Josip from Medjugorje

We call it Križevac here in Medjugorje. I climb it once or twice a month, and Apparition Hill almost every two or three days.

[iMedj note: Križevac is Cross Mountain.]

I think it’s the most beautiful place to live on the Earth because the silence and peace that is in this place, in our town, is unbelievable. I don’t think it happens anywhere in the world, just here in Medjugorje. 

I think that almost every family here in Medjugorje, almost every family in Herzegovina, it’s a tradition to pray together with the whole family every night. 

What do you think about Mary coming?

It’s common for us because when we were little we would talk about it. It’s here in our town. But when you grow up, normally you question that. Every day you see miracles, mostly when pilgrims come. Our faith is strong every day because of Medjugorje. Maybe if I was born in Croatia or deeper in Bosnia Herzegovina, maybe our faith wouldn’t be as strong as this. 

When I was in third grade, I saw a man, a pilgrim, that walked from his wheelchair. It was in front of our church, St. James. 

It’s positive for me to see Catholics from all over the wold, especially from the United States, because the picture here in Medjugorje about the United States is that there is not a lot of pilgrims or religion there. It’s the wild west for us. 

If you ever get the chance to come to Medjugorje, come because you will not regret it.