date: 29.12.2005.
Parishioners, together with the faithful from neighbouring parishes and pilgrims, prepared themselves for Christmas with a novena: instead of the usual evening prayer programme, there was a Rosary novena on Apparition Hill and early morning masses daily.
The Christmas Vigil began at 10.00pm with a two-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Meditations during Adoration were led by Fr. Stjepan Martinović and Fr. Svetozar Kraljević. As there was not enough room in the parish church, pilgrims and parishioners went to the New Hall also, where they could follow the programme on a large screen. A group of young people played and sang during the Vigil. Adoration was translated into English, French, German, Italian, Czech, Arabic, and Chinese. The Midnight Mass was presided over by Fr. Bože Milić and concelebrated by 15 priests. The Large Parish Choir of the Queen of Peace, under the direction of Sister Slavica Kozul sang Christmas songs. The entire night prayer programme was transmitted live by Radio "Mir" Medjugorje.
On Christmas day, Masses were celebrated in eight languages. The solemn Christmas Mass in Croatian was presided over by the pastor, Dr. Fr. Ivan Sesar. The Large Parish Choir under the direction of Sister Slavica Kozul sang.
The “Cenacolo” community performed the Living Manger on December 24, and again on The Holy Innocents, December 28. On that day– Feast of the Holy Innocents – at 3.30pm, there was a special Holy Mass for children and a blessing of the children. It was presided over by Fr. Svetozar Kraljević.
On Fridays during Christmas time, there is prayer in front of the Manger instead of the usual Veneration of the Cross.
