:
The reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a group of children in 1981 has resulted in over 30 million pilgrims visiting this village since that time. Medjugorje, located in Bosnia & Herzegovina, is close to the border of Croatia. Although millions of pilgrims have come here over the last 29 years, the village still retains a special peaceful atmosphere. It is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal.
Here is our typical itinerary:
Land price is per person, double occupancy. A few single rooms are available at an extra cost of $200 per person. A $300 per person deposit will hold your space, balance is due 60 days prior to departure. Items not included: lunches, tips to local bus driver and guide (approx. $70), items of a personal nature. There is no extra charge for late registrations---if we can get you on at the published price we will do so.
Optional extension to Rome: Since it is just a short one-hour flight from Split to Rome, you may wish to spend a few days in the "Eternal City".
Contact us for special low-cost airfare from your home town. Or call us toll-free at 1-877-404-4240.
The Church and Medjugorje: There has been some confusion over the years as to whether Medjugorje was approved or dis-approved by the Church and whether loyal Catholics should or should not travel there. The Church's position is that it is currently under investigation by Rome, having been taken out of the hands of the local Bishop. It is neither approved nor dis-approved. Pilgrims are allowed to travel there so long as they are not officially-sponsored pilgrimages. And priests are encouraged to accompany these groups to provide spiritual guidance. We await the Church's final decision which may not come for several years. In the meantime if you feel called to travel to Medjugorje we stand ready to help you get there---in a group or individually.
Mercy Tours Inc. 6504 28th Street S.E. Suite Q Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Tel: 1-877-404-4240 616-942-4773 fax 616-808-3794
Mercy Tours
A Spiritual & Cultural Experience
Day 1 U.S.A.--Split
We depart from the U.S. today on our overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Day 2 Split-Medjugorje
We arrive early this morning in Frankfurt where we change planes and continue on to Split, Croatia. Upon arrival in Split around noon we are met by our local English-speaking guide and then board our bus for the drive to Medjugorje. A three-hour drive along the beautiful Adriatic coastline takes us to the village where we check in to our guest house. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje.
Day 3-7 Medjugorje
You have probably come to Medjugorje for any one of several reasons. Perhaps you felt an "inner call" to visit here, perhaps you have read about Medjugorje and are just curious to see for yourself, or perhaps you are accompanying a spouse or friend. Despite the reason you came, we feel that you will be glad that you made the trip once you have experienced what Medjugorje has to offer. Those who have never been sometimes ask: “what are we going to do for six days in Medjugorje?”. Yet at the end, they all wish they had just one more day. It is the kind of experience that is hard to describe—-so come along and find out for yourselves!
On our first morning you will probably hear the roosters crowing as you wake up on the first full day in Medjugorje. Each days activities will vary, but will start with the English-language Mass at 10:00 a.m. Following that our guide will escort us to whatever is planned for the day. One of the things we will do fairly early in our pilgrimage will be to climb Apparition Hill. This is where Our Lady first appeared to the children and as we climb we will meditate upon the mysteries of the rosaries at various stations that have been built along the way.
At other times we will hear talks from whichever visionaries are in the village at this time. These talks are scheduled with English interpreters and are very powerful testimonies as the visionaries (who obviously are now adults) tell of their experiences and the messages of Our Lady.
Those who wish may climb Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain), site of the giant cross built by the villagers in 1900 to commemorate the 1900 years since the Crucifixion of Jesus. It is a testament to their faith that the concrete had to be carried up by hand to the top of the mountain in order to erect the cross.
Of equal interest is the fact that Saint James Church is actually quite large for such a small village. Now, of course, it stays packed with pilgrims as they attend Masses in many different languages, but at the time it must have seen foolish to build such a large church. Yet obviously God had plans that man could not understand.
There is ample time to pray in the Adoration Chapel, have the Sacrament of Reconciliation and however much personal time you wish. There will by many other experiences, we are sure.
Day 8 Medjugorje--Sinj
After Mass this morning our bus will pick us up from our guest house and we will drive about two hours to the town of Sinj. This town is famous for the shrine of Our Lady of Sinj. In 1715, about 700 people of Cetina, together with a number of Franciscan monks bearing a picture of the Mother of Grace, took refuge in Grad, the fortress above the present town, from an Ottoman army comprising ten thousand soldiers, who began a ferocious attack on 14 August. After three hours of furious assault, during which the Franciscans and the people prayed before the picture of the Mother of Grace, the all-conquering Turkish army suddenly and inexplicably took flight. Witnesses said that a white lady illuminated by a vast light had appeared before the besieging soldiers. The miraculous picture has been honored here ever since
Why Sinj? In addition to the miraculous picture here it is also very close to the airport in Split. We would otherwise have to get up around 2:30 a.m. in Medjugorje and then take the 3-hour drive to Split. It would make for a very tiring day. Instead you will have the treat of seeing the miraculous image, tasting the local fare, and having a good night's rest.
Day 9 Sinj--Split--U.S.A.
This morning we have an early breakfast and then take the short drive to the Split airport. From here we catch our connecting flights back to the U.S., arriving the same day.
Mercy Tours Value includes:
- Ground transfer to and from Medjugorje via our own private bus.
- Local English-speaking guide in Medjugorje.
- At least one priest will accompany each group (with a minimum of 10 participants).
- Accommodations in a modern pansion (pilgrim home) in Medjugorje.
- Hotel accommodations in Sinj on day 8.
- Breakfast and dinner daily. Water, wine, coffee & tea with meals.
- Meetings with visionaries as available.
- Rome option available (see below).
Dates:
December 26, 2010-January 3, 2011 $699 + air
March 21-29, 2011 $759 + air
May 31-June 8, 2011 $759 + air
June 20-28, 2011 $759 + air
October 7-15, 2011 $759 + air
