Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Monday 23 December |
Saint of the Day: St. John of Kanty
Aleteia logo
Church
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Pope’s envoy details plans to expand Medjugorje shrine

MEDJUGORJE

By bibiphoto | Shutterstock

Philip Kosloski - published on 09/24/18

Polish archbishop plans to support pilgrims who travel to popular site of alleged apparitions.

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well.

Donate with just 3 clicks

*Your donation is tax deductible!

It is estimated that more than 2.5 million people visit the Medjugorje shrine every year and Polish archbishop Henryk Hoser, the apostolic visitator for the shrine, has just released plans to expand the shrine to better serve the pilgrims who come there.

Archbishop Hoser was appointed by Pope Francis in 2017 to assess the shrine at Medjugorje and to ensure that the spiritual needs of the pilgrims are being met.

Hoser confirmed in December that “The devotion of Medjugorje is allowed. It’s not prohibited, and need not be done in secret.” He explained that, “Today, dioceses and other institutions can organize official pilgrimages. It’s no longer a problem.”

With the approval of official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, it is now Hoser’s plan to expand the shrine to accommodate the vast number of pilgrims each year.

He related in a new interview published on Crux, “Medjugorje represents Europe’s spiritual lungs, a place where millions discover God and the beauties of the church.”

“We now have to re-create its infrastructure, firstly by securing its liturgical space. We also need to expand its areas for retreats and provide new places for celebrating the Eucharist, especially for pilgrims,” he said.

This will include both structural improvements to existing buildings as well as new buildings that will accommodate the many pilgrims who participate in the sacrament of reconciliation.

The plan is chiefly aimed at the spiritual welfare of the pilgrims who come there and to ensure that they are shown proper hospitality.

At the same time, while Pope Francis has shown support to the pilgrims who travel to Medjugorje, he has expressed his own doubts as to the supernatural origin of the alleged apparitions. It is uncertain if the apparitions will ever be officially approved, but regardless of the outcome, the Holy Father remains committed to support the pilgrims who go there each year to worship God and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.



Read more:
Pope’s envoy: “Malignant forces” are acting in Medjugorje


MEDJUGORJE
Read more:
The Pope’s rep: Why do so many people come to Medjugorje every year?

Tags:
MiraclesVirgin Mary
Aleteia exists thanks to your donations

Help us to continue our mission of sharing Christian news and inspiring stories. Please make a donation today! Take advantage of the end of the year to get a tax deduction for 2024.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.