The apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, have captivated millions since they began in 1981. Six young visionaries—Ivanka Ivanković, Mirjana Dragičević, Vicka Ivanković, Ivan Dragičević, Marija Pavlović, and Jakov Čolo—claim to have received daily messages from Our Lady, Queen of Peace, emphasizing prayer, fasting, conversion, and peace. Central to these apparitions are ten “secrets” entrusted to each visionary, which reportedly concern future events for the world. Among these, the third secret stands out for its association with a “great sign” or “permanent sign” that is said to affirm the authenticity of the apparitions. The visionaries have spoken sparingly but consistently about this secret, describing the sign’s nature and revealing that they know its exact date of appearance. This article explores their statements, drawing from interviews and documented accounts, while noting the ongoing caution from the Catholic Church regarding the apparitions’ supernatural status.

The Ten Secrets: A Framework for Understanding the Third

The visionaries assert that Our Lady has given each of them ten secrets, some personal and others pertaining to humanity’s future. These secrets are to be revealed sequentially, starting with warnings and chastisements, but the third is uniquely consoling. According to the visionaries, the first two secrets involve admonitions to prompt global conversion, while later ones include more severe events. Mirjana Dragičević-Soldo, who no longer experiences daily apparitions, has been designated to reveal the secrets publicly through a chosen priest, Father Petar Ljubičić, ten days before each event unfolds. In a 1984 apparition, Our Lady informed Mirjana of the precise date for disclosing the first secret’s details to the priest. She stated, “On September 13, 1984, she appeared again and told me the date on which I must give details of the first secrets to the priest.”

The secrets’ revelation process underscores a theme of urgency. Mirjana has emphasized that the secrets motivate conversion, noting in interviews that Our Lady’s plan is to “change the world” and triumph over evil, not to announce destruction. The visionaries collectively know the contents and timing of all ten, but they are bound to silence until the appointed moments.

The Third Secret: The Promise of a Great Sign

The third secret is explicitly linked to the “great sign,” a miraculous manifestation intended as a divine witness to the apparitions’ veracity. Visionary Vicka Ivanković-Mijatović has provided some of the most detailed descriptions. In a 1983 interview with Franciscan priest Father Janko Bubalo, Vicka confirmed that the sign relates directly to the third secret: “The third secret is about a sign that She will leave here [Medjugorje] on the Mountain of the Apparitions. This sign will remain forever. It is a gift to all of us.” She elaborated that the sign will appear on Podbrdo (Apparition Hill), the site of the initial visions, and will be “on earth,” emerging “spontaneously” rather than gradually. Vicka stressed its permanence: “Permanent,” and indestructibility: “By no one… The Virgin said so.”

Ivan Dragičević has echoed this, affirming in a documentary interview that the visionaries “know the sign and when it will be and what it will be. It will be on the place of the apparitions, where Our Lady appeared for the first time, and all the rest is a secret.” He described it as beautiful and visible to anyone who comes to Medjugorje, serving as a call to faith for unbelievers.

Other visionaries, like Jakov Čolo and Mirjana, have corroborated that all six know the sign’s details. The sign is portrayed as a “supernatural, permanent, and indestructible” marker on Apparition Hill, a beacon of hope amid the secrets’ warnings. It is not meant for the faithful who already believe but for skeptics, as Vicka warned: “Whoever does not believe without a sign will not believe with a sign… Woe to him who delays his conversion, waiting for the sign.” This echoes Our Lady’s messages, such as her call for reconciliation and peace, implying the sign follows periods of trial.

Knowledge of the Precise Date: A Closely Guarded Truth

A striking aspect of the visionaries’ testimony is their claim to know the exact date of the great sign’s appearance. Vicka has affirmed this knowledge: When asked if she knows when the Virgin will make the sign evident, she replied, “I know that also.” Ivan similarly confirmed, “Yes,” when questioned about knowing the timing and whether it would occur in his lifetime.

Mirjana’s role highlights the structured timeline for all secrets. On Christmas Day 1982, she received her tenth secret and the dates for all subsequent events. For the third secret specifically, the visionaries indicate the date is known but undisclosed to prevent speculation or delay in conversion. Ivan has cautioned that waiting for the sign could be “too late,” urging immediate response to Our Lady’s calls: “For those people, it will be too late… She wants to make certain that all people have this opportunity.”

The revelation protocol for secrets like the third involves a ten-day warning to Father Petar, followed by three days of public announcement before the event. This process ensures preparation without premature disclosure.

Implications and Church Perspective

The visionaries’ statements on the third secret portray it as a pivotal moment of grace, a “lasting sign” that could lead to widespread conversions. However, they warn against complacency, as emphasized in Our Lady’s messages: “Concerning the secrets, my children, these are not known by the people. But when they will learn of them, it will be too late.” The Catholic Church, through the Vatican’s 2024 “Nihil Obstat,” permits devotion to Medjugorje but refrains from authenticating the apparitions, focusing instead on the spiritual fruits like conversions and healings.

In summary, the Medjugorje visionaries describe the third secret as a magnificent, eternal sign on Apparition Hill, known in detail and dated precisely by them. Their words serve as a call to faith now, rather than awaiting proof. As Mirjana has reflected, “I wish I could say more about what will happen in the future, but I can only point out that we must pray.” For believers and skeptics alike, the message remains one of urgent conversion in a world yearning for peace.