Introduction to Medjugorje
"Dear children, this is what I desire: give me your hands so that I can lead you like a mother along the right road; in this way I can take you to your Father. Open up your hearts and let me come in. Pray, so that I can guide you and bring you to peace and happiness." (Message received by visionary Mirjana Dragicevic on 18th March 1993)
Where is Medjugorje?
This village in Bosnia Herzegovina, is situated about 30 miles from the Adriatic Coast, in a triangle between Sarajevo, Split and Dubrovnik and close to the old city of Mostar. It is about 200 metres above sea level on a plateau surrounded by hills; a beautiful, rocky, rugged country with a mild Mediterranean climate. Flights from London to Split or Dubrovnik take 2 1/2 hours and a further coach journey of about 3 hours from either airport brings you to Medjugorje.
What is Medjugorje?
lthough there is evidence of habitation in this area since the early Stone Age and there was certainly a Roman occupation, the world had not heard of Medjugorje until the 25th June, 1981, when six young people claimed to have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some twenty years on - having endured the vicissitudes of a communist regime, and now at considerable cost to their own private lives - the visionaries have consistently continued to report these appearances; three still have daily apparitions. Although some twenty million pilgrims from all over the world have been drawn to Medjugorje, it still maintains a naivety and a rural charm, and the daily business of tending to the pilgrims' material needs is still carried out by local people with shy and generous courtesy.
What is the Message of Medjugorje?
The powerful message of Medjugorje is one of peace and love, and specifically, a call to conversion back to God. The public messages from the Blessed Virgin have exhorted a continuous call for people to open their hearts and to begin actively changing their lives through prayer, fasting, reading the Scriptures, Reconciliation and Communion. Many millions have heeded these calls, and have come away from Medjugorje inspired and spiritually refreshed. For those now contemplating a visit, an open mind and an open heart is all that is required.
Spiritual Activities
People come from all over the world to Medjugorje so daily Mass is celebrated in many languages, the English celebration being normally at 10:00 each morning.
There is a daily Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel every afternoon until 18:00 at which time people gather in the Church to recite the Rosary and it is during this recitation at 18:40 that the visionaries see the Blessed Mother.
The International Mass is celebrated every evening for everyone and is followed by Adoration at 22:00, when pilgrims from every corner of the world gather together. There is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and inspiring music and this will be one of the highlights of your visit.
Confession or Reconciliation has become very significant in Medjugorje, where priests from all over the world are available from 16:00 onwards every day to hear confessions in any language. In the special atmosphere of Medjugorje, surrounded by friendship and prayer, one is open to the opportunity to release oneself from the burden of sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This meeting between people and priests is claimed to be unique.
This tour is available for groups of 15 or more pilgrims
Please email info@special-pilgrimages.co.uk or call 01702 394000 to enquire about setting up a group tour!
Daily Programme - please note that there may be seasonal changes to the times of the services
08:00 Breakfast
10:00 English Mass
18:00 Recitation of the Rosary
19:00 International Mass
20:30 Evening Meal
22:00 Adoration and Healing Service
Day 1
UK / Split or Dubrovnik / Medjugorje
Today you fly into Split or Dubrovnik where your guide will meet you and take you by coach to Medjugorje to your pension.
Day 2
Medjugorje
After the Mass at 10:00, your guide will give you an introductory talk with up to date news of the latest events in Medjugorje. You will be given a tour of the Shrine and an orientation tour of the village. Your Spiritual Director will also address you at the start of your pilgrimage.
Day 3
Hill of the Apparitions / Cenacolo Community
Today you will climb the hill of Crnica above the hamlet of Podbrdo, also known as the Hill of the Apparitions. Bronze plaques depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary assist you to meditate on the life of Our Lord as you climb the rocky and overgrown terrain to the site of the first apparitions of the Virgin, a great, bare space among the rocks, more than a hundred metres in diameter. This is a place where quiet contemplation and meditation is always in evidence. In the afternoon you can visit the Cenacolo Community, a drugs rehabilitation centre for young people, which uses prayer, fasting and physical work to heal young people from their addictions. You will hear an inspiring personal witness by one of the addicts. We visit also the Oasis of Peace, a religious community which has settled in Medjugorje to live and preach the messages received by the Visionaries.
Day 4
The Hill of the Cross
Rising before it is light, those who wish may climb Mount Krisevac, the Hill of the Cross by treading the stony path and following the Way of the Cross to the summit, arriving at the break of dawn. This is an unforgettable experience reflecting the difficulties of our life's journey culminating in our arrival at the foot of the cross bathed in the light of the Resurrection. The huge cross at the top of the mountain was erected in 1934 to mark the 1900th anniversary of the Passion of Jesus.
Day 5
Optional Excursion to Mostar
Today there will be an optional excursion to Mostar or alternatively free time in Medjugorje for your own activities.
Day 6
The Visionaries
Today you will have the opportunity of meeting with one of the Visionaries for a talk and prayers. You will also have the chance to ask your own questions of the visionary. Three of the visionaries still see the Blessed Virgin every evening during the recitation of the Rosary at 18:40 hours and her messages are faithfully transcribed and sent out into the world.
Day 7
Medjugorje
This afternoon you will hear an inspiring talk given by one of the Franciscan priests about the happenings in Medjugorje and on the subject of spirituality. This is your last day to reflect on the Message of Medjugorje which you will be taking back with you.
Day 8
Medjugorje / Split or Dubrovnik / UK
Today you will take leave of all the new friends you have made during the week in Medjugorje and travel by coach to Split or Dubrovnik for your return flight to the U.K.
General Information
On Sunday you will enjoy a late breakfast. The English Mass starts at 12 Noon and the afternoon will be free for you to revisit either the Hill of Apparition or the Hill of the Cross. In addition to these activities and daily services there will be other events in Medjugorje during your stay and your Guide will keep you informed of these on a day to day basis. You will find on your visit to Medjugorje that there is so much going on in what is truly a very prayerful but also a friendly and social environment that you will probably spend a very busy pilgrimage and time will pass very quickly. The programme that we have suggested is one that can be followed in full or in part, according to your personal wishes. The organisers do however recommend that some time is set aside by each pilgrim to pray and reflect by themselves.
Food and Accommodation
Clean and basic accommodation with private facilities is offered in private Pensions owned by local village families and you will be within 10 minutes walking distance of the Shrine. Breakfast is served from 08:00 until 09:00 hrs and tea and coffee is available throughout the day at no extra cost. We shall eat each evening around 20:30 hours and soft drinks, local wine and spirits are included with the meal. You will enjoy the very tasty food and the warm hospitality of your local hosts in the company of your fellow pilgrims.There are many welcoming restaurants, coffee-shops and bars in Medjugorje, where you can sit and eat and meet people from all over the world in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This social aspect of Medjugorje is an important part of your experience and you will probably make many new and like-minded friends who will stay in contact for years to come.
Little Warning
You will see from the pictures, that the routes up the mountains is quite rough and stony, particularly the Hill of the Cross and we would advise our pilgrims not to attempt climbs which are physically too demanding for them, unless they have friends who will assist them.
