The  Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday which is the Sunday of the Lord's Passion. The Palm Sunday liturgy begins in the parish of Medjugorje on the site of the old parish church. Parishioners and pilgrims make a procession to St James  Church where the main Mass is celebrated at 11 am. But other Masses in Croatian are also celebrated during the day and the blessing of olive and palm branches takes place at each Mass. This year, in 2019, the 6 p.m. Mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mrg Luigi Pezzuto and Bishop Höser, the Special Envoy of the Holy Father.

 

At the end of his homily that day, Bishop Pezzuto said: “The Virgin Mary, whom we honor here in a special way, is our teacher in this not always easy journey to accomplish the will of God. Let us ask for her  intercession and her help so that this devotion to Lent as well as our participation in the mystery of the resurrection of Holy Week opens all the doors of the Kingdom of God to us, anticipating his glorious second coming, being faithful to the Gospel. . ''

 

Then at the end of Mass, he transmitted the greetings of Pope Francis. “As an apostolic nuncio, I wish to convey to you the greetings and blessing of the Holy Father Francis. Also, on his behalf, I would like to thank all the priests and all those who participate in this parish. Thank you all for being here in such large numbers. Once again, I would like to encourage you to argue that the journey we have started together here, it is also the will of the Holy Father, will allow each of your efforts to bear fruit and to have great success. ".

 

The Paschal Triduum begins with Holy Thursday when the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood is commemorated. Solemn Mass is celebrated in Medjugorje at 6 p.m. after the prayer of the first two rosaries. Then the faithful can adore the Blessed Sacrament in silence until midnight in the parish church. All confessions on that day take place before Mass.

Good Friday is the Lord's Passion Friday. Parishioners and pilgrims make the Stations of the Cross on Krizevac (Mountain of the Cross) at 11 a.m. Then after the first two rosaries, the celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place at 6 p.m. The faithful during the celebration are invited to come and embrace the Cross of the Lord. In Medjugorje, Good Friday is a day of strict fasting. In accordance with the instructions of their diocese, all alms collected on Good Friday are intended for the Holy Land.

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Holy Saturday is a day of fasting and prayer while waiting for the celebration of the Easter vigil.