Every year in August, Medjugorje hosts a youth festival which draws over 50,000 young people from around the world. This year’s event was no exception, drawing probably a record number. It should be noted that the apparitions of the Blessed Mother reported here have not yet been officially approved by the Church, the Church has approved Medjugorje as a pilgrimage destination. Priests are encouraged to accompany pilgrims to provide spiritual guidance.
Evidence of this was made clear by the main celebrant of the Mass here: Cardinal Robert Sarah (pronounced sar-ahh). Noted as one of the potential candidates for the Chair of Saint Peter, it is certainly a sign that the shrine of Medjugorje has achieved some acceptance by the Church, even though the apparitions themselves have yet to be approved.
