Sapienza University of Rome issues a reward each year recognizing a prestigious work of research that it wishes to commend. On December 22, 1985, the book, A Thousand Encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje received the Sapienza Award for the most popular book in Italy. The book was written by a Croatian priest, Fr. Janko Bubalo, detailing a series of interviews he personally had with Medjugorje visionary Vicka and her experiences with Our Lady. Vicka’s strong, but very likeable personality is communicated within the pages of the book, as well as many nuances of Our Lady’s apparitions. It was the first book to peer inside the life of one of the Medjugorje visionaries, which helped to explain its popularity. This book was significant in spreading Medjugorje throughout Italy and beyond.
