Visit to Shrine of the Queen of Peace, Medjugorje
Saturday 24 June - Feast of Saint John the Baptist Peace March from Humac Monastery to Medjugorje
The traditional Peace March was held on June 24, the eve of the anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. “The Peace March” is the fruit of an idea born in the hearts of Medjugorje pilgrims and friends of Medjugorje at the time of war in 1992. This 13 km-long March is a response to the trouble, violence and hatred, as well as an appeal to real peace and reconciliation. The March began with prayer and the blessing of the pilgrims in front of the Franciscan monastery of Humac. Upon their arrival in Medjugorje, pilgrims gathered in front of Saint James Church for prayer. Our group was privileged to take part in the March. There we were, complete with a huge flag letting the whole world know of our New Zealand presence! Evening Mass/Adoration Programme - What a wonderful finish to an exhausting day! We felt we had earned this Mass and Adoration Programme! The 4-hour Peace March had wearied us, but the Evening Programme seemed fortification for weary bones. The evening Mass at the outside altar (Rotunda) was presided by F. Miron Sikiric, professor at the Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo, and concelebrated by 210 priests. When the Mass was over, there was an applause. Five visionaries came to the Altar (all but Vicka who was sick) and prayed the Magnificat and seven Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory Bes. Around 9 o'clock the Glorious Mysteries were said with the visionaries.
Sunday 25 June - Feast of Our Lady Queen of Peace 25th Anniversary of Our Lady's Visits to Medjugorje This special day started early in the morning for our group. Around 3am some of our group attended Exposition in Saint James Church. Away from the usual crowds of previous days here, we were able to pray to our God under very quiet and peaceful circumstances. A Mass at 12 noon rounded off an emotional morning of celebration to Our Lady Queen of Peace. The evening Mass took place at the outside altar and was presided by F. Toni Vockovic, professor at the Catholic Theology in Sarajevo, and concelebrated by 273 priests from about twenty countries. The homily was by Fr Tomislav Ivancic, the most respected theologian from Croatia. In the morning of June 24th and June 25th, Holy Masses were celebrated in 17 languages. During these two days, 60,000 communions were distributed.
After the Mass the visionaries read Our Lady's messages. Our Lady's Monthly Message - "Dear Children! With great joy in my heart I thank you for all your prayers that you offered for my intentions. Know little children, that you will not regret it, neither you nor your children. God will reward you with great graces and you will earn eternal life. I am near you and thank all those who, through these years, have accepted my messages, have poured them into their life and decided for holiness and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call." On 7 May 1985 Our Lady confided the 10th secret to Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez and told her that for the rest of her life she would have one yearly apparition on June 25th, the anniversary of the apparitions. And so it was this year. The apparition lasted 7 minutes: "Dear children! Thank you for having responded to my call. Pray, pray, pray." Our Lady was joyful and spoke of the 7th secret.
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