Report on the 2012 Seminar - Medjugorje-mir,mir,mir

2012 19th  International Meeting for Organisers of Pilgrimages, Leaders of Peace Centres and Međugorje Prayer and Charity Groups

The theme of the gathering is:

“…I do belive, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24)

The 19th International Meeting of Organisers of Pilgrimages, Leaders of Peace Centres and Medjugorje Prayer and Charity Groups that was held in Medjugorje from March 4 to March 8, 2012 gathered more than 300 participants from Brazil, Ireland, England, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, France, Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia and largest number of participants was from Italy. The theme of the Meeting was: “I do believe, help my unbelief!” The participants took part in lectures, conversations with lecturers and priests from Medjugorje as well as in the evening prayer programme and other venues that were organised for them. The lecturers were: Fr. Marinko Sakota, Fr. Ante Vuckovic and Fr. Dario Dodig. The coordinator of the retreat was Fr. Danko Perutina.

Fr. Marinko Šakota was born in Čitluk, in 1968. He attended elementary school and the first grade of high school in  Čitluk.
Then he decided to live the Franciscan calling, so he enrolled in the Franciscan seminary in Visoko, where he completed his second grade of high school. He completed the last two grades at the Jesuit High School in Dubrovnik, where he also graduated. He adorned the Franciscan habit on 15 July 1987 in Humac, where he spent a year of his novitiate. He began his studies of philosophy and theology at the Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo (1989–1990), then continued his studies at the Jesuit Academy in Zagreb (1990-1992), and completed them in Fulda, Germany in 1995, where he also earned his degree.  He took his permanent vows in  Široki Brijeg in 1993. He was ordained a deacon in Zagreb in 1996, and a priest in Frohnleiten in 1996. He first served at the Franciscan monastery in Innsbruck where he spent a year assisting. Then he was a spiritual assistant in Frohnleiten, and served as a chaplain in Augsburg. He spent three years serving as a chaplain in Mostar, and then seven years as a priest in Gradnići. Since September 2010 he has served as a chaplain in Međugorje.

Fr. Ante Vučković. Ph.D.   Born in 1958 I Sinj into a large family. He is a member of the Franciscan Province of the Most Holy Saviour with its seat in Split. He attended and completed studies at the classical secondary college and seminary in Sinj, while he studied theology in Makarska and Split. He was ordained as a priest in 1983. After serving as a chaplain in Metković and Munich, he studied philosophy in Munich and Rome where he obtained his doctorate in the dimensions of hearing with Martin Heidegger. He taught philosophy in Rome at the Pontifical University Antonianum and at the Franciscan Divinity School in Makarska. He is a professor at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Split. He also lectures at the Philosophical department of the same university. He is the head of spiritual exercises, seminars and spiritual retreats. He is a spiritual companion and advisor. He has published a number of books. He is published in professional and populist periodicals.