Medjugorje Bosnia Herzgovina

Mejugorje Bosnia Herzegovina

http://www.medjugorje.com/

We made our way from Split to Medjugorje by going back down the coast of Croatia and then crossing back over the border to go inland to this pilgrimage sight. As the story goes in June 1981 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to six young people in this town and continues in different ways and times to appear. These young people are now adults and are called visionaries who receive the visions and messages and pass them on to the world.

We stayed in a pansion about 20 minutes from town and where the only ones there since a large group from San Diego had just left. The family who owned the place was just lovely, when we arrived Mama gave us tomatoes and wine from her garden and the next day tea and lemon cake. They drove us into town and at 6am the next morning to the bus stop. Since it was out of town it was a quite peaceful spot.

A view of the garden and in the background the livestock



Don in front of the church which is only one part of a huge site.



Rows of confessional booths


As a result of this happening the little village of Medjugorie has grown a lot and has become a place for religious pilgrims from all over the world. In fact there are millions of people who visit this place every year. From what we can see they are mostly Catholic but also many other religions and they come because they believe this is a holy place and that the Virgin Mary has important things to tell the world. Most of them come in large groups in buses from all over the world; as we sat and watched there were many groups speaking many different languages. These groups often stay a week or so to participate in all that the shrine has to offer.

This was an Italian group praying to the Virgin Mary




Since we had only one full day we left early to attend the English mass which occurs every day as well as masses in many languages throughout the day. This morning the mass was held inside the church and officiated over by a priest from Memphis who was one of the livelier priests that I have heard. The church was packed to capacity inside and outside in the courtyards as the masses are played throughout the site on loudspeakers. The message was that people should listen to what the Virgin Mary has to say and they should be practising their religion whatever that may be. The service ended with a blessing of all the religious items that the pilgrims had brought to be blessed.

Some of the pilgrims we met on the way

Some were helped along

In the afternoon we followed many pilgrims to the site of the appearances called Apparition Hill. It is a steep, rocky hill just outside the town. It is here where there is a large statue of the Virgin Mary and the pilgrims stop to meditate, reflect and pray. It is a very peaceful place and when we stopped it was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze. There is absolute silence there so it was interesting to be among the many believers who so openly display their faith.

Many people brought their prayers with them





The view from Apparition Hill

Don has his time with Mary

As we made our way to the top of the hill there were all ages of people, some on crutches, some singing, some saying the rosary as they went along the stations and stopped. Some were doing the walk in bare feet which must have been painful.

Pilgrims touching one of the scenes along the way.This one depicted the birth of Jesus and seemed to attract a lot of attention.

We stayed in the town for the evening services which took place in a huge outdoor venue behind the church. There must have been thousands praying the rosary and following the service. Since it was not in English we understood little but still enjoyed being there with everyone else.

The outdoor altar

The main street overun by shops selling everything religious.Don said he had never seen so many rosary beads in his life! This commercial part is a little tacky.

The Virgin Mary goes everywhere! We met this lady on the bus returning to Argentina with her statue by her side.

My overall impression of the place…I was pleased to be able to go there and be among thousands who believe in what has happened. I have seldom been in a place where there is so much faith and so I am glad that we stopped here on our way.

P.S. For anyone who is interested in this place I have posted a link on the top of this post.