The Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Zagreb, Croatia, solemnly celebrated the feast day of St. Anthony with a rich program. Many faithful participated, asking for the intercession of the “Saint,” the most beloved saint in Croatia.
The celebration of the feast was preceded by a period of preparation that took place over thirteen Tuesdays. Each Tuesday featured Mass and devotions honoring St. Anthony. The preparatory period culminated with the triduum celebrated by the friars of the Holy Spirit Friary in Zagreb, and the liturgical celebration of the transitus of St. Anthony, which took place on the last day before the feast.
The feast day itself, June 13, 2024, attracted a large number of faithful who came from all around the Zagreb area. According to some estimates, more than 20,000 pilgrims attended the Masses that were offered.
The main Mass in the morning was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, and served by a number of post-novices and postulants. In his homily, Friar Miljenko emphasized: “Faith is something that changes us more and more every day and conforms us to the Lord. Moreover, it is our being conformed to Him, our being in communion with Him, that brings us true peace and true joy.”
Mass in the afternoon was presided over by the Most Reverend Giorgio LINGUA, Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia. Many priests concelebrated, including the Secretary General of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, Father Krunoslav NOVAK, the Minister Provincial of Croatia, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, the Provincial of Croatia for the Salesians, Father Milan IVANČEVIĆ, and the Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia, Father Željko TANJIĆ. In his homily, the Nuncio recalled the example of the life of St. Anthony of Padua and stressed that conversion and consistency in one’s life serve to confirm the Word of God that one proclaims. He mentioned the many signs across Croatia, its churches, statues of saints and the Virgin Mary, crosses in the squares, crosses along the roads, that confirm that Croatia is a Christian country. “But is that enough for us to say that we are believers? “ said the Nuncio, “When Jesus sent his disciples forth into the world, he did not send them to build monumental churches, to sculpt statues that are works of art, or to name squares or streets after the saints who are dear to us. Rather, he sent them forth to build new communities! Communities with a different mindset, inspired by the Gospel.”
Music during the Mass was led by the “Tomislav TALAN” choir. Representatives of civil authorities attended the Mass as well, including one representing the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej PLENKOVIĆ and another representing the President of Croatia, Neven PELICARIĆ.
The feast of Croatia’s beloved St. Anthony was solemnly celebrated in other friaries and parish churches belonging to the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia. Among these, Mass for the feast day in Vinkovci was presided over by the Most Reverend Ivan ČURIĆ, Auxiliary Bishop of Ðakovo-Osijek, Croatia. In Split, it was presided over by the Most Reverend Zdenko KRIŽIĆ, Archbishop of Split–Makarska, Croatia. In Šibenik, it was presided over by the Most Reverend Ranko VIDOVIĆ, Bishop of Hvar, Croatia. The friaries in Novi Marof, Molve, Sisak, Pula, Cres, and Vis solemnly celebrated the feast day as well.
Friar Zlatko VLAHEK, Provincial Secretary
