HVALJEN ISUS I MARIJA!
PRAISED BE JESUS & MARY!
DEAR JUNE PILGRIM 🙂
Our Lady has formed a beautiful pilgrim family of 30 people in our group.
We are so very blessed to have Father Harry Stokes, of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Pomfret, Maryland, as our spiritual guide.
Let us keep Father Stokes in our prayers, to be strengthened and protected in preparation for our pilgrimage.
Before long we will be joining the many pilgrims from across the globe to spend some blessed time with our Heavenly Mother in Medjugorje. Her presence is a gift … a “time of grace”. Let us make use of the coming days to prepare our hearts – to leave behind the clutter of worldly concerns, clearing the way for all of the graces Heaven has prepared.
For those of you arriving at the Newark Airport early enough, we plan to gather for prayer in the Newark chapel (Meditation Room – just beyond the security checkpoint) between 4:00-4:30pm.
If you are unable to get there in time, we will look for each other at the departure gate. Just look for the MirPeace sign.
Flight to Dubrovnik departs at 7:10pm, boarding will begin around 6:30pm.
Upon arrival in Dubrovnik on Monday, June 23, we will gather our luggage and board our bus for Medjugorje. Our hostess, visionary Ivanka Elez, and her family are looking forward to our arrival. They will have a hot meal and fresh beds ready for us. There will be time to join the evening prayer program at the church, however you will likely be very tired so it is also fine to get some rest.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Please plan to be at Newark International Airport no later than 4:00pm, if possible, in order to have plenty of time for check-in and security screening, and even a snack before the flight. (Dinner will be available on the plane, but it will be quite late by the time it is served.) I am planning to arrive at the airport by 3:00pm and will be happy to be of help if anyone needs assistance.
ONLINE CHECK-IN
United Airlines usually offers online check-in beginning 24hrs before the departing flight. This will allow you to skip the check-in lines at the airport and just drop off your luggage before passing through security. If you have any trouble with the online check-in, it will be fine to complete in person check-in at the airport.
MEETING UP AT THE AIRPORT
Since group members will be arriving to the airport at different times from various places, and the check-in area is very busy, we will plan to meet up after check-in, beyond the security point.
We will plan to meet at the airport chapel between 4:00pm & 4:30pm for a moment of prayerful peace before heading to the gate area. The chapel – labeled “meditation room” is located just beyond the security checkpoint in Terminal C. If you are unable to get to the chapel by that time, please let me know and we will look for each other at the departure gate. Look for the MIR-PEACE sign!
BOARDING & FLIGHT TIMES
Our flight is scheduled to depart at 7:10pm, with boarding likely to begin shortly after 6:00pm. It is important to be at the boarding gate well before the scheduled boarding time begins. If our departure time is delayed for some reason, it will be fine … since our flight is direct, we have no connecting flights to catch, and the bus driver will wait for us to arrive in Dubrovnik.
ARRIVAL IN DUBROVNIK
Once we arrive at the Dubrovnik Airport, we will go through passport control, collect our checked bags, and meet up with those members of our pilgrim family who are arriving earlier. Together we will board our group bus and make our way to Medjugorje. The ride is about 2.5 hours long with a stop half way.
BAGGAGE REGULATIONS
As you fill your suitcase and carry-on, it is good to double check the airline website to be aware of any packing restrictions, such as size, weight, and prohibited items. Packing suggestions can be found in the “pilgrim guidelines” document located at the bottom of this page.
Please take a moment to be sure you have your PASSPORT handy,
and that the expiration date is at least six months beyond our travel dates.
A FEW MORE NOTES AND REMINDERS…
WEATHER FORECAST
Our days in Medjugorje will be very warm, in the 80’s and 90’s, with plenty of sun. There is a chance of rain predicted, so it is good to be prepared. Umbrellas and rain ponchos are available for purchase in the village.
HUMANITARIAN AID DONATIONS
If you find that you have extra room in your suitcase, you might like to bring some useful items to add to our group donation for the Medjugorje parish humanitarian aid organization: Mary’s Hands (Marijine Ruke) which is run by the visionary, Jakov Colo, and provides for needy families throughout the region..
These contributions are not mandatory… only if you wish to do so.
Some useful items to donate include:
-basic hygiene items (soaps, dental care, combs, deodorants, etc)
-basic first aid items (bandages, pain relievers – especially ibuprofen, vitamins, etc)
-socks (any size or style)
-art/school supplies for kids
-sweets
-large reusable totes to deliver supplies
Monetary donations are always helpful, as well.
CLOTHING
Comfortable, casual clothing and shoes are best. The daytime weather is likely to be very warm and sunny, while evenings may be cooler- so light layers are best. The local Franciscans have asked that all pilgrims dress respectfully, especially on Church grounds- with shoulders, upper leg and midriff (you’d be surprised!) covered.
LAUNDRY
There are no laundry services available. If necessary, pilgrims can hand wash items in their bathroom. You can bring a small container of laundry soap if you plan to do so. There is an outdoor clothesline at our guest home for drying clothes.
SHOPPING
In Medjugorje, there are plenty of shops for various religious items. I will be glad to point out certain places that are run by the parish, and by local families.
I will also show you a small grocery store not far from the church, where are you will be able to find any snacks or personal items you might need.
SWIMSUIT
Our final day and night will be on the Croatian coast in a beachfront hotel in the town of Mlini. The weather should be good for swimming, so you may like to bring your swimsuit for a dip in the Adriatic Sea.
MEALS
We will have, on most of the days, our breakfast and lunch together at our guest home at Ivanka’s. We will have our evening meals in a restaurant near the church. Breakfast is served buffet style- with breads, cheeses, cold cuts, jams, eggs, cereals, fruit, coffee, tea & juice. The main midday meal is offered family style. Soup is usually served first, followed by large platters of meat or fish, potatoes or rice, cooked vegetables, and fresh salads. The foods are all local and organic, much of it from the backyard garden.
mid-day meal at our guest home
FASTING
Our Lady invites us to return to the age-old practice of fasting regularly on Wednesdays and Fridays. She calls us to strive for a perfect fast of bread and water on these days. The purpose of fasting is a strengthening and purifying sacrifice. When paired with prayer, fasting is especially powerful. Our Lady tells us: “with prayer and fasting, wars can be stopped, and the laws of nature suspended.” It is not easy to do the perfect fast, nor is it meant to be easy. Pilgrims are not required to do so, and our hostess will not expect it of you. On Wednesdays and Fridays she will avoid serving any meat, as is the custom there, but plenty of other food will be available since pilgrims need their strength. However, if a pilgrim desires to fast on bread & water, that is certainly fine and we will inform our hostess so that she can adjust the amount of food being prepared to avoid waste.
SAFE LOCKBOXES
The guestrooms are not equipped with safe lockboxes. However, every room has a key and rooms can be locked. The guest house is constantly monitored by our host family during our stay. Only the host family has access to the rooms for replenishing towels, emptying trash, etc. Thankfully, there have never been any problems with missing items.
RADIOS FOR TRANSLATION
As mentioned in our packing suggestion list, it is very helpful to have a small FM radio with earpieces to be able to tune in to the English translation of the evening Croatian Mass and prayer program, on 94.3 FM. These types of radios can also be purchased in the local shops or rented from a kiosk near the church. Often times, pilgrims leave radios behind, so there might be some extras at our guest home. It is also possible to use an FM radio app on your smart phones for those with international data plans.
the outdoor altar where pilgrims gather for the evening Mass and prayer program.
COMMUNICATION WHILE IN MEDJUGORJE
While it’s good to “unplug” as much as possible from the distractions of technology while on pilgrimage, it may be necessary for you to be in touch at times with family, friends or work. Our guest home has free wifi/internet connection available, as do most of the restaurants and cafés. This enables you to communicate via email or messaging services. You can also call and text at no cost with your cellphone by using an app like WhatsApp, while connected to wifi. Otherwise, there is an added fee to use your cellphone overseas, depending on which cellular carrier you use. For example, AT&T offers unlimited cellphone use overseas for about $12 a day. You can check with your carrier for policies and details.
EVENING MEALS
When we gather in the restaurant for our evening meals, we typically sit together at large tables. To make it easier for the waiter, we try not to request individual checks, but everyone chips in for the approximate cost of their meal (about $10-$20 per person), so it is good to be prepared with cash. It’s really nice to gather in the evenings to share experiences and get updates for our plans, especially the first few evenings – but you can certainly opt to try different places if you prefer.
a sight that will become familiar;)
MEETING PLACES
To be sure we are all on track and connected during our time in Medjugorje, there will be certain times and places that we will all meet up daily, like anchors in the day, where we can communicate changes in our schedule or important developments.
-Breakfast time
We’ll begin each day with breakfast and prayer together at Ivanka’s home
-After English Mass
Each day after English Mass, we will meet outside… just look for the MirPeace sign:)
-Lunchtime
Our main meal of the day is usually eaten together at our guest home, followed by brief announcements.
-After Evening Mass
I will show you the spot outside (near the “big rock”) where I can be found during the evening prayer program and Mass. You can either join me in that area, or sit wherever you like and come after the evening Mass. From there, we can head together to the restaurant for our evening meal.
“big rock” meeting place behind church
GETTING AROUND
You will have the option of riding a van to and from church, or walking the field path from Ivanka’s to the church (a pleasant 25 minute walk). There are also many taxis available for a small fee, to ride anywhere within the village. Most of the village is flat and easily walkable. It is best to use sidewalks and field paths rather than walking along the road, which could be dangerous with traffic.
field path to church from Ivanka’s
CLIMBING THE HILLS
There are two main hills that “hug” the village: Apparition Hill (where Our Lady first appeared) and Cross Mountain (where the villagers erected a Cross in 1933). Both climbs are rugged and rocky. Walking sticks are helpful. Though we plan to climb both hills as a group, it is not required that you do so. It is fine and very powerful to pray even at the base of the hills. If you would like to try to climb, but find it challenging, we will help one another as a family to make it to the top.
rocky path on hill
MIR-PEACE BAGS
Each of you will receive a lightweight MirPeace knapsack that can be used to carry your essentials, and to be recognized by the locals as a true pilgrim who has come to pray. In the knapsacks you’ll find some helpful information papers, and an English-Croatian booklet of prayers and useful phrases. I’ll give you your bags when I see you.
spot where Our Lady first appeared in 1981
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIPS
Besides our daily rhythm of prayer, meals, and planned activities, there will be free time to spend as you wish. Some pilgrims like to have that opportunity for prayerful solitude. Others may like to visit places of interest within the village or elsewhere. Cost of transport would be extra, divided among those participating.
Some options include:
-Mother’s Village
orphanage in Medjugorje started by Fr Slavko Barabarić during war in 1990’s, set up as multiple family homes with religious sisters
-Cenacolo
highly successful rehabilitation community for young people with addictions who give testimony to the healing power of faith
-“the Castle”
a beautiful property in Medjugorje built like a castle to house religious who come on pilgrimage, owned by Patrick & Nancy Latta who left their successful life in the business world to be of service to Our Lady
-Etno Selo
a picturesque recreation of an old time ethnic village, located just outside Medjugorje
-Kravice waterfalls
15 minute drive to refreshing local waterfall park
-Mostar
about an hour drive away, capital city of Hercegovina, with historical and cultural sights
However, it is recommended to wait and experience Medjugorje first … to enjoy the opportunity to be a peaceful pilgrim rather than a hurried tourist… to allow Our Lady to guide your time and give your soul much needed rest.
I’m here if you need anything these days – please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions – and I will continue to be in touch as I look forward to our gracefilled time together in Medjugorje.
Mir… Peace,
Darlene
Day & Week in Medjugorje
Pilgrim Guidelines
Mir Peace 