Zagreb, (IKA) – A Solemn Mass in commemoration of the Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac was conducted on Monday, February 10, in the Zagreb Cathedral, concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico; the Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak; the Auxiliary Bishops of Zagreb, Msgr. Valentin Pozaić, Msgr. Ivan Šaško and Msgr. Mijo Gorski; and approximately 150 priests, led by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić. Nearly six thousand of the faithful filled Stepinac’s Cathedral and the surrounding area.
In the homily, Cardinal Bozanić noted that we can freely say that our Church and the Croatian nation are inextricably bound to the life and death of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac. The Church preserves the memory of holiness, not surprisingly because remembrance of the Blessed Alojzije has remained alive and is deeply impressed upon the memories of a multitude of witnesses among Croatian Catholics. “God called him and he responded to become a symbol of the Croatian Catholic identity,” said Cardinal Bozanić.
“It is necessary to be here today, with the Blessed Alojzije, to feel the pulsation of the historical heart of our origins, in order to renew the paths of hope for our future,” said the cardinal and explained how “in the period of self-defense from communist totalitarianism, the Croatian people took the path of spiritual maturation, led by the Blessed Alojzije, owing to which the essential values of human life have not been underestimated and the conviction that only God is the supreme guarantor of our individual and national dignity, as well as our rights, has been strengthened. Therefore, national remembrance of the path traveled is renewed here, based upon God and his saving grace, as manifested in our history. Stepinac is the starting point from which it is always necessary to begin anew. He should be a source of our inspiration, strength and orientation, so that the gates of the future will open for us,” said the cardinal.
“Our Croatian nation preserves its memory, which cannot be reduced to the mere enumeration of certain facts. The Croatian people have profound awareness of their own dignity. This awareness has been shaped during the turbulent history of this nation in the defense of the glorious cross and golden freedom. The soul of this nation knows how to celebrate and defend life, how to accept death, how to safeguard and value the family and cultivate family ties, and how to help the needy and the poor. This nation knows solidarity, respects Sunday, rejoices on feast days and celebrations, prays to God and venerates the Blessed Virgin Mary,” said Cardinal Bozanić.
The cardinal cautioned that the Croatian identity is the opposite of the imported and artificial identity that has been strenuously promoted in recent times, allegedly on the basis of scientific achievements but actually tailored to meet the needs and uses of the private sectors. Its promoters, dissatisfied with our homeland, would reinterpret its history, distorting our past. When confronted with such ideologies, the soul of the Croatian nation asserts that it is not necessary to listen to those who attempt to replace reality with ideas, said Cardinal Bozanić, and noted that in our time the Church has not remained on the sidelines. Moreover, explained the cardinal, it has been revealed in its splendor, especially with regard to the lay faithful who bear witness to their faith, who are aware of the responsibility of their calling in the Church and world. Namely, the Church cannot carry out its mission if it does not manifest the entirety of the body of Christ. To this body belong all the faithful, who from day to day are increasingly important for the work of the Church. It is important that we are not afraid. It is important that we dare to build unity and continue to be firm supporters of each other in truth. The Croatian homeland is not having an easy time. In the past, we confronted severe adversities and learned to be patient. Each of us believers should start from himself or herself. This is the most we can do to protect ourselves from becoming enslaved by threats and fear. God’s seed will never stop penetrating the earth and yielding fruit. It is empowered by the love and martyred blood of the Blessed Alojzije, said Cardinal Bozanić, who commended the Croatian nation and Croatian homeland to the intercession of the Blessed Alojzije.
Following the communion prayer, Cardinal Bozanić prayed for the canonization of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac before his tomb.