I am 19. I’m from Austria, on the border to Germany.

This is my sixth time in Medjugorje. 

My parents came here and prayed a lot. They always told us stories about how their lives were changed and how God really cared for them. I didn’t want to hear it in my youth, but now I’m really open. 

My first trip, I think I was nine years old. I didn’t understand that much. I remember I really wanted to come back somehow. It didn’t really change my life that first time. I just remember I really loved this place, and I didn’t know why, and I came back several times.

I feel like confession is so important here, and everybody knows that. It’s so cool to have so many people that know we have to go to confession and be open and really let Jesus in. I’ve never experienced it in this way because you really try to pray and try ask for forgiveness and build a connection to God. This place is all about that. 

I always thought about the way that we see if something is true by the fruits it brings. Medjugorje is a place where so many people have changed their lives. 

Just being in front of the the Eucharist with all the people and the place is completely quiet, it hit me several times. I think that’s really cool. 

What do I take away? Just to pray and not forget about it. Even if you don’t feel Jesus, just keep on praying and you will feel Him again. That’s the thing I really learned.

There are so many youth here. There are old people too, but it’s encouraging. We don’t have that much youth at home because in Germany and Austria just old people go to church. It’s really great to see young people. You meet people who are in communities that are really active. I love to go to them and visit them. I’ve exchanged contacts to visit them sometimes. It’s encouraging.