You have come from far way, with hours of land or air travel, to this holy ground. What attracts you here? Or what brings you here? A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place. The pilgrimage to Medjugorje is for religious reasons. It is to bring your heart closer to God by nourishing a deeper relationship with God in faith and seeking forgiveness.
What is truly a spiritual pilgrimage? You have come a long way. What are you looking for? — Leisure, comfort, relaxation, staying in a luxurious hotel or good food. Are these priorities for your pilgrimage? A true pilgrimage is not a vacation, with the time wasted on leisure. As a pilgrim, you take priority to focus your heart, devoting your time on prayers, on obtaining blessings and graces, aiming at spiritual renewal. Medjugorje, unlike pilgrimages of other holy places, it is a place of prayer. Many pilgrims declared that their hearts had been renewed, converted, enlightened and proudly claimed, “Medjugorje had changed my life.”
Tips for a truly spiritual pilgrimage
- Not to focus on the leisure for vacation comfort on hotel (or room) or food, but to give thanks on what you have.
- Treasure the morning time before breakfast for prayer, such as go up on the Apparition Hill or Cross Mountain for prayer, if possible in a small group.
- Treasure the free time for private prayer for a personal relationship with God.
- Attend the morning Holy Mass of your home language.
- Take part in the Evening Prayer Program, with prayer of the Holy Rosary, attending Holy Mass, engaging in Eucharistic Adoration or Veneration of the Holy Cross. Evening Prayer Program is the “heart” of the program in Medjugorje. It takes priority of any group’s schedule. Many pilgrims’ heart has been changed here.