As two young pilgrims prepared themselves in solitude, this evening on May 26, 2008, for the coming of the Queen of Peace, the bronze plaque in the background depicting the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary, the Crowing of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven, is striking.
It is always a great joy when Ivan returns to Medjugorje and through his prayer group, opens the apparitions of Our Lady to all pilgrims to attend on Apparition Mountain on Monday and Friday nights. Tonight the space surrounding the Blue Cross, where the apparition took place, slowly filled up with a steady stream of pilgrims who began arriving in the early evening, and continued coming even just moments before Our Lady appeared to Ivan around 10:00 p.m. The whole world was represented on this hillside, the Rosary being heard prayed in many languages. Tonight the mood was solemn and quiet as everyone gathered prepared their hearts to encounter the Queen of Peace. As always, the crowd was made up of many who have been coming to Medjugorje for years, standing with those who were here on their first pilgrimage; the very young and the very old; the strong amidst the weak; those looking for a sign to strengthen their faith and the blessed ones who believe without seeing. Finally, Ivan’s voice could be heard quietly asking for the cameras and flashlights to be put away—that this was the time for prayer. The Rosary began, each decade prayed by a member of Ivan’s prayer group, who have been meeting ever since they first came together in 1984, almost 25 years ago. And in the silence that followed the Rosary, Our Lady appeared.
Description of Ivan’s Apparition at the Blue Cross On May 26, 2008:
Though only the visionary Ivan can see Our Lady when She appears during the prayer group meetings on Apparition Mountain in Medjugorje, many pilgrims long to get as close as they can to Our Lady. These pilgrims arrived early this evening on May 26, capturing the coveted seats next to the Blue Cross where Our Lady would be appearing.
Tonight when Our Lady came She was very, very happy. She greeted us by saying “Praised be Jesus my dear children.” Our Lady then prayed for a long time with Her hands extended over us present. She then blessed us all with Her Motherly Blessing. She blessed all the religious articles brought for blessing. Ivan recommended all of our needs, our families and especially all of the sick. Tonight Our Lady prayed especially for vocations in the Church. After we prayed with Our Lady an Our Father and a Glory Be and then Our Lady left in an illuminated Sign of the Cross saying, “Go in peace my dear children.”
Ivan then made a reference to the message Our Lady gave yesterday through visionary Marija Lunetti, saying this was the message to the world, the latest message given by Our Lady for us to live.
