date: 06.08.2013.
The 24th International Youth Festival that began on Thursday, August 1, 2013 finished on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 with Holy Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at 5 a.m. on the top of Cross Mountain by Fr. Danko Perutina, coordinator of this meeting.
Dozens of thousands of young people gathered in Medjugorje this year and they came from 60 different countries. The programme of the Youth Festival would start at 9 a.m. with the Morning Prayer and would continue with lectures, testimonies and lessons from Christian life throughout the rest of the day. The evening prayer programme would begin at 6 p.m. with Rosary and the central event of every day was Holy Mass at 7 p.m. The opening Holy Mass was celebrated by the Provincial of Herzegovina Franciscan Province, Dr. Fr. Miljenko Steko. Every other night, four newly ordained priests were the main celebrants: Fr. Stanko Cosic, Fr. Mario Ostojic, Fr. Josip Serdjo Cavar and Fr. Mijo Sarcevic, while the homilies were given by their older brothers: Fr. Slaven Brekalo, Fr. Petar Ljubicic, Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic and Fr. Danko Perutina. The largest number of priests who have concelebrated at those Holy Masses was on Thursday, when 515 of them were present.
The traditional procession through the parish of Medjugorje was held on Sunday, August 4, 2013, after the evening Holy Mass with Statue of Our Lady and candles in the hands of participants. Theatre spectacle of Cenacolo community was held on Saturday, August 3, 2013.
Priests from all of the continents were available for the sacrament of reconciliation to all young people throughout the entire programme. Prof. Damir Bunoza conducted the International Choir and Orchestra that made this event so beautiful and special. The Festival was simultaneously translated in 17 languages and was directly broadcasted by many radio stations and web portals. (foto) ; (video)
