Pax Medjugorje

Today was a rainy day. Alot of mud puddles and wet dogs. Went to Mothers village this morning. This was founded by father Slovic. It was started after the war to care for the orphans. After the war it became a place for orphans and children with disabilities. They also have a kindergarden for the local children. This was started to help to not single out the orphans or bring ...

Well we made it after a 7 hour and 50 minute flight. I did get some sleep which was amazing since I usually do not sleep. Went touring already to St Johns. The room has no air conditioning!!! We have 59 people with 6 priests. They are from all over ...

... methods was completed in 2004. The reconstruction means that life slowly but surly is returning to normal in this amazing city.<br><br>We had a lucky pick up in Mostar were our host tried and managed to fit the five of us and 3 backpacks the same size as us into her 3 door little car, we were glad there was no hills to go up. <br>We got taken to a flat which was the hostel, it was Majda and her families home before the war, basically a 3 bedroom place that which is ...

... chasting money, building up a huge car dealership in Canada, while his marriages fell apart due to adultery. When his third wife's brother sent them a book about the messages of Medjugorje, he was struck hard by the words, "I am calling you to conversion for the last time." He has entirely changed his life, sold everything and moved to Medjugorje, where he has built this castle as a monument to Mary for saving him, and a retreat center for nuns and priests.

... the site of the appartion. At the site we found a statue of Mary and another large crucifix. We didn't follow the path that day, but the Sorrowful Mysteries wrap behind the actual spot of the apparitions and back to that spot, and the Glorious Mysteries lead away from the site, back down the mountain. We said the Joyful Mysteries as a group. Mattie told us how each display (I think ...

... right? It seems like I'm the only tourist in town. Hotels are empty and so are the restaurants. I watch TV and hear about AIG bonuses to greedy corporate pigs apparently being rewarded for their ability to screw over the very people making sacrifices to bail them out. I wonder if there's a connection between that and the slow tourist season. Duh. "Without Communism to keep it honest, capitalism no longer is." Maybe it's time for ...

... the rosary and intercession of our blessed mother Mary. An important lesson I learned is that Mary as Our Mother comforts us in our suffering by carrying us to Christ.  It isn't hard to see why Mary would choose to appear in a place like this where there has been so much suffering.  Christ longs to take on our suffering and sin, and through Mary's intercession that is accomplished in Medj everyday.  To come and participate in this was an awesome experience for me.  

... like an abandoned hospital. I wasnt sure of I was in the right place so I asked a man right outside if it was the Town Bath. He said yes. I then asked if it was open to the public and he shook his head meaning it wasnt. It was to nad as it was really hot and I wanted to cool down in some comfortable water. Instead, I decided to look for a swimming pool. A town like Mostar must have a swimming pool if it gets slapped with vicious ...

... Hill sides were about hens and chickens and all that they farm. And all over the city there are huge cemeteries. I heard that during teh war it wasnt safe even to be dead. Grave yards stayed as front lines for long in some cities. Mostar suffered a lot during the war. Still there are many ruins, in the centrum too, which has sing on it "warning, dangerous to enter and park in front". So I didnt even walk infront. Even after the ...

... man insisted that it was all made by his family, some of it up to 50 years ago. Very nice and I had intended to go back and but something for Jess but it was closed by the time I got there. A missed opportunity. We tried to visit the two museums in Mostar, but one of them is closed all winter and the other is only open 3 hours a day and closed on Mondays so unfortunately was ...