Fantasy figures?

Thousands gather at Medjugorje for the anniversary Mass.
photo source: medjugorje.hr

There are some sections of the media reporting record-breaking attendances at this year’s 30th anniversary of the claimed apparitions at Medjugorje. I don’t doubt that Medjugorje welcomed its biggest influx of pilgrims for a long time, but how the quoted figures of 100,000 and even 150,000 stack up, I just do not know.

As I understand, the village accommodates around 35,000 beds, Then there is the overspill accommodation in outlying towns and villages. Many pilgrims will be day-visitors coming in from other towns and villages and even neighbouring countries and not require accommodation. But somehow I just can’t see anywhere near 100,000 people coming into Medjugorje for the day, or even the weekend. Is there room in Medjugorje for parking up 1,000 to 2,000 buses?

A good indicator will be when the parish releases figures on the number of communion hosts distributed for June, as it does for each month. It will be a basis for a more sober and accurate assessment than the excessive numbers being quoted these past couple of days.