A MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM MEDJUGORJE

Statue of the Queen of Peace, Medjugorje

When Yugoslavia's communist dictator, Josip Broz Tito, died in 1980, there was fear and uncertainty in the country amid an economic depression. As a multi-ethnic federation of six republics, namely, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including Vojvodina and Kosovo) and Slovenia, what was going to happen to Tito's united Yugoslavia following his death? Would the death of Tito also mean the death of Yugoslavia? These were the questions which many would like to have answers during those days of economic hardship and turbulence. However, the Mother of God was watching over Her children and it did not take very long before she made her first appearance in a remote village called Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

One year after Tito's death, on June 24, 1981, six Croatian village kids (2 boys and 4 girls) aged from 10 to 16, began to report visions of the Mother of God. From that moment, things would never be the same again for Medjugorje. The Mother of God had since continued to appear to them, almost every day, to convey the messages of the Gospel, calling for peace, prayer, penance and conversion. During the turbulent decade following Tito's death, at a time when peace was hard to come by, Our Lady of Medjugorje identified Herself to the visionaries as the "Queen of Peace". As what Jean Vanier says, "Peace is the fruit of love, a love that is also justice." Despite the war, Our Lady of Medjugorje attracted a growing number of pilgrims from all over the world to Medjugorje. Finding peace in war-torn Bosnia, none of those who made religious pilgrimages to Medjugorje was killed or injured. Many confessed and were reconciled with God and the Church. They returned to prayer and fasting thus renewing themselves in Christ. Faith brings peace and joy. Needless to say, the faithful who achieved true conversion have found genuine peace and joy in God's presence in this small village.

According to Father Slavko barbaric, peace can be attained through fasting as it helps us to gain self-control. In a way, fasting also makes us feel at peace. Peace can also be attained through prayer - it should be noted that prayer is not simply reciting the Our Fathers and Hail Marys as it goes much deeper than that. According to John Vianney, "Prayer is nothing else but union with God. In this intimate union, God and the soul are fused together like two bits of wax that no one can ever pull apart." Through our prayers, God's presence becomes a part of us just like the oxygen that fills our lungs and arteries.

Our Lady of Medjugorje does not bring new revelations or new truths of the Christian faith to the world. The messages of Medjugorje are pure and simple as they are fundamentally identical to the messages of Lourdes and Fatima - these Gospel messages are calling for peace, prayer, penance, and conversion. Through Her messages to the visionaries, the Mother of God reminds us of the eternal truths of the Gospel, invites us to intensify our faith, revive our hope and strengthen our love. Her messages thus enable the faithful to find the true meaning of the Gospel. 

Peace I leave with you and my peace I give you. Do not be distressed and do not be fearful (John 14:27). Uniting ourselves with God through prayer is a source of peace as the Lord will give you continued peace in every possible way (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Taking hold of the peace we have and being at peace with God in the midst of our struggles, worries, and fears, will make our burdens of life seem much easier to bear. For those who wish to experience the peace of God and are looking for a place to calm their minds and overcome their stress, anxieties, and problems, why not make a trip to Medjugorje? In this beautiful place of peace, you can present your requests to God and the peace of God will guard over your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7). Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

On 26 June 1981, the third day of the apparitions, Our Lady appeared to Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti while the seer was descending Podbrdo Hill. These were Her words to the visionary on that day:

Peace, peace, peace - and only peace.

Peace must rule between man and God

and also among the people! 

While Our Lady were saying these words, Marija could see a cross behind her, an obvious sign that this was a message from God. Now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through Our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). And let the peace of Christ reign in our hearts, since we were called to that peace as members of one body (Colossians 3:15).

On 6 August 1981, the word MIR (meaning peace in Croatian) could be seen on the sky over the Krizevac Cross and it was also on that day that Our Lady identified herself as the "Queen of Peace" during Her apparition to the visionaries. In today's chaotic world, peace is an essential factor in our lives. That is why Our Lady had specifically introduced herself as the Queen of Peace. For He will establish peace in the land that we may lie down to rest without fear (Leviticus 26:6).

The apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje are clear indications of her special role in the salvation of the world. They are signs of the Virgin Mary's presence in the Church and in the lives of the faithful. Apparitions have always been connected with the messages of God and renewed faith. That is why Medjugore is also known as a place for conversions and spiritual revival. 

You may also like to read THE MIRACLES OF MEDJUGORJE, SUPERNATURAL EVENTS IN MEDJUGORJE; THE APPARITIONS OF OUR LADY AT MEDJUGORJE; and IS MEDJUGORJE A SATANIC CULT? To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

Reference:

1.  Medjugorje. Information Center "MIR" Medjugorje.

2.  The New American Bible. New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers.