BOOKS ‘Medjugorje - What It Means to Me’, by Louise Hall

Finding peace and hope


Maggie Gibbons

‘Medjugorje - What It Means to Me’, edited by Louise Hall, is a compilation of stories by a large number of Irish people, some very well known from the world of entertainment, such as Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Kennedy and Liam Lawton, and others less so.
Each of the contributors tell us how they came to visit Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and their deeply personal stories share both the experience while there and the ongoing impact in their day-to-day lives.
In this angst-ridden age, most of them felt there had to be something more to life, and without exception each one of them found a peace and hope that lies beyond general understanding. There is a deep honesty in the sharing, and I just loved the fact that while some contributors were willing visitors, others were practically dragged there, kicking and screaming.
More than 40 million people have visited Medjugorje since the apparitions were first reported in 1981. The people who have opened their hearts to share their testimonies in this book are a diverse range, from a recovering heroin addict to a wealthy businessman  and all manner of person in between.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started the book, as I’ve never been to Medjugorje or indeed any Marian Shrine (even Knock!). Once I started reading, however, I found myself engaging with the spirit of the place and found the personal experiences both moving and joyful. While every experience is of course unique, the words that resonated constantly were ‘peace’ and ‘calm’. Every one of their lives was touched. The book evokes a sense of nostalgia – walks through small fields and along dusty roads threw up memories of a long forgotten time when life was lived simply. 
Louise Hall has a strong connection with the place, a legacy perhaps of her mother’s devotion and dedication – she started bringing groups to the shrine in the ’80s and she brought each one of her five children to Medjugorje over the years.
Visitors are welcomed with open arms by the local people as they share their homes and food. The lifestyle is simplicity itself with a total lack of materialism. This is a lovely book for both those who already know Medjugorje or those who have never been there. It’s a book to dip into at any time.

Medjugorje - What It Means to Me (€11.99) is available in local bookshops and from www.columba.ie.