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'''Medjugorje''' is a village in the mountains of [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]]. In 1981, six young people claimed to be having apparitions of the [[Virgin Mary]]. The Blessed Mother first appeared, then later told the visionaries that God had sent her into Medjugorje to help convert hearts and lives back to Him. Her messages, which continue to this day, center around peace, love, faith, conversion, prayer and fasting.[http://www.medjugorje.org/medpage.htm] Each of the visionaries will receive ten individual secrets that will be revealed when the apparitions cease.

'''Medjugorje''' is a village in the mountains of [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]]. In 1981, six young people claimed to be having apparitions of the [[Virgin Mary]]. The Blessed Mother first appeared, then later told the visionaries that God had sent her into Medjugorje to help convert hearts and lives back to Him. Her messages, which continue to this day, center around peace, love, faith, conversion, prayer and fasting.[http://www.medjugorje.org/medpage.htm] Each of the visionaries will receive ten individual secrets that will be revealed when the apparitions cease.

News of the Virgin Mary's apparitions began to attract pilgrims to the small village, first from the surrounding areas and then, from around the world. At the time, Bosnia was part of the [[communist]] nation of [[Yugoslavia]]. Despite the official [[atheist]] policy of communism, clergy, theologians as well as experts from the physical and medical sciences visited and testified that some type of phenomenon was taking place when the apparitions occurred. In addition, some pilgrims reported seeing the sun spin as it had in [[Fatima]]. Others reported that their rosaries turned gold. And, as had happened at other sites of Marian apparitions, physical, spiritual and moral healings were taking place.<ref>http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/medjugorje.htm</ref>.

News of the Virgin Mary's apparitions began to attract pilgrims to the small village, first from the surrounding areas and then, from around the world. At the time, Bosnia was part of the [[communist]] nation of [[Yugoslavia]]. Despite the official [[atheist]] policy of communism, clergy, theologians as well as experts from the physical and medical sciences visited and testified that some type of phenomenon was taking place when the apparitions occurred. In addition, some pilgrims reported seeing the sun spin as it had in [[Fatima]]. Others reported that their rosaries turned gold. And, as had happened at other sites of Marian apparitions, physical, spiritual and moral healings were taking place.<ref>http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/medjugorje.htm</ref>

==The Visionaries==

==The Visionaries==

# Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez was the first to see Our Lady on June 24, 1981. Her prayer mission is to pray for families. Ivanka had daily apparitions up until 1985 when she received her tenth secret. She now has a yearly apparition on June 25.

# Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez was the first to see Our Lady on June 24, 1981. Her prayer mission is to pray for families. Ivanka had daily apparitions up until 1985 when she received her tenth secret. She now has a yearly apparition on June 25.

# Ivan Dragicevic has received nine secrets and still has daily apparitions. His prayer mission is to pray for priests and the youth of the world.

# Ivan Dragicevic has received nine secrets and still has daily apparitions. His prayer mission is to pray for priests and the youth of the world.

# Jakov Colo is the youngest of the visionaries. He has received all ten secrets and now has a yearly apparition on [[Christmas]] Day. Jakov's prayer mission is to pray for the sick. <ref>http://www.medjugorjepilgrim.com/Visionaries.html</ref>

# Jakov Colo is the youngest of the visionaries. He has received all ten secrets and now has a yearly apparition on [[Christmas]] Day. Jakov's prayer mission is to pray for the sick.<ref>http://www.medjugorjepilgrim.com/Visionaries.html</ref>

===The Catholic Church's Position===

===The Catholic Church's Position===

Unlike [[Fatima]], [[Lourdes]] and Guadeloupe, Medjugorje has not yet been approved by the [[Vatican]] as an official Marian apparition. The Church permits [[Catholics]] to visit Medjugorje including priests who visit as chaplains. The Church has not suppressed discussion of Medjugorje but forbids official pilgrimages until a final decision has been rendered <ref>http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/medjugorje.htm</ref>.

Unlike [[Fatima]], [[Lourdes]] and Guadeloupe, Medjugorje has not yet been approved by the [[Vatican]] as an official Marian apparition. The Church permits [[Catholics]] to visit Medjugorje including priests who visit as chaplains. The Church has not suppressed discussion of Medjugorje but forbids official pilgrimages until a final decision has been rendered.<ref>http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/medjugorje.htm</ref>

==References==

==References==