A great celebration in Medjugorje and in the hearts of all devotees of the Queen of Peace over the long-awaited “nihil obstat” for devotion after 43 years of waiting. The Church, following a lengthy process of study begun by the Ruini commission, established by Pope Benedict XVI and concluded with the Vatican's pronouncement of September 19, 2024, recognizes the positive fruits of the spiritual experience lived in the Bosnian village since 1981 and authorizes public devotion to it.
Pope Francis's “placet”
The approval of devotion to the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje is the result of a long and complex history. The Vatican Note must not be confused with a pronouncement on the actual supernatural origin of the events that have been taking place in Medjugorje for over forty years; rather, it recognizes that in “Medjugorje the Holy Spirit acts fruitfully for the good of the faithful”.
The Church's steps regarding the alleged apparitions
The new rules for studying apparitions, which no longer simply allow one to say “yes” or “no” but open the way to a broader range of assessments, have shed light on the in-depth study of the “phenomenon” of Medjugorje and the messages spread throughout the world for forty-three years. The Vatican commission recognized the “positive”, “abundant”, “widespread”, “so beautiful” fruits that have been emerging for years in the Bosnian village, leading millions of people to return to God and prayer, resume sacramental life, and commit themselves to conversion. Millions of people have received spiritual assistance from countless priests. It is estimated that from December 1986 to June 2024, 1,060,799 priests celebrated Mass in Medjugorje.
The most important elements of the Medjugorje message
On the occasion of this beautiful ecclesial event, we would like to recall the elements that have shaped Medjugorje’s spirituality for more than forty years. We are referring to the “five stones,” which, recalling David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17:40), become powerful weapons for defeating the evil one and remaining always with Jesus. Here they are:
- Prayer from the heart: the Rosary
- The Eucharist
- The Bible
- Fasting
- Monthly Confession
Great joy in the “Shalom” family
On September 19, 2024, Shalom Publishing joyfully took part in the press conference chaired by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and felt that it had made its small contribution to the study of the messages through its latest edition of the complete collection, which was used by the Vatican commission itself.
Shalom, born from an inspiration received precisely in Medjugorje, has always sought over the years to spread the good fruits of that spiritual experience, always in total and complete obedience to the Church, and today thanks the Queen of Peace for having always accompanied it in producing good literature and spreading the Gospel message.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to Pope Francis, who strongly desired this latest Vatican statement on Medjugorje, and to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who showed great courage at the press conference by addressing even difficult topics in the name of truth. The Shalom Family assures its continued prayers for the Holy Father and the Cardinal, so that they may continue their valuable service to the Church and the world.
A new, beautiful chapter of spirituality is beginning for Medjugorje. The apostolic visitor, Monsignor Aldo Cavalli, will continue his invaluable work of pastoral care and oversight in the parish of the Bosnian town, and Mary, Queen of Peace, will continue to accompany all her children on the path that leads to Jesus.
