Pilgrims discover Passionist links with Medjugorje

Passionist Saints Paul of the Cross and Gemma Galgani in Oasis of Peace Chapel, Medjugorje

In this week which has commemorated the Feast of St Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists, two members of the Community of the Passion from England, joined a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, organised by Christ the King Parish in Coventry, and discovered a little known Passionist connection in the Marian Shrine.

Medjugorje is a small mountain town in Bosnia Herzegovina. Since 1981 it has been claimed that the Virgin Mary has been appearing there to six visionaries. These apparitions are purported to continue to this day. In 2024, the Vatican officially approved devotion to the Shrine and authorised organised pilgrimages.

Soon after the apparitions began, Passionist Priest, Father Gianni Sgreva, visited Medjugorje with initial scepticism, to try and understand this phenomenon. However, he soon became convinced by the "fruits" of Medjugorje in terms of conversion, deepening prayer and new vocations. With the permission of the Passionist Superior General, he founded and then accompanied a new Marian Community dedicated to Peace between 1987 and 2001. A commemorative stained glass in the Chapel at the Oasis of Peace in Medjugorje depicts Passionist Saints Paul of the Cross and Gemma Galgani.

"Peace" is one of the core messages of Medjugorje. The Virgin Mary, under her title "Queen of Peace," has made peace the focus of her messages since the apparitions began in 1981. Peace, she says, comes from reconciliation with God and then with one another, in our families, our communities and the whole world. Never was this call to peace and reconciliation more important than in our conflict-riven world today.

LINKS

Medjugorje: www.medjugorje.hr/en/medjugorje-phenomenon/guide/

Passionist Life: https://passionist.life/