The parish priests prepared a tree day program of spiritual retreat for the parishioners. It starts today and it end Sunday. The conductor is a very prominet priest by the name of Fr. Tomislav Ivancic. Some of you might have read some of his numerous books, he is published in different languages and most of them are available in Medjugorje. I get an email every once in a while, people asking where they could get "The Stations of the Cross" book that he compiled that, I find this book very refreshingly different and it includes the messages of Our Lady throughout the way to the Cross. So, I am looking forward to attend this retreat. I will post some photos later.

Hello all, we have a saying here, "The year will turn out in accordance to the way you start it." and I must say mine started with allot of grace. I will try to keep this short and say that I welcomed the New Year at St. James church, I was there from 9:30 for the holy hour and the mass started at 11:30. It was just so inspiring and emotional. To see all the people that came from all over the world to welcome the new year in that little church of St. James was nothing but the grace of God. New years day was quiet and slow but rainy and cold. I happened to bump in to Mirjana's husband and he invited me and some of my friends from NY to join them in prayer the next morning for Mirjana's second of the month apparition, it was so joyful and a great gift although there was several thousand people, it was very peaceful. We were quite close to Mirjana during the apparition and I took some photos and I already shared one with you earlier. After that event we went our ways and during the day I bumped to Marija the visionary and she invited me and my friends to join her and her family and some other people at her little oratory next to her house. Needless to say, we were there at from 4:40 to 5:50 or so. Marija shared about the apparition and said that Our Lady prayed over all of us there. Afterwards, she shared some bookmarks with the image of Our Lady with all of us that she brought in before the apparition. I must say, living in Medjugorje for all my life and being here for so many new year celebrations, thiy way by far the best start of the new year so far. :-) Here is a photo of Marija from that evening that I took during the apparition. I hope I wasn't to long and that the writing didn't bore you. GOD BLESS You. Good night.
 

Dear children;

While great heavenly grace is being lavished upon you, your hearts remain hard and without response. My children, why do you not give me your hearts completely? I only desire to put in them peace and salvation - my Son. With my Son your soul will be directed to noble goals and you will never get lost. Even in greatest darkness you will find the way. My children decide for a new life with the name of my Son on your lips. Thank you.

I know this video should have been posted earlier but I just got if, it was forwarded by a friend from NH, thank you Larry. 

"Sretna i Blagoslovljena Nova Godina", that is what we would say in Croatian, "Joyful and Blessed New Year". Traditionally, New Year is welcomed in the Saint James church, the prayer program starts at 10 with an hour and a half of the adoration to the most holy Sacrament followed with the holy mass starting at 11:30 and this is how it was last night. I was once again fortunate enough to be here as a local, as a parishioner and as a pilgrim walking in to the New Year with all of my fellow pilgrims. The church, The building of Pope Benedict the XVI (the yellow hall behind the church) and the green tent behind the church was filled with pilgrims and a number or shall I say thousands were standing outside for the whole service. There were projectors transmitting the service outside as well as in the two structures. Needless to say the church was filled to the last spot as well. Father Tomislav Pervan conducted the the prayer for the adoration to the holy Sacrament. There were over 120 priests concelebrating and the main celebrant was Fr. Miljenko Steko. I tried to participate with the prayer program but I also tried to take some photos so that I am able to transfer the beauty and the intense atmosphere from St. James to you all my dear Medjugorje friends. Here are a few photos and there are more to come when I edit them. GOD BLESS YOU.

At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 9:49 am and lasted 6 minutes.

Our Lady gave the following message:

“Dear children!  Today, in a special way, I call you to pray for peace. Without God you cannot have peace or live in peace. Therefore, little children, today on this day of grace open your hearts to the King of peace, for Him to be born in you and to grant you His peace – and you be carriers of peace in this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS
INTO GOD'S WONDERFUL LIGHT

 MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEAR FRIENDS AND

FRIENDS OF MEDJUGORJE.

May God Bless you all and your families in this joyful time of

His birth.

Tunin Vasilj family

Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings
of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day
in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
LUKE 2:10, 11