2020Medjugorje - Mother's Village - First Day Cover

There are many fruits of Our Lady's apparitions in Međugorje, and one of them is “Mother's Village” (Majčino selo), a large family that brings together several communities and associations, and belongs to the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was created in 1993 at the instigation of Fr. Slavko Barbarić, who was encouraged by the case of many children who lost their parents or their home due to war or other unfortunate circumstances, and decided to open an institution to care for them. Fr. Slavko began the construction of the "Mother's Village" together with the Franciscan School Sisters of the Herzegovinian Province of the "Holy Family", on land donated by the municipality of Čitluk in Bijakovići (Medjugorje Parish). It officially began operations on September 8, 1996. "Mother's Village" is a testimony of great love. Love for hundreds of children, young and single mothers who, under the protection of Our Lady of Međugorje, began their new life here. Wounded young people find love, peace and trust, find a new life that is in harmony between God, man and nature. Great is also the love of pilgrims and benefactors from all over the world, with whose help the "Mother's Village" was built and is being maintained. And the Franciscans and nuns follow St. Francis by witnessing love and doing good for the weakest. Simple people leave the "Mother's Village", bringing peace and good with them, thus making the world a better place. (Željka Šaravanja)