Medjugorje in the Church: a gift from Mary
José Antúnez de Mayolo, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ayacucho (Peru) From 13 to 16 May 2001, Mons. José Antúnez de Mayolo, Salesian Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ayacucho (Peru), went on a private visit to Medjugorje.
“This is a wonderful sanctuary, where I have found a lot of faith, faithful who live their faith, who go to confession. I confessed to some Spanish pilgrims. I attended the Eucharistic celebrations and I really liked everything. This is a truly beautiful place. It is right that Medjugorje is called a place of prayer for the whole world and the "confessional of the world". I have been to Lourdes, but they are two very different realities, which cannot be compared. In Lourdes the events are over, while everything is still developing here. Here faith can be found more strongly than in Lourdes.
Medjugorje is still little known in my country, but I promise to become an apostle of Medjugorje in my country.
Here faith is strong and alive and this is what attracts so many pilgrims from all over the world. I would like to be able to tell them all that they have a strong love for Our Lady, that they love her because she is our mother and is always with us. That's why those who live and work here must love her, but also priests who come from outside.
The pilgrims who come here have already started their spiritual journey with the Virgin and are already believers. But many are still faithless, but I haven't seen one here. I'll be back, it's beautiful here.
Thank you for your fraternal welcome and for all that you have done for me personally and for all the pilgrims who visit this place. May God, through Mary's intercession, bless you and your country! ".
JUNE 2001
Cardinal Andrea M. Deskur, President of the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception (Vatican)
On June 7, 2001, Cardinal Andrea M. Deskur, President of the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception (Vatican), sent a letter to the parish priest of Medjugorje, in which he thanked him for having "invited him to participate in the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the visit of the Virgin Mary to your region. … I join my prayers to those of the Franciscan community and I invoke thanks on all those who will go to Medjugorje ”.
Archbishop Frane Franic, retired Archbishop of Split-Makarska (Croatia)
On June 13, 2001, Archbishop Frane Franic, retired Archbishop of Split-Makarska, addressed a letter to the Franciscans of Herzegovina on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje. “Your Franciscan Province of Herzegovina must be proud that Our Lady appears in her territory and, through your Province, for the whole world. I hope and pray that the visionaries will persevere in their initial zeal for prayer. "
Archbishop Georges Riachi of Tripoli (Lebanon)
From May 28 to June 2, 2001, Archbishop Georges Riachi of Tripoli in Lebanon stayed in Medjugorje with nine priests of his Order and with Abbot Nicolas Hakim, Superior General of the Melkite-Basilian Order of the Clerics from the Monastery of St. John Khonchara.
“This is the first time I have come here. I know that the Church has not yet expressed an opinion on these facts and I fully respect the Church, however I think that Medjugorje, contrary to what some say, is a good place to visit, because you can go back to God, you can make a good Confession , we can return to God through Our Lady, improve more and more, with the help of the Church.
I know that thousands of people from all over the world have come and come here for more than twenty years. This is, in itself, a great miracle, a great thing. Here people change. They become more devoted to the Lord God and His Mother, Mary. It is wonderful to see the faithful approach the Sacrament of the Eucharist and other sacraments, such as Confession, with great respect. I have seen long lines of people waiting to confess.
I want to tell people to go to Medjugorje. Medjugorje is a sign, only a sign, because the essential is Jesus Christ. Try to listen to Our Lady who says to you: "Adore the Lord God, adore the Eucharist".
Don't worry if you don't see signs, don't worry: God is here, he speaks to you, you just have to listen to him. Don't be the one who always talks! Hear the Lord God; He speaks to you in silence, in peace, through the beautiful panorama of these mountains, where the stones are smoothed by the many steps of the people who came here. In peace, in intimacy, God can speak to everyone.
Priests in Medjugorje have an important mission. You must always be updated and informed. People come to see something special. Be always special. It's not easy. You Priests and Ministers, all of you who have a task here, ask Our Lady to guide you to be a good example for the many people who come from all over the world. This will be a great grace for people. "
Roland Abou Jaoude, Vicar General of the Maronite Patriarch, Titular Bishop of Arca de Pheniere (Lebanon)
Archbishop Chucrallah Harb of Jounieh (Lebanon)
Bishop Hanna Helou, Vicar General of the Maronite Diocese of Saida (Lebanon)
From June 4th to 9th, three dignitaries of the Lebanese Maronite Catholic Church stayed in Medjugorje:
Roland Abou Jaoude is Vicar General of the Maronite Patriarch, titular Bishop of Arca de Pheniere, moderator of the Maronite Tribunal in Lebanon, moderator of the Lebanese Social institution, President of the Episcopal Commission for the Media, President of the Executive Council of the Assembly of the Lebanese Patriarch and Bishops and member of the Pontifical Commission for the Media.
Bishop Chucrallah Harb, retired Bishop of Jounieh, is moderator of the Maronite Patriarchate Tribunal for Administration and Justice.
Archbishop Hanna Helou has been Vicar General of the Maronite Diocese of Saida since 1975, founder of the Mar Elias school in Saida, writer and translator in Arabic, author of numerous journalistic articles in Al Nahar.
They came on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje with a group of Lebanese pilgrims with whom they later went to Rome.
The dignitaries of the Lebanese Church thanked for the warm welcome that pilgrims from their country always experience in Medjugorje. They are happy with the strong friendship relationships created between their faithful and the parishioners, visionaries and priests of Medjugorje. The Lebanese are very touched by the welcome they receive in Medjugorje. The Bishops mentioned, in particular, the importance of the Lebanese Catholic Television "Tele-Lumiere" and their collaborators who organize pilgrimages, accompany the pilgrims on their days of stay and follow them even after their return to Lebanon. "Tele-Lumiere" is the main means of public Catholic communication in Lebanon and, therefore, the Bishops support it. Thanks to the collaboration of "Tele-Lumiere", several Medjugorje Centers have developed in Lebanon. Thus, through prayer and the Queen of Peace, a bond of brotherhood between Medjugorje and Lebanon was created. They are deeply touched by the fact that the priests who accompany the faithful to Medjugorje feel that this is a possibility of real conversions.
The Bishops came personally to experience this fact in person.
Archbishop Roland Abou Jaoude: “I came without any theological preconceptions, from everything that was said for or against Medjugorje, to take a personal step, in the simplicity of faith, as a simple believer. I have tried to be a pilgrim among the pilgrims. I am here in prayer and faith, free from any obstacles. Medjugorje is a worldwide phenomenon and its fruits are visible everywhere. There are many who speak completely in favor of Medjugorje. Regardless of whether the Virgin appears or not, the phenomenon in itself deserves attention ".
Archbishop Chucrallah Harb: “I got to know Medjugorje from afar, in an intellectual way, now I know him for my personal spiritual experience. I have heard of Medjugorje for a long time. I heard about the apparitions and listened to the testimonies of those who come to Medjugorje and many of them wanted to return here. I wanted to come and see for myself. The days we spent here have deeply touched and impressed us. Of course, it is necessary to distinguish between the phenomenon of the apparitions and the fact that people pray here, but these two facts cannot be separated. They are connected. We hope - this is my personal feeling - that the Church does not hesitate to recognize Medjugorje yet. I can say that there is truly a real Christian spirituality here, which leads many people to peace. We all need peace. Here you have had war for many years. Now the weapons are silent, but the war is not over. We want to express our best wishes to your nation, which has a fate similar to that of Lebanon. There is peace here. "
Archbishop Hanna Helou agrees that the turnout of so many millions of pilgrims is inseparable from the apparitions, and that the fruits of Medjugorje are inseparable from the apparitions. "They can't be separated," he said. He met Medjugorje for the first time in the USA, during a prayer meeting. “Coming here, I was impressed by the large number of faithful present, by the atmosphere of prayer, by the meeting of people in and outside the Church, even in the streets. Truly the tree can be recognized by its fruits ”.
Finally, he said: "The fruits of Medjugorje are not only for the local population or for Christians, but for all humanity, because the Lord has commanded us to bring to all humanity the truth that he has revealed to us . And to sanctify the whole world. Christianity has existed for 2000 years and we are only two billion Christians. We are convinced that “Medjugorje contributes to the apostolic enthusiasm and evangelization through which Our Lady sent us and which the Church is transmitting.
Bishop Ratko Peric, Bishop of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, on 14 June 2001, Bishop Ratko Peric, Bishop of Mostar, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 72 candidates in the Parish of Saint James in Medjugorje.
In his homily he reiterated that he does not believe in the supernatural character of the apparitions of Medjugorje, but expressed his satisfaction with the way the parish priest manages the parish. He also stressed the importance of the unity of the Catholic Church, which is manifested through unity with the local Bishop and with the Pope, just as he reiterated the importance of the fact that all the faithful of this Diocese, in the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to them, be faithful to the teachings of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
After the solemn Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Ratko Peric remained in cordial conversation with the priests in the presbytery.
JULY 2001
Robert Rivas, Bishop of Kingstown (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
From 2 to 7 July 2001 Bishop Robert Rivas, Bishop of Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, went on a private visit to Medjugorje. He was one of the speakers of the International Meeting of Priests.
“This is my fourth visit. I came for the first time in 1988. When I come to Medjugorje I feel at home. It is nice to meet the local population and the priests. Here I meet wonderful people from all over the world. The year after my first visit to Medjugorje, I was ordained bishop. When I came in February last year, as Bishop, I did it confidentially, with a Priest and a lay person. I wanted to remain incognito. I had experienced Medjugorje as a place of prayer, so I came to pray and be in the company of the Madonna.
I have been a Bishop for 11 years and I am a very happy Bishop. This year Medjugorje has been for me an experience of immense joy in seeing so many Priests who love the Church and seek holiness. This was one of the most touching things in this conference and I think that Our Lady is facilitated in this in Medjugorje. In a message she says: "I want to take you by the hand and guide you on the way to holiness". In this week I have seen 250 people allow her to do this and I am happy to have been part of all this experience as a priest, servant of Divine Mercy.
When I came last year, I found out about the Church's position. For me Medjugorje is a place of prayer, of conversion. The fruits are so evident of what God works in people's lives and the availability of so many Priests for the Sacraments, especially for that of Reconciliation ... This is an area in which the Church has suffered a lot; here there is a need to rediscover this sacrament and the need for good priests who listen, who are here for the people. I see that this is happening here. "From the fruits you will recognize the tree" and if the fruits are good, the tree is good! I accept this. I am truly happy to come to Medjugorje. I come here completely in peace: without agitation, without feeling that I am doing something strange, or that I should not be here…. When I came last year, I had some hesitation, but Our Lady very soon dispelled my doubts. I am answering the call and the call is to serve, testify, teach and this is the role of the Bishop. It is a call to love. When someone is chosen as Bishop, it is clear that he is not ordained only for a particular Diocese, but for the whole Church. This is the role of the Bishop. When I came here, I saw this clearly, without risk of abuse. The bishop of this place is the pastor here and I would not say or do anything to contradict this fact. I respect the Bishop and the pastoral directives he has given for his Diocese. When I go to a diocese, I go with this respect. When I go here, I come as a pilgrim, with great humility and open to everything that God wants to tell me or work in me through the inspiration and intercession of Our Lady.
I want to say one thing about the conference. The theme was "the Priest - Servant of Divine Mercy". As a result of my preparation for my intervention and dialogue with the Priests during the Conference, I understood that the challenge for us is to become missionaries of Divine Mercy. If 250 Priests now leave the Conference feeling that they are the channels of Divine Mercy for others, do we realize what is happening in Medjugorje ?! I would like to say to all priests and religious men and women: Medjugorje is a place of prayer.
Especially we Priests, who touch the Saint every day by celebrating the Eucharist, are called to be saints. This is one of the graces of Medjugorje. To the priests and religious of this area I would like to say: Answer the call to holiness and listen to this call of Our Lady! ". This is for the whole Church, in all parts of the world and also here in Herzegovina, to respond to the call to Holiness and to walk the path towards it. Pope John Paul II, Canonizing Sr. Faustina, said: "I want the message of Holiness and Mercy to be the message of the millennium!". In Medjugorje we experience this in a very concrete way. Let us be true missionaries of Mercy, not only by doing things for others, but by becoming saints and being full of Mercy! ”.
Leonard Hsu, Franciscan, Retired Archbishop of Taipei (Taiwan)
At the end of July 2001, Archbishop Leonard Hsu, Franciscan, retired Archbishop of Taipei (Taiwan) came on a private visit to Medjugorje. He came with the first group of pilgrims from Taiwan. Paulino Suo from the Congregation of the Servants of the Divine Word was also with them, a professor at the Catholic University of Taipei.
“The population here is very kind, everyone welcomed us, this is a sign of being Catholic. We have seen people from all over the world. They are sincere and friendly. The devotion here is impressive: people from all over the world pray the Rosary, meditate and pray… I have seen so many coaches…. The prayers after Mass are long, but people pray. The pilgrims of my group said: "We must make Medjugorje known in Taiwan". I wonder how they manage to organize pilgrimages from Taiwan to Medjugorje, how they manage to bring young people ...
Two priests, one of whom is an American Jesuit, translated texts on Medjugorje and so people got to know about Medjugorje. An English priest sent brochures and photographs. In America there are Centers which spread the messages of Medjugorje and send us their magazines. We want Medjugorje to be known in Taiwan. Personally, I would like to stay here longer, to get to know Medjugorje better.
AUGUST 2001
Bishop Jean-Claude Rembanga, Bishop of Bambari (Central Africa)
During the second half of August 2001, Bishop Jean-Claude Rembanga, Bishop of Barbari (Central Africa), came to Medjugorje on a private pilgrimage. He came to Medjugorje "to ask Our Lady to help my Diocese, according to the will of God".
Archbishop Antoun Hamid Mourani, retired Maronite Archbishop of Damascus (Syria)
From 6 to 13 August 2001, Archbishop Antoun Hamid Mourani, retired Maronite Archbishop of Damascus (Syria), came on a private visit to Medjugorje. He arrived with a group of Lebanese pilgrims accompanied by Br. Albert Habib Assaf, OMM, who worked from 1996 to 1999 for the Arab section of Vatican Radio, and three other priests from Lebanon.
“This is my first visit and it is decisive. I have been deeply affected by the current of Adoration, of Prayer and I do not know where it will guide me. It is an inner movement and therefore you cannot know where it comes from or where it will lead you. I heard about Medjugorje for the first time three weeks ago, in Rome, and I could never forget it.
I pray to Our Lady to grant the fullness of the Holy Spirit to my Church. I prayed for Christians of all denominations and for Muslims from the Arab world. Medjugorje will not pass, but will remain. I know inside me that it is true and I am convinced of it. This certainty comes from God. I perceived a spirituality of thirst, first towards God and then towards oneself. In my opinion life is a struggle and whoever does not want to fight will not survive, in the Church or outside it. What exists here will not vanish. He is stronger than you and will remain. I believe Heaven has given this region a special character. Here a sincere person can be born again.
The millions of people who have come here are not a great thing! In the world in which we live, which is exaggeratedly restless and decadent, it is necessary to underline this spirituality of thirst and stability, of the firm decision of man capable of fighting. The thirst for God generates the thirst for ourselves. It is necessary to have a clear decision, a clear vision. We must always decide to take time for God, but if we don't have it, we live in confusion. But our faith and our God are not a confused faith or God, as St. Paul tells us. It is necessary to clarify our concepts and see things in a practical way.
May the messages of Our Lady guide us in this millennium that we have started.
Let us remain united in the Lord and in His service! It is often difficult to discern what comes from us and what comes from him! It is necessary to be cautious.
September 2001
Mons. Mario Cecchini, Bishop of Farno (Italy)
Archbishop Mario Cecchini, Bishop of Farno (Ancona, Italy) extraordinary professor at the Pontifical Lutheran University, spent two days on a private visit to Medjugorje. On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary he presided over the Holy Mass for the Italians.
Furthermore, Archbishop Cecchini wished to meet personally the Franciscans who serve in Medjugorje, but this meeting could not take place due to the large number of pilgrims who asked him to confess ... The bishop was held in the confessional. Archbishop Cecchini returned to his diocese with a very positive impression on the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje.
Archbishop Irynei Bilyk, OSBM, Catholic Bishop of Rito Bizzantino da Buchach (Ukraine)
Msgr. Irynei Bilyk, OSBM, Catholic Bishop of Rito Bizzantino from Buchach, Ukraine arrived on a private pilgrimage to Medjugorje during the second half of August 2001. Msgr. Bilyk came to Medjugorje for the first time in 1989 as a priest - immediately before going to Rome to secretly receive the Episcopal Ordination - to ask for the intercession of the Queen of Peace. This year's pilgrimage made him in thanksgiving for all the help received from the Madonna.
Bishop Hermann Reich, Bishop of Papua New Guinea
Mons. Hermann Reich, Bishop of Papua New Guinea arrived on a private visit to Medjugorje from 21 to 26 September 2001. He was accompanied by Dr. Ignaz Hochholzer, member of the Barmherzige Brüder Congregation, by Mons. Dr. Johannes Gamperl and by Mons. Dr Kurt Knotzinger, both collaborators and spiritual guides of the "Gebetsaktion Medjugorje" in Vienna (Austria), who organized this pilgrimage for him. They stopped in prayer in the Parish Church, on the hills and on the grave of Fra Slavko Barbaric. On the evening of September 25, they joined the group of translators who worked on the translation of the message of the Madonna.
On September 26 in the afternoon, on the way back home, they visited Archbishop Frane Franic, retired Archbishop of Split. The two Bishops spoke about the events of Medjugorje:
“The first thing that struck me was the physical aspect of Medjugorje: stones, stones and more stones. I was so impressed! I asked myself: My God, how do these people live? The second thing that struck me was prayer. So many people in prayer, with the Rosary in hand ... I was impressed. A lot of prayer. This is what I saw, and it struck me. The Liturgy is very beautiful, especially the Concelebrations. The Church is always full, something that does not occur in Western countries, especially in summer. Here the Church is full. Full of prayer.
There are so many different languages, yet you can understand everything. It is amazing how everyone rejoices to be here and nobody feels foreign. Everyone can participate, even those who come from afar.
Confession is one of the fruits of Medjugorje. This is a particular thing, which you can touch with your hand, but which is a great thing. In the West, people see things differently. They want community confession. Personal confession is not very accepted. Here so many come to confession, that's a great thing.
I met and talked to some pilgrims. They are touched and happy with what is happening here. The time of the pilgrimage was too short to have deeper impressions.
I think that God, Jesus and Our Lady offer us peace, but it is up to us to accept and make this offer. This depends on us. If we do not desire peace, I think that the Mother of God and Heaven must accept our free will, there is not much to do. It would be a real shame, because there are so many destructions. But I believe that God can also write straight on crooked lines.
I was struck by the most important theme of Our Lady's messages, which is peace. Then there is always a new call to conversion and Confession. These are the most important topics of the messages. I was also struck by the fact that the Virgin always returns to the theme of prayer .: Do not tire, pray, pray; decide for prayer; pray better. I believe there is more prayer here, but that people, despite this, don't pray right. Here there is more prayer, there is quantity, but, for many reasons, there is a lack of quality. I believe that, following the desire of Our Lady, we must pray no less, but pay attention to the quality of prayer. We have to pray better.
I admire your service and your heroism in serving these crowds. Logistics are problems that I will never have to face! I admire you all for your implications and actions. I would like to tell you: always try to work in one direction. New pilgrims are always coming to Medjugorje and want to experience this climate, this peace and the spirit of Medjugorje. If the Franciscans are able to do this, many will welcome the good, so that pilgrims can continue to grow once they return home. Prayer groups can be founded without the quality of prayer growing. It is not enough for people to pray a lot. There is often a danger of remaining on a superficial level and of not reaching the prayer of the heart. The quality of prayer is truly important: life must become prayer.
I believe that the Mother of God is present here, I am one hundred percent sure. If you were not present, all this would not be possible; there would be no fruit. This is his doing. I am convinced of this. When someone asks me a question on this point, I answer that - according to what I have been able to see and discern - the Mother of God is here.
To today's Christians I would like to say: pray! Don't stop praying! Even if you don't see the result you expected, make sure you have a good life of prayer. Take seriously the message of Medjugorje and pray as it asks. This is the advice I would give to every person I met.
OCTOBER 2001
Archbishop Matthias Ssekamanya, Bishop of Lugazi (Uganda)
From September 27 to October 4, 2001, Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya, Bishop of Lugazi, Uganda, (East Africa), went on a private visit to the Shrine of the Queen of Peace.
“This is the first time I have come here. I first heard of Medjugorje about 6 years ago. I believe this may be a Marian devotional center. As far as I could see from a distance, it is authentic, Catholic. People can renew their Christian life. So I believe it can be encouraged. I prayed for the Via Crucis and the Rosary on the hills. Our Lady gives us her messages through boys, as in Lourdes and Fatima. This is a pilgrimage site. I am not in a position to judge, but my impression is that devotion here could be encouraged. I have a special devotion to Mary. For me this is an opportunity to promote Marian devotion in a special way. In Medjugorje, Mary's love for peace is specific. His call is Peace. I believe that Our Lady wants people, her children to have peace and shows us the way to peace, through prayer, reconciliation and good works. For me, this should start in the family. "
Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo (Bosnia Herzegovina)
During the 30th Ordinary Synod of Bishops, "THE BISHOP: SERVANT OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE HOPE OF THE WORLD" in Rome (from 28 September to 2001 October 30), Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo), granted an interview with Silvije Tomaševic, correspondent of the «Slobodna Dalmacija» magazine in Rome. This interview was published in "Slobodna Dalmacija" (Split, Croatia), on October 2001th XNUMX.
Cardinal Vinko Pulijc, Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo), said:
“The phenomenon of Medjugorje is under the jurisdiction of the local bishop and of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and it will be so until the phenomenon takes on another dimension, until the supposed apparitions are over. Then we will look at it from another perspective. The current situation requires that Medjugorje be observed on two levels: that of prayer, of penance, all that can be defined as an act of faith. The apparitions and the messages are on another level, which must be subjected to a very careful and critical research ".
NOVEMBER 2001
Denis Croteau, OMI, Bishop of the Diocese of McKenzie (Canada)
Denis Croteau, Oblate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bishop of the Diocese of McKenzie (Canada), went on a private pilgrimage to Medjugorje with a group of Canadian pilgrims from 29 October to 6 November 2001.
“I came to Medjugorje for the first time in April of this year from April 25th to May 7th. I came, as they say, incognito: nobody knew that I was a Bishop. I have been here as a priest among other priests. I wanted to be among people, to see how they pray, to get a good idea of what Medjugorje was. So I was among the people, I came with a group of 73 pilgrims. Nobody knew I was a bishop. I was for them a simple Christian. At the end of the pilgrimage, before going to Split to take the plane, I said: "I am a Bishop" and people were very surprised, because they had never seen me dressed as a Bishop in all that time. I wanted to have an impression of Medjugorje as a Christian, before returning as Bishop.
I have read many books and listened to tapes. From a distance, I got good information on the visionaries, the messages of Mary and also a little on the conflicts present on these events. So I came incognito to form a personal idea about Medjugorje and I was very impressed. When I came back to Canada, talking to people, I said: "If you want to organize a pilgrimage, I will help you!". So we organized a pilgrimage and we arrived here last Monday, October 29th, and we will leave again on November 6th. We spent 8 whole days here and people really enjoyed the Medjugorje experience. They want to come back!
What struck me and my group the most was the atmosphere of prayer. What impressed me the first time and this personally was the fact that the visionaries do not do great miracles, do not foresee extraordinary things or the end of the world or catastrophes and disasters, but the messages of Mary, who is a message of prayer, conversion, penance, prayer of the Rosary, going to the sacraments, practicing one's faith, charity, helping the poor, etc ... This is the message. The secrets are there, but the visionaries have not said many things on this point. Mary's message is prayer and people pray so well here! They sing and pray a lot, this makes a good impression. It leads you to believe that what is happening here is true. I will definitely come back again! I promise you my prayer and I give you my Blessing ”.
Msgr. Jérôme Gapangwa Nteziryayo, Diocese of Uvira (Congo)
From 7 to 11 November 2001, Mgr. Jérôme Gapangwa Nteziryayo of the Diocese of Uvira (Congo), went on a private visit to Medjugorje with a group of pilgrims. He visited the hills in prayer and participated in the evening prayer program. He said he was grateful to God for the gift of a place of prayer like this.
Mons. Dr. Franc Kramberger, Bishop of Maribor (Slovenia)
In his homily during the Mass in Ptujska Gora (Slovenia) on November 10, 2001, Msgr. Dr. Frank Kramberger, Bishop of Maribor, said:
“I greet all of you, friends and pilgrims of Our Lady of Medjugorje. I greet in a special way your respected and excellent guide, the Franciscan Fr. Jozo Zovko. With his words he brought them the mystery of Medjugorje near us.
Medjugorje is not only the name of a place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Medjugorje is a place of grace where Mary appears in a special way. Medjugorje is a place where those who have fallen can get up and all those who go on pilgrimage to that place find a star that leads them and shows them a new way for their life. If my Diocese, all Slovenia and the whole world had become Medjugorje, the events that have occurred in recent months would not have happened ”.
Cardinal Corrado Ursi, Retired Archbishop of Naples (Italy)
From 22 to 24 November 2001, Cardinal Corrado Ursi, retired Archbishop of Naples (Italy), went on a private visit to the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje. Cardinal Ursi was born in
1908, in Andria, in the province of Bari. He was Archbishop of several Dioceses and his last service lent him as Archbishop of Naples. Pope Paul VI created him a cardinal in 1967. He participated in two conclaves for the election of a new Pope.
At the age of 94, he wished to visit Medjugorje. Due to his health conditions, which prevent him from traveling both by ship and by plane, he arrived in Medjugorje by car from Naples, which is 1450 kilometers from Medjugorje. He was full of joy when he arrived. He met the visionaries and was present at an apparition of the Madonna. Three priests accompanied him: Mons. Mario Franco, P. Massimo Rastrelli, Jesuit, and P. Vincenzo di Muro.
Cardinal Ursi has written a booklet entitled "Rosary" and published already in six editions, in which he writes: "In Medjugorje and in other parts of the earth the Madonna is appearing".
While in Medjugorje the Cardinal said: “I came to pray and not to discuss. I desire my total conversion ", and again:" What joy and what immense grace to be here ". After attending an apparition of Our Lady to the visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, she said: "I am sure that the prayers of the Virgin will obtain forgiveness for all my sins".
Source: http://reginapace.altervista.org