A Second Pilgrimage,  One of Surrender

By Sarah Denny

How can one describe the experience of Medjugorje?  The beauty that I envision whenever I think of Medjugorje is something I will never be able to forget.  It is a place of peace, a place of love, a place focused on God.  I have been blessed to have been able to travel to Medjugorje two times, the first time in November 2006 and the second time in August for the Youth Festival.  Both trips were wonderful, but each was unique in its own way.  This past time I went without any specific intentions.  I decided to just see where the Lord would lead me.  During the months leading up to the trip, the Lord had decided to prepare me by revealing to me so many things about Mary’s beauty, grace, constant faith, and humble submission to His will.

I have truly found Mary to be my model of everything I want to be.  And why is that?  Mary in the midst of pain and suffering, through the worst of trials and the best of joys, constantly kept her heart focused on God.  She has shown me what it truly means to be a woman of God.  Upon learning that she would become the mother of God, Mary responded, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”  That was it.  She refused to allow fear and anxiety to get in the way of her complete submission to God’s will.  I have seen that anything that I might experience as a woman, Mary has already experienced.  The different stages of her life are models for my own on how to endure and on how to love.  She experienced rejection, suffering, and heartache.  In those times, she humbly accepted God’s will for her and allowed those pains to form her into the woman he was constantly calling her to be.  She also experienced moments of true joy, being blessed to have been the mother of God, the first tabernacle of Christ.  In those times, she once again was humble and referred all praise unto the Lord.  As a woman Mary had her doubts, her fears, her struggles, her mental turmoil as to whether or not she was raising her son, the Son of God, in the right way.  She lost most of her friends, was judged by those who once loved her, and had to be moved from her family for a time, and yet she never lost faith.  She was a silent witness of peace, of hope, and of joy.

Medjugorje is a place where Mary appears to share messages of peace with the world.  Just as she did during her life here on Earth, she constantly directs our gazes towards God.  She constantly calls us back to the precious heart of God.  She never calls us to worship her.  She asks that we look to her Son for our peace, for true peace, which can only come from a heart, which acknowledges its nothingness in the presence of the Lord.  By bringing our hearts to her Son, we are able to see His love for us, his perfect and complete and true love, a love, which no human being can bestow upon us.  Medjugorje is such a beautiful and peaceful place for many reasons.  One of those reasons is that the people there acknowledge Mary as their mother.  They know that they are loved by her.  They live joyously and lovingly under her motherly mantle.  They know that she comes to share with them what she can so that they might constantly look to Him. 

During the youth festival it was incredible to see thousands and thousands of teenagers recognizing Mary as their mother and allowing her to bring them to her Son.  Jakov, one of the visionaries, spoke to us and said something, which touches my heart still today.  It is written in my journal, and I will share it here.  “What does it mean to be holy?  …to have God in your heart and peace in your heart and in your family.  When you feel God in your heart, you will know what to do.  What is more beautiful than saying I surrender my heart and my life to God?”  He revealed to us what Mary had revealed to Him.  And that is that we have been called to surrender our hearts and our lives to the Lord.  We are only secure in His love.  He has made us beautiful and strong.  There is nothing that we have to do to make ourselves more beautiful. 

God has made us each as a unique individual and has a plan bigger than we know of.  So what should we do?  Well, just as Mary showed through her life and even does today, we must completely surrender ourselves to His will for our lives.  Just be.  Sit at His feet and just be.  A beautiful soul is one, which knows its strengths and its weaknesses.  It is one, which acknowledges that God is God, but I am not.  Be confident in knowing that God has you exactly as He wants you in this exact moment.  Let Him lead you, and let Him love you.  With his perfect love, only then can you have true confidence because you are allowing your maker to work through you.  With Him you have true peace, and only with His perfect love completing you, will you ever be able to truly love.  Mary answered her call quietly and with perfect humility.  She allowed God to work through her, and so she had a gentle and peaceful spirit, which radiated the glory of Christ. 

In closing I must add something else, which was shared with us by one of the speakers.  He directed us on how to live by saying, “Regardless of your disposition, may you be a vessel.  Simple or complex, be the vessel in the hands of the Lord.”  Life has its mixtures of joys and sorrows, but through all of it God is molding you into the individual He has created you to be.  Let Him do so.  He is bringing you closer to His heart.  I found myself on this trip because I found God’s heart on this trip.  I desperately threw myself at His feet, and He didn’t leave me there.  He looked me in my eyes, and He loved me exactly where I was in that moment.  He took me into His arms and held me next to His heart.  I can only hope that I might continue to grow every day in His love.  That by following Mary’s example, I might daily decide to give my complete self to the Lord, to the wonderful and loving maker who has made my heart with His very hands and who has a plan for me that is bigger, and more loving, and more joyful then anything I could ever hope for or imagine.  Pray each day that you might be submissive to His will for you.  He loves you and is holding your heart in His hands so you have nothing to fear.  Just be.  Let Him lead you, and let Him love you.  He, after all, will never force himself on you.  He is patiently waiting for your yes, the same yes that Mary gave.  So give him permission and open your heart.  I promise that the joy you find is something that will stay with you forever, and it is a joy, which only He can give.  
                                                                                                           Sarah is 19 years old.

 Medjugorje Reflections

The Run of a Lifetime

by Emmi Aguillard

 In the summer of 2007, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a pilgrimage with a group of teenagers from New Orleans. Little did I know that this would be a life-changing experience, a way to look at life in a whole new way. A place that is unlike anywhere else in the world; where you can truly feel at peace. This place was Medjugorje.

Medjugorje is a tiny village nestled away in the green, serene, rolling mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is surrounded by acres and acres of ancient yet lively vineyards, as far as you can see, and is populated by some of the holiest and happiest people you will ever meet. It’s not uncommon to find those of all ages, cultures, and continents walking down the road with a rosary in their hands, praying the “Hail Mary,” or “Zdravo Marijo,” in countless languages that somehow all blend together in perfect symphony.

There are so many parts of Medjugorje where God is present.  Everywhere you turn, there are signs of Him, and you can find Him in whichever way is right for you. There is the rocky, pilgrim-beaten Apparition Hill on which Mary first appeared to the six child visionaries, which is why we all go to Medjugorje in the first place. And Mount Krizevac, tall and magnificent, which seems to stand watch over the village, making you feel protected and providing a breathtaking view for the thousands of pilgrims, some of who are old, sick and weak, who climb it in hopes of cures or just to pray. And then there is the powerful statue of The Risen Christ, larger than life, a miracle within itself.

While I was there, the International Youth Festival was underway. Over 40,000 young adults, and some not-so-young adults, from all over the world were crammed into this quaint and holy little village, waving their country’s multicolored flags with pride, speaking every language imaginable, yet all singing and praising God in unison. It would seem that all of this confusion would make it hard to find peace, yet peace was everywhere. It felt as if you could just take a bottle and fill it with peace and bring it anywhere you went.

When at times I did start to feel a bit cramped, I found a solution: running.  Early in the morning, I would wake up before any of the others, by the “cock-a-doodle-doo” of an actual rooster. How much more peaceful can you get than that? The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, lighting up the sky, the world. I would dress and head out for my morning run, before any of the mobs of enthusiastic Italians had risen and flocked to wherever that day’s apparition or event would be, making it almost impossible for anyone else to get near to see what was going on. This was a chance for me to explore the city on my own, without chaperones or anyone else telling me where to go; I could go where I wanted, when I wanted, however I wanted.

Most days I stuck to the long, winding vineyards, with the miniature, tree-like grape vines providing a cool and quiet peace. They offered shade in the afternoon, and contrasted starkly to the heat and humidity of summer in Louisiana. The crisp breezes ruffled the leaves, and as I passed through the millions of purple or green, round, juicy grapes just ready to burst, they seemed to be begging for someone (like me) to stop and devour them. There were even wild berries of some sort, nestled in a thorny clove, sweet and delicious. After stopping for a taste, I would turn down narrow dirt rows leading between the vines, ending up in front of a little house, or perhaps on another dirt road, or in the middle of nowhere. Now and then I got lost, but I was always able to find my way back to the main road.

Once I happened to stumble upon a little green, grassy clearing in the middle of a woods, surrounded by old stone walls no higher than a tree stump. The cool winds picked up, swaying the long grass; it felt like the Holy Spirit blowing down from heaven. Nearby was a tiny pigpen, with great, huge, smelly hogs filling it up. Oddly enough, they weren’t repulsing, but actually somehow added to the scene to make it just right.   

When I left the vineyards, I would make my way down into town, past all of the bright tourist shops that have sprung up over the years, and on to The Risen Christ. During the day, the plaza surrounding this larger-than-life statue was crammed with pilgrims hoping to get a drop of the miraculous water that slowly trickled from its side. On my morning runs, though, nearly deserted, this place was mine. This world was mine. This God was mine.

As I made my way back through town, slowly I would begin to see signs of life. Shop owners were beginning to set up for the day, pulling out carts filled with beautiful rosaries and hand-made statues of Mary. In tents, or sleeping in their cars near the edge of the vineyards, pilgrims began to pop out, stretching and yawning. The church bells were ringing. The sound of singing voices could be heard in the distance. The world was not mine alone any longer, yet sharing it with others was half as fun.

Running anywhere else is just a pleasant pastime of mine, but in Medjugorje it became a part of me. It was my time to be able to meditate on all of the things going on around me, with the steady beat of my feet going down the path, not always knowing where it was leading, but knowing that no matter where I ended up, I would be okay.

Emmi is a 16 year-old Junior at Baton Rouge Magnet School.

A Challenging Youth Pilgrimage

by Paige LaCour

Raised in a colorful, Catholic, Italian family, I’ve been enrolled in Catholic schools for the majority of my life. Only recently have I developed a passionate appreciation for my faith. I go by the name of Paige LaCour and I am 17 years old.

This summer [2007], my trip to Medjugorje began with many challenges. An hour before my plane was scheduled for take off from New Orleans to Washington D.C. , I realized that my passport was not in the bags that I had certainly checked and double-checked previously. As I dumped all of my belongings onto the airport floor, searching, digging, and prying, and hoping, I failed to panic. I was confident that, despite my irresponsibility, God's plan for me would prevail.  Fortunately, He wanted me to go; and my uncle was able to rush it over from the West Bank, just in time. When I arrived in Washington for my connection flight, the problems tagged along too. Our flight was delayed for 3 hours. As I waited, I decided to grab a strawberry smoothie conveniently priced with a special airport bonus charge, and some hot Mexican Queso. The smoothie had an unfavorable banana flavor instead, and before I could dip my first chip, the bag of cheese dip escaped my fingers and crashed onto the floor. It was then that we were called to re-board the plane while the flight crew worked through mechanical difficulties. This added an extra hour between Medjugorje and me.

It seems that with all of my unfortunate happenstances, I could have been easily frazzled, but instead, I was graced with a sense of calmness in my anticipation. On this journey of mine, I left no room for doubt; knowing in my heart, that surrendering myself to a will greater than my mind may be able to conceive, can only lead  me to a place past the limits of my imagination.

In 1981 the Virgin Mary started to appear to six young, ordinary, resident children. I admire those visionaries. Like them, I want people to see the love of Christ through me. People from all over the world visit this village to experience the intense presence of the Holy Spirit and to observe the discipline and strong faith that the humble people there exhibit. The village has been through trying times of war and repression, but remained dedicated to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

There was an estimated 35,000 people from all over the world in the village at the time we visited, for a youth festival. The girls and the boys in our Sojourners group lived in separate houses that were surprisingly more modern than we had anticipated, despite their simplicity. Our hosts were an inviting and welcoming family. Each morning and night they graciously served home-cooked European meals. The houses were within walking distance from the church, located in the center of the village.

Here we celebrated daily Mass, sometimes more than once a day, nightly Eucharistic adoration, and even a dramatic play about the gospels.  In addition, we climbed Apparition Hill to pray the rosary at the original site of the apparitions. Some of us also meditated on the Stations of the Cross while climbing Cross Mountain at 2:00 in the morning. At the top of the mountain, as the sun rose, a lively Mass celebration was held. The beauty of it all cannot be justified with words. On Mary's birthday, we processed through the town on a windy night with lit candles. While we sang and prayed, a powerful storm showered us. It was a much needed rain, because the town had been without it for three months. We were able to experience, on two occasions, the visionaries receiving messages from the Virgin Mary. Our Mother asks for pure and unconditional love for God.

I wanted to share something that I wrote while I was in Medjugorje on August 7, 2007: 

It’s 5:50A.M. as I sit on the balcony soaking up the fresh air. No one in my house is up quite yet; so I enjoy the brilliant sunrise alone.  I listen to the church bells coming from a short distance.  As I do this, I have time to reflect on last night.  It was an amazing first evening in Medjugorje.  Our tour guide briefed us on the history of the sites before we hiked trough the grape vineyard that lead us to a cemetery.  It resembled the cemeteries in New Orleans, even though the people are buried underground.  We learned about the spiritual leader of the visionaries and his life dedication to the Lord. Our walk led us to a giant statue of the Risen Christ. From the leg of the bronze monument was a continuous drip. I was informed that the drip has been studied and is the same chemical makeup as human tears. The scientific evidence was so insignificant compared to the greatness of God’s miracles. I make the sign of the cross touching the moisture to my face, as I silently stand there and pray. Along the path near by, I see some mosaic art that displays the Stations of the Cross. This was built for people who don't have the opportunity to climb the mountain. I admire the details and think of the effort that went into the elaborate, colorful pieces. I notice music playing from the opposite side of the church, and then I walk towards it. As I turned the corner, I see hundreds of people, some on their knees, some with their heads down, and others with their hands lifted. They were all there for Adoration, and the feeling of peace was undeniable. I wish that everyone could experience the thick blanket of happiness that warms the air here. I appreciate such a place that makes it easy to know God personally; the view from this balcony is amazing. I would be ignorant to leave here an unchanged woman.

This love for Mary that has been sparked within me has reformed many of my stubborn ways and taught me Truth. My experience in this simple village has developed my sense of understanding. It was here that I made a connection of my newly-merged school, The Academy of Our Lady. It is clear to me that God really does have a plan for us. Thank God for Medjugorje.

Teen Witness

by Katherine Schluter

 “Jesus reigns in this place.”  Those are the only words I can think of when I remember my experience in Medjugorje.  I have never been to a place where so many people worship Jesus with all of their hearts.  I could tell upon exiting our tour bus that our destination was one of extreme holiness.  From the picturesque landscapes to the selfless population, Medjugorje is truly a place that shows the majesty of our King.

            I’ve been to many beautiful places.  I’ve felt cold waves crash against my feet sinking into warm sand, and I’ve gazed upon the snow-capped mountain peaks of Colorado, but never have I felt at such peace with God’s creation as I felt in Medjugorje.  The hills we tread upon were constant reminders of Christ’s suffering on Calvary.  The gorgeous sunrises and sunsets left imprints on my heart as symbols of God’s beautiful and perfect love for us.  During times of intense prayer, the wind, on God’s command, would blow past us, softly whispering words of love into our ears.  Natural floral arrangements (no doubt, arranged by our Mother) cheerfully awaited us in the morning as reminders of God’s happiness with us as we walked on our journey of faith.  God’s love letters were not only found in things like heart-shaped rocks, but also in the broad mountain ranges scraping the bottom of the colorful sky.

            The people of Medjugorje are constantly living the messages of Jesus.  They are all so selfless and willing to serve others at any possible opportunity.  Every citizen showed love and respect to us and for the good reason of it being God’s request.  The smiles to which we awoke were more than enough for beginnings of a great new day living with Jesus and His people.  I’ll never forget the way our hosts went out of their way to give us butter with our bread at dinner.  They quickly obliged as if it were the least they could do for us, when, in reality, they had already done more than enough.

            Medjugorje is centered solely and “soul”ly on Jesus.  Although our Mother appears there daily, she tells us how we can be closer to her Son.  The messages of Jesus are revealed to all visitors of Medjugorje, and the peace found there is unimaginable.  I pray that one day we’ll all be able to experience great peace with our Lord and love, Jesus Christ, whether we obtain it from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje or even an hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

Katherine Schluter is a junior at Archbishop Chapelle High School in Metairie, Louisiana She went to Medjugorje in the summer of 2007.

“Mighty are His Plans”

by Tammy Dupuy

I am forever amazed at the vastness of our God’s love for us and the awe-inspiring way that He turns every little yes into a glorious plan. My journey to Medjugorje began in 1987, when as a young Methodist wife, I began to pray the rosary. My husband and I were trying to conceive a child and had exhausted all means that we considered acceptable. I turned to Our Lady in desperation. I had never had a relationship with Mary nor did I know much about her other than that she was a part of the manger scene at Christmas. But somewhere deep in my heart I felt that she could understand my deepest desire for a child. I purchased a cassette tape of the rosary from a Catholic bookstore I found in the Yellow Pages and I prayed it three or four times a day every day.

Only a few months later my sister-in-law contacted my husband and me to tell us that she was going to Medjugorje and taking my mother-in-law, Jean. She asked if we wanted to be put on the waiting list, and after some time we agreed. I told Mary that if she wanted me to go, I would do whatever she asked. I was, however, very reluctant and not very excited about going. One week before the trip, I got a call that there was one opening. My husband thought that I should go even if he could not … so off I went.

I was overwhelmed by the love and peace that I found in Medjugorje. As a non-Catholic, there was a lot I did not understand, but it did not matter. I KNEW Our Lady was appearing to the children and that great graces were being poured out. On October 10^th we climbed the mountain and I went off by myself to pray. I told Mary that I knew she was there, that I knew miracles were happening, but that I needed to know that she knew I was there, that I had been called there and did not just “happen to get on the trip.” At that moment an intense peace filled my heart and I felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket. My mother-in-law ran up to me and said, “You are going to have that baby.” I smiled and knew she was right. Exactly one year later, October 10, 1988, I gave birth to my son David. I became a Catholic, had my marriage blessed in the Catholic Church and have been in love with the Church ever since.

Eighteen years later a close friend of my son went to Cenacolo in Medjugorje to live in the community. Several of us decided we wanted to go visit him, and I thought it was time for me to bring my 18-year-old back to be presented to his real mother, Mary. Several of us tried to go in August but were told it was not a good time to go see our friend and that we should wait. I was so disappointed, but my son said, “Mom, if that is what is best, then we have to be obedient.” (Don’t you just hate it when your children are wiser than you?) Of course, he was right, and wow, did God show us His better plan. We rescheduled for Thanksgiving and ended up taking 20 teens with us!!! What an incredible, faith-filled journey it was. We were blessed more abundantly than any of us could imagine!  We stayed in Jakov’s home, were able to do the music and readings for many of the English Masses, were each prayed with by Father Jozo, spent time with the visionary, Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo, spent lots of time with Patrick and Nancy Latta (Fr. Jozo’s interpreter), and, best of all, we were able to be right up front in the church during Adoration. The kids spent endless hours on Apparition Hill praying together at night and grew in faith by leaps and bounds. I was able to present my son to Our Mother on the top of the mountain. And to top it off, I had my precious 16-year-old daughter with me. She had dislocated her knee a few days before the trip and popped her hip out on the trip but climbed the mountain with the rest of us as a prayer. And that young friend from Cenacolo, he had come home and was able to return with us at Thanksgiving! What a gift.

But Our Lord did not stop there. Mighty indeed are His plans. Word spread among the teens in the New Orleans area, and Mimi Kelly (director of The MIR Group) and I quickly realized we would be going back with more teens. This August we took 50 teens and a total of 70 people back to Medjugorje for the International Youth Prayer Festival! These young people have been a powerful witness to the love and mercy of Our Savior and continue to bring others closer to Him. They have formed a prayer group called Sojourners of The Burning Heart and come together to worship and share their faith with others. Several of them have gone on to college to major in theology, a couple are discerning vocations to the priesthood or religious life, some are helping area schools and the archdiocese put on retreats. They have joined retreat teams in various capacities, put on Adoration services in some parishes, go to Adoration and Mass daily, become active in pro-life ministry, speak in parishes, and are studying and learning every day about the richness of our Catholic faith. I am amazed at their faith and what God has done with so many of them. In a world where we hear so many negative things, they have given me so much hope for our future. I can see the new springtime of the Church in these young leaders.

Medjugorje is more than just a retreat or even your average pilgrimage. It is a place of grace, a place of deep conversion. Our Mother calls us there to know her Son, to draw closer to Him. And when we do…God can do so much and reach so many with just one tiny “yes.”  Next June we will be going back to Medjugorje with more teens and we would love for you to join us or send a friend or family member. Open your hearts and say yes. You will be amazed at the miracles He will work. How great is Our God!!!

Tammy lives in River Ridge, Louisiana with her family

"Medjugorje Brought Mary Back into my Life"
by Gerry Cancienne

     Because the pilgrimage to Medjugorje in November 2006, with a teen group was so incredible, Mimi Kelly asked each member of the group to write a testimony.  The witness below was e-mailed to her by Gerry Cancienne, one of the adult pilgrims.  Gerry and her new husband, Herman, joined the group from Texas.  As an introduction to her testimony, Mimi revealed another part of her beautiful story.  It’s a God made love story. 

     Herman grew up on the Westbank of New Orleans and lived there all of his life.  He married and was very active in his church there.  Gerry also grew up on the Westbank, however, she married and moved to Texas.  Much time passed. They’ve had children and grandchildren.  They’ve gone through the pain of deaths in their families and now they both were single again.  God began his plan to bring these two together (again).  You see, Gerry and Herman had dated when they were teenagers.  Herman was Gerry’s first kiss.  As she told us her story on pilgrimage, she said even back then she just knew that Herman was just too sweet a man and she knew that anyone that kind was surely going to wind up getting hurt.  So, they broke up after a few months.

     It’s now 50 years later.  A mutual friend dies and Gerry returns to New Orleans from Texas for the funeral.  At the funeral, some good friends, Jim and Mary, remembering that these two were a couple all those years ago, asked whether they had seen each other yet.  This put into motion their finding each other again, and the rest is history. God used good friends and life’s circumstances to bring these two beautiful people together again.  Surely it was part of the plan to have them join that group on pilgrimage to Medjugorje that wonderful November. 

 This is Gerry’s testimony:

     “I have been meaning to write and started a few times, but words never seemed to express how our pilgrimage changed me.

     I hadn’t really talked to the Blessed Mother since I pleaded for help to endure the pain of watching my young 30 year old son die.  When I got back to my son, Scott’s, room from the hospital chapel, he was clutching a holy picture of Our Lady and refused to let it go and he died still holding it.  I have no idea where it came from and neither did anyone else. She had to show me she heard my cries for help. I felt her help then, but as the years slowly passed and the pain turned to wonderful memories of him, she became a part of the rosary I said now and again.

     Being in Medjugorje brought her back into my life completely.  I’m not sure when exactly – was it being with the wonderful, innocent teenagers or the church filled to overflowing night after night with the townspeople; was it the music that made tears run down my cheeks or was it being so near to her and to all the people who loved her so completely?

     I watched the old and young climb those rocky mountains barefoot, on their knees or carrying babies.  They all had understood the message of Our Lady and were telling us.  I watched a tiny four-year-old girl teaching a two-year-old how to make the sign of the cross.  I saw taxi drivers saying the rosary as they waited for a fare. 

     Our beautiful Mother was everywhere.  But you know I know all these things brought her in full view, but somehow I feel she touched my heart by just being so close to her, I could feel her warmth, her love and her sweetness.  She is my mother holding me close and telling me all will be OK now.  Whatever I will face, I can be strong.  She was with me and helped me to be strong as my youngest son just had his cancerous kidney removed last week.  We can talk as one mother to another now. 

     In this Holy Week I feel her pain so deeply, as she felt mine so many years ago.

When we got back home to our quiet home in the woods, I felt so homesick for Medjugorje, but I’ve brought her love back with me; and it is so, so wonderful to have my mother with me.  I now start my day with the rosary and smile knowing I can face the day under her mantle of love.

     Thank you, Mimi, for making our pilgrimage a visit of love,

Gerry”

Mary Is That Perfect Mother

I had always been fascinated as a child by the stories of “those children who had seen the Blessed Virgin Mary.”  I remember always hearing stories about Medjugorje, but to me it was just this far-off place that I would never actually see for myself.  Through the incredible grace of God, I was given the opportunity to travel to Medjugorje, and countless little miracles helped pave my way to that wonderful place.       

This trip to Medjugorje came at a perfect time in my life.  I had been facing some challenging times as of late and so went there with a heavy heart.  To be honest, I was desperate for some kind of peace, any kind of peace.  Now I see that it was only the peace of God which could calm my heart.  The first two days there were the hardest for me.  I found myself doubting what was really true.  It is my nature to build up walls whenever I experience pain.  I would rather keep it all in and pretend everything is okay.  I can convince everyone, including myself, that everything is fine.  But God knows our hearts’ true desires, and for me, He knew that peace was what I needed.  Those first two days forced me to let down those walls and let Him in. 

What I found in Medjugorje can never be lost.  I found a newfound love for prayer, especially the rosary.  God was working on my heart the entire time, and I realized there how truly amazing and powerful God really is.  But I also learned how truly amazing Mary, our mother, is.  I prayed to her constantly for peace in my heart.  I have come to realize that Mary is that perfect mother.  She is always there for you and just wants to cradle you in her arms and take away your pains.  Our earthly mothers try so hard, but they are human.  In my current situation I found that I could relate so much to Mary.  She had so much to go through and suffer, even losing her friends and being judged for her supposed actions.  But through it all, she kept her eyes and, most importantly, her heart fixed on God.  She is my model of all that is real and pure and true.  I wish that everyone, especially the women in our society, would strive to be like Mary.  She has always been described as beautiful, and the visionaries have even said that no real painting has ever captured her perfect beauty.  The visionaries once asked her why she is so beautiful.  She answered them by saying, “Because I love.”  Our world is in such need of true love, pure love, not lustful, abusive “love.”  She is such an example to all of us of how we need to love.

"Medjugorje, the most beautiful thing I could never describe"

The following article is from Rachel Varisco, she's 18 and a senior. Archbishop Chapelle High School. She wrote this article to encourage others to go to Medjugorje.

            I went on a trip to Medjugorje this past November [2006], and I can honestly say that it was a trip that will affect me for the rest of my life.  Being able to experience a place of tranquility and hope in the midst of this chaotic world we live in gave me a better outlook on how to continue my religious life back at home.  Being there with the group of teenagers that went was enough of an amazing experience in itself.  I was always able to share my faith with those around me, but knowing I have so much support from those people has made me even stronger and more able.  The things that you are able to do in Medjugorje make it so worthwhile as well.  Nowhere else can you go to receive the Eucharist twice a day, celebrate Mass (the greatest prayer there is) with people from around the world despite any language barriers, climb a mountain, witness the miracle of the Risen Christ statue, visit with visionaries, or go to the castle of the Queen of Peace.  My trip to Medjugorje taught me so many things.  I learned just how widespread God’s love is and that, no matter where you go, it always follows.  I learned how powerful God’s love is and how many peoples’ lives were changed by such a holy place.  I learned to see God’s amazing beauty in all of my surroundings and that if you just let go and let God be the center of your life, you can experience such a peace that you never even thought was possible.  Here is a passage that I wrote in my journal at the top of Cross Mountain:

           “Medjugorje—the most beautiful thing I never could describe.  If I sit at the top of the mountain and close my eyes, I can still feel the beauty.  That’s how strong it is.  That’s how powerful it is.  It is a beauty so deep that you can’t even see it all when you look with all of your might.  The feeling you get here surpasses any sense you could feel or anything you could see with the naked eye.  If you look around and think you see how amazing it is—think again.  Multiply the beauty you see by one thousand and that doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

          The words that I write cannot even begin to describe Medjugorje, either.  It is truly an experience you must live through yourself.  Through prayer and guidance in such a holy and remarkable place, I was blessed with so many incredible gifts during this trip and I am able to more clearly see how I can be used as God’s instrument to others.  I truly believe that if I had not gone on this trip, my life would not be the same as it is now.

           I have the opportunity to go back to Medjugorje in August, and excitement does not even begin to describe how I feel.  I know that this is another opportunity for my faith to grow even deeper.  Many people who did not have the chance to go on the last trip will be able to make it on this one also, as long as we are able to raise enough money.  I truly believe we will be able to get them there by the grace of God and through lots of prayer and hard work.  I cannot wait to see what more God has in store for us on this next trip.  I cannot wait to see what amazing blessings others’ lives, as well as my own, will be touched with.  I hope everyone who goes will be able to come back with a more restored faith than what they had.  There is no doubt that a trip to Medjugorje provides you with more than just memories.  It gives you many lessons, graces, and blessings to last you a lifetime.

The Most Amazing Thanksgiving Day of My Life

The following testimony is from Alex Lorio, 18 years old, senior at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana.

Shunning the traditional belt loosening and football watching Thanksgiving that most people enjoy, I accepted an opportunity to spend my November holidays among the rocky hills of Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina.

I joined 18 fellow teenagers and 11 adults on what was planned to be a weeklong pilgrimage to the very holy European village of Medjugorje.  Since 1981, the small town has been home to daily apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has become a place of spiritual retreat and conversion for thousands of visitors.

Among the teenagers in our group were six fellow Raider seniors: David Dupuy, Roy Maffe, Joey Pistorius, Glen Bougieous, Lamar Edwards, and Peter Gibson.  Having so many friends around made being away from home for Thanksgiving a much more tastier pill to swallow.

After over 15 hours of traveling, we finally arrived in Bosnia on Saturday, November 18.  Our group stayed in the visionary Jakov’s home, where we enjoyed two meals a day of unique Croatian cuisine.  It’s been a few days since the trip, and I’m still missing the soup and bread dipping before meals that are staples of Croatian dining.

On our first day in Medjugorje, we visited what I believe is a spiritual phenomenon.  The Resurrected Christ statue was oozing water from Christ’s knee.  The bottom half of the statue (where the liquid trickled from) is packed with concrete, and reports are that the water oozing out has been tested to be the same contents as human tears.

Praying before the statue was a powerful experience and a sampling of the peace that I would feel throughout the week.  Each day we were blessed with the chance to attend two daily masses, one in English and the other in Croatian. 

Throughout the week we grew closer in our relationships with God through prayer, talks, and meetings with numerous joyful people.  The noticeable thing about Medjugorje, well, other than Mary’s appearances and the picturesque landscape, is the town’s residents.  Never have I met more peace and joy than in the people of Medjugorje.  God was so evident in their love, in their generosity, and in their daily lives.  Seeing their peace was a witness to God’s love for me, as well as an incentive to know God more fully.

The power of the rosary and a relationship with the Blessed Virgin was often preached.  We learned of the importance of prayer, Reconciliation, and fasting, to our lives.  I realized that our true place in life is honoring and revering God.  We are all called to different methods of glorifying God, whether a priest or a fireman, a nun or a librarian; in whatever we do, we are called to exalt God. 

Putting God in the center of my life during the pilgrimage helped me grow closer to Christ and His love.  When I opened up to Him, I felt an overwhelming peace and joy that I hope to bring back to my everyday life.

Arriving in Medjugorje, I was intensely skeptical of the apparitions.  Coming away, I feel certain that the Blessed Virgin has in fact appeared to the six visionaries.  Numerous scientific studies have been completed concluding that the visions are supernatural.  The visionaries were stabbed with pins and sharp objects during the apparitions and did not react in any way; sensors were placed all over the body, and results proved that they were witnessing something supernatural.  I am convinced.

After numerous flight cancellations and a stay in Frankfurt, Germany, we finally arrived in New Orleans late Tuesday night, November 28.  While I may not have witnessed a Dallas Cowboy victory, and while I did not digest turkey on Turkey Day, I managed to have one of the most amazing Thanksgivings of my life.

 Ivan’s Visit to New Orleans

by Kay Mule

Since Katrina, visionary Ivan Dragicevic has visited New Orleans several times. His talks always energize us to continue to renew the messages of Our Lady in our heart. His last visit was December 6, 2006, at St. Francis Xavier Church. Holy Mass was first, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the rosary. At 6:40 pm Ivan had his daily apparition. Shortly after, he spoke to us through an interpreter. The following is a summary of his talk.

Ivan is always happy to pray with us, but he finds it very hard to leave Our Lady. Each apparition is so special and it is so hard to describe a meeting with her. This night she came to Ivan so happy and greeted him with her usual greeting, “Praise be Jesus, my dear children!” She opened her arms and said three words, “Mir, Mir, Mir.” She said to pray for peace in the world and in families. Then she prayed with hands extended, blessing us with her motherly blessing. She prayed for all those who are sick and for peace.  She leaves in the sign of light of the cross and says, “Go in peace, my dear children.”

Throughout these 25 years, Our Lady has asked so many times for us to pray for peace and to renew prayers in our families. She introduced herself as Queen of Peace, so who can possibly know more of the peace we need, especially in these times we live. She said, “Dear children, with prayer and fasting you can stop wars.” She wants to lead us on the way of peace, to bring peace to today’s youth and to our tired Church.

She wants to bring us hope, to make us stronger and to console us.  “Dear children, today more than ever the world is going through a crisis—the biggest crisis is the lack of God in the world.” Today humanity is going into the future without God. Today’s parents are not praying with their family. There is no more faith in marriage, so many broken families and so many youth living away from the family. Only with prayer in the family can we build strong families.

Today’s humanity has to heal spiritually. Our Mother comes to bring us Godly medicine to heal our wounds and our pain with so much love, so much tenderness and so much motherly warmth. She said, “Dear children, I want to bring peace to you, but I need you. I can achieve peace only with you. Decide for good and against sin.”

She repeats so many times and does not get tired. Is there a mother so happy that she says something only once to her child and her child listens?

Our Lady did not come to scare or criticize us. She did not come to talk of the end of the world or the second coming of Christ.  She wishes to bring hope to the world and families. The world has a future, but we have to change and put God in first place. We are pilgrims in this world. We don’t know when Jesus will call us to Him. We have to be prepared and to live the way God calls us to live.

 Our Lady is calling us to make Holy Mass the center of our lives. She says if we have to choose between seeing her and going to Holy Mass, go to Jesus. She also calls us to monthly confession, adoration, to pray the rosary with the family, to read Scripture, to forgive others, and to love others. She said, “If you only knew how much I love you, you would cry for joy.” These messages are for all because we are all her children. Everyone is important because she does not have any discards.

The most important message is to pray with the heart. To do this we must pray with love, with all our being so that our prayer becomes a talk, a meeting, a rest with Jesus. After prayer we feel refreshed and happy. How can we concentrate on prayer and not let our thoughts wander? She knows we are not perfect. She wants us to persevere and be patient. We are in the school of prayer and, remember, there is no weekend! If you want to pray better, pray more. We think that time is always the problem, but time is not the problem. The problem is love. If you love something, you will find the time to do it. If you want to pray better, you have to pray more. To pray better is a grace given to those who pray more.

Why is Our Lady coming so long? What is she looking for? We have the Church, sacraments, and the gospel. Yes, we have all that, but do we live it?  She is coming to awaken us from a spiritual coma, to make us stronger in faith and love. She asks us to decide to continue spiritual renewal in our families, to decide for God. Only in God is our real, true peace.