On October 24, 2026, the central celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis of Assisi took place at the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in the Sveti Duh, neighborhood of Zagreb, and at the Catholic University of Croatia.
The event was organized by the Commission for the Celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee Year of the Council of Franciscan Communities (VFZ) in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The celebration was attended by many bishops, religious superiors, priests, men and women religious, members of the Secular Franciscan Order and Franciscan Youth. Representatives of the Bishops’ Conference of Croatia were also present.
The Most Reverend Dražen KUTLEŠA, Archbishop of Zagreb and President of the Bishops’ Conference Of Croatia, presided over the solemn Mass at the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua. Among the concelebrants was the Most Reverend Archbishop Leopoldo GIRELLI Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, along with many bishops and priests. The Most Reverend Ivica PETANJAK, OFM Cap., Bishop of Krk, Croatia, delivered the homily.
The program began with a penitential service presided over by Friar Darko TEPERT, OFM, Secretary for Formation at the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor in Rome. Following the Liturgy of the Word and a time of reflection, the participants had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This was followed by Evening Prayer and Mass. A choir of Franciscan seminarians and Franciscan women religious, conducted by Sister Jelica DOLIĆ, provided the music for the celebration.
At the beginning of the Mass, Friar Zdravko DADIĆ, OFM, President of the Council of Franciscan Communities and Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor Province of Bosnia Srebrena (Bosnia and Herzegovina), welcomed those gathered. At the end of the celebration, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia and President of the Jubilee Commission, thanked the principal celebrant, the homilist, and the Apostolic Nuncio, presenting each with a commemorative image featuring a Franciscan theme. All of the participants received a commemorative magnet marking the Franciscan Jubilee Year.
The program continued at the Catholic University of Croatia with a musical and theatrical performance entitled The Lord Gave Us Brother Francis (Gospodin nam dade brata Franju), dedicated to the life of St. Francis and the continuing relevance of his message. The performance featured friars, women religious, seminarians, members of the Franciscan Youth, Gabrijela ŠIPEK, and the Kolbe Ensemble, showcasing the diversity and richness of the great Franciscan Family. The gathering concluded with a choral rendition of the hymns The Lord Gave Us Brother Francis and Vjek hvaljen budi, the latter inspired by St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures. This was followed by a time of fellowship and hospitality.
The celebration provided an opportunity for communion within the Franciscan Family and for renewed gratitude for the life and witness of St. Francis, whose call to live the Gospel, fraternity, and peace continues to inspire the Church even today.
Friar Zlatko VLAHEK, Provincial Secretary
