Day 7: Cross Mountain and the Eternal City

A few of us woke long before dawn at 5:00 a.m., cold air sharp and quiet over Medjugorje. We bundled up, rosaries in hand, and began the climb up Cross Mountain one last time. The sky was still black, stars bright over the valley. Yesterday’s homily on gratitude had struck me deeply, and so this time, I climbed with only one purpose—to thank God. No requests, no intentions, just thanksgiving. As we made our way up the rocky path, stopping at each of the Stations of the Cross, I felt the mixture of chill and sweat!

When we reached the top, the sun began to rise, washing the white cross in gold. A small group was already there, praying quietly, and one young woman was holding a relic of St. Carlo Acutis. We venerated the relic, and I couldn’t help but think what a gift it is to live in this time—to stand on this mountain with a saint of the new millennium, a young man who loved the Eucharist so much that he called it his “highway to heaven.” I know a lot of holy young folks not too different from him. Praise the Lord!

I stood before the cross, breathed in the morning air, and simply thanked God—for my life, my faith, my family, my parishes, my priesthood, for the pilgrims, for grace. The verse that came to mind was from Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Gratitude lifts the heart to God like incense.

As I stood there, the sun grew brighter, and I remembered that this day, October 13, marks the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima in 1917. I’ve been to Fatima, and I remember kneeling before the tombs of Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, praying with the same awe I felt here—that we are living in a time when heaven keeps breaking into history. What a grace to be alive now, when Our Lady continues to call her children to prayer and conversion! On that mountaintop, I felt connected—to Fatima, to Medjugorje, to every place where God has touched earth through the hand of His Mother.

We descended quietly, hearts full, the rising sun behind us. After breakfast, we went to Mass, and Fr. Jack preached on the Gospel: “An evil generation seeks a sign” (Luke 11:29). He reminded us that Jesus had already healed the sick, raised the dead, forgiven sins—and yet the people still demanded another miracle here, another miracle there. They wanted a spectacle, but Jesus wanted something much greater—the conversion and salvation of their souls. How true that is here in Medjugorje, too. There are always those who come chasing signs, dancing suns, rosaries that change colors, etc etc. But the greatest miracle is not in the sky—it’s in the heart that turns back to God. Conversion is the only sign that matters.

On the bus ride afterward, I spoke a bit about the Five Stones of Medjugorje, the simple spiritual weapons Our Lady has given us. Like David facing Goliath, she tells us that these are how we conquer sin and bring peace into our lives.  Each “stone” is both a weapon and a lifeline—small, simple acts that build a fortress of grace around the soul.

  • 1. Prayer (especially the Rosary):  Our Lady said, “Pray, pray, pray. Let prayer be your life.” The rosary is her favorite weapon. It keeps us close to Jesus through her heart.  Practical point: Pray daily—best to pray all the mysteries. It seems so much, but what else are we doing with various 15 minute intervals of time?  Scrolling? Television? Radio while driving? Prayer is a far better use of time! 

  • 2. Fasting: “Dear children, through fasting and prayer you can stop wars.” (Message, July 21, 1982).  Wednesdays and Fridays. Bread and water is the best fast. Fasting tames the flesh and strengthens the will. Practical point: When you feel hunger, pray for someone else’s deeper hunger—for love, peace, healing.

  • 3. Scripture (Reading the Bible): “Dear children, read Sacred Scripture. Place it in a visible place in your homes.” (Message, October 18, 1984).  God’s Word must shape our minds.  Practical point: Put the Bible in a main spot in your home, and read the Gospel of the day each morning and ask, “What is God saying to me today?”

  • 4. Confession: “Make your peace with God and among yourselves. For that, you must believe, pray, fast, and confess.” (Message, February 25, 1992).  The sacrament is not just forgiveness—it’s healing. Practical point: Go at least monthly, and be honest. The devil hates a clean soul.

  • 5. Eucharist: “Jesus gives Himself to you in the Eucharist to fill you with love and strength for your journey.” This is the center of everything—the heart of Medjugorje and of our faith. Practical point: Attend daily Mass when you can; linger after Communion in silence with Him. And make sure you have a weekly holy hour in an adoration chapel! 

These are the tools for holiness, Our Lady’s own plan for peace. She never complicates things—she simply reminds us how to live as children of God.  And like a good mother, she repeats herself often in the messages!

As we prayed the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries on the ride, I thought of how those mysteries echo everything we’ve lived here: joy, suffering, glory—all bound together by love.

After the flight, we arrived in Rome. To walk out of the airport and see the city of Peter again—what a joy! That first glimpse of St. Peter’s Square, bathed in evening light, took our breaths away. The whole piazza was filled with rows of chairs. Turns out, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass for the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality this morning with more than 50,000 faithful. 

Pilgrims and priests milled about, the great basilica glowing against the night sky.

We had a beautiful meal—good pasta, laughter, a bit of storytelling—and then strolled through the square. We sang the Salve Regina looking at the papal windows, half-hoping the Holy Father might lean out as John Paul II used to from time to time. He didn’t, but the song was a beautiful prayer to God. 

And in one of those small graces that seem to follow us everywhere on this trip, I ran into a priest friend from Springfield—what are the odds, in the middle of Rome? We are one big Catholic family! 

As I returned to my room that night, I thought back to the early hours on Cross Mountain—the darkness, the climb, the first light breaking over the valley. The Gospel had said, “An evil generation seeks a sign,” but sometimes God gives one anyway—the sign of peace, of joy, of hearts awakened. The sun rose over Medjugorje just as it had over Fatima 107 years ago, and I realized once again that the real miracle of the sun is that it still rises—every day—inviting us to gratitude, conversion, and love.

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