Via Francisci - Five Stations on the Path of Prayer and Peace

''Dear pilgrim, welcome to the Via Francisci - the way of Saint Francis. On this path you will discover how God leads man from searching to encounter, from restlessness to peace, from one's own desires to living according to the Gospel.

This year, the Franciscan family gratefully celebrates the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis, which is why we want to pause for a few moments reflecting on his life, connecting it with the messages of the Queen of Peace.

Just as God led Saint Francis, so today, through the Queen of Peace, He leads every person to His Son'', it is stated at the beginning of the way of Saint Francis, which is set up on the path behind the outer altar of the Church of St. James in Medjugorje, adding that ''these five stations are an invitation to encounter the Lord who still speaks today to a heart that is ready to listen''.

The paintings with motifs from the life of St. Francis and Medjugorje are the work of academic sculptor Toni Kozarić, and are accompanied by meditations on the following themes: Confession - the path of reconciliation, The Gospel - the rule of life, Silentium - the silence of the encounter, Fasting - freedom of the heart and the Eucharist - the source and culmination.

These meditations were written by the parish vicar of the parish of St. James Medjugorje, Fr. Ivan Hrkać, and in addition to the stations set up, the parish of Medjugorje has also launched a website with these meditations www.svfranjo800.com - it can be scanned with a mobile phone at each station - and meditations are available on it in audio and text form in Croatian, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian and French.

On September 5th of this year, the final celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Franciscans will be held in the parish of Medjugorje.