[medj_pilgrim]

Where do I start ? I first heard about medjugorje in September 1986, when there was an item on a Sunday radio programme, where they interviewed a radio producer who had been to medjugorje, and the programme she had made was to be broadcast early in 1987. I was part of a series called 'Everyman', and was called The madonna of medjugorje.

In Feb. 1987 I saw the broadcast, and it changed my life. I knew about Lourdes and fatima, but this was different, and I knew it was real, it was happening NOW. I had to find out more, so I started to research further: how could I respond to the messages if I did not know about them, so I started to collect them from wherever I found them. About this time I bought my first computer, and put all the messages on that.

Other people began to be interested in what was happening, so I started to send out details of the messages as I received them.

I knew very early on that I would not be able to go to medjugorje, but I just concentrated on the messages: how beautiful they were ! Our Mother was asking us to change, convert, pray, fast, and live our faith. This and so much more came from these messages.

[medj_pilgrim]

I went to Medjugorje for the first time in 1990, and I kept a few notes about what happened. This is what I wrote.

April 1990.

When we arrived in Medjugorje we were allocated accomodation, and I was in a large house with a number of others in our group (there were 40 altogether in our group, including 5 priests). I shared a room, and as soon as we were sorted I had a strong migraine, probably brought on by the travelling and lack of sleep, and had to lie down for the next six hours. I eventually went out and phoned home at 8 o'clock local time, and in the evening felt well enough to go to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. It was crowded, and some of the prayers were in Croatian, English and French.

On the Saturday most of the group went to Mostar, but again I felt that I should stay in Medjugorje, and I am very glad that I did. Saturday was the day when everything came together, when I realised why I was in Medjugorje. I will say more about this later, but I went up the Hill of the Cross, Mount Krizevac, following the Stations of the Cross. It was an extraordinary experience, standing by these large stations, praying while the sun shone, and I could hear the murmerings and songs of groups going up the rocky path, both below me and further up the mountain side.

Nearly all of the group went to Mount Krizevac early on Sunday morning - we started at 6.30 which meant breakfast at 5.45. It was worth it, though. We went slowly up the hill, and it was marvellous to see how many managed to reach the top - 448 metres - climbing in a clear sunny morning with skylarks singing all around us. The view from the top was truly magnificent. We could see clearly to mountains in the distance capped with snow, as well as the church, villages and surrounding mountains. It was also a moving experience spiritually, with some in tears.

After 12 o'clock Mass and lunch it had stopped raining and I went up Podbrdo to find a quiet place. While I was there a group of Croatian ladies came and stood around the cross which marks the place of the early apparitions and they sang some of their local hymns. The sound was beautiful, strong and heartfelt. I was glad I was there.

On my way back there was quite some excitement, for some had seen the sun spin, change its shape, and other things. I did not see any of this, but it was interesting to find out that one group had seen the same as another group at the same time but half a mile apart.

Monday, our last day, started as so many had, with us going to visit one of the visionaries, Vicka. Again it rained - it always seems to rain when we go to visit - but this time we managed to get close. Vicka is so cheerful and answered the questions from all of us. She did not seem as tired as Marija had, and spent quite a time talking to us, through an interpreter. We got back in time for the 10 o'clock English Mass, but because of the rain the walk up Podbrdo was cancelled. Of course, it stopped raining later in the afternoon, so I did go up again with a small number of our group.

We heard from others that one of the prayer groups, which included Ivan the visionary, often meets on Podbrdo on Monday nights, and they were to meet Our Lady at 10.30 that night. This was the best way to end the week, with between 2000 and 5000 people going up the hill in darkness, with torches and candles to light their way. Some were singing hymns, some praying the Rosary as they went, and we all stood around the cross which marks the place of the early apparitions, where the apparition was to take place. At the time of the apparition everyone fell silent. We could hear birds singing in the valley, and on the Hill of the Cross we could also see lights as some were making the Stations of the Cross.

Of course we didn't see anyone, but could feel her presence. Apparently she did denote her presence by promising to make the cross shine, something many saw before being told about it. All I could do was to say 'Thank you' for such a week.

Medjugorje is a very special place; very few people come away from there without being changed by it, and I was not one of these, so what happened? I knew by the way that I had been invited to come, by the way I KNEW in October that I would be going to Medjugorje that there was a reason. This was why I stayed in Medjugorje, not going on the visits that the other members of the group did - my answer was there.

[medj_pilgrim]

Hello: My next pilgrimage did not take place for some years, and there was a good reason for this. I began to have health problems for the first time in my life I was left with ME, or Chronic Fatigue, known in the US as CFIDS.

I was unable to walk very far, climb stairs, or stand unaided. Sleep was affected, any effort was difficult and painful. I really did want to go back to medjugorje as soon as I could manage it, and in 1998, after eight years, an opportunity came up. Here is my diary, with extra details added in brackets.

May 1998 my second visit to Medjugorje

After my last visit over eight years ago, I was not sure what to expect this time, and how much I had altered as well as how much the war and its aftermath has affected Medjugorje.

I was part of a party from the West country, including some who went with me last time. I will now start to use details from my diary I kept for that week.

Thursday : After yesterday's journey today is a day to recover. I am very surprised that I have not had a migraine today - it would certainly have happened at home. It is hot and sunny.

Everything is so different. There are many more buildings - indeed I can only recognise the church and the two hills - very little else. It is also much further to go anywhere than I remember before (perhaps my ME is part of it). Our hotel is on the other side of the church than before, and is further away, I'm sure. I felt very mixed up today, not really understanding why I was here ; there were so many things I was able to do last time which were not possible this time, and it was so much more commercialised than I had expected, that I found myself thinking - 'My coming is a mistake'. ( I found it very difficult to just walk to the church for mass, and the group going up the hills in the early morning was impossible for me. I spent a lot of time at the place where I was staying)

Friday : I went to the Apparitions Hill by taxi with two others, while the rest of the group walked across the fields to Bijakovici, the foot of the hill. While going up we stopped several times, six I think, and reached the top just before the others. I was exhausted but elated, as I had promised that I would climb this hill as an offering for the people of Medjugorje. I did stop several times coming down the hill, and am resting. I'm feeling a bit more positive today ; it is a different time, a different me, and a different place and I must accept it, even thinking of it as a new place if it helps. (I am sure that I was encouraged to do this - it would have been very difficult to do, but I feel that I was helped to climb this and Krizevac - climbing bit by bit, resting when I needed to - this was a way I had not planned)

Saturday : In the evening I went to the Adoration Service in the Church. This was a very moving service, with prayers and music in many languages.

Sunday : I went to Mass and when I came back I felt an urgent need to try to climb Krizevac today, not tomorrow. I took a taxi to the bottom of the Hill, and climbed up on my own, stopping for rests and to pray the Stations on my way. I do not know how many stops I took, probably about twenty, but I was given such beautiful thoughts on the Way of the Cross on the way up. The climb is not as steep as the other hill, but is much longer, and as I had all afternoon I took my time. It took about three hours, and I offered my climb for those I knew who couldn't climb the hill, and for all the other people I had been asked to remember. When I returned to the hotel I was very tired, but delighted: I had managed to climb both hills, although I am convinced I had been helped.

Monday : I read a bidding prayer at the Mass, which was led by our English group, a great privelige. (I am sorry I did not write down much else, but I was very tired from yesterdays climb)

Tuesday: A bad day. I awoke with a migraine, and it wasn't until 3.30 pm that I was able to sit up. Consequently, I missed seeing two of the visionaries, Mirjana and Ivan, and going on the trip, which included a healing service (I was not well enough !) and I am still very tired. I will be too tired to go to any other activities today, including Ivan's prayer group who are meeting Our Lady on the Hill of Apparitions at 10.30 pm.

Almost all the group went to Our Lady's statue then up the hill to Ivan's prayer group for 10.30. Some wanted to take me at least part of the way, but I would have had to use a wheelchair and none was available. I could see so many lights up on the hill from the hotel, and when some came back they said Our Lady had stayed for some time and had prayed for the Pope, bishops and the sick, and they knew it included me - what a nice present !

Wednesday: I returned with no hitches .

[OnASpiritualJourney2]

Thank you for sharing your pilgrimage experiences with us Medj Pilgrim.

[medj_pilgrim]

Thank you: the journey continues, as i went again in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007. So as not to fill the forum with my journey I will abridge the next two pilgrimages, as my health slowly improved.

It is difficult to say why I went again, but I am sure that the reasons will become apparent as I retrace them. In 2000 there was a distinct link with Fr. Slavko and the beautiful Adoration service, but I will, as before, use the notes I made at that time.


August 2000 - my third journey to Medjugorje

When I went before, each time was in the Spring - April/May - but this time I went in August. I was warned about the heat, but it was still a surprise when I arrived, especially with the humidity.

Arrived late on the Thursday, and from very early on I knew that it was unlikely that I would be able to climb the hills. The temperature climbed to about 40 degrees during the week, with high humidity, so walking at all was not easy. I took my wheelchair with me this time, walking and then stopping and sitting on it to get my breath back, even when just going to and from St. James Church.

Over the days, I went to 10am Mass and to some talks (some of which I managed to record), and I also went to the Adoration service on the Saturday night. This service is always very special, and the depth of prayer is so beautiful. I also went to the same service on the last night there, Wednesday, before coming back the next day.

On Tuesday 15th August, I was expecting something to celebrate the feast of the Assumption, but the services were only as on a Sunday. There was an arrangement for the Rosary to be said at 4pm on Apparition Hill.

On the last day I had some German marks given to me as change, so I thought I would just spend it in the Franciscan bookshop. I found a tape by Fr. Slavko called "Adore my Son", and it was just the right amount for me so I bought it, not realising what a treasure I had bought.

When I arrived back at Heathrow, I was met with the news that my mother had died suddenly that day, and I had to travel to be at the funeral straight away. I did not have time to think about what had happened while I was away.

It was later when I started to listen to this tape, and all the peace, the love, the joy of my week were brought back to me.

MAY 2002

This is a brief account of my fourth visit to Medjugorje - 8th -15th May 2002

This visit was in a large group, some 60 from the West of England and when we reached Cardiff Airport we joined a Welsh group of about 90 - a real planeload. When we reached Split we were allocated seats on three coaches, and the journey from there took over three hours. I will now include details of the notes I took each day .

Wednesday - When we reached Medjugorje - in the small hours (about 2.30 am local time I think) - we were sorted into our rooms. My room was in the same building as before, but not the same room. I met a courier - Mirela - who was with my group in August 2000, and I was surprised that she remembered me.

Thursday - Because today is the feast of the Ascension the English Mass was at 12 noon instead of 10 am, so we all had a later breakfast, which helped us to recover from last night's travelling.

I went to the Franciscan bookshop, and bought some books and tapes. The rest of the day was rather quiet.

Friday 1.20 p.m. - I went to the 10am Mass and volunteered to bring my guitar along for tomorrow (it is the first time that I have brought my guitar to Medjugorje) - just to help.

After Mass I went to Fr. Slavko's grave - quite a way from the church - and took some photos. The others went up Podbrdo but I knew I couldn't keep up with them so I didn't try - another time.

Nothing spiritual seems to have happened yet - I know it will if I let it.

Tomorrow (Sat) I will be playing my guitar at 10am Mass, then later I plan to go up Podbrdo, and Eucharistic Adoration at 10pm, (I may need mobile help for this last one)

Sunday (am) - I did manage all I wanted yesterday - Podbrdo was hard, but I got up in 1 1/2 hours and down again - slept quite a lot after ! The Adoration service was just as I'd hoped - peaceful and good. I got back on my own OK.

Sun 11.pm - I am a bit tired from yesterday. The Mass (guitar) went better and I met one of the guitarists from the Welsh group. Tomorrow is the UK Mass and I will be playing with the Welsh group.

I am not sure why but I'm not making much progress this time - nothing seems to have gelled yet.

Plans for Monday - Play at Mass (10am) then about 12ish go to Krizevac and start climbing - must be back for dinner (5.pm) so the earlier the better. Some are going to come with me.

Monday - I did play at Mass. The Welsh music group were very good and welcoming. After, the group photo, then I went back to my room and with my room mate went to Krizevac - we left about 12.20 and got back 4 hours later, having climbed Krizevac (very rocky, much more difficult than I expected or remembered). I am tired and ache all over but at least I made it

Nothing has brought this time together yet. Perhaps Confession tomorrow might.

Tuesday - I went to Mass and played for the last time, and then back to my room. Later I went back to the Church to say a Rosary, then went to the Blessed Sacrament chapel for a time before Jesus. It was then time for Confessions (6pm) and it was then that it all came together.

Wednesday - breakfast at 8.am, leave 8.30 for Split and home.

[aoise]

I have loved reading all your Medjugorje accounts and how, each pilgrimage was quite different. That has been my experience too. I will be going again (God willing) at the end of August and I know that this too will be different. Since my first visit I have increasingly realised that all I need to have is an open mind and heart and let the Holy Spirit do His work. In time, I will be made aware of the fruits. Thank you for sharing your accounts with us. I am always fascinated to read people's experiences of Medjugorje. It's good also to be reminded that sometimes, just quietly 'being' is a powerful witness in itself.

[OnASpiritualJourney2]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post about your different pilgrimages. I've been enjoying reading about all of them! Praying for you too.

[Lino]

Hi ! It's my second trip to Medjugorje and there is much more people than in 2008. The temperature is cloudy with showers, and sometimes sunny.
As we are on Saturday and the temperature is not clement, the church will be too small, that' s obvious. I saw the video of Mirjana - May 2 - and I find it a little bit scary. I noticed that usually, she has earrings.

[medj_pilgrim]

There is more to include on the other pilgrimages - these are posted next

[medj_pilgrim]

I went to Medjugorje in the July of 2003, and it was hot. The place where I stayed recognised my name from before and kindly lent me a wheelchair, so I could push it and stop when I needed to. The prayers and the Adoration services were as special,

I was able to go up Krizevac in the way I had before, stopping and taking time, but it was on my own. This was not a problem for me, .

It was a good week, even though I cannot remember much more.

I made plans to go again, but there is a lesson in this, as you will see.

[medj_pilgrim]

The next time I went to Medjugorje was in 2005. I made arrangements to go to Medjugorje, in May.

What was my reflection on 2005 ? I know that Our Lady invites us to Medjugorje, and although she does not stop people from coming, there was a lesson in it for me - perhaps it was patience !. How I love going to this very special place ! I will say more about everything when I have finished my last 'episode' - that of 2007, my latest visit.

Please pray for me

[medj_pilgrim]

My 2007 visit.

The last time I went to medjugorje was in 2007. Between 2005 and 2007 life began to get more difficult. I had been on an early pension (I had to retire from work on health grounds in 1992) and it was getting more and more difficult to manage. I was just glad to be there, to pray and to thank Our Mother for allowing me to come again.

I have removed much of my journey : if you want to read about it, please let me know and I can send you details

[OnASpiritualJourney2]

Again, thank you for sharing your pilgrimages with us. Praying for you too.