Record number of communion hosts distributed in Medjugorje.
For the first time ever in the 30 year history of the Medjugorje phenomenon the number of hosts distributed to pilgrims and parishioners in a single year has exceeded two million (2,027,900), and the year-on-year average has now surpassed one million (1,039,783) since the parish office started compiling records in 1985.
Shaped like the two hills of Medjugorje, the year-on year average growth shown in the chart below is a clear indicator that all efforts by antagonists to diminish interest and belief in the events of Medjugorje is not succeeding. The opposite is happening. The “phenomenon” continues to grow in interest and support. The number of communicants and restored hearts keeps on climbing.
Only during the onset of military conflict in surrounding regions in 1991 and then the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1995 did the numbers reduce. But by 1994 the number of communicants in Medjugorje began to rise again and has continued ever since. Not even war and the continual scaremongering is able to douse the flame of faith that burns brightly in Medjugorje as a beacon to the world.
Feed my sheep...
Two million hosts equates to an average of 5,700 communions fed to Medjugorje pilgrims every day for a whole year!
Fishers of men...
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Have you caught anything friends?” And when they answered, “No”, he said, “Throw the net out to the starboard and you’ll find something.” So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” At these words, “It is the Lord”, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak around him and jumped into the water the other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about 100 yards from land. (John 21 : 4-8)
Light of the world...
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5 : 13-16)
The wisdom of Gamaliel...
If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5 : 38-39)
The summit of our prayer...
Dear friends, let us ask the Lord that, after having worthily prepared ourselves, also through the Sacrament of Penance, our participation in His Eucharist, which is indispensible for Christian life, might always be the summit of our prayer. Let us ask that, by being united deeply to His own offering to the Father, we too may transform our crosses into a free and responsible sacrifice of love to God and to our brothers and sisters. Pope Benedict XVI, January 11, 2012
