Peace is mentioned 429 times in the Bible. When Jesus entered the upper room, He greeted the disciples by saying “Peace be with you”. When comforting the disciples about the crucifixion, Jesus said “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”. As Catholics, we offer peace during each Mass.

In today’s hectic and busy world, how often do we really feel at peace? The pressures of family, work, health, and outside influences can make peace unattainable. Setting aside daily time to pray and meditate can be life-changing in connecting with God. For many, this is the most valuable time of the day.

Going on pilgrimage is a way to extend that connection with God in a deeper way. Spending some time away from our hectic lives in places where Jesus, Mary and the saints walked can provide a level of peace that is difficult to obtain in our usual daily lives.

I have been blessed to have gone on several pilgrimages to The Holy Land, Italy, Barcelona, Chimayo, Mexico City, Germany, Fatima, and Medjugorje. These sacred places are all unique, remarkable, and so impactful. But the peace I felt in Medjugorje is like nothing I have ever felt before.

Medjugorje is a small village in Bosnia and Herzegovina surrounded by beautiful mountains. The countryside is picturesque with pathways through fields of wildflowers leading to various worship sites. There is a Rosary Walk up Cross Mountain, stunning Stations of the Cross in Fresco, and the miraculous crying Risen Christ statue. People here walk barefoot up to Apparition Hill and walk to Mass saying the rosary and live a simple life of worship. Catholicism is the center of life with all activity centering around Mass and devotion to Our Lady.

Over one million pilgrims visit Medjugorje annually, where Mary has been appearing to six children, who are now adults since 1981. The Church recognizes the many fruits of the spiritual experience and abundant conversions and return to sacraments and vocations resulting from pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

There are three stories of unbelievable faith that still impact me today. One is Patrick, a successful car dealership owner who converted to Catholicism after reading the message from Our Lady of Medjugorje and consecrated his wayward children to Mary. Once they turned their lives around, he sold everything and moved to Medjugorje. He is building a beautiful castle to use as a retreat center for religious people and shares his conversion story with pilgrims daily.

The second is from a Korean couple whose sick son was healed from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. The father and son returned home without faith, but the mother stayed and prayed. When she returned, her son was healed. In 2006, for the 25th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions, they donated the funds to create the white statue of the Queen of Peace that now sits on top of Apparition Hill in the spot Our Lady first appeared.

The third highlights Catholic charities and how the faithful depend on God’s providence in the most beautiful ways. Arthur McCluskey, a successful businessman was suffering from gambling and alcohol addiction. His visit to Medjugorje was a turning point in his life when he was healed from addiction. In 1999, he established a foundation to support poor and infirmed people in Bosnia-Herzegovina through Catholic charities. These include Mother’s Village Orphanage, The Miracles Centre for Prosthesis & Care, Cenacolo Community for young people suffering from addiction.

There are many extreme stories of modern-day people who gave up everything to follow God and be the hands and feet of Jesus in Medjugorje making this a remarkable place. With the apparitions still happening, and all the miracles of faith that are occurring, it is undeniable that God is moving in incredible ways here and we have the unique opportunity to bear witness as it is happening.

Just as Mary said yes to God’s will, going on pilgrimage is saying yes to deepening our faith. The Marian sites, especially Medjugorje, are steeped in pilgrimage tradition. They bring about healing, conversion, and vocations and provide beautiful peace from devotion to Our Lady.

Lisa Colgin is Director USA and based in the Harvest Journeys office in Dallas

Harvest Journeys is happy to offer departures to Medjugorje in April, September, and October. Please visit our website or the links below for additional information.