Medjugorje Day 2: Praying at Saint James

After settling in to our rooms at the hotel, and sharing our first meal together, we attended the 5PM Rosary, Confessions, and 6PM International Mass with the great number of pilgrims from around the world who are here as well.

6PM International Mass, Saint James

It was really special, and fitting, since the Mass is the source of all the graces we could hope to receive from God in this world.

To that end, we’ll prepare each day for Mass by reflecting on a particular part of the liturgy, illuminated by the readings of the day. I’ll share them with you here each day as well. This is the one we shared today:

So, the church - specifically the parish of Saint James and the celebration of the Mass there each day here - is at the heart of what is happening here in Medjugorje. And this is what Our Lady’s presence in our lives can do: she can magnify the Church’s Sacraments, helping us to see more clearly that they truly are an encounter with the Risen Christ.

It was a wonderful first day, but even the night is illuminated by Our Lady here. While I was speaking with a pilgrim outside of the hotel just now, we were struck by the moon shining brilliantly between the spires of the church - what a sight! If the moon reflects the light of the sun, even more does Our Lady reflect the light of her Son. +