The 31st International Spiritual Retreat for Pilgrimage Organizers, Leaders of Peace Centers, Prayer and Charity Groups Related to Medjugorje began on Monday, March 9th in Medjugorje, and will last until Friday, March 13th, 2026.

There are about 200 participants from 29 countries at this spiritual retreat: Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Ireland, the USA, England, Spain, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belgium, Canada, France, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Romania, Mexico, Russia, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The lecturer at this spiritual retreat is Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, and the topic is ‘Ad fontem! To the Source!’ Fr. Zvonimir’s introductory lecture was about the spring, or rather the meeting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the spring. He then spoke to the participants about the first years of the apparitions through the records of the Medjugorje priests, and emphasized the importance of gathering organizers and group leaders in one place to see that they are not alone and that they are part of one Medjugorje family, to see how many people around the world are spreading Our Lady’s message, and here they receive information that they can pass on to their countries and their communities.

”That is why it is important that they meet, that they are always renewed, that they come to the spring… That is why we have put this topic ‘To the spring’, that they are renewed at the spring, here in Medjugorje where it all began. We will also go to these springs, and one of the springs is the Apparition Hill, and there where it all began we will have a prayer. It is always important to return to the springs, so that people are renewed and refreshed by that water from the spring,” said Fr. Zvonimir Pavičić, the parish priest of Medjugorje.

The Holy Mass celebrated in the church of St. James in Medjugorje on the first evening of spiritual retreat was presided over by Fr. Branimir Musa, who greeted all the leaders of prayer and charity groups and peace centers created at the instigation of the Medjugorje apparitions and wished everyone a pleasant stay in Medjugorje, in the presence of Our Lady and her son, and also mentioned those leaders who had passed on to eternity. He also recalled the source, namely the first prayer meeting in Medjugorje, which was held on the 13th anniversary of the apparitions on June 22 and 23, 1994.

“Those were the times of the war, hard times in these areas. We should be reminded of these conclusions, because they are still relevant and vital today, and they write: ‘Our Lady’s messages do not bring any revelations. They all rest on the one recorded in the Gospel: ‘Do whatever he tells you to do’. It is recommended that pilgrims and pilgrimage organizers become involved in their church community with full respect for the local church authorities.’ From then until today, we want to emphasize that our desire and request is to remain humble following the example of Mary, protecting our Church as Mary protected Jesus,” said Fr. Branimir Musa, and the participants were also addressed by the Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli. He also looked back at the beginning, the source, but also the fruits of that source that developed into the great Medjugorje river.

“45 years ago, there was nothing here. After 45 years, millions of people have come here to pray. Millions of people have understood the Gospel here and have been converted. Millions of people have understood that the Blessed Virgin Mary accompanies us on our journey towards the Lord Jesus. Hundreds of young people have chosen religious life. Many have been healed here. Over the course of 45 years, the Holy Spirit has taken us to the whole world, and the Pope said to the whole world with ‘nihil obstat’: ‘Go to Medjugorje because it is a place of grace.’ These organizers and guides who are on a spiritual retreat and all of us are exclusively collaborators of the Holy Spirit”, said Archbishop Cavalli.

Božica Odobašić from Slavonski Brod has been organizing up to ten pilgrimages to Medjugorje for more than 20 years, and this spiritual retreat is her first time.

“Until now, I have not had the opportunity, I simply could not organize myself, but it is wonderful to be here. This motto alone ‘Ad fontem! To the source!’ is truly special and very meaningful, and just when the parish priest, Fr. Zvonimir, addressed this topic and explained it to us further, it is special. I think this is very well organized and that this is really needed. Spiritual retreats are needed by everyone. Come to Medjugorje. Medjugorje is truly a special place. I adore it, I love it and I live with it”, said Božica.

In addition to participating in the prayer program in the Medjugorje parish church, participants of the 31st International spiritual retreat for pilgrimage organizers, leaders of peace centers, prayer and charity groups related to Medjugorje; they prayed on Cross Mountain, will also pray on Apparition Hill, have daily adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, lectures, gatherings.