Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić presided over the Holy Mass at Cross Mountain as the closure of the 37th Youth Festival: 'It is always beautiful to be near God'
Before ''going out into the world, into their countries, into their families, into their parish communities and giving them what they have received here'', as Bishop Petar Palić of Mostar-Duvno encouraged them to do, many young people set off for Cross Mountain after their mission. All night long, the young people climbed their Tabor, Croas Mountain in order to conclude the 37th International Youth Prayer Festival, which began on August 1 in Medjugorje, with a Holy Mass at five o'clock in the morning on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
''Today we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. That event when Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and was transfigured before them. We also climbed a mountain. On this mountain, many experienced their transfiguration. Jesus changed their lives here. They believed in Jesus. They opened their hearts to him and he transformed them into new people. He calls us today to open our hearts to him too. To make us new people. To be true Christians. Those who always seek Jesus and want to live with him," said in his homily the parish priest of Medjugorje, Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, who presided over the Holy Mass on Cross Mountain.
The Youth Festival was held under the theme "An fontem! To the source!", and the young people returned to that source by celebrating Holy Mass, praying, participating in adoration, listening to catechesis and testimonies, praising God with song...
"In Medjugorje, we have enjoyed the closeness of Jesus for the past few days. In prayer, in song, in the Eucharist, in adoration. Let us take that with us. May everything we have received here remain with us and in us, so that we too can transform this world, to bring all people to Jesus," said Fr. Zvonimir, encouraging the young people not to forget these days.
"''Don't forget these days. Don't forget these moments. How nice it was for us with the Lord and with everyone who was at the Youth Festival. It is always nice to be in God's presence. Because he always makes us better people. He transforms us into better people. Let us ask him to always keep us close to Him and may his and our mother - the Queen of Peace - always accompany us with her intercession and thus help us to always be at the feet of Jesus, to listen to his words and thus choose the better part that will not be taken away from us," said Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, and the young people who welcomed the sun and dawn on Cross Mountain after the Holy Mass set off into the world, to the 73 countries from which they came to this year's Youth Festival, bringing Christ and his grace to everyone from the source, and many will return next year and seek the peace of Christ for their hearts. The 38th Youth Festival will be held in Medjugorje from July 27 to 31, 2027, with the theme: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Col 3:15)