August 10, 2016 A.D.
To state that Medjugorje is a special place is to understate the reality of this village, which is the central point for the conversion of the world. Medjugorje is many things. Even more than a place of prayer, Medjugorje is as Our Lady said on July 25, 1999:
Medjugorje, the place where hearts meet.
A BVM Caritas pilgrim, a nun from Nigeria, climbs Cross Mountain in Medjugorje during the July/August 2016 pilgrimage.
Many times, it is not the grandiose things that strike the heart, but the simple things. Many of those are witnessed in Medjugorje. One of the Caritas Community members told a story about one Caritas pilgrim’s climb up Cross Mountain.
It is a tradition when climbing Cross Mountain, to carry a rock up to the Cross. Life brings with it many trials, much weight that is often carried for years. The rock symbolizes many of these things. Every trial, sin, struggle, prayer needs, the scars of life are carried up the Way of the Cross and upon reaching the Cross at the top, leaving the rock there for Jesus and Our Lady to take off of your heart. Many pilgrims have had great weight lifted from their shoulders, which may have been carried for years. In doing this tradition, the Caritas Community member said:
“Even since a Friend of Medjugorje started our pilgrimages in 1986, we have always invited all of our groups to carry a rock up Cross Mountain. During the latest pilgrimage in August, a nun from Nigeria picked up a very large rock. It was a little beyond her size. She insisted on carrying it herself, always with a smile.
“Nearing the top of Cross Mountain, after the 12th station, where we had stopped to pray, she was picking her rock back up, when she was seen by two Italian priests coming down the mountain. They looked at the nun, and smiled at her full of love and admiration, though she had not seen the two priests yet.
“At one point she looked up and caught one of the priests eyes, smiling with his arms outstretched towards her. She put her rock down and moved towards the priest, who put his arms around her in a loving brotherly embrace. No words were exchanged, but everyone who saw it felt great love in the scene.
“After they hugged, both Italian priests prayed over her. She bent down and picked up her great big rock again and the two priests blessed her rock as well. The nun continued up the mountain and placed her rock at the foot of the great Cross.”
This scene is but one of many that is witnessed in Medjugorje. What are the trials of life, the struggles, and prayer needs, scars of the past that weight down upon your heart, which cannot be healed and lifted off in Medjugorje? Now is the time, not later, not next year. Why wait to be released from what burdens you and weighs you down? This is the Year of Mercy when all can be wiped away in the embrace of Our Lady.
“…I am carrying my Son Jesus to you and from this embrace I am giving you His peace… I am blessing all of you…” December 25, 2015
The embrace of Our Lady, Her blessing is waiting for you as you carry your rock, however large to Medjugorje.
Medjugorje.com
Caritas of Birmingham
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Accept the embrace of Our Lady, Who desires to offer your burdens to Her Son. Be freed at last. Call BVM Caritas Medjugorje Pilgrimages in the U.S. at 205-672-2000, extension 218 or 219. Again, remember that the only pilgrimage to Medjugorje with any space available for the year 2016, is the Oct. 26 – Nov. 4, 2016 pilgrimage. Visit here to request pilgrimage information.
