Medjugorje: Apparitions, History, Messages, Today
The apparitions of the Virgin at Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) began on June 24, 1981, and continue to this day on a daily basis. Apparitions of such duration (42 years) are unprecedented in the history of the Church. Since the apparitions have not ended, the Catholic Church cannot take a definitive position. Discover the history of the apparitions, the core of the message of the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje, and the life of the parish today!
History of the Apparitions at Medjugorje
On June 24, 1981, six children from the parish of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina (former Yugoslavia) saw a very beautiful young woman holding a baby in her arms on Podbrdo Hill. Surprised and frightened, they did not approach.
The next day, at the same time (5:40 PM), four of them—Ivanka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Vicka Ivankovic, and Ivan Dragicevic—felt drawn to the spot where they had seen the figure they recognized as “the Gospa,” which means Our Lady. Two other children joined them: Marija Pavlovic and Jakov Colo. The group of visionaries was formed on June 25, 1981. They prayed and spoke with the Virgin, also asking her several questions. The Lady introduced herself to the children: “I am the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
From that day on, the six visionaries experienced daily apparitions, either together or separately. The two visionaries present on June 24 but not the next day (Ivan Ivankovic and Milka Pavlovic) never saw the Virgin again. During the apparitions, the Holy Virgin gave the children messages intended first for the parish and then for the entire world.
From the very first days, crowds flocked to witness the Virgin's apparitions. The site of the first apparitions, Apparition Hill, was quickly closed to the public and the children because, in 1981, Yugoslavia was an atheist regime, and Christians faced persecution. Despite the circumstances, the Virgin continued to appear to the visionaries wherever they were.
Father Jozo Zovko, a Franciscan friar and parish priest of Medjugorje, was initially very skeptical of the children's account. One day, he himself saw the Holy Virgin during an apparition in the parish church, and from then on, he began to protect the children as the Virgin had asked him to do. Subsequently, the visionaries faced much persecution from the communists, and Father Jozo was imprisoned. Despite the political events and the war that painfully struck the country, the apparitions continued, and pilgrims came in increasing numbers to Medjugorje from all over the world.
Today, the Sanctuary of Medjugorje is visited by two and a half million pilgrims each year.
Who Are the Six Visionaries of Medjugorje?
Mirjana Dragicevic, born on March 18, 1965, had daily apparitions from June 24, 1981, to December 25, 1982. On that day, the Virgin entrusted her with the tenth secret and told her that she would appear to her every March 18 for the rest of her life. Mirjana is the one who must announce the secrets to the world at the appointed time, through a priest: Father Petar Ljubicic. Since 1999 and until March 2, 2020, Mirjana had an apparition on the 2nd of each month. The Virgin gave messages to form those she called the “apostles of love.”
Ivanka Ivankovic, born on June 21, 1966, had daily apparitions until May 7, 1985. The Virgin now appears to her once a year, on June 25, the anniversary of the first apparition. Ivanka also saw her mother, who had died shortly before the first apparition.
Jakov Colo, born on March 6, 1971, had daily apparitions until September 12, 1998. Since that day, he has seen the Virgin once a year, on December 25. He and the visionary Vicka visited Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell with Our Lady.
Ivan Dragicevic, born on May 25, 1965, continues to have daily apparitions to this day.
Vicka Ivankovic, born on September 3, 1964, also continues to have daily apparitions.
Marija Pavlovic, born on April 1, 1965, still has daily apparitions. She is the one who receives the message for the world each month on the 25th.
The six visionaries are married and have children. They primarily live in Medjugorje and receive pilgrims. Each of them has received a specific prayer intention from the Virgin: one is tasked with praying especially for non-believers, another for the sick, or for families, etc.
Medjugorje Today
The Position of the Church
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI formed an international commission, composed of 17 members and chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, tasked with determining the supernatural nature of the apparitions at Medjugorje. In 2014, the commission presented its conclusions to Pope Francis, but unfortunately, almost nothing was made public. A book by an Italian journalist titled “Dossier Medjugorje” provides some information. It states that the apparitions at Medjugorje consist of two phases: the first seven apparitions, and the subsequent apparitions up to the present day. Regarding the first phase, the commission voted in favor of the “supernatural character” of the initial apparitions. For the second phase, the commission indicated that it was “not possible to express a judgment.” In 2018, Archbishop Hoser was appointed Apostolic Visitor by the Vatican for an indefinite period. His mission is “exclusively pastoral,” meaning he oversees the pastoral care of pilgrims and parishioners.
What Is a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Like?
At Medjugorje, pilgrims are invited to live the messages of the Virgin in a very simple way and within the parish. The rosary is recited daily, and on Fridays, pilgrims participate in the Way of the Cross on Krizevac Hill, where the large white cross was erected in 1933. Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is an important part of the Virgin's requests. The parish offers evenings of adoration, veneration of the cross, and prayer for the sick. The Eucharist and confession are at the heart of life in this sanctuary.
Messages Given by the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje
Content of the Messages: The Core of the Gospa's Requests
Peace. At Medjugorje, Mary introduced herself as “the Queen of Peace,” and from the very beginning of the apparitions, she repeated “Mir, mir, mir,” which means “Peace, peace, peace” in Croatian. Today, the Virgin still tells us: “Dear children, God allows me to be with you and guide you on the path of peace. Thus, through your personal peace, you build peace in the world.” (August 25, 2022)
Faith. During the 4th, 5th, and 6th apparitions, the Holy Virgin delivered the message of faith. Here is the call she makes to us now: “Little children, today, on this day of grace, open your hearts and ask the Lord for the gift of faith so that you may truly become worthy of the name children of God, those who, with a pure heart, thank and honor their Heavenly Father.” (December 25, 2021)
Conversion. The Virgin calls all people to return to God through the conversion of the heart. The path of personal conversion continues throughout life. The Virgin repeats to us: “That is why I am with you, to guide you so that you may decide for conversion and for life, and not for death.” (November 25, 2022)
Prayer. From the 5th day, the Virgin recommended prayer almost daily. Today, this call remains paramount: “Dear children, I call you to strong prayer. Modernism seeks to enter your thoughts and steal the joy of prayer and the encounter with Jesus. That is why, my dear little children, renew prayer in your families.” (September 25, 2023)
Fasting. Since the 6th day of the apparitions, the Virgin has recommended fasting. She says: “The best fasting is on bread and water. Through fasting and prayer, wars can be stopped, and the laws of nature can be suspended. All, except the sick, are called to fast.” (July 21, 1982).
At Medjugorje, the Virgin calls us concretely to pray the Rosary, attend Holy Mass, go to confession, and read Holy Scripture.
Last Message Given to the Visionary Mirjana
For 21 years, Mirjana received a message on the 2nd of each month. Through these messages, the Virgin forms the “apostles of love,” and all are called to respond to this call to form the “spiritual army” through which the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph, as she promised at Fatima. Here is the last message given to Mirjana on March 2, 2020:
“Dear children, your pure and sincere love attracts my maternal heart. Your faith and trust in the Heavenly Father are fragrant roses that you offer me, the most beautiful bouquets of roses, made of your prayers, your acts of mercy, and your love. Apostles of my love, who sincerely and with a pure heart strive to follow my Son, who sincerely love Him, it is up to you to help and be an example to those who have not yet known the love of my Son—but, my children, not only in words but in deeds and with pure feelings through which you glorify the Heavenly Father. Apostles of my love, it is time to watch, and I expect love from you, I expect you not to judge anyone, for the Heavenly Father will judge each one. I expect you to love and to transmit the truth, for the truth is ancient, it is not new, it is eternal; it is truth! It testifies to the eternity of God. Bring the light of my Son and drive away the darkness that seeks to grasp you more and more. Do not be afraid: through the grace and love of my Son, I am with you. I thank you.”
With Hozana, Respond to the Virgin's Calls at Medjugorje!
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to respond to Mary's requests by praying and fasting with the heart! The Queen of Peace gives us these means to stop wars, suspend the laws of nature, and obtain healings!The Virgin's greatest request is the prayer of the Rosary!
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. In the face of the tragedies of conflict in the Holy Land and the world, there is an urgent need to pray for peace!
