Medjugorje Pilgrimage 2015

‘Mary Queen of Peace School of Prayer’

by Fr Jeffrey Dodds

Each year, Medjugorje North East organises a pilgrimage to a Marian Shrine that has become one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. On Wednesday 20th May, nearly fifty pilgrims from our diocese travelled to Medjugorje together with four priests as their guides – Father Martin Morris, Fr Michael Corbett, Fr Michael Whalen and Fr Jeff Dodds. We were to spend a week experiencing what it means to be Church with thousands of other fellow pilgrims from all over the world.

The town of Medjugorje is a town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 16 miles southwest of Mostar and close to the border of Croatia. On the 24th June 1981, Mary Mother of God, was reported to have appeared to six local children with a message of peace to the world. Our Lady of Medjugorje continues today to offer messages to some of the visionaries, inviting us to stay strong in loving prayer, the celebration of the Sacraments and faith in God. Mary reminds each one of us – ‘I have come to tell the world that God exists and that He loves you.’ As a pilgrim to Medjugorje, you soon realise that this shrine is a ‘School of Prayer’, where you learn to pray with the heart. For some people this is an amazing experience that is often life transforming. There is a joyfulness of spirit as you enter the daily programme of events under the guidance of the Franciscan priests and brothers who run the local parish. Each year an estimated one million people visit this place of pilgrimage.

During our groups stay in Medjugorje we were blessed to lead the parish morning Mass on the Thursday in St James’ Church. Fr Martin Morris was the main celebrant and reminded the full church that they had been called to this place not by chance, but by Mary Mother of God. The music during the Mass is always inspiring and helps to lift heart and mind to God. The Taize style chants with violins and flutes create a deep prayerful atmosphere. Pilgrim talks during the week by Jakov and Vicka were a highlight in reminding us about the reality of God’s mercy and the need for the Church to guide us along the pathway to heaven. The importance of supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life was explained. We were encouraged to return home and make our families and parishes places where all vocations could grow and mature.

Each day the Franciscan priests lead Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Veneration of the Cross.

When the weather is warm enough these are celebrated outside on an altar with thousands of local people and pilgrims of all ages. Great healings are likely to take place during this as people gaze quietly upon Jesus, sing Eucharistic chants and experience being part of the universal Church. During our weeks stay many of our group climbed the Hill of Apparitions while praying the rosary and the Cross Mountain while praying the stations of the cross.

This takes real physical effort as the climbs are quite steep with rugged stones. For those less physically abled, Stations of the Cross on the flat by St James’ Church was an excellent alternative. Visits to the Medjugorje Cenacolo Community where young men with addiction issues are helped and a talk by Sister Emmanuel reminded us all of the fruits this special place brings to the world. Fr Michael Whalen celebrated Mass at the end of the week for our group as we travelled to Dubrovnik airport. His message during the homily was that we are the dream in God’s loving heart. Through prayer we make that dream a reality for others and ourselves. This was a fitting way to end our time in Medjugorje, knowing that Our Lady would guide and help us as a pilgrim people.

Here are a few comments from our group about their time in Medjugorje.

‘Medjugorje is a living shrine… We witnessed the affirmations of our shepherd priests in the gaze of Mary Mother of God.’

Ken and Kath Ash

‘In Medjugorje the veil between heaven and earth is very thin.’

Ken and Ina Kinghorn.

‘Our Lady, in her messages to the visionaries, is reminding us how to live as God would have us live - in peace. Like most children, we need to be constantly reminded by our Mother how to be good children. We hope that through the school of Mary, this aim will be achieved in the hearts of all peoples.’

Marian Fletcher

‘People travel to Medjugorje for their own personal reasons – renewing or strengthening of their faith, searching for answers, curiosity or maybe out of despair and desperation. We have found Medjugorje to be a place overflowing with love, peace, hope and friendship. A beautiful holy place of prayer. We feel that Our Lady has reached out and touched our hearts and welcomed us home – to be with Jesus. Each day we will pray to Mary Queen of Peace, for the intentions of the whole world.’

Paul and Gillian Hewitson

‘I wished I had discovered a place like Medjugorje as a young priest… Its like being on the best retreat ever.’

Fr Michael Corbett