I first heard of Medjugorje 17 years ago when I encountered Youth 2000, a Catholic youth organisation that organises retreats, prayer groups and other events for young people aged 16-35 across the island of Ireland. Many of the friends I met through this group had been to Medjugorje. Youth 2000 was started by a young Englishman called Ernest Williams in Medjugorje in 1990, after being inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II who called for young people to spread the Good News of Jesus among their peers at World Youth Day in Santiago de Compostela in Spain in 1989.
For five years of my young adult life Youth 2000 was an important part of my journey. I found it to be life-giving and it helped me to grow in my faith and devotion to Our Lady, particularly through the Rosary. My experience of Youth 2000 gave me a desire to study for a deeper formation in my faith at the heart of the Church with the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome in 2011-12. At the ESM I grew closer to Mary, Mother of Emmanuel, through our times of praise which concluded with entrusting our day to her, praying the Prayer of Consecration composed by Saint Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort.
Over the past several years of my life I have many times visited Knock Shrine, which I find a nourishing place of retreat and renewal. I particularly like the tranquility of Knock, the peaceful surrounds of the majestic grounds and spending time in nature, as well as attending Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration. Mary’s presence as intercessor helps me to seek God’s love and mercy, and being part of the Christian community reminds me that we are all a pilgrim people on a journey back to the eternal peace of God.
This summer God put a call in my heart to go on pilgrimage to Medjugorje. I wasn’t expecting it as I hadn’t made any plans to go there. However in the space of a few weeks two close friends of mine spoke about about this special place to me and I knew that this was indeed a call from God to make the trip. Irish pilgrims have flocked to Medjugorje in their thousands since the apparitions there began in 1981. In 2019 Pope Francis gave permission to Catholic dioceses and parishes worldwide to undertake pilgrimages to Medjugorje, while the Church continue its investigations of the apparitions.
When I arrived at Dublin Airport for the start of the week-long group pilgrimage of peace I was struck by some advice for pilgrims I received which read:- ‘The happiest travellers are the most relaxed travellers, and those who go abroad with an open mind to see and experience new things. Try to accept what the day offers with an open mind.‘ These words encouraged me to be open to the Holy Spirit and to what Jesus and Mary wanted me to receive from the trip and to forget about my own preconceptions!
At first I found the trip challenging. My energy and mood was depleted, I was struggling in the intense heat, and I was finding it hard to pray. But I got solace from the fact that I was on pilgrimage and I felt Jesus and Mary wanted me to be in Medjugorje. I was reminded of the opening line of the Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin “Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” It was into the second half of the pilgrimage when I felt lighter and I began to allow the sun to stream in.
Praying the Mysteries of Light of the Rosary at the beautiful outdoor shrine with the leader of our group was a source of consolation and peace for me. Attending Outdoor Adoration on Saturday night from 10-11pm was very special. The music ministry was a particular highlight and I was moved by the song ‘Give us your peace’. When I was prayed with during prayer ministry, Jesus, the Divine Healer, gave me that peace.
Being in Medjugorje was a spiritually renewing experience. I am really glad that I went on the pilgrimage, with a magnificent group of faith-filled pilgrims. It reminded me of how Jesus and Mary have always been central to my spiritual journey. I can give glory and thanks to God for my Eucharistic and Marian spirituality and how it has helped bring about many new dawns in my life.
“Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you”
He has led you well Patrick. God bless you.
Brilliant, Patrick, absolutely brilliant.
And I love the photo montage, as well.
Helena and I spent out honeymoon based in then northern Yugoslavia, just before the war, and driving up over the Alps in to Austria and the Trieste area of northern Italy.
We took an organised pilgrimage flight from then northern Yugoslavia to then southern Yugoslavia, into a military airport (no photos allowed!), near Dubrovnik.
We met one of the visionaries in Medjugorje, had Mass in the beautiful Saint James’s Church, and climbed part of the mountain.
A most wonderful visit.
We also explored the stunningly beautiful city of nearby Dubrovnik, the old city especially, with its all embracing walls and harbour reaching out into the sea.
Thank you, Patrick, for such a wonderful article on Medjugorje, in words and pictures, and for that quote, which I didn’t have:
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God”.