International youth festival 2004 - Medjugorje
(Mladifest 1.8. - 6.8. 2004)

from www, medjugorje.hr:

YOUTH FESTIVAL – an invitation

The Medjugorje MLADIFEST is growing and blossoming. In the desire to answer as well as possible to the challenges of our times and to the needs of young people, the organisers of the Festival desire to hear your commentaries, propositions, suggestions and counsels. We invite you to send them to the following address:
medj.lidija@medjugorje.hr .

The 15th International Youth Festival has ended

06.08.2004. – The International Youth Festival in Medjugorje keeps on growing… About 25.000 young people from the whole world gathered together in Medjugorje to encounter Jesus at Mary’s school of peace and of joy. They came from all the continents and from the four ends of the world… flags of about 40 countries were waved in the rhythm of the music…

The 15th MLADIFEST under the title, “We desire to see Jesus”, began in the evening of August 1st with the prayer of the rosary and Holy Mass at the outside altar of St. James’ Parish church, and ended on August 6, with rosary and Mass at the dawn around the cross on Cross Mountain. From August 2 to 5, the programme began with Morning Prayer (psalms, quotations from the Holy Father’s letter to young people for the WYD 2004, prayers of the faithful, Bible readings), followed by lectures and testimonies (morning and afternoon). The high point of each day was the Eucharistic celebration during which numberless faithful from Medjugorje and the surroundings joined the world youth. The Franciscans, who are closely following the events in Medjugorje for a number of years now, gave the homilies. The days were ending with Eucharistic adoration (August 1 and 2), procession through the parish (August 3), a theatre and musical show by “Cenacolo” community (August 4), Eucharistic adoration and signing (August 5).

Young people are coming to Medjugorje because they want to encounter Jesus through Mary. Also this year, thousands of young people made their confessions: more then 400 priests were hearing confessions from the early morning to late in the evening. Hearts delivered from the burden of sin and purified by prayer were singing and dancing…

This year, Radio “Mir” Medjugorje adapted its programme to the Mladifest: it broadcasted live one part of the programme, so that as many local faithful as possible may take part in this exceptional gathering. The entire Mladifest (in German translation) was broadcasted live by “Radio Maria” Austria and “Radio Maria” South Tyrol.

Thanks to the effort of about 30 interpreters and a whole crew of professional technicians, simultaneous translation was done in 17 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch/Flemish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, Albanian, Korean, Arabic and Croatian. The entire programme at the main altar was led in Croatian. Languages, which were not simultaneously translated, like Hebrew, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Creole (La Reunion), Macedonian, Japanese, Dene (Canadian Indians) Aramaic and Malayalam (India) were expressed through the prayer of the rosary and the prayers of the faithful.

About hundred young people form the Parish Medjugorje helped that the Festival may go on in peace and joy.

Several dozens of young people from about 15 countries gathered together in an international choir and orchestra. Among them were numerous members of the Franciscan Youth Fraternity from Herzegovina.

Witnesses from many different backgrounds spoke to the youth: priests, religious, young couples, parents... This year, there was also question of the importance of a choice in life: marriage or consecrated life. This year, a special place was given to future mothers – young pregnant women. Young people from Germany spoke about the preparations for the WYD 2005 with the Holy Father in Cologne. The Medjugorje visionaries Jakov, Ivan, Marija and Mirjana gave their witness about Our Lady’s apparitions.

Also this year, young people came to Medjugorje without knowing who the speakers would be. They came because this is Medjugorje - they came because Our Lady is here. They gathered here in faith and by their desire to live and witness their faith. They were gathered here by a profound desire to participate - with the power of God - in the building of a world that is in proportion to man, according to the example of Christ. They are gathered together by Mary, the Queen of Peace.

Youth Festival live on Radio Maria

02.08.2004. - Radio Maria Austria and Radio Maria South Tyrol are broadcasing live the entire programme of the 15th Youth Festival in Medjugorje, in German translation.

In Medjugorje, they have a direct connection with their studio in Vienna, from where, through the satellite “Astra”, this programme can be heard in entire Europe.

In charge of this transmission are Fr. Josef Gratzer and Artur Lubowiecki (in Medjugorje itself) and Fr. Klemens Maria Reischl OSB, director of Radio Maria in Vienna.

Radio Maria on satelite: Astra 19,2o East, frequency: 12,633(25) GHz, Symbolrate: 22.000, FEC:5/6, Polarization: horizontal.