Twenty First Anniversary 
Medjugorje Pilgrimage
Hosted by SCMC-02 Conference Coordinator
Travel to spiritually power packed Medjugorje, June 2002, during a momentous occasion by celebrating the Twenty First Anniversary of The Blessed Mother’s appearance to 6 children on June 25, 1981. Visit the exact site, the holy ground on the side of a mountain slope--Podbrdo (Apparition Hill) where Vicka, Mirjana and Ivanka first saw Gospa (while Ivane ran away in fear) on the feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24-81). Join Ivane and pilgrims during an apparition that traditionally takes place occasionally each year around 10:00 P.M. at this time--the candle lit parade of pilgrims ascending and descending the hill is spectacular. Pray the stations of the cross as you ascend Krizevac (Cross Mountain) where in 1933 for some mysterious reason villagers hand carried tons of cement to construct a 100 foot cross which stands magnificently overshadowing the valley below--the cross has been known to glow in the dark; rotate on its axis; dissapear, etc. when viewed from a distance. Other unusual phenomena include: a spinning sun which pulsates like a beating heart and exhibits an “eucharistic” disc that dances within the circumference of the sun; turning of Rosaries to gold; physical and many spiritual healings. Experience the simplicity of the residents who demonstrate an divine devotion to Our Lady and the majestic reverence celebrated during the Mass at St. James--a 15 decade Rosary prayed in connection with the evening Mass. Another mystery--this church was built in 1933 as well with an capacity for over 2000 and yet the population in Medjugorje at that time numbered only 200! Today the church supports overflowing parishoners and visitors (21 million have travelled here over the past 21 years).
The tour will also include a visit to Fr Jozo Zofko, the priest that spent 18 months in prison at the hands of the communists for protecting the visionaries, to a monastery in Siroki Brijeg a one hour drive from Medjugorje; spiritual talks given by local priests, ie. Fr Svetozar Kraljevic; possible side excursion to the Moslem city of Mostar where the battle raged furiously during the war and the picturesque seacoast city, Dubrovnik; a visit to all of the visionaries; and other sites not frequented by the average tour agency, such as the scenic waterfalls, Kravica, enjoying a packed lunch at this magnificent arena of God’s gift to man.
Travel Itinerary: Depart Pittsburgh O/A June 19-20, 2002 and fly to an European base city connecting with an flight direct to Mostar the following day. Our multiple linguist most favored of all the guides in Medjugorje will accompany us on our 45 minute bus ride from Mostar to our guest home in Medjugorje (4 hours from Split). We will depart Medjugorje O/A June 28-29, 2002 and fly from Mostar to an European based city and connect with an overseas air carrier returning to Pittsburgh the same day.
The $2000.00 fee is an estimate with an 10% variable due to travel cost fluctuations--$400.00 deposit required to reserve space--final payment due 60 days prior to departure--limited to 25 passengers) includes: (A). Round trip airfare from Pittsburgh. (B). Baggage handling, ground transportation in Medjugorje except for sites readily accessible . (C). Double occupancy and private bath for 8 days--$100.00 additional for single occupancy in Medjugorje. (D). Daily breakfast and dinner in Medjugorje. (E). Guest home walking distance from St. James church. (F). English speaking tour guide in Medjugorje. (G). All applicable taxes which does not include tips to the guide in Medjugorje and bus driver. (H) $75.00 fee for one day excursion to Dubrovnik. (I) $35.00 fee for visit to Siroki Brijeg and Fr Jozo.
Dr Sam, who coordinated SCMC-99/01 will personally supervise the excursion and if you were pleased with the intricate detailed coordination of this conference you may expect and will justifiably receive the same amount of dedication and detailed planning that will make this a most memorable of pilgrimages. He first visited Jugoslavia in 1956 traversing 6000 miles in 4 weeks by car on the Continent (Stockholm-London-Vienna-Frankfurt-Munich-Lourdes-Paris-Madrid-Zurich-Rome-Naples-Zagreb-Dubrovnik). During the past 30 years he has flown to Europe over 150 times and driven over 500,000 miles on the European continent and Israel. He lived in Germany in the 70s. He has visited Medjugorje 29 times since 1990 (during the war when there were no Americans in Medjugorje he visited the front lines and established very close bonds with some of the villagers due to those incredible experiences while involved in Bosnia relief aid); Roma, approximately 40 times, including various shrines throughout Italy and Spain (past 30 years); and the Holy Land 10 times since 1992.
Make check payable to: MMM Inc.; and forward to Madonna Medjugorje Messenger; P.O. Box 38214; Pittsburgh, Pa. 15238. Include an self addressed, stamped envelope with telephone number and address. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. For questions contact Marie at 412-561-4929/563-6328 or E-Mail: stcitymc@aol.com
Obermmergau Pilgrimage
Planning is underway for pilgrimages to the churches and shrines in Germany/Austria/Italy connected to the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany in September (Ask Marie).
Holyland Pilgrimage
Travel to the Holy Land Easter 2002: Fly to Tel Aviv and Stay at the Notre Dame complex (Holy See) in Jerusalem adjacent to New Gate and the old walled city (breakfasts are incredible!); visit the Garden of Gethsemane; Church of the Dormition; Bethany-the tomb of Lazarus; The Holy Sepulchre of Jesus (at 5:00 A.M. and join in the Mass with space enough for 6 pilgrims before the masses besiege the church) in the Holy Sepulchre basilica which houses Calvary and the tomb of Jesus; Pray the 3 hour Mass with Bishop Michel Sabbah on Palm Sunday with processions and choir inside the H.Spchl.; Join the procession of Franciscans as they solemnly traverse the path of Jesus’ passion via the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday (STN: I-XIV); Travel to Nazareth and attend Mass in the grotto in the church of the Annunciation and view the Holy Family dwelling; Visit Ein Karem site of the Visitation; Capernaum; Sea of Galilee; Jordon River; Dead Sea; Mt. Nebo; Church of the Beatitudes; Cana; Bethlehem (Nativity); Milk grotto; Rachel’s tomb; and many, many other magnificent spiritual experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime.
The Israel excursion can be combined with a journey to Rome Saturday before Easter and pray with the Holy Father celebrating an 3 hour Mass that evening in St Peters among 30,000 worshippers--strategic positioning inside the basilica can allow a parishoner to be located within a few yards of the Holy Father’s entrance & departure--This will be followed by celebrating Easter morning Mass with John Paul II in the Vatican square with an throng of 200,000 exhuberant Catholics from all over the world! Our group will be housed in the beautiful Castel Vecchio perched on an mountainside overlooking a crater lake. The hotel is within a very short distance from the Holy Father’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo which commands a spectacular mountain view of the plain below leading to Rome 20 miles distant. Traditionally, the Pope makes an appearance to the local residents each Easter Monday. Providentially last Easter I was positioned only an arms length away from the Holy Father on 4 separate occaisions: as he was hearing confessions in St Peters on Good Friday; during both the Saturday and Sunday Easter Masses; and at the summer residence! He was annoyed by the exhuberance and infatuation directed to him by the pilgrims after he appeared to them, exclaiming, “not me--turn to God!”
Peace be with you! Dr. Sam!