Medjugorje Explained: The Story Behind a Modern Marian Pilgrimage

What is Medjugorje, and why has this small village in Bosnia and Herzegovina become one of the world’s most visited Catholic pilgrimage destinations? In this episode of the ETS Travel Podcast, John and Bethany explore the story behind the modern Marian pilgrimage to Medjugorje—from the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1981 to the Catholic Church’s decades of careful discernment and the Vatican’s significant 2024 decision. We discuss the messages associated with Medjugorje, including peace, prayer, fasting, conversion, reconciliation, Scripture, confession, the Eucharist, and the Rosary. We also explain what the Vatican’s 2024 “nihil obstat” actually means—and what it does NOT mean regarding the supernatural authenticity of the apparitions. The conversation also takes listeners beyond the history to explore what pilgrims can experience in Medjugorje, including Mass at St. James Church, Apparition Hill, Cross Mountain (Mt. Krizevac), prayer, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and other devotional opportunities. For Catholic parishes, churches, and travel advisors, this episode provides important context for understanding Medjugorje as a Marian pilgrimage destination and for accurately explaining the Church’s current position. ✈️ Learn more about ETS's Pilgrimage to Medjugorje and Croatia at www.etstours.com. 🎙️ Subscribe to the ETS Travel Podcast for more conversations about faith-based travel, Catholic pilgrimage, biblical destinations, history, and the places that make meaningful journeys possible. #Medjugorje #CatholicPilgrimage #MarianPilgrimage #CatholicTravel #CatholicChurch #VirginMary #Pilgrimage #FaithBasedTravel #ETSTours #ETSTravelPodcast