Throughout the Church, we celebrate today, June 24, the feast of Saint John the Baptist. In Medjugorje, however, this celebration has a special and unique significance, as it marks the first day Our Blessed Mother appeared in Bijakovići, the small village belonging to the parish of St. James the Apostle, in the Podbrdo neighborhood, on the once-unknown hill called ‘Crnica’—which, ever since, we have called the Hill of Apparitions.
Although the anniversary is officially celebrated on June 25 at the request of Our Blessed Mother—since that was the day the visionaries climbed the hill with the first faithful pilgrims—it is also true that on a day like today, June 24, this plan of God’s love for humanity began. On that day in 1981, Our Blessed Mother brought with her the most important and only thing we truly need: that peace, love, faith, and hope may reign. On that day, the Mother of God came holding her Son Jesus in her arms.
Today, more people gathered than on any other day of the novena. From so many different countries, with different languages, features, and cultures… All united at the feet of the Queen of Peace, praying for peace. Numerous priests and religious, many media outlets broadcasting live what was happening—everyone… Thousands!
“During the apparition, when Our Blessed Mother came, I entrusted all of us to her, all our intentions, and all those who had asked for our prayers. I asked her to bless us and all the religious articles we had brought. Our Blessed Mother prayed over us and blessed us all. I especially asked her to intercede before her Son Jesus for peace in our families, in our hearts, and throughout the world. Our Blessed Mother prayed for a long time, and at the end, she blessed us all with the Sign of the Cross and returned to Heaven,” shared visionary Marija Pavlović-Lunetti about her encounter with the Gospa, which began at 4:59 a.m. and lasted nearly five minutes. She added, “Our Blessed Mother said: ‘See you tomorrow, at the same time and in the same place.’”
Ukrainian Bishop Mons. Jan Sobilo gave us his blessing before we began the descent, praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Upon arriving at the Blue Cross and after praying the Creed, the 7 Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Be’s, we received blessings from several priests in various languages.
The Novena for Peace at the Hill of Apparitions has now concluded, but we have received an invitation from Our Blessed Mother to return tomorrow, at the same time and in the same place. Tomorrow, June 25, as the parish of Medjugorje and the entire world celebrate the 44th Anniversary of the Queen of Peace, what better way to begin this beautiful and important feast than by climbing Podbrdo at dawn—to pray, and to wait for our Mother, the Mother of God, to come pray with us and intercede for us before her Son Jesus.
I can’t think of anything better—or more beautiful!
