In May 2025, 28 pilgrims from the family of parishes of the South Bristol Mission Area (St Bernadette, St Dunstan, St Pius X, Sacred Heart and Christ the King) travelled on pilgrimage to the beautiful Marian shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They were joined by a handful from other parishes too within and outside the diocese.

 

The group made visits to Apparition Hill and the Stations of the Cross on Cross Mountain, the Cenacolo community and various other sites of devotion in the local area. They joined in the English speaking Masses in St James church as well as the outdoor Masses in Croatian language in the sanctuary which regularly host around 5,000 pilgrims and locals. There were opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with several thousand people adoring Jesus in silence, punctuated by beautiful, devotional music. Confessions are always offered and this Sacrament was availed of – it’s very much at the heart of Medjugorje. Fr Matt said the following:

 

“What a special week. I came here for the first time last year on my own. Several priests of our diocese and beyond and countless parishioners had encouraged me to come , so I made the pilgrimage at the start of a driving tour of several Balkan countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia). I was touched by the beauty of the surroundings and the centrality of Christ in all things. I knew I had been drawn here by Our Lady and was being asked to bring a pilgrimage group.

 

Our Lady’s message is a simple one here. Keep coming back to Jesus. Be people of peace. Pray for peace. Seek conversion. Deepen prayer. Be open to Jesus through frequent attendance at Mass. Adore Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Go to Confession regularly. Be open to fasting and its benefits. This is a place of spiritual renewal and clearly why the Church encourages people to come here as Our Lady, Queen of Peace, always draws us to her son and Jesus is at the heart here.

 

We had a great pilgrimage. I’m so thankful for the many graces received by myself and my fellow pilgrims. Mary’s motherly tenderness is evident here and Jesus is the main event as you would expect, with the Holy Spirit constantly refreshing us and the Father’s embrace gently drawing us in.”