November 10:
Claim of condemnation is disobedience
The Vatican restrictions upon Medjugorje arrangements far from equal a formal condemnation, and those who give this impression in fact disobey Church authority by usurping the role of Pope Francis, says Professor Mark Miravalle who advises Medjugorje’s supporters to pray and obey.
November 8:
Media: Rome rules on Medjugorje in 2014
With a final decision expected next year, the Vatican Commission on Medjugorje will have their next meeting in two weeks, a major Italian newspaper reports. Il Messaggero confirms previous leaks saying there is neither evidence for recognizing nor for condemning the apparitions.
November 7:
Arranger: Restrictions only seemingly bad
“Before something really good happens, something seemingly bad always happens” says visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s US tour coordinator after restrictions on church apparitions and other arrangements. Recognized commentator sees the move as preparing Medjugorje’s shrine status.
November 6:
Rome restricts Medjugorje in the States
Visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s scheduled public apparations in late October were cancelled upon instructions from the head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. American Bishops have been asked not to permit arrangements that take the apparitions for granted.
October 21:
Rome singled out Medjugorje for honor
As the only non-recognized Marian sanctuary and place of apparitions, Medjugorje was invited to send representatives for the Marian Day of Prayer and Pope Francis’ consecration of the world on October 12-13. Despite the unofficial status, the Medjugorje group got front row seats.
October 10:
Commission meets while pastor is in Rome
The Vatican Commission on Medjugorje will meet in Rome on October 11. On the same day, Medjugorje’s parish priest arrives in Rome, too, invited along with 35 parishioners. The Commission has changed its approach, to examine the fruits and assess the possible presence of the supernatural.
October 10:
Report: Pope to meet Medjugorje pastor
Rome-based writer tells reports are around that the Pope is soon to meet Medjugorje’s parish priest, with shrine status as possible topic. Invited by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, the pastor goes to Rome with 35 locals. Pope sends special greeting to other pilgrims from the area.
October 6:
Incurable man was healed in Medjugorje
Cristian Felice suffered from ALS which leads to sure death. But while in Medjugorje on September 26, he heard a voice tell him to climb Apparition Hill where he broke into tears. His respirator put away with his feeding tube next, he appears as world’s first to recover from ALS.
October 3:
Vicka’s family wanted statue analyzed
It is due to the initiative of the family of visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic when the glowing statue in her room is now being examined by Vatican experts. The family wants all doubt about manipulation removed, and further discourages sensationalism which “can harm the true faith”.
September 30:
Glowing statue to be analyzed by experts
In the evening of September 29, the statue that has glowed in the dark for six days in the room of visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic was removed from her house and taken to the church. Experts will now analyze the statue. Locals and outsiders view the phenomenon quite differently.
September 28:
Glowing eBay statue different from Vicka’s
Though a glowing statue seemingly similar to the one that started glowing in visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic’s room on September 23 has been for sale at eBay, the two statues behave differently in at least three ways: Its light is bright, it glows longer – and when people pray.
September 26:
Vicka: Glowing statue a sign to dark world
I believe the statue is a message from Mary to turn to light, peace, joy, and prayer. Our souls are filled with darkness, the world immersed in darkness, Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic says about the statue that started glowing in her old childhood room on September 23.
September 24:
Statue in Vicka’s house glows in the dark
About 9 pm on September 23, a 30 years old statue of the Virgin Mary located in the childhood home of Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic began to glow in the dark. Hundreds of people gathered as the news spread. On Tuesday evening, the statue started glowing again.
September 23:
Serious blow to anti-Medjugorje books
A Dutch anthropologist often cited by Medjugorje opponents receives harsh criticism in report by scientific committee: Mart Bax committed scientific misconduct, forgery, and falsified his CV, it says of Bax who falsely claimed people of Medjugorje killed each other in the Bosnian war.
September 21:
Man saw Mary in hospital near Medjugorje
80 years old Salko Balavac, a Muslim, had never been to Medjugorje when he had a vision of the Virgin Mary floating in the air above St. James Church while in hospital in nearby Mostar on September 13. His memory, appetite and eyesight have all returned, and he says his life was changed.
September 16:
Laity leads Medjugorje movie to triumph
Watched by more than 50,000 people in 200 usually sold out screenings in six months, the movie The Triumph is surpassing all expectations. Captured on a non-existent budget and edited on an old computer, the movie is now changing lives in screenings organized by lay people.
August 27:
Every fourth Holy Land Christian saw Vicka
Organizers estimate that visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic met a quarter of the Christian population during her one-week stay in Israel and Palestine. Devotion to prayer was revived and will continue, priest says. Mary assured attendees that she and Jesus never left The Holy Land.
August 26:
10,000 attended Bethlehem apparition
Massive turnout of people witnessed visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic’s public apparition in an auditorium in Bethlehem on August 25. Three days before, the atmosphere was more private during apparition in the biblical Gethsemane Garden. Vicka returns to Medjugorje on Monday.
August 22:
Apparition unites Israeli believers
About 13,000 Christians, Jews, and Muslims cried from joy together when visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic had her apparition in Mealia, Israel, on August 21. Earlier, Vicka’s pilgrimage group had visited Biblical sites by the Sea of Galilee. Apparition tonight in the Garden of Gethsemane.
August 21:
Mary was joyful in return to Nazareth
2,500 people were present on August 20 when the Virgin Mary appeared to visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation. “The time has come for people here to know” Vicka said after several Holy Land visits when her apparitions have been private.
August 20:
Vicka brings the apparitions to Israel
Participating in an international pilgrimage, visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic came to Israel on August 19. For a week, she will have public apparitions in The Holy Land. Vicka climbs Mount Tabor on Tuesday when her apparition takes place in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation.
July 31:
Pilgrim decline threatens local economy
2013 has far from lived up to last year’s visit records. Expecting further growth, many owners have expanded their hotels and pansions, and loan repayment is a growing problem. As room prices drop and competition gets harder, this week’s Youth Festival is crucial for many local people.
July 23:
Intervention saved Mirjana’s secrets
During the war in Bosnia, the parchment outlining visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo’s 10 prophetic secrets was in Sarajevo, inaccessible to her. But a Spanish soldier felt an urge to enter her family’s house, found the parchment, then heard a voice tell him to deliver it in Medjugorje.
June 24:
Ten thousands attend anniversary
The 32nd anniversary of the apparitions is celebrated by great crowds of believers, a local news portal reporting expectations of 100,000 people present. Cross appeared in the clouds during Mass on June 22. Public apparition to visionary Ivan Dragicevic on top of Apparition Hill tonight.
June 15:
Well-known priests to leave Medjugorje
Both the annual Youth Festival and the orphanage Mother’s Village will have new priests in charge when Fr. Danko Perutina is being transferred to nearby Citluk, and Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic to Zagreb. Medjugorje Today further learns of two more Franciscan transfers soon to take place.
June 11:
Ivan tells he was shown Heaven twice
Unlike other Medjugorje visionaries who tell the Virgin Mary showed them Heaven only once, Ivan Dragicevic says Mary did so twice with him, in 1984 and 1988. Ivan describes the experience in the same way as visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic who tells she was in Heaven in 1981.
June 8:
Medjugorje statue divides politicians
A small statue of the Virgin Mary, bought in Medjugorje, has become a subject of political attention in Meda, northern Italy. Bought and installed in the city hall by the mayor himself, the statue worries other local politicians who call it out of place because Italy is a secular state.
May 30:
Marija: We must respond with our lives
It is easier to preach than to live the Virgin Mary’s messages – but what works is the latter, as Christians are called to lead by example, says visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti who points to the Pope for inspiration. To warn of the opposite she says the world offers a highway of perdition.
May 25:
Strange light moved over Apparition Hill
For 2 minutes 39 seconds in the evening of May 24, locals and pilgrims saw a bright light hovering over Apparition Hill. Captured by professional photographers, the light moved, rose into the sky, then stopped and disappeared behind the hill. “We knew it was a miracle” they say.
May 24:
American testifies to Vicka’s bilocations
In a fully conscious state, Scott Lannin from Michigan saw Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic smiling at him five years ago in his hospital room. Told by his wife, his testimony is the first public one about Vicka’s bilocations that the seer says she is not aware of herself.
May 22:
Injury keeps Vicka from pilgrims
Visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic is going through complicated back therapy and cannot talk to pilgrims in the months to come. Though another operation is not on schedule, it is unknown how long she will take to recover. A push from a pilgrim is the cause of her absence.
May 21:
Vicka is unaware of claimed bilocations
Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic has been seen in the homes of several people, even though it is known that she was elsewhere when the sightings occured. Vicka confirms that people have told her of healings through her visits, but says she does not know what happens.
May 10:
Croatia’s best footballers will visit
Croatia’s football national team will prepare in Medjugorje before World Cup qualifying game against Scotland on June 7. National team manager Igor Stimac has been a frequent visitor, and so Croatia’s best footballers will follow national top clubs who have also camped in Medjugorje.
April 26:
Positive report has been given to Rome
Well-informed source confirms short note from Medjugorje news portal: The Vatican Commission of experts who have examined the events of Medjugorje for three years has delivered a positive report. But still it may be long until Pope Francis formally decides on the case, we are told.
April 23:
Crippled woman healed in Medjugorje
After 18 years on crutches, Linda Christy from Canada arrived in Medjugorje in a wheelchair. Doctors are unable to explain why she could leave it and walk on Apparition Hill. Because her spine is still deformed, and her other medical tests also look the same as before she was cured.
April 20:
Jakov: We do not realize what we receive
The Virgin Mary stays in Medjugorje for so long because she is our Mother and loves us immensely. So little is needed for us to start loving her back. But we do not understand the gifts and graces at our disposal, says visionary Jakov Colo who appeals to firm decisions for a new attitude.
April 10:
Vicka returns to hospital for days
Continuous problems with her back send visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic to a hospital in Rome for up to ten days. Examininations will decide if another operation is needed. An eventual new operation will be the fourth on her back in less than 2 years. Meanwhile, Medjugorje prays.
April 1:
Mirjana: Pope needs prayers for hard road
Francis is the needed Pope for the present moment, and has immediately been taken to heart. But his road will be very hard with too much work to do, and so he is much in need of prayers, says visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo. She calls Benedict XVI great, his resignation a lesson.
March 25:
Mirjana: August 2 is a significant day
On August 2nd 1981, the Virgin Mary let the villagers touch her, and announced why she had come. On August 2nd 1987, she began appearing to visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo again. The date also saw a major sun miracle. Now Mirjana says it all points ahead to more August 2nd events.
March 17:
New Pope approved of Medjugorje visits
As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis opened his diocese to Medjugorje priests, and asked Fr. Jozo Zovko to bless him. And shortly before he left for the papal conclave in Rome, he approved of visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s public apparition arrangements that drew 10,000 people.
March 13:
New Pope was happy to hear of Medjugorje
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires is new Pope and takes the name Francis. Seven years ago, his fellow Argentine Archbishop Emilio Ognenovich visited Medjugorje and told the parish website that Cardinal Bergoglio was “very happy” to hear he would go there on a pilgrimage.
March 9:
Marija prayed for the Cardinals
After her apparition on March 8 in Riva, Italy, visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti asked for sacrifice, suffering and prayer in “this time of great difficulty. With Mary, she prayed for the Cardinals who are to elect a new Pope. Meanwhile, Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic told other Italians of afterlife joy.
March 6:
Mary asks Argentines to wake up
5,500 people were in place when visionary Ivan Dragicevic visited a stadium in Buenos Aires to give a talk and have a public apparition on March 4. In her message, the Virgin Mary asked the attendees to care less about the world, more about their soul, convert and say yes to God.
March 4:
Bishop’s opposition dates way back
Medjugorje’s current Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar opposed the claims of apparitions from the onset, by warning the Bishop he would later succeed, author Wayne Weible writes in his new book. Source confirms that then-Fr. Peric was among 12 priests who put pressure upon Bishop Pavao Zanic.
March 1:
Vicka calls locals to responsibility
When the Virgin Mary is no longer with us, we from Medjugorje will ask ourselves where we were all this time, visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic foresees. We parishioners have received a great gift and mercy, but we are not aware of it, and the pilgrims need that we are, the visionary adds.
February 28:
Marija: Pope resigning was a gesture
Deciding to abdicate was a great gesture of Pope Benedict XVI. For he was powerless, and so he will likely give more to the world through prayer and silence, says visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti. After a recent visit to Ireland, she tells the Virgin Mary invites the seers to visit certain places.
February 27:
Benedict XVI hinted Medjugorje support
When asked about Medjugorje, Pope Benedict XVI told one of his possible successors to judge the tree by the fruits. And a personal friend of the Pope from his days as a Cardinal says Cardinal Ratzinger smiled and said “Just go!” when the place was mentioned, a lot like John Paul II’s reaction.
February 22:
Marija promised the Irish renewal
The Virgin Mary is building a new humanity, a new generation that prays to God, visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti told more than 2,000 people in Dublin, Ireland, on February 21. In the midst of a heated abortion debate, she pointed to the Rosary as the means to bring about a new, holy Ireland.
February 22:
Commission may end with Benedict XVI
It is unknown if the Vatican Commission on Medjugorje will continue its work after its initiator, Pope Benedict XVI, leaves his office on February 28, Croatian tv’s Rome correspondent reports. With an unknown agenda, the Commission meets in Rome today, on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
February 17:
Mirjana denounces books on Medjugorje
90 percent of the books about Medjugorje do not represent the truth, says visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo who urges people not to buy any books about the place. She further laments and criticizes a widespread use of television, and calls tv a common excuse for people to avoid to pray.
February 14:
Mirjana pleaded prayers for the Pope
“Pray for your priests, especially for our Holy Father. Especially him who needs your help very much in the times we are living in now” Medjugorje visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo told a crowd in Trieste, Italy, on February 9. Two days later, Pope Benedict XVI announced his abdication.
February 12:
Pope blessed Medjugorje from the air
Pope John Paul II expressed his wish to go to Medjugorje, but never made it there. Now a Polish priest tells the Pope actually saw Medjugorje even then: He told the priest that whenever he flew eastwards, he would ask the pilot to fly over Medjugorje so he could bless the village from the air.
February 11:
Cardinal and seer opened Cross replica
Central America now has its own version of the Youth Festival in Medjugorje, and Danli, Honduras has a precise replica of the Cross on top of Cross Mountain. On February 7, the openings of both were witnessed by the local Cardinal as well as by Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic.
February 8:
Vicka keeps Mary’s life story in code
Visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic’s notes of the Virgin Mary’s life story are written in a script that protects them from being read before Mary has given permission, new book from renowned author tells. The procedure resembles the one to be used for the revelation of another seer’s secrets.
January 27:
Marija: The world we live in is unreal
When everything is being presented as lawful, we get to live in a world that is not real, visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti said after receiving the Virgin Mary’s message on January 25. Visible fruits are arrogance, selfishness, and lack of respect, but Mary is creating a new civilization, she added.
January 24:
Medjugorje records its second-best year
Surpassed only by 2011, the 30th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions, 2012 became Medjugorje’s the second-best year. The number of distributed Holy Communions went above 1,800,000 for only the third time, and the number of Mass concelebrations was the highest ever.
January 20:
Mirjana: Visionaries are not important
The Medjugorje seers are only a means to communicate a message, and so they are no more important than the pilgrims who basically have the same role, says visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo. The privileged people are the priests, adds the seer who says the key is in opening the heart.
January 14:
Jakov: Ask the Lord what you can do
“True, it is a difficult time because of the crisis, but do not ask the Lord what He can do for you, but what you can do for this world. You have to react” Medjugorje visionary Jakov Colo told a packed cathedral in Malo, Italy, on January 11. He also emphasized the importance of the family.
January 13:
Honduras gets replica of famous Cross
Complete with a white Cross on top, a replica of Cross Mountain in Medjugorje will come into being on a mount in Danli, Honduras. To reach 20 meters above the ground, the Cross will be more than twice as tall as the Cross in Medjugorje, and visible from all corners of the city.
January 11:
Commission findings may never get known
It is not for the Vatican Commission on Medjugorje itself to decide if its conlusions should be publicly known, says Cardinal Camillo Ruini, chairman of the Commission. No statement may even be released, says Cardinal Ruini. An Italian expert says the Pope may not get involved.
January 10:
Italian got unique brain disease cure
Elena Artioli’s type of brain disease never vanishes or decreases in size. But hers did after she went to Medjugorje. Her Italian specialist knows of no other cases in the world when this has happened. To Elena herself, her spiritual renewal is the greatest miracle and gift that she received.
January 9:
Pope knew early about Medjugorje
I told Benedict XVI about Medjugorje from soon after the apparitions began. The Pope is well-informed, but cautious, says Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s chief exorcist for years. He further calls it normal and even necessary that a certain commercialization has sprung up in Medjugorje.
January 8:
Ivan lifts Irish fight against abortion
The number of abortions in the world make the Virgin Mary cry, visionary Ivan Dragicevic told between 1,000 and 2,000 people in Dublin on January 7. Ivan’s visit came at a time when abortion is on top of the public agenda in Ireland, and attendees said the seer’s appearance came timely.
January 7:
The Virgin Mary will appear in Bethlehem
Medjugorje visionary Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic participates in international Holy Land pilgrimage for healing of humanity on August 19-27, and will have three public apparitions in Bethlehem, inside or outside Church of the Nativity. Other apparitions to Vicka will take place at other holy sites.
January 6:
Mary tells Scots to be love
“Be love where there is shortage” and “Be food where there is hunger”, the Virgin Mary said in message during visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s visit to Motherwell near Glasgow, Scotland, on January 4 and 5. About 1,000 people attended each apparition, some from USA, Italy, and England.
January 1:
Sr. Emmanuel: Focus on Jesus’ message
Comments have been many since the Infant Jesus spoke on Christmas Day. But they are unnecessary, as the message of the Child is very clear, the famous French nun Sister Emmanuel says after 23 years in Medjugorje. Simply listen and live the Commandments, she advises.
January 1:
Marija: Jesus talking helps the Vatican
The unexpected Christmas message from the Infant Jesus will help the Vatican Commission on Medjugorje, visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti tells on Croatian tv. The station’s Rome correspondent confirms granting shrine status and upholding status quo on authenticity as most likely outcomes.