Pilgrimage for youth to Medjugorje area

Medjugorje - the place heaven meets earth - is particularly special as it hosts the site of apparitions by Our Lady since the early 1980s. It is reported apparitions still continue today.

Throughout the week, the young people of the parish participated in a range of activities which included:

- a visit to an orphanage (Mother’s Village)

- a visit to a centre for recovering addicts (Cenacolo)

- a prayer programme including adoration, silent devotion and praying the Rosary, and Mass each day (two of these the youth read at)

- an opportunity to listen to a visionary talk about his experiences during the apparitions.

- a climb at Apparition Hill and cross mountain (at 5.30 in the morning to avoid the intense heat)

During their visit to Medjugorje, the youth were fortunate to witness the opening ceremony of the 26th international youth prayer festival.

The celebration included representatives from 66 countries, an international choir, an international youth orchestra and a 60 000 strong crowd.

The key theme this year was world peace.

Donations from the local community were given to the following: Mothers Village (orphanage), Cenacolo rehabilitation centre, St Joseph the Worker Centre. A substantial amount of wool, baby clothes and blankets were given to Sr Muriel (St Josephs) to be distributed to the needy.

Organiasers passed on their thanks to all who enabled the trip to happen. The experience was truly memorable for all involved, spokesman said.