date: 03.08.2020.
The second day of the 31st International Prayer Encounter of the Youth in Medjugorje started for many early in the morning when the youth gathered on Apparition Hill to pray the Rosary with Fr. Marinko Sakota, Medjugorje parish priest. The programme continued in the afternoon with testimony and a talk given by Fr. Danko Perutina and premiere of the documentary ”Dono di Conversione” (”Gift of conversion”). This documentary was made in production of Information Centre Mir Medjugorje, producer was Marija Jerkić, and director Fernando Perez.
This film talks about spouses Romano Magnani and Silvana Spallanzani who experienced a great tragedy in their lives – their child was killed in a car accident. This is the testimony of how they found hope and purpose in their lives again after they arrived to Medjugorje, where their entire life was changed.
The central event was Holy Mass celebrated by the Provincial of Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, Fr. Miljenko Steko who spoke in his homily about St. Francis, his conversion, Portiuncula plenary indulgence and said how Medjugorje to many was their own Portiuncula.
„To many of you, Medjugorje is your Portiuncula. You return tirelessly as pilgrims, constantly confirming that you are participating in something that transcends all of us. And by your pilgrimages you speak to others with this motto of the 31st International Prayer Encounter for the Youth – Youth Festival: "Come and you will see" (Jn 1:39)! Here you were moved by Our Lady's love as St. Francis was moved in the Portiuncula. Medjugorje is a place of grace, because in it heaven touched the earth in a special way.
You all came here to Our Lady, the Queen of Peace, your Mother Mary, whom we call the Mediatrix of All Graces. That grace has not dried up. She is waiting for you and says once again: Pray and pray, pray until prayer becomes joy for you.
Even when trials like this one come, pray. When the days of great afflictions come. When today's world wanders mindlessly looking for a way out to the old paths, pray. Pray, because the man of the modern age does not know that greatness grows only through trials; that role models are born only in afflictions; and that only in the trials of the world can it be determined who is worthy of his own name, and of the vocation he has chosen.
Dear young people, in this communion with the entire world! Many of you who have come here all these years, tonight you are connected with Medjugorje in a different way. In a virtual way. I am convinced that even in these moments, the words of Francis vibrate in the hearts of many of you: “This is what I want, this is what I long for with all my heart, said Fr. Miljenko in his homily and referred to the message of Pope Francis.
„Mary is the Mother who watches »over us, her children, on our journey through life, often weary and in need, anxious that the light of hope not fail. For that is our desire: that the light of hope never fail. Mary our Mother looks at this pilgrim people: a youthful people whom she loves and who seek her in the silence of their hearts amid all the noise, the chatter and the distractions of the journey«, (…) I entrust you to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoking the light and the power of the Holy Spirit so that you may be true witnesses of Christ.” The Pope in the end said he was praying for this as he blessed all the youth gathered in Medjugorje and asked of us to pray for him. Let us do the same for our Pope Francis with the promise of prayer for him and let us greet him now,“ said Fr. Miljenko at the end of his homily. The Procession with the Statue of Our Lady took place before Holy Mass, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was at the end.
Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn sent his message to the youth and Fr. Marinko read that letter at the end of Holy Mass.
''Dear young friends! I send you all my greetings and blessings on the occasion of this year’s Youth Festival! Thank you for coming here and thank you all who are watching us through live-streaming service. I was so looking forward to coming here this year, but sadly due to the restrictions of coronavirus, I am not able to do so.” In his message he mentioned Pope’s Letter too: ''Let us pray for Pope Francis whom Medjugorje needs to be very grateful to! Let us pray for peace and end of this pandemic. I wish you all God’s blessing, protection of Our Lady and may you all follow Jesus well in your lives! He is faithful! He will never disappoint you”, said Archbishop Schönborn in his letter this year. (PHOTO)
