Wow 70,000 Youth from 71 Countries Around the World at Medjugorje's Mladifest Encouraged to "Be evangelizers"
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Mladifest concluded with a grand sending-off ceremony on Thursday evening and a mountain mass on Friday morning. Bishop Petar Palic of Mostar-Duvno celebrated the closing Mass together with the Apostolic Visitor, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, and Bishops Vlado Kosic (Croatia), Everard de Jong (Netherlands), Guido Gallese, and Domenico Sigalini (both Italy), as well as 596 other priests. Approximately 70,000 young people.MESSAGE from POPE LEO XIV to the Youth - Read by the Nuncio
During the Mass, young pilgrims carried a cloth to the altar on which they had written their prayers and expressions of thanksgiving over the past few days. The bishops also presented rosaries to representatives of the 71 nations of origin present, symbolizing their mission. "Be evangelizers in your family, in your city, and in your country," the pastor of the Marian shrine, Zvonimir Pavicic, called on the young pilgrims. They should pass on what they received in Medjugorje at home.
In his homily, Bishop Palic described the pilgrimage site in Bosnia-Herzegovina as a "place of prayer and encounter with God," comparable to the biblical Mount Horeb, from whose rocks flowed water. "How many young people have found the source of living water here!" said the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno. He quoted Pope Francis as saying that faith is "not an abstract idea, but an encounter with Jesus Christ." This became a tangible experience for the estimated 70,000 young people present during the days; many "discovered Jesus" here.
The young people, the bishop continued, should also ask themselves the question Jesus posed to his disciples in the Gospel passage: "But who do you say that I am?" – and should answer not with memorized words, but with their lives. At the same time, he warned against a simplified Christian faith: turning to Jesus and following him must always be accompanied by the acceptance of the cross. "Faith is not only consolation, but also a call to conversion and sacrifice."
The 36th edition of the youth festival, first held in 1989, was held under the biblical motto "I will go to the house of the Lord." Catechisms, testimonies of faith, prayer prompts, Eucharistic celebrations, as well as music and dance, dominated the program. On Thursday, for example, Irishman Keith Kelly recounted how, with the help of the Virgin Mary, who is venerated in Medjugorje as the "Queen of Peace," he transformed from a difficult teenager to a youth pastor. He urged those present to courageously entrust their lives to God.
The festival was guided by the Franciscan order, responsible for pastoral care in Medjugorje. Its provincial, Jozo Grbes, had called on the young people the day before to truly open their hearts to God interiorly. To be more than just a formal Christian, it is necessary to follow Christ concretely, to speak out against injustice, and to be peacemakers in a chaotic world. True discipleship begins with openly listening to the word of God and having the courage to be different.
Key to Grbes's message was the importance of becoming like children—in trust, in simplicity, and also in faith. In addition to the invitation to conversion, he emphasized two spiritual realities of Medjugorje: the address "Dear Children" in the Virgin Mary's messages and the call to "peace between God and humanity." He urged the young people not to be afraid, to resist the world, and to live an authentic witness of faith—with an open heart, ready for surrender and change.
The Mir Medjugorje Information Center presented its worldwide activities. A total of ten language centers with over 150 volunteers support the work, including organizing pilgrimages and prayers for peace. Through the Centro Medjugorje Foundation, encounters and spiritual programs are organized worldwide.
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