Saturday, June 30, 2018

Pilgrimage to Medjagore -----A spiritual Experience....

 Along with the provincial of Croatia Br. Jure and the Guardian of the house who accompanied us to Medjagore......we left the friary at 9am on 29th June......Brothers Sergio, Victorius, Norbert and Me.....It is about 150km from Dubrovnik ...a beautiful road.....all along the coast line....good scenery...

 We arrived with a lot of enthusiasm to be in the presence of thousands of faithful flocking to Medjagore....we were welcomed by the Parish priest....a Franciscan friar....he gave us a short history fo the place and apparitions...35 years have gone by and the people still keep coming in big numbers....

 The miracles are the conversions of the faithful who after many years of non-practicing Catholic faith do come here along with their pastors....who prepare them to receive the sacrament of confessions....long queues can be seen....old and young all waiting for the grace of forgiveness. 
 We spent time in the Church praying Rosary and personal meditation......Then we were invited by one friend of the Guarding for Lunch.....

 soon after Lunch we began climbing the hill....all rocky road...sharp stones....many pilgrims climb barefoot ...marks of blood can be seen in many places all along the way...it was a wonderful experience of penance....it was cloudy....slight drizzle helped us to climb faster....
 Sergio says it is good to be here.....place is wonderful.....

 After reaching on the top of the hill where Mother Mary appeared...a lot of people either standing or seated in great silence praying.....no one speaks a word....the cry of small babies could be heard....many handicapped persons are brought on top ......people kneeling on hard rocks.....young and old...very moving experience....may shed tears....you feel the spiritual atmosphere immediately...

 I have been here earlier but this time the experience was extraordinary...

 A cross stands as a mute witness to the faith of thousands of people coming on top of the Hill to pray and ask forgiveness from Jesus through His beloved Mother....we spent about 20 minutes in silence and wanted to stay for long but rain gods began pouring in ....



 We concluded our pilgrimage with a Rosary of one hour....the Eucharist....alot of people....it was raining and yet people kept standing ......what a faith in the Eucharist....
 Around hundred priests concelebrated.....Brothers Jure and Victorious

 Concluded the Pilgrimage with a local cuisine ...


Thursday, June 28, 2018

Respect for Handicapped!!!!!!

 The Parking sign board is in Croatian language outside a Church and on the main road...It reads " if you take my parking place then take my invalidity or handicap".....the place is meant only for them...it says a lot....how easily we try to overtake or undermine them in many places...we show attitude that we don't care for you...your insignificant ....I am stronger, healthy and whole....I can do whatever I want in order to make you feel small and little....

 The City of Dubrovnik......it is a wonderful historical city....
There are many churches and monasteries....in the old city.....very rich treasure.....

 Every church has a small museum which attracts many visitors of many religions...

 Our guide came along with us to explain many historical sites...


 The interior of Churches are amazing and awesome architecture.....

 Many portraits depict many spiritual aspects of Church











The Glorious Catholic Church

 The whole country is in love with our brother St. Leopoldo.......




 The Altar is in shape of a Ciborium ......beautiful and amazing


 The Bishop is explaining the history of the Church




 The Crucifix is very ancient.......

 The Crucifix speaks a lot...just need to stand in silence and prayer and He speaks to our mind and heart....

 These holy objects remind of the glorious moments in the Catholic Church

 The Cathedral has a museum filled with many ancient Holy objects used for the celebration of the Eucharist.....

 These portraits are very ancient...some of them go back to 12th Century



 St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clara....

 The Body of Blessed Hossana....Montenegro

 The General Minister celebrated this morning Holy Eucharist preached homily on the day's Gospel....At the Gospel reading which comes as the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel, we are reminded that it is not enough to just call on the Lord. What is key to entering the kingdom of heaven is "doing the will of my heavenly Father." We pray for this every time we pray the Lord's prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.." At the Last Supper Jesus repeatedly told his disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (Jn 14: 15) At his Agony in the Garden the night before he died, Jesus repeatedly prayed, "Not my will but yours be done." (Lk 22: 42)
In the Gospel reading, comparing our following of Jesus to building a house, Jesus tells us that our lives would be built on rock if we hear and follow him; our lives would be built on sand if we do not follow his commandments.