The first time I was in Medjugorje, a priest ended up praying over some of us after a Rosary by the Blue Cross. I received a tremendous amount of emotional and spiritual healing. I used to suffer from crippling anxiety. After that encounter with that priest who has a gift of healing through Jesus, I was healed. That was beautiful. 

We met some really, really great people. 

Since it was during the time of COVID, you had to have a COVID test to get into the country and then another one to leave the country. The night before we were supposed to leave, we all took a COVID test after we had been, you know, eating together, hugging. Cimela comes in and says, “I have some bad news. Some of you are positive for COVID.”

She read off the names, and my name was the first or second one that she called. I remember just laughing, like, “Okay, whatever.” But I didn’t feel sick, and I didn’t feel scared. I felt a sense of peace that I’ve never felt before in my life.

There were eight of us that tested positive. They whisked us over to Two Hearts Hotel where Lucy let us stay, and she fed us and took care of us.

After a couple of days, some of the pilgrims tested negative, so they were able to leave. But another pilgrim named Ellen and I had to stay because we kept on testing positive 

There were only two days that I felt really sick. That was awful, but Cimela took very good care of me, got me all the food I wanted when I could eat. 

I never felt scared. I never felt that I needed or wanted to go home at that time. I knew Mary had a reason for me to be here, even though my family was extremely nervous and scared to leave me. My husband wanted to stay, but I told him to go because he had to go to work, and my daughter had to go to school so I made them leave. But I never felt scared. Not one bit. 

My father and I don’t have a close relationship. We rarely ever talk. My husband, when he went home, called my dad just to let him know that I was still here.

Of course, he yelled at my husband, but then my dad called me because he was worried. I hadn’t talked to my dad in, I don’t know, almost a year at that point. He was genuinely concerned for me. For me to feel that love that I hadn’t felt in six years was a true blessing.

Even this time, I want to come back again already. I want to start planning my next trip. There’s just something about the peace here. 

This time, I came with my friend Shannon. It’s been so beautiful to share Medjugorje with her, to see her open her heart even more and see some healing. To be able to share this experience with her has been such a blessing.

For me, a highlight is the reminder of the five stones. Father Leon had basically said you’ve just got to do it. Shut up and do it. I think that’s just a great reminder. People want to make excuses, “Oh, I can’t do that because whatever…” And you really can do it.

It’s hard. You just don’t want to do it because it’s hard. We have to do the hard things to get closer to Christ. He died for us. That’s the hardest thing there is. We can do simple things like fasting and reading the Bible, for goodness sakes.

If people are struggling with any parts of their faith, whether it’s feeling let down by God or wanting to increase their faith, they should definitely come because it’s a pilgrimage, but it’s also a retreat. It’s time away from the world so you can grow closer. All the sacraments are readily available, but no one’s forcing you to go. It’s really so beautiful that it’s so easy to go to confession and it’s so easy to go to Mass.