97
August 12, 1998

JOY

One of the most frequent laments of our times is the lament about the loss of joy. Joy is that disposition for which man yearns and cannot be satisfied so long as he has not attained joy. The many detours on which man gets lost are a consequence of the loss of joy. In the life of a Christian the word and the content of joy have their root in the Bible and the Bible, so to say, is full of those words and exhortations for us to rejoice. The Apostles were joyful at being able to suffer something for the name of Jesus (cf Acts 5:41). St. Paul calls himself and his brothers in preaching the Gospel co-workers for the joy of the Corinthians (2 Cor 1:24). So one of the missions of a Christian is to be joyful and to bring joy.

An unhappy and frowned face is more and more the image of the people of our times, and even of us Christians. What might be the reasons for that?

There is a short sketch from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It is narrated that Francis told one of his confreres who went around with a frowned face that he could have only one reason to be unhappy - "If his relationship with God was not in order." Then moreover Francis told him: "Go and put your relationship with God in order and do not disturb us any more with your unhappy face!"

Our Lady's presence and directions are an incentive: go, and get your relationship with God in order! And, here is how you will do it! Here is how you will have a happy face!

Fr. Ivan Landeka

NUMBER OF COMMUNIONS AND CONCELEBRANTS

During July in the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje 88,000 Holy Communions were distributed and there were 3,183 concelebrations at holy masses by priests from home and abroad, that is, 103 priests daily.

We shall enumerate some of the countries from which pilgrims visited Medjugorje during the month of July: Poland, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Austria, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Brazil, Italy, France, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Mexico, Slovenia, Hungary, Chili, Holland, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Canada, England, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, United States, and, of course, Croatia.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PRAYER MEETING

The already traditional ninth international youth prayer meeting was held from July 31 - August 6, 1998. The theme of this year's seminar, at which about 25,000 young people took part, was "Come, Holy Spirit Creator". The youth were addressed by Fr. Slavko Barbaric, Don Cosimo Cavaluzzo, Sister Elvira, Fr. Hans Buob, Fr. Andrea Gasparini, Fr. Jozo Zovko and the Medjugorje visionaries.

SEMINAR ON INNER HEALING

At the house of prayer "Domus Pacis" in Medjugorje a seminar on inner healing will be conducted from August 16 - 21, 1998. The leaders of the seminar are priests with a special gift in the service of healing. The seminar is recommended especially to persons having family problems. Registrations can be done by telephone +387 88 651 988 at the Information Office of the shrine every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

PRAYER-EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

The Prayer-Educational Seminar on the theme: 'Pilgrimage- Part of Our Faith Walk" will be conducted from February 28 - March 5, 1999 at Hotel 'Sunce' in Neum. The sixth Prayer-Educational Seminar will last six days instead of the usual five. The first four days, as has been the case so far, will be filled with prayer, lectures and exchange of experiences, while the fifth day will be completely dedicated to spiritual renewal. As in each previous year this seminar also we will close with a community pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

Sunday, February 28, 1999
Assembly
19:00 Holy Mass (Fr. Tomislav Pervan, Provincial of the Hercegovina Franciscans )
20:00 Supper

Monday, March 1, 1999
07:30 Morning prayer
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Lecture: "The Document of the Holy See on Pilgrimage in 2000", Prof Dr. Adalbert Rebic
10:00 Intermission
10:30 Group discussion on the theme of the lecture
12:30 Lunch
16:00 Intermission
16:30 Meeting with the Franciscans (Fr. Ivan Landeka, Fr. Slavko Barbaric, Fr. Miljenko Stojic, Fr. Leonard Orec, Fr. Jozo Zovko, Fr. Svetozar
Kraljevic, Fr. Branimir Musa. . .)
17:30 Rosary
18:00 Holy Mass (Fr. Jozo Zovko)
Dinner
20:30 Miscellaneous announcements

Tuesday, March 2, 1998
07:30 Morning prayer
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Lecture: "Peculiarities of Pilgrimage at the Great Marian Shrines", Rev. Stanislaus Kania
10:00 Intermission
10:30 Group discussion on the theme of the lecture
12:00 Lunch
15:00 Meeting with the Lecturer
16:00 Intermission
16:30 Meeting with the visionaries
17:30 Rosary
Holy Mass (Fr. Ivan Bradvica )
Dinner
20:30 Adoration (Fr. Ivan Landeka)

Wednesday, March 3, 1999
07:30 Morning prayer
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Lecture: "How to Form A Pilgrimage to Medjugorje", Dr. Fr. Slavko Barbaric
10:00 Intermission
10:30 Group discussion on the theme of the lecture
12:00 Lunch
15:00 Meeting with the Lecturer
14:00 Intermission
14:30 Group Discussion - Resolutions
17:30 Rosary
Holy Mass (Fr. Svetozar Kraljevic)
Dinner
20:30 Community Meeting - Resolutions (Declaration)

Thursday, March 4, 1999 - Day of Prayer
07:30 Morning prayer
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Lecture, Discussion, Prayer
12:00 Lunch
15:00 Lecture, Discussion
17:30 Rosary
18:00 Mass (Fr. Slavko Barbaric)
Festive Dinner

Friday, March 5, 1999
07:30 Morning prayer
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Departure for Medjugorje
Departure for Apparition Hill
Departure for Krizevac - optional

Lecturers for this year's seminar are:

Prof Dr. Adalbert Rebic - born 1937 in Hum on Sutla (Croatia). He completed his study of philosophy in Zagreb and in the Graduate School of Philosophy at the Gregorian Papal University in Rome and theology at the Gregorian and the Biblical Institute. Since 1968 he is professor of biblical sciences and oriental languages (Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac-Aramaic) in the Graduate School of Theology at the Catholic University in Zagreb. He was guest professor at the theological institutes of Zadar and Jakovo. At the Graduate School he organized and managed the financial business, and served as editor-in-chief of Theological Review and head of the Graduate School Library. Since 1972 he is President of the Croatian Mariological Institute and organized the Croatian section at international Mariological Congresses in Rome, Malta, Zaragoza, Kevelaer, Huelva and Czestohowa.

He worked in the publishing house "Krscanska Sadasnost [Christianity Today]" as editor of biblical publications and since 1994 as director of "Christianity Today", and chief editor of the religion lexicon in the Lexicographic Institute "Miroslav Krlez" in Zagreb. From 1991 - 1996 he was Head of the Office of Exiles and Refugees for the Government of the Republic of Croatia. During 1995 he was Minister without Portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Croatia. He has been honored with the highest decorations by the President of the Republic of Croatia and by the Academy of Science and Art. He has published 15 significant works and edited 11 anthologies on Marian themes. He has collaborated in theological periodicals both at home and abroad with about 430 titles. He has translated 26 books from various languages. Since 1970 he is a member of the Prebendary College of the Zagreb Metropolitan See. Since 1966 he has organized and guided about 50 pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He is a member of the Society of Croatian literary translators, a member of the Arts Academy of Croatia, a regular member of the Papal International Marian Academy in Rome, a member of the Jewish cultural society "Shalom Freiberger" in Zagreb, and an editorial member of the international theological periodical "Communio".

Rev. Stanislaus Kania - Piarist. Born in Poland February 24, 1948. Completed philosophy, theology and Church History at the Theological Institute of Krakow and the Catholic University of Lublin. He was ordained priest in 1973. He was rector of the Seminary and secretary of the Province from 1982 - 1985. He founded the Mother of God Confraternity of Religious Schools for which he serves as Chaplain. In 1985 he founded SOS for the children of poor families and families with problems for which he still today serves as spiritual director. That is a place where children can learn, play, and find the help of a doctor, psychologist and spiritual director. He is rector of the monastery in Krakow.

Already for 13 years he has been coming to Medjugorje. Since 1988 he is director and publisher of the Medjugorje periodical 'Znak Mira [Sign of Peace]" and of other books and publications that write about Medjugorje. Since 1986 he has regularly organized and led pilgrimages to Medjugorje.

Dr. Fr. Slavko Barbaric - born 1946 in Dragicini, Bosnia-Hercegovina. He studied theology at Visoko, Sarajevo and Schwaz. He was ordained priest in 1971. He received his Doctorate in 1982 in the field of religious pedagogy. Since 1982 he has been in Medjugorje. He writes books and articles on religious subjects. He works in the Shrine. He is the leader of numerous spiritual exercises and presentations. In many parts of the world he has conducted countless meetings on the theme of the Medjugorje events.

The number of spaces is limited and each year the number of participants is always greater. Therefore we ask you to register your coming to the prayer-educational seminar as soon as possible and no later than the end of November. You can register by fax at +387 88 651 444 or by e-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr in care of the Information Center or right at the Information Office of the Shrine.

Simultaneous translation for all language groups will be organized. The price for lodging, transport and seminar is 315 DM per person for double room (a day extra!). Single supplement is 40 DM. Payment will be made to the Seminar organizer upon arrival at the hotel. There is possibility for transport from the Split airport to Hotel "Sunce" in Neum. All who need transport on February 28 should give notice of the flight number and exact time of arrival to the Association "Medjugorje-Mir" in Split no later than the end of November by fax +385 21 361 354. For the last day transport will be organized from Neum to Medjugorje. Radio and earphones for simultaneous translation should be brought along. Radio and earphones will also be made available during the seminar.

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 08/12/98