Visionary, Marija, her husband, Paolo, and four children arrived at Caritas on June 28, 2013, accompanied by a Friend of Medjugorje and his family who were also in Medjugorje for the June anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions. The morning after Marija’s arrival at Caritas in Alabama, June 29, 2013, a Friend of Medjugorje led Marija and her family up the mountain behind his house and revealed to them for the first time the Cross that was being erected. Marija, not having knowledge of it, was greatly surprised. Marija thinking of the significance of the Cross in Medjugorje, said that the Cross is what unites the village; it brings unity. Of this Cross erected for the United States, Marija simply said: “This is beautiful, this is very good.” In the evening on the same day, the community gathered with Marija in the Bedroom for the apparition. After the apparition, Marija said that she had asked Our Lady about the apparition the next day. Our Lady said: “Same time, but not same place.” Immediately the founder questioned, where? Marija said a little playfully because she knew the surprise would be great: “Cross Hill”. The room erupted with great exclamations of surprise. Marija went on to explain that when she had asked Our Lady to bless it on behalf of a Friend of Medjugorje, it was Our Lady who said She would do it up at the Cross. The next evening, all the community climbed the mountain. It was June 30, 2013. Each one carried a rose to offer to Our Lady in the apparition, while the Cross was given to Her. The scaffolding was still on the Cross because of construction delays caused by the weather. At the time of the apparition, there was such peace and silence on the mountain and the prayer was deeply felt by all as was the presence of Our Lady. Marija said:
“During the moment of the apparition, I recommended to Our Lady all of us, all the people who are in the Field and I asked Our Lady to bless the Cross. Our Lady prayed over us a long time and She blessed us all.”
When the question was asked , when Our Lady was asked to bless the Cross what did She do? Marija said: “She made the Sign of the Cross,” and then Marija imitated Our Lady giving the blessing with her hand. After trials, sufferings, and difficulties with the erecting of the Cross, offered for the healing of “this” nation, all felt Our Lady’s blessing, anointing and acceptance of this Cross in a special way.
