On January 22, 2024, the annual meeting of the Guardians with the Definitory of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia took place at the Holy Spirit Friary in Zagreb, Croatia.
The participating Guardians included Friar Vitomir GLAVAŠ from Cres; Friar Zdravko TUBA from Molve; Friar Martin DRETVIĆ from Novi Marof; Friar Đuro HONTIĆ from Pula; Friar Ivan BRADARIĆ from Sisak: Friar Martin JAKOVIĆ from Split: Friar Josip IVANOVIĆ from Šibenik; Friar Josip BLAŽEVIĆ from Vinkovci; Friar Tomislav CVETKO from Copenhagen, Denmark, Friar Ivan KOVAČEVIĆ, the Delegate for the friars in Germany, and finally, Friar Josip PETONJIĆ from Zagreb, who welcomed everyone.
Friar Igor SALMIČ, the Assistant General for the Centralis Europae Foederatio (CEF) also attended the meeting along with the members of the Provincial Definitory.
The meeting began with Midday Prayer in the Chapter Hall of the friary. Then the Minister Provincial, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, offered some words of greeting and welcome. He went on to briefly reflect on the past year, mentioning the most significant events in 2023, and presenting the program for the next stage of the Provincial Four-Year Plan.
Next, there were reports from the Provincial Exactor, Friar Josip PETONJIĆ, the Provincial Econom, Friar Marko VRDOLJAK and the Director of the St. Anthony of Padua House as well as the publication Veritas, Friar Vladimir VIDOVIĆ. All of them reported on important goals that were achieved in 2023. Then, they presented projects and proposals that are intended to be implemented in 2024.
Friar Stjepan BRČINA, Director of the Vocation Promotion Center, briefly presented the events and meetings for youth in 2023, highlighting the participation of young people in the summer camp in Cres, as well as the 2023 World Youth Day meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. In addition to talking about past projects, Friar Stjepan informed the friars about the projects and meetings upcoming for 2024.
Next, each friary was reported on, in keeping with the methodology for presenting the prayer and fraternal life in the community, the apostolate (parish or other activity). In addition, a financial report was given. The reports helped show the life of each individual community, through its news, and through the plans and proposals the friars hope to implement this year.
The meeting concluded with Mass in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, presided over by Friar Igor SALMIČ with the Definitors and the Guardians of the Province concelebrating.
After the Mass, dinner was served in the refectory of the friary followed by some fraternal time together enjoying some of the delicacies the Guardians brought with them.
Friar Zlatko VLAHEK, Provincial Secretary
