Our History
From Guest House to Prayer House
In 1983 a family from the Highlands of Scotland visited Medjugorje in Bosnia. They went because they had heard that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was appearing to a group of children. Their visit affected their lives in many ways. On their return they decided to turn their guest house into a house of prayer – a retreat centre. Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer began to take shape. Very soon a group of young people inspired by the messages of Our Lady Queen of Peace formed a community at Craig Lodge. Over 90 young people have since come and devoted a year to living out Our Lady’s call to holiness through prayer, service and evangelisation. Today, Craig Lodge Community is also made up of families and single people who live close by to Craig Lodge and who have chosen to make a more permanent commitment to Community. The same desire unites us; to journey along the road to holiness together by listening to Our Lady and doing our best to put her messages into practice.
Feeding 500,000
In 1992 when war had engulfed Bosnia, many refugees ended up in the area around Medjugorje. Their suffering could not be ignored. Craig Lodge Community responded by collecting and delivering aid to Medjugorje. This was intended to be a one-off delivery but the scale of the suffering and the level of response to our appeal at home gave rise to further deliveries. Before long an overseas aid charity was set up. Today this charity, Mary’s Meals, is offering a daily meal in school to over 500,000 children living in the developing world. The work of Mary’s Meals and Craig Lodge share the same root – both are fruit of Medjugorje. The Head Office for Mary’s Meals is in the grounds of Craig Lodge. The Community supports Mary’s Meals by praying and interceding for the work, by telling our guests about Mary’s Meals and by encouraging them to get involved and by offering hospitality to visitors to Mary’s Meals. www.marysmeals.org
Craig Lodge Today
Today Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer welcomes visitors from around the world who come to take part in a retreat or simply from a quiet, prayerful holiday. It continues to be home to members of Craig Lodge Community whether they are here for a single, life-changing year or have chosen to put down roots in this special place.
