The whole point of coming to Split was to actually be able to go to Medjugorje. For those of you who don't know, Medjugorje which means "between mountains" is actually a little town in the middle of no where special, a small little town in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Why did I want to visit the Middle of no where? Why did I want to visit a lost third world little town, with terribly boiling hot weather?
Because in June 24, 1981 six children whitenessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not only then but many many more times since. It is a Holy place!!!
Because in June 24, 1981 six children whitenessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not only then but many many more times since. It is a Holy place!!!
So on June 30, 2015 I was finally on my way there!!!
Unfortunately, things didn't start out as planned for one me and my dad were running super late, we ran and ran but we couldn't find the tour bus. I began to feel mad, mostly at my dad for having taken so long getting ready, I know my brother says I go crazy when people make me run late.
Then I began to feel tears forming and I began to feel deeply sad, so just as I was about to give up hope of going I prayed, well not really a prayer all I thought in my heart was: "Mother Mary, I want to see you. I came all this way to see you, don't you want to see me?"
As soon as I said this, 20 minutes after the bus supposed departure time we found them I felt joy in my heart, maybe Virgin Mary wanted to see me?
After stopping on the way at a memorial site for the fallen soldiers during the war with Yugoslavia, we finally made it to Medjugorje. It was super hot! Like being placed inside a recently served bowl of soup.
As soon as we arrived we walked towards the church. Mass was ending and I felt disappointed that I had missed it, still we went in and everyone one began praying the rosary in Italian, so we stayed and as soon as it ended another mass began!
I felt very loved! I got Mass!!! And communion!!! How could I ask for more?
After mass, we walked thru town And I felt a bit saddened by how humans commercialize everything, I mean there are many stores with rosary beads, images, books, and a few new hotels. I understand of course, its understandable that people seek money any way they can, it feels wrong somehow.
So from the church we decided to walk towards the apparition site, Podbrdo. Even after the information guy suggested a taxi, we decided to brave it up and walk there. I even thought to myself if I make it to the top it means my grandpa will make it thru his new transition (he had to have an amputation of his leg about three weeks ago) I don't know if maybe by doing this it made things harder harsher but it was a long way up!
I lost my breath and had to stop in the middle of a sidewalk, gasping for air, I even began to see black dots, It was the worst I have ever felt. I thought I would faint. Thanks to my dad's insisting and to the desire to do it for my Grandpa I got back up and kept walking.
I stopped again at a place called Cenaculo community, I can't tell you what it was cause I was again out of breath. My whole body aching and burning. My dad saw me so bad, he asked a guy to sell me his fan, and the guy saw me (I am guessing I looked terrible) he gave me the fan for free. (All of this and I hadn't even began the walk up the apparition mountain).
We walked more, stopped and bought water, walked more and sat in a small shop at the foot of the mountain. I filled with fret just at the site of the mountain, it was steep, it was slippery and stones were sharp, loose, it looked demonic. I thought about not even starting the travel up, I thought to myself that I didn't need to go up, surely there was no reason for me to go up!
Then I remembered what I had offered, for my grandpa I had to go up! If I didn't go all the way up probably nothing would have happened, and maybe his health has nothing to do with me climbing up a mountain. But I had offered this walk to Mary for him, and so the climb began.
It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do! Every step was painful. The heat burning, water not quenching my thirst, it was torture!!!
After sweat, tears, gasping for air and dramatic stops to catch my breath I made it! I did! All the way to the top! I was able to pray at the place where the apparitions happened, I was able to keep the promise I had made to Blessed Mary, and now I was at peace! Now I felt calmer, the breeze at the top was delightful. My mom asked if it felt like a different kind of peace, like maybe supernatural and I could have lied and said it did but it wasn't a divine kind of peace, It was human.
But on the way down. I felt completely joyous, I don't know if it was divine joy but it wasn't entirely human, it was more, it felt amazing to have been closer to where Mother Mary was and to come back. !!!
I am not sure I am explaining myself, but its hard to explain things I don't fully understand myself.
Would I go back up? I don't think so, its way to exhausting, but I know it was a blessing to have been there and I will treasure the experience forever!
Anyways far away from Texas that's for sure!
