Foreign deployment in Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Become part of a special medical service – Malteser volunteers wanted!
In 2026, Malteser volunteers with first aid, emergency medical, or healthcare experience once again have the opportunity to take part in a unique international mission in Medjugorje. More than 1.5 million people – especially during the summer months – make a pilgrimage each year to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To ensure that pilgrims receive proper medical care, the Malteser operate a first aid and medical station and are looking for dedicated volunteers to help run it.
At the on-site medical station Marijina Pomoć, you will work alongside international teams to provide care for numerous pilgrims.
If you have any questions, our coordinators for the Medjugorje mission are available at any time.
Fabian Kuchler
Coordinator
Norbert Scheffler
Deputy Coordinator
Michael Tratz
Deputy Coordinator
Kim Tratz
Social Media representative
Your responsibilities on site
- Assisting doctors and nursing staff at the medical station
- Providing first aid to pilgrims around St. James Church, on the pilgrimage grounds, as well as on Cross Mountain and Apparition Hill
- Caring for patients at the medical station until they receive medical treatment
- If required, providing care for sick pilgrims in hotels or within the town
- Organizing and documenting patient data
- If necessary, arranging transport for patients to nearby hospitals
„ For me, Medjugorje is a place of peace and spiritual connection.
Who is this mission suitable for?
We are looking for dedicated volunteer Malteser members, ideally teams of two to four people from the same local unit or diocese.
Individual applications are also possible in consultation with the coordinator.
Minimum qualifications:
- First aider (minimum requirement); ideally emergency medical responder, EMT, nurse, medical assistant, or similar qualification
- Valid driver’s license
- Good physical fitness (including for deployments in mountainous terrain)
- Foreign language skills (at least one additional language besides your native language)
Duration of deployment
- Minimum of one week (Saturday to Saturday)
- For organizational reasons, a two-week deployment is particularly welcome.
„ I particularly enjoyed the camaraderie with volunteers from different countries, living in a shared apartment, the exciting excursions, the contemplative evenings on the church grounds, and the gratitude of the patients and their families.
More than just a mission – A unique experience
Medjugorje is a world-renowned pilgrimage site and a place of prayer and spirituality. For decades, millions of people have traveled to Medjugorje in search of peace, guidance, and a strengthening of their faith.
This mission offers not only valuable experience in medical service, but also opportunities for personal encounters and spiritual growth. At the same time, you will have the chance to explore Medjugorje and its attractions, as well as get to know the local culture. Working alongside international Malteser volunteers from countries such as Hungary, Albania, Croatia, Poland, Austria, and Italy makes this deployment an enriching and inspiring experience.
Malteser medical station in Medjugorje
The medical station is located in the parish building of St. James Church, directly next to the church.
Here you will find:
- Treatment rooms
- Common areas
- Accommodation for visiting Malteser volunteers
The core team consists of doctors and nurses from the association Marijina Pomoć based in Medjugorje and the surrounding area.
Impressions from the medical station
„ What I liked most was that I was able to help people from different countries and spoke several foreign languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and English in one day.