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May 31, 2000

"Dear children! I rejoice with you and in this time of grace I call you to spiritual renewal. Pray, little children, that the Holy Spirit may come to dwell in you in fullness, so that you may be able to witness in joy to all those who are far from faith. Especially, little children, pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that in the spirit of love, every day and in each situation, you may be closer to your fellow-man; and that in wisdom and love you may overcome every difficulty. I am with you and I intercede for each of you before Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call." May 25, 2000

THE PAPAL COAT-OF-ARMS

A few days ago, Pope John Paul II celebrated his 80th birthday. During his long pontificate, much praise and criticism have been written about him. However, most agree on one point: Almost no one in this century has so perseveringly represented his fundamental values as he. One of these values is human dignity. He believes that the foundation of this human dignity is the bond of man with God. All his meetings with individuals, peoples and cultures, therefore, are designed to promote the values of life and man which must never submit to the interests of ideologies, economic systems or countries. In his papal coat-of-arms, the cross is the central point under which the letter "M" is engraved, symbolizing Mary, the Mother of God. The cross of Christ is the measure of man's value and at the foot of the cross are found God's mercy and consolation, as the Mother of Jesus has experienced.

Fr. Ivan Landeka

N E W S

VISIT OF THE MASTER GENERAL OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER

As they were travelling from Split to Mostar, the Master General of the Franciscan order, Fr. Giacomo Bini, and the Secretary of the Order, Fr. Stefan Ottenbreit, visited Medjugorje. During their short meeting with the Franciscans, they talked about the pastorale of the parish, life in the Shrine and about the Franciscans who work in the Shrine.

BENEFACTORS’ CONFERENCE

A meeting of benefactors inspired by the Medjugorje messages will be held in Medjugorje on June 26, 2000, with the theme: ”You did unto me.”

The first international conference of representatives of humanitarian organizations and individuals who, inspired by the events of Medjugorje, are involved in humanitarian activity, will be held in Medjugorje June 26, 2000, starting at 9:00 AM. All those are invited who provided spiritual and material support to the war-stricken population during the war in Croatia and in Bosnia-Hercegovina.

We request all benefactors and representatives of humanitarian organizations who wish to participate in the work of this conference to give all pertinent information about their organization, the participant, and the details of their arrival to the association ”Medjugorje-Mir” Split, either via fax: 00385-21-342-258 or by e-mail to medjugorje-split@st.tel.hr

Simultaneous translation will be organized for the participants of the conference. For all additional information contact ”Medjugorje-Mir” in Split by telephone: 00385-21-361-354.

STUDENTS IN MEDJUGORJE

At this time, there are a great number of students among the pilgrims from this country who regularly go on a well-deserved trip at the end of their school year. Many of the students chose Medjugorje as their destination in order to thank the Queen of Peace for their education and for having successfully completed their school year.

A DONATED PILGRIMAGE

From May 5th to 10th, a group of pilgrims from Bulgaria visited the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje. An austrian parish financed this pilgrimage, which the bulgarian pilgrims more than happily accepted. The pilgrimage was led by nuns and, on their way back, they also visited Olovo inBosnia, an ancient place of pilgrimage. The Catholics in Bulgaria feel great gratitude towards the Franciscans in Bosnia and respect them deeply.

MEETING OF THE FRAMA (the Franciscan Youth)

The yearly meeting of the FRAMA - the Franciscan Youth - took place in the marian Shrine of Siroki Brijeg from May 12th to 14th. About 450 youths - also some from the parish of Medjugorje - took part in this meeting which had as its theme, "In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit ..." (Mt 28:19). The activities of the FRAMA members during the Lenten season were numerous: at the beginning of Lent, youths from Medjugorje made an ecological contribution in cleaning the parc of debris; Saturday afternoon they prayed the Way of the Cross up on Mt. Krizevac; in addition to the regular prayer meetings which take place on Fridays, they also frequently attended holy Mass, joining the numerous pilgrims and members of the parish; every evening, they prayed the "Prayer of the Franciscan Youth", thus forming an invisible chain of prayer; they also gave up "small pleasures" during Lent and collected money, which they gave to the needy.

The activities of the youths merit great praise, thanks to the tireless work of Fra. Branko Rados who is in charge of the Franciscan youth in Medjugorje.

May God bless them and continue to guide them through the intercession of Mary!

Published by: INFORMATIVNI CENTAR MIR - Svetiste Kraljice mira (Information Center MIR - Shrine of the Queen of Peace), 88266 Medjugorje, BiH, fax number: +387-88-651-444.
Director: fra Miljenko Stojic.
You can receive the latest issue of the Press Bulletin at any time on your own fax machine in the tone mode by dialing the
Robofax in our Information Center at +387 88 65 15 55.
E-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr; Internet: http://www.medjugorje.hr
Published every other Wednesday.

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Last Modified 05/31/2000