Medjugorje is a place of spiritual renewal that attracts pilgrims from all over the world, especially this year, which is a jubilee year. That is why we are already seeing a large number of believers in front of St. James Church. Tourists are arriving from all over the world, and forecasts suggest that this season could surpass the previous one.
During Lent, this place is filled with believers who, through penance and prayer, await redemption. Many experience powerful emotions and personal transformation here.
“I feel humble here. With a lot of emotions, I had plenty of time to spend alone with myself. I understand why God wanted me to experience it this way. I will have a lot of time to reflect on things I needed to think about, and that is truly special,” said Melissa Buelow, a tourist from the United States (U.S.).
Tourists also come from India: “Here, you can feel the spirit of spirituality and inner peace. There is also a community where everyone shares this spiritual enthusiasm, coming here to pray.”
“We were with relatives for the St. Joseph’s Day, at the ‘kirvaj‘ –that’s what we call it in Slavonia. Now we’ve come here to Medjugorje, we can’t pass by without stopping, we pray here,” says Zeljko Obad, a tourist from Croatia.
The Vatican has recognized Medjugorje as a shrine and approved official church pilgrimages, but the question of the supernatural nature of the apparitions remains open. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the blessing of Pope Francis, has granted the status of nihil obstat, emphasizing the abundant spiritual fruits but also warning that believers should pilgrimage for faith and the Queen of Peace, not for encounters with so-called visionaries.
“This has made it even easier for priests and bishops to organize pilgrimages here, and we can already see that many have been announced – thanks be to God for all of this,” said Friar Marin Mikulic, parish vicar of the Medjugorje parish.
However, besides its spiritual significance, Medjugorje also has a tourist character, and in recent years, this place has flourished in this sector. This year, the season is expected to break visitor records.
“The season has started very well. Already in these months leading up to Easter, there has been an increase in guests compared to last year, which is certainly encouraging for us. Expectations for the rest of the season are also promising, and we hope for an increased number of pilgrims compared to last year,” says Mario Vasilj, president of the Association of Tourism, Hospitality, and Room Rentals in Medjugorje.
Medjugorje is preparing for the summer season, and with the increased number of visitors, the demand for accommodation is already on the rise. Infrastructure is currently being improved, including roads and public spaces. Medjugorje continues to grow as one of the most important spiritual and tourist destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), as well as in the region.
