On October 4, 2026, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi and the year marking the 800th anniversary of his death, Friar Antonio KNEZOVIĆ made his solemn profession at the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia. Through his definitive consecration to God within the fraternity of the Friars Minor Conventual, he reaffirmed his desire to follow Christ on the path of poverty, chastity, and obedience, following the example of St. Francis. Friar Antonio is a member of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, presided over the evening Mass. Also present were many friars from the Province and other priests, including some who had accompanied Friar Antonio on his vocational journey and during his formation. Religious men and women and numerous seminarians from various parts of Croatia also took part in the Mass. In addition to Friar Antonio’s family and relatives, numerous friends and parishioners were present. Everyone was united in prayer and thanksgiving for Friar Antonio’s vocation and bore witness to his definitive consecration to the Lord within the Franciscan fraternity.
In his homily, Friar Miljenko linked the proclaimed Word of God to the life of St. Francis and to Friar Antonio’s response to the Lord’s call. Recalling the words Francis heard before the crucifix at San Damiano—“Francis, go and repair my house”—he pointed out that the Lord still calls men and women today to place themselves at His service so that, through them, He may renew the Church and the world. Friar Miljenko recognized Friar Antonio’s solemn profession as confirmation that he had heard this call and responded to it with openness, giving thanks to God for the gift of his vocation.
Friar Miljenko explained that Christ was at the center of Francis’ life and that every true reform begins with a conversion of the heart. After Francis’ encounter with Christ, he became a new creation: he renounced riches, chose humility and service, and began to recognize others as brothers and sisters and all of creation as a gift from the Creator. Friar Miljenko continued, saying that such a life remains a call to Christ’s disciples today, who can help others experience God’s love through their actions and the way they relate to others.
Friar Miljenko encouraged Friar Antonio to continually find renewed inspiration in the example of St. Francis and in following Christ. He described his solemn profession, made during this jubilee year, as a particular invitation to live the vocation he had received with fidelity and responsibility. He also invited all those present to pray for Friar Antonio and all who have answered the Lord’s call, asking that God grant them perseverance and fidelity.
Eight centuries after Francis’ death, Friar Antonio’s solemn “yes” bears witness to the fact that the call to live according to the Gospel continues to resonate in the hearts of young people today. For the friars of the Province, the celebration was an opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for the gift of a new brother who made his solemn profession and to renew their own commitment to live the Gospel in simplicity, minority, and fraternity.
Friar Zlatko VLAHEK, Provincial Secretary
