Rosary at the Mass Rock for Life and Faith in Ireland

Mass celebrated at the Mass Rock at Glenside Road in Belfast. Photo: Cliff Donaldson via The Irish News

On March 18, at 2:30pm (Irish local time) faithful Catholics in Ireland will be gathering at the historic Mass Rocks, Mass Houses, monastic ruins, and at the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park (Dublin) for the celebration of the Holy Mass, to pray the Rosary, and to appeal to the Irish saints for life and faith in Ireland.

It is another initiative by the same Catholic laity who successfully organized the Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith last November that surrounded Ireland with a human Rosary of 30,000 participants at over 300 locations on the Solemnity of Christ the King.

In this next phase in the battle for life and faith in Ireland, the organizers during this Lenten season have turned to Our Lady of Fatima's requests: repentance; reparation; prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners; and the daily recitation of the Rosary. 

By gathering at the many Mass Rocks (and other locations) scattered throughout the Irish landscape, organizers seek to encourage the faithful to emulate their ancestors who not only drew strength from the Rosary, but courageously risked their lives to attend Mass at the hands of "hunted priests" at these clandestine locations during a very dark period in Ireland's history of persecution against Catholics.

As the title of this national prayer effort suggests, life and faith are threatened in Ireland and have been for quite some time. The lives of the unborn are particularly threatened: a national referendum will be held in late May, on whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment, Ireland's pro-life clause in the constitution.

Secularization has also taken its toll on the population; there is a noticeable waning and loss of faith. This did not just happen over night, but over several decades, highlighting in the process how over a few generations, those who consider themselves members of the Mystical Body of Christ are today a smaller percentage of faithful Catholics.

Confirmed locations as of February 27, 2017. Image:
Google Maps via Coastal Rosary Ireland

If we look to Ireland's history from the last century up until and including recent decades, it will not be difficult to ascertain how the forces of darkness (the Evil One and his demons) have been waging a war to usher in moral disorder that includes a Culture of Death: contraception (devices and birth control pills) has been available for decades; the 1992 referendum resulted in the option for women to travel to another country (England) in order to have an abortion, as well as the availability of information regarding abortion "services" in other countries; divorce was no longer banned as a result of the 1995 referendum; and most recently the referendum of 2015, ushered in "same-sex marriage."

In 2016, the Irish government set up a "Citizens' Assembly" to "consider" the future of the Eight Amendment, which arrived at the conclusion in April 2017, that the Eight Amendment should be repealed. They voted overwhelmingly for abortion to be permitted on the grounds of a mental or physical threat to the life of the mother, in cases of disability, and for socio-economic reasons.

The Eighth Amendment was approved by 67% of the Irish population in a referendum on September 7, 1983. It came into effect on October 7, 1983, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and states, “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.” 

This national prayer effort seeks to draw Divine Intervention upon Ireland to prevent what abortion proponents hope will be a "positive" result in the upcoming Eight Amendment appeal referendum. For all Catholics in Ireland, the referendum will be an opportunity to respond positively, once again, to St. John Paul's homily of October 1, 1979, in Limerick:

And so I say to all, have an absolute and holy respect for the sacredness of human life from the first moment of its conception. Abortion, as the Vatican Council stated, is one of the "abominable crimes" (Gaudium et Spes, 51). To attack unborn life at any moment from its conception is to undermine the whole moral order which is the true guardian of the well-being of man. The defence of the absolute inviolability of unborn life is part of the defence of human rights and human dignity. May Ireland never weaken in her witness, before Europe and before the whole world, to the dignity and sacredness of all human life, from conception until death. (6)  

Saving the Eighth Amendment is absolutely essential in the battle for life and faith in Ireland; one that is primarily a spiritual battle that must be fought with spiritual weapons.

In addition to the Mass, the selection of the Rosary to fight this spiritual battle is not without its special significance. In the Secret of the Rosary, at the Forty-Sixth Rose: Group Recitation, Saint Louis De Montfort wrote that not only is group recitation of the Rosary the method of prayer that the devil fears the most, but "...[I]t is far more formidable to the devil than one said privately, because in this public prayer it is an army that is attacking him." (98)

By selecting the Rosary to fight the good fight, this national effort follows a long-held tradition in the Catholic Church that began in 1214, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, and gave him (and the entire Church) the Rosary. In addition to its many benefits—including the conversion of sinners—the Rosary is an effective weapon against the Evil One and his demons.

In his encyclical Supremi Apostolatus Officio, Pope Leo XIII wrote about devotion to the Rosary and its efficaciousness as a remedy for the many evils of society. Pope Leo XIII stated, "It has always been the habit of Catholics in danger and in troublous times to fly for refuge to Mary, and to seek for peace in her maternal goodness; showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God." (2)

Written in 1883, Pope Leo XIII's encyclical not only encouraged devotion to the Rosary, but spotlighted how important it has been in the history of the Catholic Church when faced with several threats; namely, the violence of heresy, intolerable moral corruption, and aggressive Islamic attacks by the Ottoman Turks.

Mass Rock ("Carraig an Aifrinn" in Gaelic) at Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland. Photo: We Love Donegal/Mass Rocks

The Mass Rocks located throughout the Irish landscape were specifically chosen for their historical significance: a period in Ireland when Catholics were legally persecuted by the British Crown and the state-sponsored, Church of Ireland for almost 300 years. As a result of that persecution, faithful Catholics had to clandestinely attend Mass at various locations throughout Ireland where natural flat rock formations became altars and other rocks (some taken from damaged monasteries and churches) had been formed into crosses and altars for midnight-Mass celebrations.

In his homily at Phoenix Park in Dublin during his Apostolic Journey to Ireland in the Fall 1979, Saint John Paul II had mentioned the Mass Rocks in stressing how important the Mass has always been for Ireland:

As I stand here, in the company of so many hundreds of thousands of Irish men and women, I am thinking of how many times, across how many centuries, the Eucharist has been celebrated in this land. How many and how varied the places where Mass has been offered—in stately mediaeval and in splendid modern cathedrals; in early monastic and in modern churches; at Mass rocks in the glens and forests by "hunted priests", and in poor thatch-covered chapels, for a people poor in worldly goods but rich in the things of the spirit, in "wake-houses" or "station houses", or at great open-air hostings of faithful—on the top of Croagh Patrick and at Lough Derg. Small matter where the Mass was offered; for the Irish, it was always the Mass that mattered. (1)

In her email to supporters, Kathy Sinnott, who heads the group organizing this national prayer effort stated, "Our Mass Rocks and monastic ruins tell an important story of commitment to life and faith that we must never forget. They remind us that life and faith are treasures worth the greatest sacrifice." As to why March 18, was chosen as the date for this national prayer event, Sinnott explained:

• It bridges the feasts of our two great saints: March 17, St Patrick, the Patron and Protector of Ireland and March 19,  St Joseph, the Patron and Protector of the Family and of the Universal Church who visited the Irish in Knock in a special manifestation of his care.
• It is the Fifth Sunday of Lent (in the extraordinary form known as Passion Sunday) when we through the liturgy begin the ascent to Calvary.
• It marks the 145 Anniversary of the Consecration of Ireland to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Passion Sunday 1873
• It falls on the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy (Savona) where Our Lady called for fasting and conversion of life so that we will be shown "Mercy not Justice." This devotion was especially highlighted by Pope Benedict XVI.
• It is the feast of Blessed Christian O'Conarchy, the first Cistercian abbot in Ireland 1100s, Bishop of Lismore and a model of Irish monastic devotion.
• It precedes a series of referenda which seek to legalize abortion (Article 40.3.3), blasphemy (Article 40.6.1.1), no fault divorce (Article 41.3) and to remove recognition from the home carer (Article 41.2.1)

Sinnott also stated that St. John Paul II and the "Rosary Priest" Venerable Patrick Peyton will be asked to bless the Rosary at the Mass Rocks and all who take part.

This group at coastalrosaryireland.ie is a shining example of how the laity can effectively put faith into action on a national level.

When I was first informed about Rosary at the Mass Rock, I was not only pleased to read about this next phase in the continued effort for life and faith in Ireland, but it also brought to mind Saint John Paul II's Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, on the vocation and mission of the lay faithful in the Church and in the world. At eighty-four pages, it thoroughly details and explains that vocation and mission, and was written with the intention to stir the laity to a deeper awareness of the gift and responsibility they share, both as a group and as individuals, in the communion and mission of the Church.

Christifideles Laici is perhaps more relevant today than when it was first released on December 30, 1988, on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Saint John Paul II stated, "A new state of affairs today both in the Church and in social, economic, political and cultural life, calls with a particular urgency for the action of the lay faithful. If lack of commitment is always unacceptable, the present time renders it even more so. It is not permissible for anyone to remain idle." (3)

In today's state of affairs in the Church and in the world, there is an ever increasing need for the laity to get involved and boldly take up the challenges of living the Catholic faith in the twenty-first century as part of the Church's evangelical mission. Kathy Sinnott, her fellow organizers, and all participants have certainly demonstrating this in a most admirable way last Fall—not to mention the planning, prayer, fasting, and effort it takes to organize such a national event—and will be doing so again in less than three weeks from today.

May Catholics in Ireland and those throughout the Universal Catholic Church be united in prayer on March 18; that it may draw God's Divine Intervention and mercy upon Ireland, "save the eighth," and uproot and remove the moral disorder from the landscape and restore Ireland to a Culture of Life.

Ireland's Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith

Coastline along the Slea Head Peninsula, the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula, located in the barony of Corca Dhuibhne in southwest County Kerry, Ireland. Photo: Pam Brophy/[CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

On Sunday, November 26, at 9:30am (2:30pm local time in Ireland), I will be uniting my recitation of the Rosary to the faithful Catholics in Ireland participating in the Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith: a national prayer effort that will encircle Ireland with a "Human Rosary." 

Drawing inspiration from Poland's Rosary at the Borders and a similar Italian effort, participants will be praying for the preservation of the faith and the protection of life at all stages, including the developing human being in the womb.

It also draws encouragement from Matthew's Gospel, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. (Matt 18:20)

Organized by a small, but faithful team of Catholics, this national prayer effort calls on all Catholics (the clergy, those in religious Orders, and the laity) to take part by selecting locations along the coast which they are prepared to travel to. It is a call that has been heard and well received throughout Ireland as much of the coastline is quickly filling up with several locations.

To form the "Human Rosary," organizers initially sought fifty-three locations for all the Hail Mary's of the Glorious Mysteries (including the three in the introductory prayers) and additional locations for the Apostles' Creed, Our Fathers, Glory Be, and the Fatima prayers. As of this blog post, there are almost 200 designated locations on the coast, and that number is growing. 

The date for this event was not randomly selected, but specifically chosen to be held on the Solemnity of Christ the King, which has a special significance for Ireland: Ireland was the first nation to be consecrated to Christ the King in the 1930s. As to the importance of this solemnity, the organizers point out that, "Acknowledging Christ as King has relevance for the spiritual, social, cultural, legal, and political life of Ireland. When we honour Christ as King, we are immediately brought to His Queen, Mary and her Immaculate Heart!"

It is Mary's Immaculate Heart that all participants will be appealing to for Her intercession to restore Ireland to a Culture of Life and rid the landscape of the moral disorder that has taken root in the past few decades.

Such an appeal highlights the importance and need for prayer, which organizers for this event have prepared an impressive prayer program that includes: recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary beginning at 2:30pm (local time in Ireland), in honour of Christ the King and His Queen the Immaculate Heart of Mary; prayer to Saint Patrick, the martyrs, saints and holy souls who preserved the faith through the years; prayer to Saint Michael, the angel of Ireland, and the guardian angels of the Irish living and dead; prayer for the protection of life in Ireland; prayer for the preservation of faith in Ireland; prayer of consecration to Christ the King; prayer of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; prayer for the blessing of Ireland; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00pm; and the planting of Miraculous Medals around the coast.

The Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith is also an appeal, in particular, to the Catholic laity in Ireland, one that echoes the words of Saint Pope John Paul II's homily—during his Apostolic Journey to Ireland—on October 1, 1979, at the Greenpark Racecourse, Limerick:

Lay people today are called to a strong Christian commitment: to permeate society with the leaven of the Gospel, for Ireland is at a point of decision in her history. The Irish people have to choose today their way forward. Will it be the transformation of all strata of humanity into a new creation, or the way that many nations have gone, giving excessive importance to economic growth and material possessions while neglecting the things of the spirit? The way of substituting a new ethic of temporal enjoyment for the law of God? The way of false freedom which is only slavery to decadence? Will it be the way of subjugating the dignity of the human person to the totalitarian domination of the State? The way of violent struggle between classes? The way of extolling revolution over God? 

Ireland must choose. You the present generation of Irish people must decide; your choice must be clear and your decision firm. Let the voice of your forefathers, who suffered so much to maintain their faith in Christ and thus to preserve Ireland's soul, resound today in your ears through the voice of the Pope when he repeats the words of Christ: "What will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life?" (Mt 16 :26). What would it profit Ireland to go the easy way of the world and suffer the loss of her own soul? (3)

Your country seems in a sense to be living again the temptations of Christ: Ireland is being asked to prefer the "kingdoms of the world and their splendour" to the Kingdom of God (cf. Mt 4 :8). Satan, the Tempter, the Adversary of Christ, will use all his might and all his deceptions to win Ireland for the way of the world. What a victory he would gain, what a blow he would inflict on the Body of Christ in the world, if he could seduce Irish men and women away from Christ. Now is the time of testing for Ireland. This generation is once more a generation of decision. (4)

Saint Pope John Paul II's homily is ever more relevant today; a relevance that is also understood by many faithful Catholics from around the world. With each passing day, the Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith is not only gaining momentum, but increased international attention and support. Bishop John Keenan of Paisley, Scotland has urged Scottish Catholics to follow in Ireland’s footsteps.

Confirmed locations as of November 14, 2017.

Image: Rosary on the Coast for Faith and Life

The Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love in the United States will be uniting their Rosary—and asking others especially of Irish descent to do likewise—encouraging everyone to "...[O]ffer this gift in honor of our Irish ancestors who suffered so much to hand on the great treasure of the Catholic faith to us!" 

Joining the effort will also be faithful Catholics from England: the Missionaries of Charity in London, and at the Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham in Houghton Saint Giles, Norfolk.

The Catholic Herald in England also has reported on this national prayer effort with an article entitled, Irish Catholics plan mass-rosary prayer along coast.

Here in Canada, LifeSiteNews has reported this event with Dorothy Cummings McLean's article, Thousands to pray rosary on Irish coasts to protect nation from abortion.

This is an especially important time for Ireland; secularism has done much to wane and remove the faith from the hearts of minds of many, providing an opportunity for those—including international globalist and billionaire George Soros through his Open Society Foundation—who seek to usher in a Culture of Death and drastically change Ireland's Christian identity and culture.

Part of what the Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith seeks to accomplish is the defeat of the Eighth Amendment repeal referendum scheduled for May or June 2018. Abortion advocates are hoping that a "successful" referendum will remove the pro-life provision in the constitution which reads, “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”

The Eighth Amendment was approved by 67% of the Irish population in a referendum on September 7, 1983. It came into effect on October 7, 1983, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Next year's referendum will be an opportunity for Ireland to, once again, positively respond to St. John Paul's homily of October 1, 1979, in Limerick:

And so I say to all, have an absolute and holy respect for the sacredness of human life from the first moment of its conception. Abortion, as the Vatican Council stated, is one of the "abominable crimes" (Gaudium et Spes, 51). To attack unborn life at any moment from its conception is to undermine the whole moral order which is the true guardian of the well-being of man. The defence of the absolute inviolability of unborn life is part of the defence of human rights and human dignity. May Ireland never weaken in her witness, before Europe and before the whole world, to the dignity and sacredness of all human life, from conception until death. (6) 

As to why all this is happening in Ireland one need only look to Ireland's history stemming from the last century up until the last few decades. It is not difficult to ascertain how the forces of darkness (the Evil One and his demons) have been waging a war to usher in a moral disorder that includes a Culture of Death:

• Contraceptive devices and birth control pills have been available for decades
• A referendum in 1992, resulted in the option for women to travel to another country (England) in order to have an abortion, as well as the availability of information regarding abortion "services" in other countries.
• In 1995, Ireland's ban on divorce was removed through another referendum.
• The referendum of 2015, ushered in "same-sex marriage." 
• In 2016, the Irish government set up a "Citizens' Assembly" to "consider" the future of the Eight Amendment, which concluded in April 2017, that the Eight Amendment should be repealed. They voted overwhelmingly for abortion to be permitted on the grounds of a mental or physical threat to the life of the mother, in cases of disability, and for socio-economic reasons.

Those interested in further information about Ireland's moral decline, including a detailed report available for download, please read Voice of the Family's article, Ireland's Tragic Abandonment of Catholic Teaching.

The Eight Amendment repeal referendum is a disturbing development, but no matter what the problem, issue, or crisis may be, we as Catholics always have recourse to Divine Intervention through Our Lady of the Rosary who, throughout the history of the Catholic Church, has provided Her assistance to those who have put their trust in Her intercession.

Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith speaks volumes about the trust in Our Lady's intercession, as well as to the understanding that the battle for Ireland is primarily a spiritual battle that must be fought with spiritual weapons; that a most efficacious way to fight the good fight is through group recitation of the Rosary.

Saint Louis De Montfort stated in his book, The Secret of the Rosary, Forty-Sixth Rose: Group Recitation, that not only is group recitation of the Rosary the method of prayer that the devil fears the most, but "...[I]t is far more formidable to the devil than one said privately, because in this public prayer it is an army that is attacking him." (98)

Utilizing the Rosary as a spiritual weapon has long been understood by the Church from the very beginning of its origin, when it was given to St. Dominic by Our Lady in 1214—which St. Louis De Montfort details in the same book, Second Rose: Origin—as a powerful means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners.

I cannot help but also think of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Supremi Apostolatus Officio, on devotion to the Rosary and its efficaciousness as a remedy for the many evils of society, who wrote, "It has always been the habit of Catholics in danger and in troublous times to fly for refuge to Mary, and to seek for peace in her maternal goodness; showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God." (2)

Written in 1883, Pope Leo XIII's encyclical not only encouraged devotion to the Rosary, but spotlighted how important it has been in the history of the Catholic Church when faced with several threats; namely, the violence of heresy, intolerable moral corruption, and aggressive Islamic attacks by the Ottoman Turks.

This encyclical is a historical lesson that has not lost its relevance for the many evils of today's world. It is in my view, a worthy addition to anyone's reading list on the Rosary that is sure to inspire Catholics in Ireland to join Rosary on the Coast for Life and Faith at a time in Ireland's history that is so dependent upon the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

May this national prayer effort inspire Catholics in Ireland—and throughout the world—to be united in prayer on November 26; that this day may draw God's Divine Intervention upon the nation, uproot and remove the moral disorder from the Irish landscape, and restore Ireland to a Culture of Life.

Medjugorje: The Pleasant and Not So Pleasant Experience

At the top of Cross Mountain, taking advantage of the solitude and serenity.

Recently, I arrived back from my pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Herzegovina (officially Bosnia and Herzegovina), and it was for the most part a very pleasant and beneficial experience, but there were a few aspects that were not so pleasant; nothing major or terribly disturbing, but it did remind me of some thoughts I had from previous pilgrimages to Medjugorje that I never wrote about.

When one thinks of a pilgrimage, it typically evokes thoughts of a focussed spiritual journey that people take for a variety of reasons: to draw closer to God and Our Lady in a time of dedicated prayer and solitude; looking for the answers to many of life's questions; finding the solution to a problem; seeking clarity on the discernment of a vocation; the healing of any spiritual, psychological or physical needs; the hope for the cure of an illness, condition or disease; and the recharging of one's "spiritual batteries."

These and other reasons are why many go on pilgrimages. For the most part, a pilgrimage is quite a pleasant experience, but there are some unpleasant aspects that one has to deal with. This especially holds true if you spend any significant amount of time in Medjugorje.

To date, I have had the privilege of spending fifteen weeks in Medjugorje, spread out over three pilgrimages in three consecutive years; after a while, you begin to notice and take note of many things. This year's pilgrimage was certainly no exception.

I initially encountered some unpleasant aspects during the first week of my first pilgrimage in June'2014. As a pilgrim focussed on the journey, you tend to put the unpleasantness aside, and move forward with your purpose. This is what I, and practically everyone does on a pilgrimage. You should not let the unpleasantness get in the way. At the same time, there are a few things you can do to help avoid it. I hope that by sharing my recent pilgrimage experience, it will help others to do just that.

Medjugorje Mornings

Whether you are climbing and praying your way up Cross Mountain or Apparition Hill at sunrise, or ushering in the day with prayer at the Blue Crosses, or at your pension, Medjugorje in the morning is truly a mystical place. I have done all the above, and never have I experienced such peace anywhere else in the world.

The morning view, from the balcony at my pension, of St. James, the valley, and the mountains beyond.

Each day began with a 5:00am rise, and after having cleaned up, I began my morning prayers which took approximately ninety minutes and included: personal morning prayers, a meditation and prayer from My Daily Bread, Liturgy of The Hours, St. Gertrude The Great's prayer for the holy souls in purgatory, sinners in the universal Church, and for my family, a prayer for the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, and a prayer to Our Lady to Spend The Day Well. 

Breakfast was at 9:00am, which was a perfect time for both me and the owners of the pension I was staying at. Each day's breakfast was something different: scrambled or boiled eggs; ham and cheese; a variety of different cold-cuts; a traditional meat pie; biscuits; fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers; and anything that I would have preferred or requested. No matter what I had for breakfast, a cup of black Indian tea and my MacBookPro were mandatory includes each morning.

After having finished breakfast, and surfing the net, my daily excursion would begin. It was typically a choice between the three main prayer sites: Cross Mountain, Apparition Hill or the Blue Crosses. All three locations are excellent choices for the ideal Medjugorje experience; that is, an encounter with God and Our Lady. This is the essence of what Medjugorje is really all about; to experience the encounter as many times as possible.

Cross Mountain

The view of the cross, at Cross Mountain, after the last Stations of the Cross prayer plaque.

Cross Mountain is the most difficult and highest of all three locations—the terrain is also the most rocky and dangerous requiring each pilgrim to be especially careful so as to avoid injury—and it is for this reason that I chose it. This coupled with the Stations of The Cross prayers, from St. Alphonsus Liguori, that I recited during each ascent, made for a much more penitential pilgrimage.

The walk from my pension to Cross Mountain afforded me the opportunity to mentally prepare, and become properly disposed for what really is a prayer with a little bit of climbing, not a climb with a little bit of prayer. I have actually dedicated an entire post on this, Medjugorje's Cross Mountain (Križevac): A Time Of Prayer With A Little Bit of Climbing, Not A Climb With A Little Bit Of Prayer.

A view of what pilgrims see when approaching the base (where the steps are) of Cross Mountain: two cafe/souvenir
shops on the mountain itself (on the left), and one of many souvenir shops (on the right) directly across the street.

The one thing that I have never liked about arriving at Cross Mountain was the existence of all the souvenir shops and cafes, some of which are actually on the mountain itself. They are, for the most part, a source of unwelcome chatter, laughter, and singing. In my view, these businesses should not be allowed to operate so close to the base of this prayerful climb.

I recall vividly, from my first climb up Cross Mountain in late June'2014, how repulsed I felt at the presence of all these shops and cafes. Their existence is part of an unpleasant reality: the profiteering at Medjugorje's prayer sites.

The prayer sites are not the only location where profiteering goes on, but they are the most obvious. As one small example, if you have ever purchased a 1.5L of bottle of water at Cross Mountain, Apparition Hill, or the Blue Crosses, for more than €1.00, you have fallen victim to the profiteering.

The base of Cross Mountain, where there is a sign with guidelines for pilgrims to pay heed to. The top-left image indicates that
pilgrims are to be quiet or not cause a disturbance. This is common sense, but ignored by many. To the right is a cafe and
souvenir shop, one of two on the mountain itself, and sadly only a few feet away from the first station prayer plaque.

Ironically, there is a sign at the foot of Cross Mountain, with several images that provide pilgrims with some guidelines while at the mountain, and for the climb. The majority of pilgrims have a respectful attitude, and it is clear by the way they act: in a very quiet manner, properly disposed and prepared for a prayerful climb. Others demonstrated quite the opposite, some unintentionally due in part to the initial excitement and joy of a "first climb," and being apart of a group pilgrimage. 

However, there are some pilgrims—a very small minority—that know exactly what they are doing. Their discourteous attitude is demonstrated with loud chatter and laughter; some even go and sit in the cafes, and break out into group singing that typically includes several songs.

As a pilgrim, you try to remain focussed, but sometimes it gets so bad, that you just have to bring it to the attention of those who are either intentionally or unintentionally, violating some of the most basic guidelines. I for one did this on a handful of occasions, never in a fury, but always with a charitable spirit, in a kind, calm and considerate tone, that was well received by everyone.

The Third Station of the Cross, where between the plaque and the arrow sign, is the back path from the top of the
mountain that leads to the third station.

Sadly, some people are openly defiant, knowing full well that they are disturbing others, as was the case with this one young man who I had to be very candid and direct with. He was the leader of a group that had completed their climb, and were making their way down the mountain from the back path, talking loudly and constantly. As he approached the third station, where I was praying at, I immediately informed him, in a very firm tone, that he shouldn't be in such conversation with his group, that a more suitable location for it would be at a cafe or restaurant...this is Križevac (Cross Mountain)! From the utterance of my first word, he and his group fell silent, clearly understanding that such violations on Cross Mountain are not tolerated by everyone. Needless to say, they continued with their descent in complete silence.

This is one of the unpleasant realities that pilgrims confront during their ascent up Cross Mountain; having to deal with others who, after having completed their climb, descend in full blown "conversation mode." 

Another unpleasant reality of Cross Mountain, during both the ascent and descent, is the presence of beggars. I really don't know how many they are, but on a few occasions, I encountered two individuals that I recognized from previous pilgrimages. Regardless, I sincerely hope that the police and "security presence" in Medjugorje, will seek to remove such individuals from, and keep them off the mountain.

Having initially confronted all this unpleasantness during my first pilgrimage in June' 2014, I employed the same strategy that I initiated back then; climb Cross Mountain at the hottest time of the day, when the overwhelming majority of pilgrims have already finished their climbs, and are no where to be seen. It was a strategy that served me well, as each climb was an undisturbed time of Divine Intimacy with God and Our Lady. On a few occasions, I even had the pleasure of climbing with other individuals, who shared my appreciation for a quiet climb.

If you are wondering how I coped with the intense heat and sun, well the answer is actually quite simple. I made sure to have plenty of water with me, at least 1.5L (sometimes 3.0L), depending upon the day's temperature. Although exposure to the sun was pretty much a constant throughout climb—the most intense times were when I was in prayer at each station—I made sure to pace myself to avoid becoming fatigued: it was a slow climb. This was vital for me so as to not detract from my willingness and ability to concentrate and meditate at each station. Slowly, but surely, I climbed the mountain. 

I don't recommend this for anyone who is not young, healthy or fit enough. Unlike myself, you may also want to wear a baseball cap or hat. Offer it all up, uniting your willingness to suffer the intense heat and sun, with your Stations of the Cross prayers.

No matter what I had to deal with prior to, or during my ascent, nothing minimized or detracted from the prayerful climb, and especially the serenity I experienced at the very top of the mountain. After completing the Stations of the Cross, and my personal prayer to Jesus at the foot of the cross, I would sit and rest at this one particular spot, which is captured by the first photo published with this post. It was a time of solitude and serenity, that afforded me the opportunity for undisturbed and intimate conversation with God and Our Lady; every occasion was a time of Divine Intimacy.

Filii Restoran Pansion

One of the highlights of each day was going to Filii Restoran Pansion, an amazing family-owned restaurant and pension. I came to know the family, as I became a regular customer from day three of my five week pilgrimage right until the last day. Let me tell you, they serve the best food in Medjugorje, and do so at great prices; at least 40% cheaper than you would pay for at any one of the many restaurants on the main strip.

Cevapi (large) at Filii Restoran Pansion, just one of the amazing dishes they serve.

After climbing a mountain, or walking (I typically put in somewhere between five to seven kilometers a day, depending on where I went) for several hours in Medjugorje, you build up quite an appetite. I always looked forward to my meals at Filii. The most strenuous walks were on the days that I climbed Cross Mountain and walked to Filii. Although I could have easily taken a taxi, I chose to walk, adding to the penitential pilgrimage experience.

It was during these walks, which took approximately one hour depending on my energy level, that I was completed exposed to the sun. Walking to Filii's was well worth it, because no matter what I ordered, the meals replenished my energy levels, and left me completely satisfied.

My usual arrival at Filii was approximately between three and four in the afternoon, which afforded me plenty of time to eat, relax with a cup of black tea, and still have plenty of time to walk back to St. James to prepare for the Evening Prayer Program.

I highly recommend any pilgrim who is in Medjugorje as of the publishing of this post, or those who are on route, or planning to go, to definitely make Filii Restoran Pansion, a daily destination choice for your eating needs.

My order of the vegetable platter at the outside patio.

If you do decide to go to Filii, my advice would be to first go by taxi (taxi fares are €5 within Medjugorje, whether you are one person or with three other people) so as to familiarize yourself with the location, should you decide to walk it in the future. All the taxis know Filii—it is one of the best and liked restaurants in Medjugorje—so you will have no problems getting there.

Nothing beats eating amazing food at great prices, within a pleasant atmosphere, served by friendly staff, and prepared by a wonderful family. It is the perfect compliment to good conversation and time well spent with family, friends, or fellow pilgrims.

If you have been to Medjugorje and never went to Filii Restoran Pansion, you haven't experienced all that Medjugorje has to offer.

Evening Prayer Program

Argentinian pilgrims in front of the back altar.

Each day, after Filii, I would walk to St. James (back altar) prior to the Evening Prayer Program, which began at 6:00pm with the Group Recitation of the Rosary. The Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries are recited first, which is only interrupted, for a few minutes, to honour Our Lady's apparition at 6:40pm, after which the Rosary continues, followed by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After, Mass is celebrated, then the group recitation of the "Seven Our Fathers, Hail Mary's and Glory Be's," a blessing of religious objects, healing prayers, and depending on which night: Veneration of the Cross; exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and/or the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

Although most days, I arrived at around 5:30pm, there were several days when I arrived earlier. This afforded me the opportunity to either: take a much needed nap; go to confession; or pray the Luminous Mysteries at Medjugorje's Luminous Mystery Mosaics; and purchase water or ice tea for the evening ahead. 

It was on one of those earlier arrivals that I was walking along at the very front of the altar, when a group of Argentinian pilgrims caught my attention. It was approximately 4:00pm, and they had situated themselves well in advance of the Evening Prayer Program, in the blistering sun. 

I was so impressed that I introduced myself and complimented them on their enthusiasm, and the sacrifice of having to suffer in the intense heat. I decided to ask if I could take a photo of them and they accepted. Those Argentinians are but one example of the pilgrimage spirit in Medjugorje.

After the completion of the Evening Prayer Program, I typically walked back to my pension, cleaned up from the day's activities, and went to bed.

Blue Crosses

The Blue Crosses are one of "the" prayer locations in Medjugorje, and a particularly special location for me; it is a very peaceful place for quiet prayer that I discovered during my first pilgrimage. Ever since that first pilgrimage, I have always experienced Divine Intimacy at the Blue Crosses. Taking only two minutes to climb from the street level, the Blue Crosses also happen to be one of the easiest locations to get to. 

This year, if I did not climb Cross Mountain, I spent a lot of time reciting the Rosary at the "Original Blue Cross," (see photo below), and sometimes at the newer one. Doing so also served as a much needed break from the fatigue of having climbed Cross Mountain for three or four consecutive days. Just as I did with Cross Mountain, I would target prayer at the Blue Crosses between noon to 4:00pm, for the exact same reasons.

A view of the Original Blue Cross from the make-shift seating under the big tree.

The Blue Crosses, both at the street level, and the short climb to them, are flanked by pensions, cafes and souvenir shops; another section of the "profiteering subculture" in Medjugorje, the worst of which is at Apparition Hill (see photo below). To elaborate a little about Apparition Hill, between the street level and the base of Apparition Hill, pilgrims literally have to run a gauntlet of jewellery stores, cafes, souvenir shops, and a pizzeria on a well made cobble-stone road, that takes approximately two-to-five minutes to complete, depending on your age.

The entrance to the gauntlet of shops and cafes, that pilgrims are forced to walk through, before arriving
at the base of Apparition Hill.

Like at Cross Mountain and Apparition Hill, the cafes and shops (see image below) at the Blue Crosses generate chatter, laughter, and noise when a significant amount of pilgrims arrive. If you have ever been at this location, you know how acoustic it is; conversations from the cafes and souvenir shops can be clearly heard from fifty feet away!

In addition, this year I encountered the unpleasantness of group pilgrimage leaders providing orientations (some with very large groups) at this prayer site, right in front the statues of Mary, where many other pilgrims (myself included) were only a few feet away immersed in silent prayer.

On one occasion, I arrived at the Blue Crosses, hoping to have a great prayer session, only to be met by the loud voice emanating from a speakerphone. It was so loud, you could hear it from the street. Needless to say, I did not stick around, but instead opted for a Rosary walk, and a late afternoon meal at Filii's.

The second Blue Cross, where the visionary Mirjana Soldo has her public apparitions. Below are
some of the souvenir shops and cafes. 

It is my impression that many people have no idea that they are violating "shrine etiquette," where silence is golden at the prayer sites. For some, the unintentional disturbance they cause is the result of being in Medjugorje for the first time, where enthusiasm and excitement trumps prudence. Some just do not appear to have the presence of mind, that they are at an international Marian shrine.

I met such a group, some very nice young pilgrims from Los Angeles, who needed help. Being right behind them during the short climb to the Blue Crosses, and hearing that they spoke fluent English, I offered my assistance. After the introductions, they asked me for some direction, which spawned a short exchange about the prayer sites. I did all this, informing them in a kind and considerate tone, that we all need to keep our voices down, because at this location, they can carry quite a distance; that the Blue Crosses were only thirty feet away from us. They had no idea, and thanked me.

Concluding Thoughts

A pilgrimage to Medjugorje is an overwhelmingly positive and pleasant experience. It is a place of many graces and blessings, peace, reconciliation and hope; an opportunity to have a more profound encounter with God and Our Lady.

Should you decide to go on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, whether it is your first time, or a return pilgrimage, it will: improve upon your prayer life; strengthen your faith; teach you about the spiritual battle; you will meet and connect with new and like-minded people; reconnect with previously established friendships; you will discover new things about yourself and your life; and develop a much more closer relationship with God and Our Lady.

As St. Pope John Paul II stated, "Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." 

The joy and peace that one continuously feels in Medjugorje, for the most part, makes it easy to ignore some of the unpleasant aspects. No matter what unpleasantness one experiences, the focus should always be on moving forward with the purpose of your pilgrimage. The unpleasantness can at times be quite challenging, and as a matter of making Medjugorje a better place for all pilgrims, may require an intervention.

What ever you do, do not let any unpleasantness detract from or diminish any aspect of your pilgrimage. Part of what you can do is take it to prayer, and offer it up. Be patient, kind, and demonstrate by your example what it means to be a pilgrim in Medjugorje.

Peace.