The Mystery of Medjugorje: A Timeline of Alleged Apparitions
Exciting news has surfaced from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the ‘Nulla Osta’ for devotion linked to Medjugorje. Mons. Armando Matteo, the Dicastery’s Secretary, takes us on a journey through the timeline of various commissions and bishops’ statements regarding the alleged apparitions at the Shrine.
By Msgr. Armando Matteo*
The phenomenon of the alleged apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje dates back to June 24, 1981, in the parish of St. James in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The events began when two girls, Ivanka Ivanković and Mirjana Dragicević, reported seeing the Madonna at the locality of Podbrdo.
Soon after, more children claimed to have witnessed the figure of Mary, sparking widespread interest and controversy. Bishop Pavao Žanić, the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno, initially expressed belief in the authenticity of the visionaries’ experiences but later shared his doubts with the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
Despite conflicting opinions and prohibitions on official pilgrimages, the devotion to Medjugorje continued to grow. The Declaration of Zadar in 1991 highlighted the need for pastoral care and healthy devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Over the years, Medjugorje faced scrutiny and investigation, culminating in Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to form an international Commission to evaluate the alleged supernatural phenomena. The subsequent findings of these investigations remained confidential, further fueling speculation around Medjugorje.
However, recent developments have allowed for pilgrimages to Medjugorje, under the careful scrutiny of the Church to avoid misinterpretation of events. Pope Francis’ appointment of Archbishop Aldo Cavalli as the Apostolic Visitor to Medjugorje underscores the ongoing attention and importance of this spiritual site.
For those intrigued by the enigma of Medjugorje, the full Note on Medjugorje can be found here.
* Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
