Zagreb, (IKA) – Bishop Mile Bogović of Gospić-Senj, the president of the Executive Council for the Construction of the Church of the Croatian Martyrs, sent a message regarding Croatian Martyrs’ Day, which will be celebrated on September 13, and the construction of the Church of Croatian Martyrs in Udbina. In the message, the faithful are informed that the project of the Church of the Croatian Martyrs remains faithful to its original concept, although major changes have occurred in the architectural sense in comparison to the initial plan. Emphasizing that this is actually a new plan, Bishop Bogović expressed the conviction that the gifts of the faithful “were not tied to a specific form of the church but to the idea of the project, and the new project expresses it even more clearly while at the same time remaining within acceptable financial limits.” It was mentioned that due to the changes in the project, construction will not be delayed according to the schedule and “already next year we should be able to celebrate Croatian Martyrs’ Day in front of the newly built church.” In the message, it is also emphasized that “the new project with its characteristics will even more clearly express a place of prayer and worship and the bond of Croatian crosses throughout our history to our pilgrims.” The Church of the Holy Cross in Nin, connected with the baptismal font of Prince Višeslava, served as the inspiration for the new project.
“The Church of the Croatian Martyrs is our religious and national project, which received the support of our highest public and state institutions. Its construction is also being supported by unselfish gifts from individuals and groups in the homeland and foreign countries. Bishop Bogović invited priests and the faithful in the homeland and other countries to collect donations at Masses on Sunday, September 7, the feast day of the Croatian martyr St. Mark of Križevci (St. Marcus Stephanus Crisinus, sv. Marko Križevčanin) for the construction of the Church of the Croatian Martyrs in Udbina. “This will be a visible sign of our gratitude to those to whom we owe a debt for their sacrifices, for the freedom we enjoy,” stated the message. Gifts should be sent to the (arch)diocesean stewards’ offices or to the see of the Gospić-Senj Diocese: Senjskih žrtava 36, 53000 Gospić, Croatia. The faithful may also send monetary contributions to the following bank accounts at the Croatian Postal Bank: kuna account No. 2390001-1100333894, designated as “za Crkvu hrvatskih mučenika” (for the Church of the Croatian Martyrs) or foreign currency account: 7030-01505912 (Swift:HPBZHR2X), designated as “za Crkvu hrvatskih mučenika” (for the Church of the Croatian Martyrs).
The celebration of Croatian Martyrs’ Day will be held in Udbina on September 13, where Mass will be held at 11 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., prior to the Mass, there will be a procession, the Way of the Cross, from the Church of St. Mark on Krbavsko polje toward the Church of the Croatian Martyrs in Udbina. “We invite all of you to attend in the largest numbers possible as pious pilgrims and to join in this celebration,” emphasizes the message that was sent by the president of the Executive Council for the Construction of the Church of the Croatian Martyrs, Bishop Mile Bogović of Gospić-Senj. More detailed information about the project is available at www.hr-mucenici.hbk.hr and www.gospic.hbk.hr.