The Medjugorje Marian Apparitions

A Visitation From the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jul 12, 2009

American pilot Captain Scott O'Grady experienced his own Marian Visitation, while shot down over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995.

Jesus' mother Mary is venerated at major religious sites around the world where it is claimed that she has appeared. In many places the witnesses to these appearances have claimed that important messages were given by the Virgin Mary.

Some of these Marian visitations are approved by the Catholic Church while others have not garnered enough supportable evidence. Regardless, for the faithful, these appearances are a powerful example of God's continuing presence in the world.

One such visitation occurred in the town of in Medjugorje Bosnia and Herzegovina, on June 24, 1981.

Our Lady of Medjugorje is the title given to Mary by those who believe that she appeared to six Herzegovinian Croat children. While the Catholic Church has not recognized this as an official Marian visitation declaring that it cannot be affirmed that the reported apparitions are supernatural in character, this particular appearance has a unique American connection.

American Pilot Scott O'Grady's Marian Apparition Experience

On June 2, 1995 American pilot, Scott O'Grady was patrolling a no-fly zone in his F-16. He was shot down by a Bosnian Serb Army SA-6 surface-to-air missile near Mrkonjic Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina. O'Grady ejected safely and survived for a full six days, eating leaves, grass and ants, and avoiding Serb patrols all while trying to contact NATO's airborne command center. He managed to evade capture and the U.S. Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit rescued him on June 8, 1995.

This story, compelling as it is, has a spiritual dimension. According to Scott O'Grady himself, he experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary while praying for rescue.

"On the third day of my hiding out, thinking about how survival is first of all a spiritual test, I experienced something amazing and unrepeatable. All of a sudden, in the stillness of my hiding place, I remembered the accounts of my mother's friend who, before the war broke out in Bosnia, had visited Medjugorje," O'Grady explained.

He continued, "That afternoon I turned to Our Lady in prayer. Immediately I felt her presence. It became more and more clear and palpable right up to the moment that I saw her. It is hard to describe in words. The vision came through the strength of my feelings, and that feeling was indescribably warm, full of bliss and peace. Someone existed that prayed and kept watch over my return home. That vision was the most important thing that happened to me in Bosnia. It gave me the courage to hold out in the most difficult moments."

Origins of The Medjugorje Apparitions

While the Catholic Church may not officially recognize the Medjugorje Apparitions, something of significance happened. The origins of this Marian Visitation begins on June 24th, 1981. Ivanka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Vicka Ivankovic, Ivan Dragicevic, Ivan Ivankovic and Milka Pavlovic, all youths from the surrounding area, saw on the hill a young woman with a child in her arms. According to the children she gave them a sign with her hand to come closer. However, they were understandably afraid and resisted.

The next day, June 25, 1981, they were drawn back, and this time prayed and spoke with the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to their testimony, from that day onwards, they had daily apparitions, together or separately, wherever they were.

As with all spiritual encounters the veracity of the claims is often left to faith. And in 1995 an American pilot was comforted by his own vision of Mary and thankfully lived to tell of his experiences.

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