Bulletin
195
Medjugorje,
February 26, 2004
“Dear children! Also today,
as never up to now, I call you to open your hearts to my messages. Little
children, be those who draw souls to God and not those who distance them. I
am with you and love you all with a special love. This is a time of penance
and conversion. From the bottom of my heart, I call you to be mine with all
your heart and then you will see that your God is great, because He will
give you an abundance of blessings and peace. Thank
you for having responded to my call.”
February 25, 2004
TEARS
OF JESUS, OUR LADY’S TEARS AND MY OWN TEARS
Jesus is God and man. As a true God, sent by the Father, He took upon himself
our human destiny and He became similar to us in all, except the sin.
Jesus, like Mary, His Mother, knew all the bitterness of this world. The sword
of pain pierced their hearts. They were saddened, in tears, misunderstood,
persecuted, ridiculed. Nothing was spared to them; they did not have
privileges. In fact, they are there to give priority to others, to give them
privileges. Jesus cried several times. He did not hide his tears. He cried
over the tragedies of the others, He cried confronted with the hardness of
human hearts, He cried in loneliness while meditating on the will of the
Father in his life. Together with Him, Mary poured her tears, especially at
the foot of the cross, holding the body of her dead Son in her arms.
And us, how much do we cry and how? Are our tears the expression of the desire
of a better and holier life, or we cry because of our unrealized desires,
projects, and personal careers? In times of penance, especially in Lent, we
should determine the reason of our tears and of our sadness. Jesus did not cry
because of Himself but because of me and you. Our Lady did not cry and did not
groan to draw the attention to her family, but to inspire the others to come
to Jesus. Jesus and Mary are saddened and they cry when their sons and their
daughters are not on the way of the grace offered by Heaven.
In Medjugorje, the pilgrim of Gospa cries over his sins; he cries the lack of
acceptance in the marriage or the family. In the confessionals, on Apparition
Hill or on Cross Mountain, he cries because he feels far from the One who can
be and who is his consolation and his hope. It is good so. It is good to tear
our heart and not our clothing. It is good that our conscience pushes our
tears, so that we may leave all that chokes and submerges us. These tears are
not a sign of despair - far from there - they open the door to Jesus. Those
tears are a song of joy watered by the grace of God.
In this time, let us also pour our tears for those souls that cannot cry. On
our face, with our tears filled with prayers, let us wipe also the faults of
the others. A Christian is responsible for the world. Each one of us has to
pray for those who do not do it, for those to whom it is not given. Gospa is
delighted to see us on the way traced by Jesus. Let us become fully her
children and close to Jesus, since she invites us to that through her
apparitions.
Fr. Mario Knezović
NEWS
NUMBER
OF COMMUNIONS AND NUMBER OF CONCELEBRANTS
During
the month of January 2004, 35000 communions
were distributed and 801 priests
from this country and abroad concelebrated Holy Mass in Medjugorje.
In
January, pilgrims were here from Italy, Korea, the USA, Canada, Croatia, and
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
CARDINAL JOSIP BOZANIĆ, ARCHBISHOP OF ZAGREB: NO JUDGMENT ABOUT MEDJUGORJE
On Thursday, February 12, 2004, during an encounter with students of a Secondary School in Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, answered the question about the position of the Church on Medjugorje:
“The
Church says that what we are called to, is to believe the Sacred Scripture.
The Church, however, also recognizes the possibility of the so-called private
revelations, but the faithful are not obliged to believe in them. Medjugorje
can be considered under this aspect.” The Cardinal reminded that, in the
beginning of the 90’s, the Bishops concluded in Zadar that, on the basis of
their investigations, they cannot speak about the supernaturality of
Medjugorje, but neither have they denied it. “Still today, we do not wish to
give our judgment, because we do not have sufficient argument although we do
not deny people the right to pray there or to go on pilgrimage. We desire that,
what is given there, be a true catholic doctrine, but for Masses not to be
linked to the alleged apparitions.” (Slobodna Dalmacija, 13.02.2004.)
Holy
Mass for the departed Dr. Fr. Leonard Orec, ofm
On Wednesday, January 21, was
commemorated the second anniversary of the dead of Fr. Leonard Orec, a dynamic
Herzegovinian Franciscan who was very devoted to the Queen of Peace of
Medjugorje. On that day, Masses for the rest of his soul were celebrated in
Posusje and in Medjugorje. In St. James’ parish church in Medjugorje, Holy
Mass was presided by Fr. Ivan Landeka, the former pastor of Medjugorje and Fr.
Leonard’s close collaborator. While speaking about Fr. Leonard, Fr. Ivan
Landeka said that - in the beginning - he was only observing Medjugorje and
the apparitions of Our Lady. When he came to Medjugorje, he informed himself
about the events, he sought clarity, and he understood the reality of the
presence of Our Lady. This is how he became devoted to Gospa. In his old age,
he was spreading love and care for the needy through the humanitarian
association “Medjugorje-Mir”. On January 22, Holy Mass for Fr. Leonard was
also celebrated in Split, where he used to spend much of his time during the
last years of his life.
Holy
Mass for War Victims from the Parish of Medjugorje
The feast of the Blessed Croatian Cardinal Alojzije
Stepinac, celebrated on February 10, is commemorated in our parish as a day of
remembrance and prayer for all the victims of the war. On that day, the
Evening Holy Mass was celebrated in the parish church in Medjugorje in memory
of the martyrdom of Fr. Krizan Galic, Fr. Jozo Bencun, Fr. Marko Dragicevic,
Fr. Mariofil Sivric, Fr. Grgo Vasilj and Fr. Jenko Vasilj, killed perfidiously
in 1944 and 1945. The faithful who assisted at Mass prayed for the victims of
World War I and II and of the most recent war in defence of the Homeland.
During these three wars, almost every family of the parish lost someone. The
Eucharistic celebration was presided by Fr.
Mario Knezovic.
The 4th International Seminar for
Married Couples Took Place
The
4th International Seminar for Married Couples took place in
Medjugorje from February 11 to 14. The theme was “The fruit of peace is love
and the fruit of love is forgiveness” (Message of January 25, 1996).
There
were 75 couples from 11 countries speaking English, French, Croatian, German,
Spanish, Slovak and Italian.
The
married couples participated in the Evening Prayer Programme in the church and
climbed Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain together.
On
the last day of the seminar, during the final Holy Mass, the couples renewed
their promises and confided their union to the Lord.
The 11th International Meeting
for Guides and Leaders of Peace Centres and Medjugorje Prayer, Pilgrim and
Charity groups Took Place
The
11th International Meeting for Guides and Leaders of Peace Centres
and Medjugorje Prayer, Pilgrim and Charity groups took place in Medjugorje
from February 22 to 26. There were 100 leaders and priests who lead Medjugorje
associations all over the world. The lecturers were dr. Fr. Jozo Vasilj, OFM,
Dr. Fr. Slavko Topic, OFM, Fr. Ivan Landeka, Fr. Jozo Zovko and Fr. Ljubo
Kurtovic. Fr. Mario Knezovic, Director of the Information Centre “Mir”
Medjugorje, coordinated the meeting. Throughout five days, the participants
prayed and meditated on the essentials of the events of Medjugorje, they
climbed Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, and spoke about practical things
linked to the pilgrimages to Medjugorje. The meeting ended by Holy Mass
presided by the Pastor of Medjugorje, Fr. Branko Rados.
At
the end of the meeting, the participants adopted a common declaration, which
will be published in the next issue of the Bulletin.
Bishops in Medjugorje and About Medjugorje
In 2003
In 2003, 12 bishops from Europe, Africa,
North America, South America, Asia and Oceania came to Medjugorje.
Chronologically, they are:
- Msgr.
Luigi Bommarito, Retired Archbishop of Catania (Italy)
- Mgr.
Salvador Pineiro Garcia-Calderon, military bishop in Lima (Peru)
- Msgr.
Angelo Massafra, a Franciscan, Archbishop of Skodra (Albania)
- Msgr.
Gerard Ndlovu, retired bishop of Umzimkulu (South African Republic)
- Mgr.
Irynei Bilyk, bishop of the diocese of Buchach (Ukraine)
- Msgr.
Dr. Ludwig Schwarz, Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna (Austria)
- Msgr.
Hermann Raich, Bishop of Wabag (Papua New Guinea)
- Msgr.
Donal McKeown, auxiliary bishop of Down and Connor (Ireland)
- Msgr.
Abilio Ribas, Bishop of Sao Tome and Principe
- Msgr.
Jesus a Cabrera, Bishop of Alaminos (Philippines)
- Msgr.
Thomas L. Dupre, Bishop of Springfield (Massachusetts, USA)
- Msgr.
Tarcisio Ziyaye, Archbishop of Blantyre (Malawi, Africa)
Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) gave an
interview for Radio “Mir” Medjugorje, as well as an award to the Parish
Medjugorje and Radio “Mir” Medjugorje. Msgr.
Franjo Komarica, Bishop of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) gave an
award to Radio “Mir” Medjugorje. Dr.
Franc Rode, the Archbishop of Ljubljana (Slovenia), gave an interview
for Radio “Mir” Medjugorje. (More
about it: Bishops
in Medjugorje and about Medjugorje in
2003.)
THE
9TH INTERNATIONAL PRIEST SEMINAR
The 9th International
priest seminar will take place in Medjugorje from July 5 to 10, 2004. The
theme of the meeting is: "THE IDENTITY OF THE PRIEST".
10 am
- 6 pm Registration of the
participants in the New Hall behind the Church
6 pm BEGINNING OF THE SEMINAR
(Prayer
of the Rosary, Holy Mass, Prayer for health of body and soul, Glorious
Mysteries of the Rosary)
8:30 am
Laudes in Latin and Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament
9 am
Instruction
(Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic)
10 am
Break
10:30 am
Prayer
3:30 pm
Instruction
(Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic)
4:30 pm
Break
5 pm
Prayer
6 pm
Evening Prayer Programme
(Rosary, Holy Mass, Prayer for
health of body and soul)
8:30 am
Laudes in Latin and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
9 am
Instruction
(Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic)
10 am
Break
10:30 am
Prayer
3:30 pm
Instruction
(Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic)
4:30 pm
Break
5 pm
Prayer
6 pm
Evening Prayer Programme
(Rosary, Holy Mass, Prayer for
health of body and soul)
10 pm
Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
6 am
Rosary at the Apparition Hill
9.30 am
Instruction
(Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic)
3:30 pm
Prayer, meditation
5 pm
Break
5:30 pm
Meeting with a visionary
6 pm
Evening Prayer Programme
(Rosary, Holy Mass, Adoration)
6 am
Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain
Confessions
4:30 pm
Instruction
6 pm
Evening Prayer Programme
(Rosary, Holy Mass, Veneration
of the Cross)
8:30 am
Laudes at Fr. Slavko Barbaric's tomb
9:30
Sharing of experiences, suggestions and witnessing
CONCLUSION OF THE SEMINAR WITH HOLY MASS AT
NOON .
You may make reservations by e-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr,
at the Information Office personally, or by phone: +387-36-651-988; fax:
+387-36-651-999 (for Marija Dugandzic).
We
ask all priests who have arranged their own accommodation with a family in
Medjugorje to note in their application the name and the phone number of the
family where they will be staying. We will arrange accommodation for all the
priests who have no direct contacts and have not arranged their own
accommodation. (Please note in your application if you wish us to arrange
accommodation for you.)
Instead of a monetary payment, we ask
you to kindly celebrate five Mass intentions.
It
is necessary to bring with you: your celebret given by your superior, an alb and
stole, a Bible, a small FM radio with headphones (for simultaneous translation).
Many priests who do not have access
to Internet may not have been informed about the existence of this international
meeting in Medjugorje. Therefore, we kindly ask all Organisers of pilgrimages,
Prayer Groups and Centres for Peace to publish this information as widely as
possible by all means at their disposal, so that as many priests as possible may
participate. In as much as it is possible, we also kindly ask you to financially
assist the priests who would like to come but do not have the necessary funds
for such a journey. We thank you in advance and pray for God's blessing and the
blessing of the Queen of Peace upon you and your work.
Lecturer at this year's seminar
is Prof. Dr. Fr. Tomislav Ivancic,
who was born in 1938 in Davor, Croatia. After his studies of philosophy and
theology, he was ordained a priest in 1966 for the archdiocese of Zagreb. Having
obtained his master's degree in philosophy and his doctorate in theology at the
Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, he came back to Zagreb, where he became
a professor at the Catholic Faculty of Theology of the University of Zagreb. He
is the director of the Cathedra for Fundamental Theology, editor of magazines,
he writes for many local and foreign theological magazines, and is a member of
the Society of Croatian Literary Translators. His scientific and professional
articles have been published in local and foreign magazines, and many of his
numerous books were translated into other languages. He is a Dean of the Zagreb
Metropolitan Chapter, a member of the Counsel of the Presbyters of the
Archdiocese of Zagreb and a member of the Counsel for the Doctrine of Faith of
the Croatian Bishops' Conference. Since 1971, he has been a Students' Chaplain
at Zagreb, initiator of a movement of prayer in the Croatian Church, founder of
the Association of the Faithful called "Prayer and Word Community"
(Zajednica Molitva i Rijec - MiR) and a leader of numerous seminars for
spiritual renewal and evangelisation, in Croatia and abroad. For 10 years now he
has been training collaborators to work in the Centre for Spiritual Help and
leaders of Seminars for Evangelisation. Since 1988, he has been the Dean of the
Catholic Faculty of Theology at the Zagreb University.
Subjects of his scientific work are
philosophy, theology and literature. He is especially interested in the research
pertaining to the human existential and spiritual dimension. He has developed a
contemporary way of evangelisation and a method of spiritual medicine, which -
together with the somatic and psychological - is unavoidable in healing of the
whole person, and especially in healing of spiritual illnesses and addictions.
His method is called hagiotherapy. In Zagreb, in 1990, he founded a Centre for
Spiritual help, of which he is a director.