Medjugorje: The First Seven Days

The events that took place from June 24, 1981 to July 3, 1981

A thought-provoking new book by Darko Pavičić

As the distributor and co-publisher of Medjugorje: The First Seven Days for the Americas, Catholic Shop is thrilled to present this detailed and impartial journalistic-investigative reconstruction of the Medjugorje phenomenon.  

Written by respected journalist Darko Pavičić and translated into English by Miljenko (Miki) Musa, this fascinating new book features previously unpublished materials and eyewitness interviews to shed light on the first days of the Medjugorje apparitions from June 24th to July 3rd, 1981, the authenticity of which the Vatican considers positive.

 

 

Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only place in the world where the Virgin Mary appears every day. These apparitions have continued for 41 years and today Medjugorje is governed by the Vatican through a special papal envoy.

Medjugorje - The First Seven Days was inspired by the unofficial findings of the International Commission of Inquiry of the Holy See for Medjugorje, which Pope Benedict XVI entrusted to Cardinal Camillo Ruini and which gave a positive opinion on the authenticity of these "first seven days", i.e. the ten days of apparitions from June 24th to July 3rd, 1981.

The author spoke to the witnesses of the time: all six visionaries, Franciscan pastor Fr. Jozo Zovko, parents of visionaries, their neighbors and friends, i.e. people who were closest to them in those first days. He also used all the literature from that time as well as unique materials. These included audio recordings of the conversations with the visionaries of those first days, which were recorded by Fr. Jozo Zovko and have been preserved to this day.

From all this, a book of special dynamics and strong authenticity was created, describing in detail all the events of that time, which, as it is assumed, could be the basis for the official recognition of the Medjugorje apparitions.

The book is an ideal introduction to the phenomenon for skeptics and those who encounter the Medjugorje phenomenon for the first time, while it also contains a handful of previously unpublished details which are unknown even to devotees of Medjugorje. Order your copy today.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darko Pavičić is a journalist for Večernji list (the largest daily newspaper in Croatia). He has been exclusively covering religious issues for 30 years, writing about the work and life of religious communities—especially the Catholic Church—in Croatia, and is among the leading analysts in the field in Croatia. He also often participates in public debates, especially on television. Visit the author's website.

 

THE SIX VISIONARIES OF MEDJUGORJE

 

 

IVAN DRAGIČEVIĆ

Ivan Dragičević is the son of Zlata and Stanko and was born on May 25, 1965, in Bijakovići (one of five hamlets in the Parish of Medjugorje). After finishing high school, Ivan become a caterer. He still has daily apparitions, and Our Lady has confided nine secrets in him so far, as well as a prayer intention to pray for young people and priests. Our Lady also asked him to establish a prayer group.

In his youth, Ivan felt called to the priesthood and attended seminary in both Visoko and Dubrovnik. But, feeling misunderstood, he left. In 1989, in Medjugorje, he met American Laureen Murphy, whom he married in 1994. They have four children: Kristina Marija (1995), Mikela (2000), Daniel (2001), and Matthew (2008). They live in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as in Medjugorje.

 

IVANKA IVANKOVIĆ ELEZ

Ivanka Ivanković-Elez, the daughter of Jagoda and Ivan, was born on June 21, 1966, in Bijakovići. She has an older brother and a sister. At the time of the first apparitions, Ivanka attended an economics high school in Mostar, but left soon after.

She was the first to see Our Lady and had daily apparitions until May 7, 1985, when Our Lady entrusted her with the tenth secret. At that time, she told Ivanka that she would receive apparitions once a year on June 25—the anniversary of the apparitions. Ivanka’s task is to pray for families. In December 1986, she married Rajko Elez and they have three children: daughter Kristina (1987) and sons Josip (1990) and Ivan (1994). They live in Miletina, in the parish of Medjugorje.

 

MARIJA PAVLOVIĆ LUNETTI

Marija Pavlović-Lunetti is the daughter of Iva and Filip. Born on April 1, 1965, in Bijakovići, Marija went to hairdressing school in Mostar. She still has daily apparitions, and Our Lady has entrusted nine secrets to her. Through Marija, Our Lady conveys a message to the parish and to the world on the 25th of each month. Her prayer intention is to pray for consecrated religious and for the souls in purgatory.

Marija married Italian Paolo Lunetti in 1993, and they have four sons: Michele Maria (1994), Francesco Maria (1994), Marco Maria (1998), and Giovanni Maria (2002). They live in Monza near Milan, as well as in Medjugorje.

 

MIRJANA DRAGIČEVIĆ SOLDO

Mirjana Dragičević-Soldo, the daughter of Milena and Jozo, was born on March 18, 1965, in Sarajevo, where she finished high school and studied agriculture. Mirjana had daily apparitions until December 25, 1982, when Our Lady entrusted her with the tenth and final secret—that she would appear to Mirjana only once a year, on March 18. However, from August 2, 1987, until March 2, 2020, Mirjana had apparitions on the second day of each month.

Mirjana's prayer intention is to pray for unbelievers—that is, as Our Lady says, for those who have not yet come to know the love of God. She married Marko Soldo in 1989 and they have two daughters: Marija (1990) and Veronika (1994). They live in Bijakovići. You can also learn more about Mirjana through her auto-biography My Heart Will Triumph.

 

VICKA IVANKOVIĆ MIJATOVIĆ

Vicka Ivanković-Mijatović, the daughter of Zlata and Pero, was born in Bijakovići on September 3, 1964. She has seven brothers and sisters and is a textile technician by training.

Our Lady has confided nine secrets to Vicka so far, in addition to a prayer intention to pray for the sick. Vicka still has daily apparitions, and Our Lady dictated her life story to her, which Vicka wrote in three notebooks and edited, and will be published when Our Lady gives her permission.

In January 2002, Vicka married Mario Mijatović and they have two children: Marija-Sofia (2003) and Ante (2005). They live in Krehin Gradac, which is not far from Medjugorje.

 

JAKOV ČOLO

Jakov Čolo is the son of Jaka and Ante. Although he was born in Sarajevo on March 6, 1971, Jakov has lived in Bijakovići since childhood. After high school, he trained as a locksmith and helped the Franciscans in the parish office in Medjugorje. Today, he runs the charity “Mary’s Hands.”

Our Lady appeared to Jakov daily until September 12, 1998, when he received the tenth and final secret: She promised him that he would have one apparition each year for the rest of his life—every Christmas Day. Jakov’s mission is to pray for the sick. In 1993, he married Annalisa Barozzi, an Italian from Asola near Mantova, whom he met while working in Italy. The couple has three children: Arijanna Maria (1995), David Emmanuel (1996), and Myriam (1999). They live in Bijakovići, but often reside in Italy, as well.

 

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Resources and Information

 Medjugorje: The First Seven Days in Español

Original version in Croatian and other languages

Author/Publisher Website

Bulk pricing and Wholesale

 

 

 

Photographs from Medjugorje: The First Seven Days