George – England

I’m 21. I’ve been to Medjugorje before when I was younger, my mom loves Medjugorje, but this is my first time at the Youth Festival.

It’s been really good because I’ve never been in a situation where there has been so many Catholics in one small area. It really makes you feel like part of a family. 

In England, there aren’t many Catholics, especially at university. It’s very isolating. So coming to a place like this where everyone is Catholic is very powerful.

I wanted to increase my faith, which has definitely happened. Other than that, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was coming more because I had been told about Medjugorje, and I was coming with my brother. I wasn’t that expectant, but I definitely got more than I was expecting. 

Medjugorje is a place of peace, a place of prayer, a place where you open your heart. 

Mary intercedes for you and helps you get to Jesus which, for me, can sometimes feel overwhelming. To find Jesus is sometimes quite hard so to have someone like Mary as the middleman is very helpful and makes things a little easier.

Climbing Cross Mountain on the Feast of the Transfiguration was very powerful. Seeing the sunrise at the same time as Mass on the top of the mountain was really cool. That was a highlight. 

Hearing Mirjana was something special. I didn’t realize that I would be talking to Mirjana before I came here. It was quite a special treat to see and be able to talk to her. She’s so lovely, so humble and down to earth, really inspiring. 

I remember her saying the best way to bring people back to Jesus or to help people find Jesus is to set a good example. Sort your own life out first and just be an example. It really struck me as a good piece of knowledge that I will definitely take home with me. 

Medjugorje is a great place and I definitely recommend any young Catholics to come along, especially to the festival because you really do feel a sense of community, especially if you’re from a country that isn’t Catholic. It really does help. 

Come and experience it for yourself and you’ll see. There’s definitely a lot of power in it. You can feel it.