not, for I will go with you. Come. If the pilgrim heeded his spirit, as it yearned for the Spirit of God, if he gave not into the reasoning of his intellect or the willfulness of his soul that did not want to make the sacrifices or endure the hardships, then eventually the time to depart would come. Leading up to that moment, the arguments against going would continue to rise and swell to a crescendo. But once he actually set forth, a sense of peace would settle over him. Grace would surround him. God honours even the smallest steps of obedience.

TEMPTATION AGAIN...
The enemy, however, was far from finished; he may have lost the first battle, but there would be many more contests before the outcome of the campaign was decided. At the moment, he was regrouping, but it would not be long before he counter-attacked – more subtly this time. A short distance into the journey, where the way grew difficult, the pilgrim gave in to the temptation to look back: should he have come when so much was hanging in the balance at home? What had he been thinking of? With the door open, suddenly he was assailed by doubts: it was cruel, selfish, heartless of you to leave your wife and little one in such need. How can they manage without you? It was irresponsible to leave at seed-time… especially when your neighbour covets your field… even now he is probably talking to the landlord about you… Now the pilgrim was vulnerable, the pilgrimage itself was in jeopardy. He could be turned. You can be home very quickly, the hard voice murmured. You can tell them that you came to your senses and realised what a foolish thing it was that you were doing. They would accept that; nothing would be lost. You merely suffered a momentarily lapse of sanity, that was all. But you must return now. The other voice was also there, very still, very small – so small that the pilgrim could hear it only by stopping and praying, and listening. Remember why you had come, it said. Remember what you once had; the serenity of resting in the hollow of God’s hand; the bliss of being raised up to meet His gaze. the joy of knowing His delight in you. Remember why you came. The pilgrim heard – and remembered, and resumed his journey.

A STRANGER BECKONS...
The next test came in the form of a stranger who sort to distract him from his purpose and, perhaps, lure him into sin. It had been a long journey and would be longer still. What harm could there be in tarrying a while – in partaking in some refreshment and worldly discourse, which was really no different than what the others did all the time; no different than what the pilgrim himself had done often enough at home? If he prayed then, he might hear the small voice saying: but you are not at home now, and while you are in the world, while you are on this pilgrimage, you are not of the world. If you are weary and feel in need of refreshment, slake your thirst at the well of Living Water. There your spirit will be refreshed and renewed, the appetites of your flesh will be subdued, and you soul will know peace.

LONELINESS...
The pilgrim did pray and was refreshed and journeyed on – alone – and that was the next test. For in all his life, he never felt so alone. There might be others on the path with him – indeed, he might find himself surrounded by friends – but he was still alone; so alone that he longed for his wife, his children, his mother, those who loved him. How he longed to spend just a moment with someone who cared. But he was not alone. That was another ploy of the enemy, whose tricks were growing ever more subtle. For in truth, the Lord God, who had assigned him on this journey, was with him – always... every step of the way. All he had to do was stop and pray. (From a distance, as a pilgrim, he could see his loved ones with greater clarity and completeness – and embrace them as never before.)

FOXES HAVE DENS...
So he did, and he was reminded of what the First Pilgrim had given up to make His pilgrimage. Matthew had recorded His words: Foxes have dens, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest. He had given up everything; and in the end He would give up His life, too. The pilgrim saw, then, that it was necessary to give up the comforts of home and family and loved ones so to be completely free to know God, bit by bit drawing closer to God as the pilgrimage continued.

SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE...
He had picked up his old habit of praying with the heart – it was like an idle tool that had grown rusty from lack of use. But it still worked. It still fit the hand – and with use, the rust began to wear off. He was also learning to listen with the heart and to see with the heart. As he travelled, his spirit was awakening. Gradually he came to perceive that his journey was a quest – a spiritual adventure, undertaken at God’s behest. On it, nothing happened by accident. There were no chance meetings, no coincidental remarks. Some things that befell him might not be aligned with the centre of God’s perfect will for him; some might be fiery darts from the enemy. But he came to see that even those were within the bounds of God’s permissive will. For the enemy could not afflict him without God allowing it. Therefore, in everything that happened to him, there was a lesson, a reward, or a test. God was waiting to see how he would respond: would he heed his flesh, his soul, or his spirit?

SHARING THE ROAD...
And now, in His infinite mercy, God gave him a fellow pilgrim for companionship along the way. He was joined by someone else who was going to the same holy place, with the same hopes and expectations. Someone else was learning similar lessons and facing similar tests. He had never been alone in spirit; now he was no longer alone in the flesh. To pass the time, the two pilgrims told each other their stories, ending with how they came to be on this pilgrimage. In the process, each took the measure of the other’s heart. When the pilgrims decided that they could trust one another, they now shared not only feelings, but also dreams and aspirations. As they did, a bond began to form between them. It was a bond forged in the fire of shared adversity and tempered in the water, the water of shared prayer. It was a bond that would last long after the pilgrimage was over, and the pilgrims parted ways. They discovered each other, like many do, coming from the East and from the West. In pilgrimage they discovered the world in and around themselves.

DESTINATION IN SIGHT...
Like a long river approaching its mouth, the way of the pilgrims was broadening, fed by other tributaries from other villages, other lands. There were many pilgrims walking with them now, behind and ahead of them, speaking in foreign tongues as well as recognisable dialects. In spirit, it was a gathering, not a crowd, for all had a common purpose and a common call. There was an undercurrent of joy and anticipation, for their destination was close at hand. When at last he arrived, our pilgrim’s heart was full. So strong were his emotions, he could not trust himself to speak. He wanted to pray in a quiet place, but the holy site was thronged with pilgrims. Then he found one. He knelt and thanked God for bringing him, and for all that He had shown him, for he realised that he had been part of His plan. As he had journeyed, God had begun a work in him and he prayed that it would be a work that would never stop. When he arose he felt a great peace. In the ensuing holy days, he joined in the processions, the worship, the singing and the solemn assemblies, and the traditional rituals of that place. In each, he was able to keep his heart, mind, soul and being centred on God and only Him. Each act, each inner revelation, was etched indelibly on the bronze tablet of his memory. Over the years the edges might weather, but they would never be forgotten.

TREASURE REVEALED...
Before each pilgrim left, God would confront him or her with the ultimate challenge: Make your life a pilgrimage, On the journey now completed, you have begun to see things as I see them. Keep this. Treasure it. For this – not the world – is reality. This is eternity. I want to you to share this with me, always. And so I will go with you always, even unto the ends of the earth. Will you go that far with me? If the pilgrim’s hearts says yes, his life would be forever altered. He already knew that he was a different person than he had been when he left home. Now, in spirit, he would never be that person again. There was no remorse, no looking back. There was only peace and great joy. For some pilgrims, the point is indeed accompanied by signs and wonders. But for most it will be a quiet, growing contentment that will stay with them even in the midst of the most trying circumstances, as they continue on their eternal pilgrimage.

• Adapted from: Pilgrimage – Reflections of a Medjugorje Priest, by Fr Svetozar Kraljevic, published by Paraclete Press.

Each took the measure of the other’s heart. When the pilgrims discovered they could trust each other, they shared not only their feelings but their dreams and aspirations.

SIGNS AND WONDERS

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All these signs are designed to strengthen your faith until I leave you the visible and permanent sign...
October 22, 1981

SIGNS OF THE TIME
Right from the start of the apparitions, a range of remarkable phenomena has been witnessed in and around Medjugorje by many thousands of people belonging to every conceivable background and nationality. For example, brilliant lights illuminated the Medjugorje area immediately preceding the early hillside apparitions. The sun has frequently been observed to do such things as spin, pulsate, alter course, and emit a rainbow of colours. The big concrete cross on top of Cross Mountain has often been seen to ‘lose’ its crossbeam, or spin rapidly, or change into a pillar of light, or even be replaced by the luminous figure of the Virgin Mary.
Mysterious flames once sprang up on Apparition Hill; yet no after-effects could be traced by the puzzled civil authorities. The Croat word for peace – MIR – has been seen blazoned like a brilliant neon-sign across the Medjugorje sky; and any number of rosaries have been turned to a golden colour. But what does Our Lady say about such signs and wonders? In her messages, she clearly states there is a purpose to this heavenly phenomena; that it is a gift given by God to awaken and strengthen faith. So evidently, these wonders cannot be dismissed as of no importance, or not a miracle in itself, however great or small.

THE GREAT SIGN
Soon after the apparitions began, Mirjana and Jakov expressed concern that the people were treating them as liars, and asked Our Lady to leave a sign to show the people. Instead, she requested that the visionaries show patience, and repeated the response each time the children asked the same question. It wasn’t until two months later that she gave a definite answer to a similar question from Ivan, saying: “The sign will be given at the end of the apparitions.” Days later, Our Lady added: “Be converted all of you who are still there. The sign will come when you will be converted.” It was almost a year later when mention of the sign was made again by Our Lady – “The great sign has been granted. It will appear independently of the conversion of the people.” This is the great indestructible sign promised in the third secret, which will be seen on Apparition Hill and prove the truth of the Medjugorje apparitions.

THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS

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It all began on June 24, 1981, the Feast of John the Baptist...

DAY 1 • Look!
Around 6.00pm on June 24, 1981, the feast of John the Baptist, the children – Ivanka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Vicka Ivankovic, Ivan Dragicevic, Ivan Ivankovic and Milka Pavlovic – all saw an incredibly beautiful young woman with a little child in her arms, standing on Crnica hill known as Podbrdo. She didn't say anything to them but gestured that they should come closer. Surprised and frightened they were afraid to come near, even though they immediately thought her to be Our Lady.

DAY 2 • Our Lady’s little angels...
On the second day, the 25th of June 1981, the children agreed to meet once again at the same place where Our Lady had previously appeared, hoping to see her again. All of a sudden there was a flash of light. The children looked up and saw Our Lady – this time without the child. She was smiling and joyful, and was indescribably beautiful. She gestured to them to come closer. The children braced themselves and went up to her. They fell to their knees and began to pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Our Lady prayed with them except for when they prayed the Hail Mary. After the prayer, she began to speak with the children. Ivanka, first of all, asked her about her mother who had died two months previously. And Mirjana asked Our Lady for some sign to be given to show to the people that they were neither lying nor crazy, as some people had said. Our Lady finally left the children with the words, “God be with you, my angels!” Before that, when the children asked her if they would see her the following day, she replied by nodding her head. Two of the children, which made up the previous group were missing: Ivan Ivankovic and Milka Pavlovic. They never saw Our Lady again and were replaced by two others: Marija Pavlovic (Milka’s sister) and Jakov Colo.

DAY 3 • Peace, Peace Peace...
Late in the afternoon, on June 26, 1981, the children made their way in anticipation to the spot where Our Lady had previously appeared. Although their joy was mixed with fear, the children could feel some sort of inner strength attracting them to the meeting. Suddenly, while they were still on their way, a light flashed three times. To them and to those following, it was a sign indicating Our Lady's whereabouts. On that day Our Lady appeared even higher up the hill than previously. Suddenly, she disappeared, but when the children began to pray, Our Lady returned. She was cheerful and smiling serenely, and once again her beauty was beyond words. When the children had earlier left their houses, some older women advised them to take holy water with them to make sure that what was happening was not of Satan. When they were with Our Lady, Vicka took the water and splashed it in the direction of the vision saying, “If you are Our Blessed Mother, please stay, and if you are not, go away from us.” Our Lady smiled at this and remained with the children. Then Mirjana asked who she was and she replied, “I am the Blessed Virgin Mary.” On the same day, coming down Podbrdo, Our Lady appeared again, but only to Marija, saying, “Peace, peace, peace and only peace.” Marija could see Our Lady in tears in front of a dark cross. She then said, “Peace must reign between man and God, and between all people!” The area where this took place is about half way up Apparition Hill and is marked by a wooden cross.

DAY 4 • Do not be afraid...
On the 27th of June 1981, Our Lady appeared three times to the children. The children asked all kinds of questions and Our Lady responded. For priests, she gave this message. “May the priests firmly believe and may they take care of the faith of the people!” Once again, Jakov and Mirjana asked for a sign, because the people had begun to accuse them of lying and of taking drugs. “Do not be afraid of anything,” replied Our Lady. Before parting, when asked if she would come again, she indicated that she would. On the way down Podbrdo, Our Lady appeared one more time to say goodbye, with the words, “May God be with you my angels, go in peace!”

DAY 5 • Pray and firmly believe...
On the 28th of June 1981, from the early hours of the morning, large crowds gathered on the hill. By noon it was estimated that fifteen thousand people were present. On the same day, the Parish Priest, Fr. Jozo Zovko, questioned the children on what they had seen and heard in the previous days. Our Lady appeared again at the usual time. The children prayed with her and afterwards questioned her. Vicka, for example, asked, “My dear Lady, what do you want from us and what do you want from our priests?” Our Lady replied, “The people should pray and firmly believe.” Regarding priests, she replied that they should believe firmly and help others to do the same. Our Lady came and went many times on that day. At one time the children asked her why she did not appear in the Parish Church for everyone to see. She replied, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Even though the crowds were pushing with their questions and curiosities, and the day was heavy and sultry, the children felt as though they were in heaven.

DAY 6 • The children are not crazy...
On the June 29, 1981, the children were taken to Mostar for a medical examination, after which they were proclaimed “healthy”. The doctor who made the examination said: “The children aren’t crazy; the person who brought them here must be, though!” The crowds on Apparition Hill that day were greater than ever. As soon as the children arrived at the usual place and began to pray, Our Lady appeared. On that occasion the Blessed Mother exhorted them to have faith, saying, “The people should believe firmly and have no fear.” That same day, a female doctor who was following and observing the children, requested if she could touch Our Lady during the apparition. The children guided her hand to the place where Our Lady's shoulder was, and the doctor felt a tingling sensation. Although an atheist, she admitted that, “Here, something strange is happening!” That same day, a child named Daniel was miraculously healed. Her parents had brought her to Medjugorje, praying specifically for a healing. Our Lady had promised that this would happen if the parents would pray and fast and strongly believe.

DAY 7 • Hindrance on the hill...
On June 30, 1981, two young ladies offered to take the children to enjoy a car ride out of the village. But their intention was to take them away from Podbrdo until after the normal apparition time had passed. However, even though the children were far from the hill, when the usual time of the apparition drew close, they asked to be let out of the car. The ladies relented and when the children started to pray Our Lady came to them from the direction of Podbrdo, over a kilometre away. Soon after this incident, the police began to hinder the children and the pilgrims wanting to go to the hill and the site of apparitions, eventually banning everyone from visiting Podbrdo. But Our Lady continued to appear to the children in secret places, in their homes and in the fields. The children had already gained confidence, and openly spoke with Our Lady, eagerly seeking her advice, listening to her warnings and messages. The events of Medjugorje continued in this fashion up until the 15th of January 1982.

AND THEN... How beautiful you are...
In the meantime, the Parish Priest, Fr Jozo Zovko, began to host the pilgrims in the Church, enabling them to participate in the rosary and to celebrate the Eucharist. The children also gave out the rosary. Our Lady sometimes appeared to them in the church at that time. Even Fr Jozo, while praying the rosary, once saw Our Lady. He stopped praying immediately and spontaneously started to sing a popular hymn: O how beautiful you are, Most Blessed Virgin Mary. The whole church could see that something unusual was happening to him. Afterwards he stated that he had seen Our Lady. And so, he who up until then had not only been doubtful, but openly against even rumours of the apparitions, became their defender. He testified his support of the apparitions even to the point of serving a prison sentence when tried by the communist authorities of the time.