What is Medjugorje?

Location : Medjugorje is a small village in the southern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, one of the six countries that gained independence from the former Yugoslavia. The name "Medjugorje" means "area between mountains." To the north, there are mountainous regions, while the southern part is more coastal. The mountains in the north block the flow of air from the Mediterranean, creating favorable agricultural conditions in Herzegovina. This area is bordered by Montenegro, Bosnia, southern Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea.

Climate : The climate is Mediterranean, with rainy and mild winters and temperate summers. There is significant rainfall in the spring and fall, especially in November and December. Winds from the Adriatic Sea increase humidity, bringing heavy rains, particularly in the fall. After the rain, strong winds often follow for several days.

Medjugorje Parish : Medjugorje Parish is located 25 km southwest of Mostar in the Herzegovina region. It is home to about 4,000 residents, most of whom are Catholics. The parish is under the care of priests from the Franciscan Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Herzegovina. Croatian people, who accepted Christianity before the 13th century, have lived in this area. The village of Medjugorje was first mentioned in historical records in 1599. St. James Parish in Medjugorje was established in 1892.

Prayer Sites in Medjugorje : There are three key sites in Medjugorje that pilgrims often visit: Apparition Hill, Cross Mountain, and St. James Church.

This area refers to the Podbrdo region above the village of Bijakovići, where the visionaries first saw the Blessed Mother. The apparitions began in late June 1981, and since then, pilgrims from around the world have gathered here to pray the Rosary. The place where the first apparition occurred is constantly filled with pilgrims. Until 1989, this rocky area only had simple crosses left by pilgrims. However, now there are bronze reliefs representing the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary along the uphill path. These sculptures are the work of the famous Italian artist Carmelo Puzzolo.

Along the path to the apparition site, there is a large wooden cross marking the spot where, on the third day of the apparitions, the Blessed Mother gave her first call to peace through Marija Pavlovic. On the 20th anniversary of the apparitions, a statue of the Queen of Peace, identical to the one in front of the parish, was placed at the apparition site. This statue was donated by a Korean believer and sculpted by Dino Felici. Below Apparition Hill is the Blue Cross, erected in 1985. During the early days of the apparitions, when the Communist regime persecuted the visionaries, they secretly gathered here to witness the apparitions. Since July 4, 1982, Ivan, one of the visionaries, has held regular prayer meetings at this site. Pilgrims come to Apparition Hill for personal prayer and to meet the Blessed Mother through the Rosary.

This mountain is located above Medjugorje. Križevac, formerly known as Sipovac, stands at 520 meters above sea level. In 1934, the parishioners erected an 8.56-meter-tall concrete cross on March 15 to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of Christ's Passion and to give thanks for the cessation of destructive storms and hail that had long plagued their crops. The name of the mountain was changed to Križevac (Križ meaning "cross" in Croatian) after the cross was erected.

The cross bears an inscription dedicating it to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, in recognition of humanity's faith, love, and hope. A relic of the True Cross, sent from Rome, is embedded in the cross on Križevac. The steep, rocky path to the summit, where the cross stands, is marked by the Stations of the Cross. Initially, wooden crosses marked the 14 stations, but since 1988, bronze reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross have been placed beside each cross. These reliefs were also created by Carmelo Puzzolo, an Italian sculptor.

Cross Mountain has become a "Calvary" site where pilgrims remember Christ's Passion. In a message given on August 30, 1984, through the visionary Marija, the Blessed Mother said, "Dear children! The cross was also in God's plan when you built it." For pilgrims, Cross Mountain is a call to meet Christ in His Passion and discover His love.

On November 24, 2001, the first anniversary of the death of Father Slavko Barbaric (a Franciscan priest who spent over 20 years guiding pilgrims and spreading the message of the Medjugorje apparitions), a bronze relief bust was erected at the spot where he entrusted his soul to God on Cross Mountain. After completing the Way of the Cross at the summit, he passed away from a heart attack. This relief, placed between the 13th and 14th stations, serves as a symbol commemorating a person who thought, acted, and spoke according to the Gospel and the messages of the Queen of Peace, the Mother of the Incarnate Word.

The parish building and its surrounding area are where most of the holy Masses and sacramental life take place. The original parish building, constructed in the late 19th century, was destroyed by an earthquake, and the new church was completed in 1969. It was dedicated to St. James the Apostle, the patron saint of pilgrims. In 1991, an outdoor altar was built to accommodate large gatherings and Masses during good weather. At the end of 2000, the wooden confessionals next to the church were replaced with 25 concrete confessionals, and 25 additional confessionals were built on the opposite side of the church. The church grounds also include an "Adoration Chapel" and rooms for small meetings. In 1998, a large hall for pilgrim gatherings and a giant tent for various purposes were constructed behind the church. The number of people visiting these sacred buildings continues to grow.