We are so excited for you to join us in Medjugorje!

We will be flying into Dubrovnik (DBV) airport for the August 2025 Medjugorje Pilgrimage. Please see flight arrival and departure instructions below:

*Please arrange your flight to ARRIVE in Dubrovnik (DBV) AT or BEFORE 1 PM on August 2nd. (You will need to depart the U.S. on August 1st in order to arrive on August 2nd)*

*Please arrange your flight to DEPART from Dubrovnik (DBV) AT or AFTER 11 AM on August 11th. (If you choose an early morning or evening flight and require a separate airport transfer from the group, there will be an additional fee)*

**PLEASE FORWARD FLIGHT INFORMATION/ITINERARY TO: katie@shadowonthewater.com**

***If you have a DIFFERENT arrival or departure time from the group, we may have to arrange separate transportation which may be an ADDITIONAL charge***

For help arranging flights, contact Mara Mesmer (mara@shadowonthewater.com or 574-387-7475)

On June 24, 1981 six children witnessed the Blessed Virgin Mary on what is now known as Apparition Hill in the peaceful and historical town of Medjugorje. The apparition had a message of peace for the world, as well as a call to conversion, prayer and fasting. Mike Nolan, who first traveled to Medjugorje in 1990, has been leading pilgrims there since 2005. On May 13, 2019 the Holy See officially announced that Dioceses and Parishes throughout the world are now authorized to organize pilgrimages to Medjugorje. To date, over 40+ million people have visited this peaceful pilgrimage site.

Medjugorje is beautiful in its simplicity and peace. It is a place where the veil between heaven and earth is very thin. In this sacred place, Our Lady will invite you under her mantle to learn to pray with the heart. She will draw you close to her Son to receive His healing love through Holy Mass, Confession, and prayer. On this pilgrimage, you will be led to embrace your identity as a beloved child of God, who, filled with the Holy Spirit, is commissioned to carry Our Lady's message of peace and conversion to the world. 

Fr. Svet says in his book entitled Pilgrimage, “A pilgrimage is a journey, assigned by God. It brings the pilgrim not only to a physical place, but out of himself, and into the presence of God. All else falls away. There is only the child, his Father, and eternity…” This is really why we are being called to make such a journey. A “body language” that speaks loudly and clearly to God. “Father, I want to know you!”

Your pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight to Europe. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board the flight.

Upon arrival in Europe, change gates to board your short connection flight to our destination airport. At our final destination, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the arrival hall where you will be greeted by your pilgrimage leaders and driver who will accompany you on the 2–3 hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the evening.

7:00am Morning Worship, Teaching and Rosary

Each morning, the group will be led with heartfelt worship, inspired teaching, and the Holy Rosary.

8:30am Breakfast  - Enjoy a delicious family-style breakfast. 

10:00am Daily Mass - The group will assemble at St. James Church for Mass (English-speaking). 

11:00am Daily Activities - See offerings below.

4:30pm Dinner  - Enjoy a delicious family-style dinner.

6:00pm Evening Session - Attend the Evening Program of prayer with the parish. This program of prayer includes Rosary, Confession, and Holy Mass (Croatian language with simultaneous translation through FM radio). Following Mass there will be Adoration or Rosary or Veneration of the Cross.

YOUTH FEST August 4th Evening - August 8th Sunrise:

Festivities begin with an evening procession on August 4th and ends with a sunrise Mass on Krizevac on August 8th. Medjugore Youth Fest consists of testimonies and catechetical talks given each day intermingled with worship and performances. 

With attendees gathering from over 40 countries, this dynamic celebration is extremely impactful, representative of the Universal Church, and is characterized by youthful joy! All ages are welcome! 

Specific daily activities will be determined based on weather and availability and will be announced at breakfast. Here are some examples of daily activities:

Praying at the Statue of the Risen Christ and Other Holy Sites

The bronze statue of the Risen Christ (located on the grounds of St. James Church) miraculously seeps droplets of water out of the right knee of Jesus. You will have the opportunity to venerate this statue and pray at this peaceful site. We will also visit other places for prayer such as Vicka's childhood home, the Blue Cross, the statue of Our Lady in front of St. James Church, etc.

Climbing Apparition Hill

This mountainous hill is where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. At the base of the hill is a blue cross, where it is said Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the apparitions. While climbing, our guide will lead the rosary incorporating Our Lady’s messages, sacred scripture, and inspiring testimony. Our climb finishes at the location of the first apparitions of Our Lady - enjoy private time for prayer in this holy place.

Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain)

In 1933, the villagers built a 30-foot-high cross on top of the mountain to honor 19 centuries since Jesus's passion and death on the cross. Our Lady told the children that this cross was part of God’s plan for Medjugorje and her apparitions. The guide will lead the stations of the cross and provide reflections as we silently ascend this holy mountain to venerate the cross. At the top, we will have extended time for individual prayer and reflection.

Community of Cenacolo

Cenacolo is a place where men and women seek healing from addiction through community, accountability, prayer and work. With a 98% recovery rate, the first-hand testimonies of the community members are deeply moving and inspirational. Pilgrims can submit prayer intentions that will be lifted up by the Cenacolo community at Mass, daily prayer, and an apparition. 

Historical Expert

You will have the opportunity to hear from Franjo Zubac, who was personally discipled by Our Lady in a youth prayer group that involved visionaries and Fr. Slavko. Franjo will share his beautiful spirituality and his personal, in-depth knowledge of Our Lady’s call to prayer with the heart.

Depart on the coach bus for a day trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik is a UNESCO site, one of the ten best preserved ancient cities in the world. Pilgrims attend Mass together and enjoy free time to explore the walled city where no cars are allowed. Buy a ticket to walk on top of the wall, explore the boutiques and restaurants, or pray in one of the many Churches. Enjoy a glorious meal and stroll by the Adriatic Sea, and for the adventurous, take a dip in the water! This trip depends upon timing and weather conditions.

Pilgrims enjoy their final day in Medjugorje with free time devoted to personal prayer and reflection. It is possible some group activities will be scheduled on this day.

Airport transfers will take us to the airport for our journey home.