Zagreb, October 24, 2003 (IKA) — The archdiocesan and national celebration of the entry of Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb into the College of Cardinals of the Universal Roman Church began on Friday, October 24, with an observance held in the Zagreb cathedral. The program began with a première performance of a work by Miroslav Martinjak. This was followed by congratulations to the newly appointed cardinal on behalf of all present by Auxiliary Bishop Vlado Košić of Zagreb.
“While we congratulate you with this observance, we pray for you, our dear cardinal, to receive abundant strength from God so that in your future undertakings in the College of Cardinals, in addition to your contribution ‘to benefit the Universal Church,’ to promote our homeland of Croatia and our capital city of Zagreb, said Bishop Košić. Noting that these days in Rome Pope John Paul II had pointed out several times that the office of cardinal is in the service of the Church, and how cardinals are called to the love of Christ and the Church, “up to the shedding of blood,” Bishop Košić said that the red color in the liturgy of the Church actually signifies martyrdom, but that it is also a sign of the Holy Spirit and the love that God gave to people, so that people would be able to love God and neighbor to the end. At the observance, there was a showing of the filmed biography, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, directed by Ninoslav Lovčević, and clips about Cardinals Juraj Haulik, Josip Mihalović, the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, Franjo Šeper and Franjo Kuharić from the film Zagreb Archbishops, by the same director. Among the musical numbers, Vox Cordis, the girls’ choir from the Institute of Church Music of the Catholic Theological Faculty under the direction of Vlasta Tkalec, performed the Gregorian chant In medio Ecclesiae, after which the Collegium Pro Musica Sacra, conducted by Josip Šega, performed Kako je dobro (Psalm 133). The Zagreb Soloists performed Elevazione for Strings by Domenico Zipolli and Symphony No. 3 in D Major by Luka Sorkočević. The mixed cathedral choir, conducted by Dr. Vladimir Babuš, performed Oče Naš by Josip Kaplan. The soprano Danijela Tomašić and the mezzo soprano Loredana Milokanović performed Laudamus Te by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by the organist Hvalimira Bledšnajder. The vocal ensemble Nostalgija performed Divici Mariji and the ensemble Kapari of Vrbnik, the birthplace of Cardinal Bozanić, performed Poljubce. A work by Anđeljko Klobučar, Da život imaju, was premièred by the Choir of the Institute of Church Music of the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Zagreb and the Zagreb Seminarians Choir, accompanied on the organ by Hvalimira Bledšnajder and conducted by Maestro Martinjak. Children from the Caritas Home in Brezovica congratulated the cardinal with the song U našem domu and presented him with flowers. Fidelissima by Ivan Tolj and Az rab Božiji by Anton Šuljić were recited by the actor Zlatko Crnković. The first public performance of Spaljeno srce by Drago Štambuk was also given.

At the conclusion of the observance, accompanied by thunderous applause, Cardinal Bozanić expressed his gratitude, saying that some of the events during the time in which we live are suitable occasions for the renewal of historical memory. This occasion, owing to the Holy Father, the inclusion of the archbishop of Zagreb in the College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, is an occasion for us to renew our historical memory, for us to realize that we have deep roots, said the newly appointed cardinal. Thanking the performers and organizers, as well as all those who filled the cathedral, the cardinal expressed the wish that this act would be of use to all, for each in his or her own place to fulfill that task which God has given, and what is expected of him or her by the Croatian nation. The observance was concluded by the work Mnogaja ljeta! performed by the Mixed Cathedral Choir, the Choir of the Institute of Church Music of the Catholic Theological Faculty and the Seminarians Choir, accompanied on the organ by Hvalimira Bledšnajder under the direction of Maestro Miroslav Martinjak. Among the high officials present were the speaker of the recently convened parliament, Zlatko Tomčić, Premier Ivica Račan, an emissary from President Stjepan Mesić, Igor Dekanić, Mayor Vlasta Pavlić, representatives of the political life of Croatia, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of other religious communities, the apostolic nuncio in Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano, bishops from Croatia and neighboring countries led by Cardinal Vinko Puljić, representatives of Church institutions of higher education, generals, provincials, members of the family of Cardinal Bozanić, and representatives of cultural, scientific, economic and artistic institutions.