While darkness and peacelessness rule in many hearts, you, little children, be prayer and my extended hands of love. Little children, place the Sacred Scripture in a visible place in your family and read it, so that it may be an encouragement for you to conversion and a new life; because Satan is strong and seduces hearts. Your hearts, through my maternal Heart, I desire to commend to the Heart of my Son Jesus so that He, the Risen One, may reign in you and joy may begin to reign in you and around you.
Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Message of Mary Queen of Peace (With Ecclesiastical approval)
Pope Leo XIV Worldwide
Rosary
Mary's call in Medjugorje is a call to Peace, and Pope Leo XIV has been following suit. On May 30th, 2026, during the Marian month, those throughout the world who responded to the Pope's invitation, gathered together to say the rosary There were several major Shrines, including Medjugorje, Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace, who united in prayer. The Pope specifically led the Joyful Mysteries entrusting those affected by war to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace.
June 2026 Pilgrimage in Medjugorje
Deepening the Faith One Pilgrim @ a Time
We had SO MUCH FUN on our June 2026 pilgrimage!
Pilgrims Kurt and Patty Hettermann have traveled with Pilgrims' Peace Center multiple times, and this time they brought their two sons, their niece, Patty's brother, and her best friend. Their familial love for one another helped our larger pilgrimage family bond closer than ever, while Fr. Erin Donlon brought levity and smarts to every conversation. We were so fortunate to have his spiritual direction; the world is lucky to have Fr. Donlon in the priesthood.
In addition to the daily activities of mass, confession, rosary, adoration, apparition hill, and cross mountain, we found time to seek rest & relaxation at Kravica Waterfalls. The beauty was so breath-taking and the swimming 'hole' so refreshing that we've decided to incorporate the outing into all of our pilgrimages going forward (weather permitting)!
A trip to Mostar provided us the opportunity to hear Fr. Svet Kraljevic, OFM, speak (go to our website to listen to his talk), and we participated in Fr. Donlon's celebration of mass at the Franciscan Church of St. Peter and St. Paul We were also blessed with a visit to home of visionary, Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez, and hear Ivanka's story first hand. Ivanka was the first to see Our Lady on June 24th, 1981. Her prayer mission from Our Lady is to pray for families.
Let us remember, Mary's mission is simple in words, but not necessarily easy in action, to lead souls to Her Son, Jesus. The experience is different for each Pilgrim who travels to Medjugorje, but over the many trips we've guided, there are a few consistent themes.
A deepening of one's faith
Unexpected surprises, even miracles
An overall great experience
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A desire to become part of Our Lady's Mission
We are ALL pilgrims, who make up Pilgrims' Peace Center. Please, come JOIN US on our next trip, Feb. 24 - March 5, 2026! For more trip details and for a downloadable registration form, go to pilgrimspeacecenter.org
A Pilgrim's Testimony: Medjugorje and Our Lady Saved My Soul
I feel incredibly humbled for all the graces I have received through our Lord through the intercession of his Holy Mother. Medjugorje and Our Lady saved my soul. I wasn’t the best follower of Christ, I went to church but didn’t seek or feel the presence of our Lord. I am eternally indebted to my wife for bringing me to Medugorje. I came with an open, albeit skeptical mind. My first visit was an eye opener. Witnessing the devotion, love, and glory of our Lord in that beautiful town left me wanting more. I started to pray more and was excited to go on the trip back with Sandy and Mike. That pilgrimage brought me incredibly close to our Holy Mother. Her guidance led me to quit drinking and the 5 Stones of Medjugorje have become the foundation of my faith.
- Kurt Hettermann
Local Lunch Time!
Spring/Summer, 2026
Fr. Erin Donlon
An 'A Team' Priest
Father Erin M. Donlon was our Spiritual Director on the June 3rd–12th, 2026 Pilgrimage. With his witty jokes, profound stories, and theological teachings, the pilgrims on the trip put him on the 'A Team' of priests!
Thank you Father Donlon for one of the most enjoyable pilgrimages ever, you are always welcome back when time permits!
Time permitting is a huge question however, given he is a VERY busy man. Father Donlon is from the Diocese of Portland, ME, and is also from a pedigree Navy family. "My dad and my grandfather were '74 and '49 Naval Academy graduates," he says. "And so I remember from an early age just always wanting to go to either the Navy or Marine Corps."
He also had dreamed of becoming a Catholic priest. "I was heavily inspired by the great examples of the priests that I was exposed to in my home parish," he says.
Father Donlon received the sacrament of holy orders from Portland Bishop James T. Ruggieri through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit.
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston.
Fr. Donlon's trip to Medjugorje this past June was his first, and as the Trinity would have it, the day he left for Medjugorje, was his 1 year anniversary as a priest!!!
Effective communication lies at the heart of successful business operations. From internal team collaboration to external client interactions, clear and concise messaging can make all the difference. Companies that prioritize transparent communication foster trust, streamline processes, and enhance overall productivity. Leveraging modern tools and platforms for seamless communication
There are no 'coincidences' when it comes to Our Lady and Jesus' plans for those making their way to this sacred stronghold on earth!
If you know a priest who is a good fit for PPC and is interested in being a Spiritual Director on one of our trips, please direct them to annie@pilgrimspeacecenter.org. We keep a running list of interested clergies. Please note, the cost for Priests and Deacons are covered by Pilgrims' Peace Center
Fr. Donlon's joy as he greets his next
Fr. Donlon celebrating mass in St. Peter & St. Paul Church in Mostar.
Fr. Donlon on Cross Mountain with Zach, Wayne, and Annie.
Spring/Summer, 2026
Cente ue
Next Pilgrimage: Feb 24 - March 5, 2027
You are warmly invited to join us on our next Pilgrimage to Medjugorje!
OUR PILGRIMAGE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• Round Trip Airfar e: Includes taxes and luggage fees to Croatia, and private motercoach to Medjugorje.
• Accommodations : Air-conditione d in twin-bedde d room s w ith private bath s, doub le occupancy, at the beautif ul Pen sione of Visionar y Vicka’s family. (A fe w sin gle room s are availab le w ith a n adde d charge of $350: First come, first served.)
• Two Meal s Da ily: Tw o delic ious, home-cooked , large fami ly sty le meal s are provide d daily. ( The third is on your own.)
• Spiritua l Directio n & G uide: Al l pilgrimage s are accompanie d b y a Pries t w ho provide s Spiritual Direction . Excellen t English-speakin g local guide/interprete r w ith first-ha nd knowledge of the apparition s: Željk a Rož ić i s a firs t c ousin of the visionar y Vicka , a nd h as 40 years ' experienc e guiding pilgrims in Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Praye r an d Activities : Dai ly Mas s, Sacramen t of Reconciliat ion, Eucharist ic Adorat ion, Praye r of the Rosary, Presenc e at the Church durin g Our La dy ’ s apparition s, Prayer s for Healing , Climbin g Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, Talks by visiting and local priests, and visionaries when available.
• Othe r activities : (lik e a day tr ip to Mosta r or Krav ica Waterfall s ) may be schedule d durin g the week . You will have plenty of personal time for self-prayer, reflection, shopping, and rest.
• Optiona l humanitaria n works : Participat ion in hands- on humanitaria n activitie s in a nd around Medjugorje through Pilgrims’ Peace Center will be announced on site.
• Croatia: One late afternoon and night in Croatia; the hotel is included in your package.
• TOTA L PACKAGE PRICING : varie s base d on y our departure cit y & paymen t date; cal l A nnie @ 206.931.1865 to ge t y our speci fic package pricin g. Gener al A ir & Ground $4,350.00. Ground only $2,350.00 (10% off al l package s for Pilgrimage Tours ’ A lumni w ho brin g a pers on that h as neve r bee n to Medugorj e!). To secure thi s reservat ion pricing , ful l paymen t i s due b y De c 20, 2026, otherwis e additional charges may apply. Absolute deadline is Feb 15th, 2027; prices may vary significantly.
For more details & to download your reservation form go to pilgrimspeacecenter.org
OUR CATHOLIC CATECHISM ON PILGRIMAGES
Our Catechism sets a theological foundation for pilgrimages that recognize pilgrimages as a practice that fosters prayer, conversion, and participation in the Church's sacramental life. CCC 2691 – "Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer. CCC 1674 – Pilgrimages are officially recognized as a longstanding and authentic form of Catholic devotion.
As Father Svetozar "Svet" Kraljevic told us in June, "I believe a pilgrimage is the ultimate form of prayer, when we become prayer itself. It's the best investment one can make. A time when the word becomes flesh and the flesh is word."
PPC Humanitarian Work
Fulfilling Mary's Mission to Bring Us to Jesus
from nearly 80 different countries traveled to unite in faith and prayer.
Pilgrims' Peace Center strives to award an annual scholarship to one youth between the ages of 18 and 23 to attend the Youth Festival . If you want 100% of your donations to go to youth scholarships, let us know at annie@pilgrimspeacecenter.org
us to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and bury the dead. (CCC 2447)
For the past 50 years, PPC has attended to these particular struggles people face. If you want 100% of your donations to go to these acts of mercy, let us know at annie@pilgrimspeacecenter.org
Projects
Whether contributing funds to Mother's Village, or providing wheelchairs to St. Joseph the Worker facility for children with disabilities, you have the opportunity to contribute financially, and to participate in project work firsthand while on your pilgrimages with us!
If you want 100% of your donations to go PPC projects, let us know at annie@pilgrimspeacecenter.org
Your general donations will be allocated to Scholarships, Works of Mercy, Projects, & Administration.
PPC Humanitarian Works: Small Yet Mighty
This year the generosity of our donors continues to make a difference in the lives of the local people in Medjugorje. Given the generosity of the following PPC pilgrims, to date, PPC has distributed $7,600.00 to various works of mercy. Thank you pilgrims, for donating your time, money, and prayers, to this precious cause!
Shannon Reese
Lee Callaghan
Patty Hettermann
Kurt Hettermann
Sandy Tobin
Mike Tobin
Kathy Dunworth
Margie & Bob Brown
Sean Callaghan
Susan Puryn
Trish Home
Gail O'Conner
Diane Weaver
Christine Hubbell
In the first half of 2026 we distributed $7,900.00 to the following organizations and families:
St Joseph the Workers
Mother's Krispena Village Community of Merciful Father Local Families in Need
In the second half of the 2026 we are seeking $4,500.000 to provide a youth scholarship!
DONATE NOW !
Spring/Summer, 2026
PPC Rosary Ministr y
The Power of the Blessed Rosary Beads a Pilgrims' Testimonial
In Medjugorje, I purchased a bag of Rosaries and had them blessed by Our Lady and by Father Michael Dion. When I returned home from the pilgrimage, I gifted the rosaries to several friends and family members. Within the following months, several events transpired that were nothing short of miraculous. one friend had a mass surgically removed, and her doctors were baffled that the mass came back benign. Another finally got physical custody of his child after many years of estrangement. I, myself, experienced the healing of family relationships that had been strained for years. I believe wholeheartedly that all of this is fruit from my trip to Medjugorje, from Our Lady, and Her Son Jesus. Thanks be to God.
- Shannon Callaghan Reese
Receive a Blessed Rosary: Would you like a rosary blessed by Our Lady and by one of our Spiritual Directors/Priests who were on pilgrimage with us?
Pilgrims' Peace Center will ship one to you upon request. Request one here. Shipping costs apply.
For 45 years, Mar y has appeared daily in Medjugorje. During the recitation of the rosar y and before evening mass, Our Lady appears and blesses all our religious articles In Her messages over the years, there have been many references by Our Lady, to the importance of prayer, especially praying the rosary. Though Her blessing is upon us, She also emphasizes the importance of having our sacred articles blessed by a priest as well.
On June 2, 2006, during the monthly apparition to the visionar y Mirjana Dragićević-Soldo, she described the account this way: "Our Lady blessed all of us who were present and all the religious articles that we brought with us for blessing. With a serious expression on her face, Our Lady emphasized again the priestly blessing. With pain and love at the same time Our Lady said: 'Remember, children of mine, that it is my Son blessing you. Do not accept it so lightly. There is no way without my Son. Do not think that you will have peace and joy if you do not have Him in the first place."
Pilgrim Shannon Callaghan Reese felt so blessed by her rosaries, that she made the suggestion to build a PPC Rosar y Ministry. Not only has Shannon suggested it, she has volunteered to lead it! So please go to our PPC Rosar y Ministr y Page to request a blessed rosar y and/or to volunteer to help Shannon with the ministry May you and your family encounter blessing and conversation through your practice of prayer.
Pilgrims' Peace Center Issue - 51
Boots On The Ground
Reporting from Medjugorje: Pilgrims' Peace Center Guide, Željka Rožić
Youth Festival August 1st-6th, 2026
The annual Youth Festival in Medjugorje is an unforgettable week as thousands of young hearts from across the globe unit in a vibrant celebration of faith!
The Annual Youth Festival kicked off on Aug 01, 2026, 5:00 PM and will continue through Aug 06, 2026, 2:00 AM, Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here is a clip of the opening ceremonies!
From Vatican News, in 2025 our Pope Leo XIV said to those attending the International Youth Festival in Medjugorje, that no one walks alone on the path of life. In his message centered on the theme " We will go to the house of the Lord," he emphasized genuine human connection over digital isolation.
This year's theme is, "Ad Fontem! — To the Source!" There will be special daily highlights that include a sunrise rosar y on Apparition Hill, a candlelight procession with the statue of Our Lady, community presentations by the Cenáculo group, and a final dawn Mass on Cross Mountain.
As an organization, PPC does it's best to send 1 youth a year to attend the festival. If you'd like to contribute to youth scholarships please do so here.
With boots on the ground, our Pilgrims' Peace Center guide, Željka Rožić, will be providing us updates during the week which we will published for you exclusively.
THANK YOU ŽELJKA!!!
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