In this article, Father Néhémie Prybinski, OFM, shares his testimony about his recent pilgrimage to the shrine of Medjugorje.
Last year, I had the immense privilege of taking part in a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a sacred place that profoundly shaped my spiritual journey. This trip, made in the company of 15 other pilgrims, was a transcendent and unforgettable experience, lived in prayer, communion, and encounters with thousands of people from all over the world.
Medjugorje is a small Bosnian village known worldwide for the Marian apparitions reported there since 1981. According to many witnesses, the Virgin Mary appears to the visionaries to convey messages of peace, reconciliation, and conversion. For me, Medjugorje was far more than just a pilgrimage. It was a unique opportunity to reconnect with my faith and to deepen my relationship with God.
Daily Mass: A Spiritual Anchor
Each day, we attended Mass, which formed the heart of our spiritual experience. It was a time of strength and unity with God and the other pilgrims, where prayer and meditation led us into an inner silence conducive to spiritual encounter. The Mass was celebrated in a simple yet solemn atmosphere, filled with a tangible peace that enveloped us all. This quiet, profound setting encouraged a closer relationship with Jesus and a return to the roots of our faith.
The communal dimension of the Mass, with men and women from every background, nationality, and language, was striking. Songs in different languages, the unity of prayer, and the shared fervor gave the impression of a universal brotherhood. This experience reinforced my conviction that faith knows no borders and that prayer is a common language uniting us all.
Marian Conferences: Teachings and Sharing
Throughout our stay, I had the privilege of giving Marian conferences. These moments were opportunities to delve into the messages of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje and to understand their spiritual significance for our lives. In speaking to the pilgrims, I was able to share my reflections on Mary’s role in the history of salvation and her maternal presence in the life of Christians.
The conferences were times of reflection and sharing—enriching spiritual exchanges where every word resonated deeply in the hearts of participants. According to the visionaries, the Virgin Mary invites believers to a life of prayer, peace, and reconciliation. Medjugorje is a place where these teachings take on their full meaning and where pilgrims’ hearts are prepared to receive a message of healing and interior conversion.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: An Intimate Encounter with Jesus
In the evenings, after prayers and meditations, we experienced a unique moment: the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This was a privileged time to adore Christ present in the Eucharist—a time of deep silence where one could feel His real and living presence.
Adoration allowed me to live an intense inner experience, to renew my love for Jesus, and to entrust to Him my personal intentions and prayers. In the simple, unadorned chapel, collective adoration created an atmosphere conducive to personal encounter with Christ. It was a time of recollection where each person, in silence, felt invited to draw closer to God, to purify the heart, and to be transformed by His grace.
The Rosary: A Daily Practice
Another memorable aspect of this pilgrimage was the daily recitation of the Rosary. Each day, we prayed three rosaries—moments to recall the mysteries of the lives of Jesus and Mary. These prayers immersed us in meditation on the great moments of salvation history and invited us to ask Mary, our heavenly Mother, to lead us ever closer to her Son.
In Medjugorje, the Rosary takes on a special meaning, linked to Mary’s call to pray constantly for world peace and the conversion of hearts. Saying these prayers with a group of pilgrims from every corner of the world added strength to the experience. Each prayer, each Hail Mary, resounded as a cry of faith, hope, and supplication in pursuit of reconciliation and inner peace.
Meeting a Visionary: A Spiritual Insight
One of the most striking moments of this pilgrimage was meeting one of the visionaries of Medjugorje. The visionaries’ testimonies are moving and powerful as they recount how the Virgin Mary called them to receive her messages. These meetings are often filled with deep emotion, as they allow pilgrims to hear, firsthand, the words of the Virgin and to touch the invisible.
For me, it was a great grace to be able to ask questions and to listen to Mary’s message, which is often summed up in the call to peace, prayer, and conversion. The words of the visionary were full of simplicity and gentleness, yet one could feel a tangible spiritual strength in the room. Meeting the visionary was a privileged moment—an experience where faith became concrete and alive.
Medjugorje: An Oasis of Peace and Reconciliation
This pilgrimage to Medjugorje was, for me, a true oasis of peace. In this place, far from the distractions of the world, I experienced a profound inner peace that can only be found in an authentic encounter with God. Medjugorje is a place where souls meet, reconcile, and allow themselves to be transformed by divine grace.
The natural setting—green hills and beautiful landscapes—adds to the serenity of the place. The atmosphere, steeped in prayer and the warm welcome of the locals, invites visitors to let go of daily concerns and focus on what matters most: our relationship with God and with one another.
An Encounter with Jesus and Mary Through Thousands of Pilgrims
What makes Medjugorje so unique is also the encounter with pilgrims from all over the world. The spiritual experience is lived not only in the intimacy of prayer but also in fraternal communion. Each meeting, each conversation with other pilgrims, was an opportunity to deepen faith, share testimonies, and feel the presence of God in the assembly.
Medjugorje thus becomes a spiritual crossroads—a place of universal unity where one feels connected to the worldwide Church. It is not simply a tourist destination, but a sanctuary of conversion and prayer, where every pilgrim can experience a profound encounter with Jesus and Mary. For me, this pilgrimage was a true grace. It allowed me to grow in faith, strengthen my prayer life, and live unforgettable moments of Christian fellowship. The spirit of peace, joy, and reconciliation that reigns in Medjugorje continues to resonate in my heart, and I carry within me the call to pray for peace and to bear witness to the love of God.
Fraternally,
Father Néhémie Prybinski, OFM
Note: Discover our next pilgrimage to Medjugorje (click here).
