GOING UP MOUNT KRIZEVAC - THE CALVARY OF MEDJUGORJE

The 4th. of June 2007 - that was the second time I climbed Mount Krizevac. Above is a photo of Mount Krizevac taken whilst I was walking towards the mountain.

Thus you can see how rocky the mountain is. It was indeed a tough climb. I wonder how Father Slavko Barbaric could do it every morning at sunrise. But then nothing could stop him from going there - not even the snow in winter.

Father Slavko's memorial - the place where he died on the way back from leading the Stations of the Cross on 24 November 2000. I talked to him for a very long time that day. What a great privilege to be with him alone on the mountain that day. It was the day I would never forget - the day I promised to consecrate my virginity to the Lord. To those who are not sure if they should enter religious life, why not ask Father Slavko?

The last station of the cross - the Resurrection. From there you can see the Krizevac Cross. After taking this photo, it started to rain. I didn't mind the rain. The most important thing to me was what happened to me that day on Mount Krizevac.

In the year 1933, the villagers of Medjugorje built an eight metre concrete cross in memory of the 1900th. anniversary of Jesus' death. Here you can see the stations of the cross. During the early years, simple wooden crosses marked the stations. In 1988, beside these crosses, bronze reliefs of the Stations of the Cross made by the Italian sculptor Carmello Puzzolo were mounted. Krizevac has become a privileged place of devotion to Christ's passion and has thus become the Calvary of Medjugorje. Medjugorje pilgrims follow the Way of the Cross on Krizevac on Fridays at 2.00 p.m. in the winter and at 4.oo p.m. in the summer. Everyone who is capable of climbing the arduous Mount Krizevac prays at the stations whilst pausing in front of the reliefs. Meditating on the passion of Jesus, the pilgrims unite themselves with Jesus.

The Building of the Cross

"Dear Children! The Cross was also in God's plan when you built it. These days, especially, go on the mountain and pray before the Cross. I need your prayers. Thank you for having responded to my call." (Our Lady's message dated 30 August 1984)

The parishioners and their parish priest Fr. Bernardin Smoljan had made a vow to build a Cross on Sipovac (now known as Krizevac) in 1933. The vow meant a great sacrifice not only because of hard work and the difficult climb but also because of the lack of material means due to the economic crisis in Europe and the world in 1933. This vow was fulfilled with the blessing of the Cross on 16 March 1934. The Cross of 8.65 metres contains relics from Rome. Holy Mass was celebrated at the foot of the Cross on Sipovac which became known as Krizevac on that day. (Please click here to view the contents page of this blog)