Medjugorje or Rome

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byronious said:
My wife and I are in the beginning stages of planning a trip of a lifetime. We are trying to decide between Rome or Medjugorje. Would welcome (name removed by moderator)ut. Thank you
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Rome.
Medjugorje is not an approved apparition.

Rome is full of the History of the Church and its peoples. There are some very holy places in Rome.
After Rome, I would choose the Holy Land.
 
I believe that the rules have changed regarding Medjugorge and parishes (and parish priests) can now arrange official pilgrimages to Medjugorge and priests and bishops can accompany the faithful on these pilgrimages.

My understanding is that while the Church has not definitively ruled in favour of all the apparitions etc at Medjugorge (nor has she ruled definitively against them), but suggesting that visiting Medjugorge, or going on pilgrimages there, is somehow taboo, or at least frowned upon by the Church, is, I believe, not entirely accurate.

Yes, I think it is fair to say that there is controversy and disagreement among both clergy and laity within the Church about Medjugorge, but it is my understanding is that the Church does not say that Medjugorge is somehow ‘out of bounds’ for faithful Catholics.

I was quite sceptical of Medjugorge, but I went there (I was on holiday in Croatia at the time) and I believe something happened on my climb up Apparition Hill that I think will help me through life.
 
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Medjugorje is worth seeing. It is not Necessarily the easiest place to get to. Unless things have changed there are several puddle jump flights to get to the area and then A fair amount of driving. As an asterisk comment There are also plenty of other interesting things to see in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia region if you want to visit and are going for reasons other than just a pilgrimage. Going to one as opposed to the other doesn’t mean you can’t do both, maybe just choose one and do the other another year. Cost of getting to Bosnia may be more expensive than Rome but once you are in the region , costs will typically be cheaper than a Rome on most items like food and other purchases, if you are under budgetary constraints.
 
Until Medjugorje’s apparitions are approved by the Church, I would not go.

Rome would be my choice … also if you can deal with the safety issues, Israel would be my number one choice.

As I am disabled, I can’t go anywhere … but Israel has always been a dream of mine.
 
I might also add that unfortunately commercialization is high in Rome as are most major cities but it is also to some degree on a smaller scale in Medjugorge. I insinuate from your original comments you are not to familiar with travel in Europe. Although safety isn’t a major concern in most places there, pickpocketing is very prevalent in Rome , so it is always wise to keep an eye on your valuables. Not so much an issue in Bosnia. However, in small rural areas, language may be a small issue. Rome not as much a problem. If you are English speaking, usually more success talking to the younger locals if you need assistance.
 
Katherine438 said:
Until Medjugorje’s apparitions are approved by the Church, I would not go.

Rome would be my choice … also if you can deal with the safety issues, Israel would be my number one choice.

As I am disabled, I can’t go anywhere … but Israel has always been a dream of mine.
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I don’t know the nature of your disability and am not asking, but I know that in this day and age, people with disabilities can travel with the appropriate accommodations. I hope this does not prevent you from flying to the Holy Land. For me, personally, it is not a once-in-a-lifetime thing; I hope to visit every few years.

And also, safety is not a concern in Israel. Israel is very safe country. In fact, while I had to always be on the lookout for pickpockets in Rome, I never felt the same need in Israel, despite the crowds.

I agree, and that is what I said in my original reply to this thread: if you can travel somewhere, before Medjugorje, before Lourdes or Fatima, or even Rome itself, go to the Holy Land first.
 
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Thank you for your reply … my husband does say that I should go when we can get the money up in a few years … but wouldn’t it be impossible to go into the places with a wheelchair?
 
Katherine438 said:
Thank you for your reply … my husband does say that I should go when we can get the money up in a few years … but wouldn’t it be impossible to go into the places with a wheelchair?
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Unfortunately, yes, for some places but not for all. Sadly, one of those places is the hill of Golgotha in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the most sacred place for us Christians. Calvary, where the Lord died, is accessible only through a narrow, winding staircase. It is most regrettable.

However, the Church itself is wheelchair-accessible, and you can still get a lower view of the hill of Calvary from a ground-floor chapel (the Chapel of Adam), and the Rotunda where the Aedicule stands is also accessible (although not the interior of the Tomb itself).

Of course, realistically, the wheelchair-bound will not be able to access every single site an otherwise able-bodied person can, and there will be challenges. But still, to be there as best you can, as close as you can in your situation, would still be a very meaningful experience.
 
JW55 said:
Medjugorje is worth seeing. It is not Necessarily the easiest place to get to. Unless things have changed there are several puddle jump flights to get to the area and then A fair amount of driving. As an asterisk comment There are also plenty of other interesting things to see in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia region if you want to visit and are going for reasons other than just a pilgrimage. Going to one as opposed to the other doesn’t mean you can’t do both, maybe just choose one and do the other another year. Cost of getting to Bosnia may be more expensive than Rome but once you are in the region , costs will typically be cheaper than a Rome on most items like food and other purchases, if you are under budgetary constraints.
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Apart from costs in Southern Croatia, very expensive there, more expensive than Rome I thought, although things are much cheaper in Bosnia.

There seems to be plenty of transport from Dubrovnik to Medjugorge though, coaches etc from Dubrovnik centre (and you see minibuses leaving from the airport so there must be ways to get from the airport also). If you can afford to really splash out, you can hire a private tour to take you there in a car, but that is expensive.

Also in Dubrovnik cathedral (which is quite small) the collection in the Cathedral treasury is worth seeing, including a piece of the true Cross. As a place to visit though, Dubrovnik old town is just stunning I thought.
 
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Thanks for the information … if I were to go in the condition I’m in now I would need a wheelchair … but with the disease I have I don’t have a clue if I might be better off in a few years … so I will decide when the time comes and we have saved the money … I can walk and stand but not for long periods of time … so that is the issue.
 
Katherine438 said:
Thanks for the information … if I were to go in the condition I’m in now I would need a wheelchair … but with the disease I have I don’t have a clue if I might be better off in a few years … so I will decide when the time comes and we have saved the money … I can walk and stand but not for long periods of time … so that is the issue.
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May God in his mercy and love give you the strength and resources to visit the Land where he walked and healed the sick. And even if you could not visit every nick and cranny an able-bodied person can go to, to be even as close as you can to these places will be an edifying experience for you.
 
Thank you so much … the information on the safety was very useful … it is one of the reasons my husband is hesitant … it will be at least two years before I can afford to go … I pray the Lord will give me the strength.
 
Dubrovnik is a tourist centered place so prices will be a little higher than most of the surrounding area. However, You don’t have to get out of Dubrovnik very far to see prices drop substantially. Regardless, it is well worth visiting. The best spaghetti I ever had was in Dubrovnik in a little alley restaurant.
 
Thank you everyone for taking the time to give me (name removed by moderator)ut. Will continue to pray about it. With your advice, I’m definitely leaning toward Rome.
Again thank you!
 
Definitely Rome, hands down! It is such a beautiful city, and for Catholics it is even more spectacular. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon and it couldn’t have been better. Make sure to go to all 4 major basilicas, and do your research on all the relics of the passion of Our Lord. Some are almost hidden, and we only happened to know because people who had been to Rome before us stumbled on them. It is a magnificent place though, and makes for a wonderful pilgrimage.
 
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