May the road rise up to meet you; may the wind be always at your back; may the sun shine warm upon your face and may the rain fall soft upon your fields...
Originating from the town of Athenry in County Galway Ireland, but later settling in Medjugorje and marrying a local Croatian, Ainja Simovic served the pilgrim groups from many countries in the holy valley of Medjugorje for almost 25 years - 10 of those guiding New Zealand pilgrims.
An amazingly gifted orator, Ainja's talks were legendary, bringing Medjugorje's early history alive into the present. Her speaking talents were sought after around the world including many Marian Congresses. It was an honour and privilege to see Ainja in action; to know this remarkable woman and to call her a friend.
Very few people have a profound effect on your life - Ainja was one of those few. Leading from the front can be demanding and overwhelming. Ainja was a constant strength.
Ainja, I miss you. I miss our long evenings of conversation after an exhausting day serving pilgrims; I miss our Skype conversations in the middle of the night from opposite ends of the earth; I miss your special welcome to the kiwi pilgrims on arrival in Bosnia-Hercegovina as if they were the most important pilgrims to ever step foot on foreign soil; I miss the side-splitting Irish jokes; the climbs up Krizevac and Podbrdo at ungodly hours; the sudden, unannounced changes you made to my perfectly planned itinerary and the incredible way you held your audience like no one else I have ever witnessed.
Ainja Simovic, you taught me much; making me take the helm and steer when I would rather have taken the lifeboat and rowed like hell. You will always be one of the truly greatest and most dynamic human beings I have ever known. How do I carry on leading pilgrims without you? Who is going to tell me at the difficult moments to "develop broad shoulders, toughen up and get on with it." as you told me to do on more than one occasion.
My guide...my mentor...my inspiration...my motivation...my rock...my Ainja.
Rest in Peace my dear friend.
An amazingly gifted orator, Ainja's talks were legendary, bringing Medjugorje's early history alive into the present. Her speaking talents were sought after around the world including many Marian Congresses. It was an honour and privilege to see Ainja in action; to know this remarkable woman and to call her a friend.
Very few people have a profound effect on your life - Ainja was one of those few. Leading from the front can be demanding and overwhelming. Ainja was a constant strength.
Ainja, I miss you. I miss our long evenings of conversation after an exhausting day serving pilgrims; I miss our Skype conversations in the middle of the night from opposite ends of the earth; I miss your special welcome to the kiwi pilgrims on arrival in Bosnia-Hercegovina as if they were the most important pilgrims to ever step foot on foreign soil; I miss the side-splitting Irish jokes; the climbs up Krizevac and Podbrdo at ungodly hours; the sudden, unannounced changes you made to my perfectly planned itinerary and the incredible way you held your audience like no one else I have ever witnessed.
Ainja Simovic, you taught me much; making me take the helm and steer when I would rather have taken the lifeboat and rowed like hell. You will always be one of the truly greatest and most dynamic human beings I have ever known. How do I carry on leading pilgrims without you? Who is going to tell me at the difficult moments to "develop broad shoulders, toughen up and get on with it." as you told me to do on more than one occasion.
My guide...my mentor...my inspiration...my motivation...my rock...my Ainja.
Rest in Peace my dear friend.
…until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
|
|
|