Vatican, (IKA) – The Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, in collaboration with Croatian liturgists, has prepared a Missal for the apostolic visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia, June 4 and 5. The Missal will be used for the encounter with young people and Eucharistic Adoration at Ban Josip Jelačić Square on Saturday, June 4, the first day of the apostolic visit, and the celebration of the Eucharist on the occasion of the National Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families at the Zagreb Hippodrome and celebration of Vespers in the Zagreb cathedral on the second day of the visit, June 5.
In the introduction, there is an explanation of the motto of the visit, “Together in Christ.” The theme of unity – which springs and grows from Christian mystery and relies on it – reveals its relevance to Christian life and activity in all areas.
This is followed by an explanation of each individual liturgical celebration.
The venue of the Prayer Vigil with young people and Eucharistic Adoration at which the Pope will participate is described as a symbolic place for all Croatian public life, because gatherings have occurred there in the past and today that summarize social movements, whether political and economic or general social and cultural events. A painting will be present of Our Lady of the Stone Gates, the protectress of the city of Zagreb. The encounter was conceived as a prayer celebration that starts with the ministry of the Word of God followed by the testimony of the young and an address by the Pope. In the second part, there will be Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in silence.
It is emphasized that Croatian young people, sharing the difficulties of their European contemporaries, have grown up in the atmosphere of the war and postwar periods. Many of them have experienced a difficult life in their families or seen the suffering of others. However, it is recalled that the same young people demonstrate sensitivity for the initiatives of the Church, spiritual encounters, prayer and pilgrimage, the celebration of the sacrament of penance and are open to helping their neighbors in need.

The celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, June 5, at the Zagreb Hippodrome, to be led by the Pope on the occasion of the First National Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families, will be held in a place filled with the memory of the first visit by the Blessed John Paul II to Croatia in 1994 and the celebration of the Mass by a gathering unprecedented in Croatian history.
In the Missal, it is explained that the altar area is conceived to represent two hands, one that covers and protects the source of eternal life, the altar, which is the divine human meeting place in Christ, his cross and resurrection, and the other expresses the strength of the pneumatological symbolism and presence of the God’s Spirit in the Church, led by the successor to Peter. This area summarizes the history of the Church among the Croats and prayer for this communion, which is not built upon earthly but upon heavenly values.
In the proclamation of the Word of God, there will be contents to guide the path of Christian families, inspiring them for the courageous acceptance of the mysteries of life, the upbringing of children in Christian virtues, responsibility and Christian engagement in society, selflessness in helping others and inclusion in the life of their religious communities, all of this in the joy that comes from Christ’s gift of love.
The prayers are in the Latin and Croatian languages, and the Gospel will also be proclaimed in the Croatian redaction of the Old Slavic language.

In the Zagreb cathedral on Sunday afternoon, June 5, Pope Benedict XVI will lead the Second Vesper Service on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer at the tomb of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac will place the beatus before us. The Blessed Alojzije, on the path of the mystery of Christ, his multitude of trials, responded with trust in God and patience, powerfully bearing witness to God’s truth, Church communion and unity in Christ and His Church. The example of the Blessed Alojzije shines and his intercession strengthens us under all circumstances, both good and bad. In him is summarized the modern history of the Church in Croatia but also in a certain way, Central Eastern Europe.
In this liturgical celebration, which will mainly be in the Croatian language, there will also be parts in the Latin language, especially the Marian hymn of “My Soul Magnifies the Lord” (Magnificat) and the Lord’s Prayer. This encounter first of all reflects the beauty of living in consecration and community with those whom Christ has called to follow him.
Moreover, this meeting is intended to express gratitude and prayer for the gift of new priestly and religious vocations, according to the introductory explanation, which is followed by the texts of all three celebrations.
The text of the Missal is also available in electronic form on the website http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/libretti/2011/messale_croazia2011.pdf.