Međugorje getting reading for an important anniversary.
On 16 March this year, Međugorje will mark the eighty-second anniversary of the completion of construction of the cross on the Križevac Hill and celebration of the first mass under this cross, reports medjugorje-info.com on March 1, 2016.
The idea to build the cross came from the Vatican. Pope Pius XI wanted to built crosses on hills all around the world on the occasion of the 1900th anniversary of the death of Christ. One of those who accepted his idea was Fr. Bernardin Smoljan, the parish priest of Međugorje. His announced his idea to his parishioners in January 1934, and they accepted it immediately.
Međugorje parishioners carried heavy loads literally on their shoulders to the hill which was then called Šipovac, and in just one month they completed the construction of a large concrete cross. And then, on 16 March 1934, the parish priest blessed the cross and celebrated the first mass on the Križevac Hill.
In the past more than three decades, the cross has became an inevitable pilgrimage site for many pilgrims coming to Međugorje, and every Friday afternoon parishioners and pilgrims from around the world come to the Križevac Hill to perform the Stations of the Cross. Two years ago, during the celebrations of the 80th anniversary, there was a special gala ceremony organized which included presentation of a documentary on the construction of the cross.
