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Hosanna in the Highest
THE SIX VISIONARIES
Mirjana Dragicevic Soldo, born March 18, 1965 in Sarajevo, Mirjana was visiting her grandmother in Medjugorje when the apparitions began. She was the first to receive all ten secrets. Her last daily apparition was on December 25, 1982. Our Lady has promised to appear to her every year on her birthday, which has to this date occurred. When Our Lady instructs her to do so, Mirjana will tell a priest (she has chosen Fr. Petar Ljubicic who resides in Medjugorje), who will announce the secrets to the world, one by one, three days before each event is to begin. Mirjana married Marco Saldo (a nephew of Fr. Slavko, a Franciscan priest at St. James Church) on September 16, 1989. They have two daughters and live in the parish of Medjugorje. Mirjana is a bright and serious young woman, she completed studies at the university in Sarajevo. She has said. "My relationship with Our Lady has become one of a mother and daughter. Jesus is like a friend, or an older brother". Her mission is to pray for unbelievers or for those who have not yet come to know the love of God.
Last Apparition - Last regular daily apparition of Our Lady to Mirjana Soldo, Dec 25, 1982.
Annual Apparition - Annual apparition of Our Lady to Mirjana Soldo, March 18, 2000.
Ivanka Ivankovic Elez, born on July 21,1966 in Bijakovici and had daily apparitions from the first day. She was the first to see Our Lady, her last daily apparition was May 7, 1985 and was the second to receive the last of ten secrets. Our Lady also told Ivanka she would appear to her for the rest of her life on June 25th, the anniversary of the first apparition. This has happened each year. Ivanka was the first visionary to marry. She married Raiko Elez on December 28, 1986, they have three children and live in the parish of Medjugorje. Of the visionaries, Ivanka is the least seen and seldom speaks to pilgrims. She has chosen to live a quiet life with her family. She has said."We simply must pray more and live the messages of Medjugorje". Her mission is to pray for families.
Last Apparition - Last regular daily apparition of Our Lady to Ivanka, May 7, 1985.
Annual Apparition - Annual apparition of Our Lady to Ivanka Ivankovic Elez, June 25, 1999.
Vicka Ivankovic, The oldest visionary and the only one not married, Vicka was born September 3, 1964 in Bijakovici. Vicka received the ninth secret on April 23, 1986, her daily apparitions continue to this day.Vicka still lives in her parent's home and is the most visible and spends many hours each day speaking with the pilgrims about the messages Gospa is giving to the world. When Our Lady indicated that one of the older seers should remain at Medjugorje during school days so that young seer, Jakov, would not be left alone, Vicka volunteered and quit school. Mary has given Vicka an account of her life. To date, Our Lady has not allowed the release of the book. Vicka has been asked by Our Lady on many occasions if she would accept extra sufferings and Vicka has always given her fiat. Vicka is the most vivacious and wins you over with her beautiful and bright smile. Vicka has said, "Great things are happening here; Our Lady is among us. She wishes to attract everyone to her Son. That's the reason she has been coming so long and so often". Her mission is to pray for the sick.
Marija Pavlovic Lunetti, born in Bijakovici, on April 1, 1965, Maria has received nine of the ten secrets and has daily apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through her, Our Lady conveys the monthly message to the world on the 25th of every month. Marija was married to Paulo Lunetti on September 8, 1993. Marija gave birth to her third son on July 19, 1997, in Monza Italy. Marija lives part of the time in Italy, where her husband Paulo is in business, but the two of them have a home in Medjugorje and return often. She has two sisters and three brothers. Her sister Milka, was present at the first apparition and has talked in America). She gave one of her kidneys to her brother, Andrija, in a transplant operation at a university hospital in Birmingham, Alabama,USA, in late 1988. Marija has a contemplative nature. When one looks at her it is as if she pierces your soul. She has said, "It is not I, it's Our Lady who urges us to nurture prayer, to propagate peace and to fast. She says that everyone who comes to Medjugorje must be converted". Her mission is to pray for the souls in purgatory and for nuns.
Ivan Dragicevic, another Bijakovici native, Ivan was born May 25, 1965 and still receives daily apparitions. He has received nine of the ten secrets. Ivan is the eldest of two brothers. Their father, Stanko, and mother, Zlata, his two brothers, both married with children make their home in Biokivici. Ivan tried Seminary life and also spent a year in the military service, in a tank regiment, near Ljubluna in Slovenia. He married Laureen Murphy on October 23, 1994 at St. Leonard's Church in Boston, MA. Their first daughter Kristina was born in October of 1995 and on January 15, 1999 had their second daughter Mikayla. Ivan and his wife live in Boston and return quite often to Medjugorje. Ivan has traveled extensively, more than any of the other visionaries, always spreading Our Lady's messages of peace, prayer, conversion and penance.Ivan has grown in great wisdom and knowledge and exudes confidence in his character and deep spirituality. He has said, "Thereupon the Mother of God invited us to say the five glorious mysteries of the rosary in front of the cross..." His mission is to pray for the youth and priests.
Jakov Colo, the youngest visionary, was only ten when the apparitions began. He was born March 6,1971. He is the third and most recent visionary to receive the tenth secret. Jakov was married at St. James Church in Medjugorje on Easter Sunday, 1993 to Annalisa, an Italian girl. They have two children and live in the parish of Medjugorje. In the early days you could find Jakov working in the gift shop of Medjugorje. His father, Ante, who worked in Germany, died in May 1986, leaving Jakov an orphan. Before his marriage to Annalisa he lived with his aunt and uncle. He went to school in Citluk. His mother had also died sometime before the apparitions began He has said, I try more and more, to fulfill the messages that Our Lady gives us. I feel I'm closer to God now. I believe we have to pray that God's plans will be realized".
Last Apparition - Last regular daily apparition of Our Lady to Jakov Colo, September 12, 1998.
Annual Apparition - Annual apparition of the Queen of Peace to Jakov Colo, Christmas Day, December 25, 1999.
Such are the six "children", now young adults and all but Vicka, married with families, who have seen Our Blessed Mother for over eighteen years. It is not our intention to put all the focus on the visionaries, but to give you a little background and insight on the chosen messengers. Hopefully, by their relaying to us the core message of Medjugorje of Peace, prayer, conversion and fasting and by their help and example we will be inspired to travel the journey to God we are all called to do. They have all undergone extensive scientific and medical examinations and all are normal and show great courage and fortitude and love one another. All seek to serve Mary, to become better Christians and to fulfill their mission.
Compiled by: Perla Saenz
Last modified: 12 September 2005
The visionaries, most of whom were teenagers when the apparitions began, have grown up in the years that have passed since June 25, 1981. The following is a brief account of their lives.