Even the people of Medjugorje don’t realize the importance of what is going on in their parish:

May 9, 1985
 

“…no, you do not know how many graces God is giving you!…”
 

The graces that God gives through the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje are tremendous:

June 2, 1984
 

“…God will give you gifts by which you will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth…”

During Ivanka’s last daily apparition, the Queen of Peace told her:
 

May 7, 1985

“…No one in the world has had the grace which you, your brothers, and sisters have received…”
 

The apparitions in Medjugorje are unique. They represent something that was never before done by God - daily apparitions for over twenty-eight years now. Our Lady also said that they were to be the last apparitions on earth. This statement caused some surprise, so the visionaries asked Our Lady questions about it many times and She confirmed:

May 2, 1982

“I have come to call the world to conversion for the last time. Afterwards, I will not appear any more on this earth.”
 

However, this does not mean that there are no other apparitions going on now in the world while the apparitions in Medjugorje are happening, such as happened with Kiebho. On the contrary, this is “a time of grace” where God is actively bringing men back to Him. But after the end of the Medjugorje apparitions, there won’t be any more genuine apparitions on earth, “only some false apparitions,” says Our Lady.

We have many messages that tell us how Medjugorje is important to Our Lady. She wants Medjugorje to be an example for all parishes and all communities, both religious and lay, in the world, because this parish is special and has been chosen in a special way:

February 6, 1986

“…this parish, which I have chosen, is special and different from others. And I am giving great graces to all who pray with the heart…”
 

In 1987 Marija was asked this question by a French theologian: “Why do I have to come to Medjugorje as Our Lady is everywhere where we pray to Her?” Marija’s answer was simple: “In Medjugorje Our Lady gives SPECIAL GRACES.” Medjugorje is a special place, but the people of Medjugorje are a special people also:

November 15, 1984
 

“Dear children, you are a chosen people and God has given you great graces. You are not conscious of every message which I am giving you…”
 

Here Our Lady speaks to the people of Medjugorje. They are a “chosen people.” They are called to be the instrument of a great plan. An important intention of the Mother of God is to make all of us realize the importance of Her plan because we are not conscious of it or the greatness of it all.

According to Vicka, “What Our Lady does here has never been done before.” Our Lady explains on April 4, 1985 - Holy Thursday:

“…I wish to keep on giving you messages as it has never been in history from the beginning of the world…”
 

Our Lady accomplishes this project, which is so great and unique and the first of its kind, through a people of a parish, a people She has chosen. This is very clear after studying the messages as a whole. Here is one example:

March 21, 1985
 

“…I love you and in a special way I have chosen this parish, one more dear to me than the others, in which I have gladly remained when the Almighty sent me…”
 

Although men remain men, with all their sins and shortcomings, these men and women of this little village of Herzegovina were chosen in a very special way. Many temptations, many of the seductions of the world attack them, but they are still the chosen ones. Sin and satan are powerful and even though the spiritual nature of the parish is in danger and could even die, the Blessed Mother continues to watch over Her chosen and dear children:

August 1, 1985
 

“…I wish to tell you that I have chosen this parish and that I am guarding it in my hands like a little flower that does not want to die…”
 

At least a small number will be saved to be the witnesses of God’s peace in the world. After reading the following messages, it is obvious that Our Lady gave a special “privilege” to the parish of Medjugorje.

March 1, 1984
 

“…I have chosen this parish in a special way and I wish to lead it. I am guarding it in love and I want everyone to be mine…”
 

February 6, 1986

“…Dear children, I am giving messages first of all to the residents of the parish, and then to all the others…”
 

And this message given to Jelena (July 30, 1987):

“…Dear children, to be chosen by God is really something great, but it is also a responsibility for you to pray more, for you, the chosen ones, to encourage others, so you can be a light for people in darkness….Dear children, this is the reason for my presence among you for such a long time: to lead you on the path of Jesus. I want to save you and, THROUGH YOU, TO SAVE THE WHOLE WORLD…”
 

This message was addressed to the parish in general and in particular to the members of Jelena’s prayer group. Our Lady wants to save the whole world through Medjugorje.

With Love for Our Lady,

A Friend of Medjugorje
From Words From Heaven, 1991