WASHINGTON — The Vatican ambassador to the United States last week reminded U.S. Catholics that the Vatican has not recognized alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as authentic. But for the millions of people from all over the world who visit Medjugorje each year, there is something very special about the village between the hills.
This March, Laurie Friel, a parishioner of Saint Francis of Assisi in Wakefield, plans to embark on her tenth journey to Medjugorje, traveling more than 4,320 miles each way during the pilgrimage to the spiritually devout site in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
“As soon as I got off the bus I could feel the peace even though they were surrounded by war,” Friel recalled about her first visit in 1992, during the height of the Bosnian War conflict. “I was placed under the Blessed Mother’s mantle the whole week and had many personal experiences that increased my faith tremendously. I felt loved.”
While the Vatican has said dioceses should not organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, it has said Catholics are free to visit the town and pray there, and that the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno and the town’s Franciscans should organize pastoral care for them. A Vatican commission of cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts, working under the auspices of the doctrinal congregation, is studying the events at Medjugorje.
This continued investigation, Friel said, is all “part of the process.”
“This is normal from what I understand,” she said. “The faithful are drawn there and as long as there is nothing against the faith and morals we are allowed. It helps the church come to their conclusion.”
“I’m sure they do see the spiritual value in visiting Medjugorje,” she continued. “Millions of people, and not only Catholics, have come to Medjugorje and their lives have been changed for the better. They have either found faith or their faith has been strengthened. I have experienced this myself. In Medjugorje, the church, the sacraments are central and life flows from there. It’s a great example for us all.”
Friel is hopeful that the Vatican will someday formally recognize the apparitions of Medjugorje.
“Like all who believe that our Blessed Mother is appearing there I hope and pray that the church does recognize these visitations from the Mother of God,” she said. “In the world today, it is that ray of hope coming down from heaven for all.”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio, wrote to Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and told him the reminder came as one of the visionaries was scheduled to tour U.S. parishes.
He said the reminder was being sent at the request of Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which has said it was not yet possible “to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations” by visionaries in Medjugorje.
The letter said the visionary, Ivan Dragicevic, would make presentations about Medjugorje, where six village children said they first saw Mary in June 1981. Archbishop Vigano’s letter said, “It is anticipated, moreover, that Mr. Dragicevic will be receiving ‘apparitions’ during his parish visits.”
Most of the Medjugorje “seers” have said the apparitions have continued every day for years. Three say they still have visions each day, while the other three see Mary only once a year now. All six are now married and have children.
After her first visit in 1992, Friel had not traveled back to Medjugorje until 2007. Her pilgrimage was to be in thanksgiving for all the graces and blessings that she had received since the blessed mother came into her life. Since then, she has been back every year.
“To be where she is appearing is incredible,” she said. “I often wonder if this is how the people felt at Fatima. I love being able to pray at all the many places in the town. All the Masses are full with everyone praising God, and to be with 3,000 or more worshiping Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is beyond words, and to stand in line for confession for an hour or two because so many people want to cleanse their souls is humbling. To be a part of all this strengthens my faith. The church is very much alive in Medjugorje.”
