6
February 15, 1995

NEWS

NUMBERS OF HOLY COMMUNIONS

Although January was a month with only a few pilgrims, still 24.500 Holy Communions were distributed during that month.

ARGENTINE BISHOP VISITS MEDJUGORJE

During his recent visit to Medjugorje the Argentine Bishop Rubeirom H. di Monteo said: "I came to know Medjugorje while reading the messages of Our Lady and my impression was that this is her usual way of speaking. The conversion of my two cousins during their pilgrimage to Medjugorje is what urged me to come to Medjugorje. One of them was a communist and the other a fascist. This fruit and my desire to see what is happening in this place motivated my coming to Medjugorje.

Our Lady's theology in Medjugorje seems to be healthy and I understand it to be a continuation of the theology of her apparitions in Fatima. In the past century already Our Lady had begun her work: Rue du Bac, Lourdes, Fatima and, in my opinion, Medjugorje is the nucleus of her work. Through this nucleus she is continuing what she began in Rue du Bac. She invites us to the conversion of heart. Here, where there is so much suffering today, people pray a lot and are being reconciled through the sacrament of penance to arrive at that conversion. By living these messages of Christ, peace becomes a real possibility and this change of heart through prayer and conversion mitigates the Divine Justice.

The messages of Medjugorje are messages of hope. Many things are happening that make the world situation difficult. My hope lies in the supernatural since human hope is insufficient.

FR. PETAR LJUBICIC IN ZURICH

After ten and a half years of ministry in Medjugorje Fr. Petar Ljubi~i} was transferred to the Croatian Mission in Zurich. Besides his service to the parishioners, throughout these years he was in a particular way and with a special love committed to the poor pilgrims and to those from central Europe who had been living under communist regimes for so many years. In the name of all the pilgrims and friends of Medjugorje we thank him this way for the love and readiness to sacrifice he always showed. We wish him God's blessing in his new mission and may the intercession of the Queen of Peace always be with him.

COMMEMORATING THE FRANCISCAN MARTYRS OF HERCEGOVINA

From February 7 - 14, 1995 celebrations were held in several nearby churches to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 66 martyred Franciscans of the Province of Hercegovina. The friars of Medjugorje participated in the holy masses celebrated in memory of their deceased brothers.

PRAYER AND FASTING RETREATS

During Lent four retreats of prayer, fasting and silence will be conducted in Medjugorje's house of prayer, Domus Pacis. They are intended for all those who wish to live the mystery of the passion and redemption of Christ more intensely. Fr. Slavko Barbari} will lead them on the following dates: March 12 - 18, March 19 - 25, March 26 - April 1, April 9 - 15, 1995.

FRUITS VOCATIONS

Medjugorje is a place where numerous vocations are born. Two young americans told us theirstories during a recent trip to Medjugorje.

"My name is Rick. I came to Medjugorje in September of 1989, responding to an interior calling which I had not totally understood. I was 23 years old. I knew in my heart that God wanted me to go to Medjugorje. But I had absolutely no idea about what was going to happen to me there. During this week, I received an exceptional gift. I discovered the "unconditional love" which Jesus and His mother have for each one of the us, their children. I clearly felt that people from all over the world who were there, felt the same--that they were loved with an unconditional love. At every celebration of the Eucharist, a multitude of believers participated, the lines for confession were much longer than anything I could ever have imagined. During this pilgrimage, I met many dear people. All had come to Medjugorje to deepen and to discover their personal relationship with God. In these seven days, I witnessed many tears of joy. I understood the power of prayer--all my prayers were answered. After I had returned home, my newly discovered desire for prayer grew stronger. I was praying more and I understood more that the Lord was guiding me and calling me to the Franciscan order. Today I am a franciscan for 5 years-student of Theology. I have a few years of study to face before ordination to the priesthood. Prayer has remianed the most important part of my day. In prayer, I continuously experience the unconditional love of God and His hand guiding me tenderly in a continuous deepening of mutual love.

"My name is John. I was a protestant. I grew up in the Episcopal church. While studying the history of the Church, I discovered that the Catholic Church has the full truth. I came to Medjugorje in 1991 and I felt as if I was at home. I worked in bringing Humanitarian Aid to the refugees. It was difficult to come to Medjugorje then. With me, there were two other members of the Episcopal church. Later on, however, they also became Catholics. I asked God to help be understand His will for me. I said "I am ready to do anything for you, just reveal your will for me. If I am to become a priest, I am ready". I that moment, peace returned back to my heart. I thought of becoming a priest in the Episcopal church. I had already accepted this and thought of my family. Later I met two priests of my church, who helped me much in discovering the Catholic tradition. They must have been Marian priests. One of them had been to Medjugorje. Teaching me the true religion, they turned toward the Catholic Church also. I returned home. I studied and prayed. One year later, I entered the Catholic Church in the United States. I thought about many orders and communities. I decided to enter into a missionary community: Our Lady of the Holy Trinity. Medjugorje has truly helped to discover and accept the vocation. I shall do everything so that I will be able to cooperate with Divine grace on this path of mine."

ANNOUNCEMENTS SEMINAR IN TU^EPI

During the seminar on spirituality and information to be held from April 2 - 6, 1995 these topics will be treated: the theology of apparitions, the participant's role in the Medjugorje events and Medjugorje for our day.

Simultaneous translations for all languages will be organized. Hotel expenses will be paid for locally in convertible currency. Participants are expected to make their own arrangements for arrival and departure. But the possibility still exists that transfer to and from the Split airport may be provided on April 2 and 6. Registration is open until March 20 at the Phone/Fax number of Fr. Leonard Orec, ++385-21-361-354.

For the needs of the Archives of the Sanctuary and the Information Center we kindly ask you to send to us all the publications (books, magazines, papers, etc.), writing about Medjugorje or explaining it, that are being published in your country. You may send them to us by means of pilgrims or the following address:INFORMATION CENTER, ATTN: FRA MILJENKO STOJIC 88266 Medjugorje, Bosnia i Hercegovina, Via Croatia.

Published by: INFORMATIVNI CENTAR MIR - Svetiste Kraljice Mira (Information Center MIR - Shrine of the Queen of Peace), 88266 Medjugorje.
Director: fra Miljenko Stojic.
Information Office: 00387-36-651-988
Parish Office: 00387-36-650-206; 650-310; 651-333
Fax: 00387-36-651-444
Radio: 00387-36-651-100; fax 651-300
E-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr; Internet: http://www.medjugorje.hr
Automatic Message: 060-325-325. By calling this number you can hear the latest message of Our Lady in Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, as well as also the meditation and the news from Medjugorje which is updated every Wednesday.

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Last Modified 11/22/2002