Festivals in Medjugorje

Attending the Annual Youth Prayer Festival in Medjugorje

When it comes to Medjugorje Festivals, the first one you will hear about is the annual Youth Prayer Festival. The locals call it Mladifest. It is held every first week of August and brings together more than 50,000 young people and more than 400 priests from around the world.

The Story behind the Festival

It is not by coincidence that such a large scale religious festival is held in a small town like Medjugorje. There is a unique story, which is the main reason for the festival to be held there each year. In June 1984, a total of 6 young people reported seeing apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ever since, the Blessed Virgin Mary keeps appearing to them and telling them that people should pray more often and do penance. In addition, many strange phenomena happen in Mejdugorje every year, like miraculous healings or the sun spinning and changing its color. The cross on Mount Podbrdo, where most of the apparitions took place, frequently disappears and reappears after a couple of days. Several years after the sightings, Medjugorje began the Youth Prayer Festival.

Festival Events

The festival has an intensive program. All festival days begin with a morning prayer and end with an Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. A Holy Mass and Rosary are held every day. The festival has its own massive choir and orchestra which perform. In addition, priests hold various lectures, and witnesses of the apparitions tell their testimonies.