On October 10-11, 2024, an event to celebrate the 800th anniversaries of the Franciscan Centenary was held in Zagreb, Croatia. The theme of the event was: “For Eight Centuries, the Gospel Has Enlightened the whole World through You, St. Francis.” The event was organized by the Council of Franciscan Communities (CCF) in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The first day took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Friars Minor friary in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Friar Jozo GRBEŠ, a Minister Provincial with the Friars Minor, presided over a prayer vigil animated by some clerical students. A relic of St. Francis was exposed and the participants reflected on the saint’s life through meditations, songs and prayer. In particular, they focused on the last four years of Francis’ life through reflections prepared by Stjepan LICE, a Secular Franciscan and a well-known Franciscanist from Zagreb.
On the second day an academic symposium took place on the subject of the Franciscan Anniversaries. It was conducted in two sessions (morning and afternoon) at the Croatian Catholic University in Zagreb. The symposium began with opening remarks by Sister Darija JOVANOVIĆ, the President of the CCF in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which hosted the event. Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia and President of the Commission for the Celebration of Franciscan Jubilees, gave a speech. The program was moderated by Mrs. Tanja MALEŠ, a journalist for TV-Laudato and Croatian Catholic Radio.
Those present included Ministers Provincial, Superiors General and Mothers Provincial, many other men and women religious, all the friars in formation from the local Franciscan communities. In addition, the Most Reverend Ivo MARTINOVIĆ, TOR, Bishop of Požega, Croatia was also on hand to offer some words of welcome.
A total of eight lectures were presented. Renato MATIĆ, OFS, lectured on: “From Inspiration to Institution.” Sister Valerija KOVAČ lectured on: “St. Francis: Man of God for Today.” Friar Ante BEKAVAC, OFM, lectured on: “The Relevance of the Franciscan Rule Today.” Sister Marija PEHAR lectured on: “The Unique Mystery of God in the Incarnation and the Cross.” Friar Bojan RIZVAN, OFM, lectured on: “Greccio: The Mystery of the Incarnation and the Eucharist.” Friar Marinko PEJIĆ, OFM, lectured on: “The Stigmata, through Whose Wounds We Have Been Healed.” Friar Ivan ŠARČEVIĆ, OFM, lectured on: “The Canticle of the Creatures” and Sister Ivanka MIHALJEVIĆ lectured on: “Shining with the Beauty of the Gospel and Our Franciscan Vocation.” After the presentations, there was a question and answer session with the speakers. At midday, the Conventual Franciscan St. Anthony’s House soup kitchen prepared lunch for all the symposium participants. The CCF’s commitment to the poor was further realized when it made a donation to support the charitable activities of the soup kitchen.
The event celebrating the 800th anniversaries of the Franciscan Centenary concluded with Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Dražen KUTLEŠA, Archbishop of Zagreb and President of the Croatian Episcopal Conference. The Mass was celebrated in the Conventual Franciscan Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Zagreb’s Sveti Duh neighborhood. It was animated by a choir composed of various members of the Franciscan Family. After the Mass, a fraternal agape meal was served in front of the Basilica of St. Anthony.
Friar Miljenko HONTIĆ, Minister Provincial