Purpose & Spirit of the Group

 

The prayer group is founded on the call of Our Lady of Medjugorje: to pray, to convert, to become holy, to live the Gospel, to bring peace between God and man and among men. Prayers are offered for Our Lady’s intentions.

 

The group exists not as a social club but as a spiritual community founded on faith, conversion, and growth in holiness.

 

Getting Started / Founding the Group

 

Choose a regular meeting place and time convenient for members. Use a space which fosters reverence and prayer. That may be in a church, in the homes of the members of the group, any place where prayer can be focused, no distractions, and a sense of God and Our Lady’s presence can be felt.

 

Identify a leader. The leader doesn’t necessarily lead each prayer group, but has the responsibility of making decisions when there is a need.

 

A statue or image of Our Lady (Queen of Peace) may be used symbolically in meetings (optional) as a focal point.

 

Format of the Meetings

 

Here is a suggested outline (based on Medjugorje-style groups) that you can adjust for time & local context:

 

Invocation of the Holy Spirit — Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

 

Prayer / Rosary — A significant time of the Rosary (5 decades or more) is typical, possibly with special prayers for priests, youth, families.

 

Scripture Reading & Reflection — A passage of Scripture read, then discussion or silent reflection.

 

Reading of the Latest Message—Read the most recent message of Our Lady, or pick a message at random, followed by silent reflection.

 

Prayer Intentions — Member intentions are voiced and then a prayer for those intentions is offered.

 

Closing Prayer — consecrate yourselves to the Heart of Jesus and to My Immaculate Heart,” a Litany, or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Optional: basket of intentions passed, statue taken home, etc.

 

Sharing / Testimonies — Allow members to share (briefly) personal prayer experiences, challenges, intentions.

 

Fellowship (optional) — A short time of informal sharing might follow to build community (if time and space permit).

 

Meeting frequency & size:

Some groups meet once a week, others twice a week. Smaller groups (up to ~10 people) foster intimacy; larger ones are possible with good leadership.

 

Choose a consistent day and time so members can commit.

 

Spiritual Commitments for Members

 

Members of the group are encouraged to live out certain commitments which deepen the group’s spirituality:

 

Regular Confession: At least once a month, as a means of purification and closer union with Jesus.

 

Daily Prayer: Personal prayer and reading of the Bible; also having holy objects (Bible in prominent place at home, crucifix, medal, holy water) as supportive signs of faith in daily life.

 

Fasting & Penance: Fasting (bread & water or simpler alternative if health requires), sacrifices, particularly on days of the week recommended for fasting.

 

Participation in the Eucharist and Adoration: Regular Mass attendance, and if possible, Eucharistic adoration connected to the group. Perhaps each member of the group can commit to one holy hour a month for the intentions of the prayer group.

 

Living conversion: The group is about growth in holiness—helping one another to live the Gospel, show love, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation.

 

Key Do’s & Don’ts / Best Practices

 

Do’s

 

Keep the focus on the messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje (prayer, conversion, peace).

 

Encourage simplicity, humility, obedience (to the Church, to the pastor, to the spirit of the group).

 

Encourage member involvement (rotate leadership or decade-leaders in Rosary) so the group is lively and participative.

 

Pray for each other deeply; members feeling welcome and supported.

 

Remain in the context of your parish: coordinate with the pastor, integrate with parish life rather than isolated.

 

 Don’ts / Cautions

 

Avoid making the group about “apparition gossip,” other unapproved private revelations, or mixing in new-age or heterodox materials. The emphasis should remain on Our Lady’s messages of Medjugorje.

 

Avoid turning the group into a purely social event; it must remain rooted in spiritual formation.

 

Avoid neglecting simplicity: it’s better to have a short, quality meeting than a long, unfocused meeting.

 

Beware of dissension: the leader / team must foster peace, respect among members, avoid judgementalism, but also stay true to the spirit of what the prayer group was founded upon. Beware of the influence of those who want to change the format, who say they are receiving messages from Jesus and Mary for the group, who bring strife into the meetings, etc.