Image from Medugorje.net (Mate Vasilj)

In mid November, it was reported around the web that Christopher Cardinal Schonborn, Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna, was planning to visit Medugorje.  Now all the speculation can be put to rest, the Cardinal arrived in Medjugorje on Monday, December 28, 2009.  The Cardinal will celebrate New Year and enjoy a few days of quiet prayer time.  This is Cardinal Schonborn’s first visit to St. James Church in Medugorje.  Cardinal Schonborn was greeted by Fr. Petar Vlasic and Fr. Tomisloav Pervan, Pastor and former pastor of St. James.  The Cardinal plans to visit the Cenacolo Community and meet with visionary, Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti.  He will also make himself available to hear confession and be the main celebrant for the New Years Eve midnight Mass in St. James Church.

What is the Cardinal’s purpose for visiting?  Is it personal or was he sent?  Is this part of a wider investigation by the Church?  We’ll just have to wait and see!  Until then, may Our Lady pour fort many graces and blessings upon Cardinal Schonborn and upon  all of us, her children.