At the beginning of the promotion of Our Lady’s Prayer Groups (OLPG) when many people were answering the call to form prayer groups, we received a lot of questions about what the format should be for a Medjugorje-Type Prayer Group.  A Friend of Medjugorje invited prayer groups that had already been formed to send in an outline of what they do in their prayer group meetings.  Most of them followed a similar outline, based on what Our Lady started with the youth in Medjugorje; but there is freedom for each prayer group to decide on some of the proceedings. We offer one example sent in by a woman who gives the rationale behind some of their decisions. By including this example, we want to encourage you to discern and follow the inspirations Our Lady and the Holy Spirit place in your own hearts regarding the flow of your prayer group.

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Every Monday morning of the year, after 8:00 am. Mass, our group meets in the Madonna room at church. The Madonna Room is a plain room used for church functions. In it is a beautiful statue of Our Lady. There are about 14 women in the prayer group. Usually, 8 to 10 attends. Although we try to imitate the Medjugorje Prayer Groups as much as possible, especially in STRICTLY following the format of prayers as Our Lady requested, we have made other adjustments to accommodate the age and type of women involved.

1. We begin by lighting a candle at the foot of Mary’s statue. This begins silence—except for prayer. Silence ends when the candle is blown out after our prayers.
2. We used to try to “share” but found that it was not appropriate for this prayer group. Our prayer is contemplative and reflective. Sharing may be done after the candle is extinguished.
3. We meet in a plain room—not a home—so we can focus on Our Lady and nothing else. There is a crucifix beside her statue. We sit in straight chairs in a half circle or around a table.
4. A Bible, Rosary and Gray Book are used. In our group, we have added prayers at the end as an additional offering. They include prayers to St. Francis, St. Joseph, St. Michael the Archangel, the Guardian Angel, and Our Lady. (The Gray Book was very popular in the late 80’s, early 90’s among Medjugorje followers. The book was made up of homilies given in Medjugorje in which the messages of Our Lady were discussed and explained.)
5. During prayer time—about 1 ½ hours—members volunteer to say different prayers, such as leading a decade of the Rosary. Some prayers are recited in unison (Prayer to The Holy Spirit). No one is required to say prayers aloud. They may simply remain silent.
6. There is no group leader. We elected a spiritual director, and she makes decisions when necessary.
7. We read a small portion of the gray book (a page or so) and a few verses from the Bible. We started reading Chapter 1 of Matthew’s Gospel from the Bible. The individual decides when to stop and we start there next time.
8. There is no singing or other activity. No juice or coffee are served. It is just pure, loving prayer.
9. We try to live Our Lady’s messages and grow spiritually.

Some of the Blessings Which Have Resulted From This Prayer Group

We have had many, many of our prayers answered since August, 1987, when we began. All of our members are in various stages of conversion, and all have advanced in areas such as fasting, frequent confession, Eucharistic and other ministries, and daily church attendance.

We support each other outside the group and have formed a Christian community of friends.

Our families have been blessed, and most are now stronger in their faith. Some miraculous conversions have happened.

Participation in daily Mass and parish activities has at least doubled. Mary is honored, rosaries are given out, many people have gone to Medjugorje. We don’t claim to be responsible for these things. We feel it is all part of God’s plan and we are happy to be part of it in response to Our Lady’s request that we pray, pray, pray! Our Lady has certainly been good to us.