News archive

First Communion in Medjugorje

On Sunday, May 1^st, 76 children from the Parish Medjugorje received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in St. James’ Parish church. (photos)

Summer Schedule at the Shrine

The summer prayer programme schedule at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje begins on May 1^st. Prayer of the Rosary in the parish church will begin at 6pm. Holy Mass will be at 7pm, followed by the prayer programme according to the day of the week. Eucharistic adoration on Wednesday and Saturday will begin at 10pm. Rosary on the Apparition Hill and the Way of the Cross on Krizevac will begin at 4pm. (See: Weekly Programme)

For ten years now, the statue of Gospa in the town of Civitavecchia is weeping tears of blood

An interview with Mons. Girolamo Grillo from Civitavecchia – “The tree can be recognised by its fruits”, quotes Bishop Girolamo Grillo the words of Jesus from the Gospel, when somebody asks him about Gospa weeping tears of blood in the town of Civitavecchia.

Parish Office Medjugorje is not supporting the project “Gospa’s Dom”

Numerous pilgrims are asking us questions about the construction of «Gospa'a Dom» undertaken by the organisation “Fiat Voluntas Tua” and Mrs Lynn Hoffman (Tracy, CA, USA). Concerning this, the Parish Office declares that their declarations are not in accord with the pastoral directives of this parish.

Medjugorje and Pope John Paul II – An Interview with Bishop Hnilica

This interview was made by Marie Czernin for the German Catholic monthly magazine PUR. It was published in December 2004. (PUR - Politik und Religion, a very successful and independent magazine led by two journalists, Bernhard and Martin Muller – twin brothers aged 43). This monthly is Catholic and is distributed to all the Bishops in Germany. Bernhard and Martin Muller are deeply devoted to Fatima, where, in fact, the idea for this magazine was born.

He spoke in an inspired way about Medjugorje

Milan Vukovic, a Doctor in Law and Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia, declares: “As a Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger had never pronounced an unfriendly or hostile word, forbidding or contradicting the apparitions of Medjugorje”. (Vjesnik, Wednesday, April 27, 2005.)

Pilgrims from Indonesia

From April 14 to 20, 2005, a group of pilgrims from Djakarta (Indonesia) came to Medjugorje.

Whole night silent adoration – prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

In St. james’ parish church, in the night from April 25 to 26, there will be a whole-night silent adoration and prayer the intentions of our Holy Father Benedict XVI. Adoration begins at 10 pm and ends at 7 am.

16th Youth Festival

The 16^th International Youth Festival – Mladifest – will take place in Medjugorje from August 1 to 6, 2005. The theme “We come to adore him” (Mt 2,2) is in harmony with the Year of the Eucharist and the World Youth Day, which, later in August, will gather together in Cologne hundreds of thousands of young people around the Holy Father.

Confirmation in Medjugorje and Holy Mass for the Pope Benedict XVI

On Sunday, April 24, 2005, 93 candidates received in Medjugorje the sacrament of Confirmation from the hands of Mons. Ratko Peric, bishop of Mostar. Liturgical celebration began with a procession and the solemn entry into the church of the bishop, the priests and the candidates. (photos)

The Pope is not against Medjugorje

“Habemus papam – We have a Pope!” This announcement delighted the entire Church, the believers and the world. It seems nevertheless that - for some - the proclamation that we have a Pope is not enough. Some would like to arouse and enkindle conflicts within the Church. A Croatian weekly, on the first page – together with the news about the new Pope Benedikt XVI, published the assertion that the new Pope is an opponent of Medjugorje. Off course, according to the usual screenplay, the text itself contains no arguments for this judgment; just a statement of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, published on November 8, 1995, taken out of the context. It is saying: “For places of apparitions which are still being investigated, official pilgrimages are forbidden.” And that’s it. There is nothing about the attitude of the new Pope towards Medjugorje.

Cardinal Puljic: The Pope told me that he desires to come to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo) and President of the Bishops Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, about the election of the new Pope: “The moment when Cardinal Ratzinger accepted the choice of the Cardinals and took the name of Benedict XVI was very moving.

Cardinal Ratzinger's Homily in Mass Before Conclave

The homily delivered on Monday, April 18, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger during the Mass "for the election of the Roman Pontiff" in St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave in which he was elected a Pope and took the name of Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI - Biographical notes

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany.

Pope Benedict XVI: “Heartfelt greetings to Croatian nation and dear Croatia, which is always faithful”

Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, related for the Catholic Information Agenca (IKA) his first encounter with the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI:

“Yesterday, after the election of the Holy Father, the Cardinals approached the new Pope to express their respect and fidelity. When I approached the Holy Father, he spoke first and told me: “Heartfelt greetings to Croatian nation and dear Croatia, which is always faithful”. I replied: “Holy Father, the Croatian nation will accompany you with prayers and with love.” The Holy Father answered: “Thank you very much, this is what I need most”.