European Pilgrimage
April 13-May 1, 2008
Rev. John F. Gagnier
Thirtieth
Anniversary April 28, 1978-2008
The
Pilgrimage began at
St.
Francis of Assisi, who lived
poorly and humbly, is perhaps the most widely-known and universally-loved saint
in history. What about this simple man has captivated the imaginations of
persons of all generations?
Francis speaks to us
of the importance of on-going conversion. He was a sensitive, caring, gentle
man who became so like Christ as to bear in his body the wounds of Christ.
Francis' process of growing more and more like Christ was not an easy or simple
one. He had doubts, went through depression and became disillusioned with what
was happening around him. Each of those experiences moved him toward, rather
than away from, his beloved Jesus.
Francis was exuberant in praising God! What an example of enthusiasm (being
"in-God")! He lived life to the fullest.
Francis teaches us about suffering and peacemaking.
Francis saw all of creation as good. Thus he had tremendous reverence for each
person and all of creation.
St.
Clare of Assisi, often referred
to as "the first Franciscan woman," was "born in a feudal
society as a woman of the aristocracy. Born in 1193, Clare's formation was well
underway by the time Francis received oral approval of his Rule in 1209. On
Palm Sunday, 1212, when Clare consecrated herself to God before Francis, Clare
was around eighteen years of age. She had been formed by her mother in a
household of women who prayed together and gave alms and food to the poor and
hungry of
On Wednesday Morning, Father Joe and Father
John celebrated Mass before the Tomb of St. Francis. That afternoon, the group
took a bus to
Portiuncula
“Little Portion” where Francis was called by Jesus to “Rebuild My Church” -
Basilica of Our Lady of Angels. Inside the Basilica stands the little church
that St. Francis repaired with his own hands. He lived and died near this
church.
The place of the death of St. Francis on October 3,
1226, now inside the present Basilica.
The hermitage of St. Francis, high on a hill above the
town of
Windows of
Saint Clare (left) and Saint Francis (right) flank a crucifix in the hermitage
Basilica of
Saint Francis of
Father John
and Father Joe before boarding the ferry across the Adriatic Sea to
The
The little
town of
A view of the
town of Medjugorje and Saint James Church
The
story of Saint James Church began in 1897,
only five years after Medjugorje became an independent parish, with the
construction of a small place of worship. Not only was it small, but it was
built on sinking, quake-prone earth. The building cracked, and its tower came
to lean more than
Intriguingly, the church was much
larger than it needed to be. All that, of course, changed on June 25, 1981.
Within days of the first apparitions of Mary, the Franciscans focused attention
on Mass and the Eucharist. The location of the apparitions was moved to the
church in 1982, after a government crackdown on outdoor gatherings.
International attention has brought to
St. James the ability to make many improvements. The roof has been covered with
copper, with stained glass windows added in 1987. There is one special window that shows a
heavenly lady gazing down on six simple peasant children of Medjugorje. The
spacious paved square in front of the church was completed in 1988, with a
beautiful statue of Our Lady in
The central event of every day in
Medjugorje, takes place at St. James. The Rosary begins at 5:00pm, stopping for
silence during the apparition at 5:40pm and leading into the Croatian Mass at
6:00pm. This is a powerful Mass, even to pilgrims who speak no Croatian. The
abundance of priests, from all over the world, makes possible Masses in
English, German, French, Italian, and other languages throughout the day.
(LEFT) Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic - Vicka is the oldest of the six visionaries. She was born September 3, 1964, in Bijakovici, and comes from a family of eight children. Our Lady appeared to her for the first time on June 24, 1981. For her, the daily apparitions have not yet stopped.
(RIGHT)
Father John Gagnier poses in front of Saint James Church
(LEFT) Father John and Father Joe on Hill of Apparition with a statue
erected on the original site. (RIGHT) In church with their new vestments.
Outdoor pavilion and chairs behind
Group poses at hotel with our guide Mickey (standing, center) Waterfalls on the
(LEFT) The
UNESCO, the World Bank and the City of
(RIGHT) Father John poses in an Ottoman Empire home, with a fez but no
ottoman!
(LEFT) PILOT BOAT AT
ANCONA The group returned to Italy by ferry then bused to Rome for a day tour
including the Trevi Fountain (RIGHT)
On Wednesday April
23, the group returned to
(LEFT) Fountain in front of the Pantheon (RIGHT)
The
Saint Peter’s Square, seen from the dome, looking a
like a giant keyhole. Note the shadow of the dome.
The obelisk was brought from
The obelisk, at 83 feet and over 330 tons was moved to
its present site in 1586 with 900 men and 72 horses.
(RIGHT) Anniv. Mass with Deacon Edison Tayag
ordained 28 June ‘08 (LEFT) With a
Vatican Swiss Guard
(LEFT) The Blood-Stained Corporal displayed above the Altar (RIGHT) The Orvieto Cathedral
Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto: In
1263 a German priest, Peter of
The Pope listened to the priest's
account. He then sent emissaries for an immediate investigation. When all the
facts were ascertained, he ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring to Orvieto the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of
blood. With archbishops, cardinals and other Church dignitaries in attendance,
the Pope met the procession and, amid great pomp, had the relics placed in the
cathedral. The linen corporal bearing the spots of blood is still reverently
enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto.
(LEFT) Wed.
April 30: Pope speaks to 30.000 people at weekly Audience (RIGHT) Pope Benedict XVI greets crowds
from the Popemobile.
(LEFT) Pieta (1499) by Michaelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) (RIGHT) Wood models of inventions of
Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519)
SAINT PETER’S BASILICA AT NIGHT