Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Even those who haven’t travelled to Bosnia & Herzegovina know, this is a country of great religious diversity. It is an interesting mix of Bosniaks (Muslims who represent 50% of the population), Bosnian Serbs who are mostly Ortodox Christians (31%) and Bosnian Croats who represent Catholic minority of 15%. The latter ones mostly occupy the southern region of Herzegovina where a popular pilgrimage to Medjugorje takes place.

Even though Medjugorje has never received the official blessing from the Vatican, it proudly stands with Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal as one of the most popular sanctuaries of Virgin Mary in Europe. Until 1981, Medjugorje was just a small community of Bosnian Croats who were making a living by producing wine in the “middle of the mountains” (literally what Medjugorje means in local language). But it all changed when six local kids started to claim that on June 24th 1981 they have seen a vision of Saint Mary on the hill just outside the town. Backed up by the Franciscan order, which has always had a great influence in the Herzegovina region, the news of the apparition have made it across the globe and turned sleepy Medjugorje into a booming pilgrimage centre.

After some years of uncertainty and especial after the Yugoslav War, pilgrimage to Medjugorje has become a popular religious tour for Catholics from all over the Europe and beyond. The six children who are now adults claim that they still have regular contact with Virgin Mary, some of them even on a daily basis. Even though the scepticism is strong, everyone agrees that the general messages of Medjugorje which promote peace and reconciliation are universal and should be accepted no mater if you are a believer or not. That is why pilgrimage to Medjugorje is a peaceful event full of great and positive energy for everyone.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje is a unique experience filled with special energy

MAIN SIGHTS IN MEDJUGORJE

Our personalised pilgrimage to Medjugorje is designed for you to really take time and absorb the energy of this holy place. You will have the opportunity to join a mass in a preferred language at St James Church standing in the middle of the town. Built in 1969 the church has later been enlarged into a massive complex which in summer months welcomes thousands of pilgrims in the outdoor setting. The vast religious complex also includes nicely tended gardens, mosaics and a large statute of Jesus Christ. It is a great place to relax and find the peace within.

You simply cannot leave Medjugorje without enjoying the great experience of going up to the Hill of Podbrdo, also known as the Hill of Apparitions, where it all started back in 1981. The hill is located just a short drive from the town centre, but only accessible on foot. Bare in mind that the path is rather steep and somehow rough, so you will need at least some physical strength to make a 20-minute climb to the top where the white statute of Virgin Mary is located.

Most pilgrims do not just climb the Hill of Apparitions, but also the nearby 520-meters high Mt. Križevac, where in 1933 the giant cross has been erected. Keep in mind that the places of worships were rather limited during the era of socialism, when Yugoslav dictatorship officially banned any kind of religion. That is why Križevac has become a popular place for Catholics in the region to come and reflect on their faith.

WHAT TO SEE AROUND MEDJUGORJE

There are several other interesting places in the vicinity of Medjugorje that you can visit while you are here. Among them is the Patrick and Nancy’s Castle – a retreat house for  priests, nuns, seminarians and people in need of a place to rest and reflect on their faith. Behind the complex built in 1999 is an interesting story of reconnecting with god.

Another inspiring place close to Medjugorje is the so-called Mother’s Village, a very special place built to protect local orphans who lost their parents during and after the war in the mid-1990s. It is a commendable project funded and maintained by pilgrims and donors from all over the world. Next to the Mather’s Villages lie the beautiful Gardens of Saint Francisco, a peaceful place meant for rest and prayer. It was set up by father Slavko Barbarić who – with the financial help of local authorities and donations from the pilgrims – turned what was once an area for dumping into a pleasant heaven of tranquillity.

If you are really interested in discovering the secrets of Medjugorje, we recommend doing it with an expert driver guide, who will accompany you throughout the tour, explaining the complex history of the place and showing you the many places where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. You can easily spend a few days here and combine pilgrimage to Medjugorje with trip to Dubrovnik, Split or Sarajevo.

At Ekorna we organise either private trips for individuals or a larger groups tours. In this case we can also organise private mass for private assembles. In addition, with a further notice we can also organise meetings with the visionaries (the children, now adults who still regularly see Virgin Mary).

Those of you who are interested in visiting the place for a shorter period of time, can visit Medjugorje during our pre-prepared tailor-made trip to three Balkan countries (Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro) or a two-week pan-Balkan tour. As local experts we can prepare a trip according to your wishes, time constraints and budget.