News archive

Andrea Bocelli: „I am going to Medjugorje to receive a message, not to give a message”

Andrea Bocelli, one of the greatest tenors of our times, will give a concert in Medjugorje on August 7^th at 9 PM. He will be accompanied by the Czech National Symphonic Orchestra, the soprano Paola Sanguinetti and the Mixed choir of the Croatian National Theater from Split.

This concert is being announces as one of the most important cultural events of the year in Bosnia and Herzegovina.( Interview)

Statistics for July 2008

July 2008:

Holy Communions distributed: 98.000

Concelebrating priests: 3.554 (114 /day)

From Holland – flowers for Our Lady

A group of pilgrims from Holland brought flowers for Our Lady of Medjugorje. Fr. Petar Vlašić, the parish priest of Medjugorje, received them in the sacristy and thanked them for this cordial gesture.

Jim Caviezel in Medjugorje

From July 14 to 18, 2008, Prof. Dr. Tomislav Ivančić held a seminar in Hagiotherapy for English speaking pilgrims in Medjugorje. Among the participants was also Jim Caviezel, famous because of his role in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”.

Feast of St. James the apostle

Unusually rainy and windy weather in July, before the feast of St. James provoked the parishioners to ask: is it going to be possible to celebrate Holy Mass in the open, as usually? The weather had providentially changed, and solemn procession with Saint James’ statue left the church at 10.45 AM and went towards the park. This year, the statue of the saint was carried by the inhabitants of Šurmanci, who were especially proud, because this year’s main celebrant also came from their village. His name is Fr. Dani Kordic, he was ordained a year ago and is a Carmelite. Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Petar Vlašić, the parish priest, Fr. Ivan Sesar, the Herzegovinian Franciscan provincial, priests from Medjugorje and from surrounding parishes, as well as other priests who were in Medjugorje on that day.

From Budapest (Hungary) to Medjugorje on foot for Saint James' feast

Among many other pilgrims who are visiting this place of prayer and peace during summer, these days we have noticed a middle-aged and vital lady holding a pilgrims’ staff, a gourd, Our Lady’s picture and a Hungarian flag. In the other hand, she is holding St. James’ statue in stone made in Medjugorje. Around her neck, St. James’ shell brought from Spain , when she went walking to St. James’ tomb six years ago.

„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.