St. James, patron of the parish, celebrated in Medjugorje

date: 27.07.2019.

On the Feast of St. James the Apostle, July 25, patron of Medjugorje parish, solemn Holy Mass was at 11 am in the garden in the vicinity of the church. The procession with the statute of St. James followed from the church to the garden, and the Apostolic Visitor for Medjugorje parish, Henryk Hoser, was the main celebrant of this Holy Mass. He said that the parishioners of Medjugorje parish have the great responsibility for hospitality and help for all those who come to Medjugorje and seek for the source of God’s grace.

Fr. Marinko Sakota, also welcomed all and said that this was the special day for our parish, devoted to St. James since 1892, when the parish was established, patron saint of this parish but of all pilgrims too. We thank God for this day, we thank St. James and our dear Gospa for all the graces we receive here in these years, said Fr. Marinko.

Fr. Filip Pavlović who comes from Bijakovići, parish of Međugorje, gave the homily and he is currently serving in the parish of Hrnetic, Karlovac, who said that people of this region feel genuine loyalty and devotion to St. James.

This can be felt in the special way with every celebration of St. James here in the Garden, in Bijakovici. This is something more than an ordinary devotion, when everyone takes him as his own special saint. Maybe it is because of his character and ambitions that we can find traces of our own character and ambitions, said Fr. Filip and referred to the construction of Cross on Krizevac 85 years ago and construction of the church 50 years ago, that were ambitious plans and surely the parishioners could not have imagined that they were in those days constructing the confessional of the whole world.

The message of this feast, the message of our patron saint could be also this: Do not be afraid to surrender your hearts to the ambitious plans and goals God has for you. God always gives more. God always does better and God will never disappoint you. Do not be afraid!, said. Fr. Filip Pavlović.

Many priests from Brotnjo region concelebrated at this Holy Mass, along with those from Herzegovina and the whole world. (PHOTO)