Medjugorje, December 26th, 2001 - Bulletin 169
"Dear children! I call you today and encourage you to prayer for peace. Especially today I call you, carrying the newborn Jesus in my arms for you, to unite with Him through prayer and to become a sign to this peaceless world. Encourage each other, little children, to prayer and love. May your faith be an encouragement to others to believe and to love more. I bless you all and call you to be closer to my heart and to the heart of little Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call." December 25, 2001
AHEAD ON OUR KNEES
Queues of open souls… Contrite hearts of penitents… All the faithful - who are at the same time sinners - wait for the moment of their encounter with the Merciful Father. Holiness and sinfulness meet in front of the confessional - the place of reconciliation between God and man. Bended knees and seeking forgiveness have marked the time of Advent. It means that many, in spite of everything - have heard Jesus and Our Lady here in Medjugorje. Repeatedly and perseveringly, they call us on the way of forgiveness, conversion and renewal of love. When these three meet, it is a new beginning for each and every person. Our heavenly Mother knows this well and this is why - practically on her knees - she asks us to walk on this path.
Only forgiveness makes a radical change in human behaviour possible. Forgiving and asking forgiveness is the best and the most efficient strategy for men, for nations, for the world. Therefore every confession is a new beginning, a new challenge, the opening of a door which has been closed. This is how people with bended knees, which always mean and remain the sign of rising up and not falling, enter into a new and unknown time.
With the New Year, we enter into a new beginning. It is good to begin with the attitude of repentance. Reconciled and renewed, we shall better receive fruits of the time that is ahead of us. Time is always a gift - the "kairos" of our Creator. We have to know how to receive and use our gifts and talents. The gift of time is a challenge for everyone who looks ahead, who sees the future. As Christians, we always see the future in the expectance of the future glory in the house of our Heavenly Father.
We ask ourselves how shall we reach there. Running, in haste, trying to catch up with time? No, not at all. Jesus tells us that many run, but only few receive the crown of glory. We can only go ahead in humility, on our knees, sprinkling the dew of forgiveness on our road. Those who do not know how to stop, how to look at themselves in relation to God, to brother men, to nature, can hardly advance in spite of the haste of their steps. Therefore, listening to the humble voice of Our Lady in Medjugorje, let us go on our journey with modest shoes and let us know how to shake away the dust of our sins.
Fr. Mario Knezovic
NEWS
NUMBER OF COMMUNIONS AND NUMBER OF CONCELEBRANTS
During the month of November, 40,000 communions were distributed and 1,002 priests from this country and abroad concelebrated Holy Mass in Medjugorje.
Pilgrims were here from Italy, USA, Germany, Belgium, Austria, France, Canada, Poland, Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Japan, Latvia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
MSGR. DR. FRANC KRAMBERGER, BISHOP OF MARIBOR (SLOVENIA), ABOUT MEDJUGORJE
In his homily during Mass in Ptujska Gora on November 10th, 2001, Msgr. Dr. Franc Kramberger, Bishop of Maribor (Slovenia), said: "I greet all of you who are friends and pilgrims of Our Lady of Medjugorje. In a special way I greet today our respected and excellent guest, the Franciscan Father Jozo Zovko. In his speech, he brought the mystery of Medjugorje near to us. Medjugorje is not only the name of a place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Medjugorje is a place of grace where Our Lady is appearing in a special way. Medjugorje is a place where those who have fallen get up again, and all of those who go on pilgrimage to that place find a star, which leads them and shows them a new direction in life. If my diocese, all of Slovenia and the whole world became Medjugorje, there would not be the events that are happening in these last months."
MSGR. JEROME GAPANGWA NTEZIRYAYO, DIOCESE OF UVIRA (CONGO) ON A PRIVATE VISIT TO MEDJUGORJE
From the 7th to the 11th of November 2001, Msgr. Jérôme Gapangwa Nteziryayo, from the diocese of Uvira (Congo), was on a private visit to Medjugorje. He came with a group of pilgrims, climbed the prayer hills and participated in the evening prayer programme. He said that he was grateful to God for having given us such a place of prayer.
ITALIAN TELEVISION IN MEDJUGORJE
23.11.2001 - From November 21st to 23rd, 2001, two Italian journalists were in Medjugorje: Aldo Maria Valli (the "Vaticanist" of the News of the Third Television Programme TG3 of Italian Radio-Television RAI, who often followed the Pope on his journeys and reported about it for the TG3 News) and Riccardo Caniato (author of the book "Maria alba del terzo millennio - Medjugorje vent'anni" - Mary, Dawn of the Third Millennium, Twenty Years of Medjugorje - Edizioni Ares, 2001, which was very positively evaluated by Radio Vatican).
Several Italian Catholic magazines published very negative texts about Medjugorje lately; this is why these two journalists, following the council of Fr. Livio Fanzaga, Director of "Radio Maria" (which is one of the fruits of Our Lady's messages), decided to come to Medjugorje and turn an objective documentary. They spoke with Fr. Branko Radoš, parish priest, with Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, with Fr. Jozo Zovko, Marija Pavlovic and other witnesses. They turned up in holy places and in the parish church. On Thursday, November 22nd, together with His Eminence Corrado Cardinal Ursi, who was on a private visit in Medjugorje, they prayed the rosary and were present during the apparition of Our Lady to Marija Pavlovic.
CORRADO CARDINAL URSI, RETIRED ARCHBISHOP OF NAPLES, ON A PRIVATE VISIT TO MEDJUGORJE
From November 22nd to 24th, 2001, Corrado Cardinal Ursi, retired Archbishop of Naples, was on a private visit to the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje. At the age of 94, he desired to visit Medjugorje and he arrived by car from Naples, which is at 1450 kilometres from Medjugorje. Three priests accompanied him: Msgr. Mario Franco, Fr. Massimo Rastrelli and Fr. Vincenzo di Muro.
During his stay at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace, Cardinal Ursi met the visionaries and was present during an apparition of Our Lady. He did not hide his enthusiasm about this visit.
Cardinal Ursi composed a booklet under the title "Rosary", published already in six editions, where he wrote: "In Medjugorje and at other places, Our Lady is appearing."
While in Medjugorje, the Cardinal said: "I came here to pray and not to discuss. I desire my entire personal conversion," and, "What a joy and what an immense grace to be present here." After having been present at the apparition of Our Lady to the visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, Cardinal Ursi said, "I am sure that Our Lady's prayer obtained for me the forgiveness of all my sins."
THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FR. SLAVKO BARBARIC
On November 24th was celebrated the first anniversary of the death of Fr. Slavko Barbaric. On that day, many parishioners, members of Fr. Slavko's family, his friends and foreign pilgrims gathered for the Way of the Cross on Mount Križevac. Fr. Branko Radoš led the Way of the Cross, using prayers written by Fr. Slavko himself.
The faithful prayed, while meditating on that love which gives itself without reserve, just as was lived by this great man.
Sideways, on the spot where Fr. Slavko gave his soul into the hands of the Lord, a memorial was put up: Fr. Slavko's relief in bronze encrusted in stone. The memorial stone, which weights 950 kg, was carried up on the hands of the boys of Sr. Elvira's Cenacolo. They took nine hours, praying and thanking the Lord for Fr. Slavko, who accompanied them during many years on their way from darkness to light.
A solemn evening Mass for Fr. Slavko Barbaric was celebrated in the overfilled parish church of Medjugorje. The main celebrant was the Herzegovinian Franciscan provincial Fr. Slavko Soldo, and the Mass was concelebrated by many Franciscans and pilgrim priests. In his homily for the feast of Christ the King, the Provincial mentioned how Fr. Slavko always was at the service of the little and the poor, and so realised the kingdom of God on earth.
In Mother's Village, considered to be Fr. Slavko's masterpiece, a monument in his memory was unveiled. It is a work of the Italian sculptor Carmelo Puzzolo, in homage of his personal and dear friend. This beautiful bronze statue for Mother's Village was realised thanks to the generosity of Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, who wanted to express her gratitude for Fr. Slavko's spiritual help and friendship towards her family.
May all what was spoken in prayers and kept in the hearts of men who knew Fr. Slavko, and who felt his active love in their lives, as well as monuments built in his memory, remain a permanent reminder and a personal obligation for each one of us, so that we follow the way he was going. May our thoughts, our words and our deeds be one - at the service of God who serves man.
A CONCERT BY BLAŽENKA MILIC
On Sunday, November 25th, 2001, on the feast of Christ the King, Blaženka Milic (born Cigic), a Zagreb Opera singer and the mother of five children, celebrated in Medjugorje, in a solemn concert, her 55 years of uninterrupted singing in the Church and her 40 year artistic career. The choir of the Parish of Medjugorje under the direction of Sr. Slavica Kožul accompanied the Opera singer in several songs, and performed also several choir compositions, especially the very beloved "Our Father" by Đelo Jusic, who personally assisted this concert.
Meeting of the Radio Prayer Group "Pray Together with a Joyful Heart"
On the afternoon of Sunday, November 25th, 2001, on the feast of Christ the King, the Radio Prayer Group "Pray Together with a Joyful Heart" met again in Medjugorje. About 200 members from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina came together. After the prayer of the Rosary on the Apparition Hill, they had a meeting in the parish, and then, accompanied by Fr. Branko Radoš, parish priest of Medjugorje and their spiritual councillor, visited the tomb of Fr. Slavko Barbaric, who founded and accompanied this group until his death.
PRAYER AND FASTING SEMINARS
Five Prayer and Fasting Seminars were held in the house of prayer Domus Pacis: from November 9th to 13th, for a group of French speaking pilgrims, and from November 18th to 24th, for a group of pilgrims from Austria. This seminar was organised by Mr. Franz Gollowitsch, who organised the last Prayer and Fasting Seminar held by Fr. Slavko Barbaric shortly before he died in November 2000. The youngest participant was only 13 years old, and the oldest 79. From November 27th to December 2nd, 2001, a group of Russian Orthodox pilgrims from Moscow participated in a Prayer and Fasting Seminar. In spite of many difficulties concerning visas and the length of the journey, the strong desire to come to the Mother and Queen of Peace attracted them to Medjugorje. Croatian pilgrims participated in this seminar from December 2nd to December 8th, and from December 10th to December 14th, there was another group of 35 Austrian pilgrims.
Numerous groups who come to Domus Pacis to pray and to fast are proof of how powerful their experiences are.
All those who are interested may contact Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic in the Parish Office of Medjugorje or in the Information Office by telephone + 387 36 651 988.
ST. NICOLAS' FEAST IN MEDJUGORJE
On the feast of St. Nicolas, the Elementary School of Medjugorje and the St. James Parish Office organised the celebration of St. Nicolas on the parish grounds. A few hundred children gathered together, mainly elementary school children with their parents. After Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, the children - while expecting the arrival of the beloved saint - performed their own programme in which they performed recitations, skits and songs. The coming of "St. Nicolas" provoked enthusiasm on the faces of the children. Fr. Ljubo, just as "St. Nicolas", invited the children to open their hearts to the needs of others, especially the poor.
THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, many groups came on pilgrimage to the Queen of Peace from Croatia, Australia, Austria, England, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and the USA. We are especially glad about the arrival of a group of Aboriginals from Australia. At the end of the English Mass, they sung a hymn to Our Lady in their native language. Three members of the musical "Kelly Family" - Paddy and Maite with their father - came on pilgrimage to Medjugorje during this feast to prepare themselves in prayer and fasting for their coming tour.
During the morning, Holy Mass was celebrated in 10 languages, and in the afternoon, pilgrims prayed the Rosary on the Apparition Hill.
ON BICYCLE FROM MARIJA BISTRICA TO MEDJUGORJE
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a very special pilgrim arrived to Medjugorje. His name is Danko Vrancic from Krapinske Toplice in Croatia. He began this pilgrimage on November 5th at the Croatian National Marian Shrine of Marija Bistrica. The way he chose took him through Slavonia to the martyr city of Vukovar, then to the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Trsat (Rijeka), and then over the Dalmatian coast to the Shrine of the Queen of Peace. After 1900 kilometres, he arrived to Our Lady of Medjugorje with a shining face: "I did not find it difficult," says Danko. "I trusted in the Divine Providence, I was well received in all the presbyteries, where I spent nights and, if necessary, waited for the rain and the snow to stop falling."
AN APPEAL TO ALL THE FRIENDS OF MEDJUGORJE
The message of Medjugorje has inspired many faithful all over the world to publish magazines, circular letters and various newspapers to help those who seek God grow in faith with the help of Our Lady's message. We would like to come to know the diversity of these publications and to establish contact with their editors. Therefore, we ask you kindly to send your magazines, circular letters and various newspapers to Medjugorje, to the address: INFORMATION CENTRE "MIR" MEDJUGORJE - FOR THE ARCHIVES, Gospin trg 1, 88266 Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please be so kind and send two samples.
We ask you to be so kind as to spread this appeal as widely as possible, especially to those who do not use Internet.
Thank you for all you are doing to answer Our Lady's call!
CHRISTMAS IN MEDJUGORJE
As preparation for Christmas, there was not only the evening prayer programme in the church, but also a Rosary-novena recited on Apparition Hill. As every year, a multitude of faithful from neighbouring parishes came to Medjugorje for their Christmas confession.
On December 16th, two children's choirs performed a Christmas concert in the parish church of Medjugorje: "Little Singing Dubrovnik" from Dubrovnik and "Little Doves of Peace" from Medjugorje. Through their singing, they wished a merry Christmas to all of the faithful and pilgrims from all over the world.
During the Christmas days, at the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje there was, as always, an atmosphere of peace, prayer and togetherness between the faithful who came from all over the world.
On Christmas Eve, several thousand pilgrims assisted the evening Mass. The Vigil started at 10pm in the overfilled church, and ended with midnight Mass. Christmas Day was marked by peace and joy of parishioners and pilgrims who gathered around their Mother.
ANNUAL APPARITION TO JAKOV ON DECEMBER 25TH 2001
At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 15.30 pm and lasted 5 minutes. Our Lady gave the following message:
"Dear Children, today when Jesus is born anew for you, in a special way, I want to call you to conversion. Pray, pray, pray for the conversion of your heart, so that Jesus may be born in you all and may dwell in you and come to reign over your entire being. Thank you for having responded to the call." (Annual Message to Jakov, December 25th 2001)
THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR PRIESTS
The 7th International Meeting for Priests "PRIEST AT THE SERVICE OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE" takes place from July 1st (morning) to July 6th (noon) 2002 in the new building behind the Church, accompanied by Fr. Ljubo Kurtovic, with lecturers from different countries.
You may make reservations by e-mail: lidija.paris@medjugorje.hr in the Information Office personally, by phone/fax: +387-36-651-988 or by e-mail: informacije@medjugorje.hr.
In place of financial payment, we ask you to kindly celebrate five Holy Masses for the intentions of the pilgrims of Medjugorje. The parish of Medjugorje expects your coming with joy. YOUR ACCOMMODATION IS A GIFT FROM THE PARISHIONERS, WHO WILL RECEIVE YOU IN THEIR HOMES.
Medjugorje - Press Bulletin #168, 11/26/01
MEDITATION
"Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you anew to prayer. Little
children, pray and prepare your hearts for the coming of the King of Peace,
that with His blessing He may give peace to the whole world. Peacelessness
has begun to reign in hearts and hatred reigns in the world. That is why,
you who live my messages be the light and extended hands to this faithless
world that all may come to know the God of Love. Do not forget, little
children, I am with you and bless you all. Thank you for having responded to
my call." Message of November 25, 2001
PREPARE A PLACE FOR THE GREATEST GIFT
We approach the time of Advent, a time of expectation and preparation.
It is a time of active expectation and preparation of our spirit for the
greatest joy that ever happened to humanity - the coming of the Young Sun
from above, Jesus Christ. In our daily life, we expect events that bring us
more or less joy. We expect the end of the school year, we expect marriages,
we expect people we love, we expect nice weather, a job... In our
expectance, sometimes we become tired and lose patience and hope that our
expectation may be fulfilled. Indeed, we have to know how to wait.
Expectation has to be also a preparation, and not only a waiting with our
hands crossed on our chest. This kind of expectation-preparation is asked
from us in the time of Advent. If we want to receive the fruits of Jesus'
birth, we have to expect His coming with the same attitude as Our Lady, who
prepared her heart in humility to give birth to Him. This is precisely what
we need - the modesty of Our Lady, her generosity and humility. We have to
expect Jesus in the setting in which He was born.
Where was Jesus born?
He was born in a manger, because only in the manger there was place for Him.
Also this Christmas, he will be born only there, where he finds a place,
where the paths have been straightened. Where Jesus finds a crib in human
hearts - there Christmas will happen. We prepare ourselves during four
weeks, because only those who are spiritually ready will hear the joyful cry
of the Saviour of the world.
Child Jesus brings a message that spurs us to work on a better world, a
message that fills our hearts with kindness for the poor, the little and the
rejected. If we want to be inheritants of this message, let us prepare our
hearts to receive this gift.
Let us reject our heart of stone and receive a heart of flesh. In her
messages in Medjugorje, Our Lady directs us all the time towards her Son. So
let us be awake and seek the way to this Mystery hidden in the manger, to
enter into the secret of hope, of faith and of love that Jesus brings to
those who are able to receive them.
Fra Mario Knezovic
NEWS
NUMBER OF COMMUNIONS AND NUMBER OF CONCELEBRANTS
During the month of October, 124,000 communions were distributed and 2,660
priests from the country and from abroad concelebrated Holy Mass in
Medjugorje.
Pilgrims were here from Austria, Italy, Mexico, France, Germany, Australia,
Ireland, England, Canada, Belgium, Poland, USA, Korea, Netherlands, South
Africa, Lebanon, Hungary, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Leetonia,
Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"TOTUS TUUS" IN MEDJUGORJE
During the second week of October 2001, we noticed the presence of a group
of young people in Medjugorje, who joined our daily "house orchestra",
playing and singing during the evening prayer hours in the church. "Totus
Tuus" is a group of collaborators for the New Evangelisation. A number of
people from the Ruhrgebiet, Germany, were enthusiastic about the messages of
Our Lady and wanted to do something for the Church. They started praying and
fasting.
"We started by going to visit prisoners. We met a priest, who worked with
prisoners, mainly with young prisoners. With him, we prepared Holy Masses
for the youth in prison. We also gave our testimonies. We then went to the
streets. From time to time, a parish would invite us to give our testimony
or to play and sing.
We organise regular pilgrimages to Medjugorje. More and more young people
come with us. They are enthusiastic and they bring their relatives and
friends. This is how the group has grown. Many young people want to give
their testimonies about what they have experienced in Medjugorje. They want
to evangelise.
In 1997, we decided that we had to choose our name. After prayer, we
received the name "Totus Tuus" - "Completely Yours". The name "Totus Tuus"
expresses the Marian dimension: To live the message of Medjugorje and to
transmit them to others. We then, went to the Bishop of Paderborn and we
presented our work and ourselves to him. He was enthusiastic and encouraged
us in everything.
It is a group of young people and families who live in the world, throughout
Germany. Members make a promise for one year to give their free time for the
New Evangelisation. It is completely free, it is a decision, and it is the
fruit of their desire. As candidates, we prepare ourselves for that, and
after preparing, we can give our promise for one year. We all live normally
in the world, working, studying, going to school...
We find time because we do not watch television, we do not play with the
computer, we do not go for useless parties; we are occupied with Jesus and
Mary. We have about 100 collaborators. We also have a circle of friends who
help us in different ways, a few thousands of them. Our group is a movement
of lay people, but we are accompanied by several priests. We simply live the
messages. The messages of Medjugorje are what Church teaches."
TEN YEARS OF THE "WALL OF LOVE"
On October 12th and 13th, 2001, the Humanitarian Organisation "Wall of Love"
celebrated the 10th anniversary of its foundation in Medjugorje. "Wall of
Love" was initially an association of mothers from Croatia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, created at the beginning of the war in Croatia. Their goal was
to protect their children from evil and violence caused by war destructions,
and to resist to hatred through prayer and love. Like all the pilgrim
groups, this group included in its programme the sacrament of Confession,
Holy Mass and prayer on the Apparition Hill.
PUBLIC STATEMENT BY THE PASTOR REGARDING UNTRUE INFORMATION ABOUT MEDJUGORJE
Prompted by untrue information linked to Medjugorje, which IS being spread
in the world, the Parish Priest of Medjugorje, Fr. Branko Radoš, wrote a
public statement on October 26, 2001, which we publish entirely:
"It is nothing new that some people are against truth, those who
intentionally or unintentionally twist the truth. When it is the matter of
Medjugorje, in recent times some untrue information surfaced. What
especially troubles the numerous friends of the Queen of Peace from
Medjugorje is the supposed statement of Cardinal Vinko Puljic from Sarajevo
at the Bishop's Synod in Rome; that Medjugorje was a source of disorder and
disobedience in the Church in Herzegovina, and that there were Franciscans
serving in Medjugorje who were disobedient.
For the sake of the truth it is my duty to say: In his talk at the Bishops'
Synod which took place in October 2001 in Rome, Cardinal Vinko Puljic did
not even mention Medjugorje in a single word. All those who want it can
consult the original text of his talk. By the way, I highlight that all
Franciscan priests serving in the parish of Medjugorje have been
commissioned by the local Bishop.
I invite all the friends of the Queen of Peace to pray, so that the peace
and truth of Jesus Christ the Lord may reign in this world."
On October 30th 2001, in an interview for "Slobodna Dalmacija", Cardinal
Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo) said:
"The phenomenon of Medjugorje is under the jurisdiction of the local bishop
and of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and it will remain so
until the phenomenon reaches another dimension, until the supposed
apparitions cease. Then they will be observed in another way. The actual
situation is such that Medjugorje has to be observed on two levels: On the
level of prayer, penance, something that is an act of faith. The apparitions
and messages are on another level, which will be submitted to a very
critical investigation."
FR. GHISLAIN NDONDJI, OFM, PROVINCIAL OF THE FRANCISCAN PROVINCE OF ST.
BENEDICT THE AFRICAN, LUMUMBASHI (CONGO)
On the feast of All Saints 2001, Fr. Ghislain Ndondji, OFM, Provincial of
the Franciscan Province of St. Benedict the African from Lumumbashi (Congo)
came on pilgrimage to Medjugorje. At the end of his pilgrimage, he spoke
about his experiences.
"My coming to Medjugorje is a marvellous experience. There are so many
things to see. I think that it is a very symbolic place, but also a very
important and significant spiritual centre. According to what I have seen
and heard, I think that something very strong is happening here. Wherever
Our Lady appears, something strong is happening. I think that something very
strong is being built here in the frame of the Church. My brothers in Africa
know Medjugorje through books, through informal information, which they
receive in a very disorganised way. We have a brother native from here, Fr.
Jozo Vasilj, and through him, we are hearing something about Medjugorje. We
have no organised contacts with Medjugorje.
I have met the visionary Ivanka. I was deeply impressed. I appreciate her
discretion. I think that this is a sign, which helps to understand the
messages she carries. What I remember are the messages, which Our Lady
confided to her to transmit to the world and to the Church: Prayer and
conversion. I as impressed by what she said about people who, once during an
apparition, touched Our Lady's veil, and their hands left some stains on it.
This a symbol of our world and of our humanity. As much as I understood, Our
Lady calls us to change our way of living to make this stains disappear.
This corresponds to Jesus' profound words when He says: "Be converted!"
I would like our people to come to Medjugorje, but Africa is far away. I
decided to take the initiative to establish a strong contact with
Medjugorje. We'll have to designate a person to be regularly in charge of
it."
MALTESE ORDER CONCLUDES THIS YEAR'S SERVICE AT THE SHRINE
In a solemn Holy Mass on November 2, 2001, members of the rescue and medical
services of the Order of Malta from Köln (Germany) and volunteers concluded
this year's service to the pilgrims of the Queen of Peace. During Holy Mass
for German pilgrims, Fr. Branko Radoš, Pastor of Medjugorje, thanked them
for the help they are selflessly offering to the pilgrims of Medjugorje for
several years now.
The Order of Malta invites volunteers who wish to join them in this service
to contact them in time.
MSGR. DENIS CROTEAU, OMI, BISHOP OF THE MCKENZIE DIOCESE (CANADA)
Msgr. Denis Croteau, Oblate of Mary Immaculate, bishop of the McKenzie
diocese (Canada), came on a private pilgrimage to Medjugorje with a group of
Canadian pilgrims from October 29 to November 6, 2001. He spoke about his
impressions of Medjugorje.
"I came for the first time to Medjugorje in April - the 25th of April to the
7th of May this year. I came as we say incognito; nobody knew I was a
bishop. I had heard about Medjugorje and I knew that if I come as a priest,
I would be in front with priests. I wanted to be with people, to see how
people pray, to be just like anybody else, to give me a good idea about what
Medjugorje was like. So, I stayed with the people. I came with a group of 73
pilgrims. Nobody knew I was a bishop. I was just a Christian. At the end,
before we went back to Split to take the plane, I said: "Well, I am a
Bishop", and people were very surprised because I didn't look like a bishop
at all! I wanted to have a feel of Medjugorje as a Christian before coming
back as a Bishop.
I read a lot of books, I listened to tapes, I had a fairly good information
about the visionaries, the messages of Mary, and a bit of the conflict also.
This is why I came incognito, to make my own mind about Medjugorje. And I
was really impressed. I was so impressed that I went back to Canada and I
talked to people and I said: "If you want to organise a pilgrimage, I would
back you up, I would help you." So, we organised a pilgrimage and we came
last Monday, on the 29th of October, and we are leaving the 6th of November.
We spent 8 full days here and people really, really liked the experience of
Medjugorje. They want to come back!
What impresses me the most and what impresses the people the most is the
atmosphere of prayer. Personally, what impressed me the last time and this
time, is that the visionaries don't stress neither big miracles, nor
extraordinary things, nor the end of the world, nor catastrophes or
disasters, but the message of Mary, which is a message of prayer,
conversion, penance, to say the rosary, to go to the sacraments, to practice
your faith, to practice charity, to help the poor and so on. That is the
message. Secrets are there, but the visionaries don't make a big thing out
of this. The message of Mary is prayer. And people pray so well here! They
sing loud, they pray loud, it gives you a good feeling. It makes you believe
that it's really true. I'll come back again, that's for sure! I give you my
prayers and my blessing."
A NEW BOOK: "MEDJUGORJE - RÉPONSES AUX OBJECTIONS" ("MEDJUGORJE - ANSWERS TO
OBJECTIONS")
The book "Medjugorje - Réponses aux objections", Editions du Sarment, 2001,
("Medjugorje - Answers to Objections"), actually only in French, was written
by Daria Klanac, a Canadian of Croatian origin, who organised more than
sixty pilgrimages and accompanied several thousands of pilgrims. Her book
"establishes the truth in a clear, objective and documented way. She is
drawing from the archives she assembled herself during several years, which
consist of first-hand material. Daria Klanac answers to principal objections
against Medjugorje and demasks methodically, with proofs and without
polemics, false and defamatory arguments" (Editor - Editions du Sarment
2001).
SEMINARS IN "DOMUS PACIS"
In the "Domus Pacis" house of prayer in Medjugorje, the Herzegovinian
Franciscan School Sisters organised another seminar for girls on the theme
"Seek Peace and Pursue it". For this weekend, (November 2 to 4, 2001) the
sisters gathered twenty-five high school students and girls who are already
working. Through lectures, meditations, prayer and personal experiences, it
was underlined that freedom and responsibility are the principal way and
means to reach peace.
Two "Prayer and Fasting" retreats were also held there: November 8th to
14th, for French speaking pilgrims, and November 18th to 25th for Austrian
pilgrims.
RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS MADE WITH FR. SLAVKO BARBARIC
With the desire to spread the message of peace of Our Lady, many friends of
Medjugorje from all over the world made numerous contracts during past years
with Fr. Slavko Barbaric, linked to the publication of his works. These
contracts will not be valid any more. From now on, it will be necessary to
make a new contract with the Parish Office of Medjugorje for any new
edition. We hope that you will understand and be open for new collaboration.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IN MEDJUGORJE
On New Year's Eve, the parish of Medjugorje has become for many years now a
meeting place of young people from all over the world. This year, Rosary and
Adoration will begin at 10 pm and the Night of Prayer will end with the Holy
Mass at midnight.
A big screen will be put up in the New Hall, and a tent will be built for
all those who may not find place in the church.
We invite young people again: Come and enter into the New Year in prayer,
with Jesus and Mary!
THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR GUIDES AND LEADERS OF PEACE CENTRES AND
MEDJUGORJE PRAYER, PILGRIM AND CHARITY GROUPS: FEBRUARY 17 - 21, 2002
The Ninth International Meeting for Guides and Leaders of Peace Centres and
Medjugorje Prayer, Pilgrim and Charity groups: "Pray, Pray, Pray...", will
take place February 17 - 21, 2002.
You can send your registrations (as soon as possible, latest by the end of
December 2001) by e-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr , by fax: + 387 36
651 300 (for Marija Dugandžic), or register in the Information Office
personally or by phone: + 387 36 651 988. The programme and all information
about this seminar can be found under the title Medjugorje 2002: Programme.
We are looking forward to your reservations and to welcoming you at this
meeting!
SECOND INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR FOR MARRIED COUPLES
Second International Seminar for Married Couples "AWAKEN LOVE IN YOUR
FAMILIES" takes place from February 28th to March 3rd, 2002 in the new
building behind the Church. You may make reservations (until January 31st,
2002) by e-mail: lidija.paris@medjugorje.hr; in the Information Office
personally, by phone/fax: + 387-36-651-988 or by e-mail:
informacije@medjugorje.hr.
Participation per couple: 50 DM. All the participants are invited to provide
individually their accommodation in Medjugorje. Programme and presentation
of lecturers: preparing
A NEW TRANSMITTER FOR RADIO "MIR" MEDJUGORJE
It is useless to speak about the importance of the means of social
communication for the world of today. Conscious of this fact, we tried in
different ways to reach out to all of you, spread all over the world,
immediately after the fall of communism.
One of the most recent projects in the spreading of Christian values and Our
Lady's messages of peace is the activity, which we develop through our Radio
"Mir" Medjugorje, broadcasting for four years now. Through this project, we
wish to join the homes of our local Croatian population, which, during the
years of communist reign and during the years of war, was deprived of
information about Medjugorje and religious contents in the media. With you,
who are spread all over the world, we are linked through this Bulletin and
the Web pages - both almost inaccessible to our population.
The programme of our Radio can be heard in the south of Croatia, and through
the construction of a new transmitter on September 7th 2001, in all the
parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which until now could not hear our Radio.
Through the Radio "Mir" Medjugorje, our listeners are permanently in contact
with Medjugorje, because we broadcast every day our programme, which
includes the direct transmission of the Rosary and the Holy Mass from the
St. James' Church in Medjugorje.
Knowing your generosity manifested during the years of war, when you were
selflessly helping our people, we feel free to inform you about the
following: For all our activities, we need spiritual and material help. This
is why we have founded the Association of Supporters of the Information
Centre "Mir" Medjugorje. You can become its member in two ways: Helping our
Centre in spiritual and in material way. If you want to help projects of the
Information Centre "Mir" Medjugorje, and its Radio "Mir", you can choose the
way which suites you the best.
1. Spiritual help. The Centre prays for and works on the best way of
spreading the messages of the Queen of Peace all over the world. Join us in
this by your prayers.
2. Spiritual and material help. Those who are able to help the Centre
spiritually and materially could once a year offer a material support
according to his possibilities:
a. When you come to Medjugorje, you can give your contribution in our Parish
Office, in for of a check or of a voucher coupon. If you cannot come
personally, you can send it through another person you trust. We will give
you a receipt. Please mark on it: For the Information Centre "Mir"
Medjugorje.
b. You can give your contribution also to one of the priests working in the
Shrine. He will also give you a receipt. Please mark on it: For the
Information Centre "Mir" Medjugorje.
The admittance in the Association of Supporting members of the Information
Centre "Mir" Medjugorje is decided by the Direction of the Centre.
May the Queen of Peace bless your work and your families!