date: 02.08.2015.
The beginning of the Youth Festival on Saturday morning took place on Apparition Hill when young people gathered to pray the Rosary. At 9 a.m., the programme continued at the White Dome with the lecture on fears given by Fr. Stanko Cosic. Calum and Mary Anne MacFarlane-Barrow from Scotland who have been married for 53 years gave their testimony about their first trip to Medjugorje in 1984, and how that trip changed their lives. The second testimony was given by their son Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, the founder of the humanitarian organisationMary's Meals. This organisation has reached this year the number of more than million children who are guaranteed every day meal in their schools located in the poorest countries of the world. Dr. Christian Stelzer and dr. Željka Markić spoke about this project in Austria and Croatia. The community Merciful Father was introduced in the afternoon part of the programme, as the community active in Bijakovici, Mother's Village and for various addictions. The youngest of Medjugorje visionaries, Jakov Colo, spoke about the messages of Our Lady and the programme was concluded by Franciscan priest, Šimuna ŠIto Ćorić, who is celebrating this year 30 years of his missionary work in Switzerland as well as 40 years of his priesthood. Jakov said to all of the youth that Medjugorje is the beginning of the new life with God, with Our Lady. The central part of this day was Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Perica Ostojic, newly ordained priest from Herzegovinian Province, from the parish of Citluk, along with 505 priests concelebrating. The homily was given by Fr. Stanko Ćosić, assistant parish priest in Medjugorje. The prayer with candles before the cross followed as the conclusion of the programme. (fotos)
