by Michael Heathcote
Five Go To Medjugorje
Blue Cross at the foot of the Hill of Apparitions
History: In June 1981 six children (Vicka 16, Mirjana 16, Marija 16, Ivanka 15, Ivan 16, Jakov 10) in the hamlet of Medjugorje, Bosnia, started to receive visions of Our Lady. Three of the visionaries (Ivan, Mirija, and Vicka) still receive apparitions every day at 5.40pm, whilst the other three (Mirjana, Ivanka and Jakov) each receive an apparition once a year on a special anniversary date.
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In May 2024 the Vatican established six new norms for classifying apparitions. Medjugorje received the highest; “Nihil Obstat” (nothing hinders) which states the following: “After Nihil Obstat, without expressing any certainty about the supernatural authenticity of the phenomenon itself, many signs of the action of the Holy Spirit are acknowledged. The Bishop is encouraged to appreciate the pastoral value and promote the dissemination of the phenomenon, including pilgrimages.”
The Vatican further elaborated: “The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), with the assent of Pope Francis, grants approval for devotion linked to Medjugorje, recognising the abundant spiritual fruit received at the Sanctuary of the Queen of Peace without making a declaration on the supernatural character of the Marian apparitions.”
English mass in St Jame’s Church - Medjugorje
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Inside St James - Medjugorje
Hill of Apparitions
It is up to every pilgrim to receive for themselves the authenticity of the visions of Medjugorje. It is worth noting that Pope John Paul II expressed a personal desire to visit Medjugorje and Pope Francis, although he did not visit there, officially acknowledged Church-led pilgrimages in 2019, and approved “Nihil Obstat” in 2024.
Pope Leo XIV, when as a Bishop and head of the Dicastery for Bishops, was supportive of local priests organising pilgrimages. Since becoming Pope, he has maintained a favourable view of the spiritual fruits of Medjugorje and addressed personal messages to the Medjugorje International Youth Festival “Mladifest”. This is held annually and between 30-50,000 young pilgrims and
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hundreds of priests from 70-80 countries gather. It is the largest regular Catholic youth gathering in the world.
The messages reportedly given to the visionaries by Our Lady are assessed in the Vatican by the DDF (headed by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez) to ensure that they align with Catholic teaching. The website for these messages can be seen at: medjugorje.com
Visit: In September 2026 five parishioners from Arundel went to Medjugorje on a 10-day pilgrimage. They joined up with a group of 30 other pilgrims from Basingstoke, including three priests and two deacons.
Each day at 10am in Medjugorje an English Mass was concelebrated by over 40 priests at the church of St James. Between 5pm and 6pm each day pilgrims of all nationalities queued up outside the church where priests (each with a sign showing their language/s spoken) sat and heard confessions. All pilgrims are constantly being encouraged to go to confession.
Pilgrims, who are able, climb the Hill of Apparitions (where Our Lady first appeared to the visionaries), saying the Stations of the Cross as they go. In addition, there is a higher climb up Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain) at the top of which is a large stone cross erected in 1932 by the local people.
Quotes: “It was inspiring to see so many people of all ages gathering together to worship both inside and outside St James Church for many services in different languages and also to climb the hills of pilgrimage sites.” Sandra Williams.
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“I always find the Blue Cross at the foot of the Hill of Apparitions a very spiritual place to be at peace in prayer.” Michael Heathcote
“We were lucky to have talks from Ivanka, one of the visionaries, and also Sister Emmanuel Maillard, who has devotion to the Guardian Angels that try to keep us on the straight and narrow. The Pilgrim Hotel Dina was excellent and very close to the large Church of St James; the whole Pilgrimage was very uplifting and informative with excellent fellow Pilgrims.” Peter Williams
Comunita Cenacolo - Medjugorje
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Kravica lake and waterfalls near Medjugorje
Cross Mountain
“It was great to be led through the events by Draga Vidovic, who did not see the apparitions but was a friend of the visionaries and a witness of the events. It was made clear that we all should now come to our own conclusions after hearing the compelling accounts. It was evocative to climb each of the hills”. Jim Lynch
“Visiting Medjugorje is a special time for prayer and worship. Our Lady preaches peace and the peace there is palpable.” Melinda Heathcote
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