Our Lady appeared to Ivan at the Blue Cross on June 18, 1999, just days before the celebration of Our Lady’s 18th anniversary of Her apparitions in Medjugorje. Our Lady said:
“…I am happy, and I want you to be happy. Dear children, because of love, I am teaching you through these eighteen years. I want to lead you…â€
Our Lady then asked everyone to pray for a certain intention of Hers. She said She was in need of our prayers. On June 25th, Our Lady spoke of Her desire that we “witness†Her presence in our lives:
“…I thank you for living and witnessing my messages with your life…pray and with your life witness my presence here. May each day be a joyful witness for you of God’s love…â€
Present at the 18th anniversary of Our Lady’s Apparitions was former Archbishop Frane Franic of Split diocese in Croatia, the Apostolic Nuncio of Slovenia, Cardinal Echevarria, and two bishops from Ecuador along with all of the visionaries.