The Spirit of Medjugorje
Medjugorje Message June 25, 2025
"Dear children, also today I thank the Almighty that I am with you and that I can lead you towards the God of love and peace. The ideologies which destroy you and your spiritual life are transitory. I am calling you, little children: return to God, because with God you have a future and eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call. (With Ecclesiastical approval)"
Issues
Featured Articles
Medjugorje Pilgrimage with Fr. Ray
Editor's introduction: At our May mailing, several of the
pilgrims who had traveled with Fr. Ray to Medjugorje in April
excitedly shared their stories with us. I asked them if they would
each write something about their pilgrimage to share with our
readers and they graciously agreed. (Fr. Ray's reflection on this
pilgrimage for his 40th anniversary was in our June 2025 issue.)
"I felt rejuvenated after my recent pilgrimage to
Medjugorje," wrote Sue Taccone. "There were 15 of us in
our group. When we all met up at the Buffalo Airport, those
who were strangers to me soon became family. Mary called
each of us to Medjugorje, and She and Her Son united us in
love.
"When I read the article titled 'Vicka's Example' in the
May issue, I realized that Father Ray was living the role
of a visionary on our pilgrimage. Like Vicka, Father Ray
was continually approached by pilgrims who may have
recognized him from Mary TV (marytv.tv) or from one of his
numerous visits there, or just the fact that he was wearing
his clerical collar. He never turned anyone away or missed
an opportunity to bless someone in the street or on one of
the mountains we climbed. Like Sr. Emmanuel wrote in the
article, we also sometimes felt a little impatient as we waited
for Father Ray to finish talking to or blessing the pilgrims.
Deacon Jerry joked that now we know how the apostles
must have felt! I do know we all realized the importance of
him doing the Lord's work.
"Although we will probably never receive heavenly visits
from Mary, we too can live the life of a visionary by always
availing ourselves to someone in need, whether a stranger, a
friend, or a family member. When we do it patiently and out
of love, God will give us the strength and vitality we need."
Sue's sister, Betsy Truran, wrote: "I felt like I was with a
celebrity. People were so drawn to Fr. Ray. One day as we
were walking, we were in a bit of a rural area away from St.
James Church and shops, a man came running up to Fr. Ray.
He asked Fr. Ray to bless his rosaries and other religious
items. He spoke English with a very heavy foreign accent.
Fr. Ray gladly blessed his items. The smile on that man's
face showed such appreciation toward Fr. Ray."
Fr. Ray and Fr. Nikola
"One of the highlights of the trip for me," wrote Chris
Falk, "was visiting Father Nikola's parish and Father Ray
celebrating Mass in that ancient little stone
church. I was especially moved by the healing
blessing given after Mass. I was the first one in
line to receive a blessing from Father Nikola and
it was so awesome! I know it did a lot of good
for me with my stomach issues. But the most
striking thing that brought me to tears was
after those two priests blessed us, they blessed
each other! It was such a beautiful, tender
loving moment between two brother priests!
I couldn't take a picture of that. It was just
too personal for those two. Our Lady always
asks us to pray for the shepherds. Whenever I
do that now, it's that image of Father Ray and
Father Nikola that is burned into my mind."
Carol Bleck, who has been to Medjugorje
many times, wrote: "There were many stories
... like when we were climbing Mt. Krizevac and it was
gorgeous sunshine and hot on the way up. Father stopped
at each Station as we prayed the Stations of the Cross.
Once we reached the top, you could hear thunder rolling
in. Father reached the bottom of the mountain and shelter
without getting a drop of rain! I felt responsible for our
slower climbers and waited with them. The wind picked
up and huge drops of rain began to fall along with claps of
thunder that shook us to the core. Lightning lit up the sky
several times as I kept praying and thinking about the 365
times in the Bible it says, 'Be not afraid.' We were soaked to
the skin and freezing when our friend Marija appeared out
of nowhere (no one but myself and Lisa had her number
and neither of us had called) and drove us back to the
pansion. Needless to say, the hot soup never tasted better!
Our Blessed Mother wrapped Her mantle around us and
brought us safely off the mountain."
Joan Peterson, who with her husband were first-time
Medjugorje pilgrims, shared, "I will always be grateful to
Mother Mary for inviting us to be with Her in Medjugorje.
I loved seeing the Adriatic Sea and the picturesque country
side. I enjoyed the homemade soups and bread at Marija's
pansion and our stay at the pansion with other likedminded
pilgrims from Erie and New York.
"Being with Fr. Ray, as our spiritual guide, was a wonderful
experience. So many strangers flocked to him and asked for
blessings and for him to hear their confessions (even on a
street corner across the street from the souvenir shops).
"After Fr. Ray preached the homily at Divine Mercy
Sunday Mass, a line formed. Men and women wanted to
talk to Fr. Ray. He took his time and patiently heard their
stories and requests. He never rushed anyone, gazing into
their eyes and really listening to them.
"I met a woman while I was in line for confession on
the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. Her name was
Celeste (after a nun saw her as a new-born and said she
should be named after the Angels). She was born on the feast
of the Assumption. She told Fr. Ray later that she received a
healing from him after he prayed over her. She wanted me
to hear what she had to tell Fr. Ray since she was in the same
confessional line as I, and Fr. Ray was her Confessor.
"My most memorable experience was the Mass at the
Convent of the Franciscan Sisters. Fr. Ray
presided and Deacon Jerry assisted at
the Mass. The Mass was about six days
into our pilgrimage. I felt so much peace
which continued for the rest of my trip."
Deacon Jerry
Joan's husband, Deacon Jerry Peterson
wrote, "The trip to Medjugorje was the
trip of a lifetime. What a blessing to be
in the presence of Mary. I was able to
be present at one of Ivan's apparitions.
Because Fr. Ray and Ivan are close friends,
Father and I were able to kneel just a few
feet from Ivan. It was here that I was
touched by our Mother. I began to shake
(not violently, Mary didn't intend for me
to get hurt). Father Ray tells me this was
an encounter with Heaven. I was also
present at one of Marija's apparitions. Father Ray showed
me where to kneel, so that when
Mary appeared to Marija, I would
be kneeling next to Mary. Imagine
kneeling next to the Mother of Jesus!
"I climbed (struggled up)
Apparition Hill. I thought I was
making good time until I recognized
a man who passed me on his way up,
and on his way down the hill. It was
very humbling to be passed by two
corgi dogs trotting up the hill!
"There is so much to tell. Twice,
I was able to proclaim the Gospel
during the Mass for English-speaking
people. I assisted Father Ray at
Mass at the Church of St. Blaise in
Dubrovnik. I proclaimed the same
Gospel that has been proclaimed in
that place for over 900 years! Father
consecrated the Body and Blood of
Jesus just as others have been doing
for over 900 years! This reminds us
that the Eucharist and the Gospel are
eternal.
"The most memorable part of the
trip was watching Fr. Ray encounter
those seeking prayer and confession.
He treated them with such kindness
and tenderness. He gave each person
time to encounter Jesus. Fr. Ray
offered a glimpse of what it means to
'feed My sheep.'"
