World Youth Day rightfully commanded a lot of attention, but this summer (and every year) many young people have been making different pilgrimages. Here, one young pilgrim describes the impact of a visit to Medjugorje.

The Salesian community of Chertsey organised a pilgrimage of young people to Medjugorje last week. Salesian youth from all over the country joined together and embarked on a pilgrimage from 28th July to 2nd of August, to the most holy site of Medjugorje.

The young people said that upon arriving in Medjugorje they could instantly sense the presence of our Blessed Mother. As they entered into Adoration of the Eucharist together with thousands of other pilgrims, they were engulfed by the stillness and beauty of the Lord's presence. The young people attended Holy Mass in which they were able to witness the unity of the universal church as they came across people from all over the globe.

They climbed the Cross Mountain whilst reciting the Stations of the Cross. It was seen as a penitential climb that led the young people to reflect upon Jesus' agonising way to Calvary. After the exhausting climb they reached the summit to gaze upon the cross, which holds a relic of the true cross of Christ.

As the youth visited the Blue Cross on Apparition Hill, they felt the urge to pray in silence and meditate upon the places where our Blessed Mother appeared. They all left the mountain with an even more intimate relationship with the Holy Mother. The Apparition Hill uplifted the faith of the young pilgrims. As they knelt at the site of the apparition they could fully embrace the essence of Medjugorje.

The visit to the Cenacolo community, which was filled with many youth, drug addicts, non-addicts, and those searching for the true meaning of life humbled the youngsters. They sat in for talks given by members of this community, sharing with them their own testimonies about freedom from addictions through Jesus. The "Mothers Village" was also a place of deep reflection as the young people saw the houses that were built by Fr Slavko Barbariá who worked for the justice of abused women and children in Medjugorje.

It was truly a divine journey that the Salesian youth undertook and some of them commented, "every young person should have this opportunity to experience the presence of the Most Holy Mother in Medjugorje."