Author: Mario Zubac

Which is the best fasting? “A fast on bread and water.” “I am the Queen of Peace.” (End of August 1981)

Vicka: At 6:20pm, we began to pray at the home of Marinko Ivankovic. The Virgin arrived and said: “Praised be Jesus!” Vicka: People say that since they locked up Fr. Jozo in his cell, the doors unlock by themselves. Is that true? “It is true, but no one believes it.” Ivanka: How is Mirjana? What are her feelings? “Mirjana is sad because she is all alone. I will show her to you.” Suddenly, we saw Mirjana’s face. She was crying. Dear Gospa, there are some young people who betray our faith. “Yes, there are many.” She mentions some names. Vicka asks the Virgin concerning a woman who wanted to leave her husband because he was making her suffer. “Let her remain close to him and accept her suffering. Jesus, Himself, also suffered.” On the matter of a sick young boy: “He is suffering from a very grave illness. Let his parents firmly believe, do penance, then the little boy will be cured.” Jakov asks her about the sign: “Again, a little patience.” Ivan, who had been several days without an apparition: How will I do in this seminary? “Be without fear. I am close to you everywhere and at all times.” Ivan’s diary: Are the people pious in our village? “Your village has become the most fervent parish in Hercegovina. A large number of people distinguish themselves through their piety and their faith.” (Sunday, August 30, 1981)

Jakov: Are you also appearing to Ivan in the seminary? “Yes, just like to you.” How is Ivan Ivankovic? (Son of Pero, cousin of Vicka, and one of four men in Bijakovici who bear this name. He had been arrested by the police on Aug 12th, while on the hill of the apparitions, and was imprisoned.) “He is well. He is enduring everything. All that will pass. Father Jozo sends you greetings.” What is the news from our village? “My angels, you are doing your penance well.” Will you help us in our studies? “God’s help manifests itself everywhere.” “Go in the peace of God with the blessing of Jesus and mine. Goodbye.” (From Ivan’s journal.) Ivanka: Will you leave us a sign soon? “Again, a little patience.” (Saturday, August 29, 1981)

At the hour of the apparition, the visionaries wait in the room of Fr. Jozo, who is in prison. The Virgin does not appear. It is the second time that this has happened. They go to church and pray. She then appears to them: “I was with Father Jozo. That is why I did not come. Do not trouble yourselves if I do not come. It suffices then to pray.” Today, Ivan entered the seminary of Visoko: “You are very tired. Rest, so that you can find strength. Go in the peace of God. Goodbye.” (From Ivan’s journal) – Friday, August 28, 1981

Vicka: Marija and I came to Jakovs house today about 6:00pm. We helped Jakovs mother prepare supper. At 6:00pm the Blessed Virgin came toward us. I was outside when the Blessed Virgin Mary came. She said that they should not have to make one suffer so. We asked her with respect to the sign, and she said: “Very soon, I promise you.” We recommended certain sick people to Our Lady. She stayed with us for 15 minutes. Then we left for the home of Marinko Ivankovic in order to wait for the Blessed Virgin there. She came at 6:30pm. She told Ivan: “Be strong and courageous.” She left, and the cross, the heart and the sun appeared. (Thursday, August 27, 1981)

Today, for the first time, we waited for the Blessed Virgin at the home of Zdenka Ivankovic. There were five of us, because Ivanka had not yet returned. The Blessed Virgin appeared and said: “Praised be Jesus.” She said that tomorrow the people did not have to come, and thus we would be by ourselves. Then also: “Do not give advice to anyone. I know what you feel and that will pass, also.” (Wednesday, August 26, 1981)

Some persons who were present asked the visionaries to request of the Blessed Virgin permission to touch her. Our Lady said: “It is not necessary to touch me. Many are those who do not feel anything when they touch me.” Our Lady also said that among those present, there was a spy (no other clarification was given). On the matter of the sign: “You do not have to become impatient for the day will come.” (Tuesday, August 25, 1981)

In Vicka’s diary,  August 25th, she writes: Yesterday, Monday the 24th at 10:45am, Mirjana and I were at Ivan’s house. We heard a commotion and we went out running. Outside, everybody was looking at the cross on Krizevac. At the spot of the cross, Mirjana, Jakov, Ivan and I saw the Blessed Virgin, and the people saw something like her statue, which then began to disappear, and the cross appeared again. Over the entire sky everyone saw, written in gold letters, the word “MIR” (which means peace in Croatian). Vicka’s diary then reports the apparition on August 25th. A little after Our Lady prayed for peace, a large inscription appeared on top of Krizevac… The word “MIR” was seen by the pastor and many persons from the village. The visionaries affirmed that the Blessed Virgin promised that there would still be many other signs as forerunners before the great sign in Medjugorje, and in other parts of the world. (Monday, August 24, 1981)

Praised be Jesus! I have been with Ivan until now. Pray, my angels, for this people. My children, I give you strength. I will give you some of it always. When you need me, call me. (Sunday, August 23, 1981)

“Father Jozo has nothing to fear. All that will pass.” (Saturday, August 22, 1981)