The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, a small village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, have captivated millions of Catholics and spiritual seekers since they reportedly began in 1981. Central to the messages delivered by Our Lady to the six visionaries—Vicka Ivanković-Mijatović, Marija Pavlović-Lunetti, Ivanka Ivanković-Elez, Mirjana Dragičević-Soldo, Ivan Dragičević, and Jakov Čolo—is a call to prayer, conversion, and fasting. Fasting, in particular, holds a prominent place in the Medjugorje spirituality, and the visionaries have shared insights into its significance, especially during the season of Lent. This article explores what the Medjugorje visionaries have said about fasting during this penitential period, drawing from their testimonies and the messages they attribute to Our Lady.
The Call to Fast: A Core Message
From the early days of the apparitions, Our Lady emphasized fasting as a vital spiritual practice. She reportedly urged the faithful to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, specifically on bread and water, describing it as the “best fast.” During Lent, this call intensifies, aligning with the Church’s traditional season of penance and preparation for Easter. The visionaries have consistently relayed that fasting, when paired with prayer, is a powerful tool for personal transformation, peace, and even averting worldly calamities.
In a message dated September 26, 1985, shared by Marija Pavlović-Lunetti, Our Lady said: “Especially live the fast, because by fasting you will achieve and cause me the joy of the whole plan, which God is planning here in Medjugorje, being fulfilled.” This message underscores fasting’s role in fulfilling a divine purpose, a theme that resonates deeply during Lent, when Catholics are called to unite their sacrifices wit
Fasting as a Spiritual Weapon
The visionaries often describe fasting as one of the “five stones” of Medjugorje—prayer, fasting, the Eucharist, Scripture, and confession—tools to combat evil and grow closer to God. Vicka Ivanković-Mijatović, known for her radiant joy and detailed accounts of the apparitions, has spoken about fasting’s transformative power. In talks with pilgrims, she has explained that Our Lady encourages fasting on bread and water not as a burden but as an act of love. “If you fast out of love, it will not be difficult,” Vicka has said, emphasizing that the intention behind the fast matters more than the act itself. During Lent, she encourages pilgrims to embrace this practice to deepen their faith and draw nearer to Jesus.
Jakov Čolo, the youngest visionary, who was just 10 when the apparitions began, has also highlighted fasting’s importance. In a testimony shared during a fasting retreat, he remarked, “Our Lady says fasting and prayer together can stop wars and suspend the laws of nature.” For Jakov, Lent is a special time to respond to this call, offering sacrifices for peace in the world and in one’s heart.
Practical Guidance for Lent
The visionaries provide practical advice on how to fast, especially during Lent. Marija Pavlović-Lunetti has relayed Our Lady’s suggestion that those unable to fast strictly on bread and water—due to health or other valid reasons—can offer alternative sacrifices, such as giving up sweets, television, or other attachments. This flexibility reflects a compassionate approach, ensuring that fasting remains accessible to all. However, for those who can, the bread-and-water fast is presented as ideal, a discipline to be embraced particularly on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent.
Mirjana Dragičević-Soldo, who receives annual apparitions and monthly messages for the world until 2024, has echoed this guidance. She once shared that Our Lady encourages starting small if fasting is new: “Begin with what you can, and offer it with love.” During Lent, Mirjana emphasizes that fasting purifies the heart, preparing it to receive the graces of Easter.
The Fruits of Fasting in Lent
The visionaries frequently point to the spiritual fruits of fasting, which become especially evident during Lent. Ivan Dragičević, who continues to experience daily apparitions, has said that fasting “cleanses the mind, knocks down ego, and raises humility.” He encourages pilgrims to see Lent as a time to “wash the spirit,” aligning their sacrifices with Christ’s 40 days in the desert. Ivan often reminds people that fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food but about opening oneself to God’s will.
Ivanka Ivanković-Elez, whose apparitions ended in 1985 after receiving the tenth secret, has spoken less publicly but has affirmed fasting’s role in bringing peace. In a rare interview, she noted that Our Lady’s messages during Lent call for a return to simplicity and trust in God, with fasting as a key practice to achieve this.
A Lenten Invitation
The Medjugorje visionaries collectively present fasting during Lent as an invitation to spiritual renewal. In a reflection on a March 25, 2007 message—“I desire to inspire you to continue to live fasting with an open heart. By fasting and renunciation, little children, you will be stronger in faith”—Marija emphasized that Lent is a time to grow in holiness through these acts of self-denial. The visionaries stress that fasting isn’t meant to be a grim obligation but a joyful offering, mirroring Christ’s sacrifice and Our Lady’s maternal guidance.
Conclusion
For the Medjugorje visionaries, fasting during Lent is more than a tradition—it’s a divine call to participate in God’s plan of salvation. Through their testimonies, they convey Our Lady’s insistence on bread-and-water fasting as a powerful means of conversion, peace, and spiritual strength, while offering practical and compassionate advice for all to join in. As Lent unfolds, their words challenge believers to embrace fasting not just as a discipline but as a loving response to a mother’s plea, preparing their hearts for the triumph of Easter. Whether one fully accepts the Medjugorje apparitions or not, the visionaries’ insights on fasting resonate with the timeless Christian call to penance and prayer during this sacred season.
