Zagreb, (IKA) – On Statehood Day in the Republic of Croatia, a Mass was held for the homeland in the church of St. Mark in the Zagreb Upper Town, led by Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb. The concelebrants included the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari; the general secretary of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, and the episcopal vicar for the city of Zagreb, the Most Rev. Zvonimir Sekelj.
At the beginning of the Mass, Cardinal Bozanić, Nuncio Cassari, the assembled clergy, the representative of President Stjepan Mesić of the Republic of Croatia, Amir Mubaremi; the speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Luka Bebić; Premier Ivo Sanadar of the Republic of Croatia, Mayor Milan Bandić of Zagreb and other state, municipal and military representatives were greeted by the pastor of the church of St. Mark, Msgr. Franjo Prstec. He pointed out that from the century of Prince Branimir to the present, many tears and much blood have been shed in the defense of the faith and the Homeland. This nation remembers its great figures and benefactors, as well as its persecutors and traitors. For all that was worthy in the past, we thank God and pray that we do not forget the words that John Paul II addressed to us on the occasion of his first Apostolic Visit to Croatia, said Msgr. Prstec.

At the beginning of the homily, Cardinal Bozanić recalled that our nation has often experienced and witnessed the providential intercession of God. When it seemed to us that we were forgotten, our strength was that we did not forget God. When we think about the perils in which we found ourselves as individuals and as the Croatian nation, only a person lacking in understanding and prudence could say that history followed human logic. On Statehood Day, we in our Croatian Homeland give thanks. Gratitude to God is a great quality of our nation because it indicates that we are able to recognize the gifts that we have received. Among those for whom we thank God, we particularly mention the defenders. Sometimes loudly and sometimes in a self-effacing manner, they attempt to point out the importance of remembrance and the danger of forgetting. We are well aware that gratitude without remembrance does not exist, said Cardinal Bozanić, noting that all the drama and all the beauty proclaimed in the Word of God in this celebration are reflected in the defenders’ lives. They remain witnesses to love to the point of mortification and witnesses in humility to the manifestation of the goodness of God.
Therefore, Cardinal Bozanić addressed the Croatian defenders with special gratitude and said: “I know that many of you are wounded in spirit, I know that much has wearied you and I know that the goal of the enemies of Croatia is to have you renounce remembrance under outbursts of attacks, insults and lies. However, I know that the magnanimity with which you defended the Homeland safeguards the beauty of the Croatian soul. While you frequently remind us not to forget, we encourage you to live from the remembrance that preserves the meaning of life with God.”
On this occasion, the cardinal asked how it is possible that in our society, the image of problematic persons can be created from the most meritorious example of the voluntary risking of one’s life for others. If ill is spoken about defenders, if the impression about them is created that they are people who only seek privileges, who want that to which they are not entitled, who entered the war out of greed, if the crystal clarity of their readiness to give their lives is sullied, what remains of Croatia? I already hear responses that not all are in question, only some. They do not say which ones, as if they intentionally do not wish to clear things up. The impression is created that someone is interested in stirring up enough dirt to harm the reputation of the Homeland, warned Cardinal Bozanić. Is it not evident and easily verifiable that some self-proclaimed and actual artists from Croatia are almost competing to see who, using their techniques and available media, will most powerfully draw attention to an ugly image of the defenders, before which beauty remains reticent and preserves the truth as a precious pearl for those who love it? No, we have not forgotten that the defenders, as the most beautiful fruit, preserved the spontaneity that guided them in defense, frequently far from their homes, because the Homeland was in their hearts instead of selfish goals! We mention with gratitude the people to whom it was given through courage to touch the essence of the meaning of life and to convey courage to future generations. The Lord revealed it to the little ones. The wise of this world kept their distance, looked after their own plans and served their own interests. And now they are taking advantage of the sacrifices of others. However, they forget that God performs the ultimate accounting, warned the cardinal, and recalled that when they were plunged into darkness, pressed to the ground, amidst the stench of enemy hatred, the rosary around their necks reminded them that history is written by God and the signature of Christ’s cross is impressed on every page. Although it is said that the pages of the glorious periods of human history are written in golden letters, the most beautiful pages of Croatian history are written with the Word of God. Therefore, if we do not honor this remembrance, if we forget that love requires littleness, not only will others not respect us but we shall become a tired nation without the will to live, said Cardinal Bozanić, pointing out that the defense of the Homeland left abundant testimony of love. Therefore, we are not indifferent when money is considered to be the supreme criterion in our Homeland, when there is talk about prosperity that neglects love and there is talk that rends national unity asunder. This is not a question of political options but of the life of the nation. Unfortunately, continued the cardinal, a society that wants to be rid of the remembrance of God, God’s commandments, its Christian traditions and reject them for the new so-called progressive determinant in life, also wants to rid itself of the voice of remembrance. As God spoke to the nation of Israel, God today is speaking to us of the dangers that come from greed, pride, attachment to that which is fleeting and the rejection of Him. It is not necessary to be a prophet in order to understand that our life without God and without knowledge of eternity leads only to misfortune, failure and the loss of joy. Life with God does not mean that there will not be crosses but that we will always find meaning, without which it is impossible to live, said the cardinal, and cautioned that the trials facing us personally and as a nation should be understood through faith in our relationship with God.”

Today, the most that we can wish for our Homeland and our people is a joyful heart in the Lord, joy that comes when a person “hopes in the Lord” and when he has the spirit of prayer that says “Blessed is the people whose Lord is God, the people whom he has chosen for his legacy,” said the cardinal and commended the Homeland to the intercession of St. Joseph, its patron saint, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At the end of the Mass, the anthem Our Beautiful Homeland was sung.