Parish of St. James — Medjugorje

Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina

ApparitionShrineCatholic Croatia, Slovenia & Bosnia-Herzegovina collectionNihil obstat for devotion

Why pilgrims come

A sacred place worth the journey.

A major place of prayer, reconciliation, Eucharistic worship, and Marian devotion. In 2024 the Holy See granted a nihil obstat for the spiritual experience connected with Medjugorje; this does not declare the alleged apparitions supernatural.

TraditionCatholic

The pilgrim’s guide

What makes this visit meaningful

Medjugorje is best approached through the parish prayer programme: Mass, adoration, rosary and confession at St. James Church, with prayerful walks to Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain. Catholic Tourist preserves the Holy See’s exact designation rather than making a supernatural claim.

St. James Church

Anchor the visit in the official parish prayer programme and international evening Mass.

Apparition Hill

Climb the rocky path prayerfully; sturdy footwear and daylight are important.

Cross Mountain

Follow the Stations of the Cross to the summit if health, weather and footing permit.

Read the Vatican designation

Understand the nihil obstat as pastoral authorization for devotion, not a judgment confirming supernatural origin.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

June 24Anniversary of the first reported apparitions at MedjugorjeThis anniversary names the reported event; it does not change the Church’s current judgment or declare the phenomenon supernatural.

July 25Parish patronal feast of St. James the GreaterMedjugorje carries a Vatican nihil obstat for devotion; this is not a declaration that the alleged apparitions are supernatural.

Apparition timeline

1 recorded apparition dates

1June 24, 1981

Reported Marian apparitions associated with Medjugorje

Church recognition

Nihil obstat for the spiritual experience and public devotion; no declaration of supernatural authenticity

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis

Private revelation does not add to the deposit of faith, and the record states only the judgment supported by the identified Church source.

Plan the pilgrimage

One full day minimum · two to three days recommended

Opening hours

St. James Church and outdoor prayer areas follow the parish’s seasonal programme. The international evening Mass is generally 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer.

Confession

Confession is a central feature of the parish’s pastoral life, with extensive outdoor confessionals. Availability depends on visiting priests and languages represented that day.

Getting there

Most international pilgrims arrive by road from Mostar, Split, Dubrovnik or Sarajevo. Reserve transfers in advance and verify border-crossing requirements when arriving through Croatia.

Accessibility

St. James Church and the parish grounds are the most accessible part of the pilgrimage. Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain are rocky, steep and unsuitable for many mobility devices.

Before you go

The Vatican’s nihil obstat recognizes the spiritual fruits and permits public devotion; it does not declare the alleged apparitions supernatural. Present the site with this distinction at all times.

Official visitor information ↗Schedules and access can change. Confirm on the official site shortly before your visit.

Mass & worship

Official-source schedule

Weekday07:30 · Roman · Croatian

Sunday07:00 · Roman · Croatian; during the school year

Sunday08:00 · Roman · Croatian; during the school year

Sunday09:30 · Roman · Croatian; during the school year

Sunday11:00 · Roman · Croatian

Winter-evening-program18:00 · Roman · Evening international Mass

Summer-evening-program19:00 · Roman · Evening international Mass

Last checked 8/23/2026. Holy days and seasonal schedules may differ—confirm before traveling.Official Mass times ↗Church website ↗

Sources & confidence

1 catalog source

Vatican ↗No verification date is listed; confirm current details with the destination.