Last updated 6 October 2002

20 June 2000

Colin, Debbie, Shumin and I woke up early and greeted Our Lady at the entrance of the church compound, which is only a 3 minute stroll away from Martin's house. After breakfast, Ana met our group at the beautiful statue of Our Lady, where we sang a song for our Blessed Mother. Being an efficient, helpful, well-informed, and a very spiritual tour guide, Ana then told us a few stories about the visionaries and some local parishioners and showed us around the church compound, some shops and restaurants. She especially recommended to all of us to go for reconciliation before we leave Medjugorje.

We then attended the daily English mass at 10am, after which we took a walk around nearby shops and had the yummy local cheese pie for lunch. Mum, Dad, Colin, Debbie, Shumin and I then decided to take a walk to the Apparition Hill. It was noon and thus, incredibly hot. We struggled up the hill in almost unbearable heat and could only say a short prayer before we made our way down so as to make it to Ivan's talk at 3pm.

With Ana as the interpreter, Ivan spoke to a hall packed with pilgrims about the main messages of Our Lady - peace, prayer and reconciliation to God and between men.

Pilgrims and local parishioners gather behind the St James Church at 6pm to pray the Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries. An absolutely beautiful experience. The priest led the Rosary in Croatian while the people prayed in their own languages but all in unison. At the sounding of bells at 6.40pm, all remain in a minute of silence to welcome Our Lady (as She appears to the visionaries wherever they may be). After a Croatian litany, mass began at 7pm, concelebrated with local and visiting priests (maybe about 70-80). Gospel readings are read in probably 8-9 different languages. Mass was followed by Blessing of Religious Articles, a healing service, and praying of the 7-7-7 (i.e. 7 Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be's) and the Glorious Mysteries.

Photos

Click on photo to see a larger image

Front view of  St James Church and a couple of panels of the stained glass that spans along the length of the interior of the Church.

The white statue of Our Lady with St James Church in the background.

Ivan, one of the visionaries giving a talk. Ana, our guide as the interpreter.

Debbie and Colin made their first stop at the white statue of Our Lady. It was about 7am and the whole place was very quiet. There was hardly anyone around. It wasn't really what we expected, but this unusual lack of people didn't last very long...

The interior of the Church on that same quiet first morning. I never did see it this empty again! The English Mass that we attended in there filled the whole church up. Monsignor Green praying at the pew.

Shumin greeting Our Blessed Mother on that first morning. The weather was perfect then. Not a cloud in the sky on that morning.